Happy Monk Sculpture with a Gourd

Carved from natural burl wood, this joyful monk is captured mid-dance, radiating movement and lightness. The sculpture is detailed with sterling silver and accented with 24K gold leaf. A silver gourd with gold-leaf detailing hangs at his waist, symbolizing good fortune, health, longevity, and protection. Blue topaz earring studs add a subtle touch of color. The piece is presented on a black granite stand.

Rolf von Bueren, an avid burl wood collector for over 40 years, personally travels to Japan to seek out rare and beautiful pieces of burl wood. Some he keeps, some he shares with his collector friends, and some he uses in LAdV designs. Burl wood results in uniquely patterned wood that is highly prized for its beauty. It is valued and sought after by artists, furniture makers, and sculptors. The ""wild grain"" in burl makes the wood extremely dense and resistant to splitting, which is why it is valued for bowls, artifacts, and sculptures. The rarity and natural beauty of burl wood make it a prized material for creating exquisite and one-of-a-kind designs. Burl wood is also a popular material in many auction houses across the world.

After sourcing the wood, this piece took 2 months with over 8 designers and craftsmen involved at various stages to finish it. 

Size: 32(W) x 27(L) x 52.5(H) cm.
Weight: 5.95 kg.