Details
- Maker•Courtney Petley
- Medium•Wood
- Origin•Aotearoa
- Timber•Swamp Kauri
- Dimensions•365mm long × 115mm wide × 75mm high
Description
Hand carved from a single piece of Swamp Kauri by Courtney Petley in Auckland, the Crocodile has a long, low form, with a ridged back, broad body and simplified features shaped from the timber.
Natural markings run through this particular piece of Swamp Kauri, with the largest travelling from beneath one of the spikes along the back and through the rear leg. Rather than being removed or concealed, these markings remain visible within the finished piece.
Swamp Kauri is an ancient New Zealand timber, preserved underground for thousands of years before being carefully recovered. This rare timber is prized for its stunning grain patterns, rich golden-brown hues, and remarkable stability. Each piece tells a story spanning millennia, making the Crocodile a truly unique piece.
Impurities, cracks, knots and nail holes are signs of the natural material and its previous use. Courtney considers these markings a thing of beauty, purposely preserving and including them to celebrate and honour the history, age and natural beauty of the timber.
Shipping
Please refer to our shipping page for rates and delivery time frames.
- 【66】Courtney Petley
Courtney Petley is a self-taught woodworker based in Auckland, New Zealand, who found her passion for woodworking in 2014. Originally from the fashion industry, Courtney began carving with an axe, a knife and an old piece of Rimu floorboard, making her first kitchen utensil one winter evening. What started as a hobby grew into a full-time practice by 2017, expanding beyond kitchen utensils to include chopping boards, furniture, lighting and sculptural objects.
Working predominantly with reclaimed native New Zealand timbers, Courtney’s practice is grounded in an appreciation for functional design and the natural character of the wood. Each piece is made by hand, allowing the grain, colour, age and imperfections of the timber to remain an integral part of the finished object.
Courtney also shares her knowledge through spoon-making workshops, teaching others the hand-carving techniques that first began her own woodworking practice.
