What is bog oak?
Bog oak is a rare and ancient form of subfossilized wood, typically oak, that has been preserved for thousands of years in the oxygen-starved, acidic conditions of peat bogs, wetlands, and riverbeds. Over centuries—sometimes millennia—the timber becomes naturally stained and darkened, undergoing a slow mineralization process that transforms it from ordinary wood into a dense, almost stone-like material with exceptional durability and a strikingly dark appearance. Though not truly petrified, bog oak bridges the gap between organic and fossil, suspended between the worlds of wood and stone.
Submersion
Prized throughout history for its aesthetic and symbolic qualities, bog oak has long been associated with power, prestige, and masterful craftsmanship. In medieval and Renaissance Europe, it was used to create thrones, royal furnishings, ceremonial items, and sacred objects, reserved for kings, emperors, and the highest ranks of the clergy. Its deep, lustrous black and chocolate-brown tones—naturally acquired over centuries—gave it an aura of mystery and solemnity. These rich hues, paired with its intricate grain patterns and natural textures, imbued each piece with a sense of majesty and timelessness.
More than just a material, bog oak became a symbol. Its resilience—born from centuries of burial and transformation—embodied strength, continuity, and legacy. Items crafted from bog oak were meant to endure, to be passed down across generations as both heirlooms and witnesses of history. Its density and hardness, achieved through the slow infusion of tannins and minerals from the surrounding earth, made it an ideal medium for intricate carving and durable construction.
We supervise the whole process: from excavating the wood, through sawing, drying, storing, processing, up to designing and creating the final product. Since the beginning, we are putting emphasis on the smallest details. Each piece of furniture has been made by hand with the greatest care. Sometimes we need hundreds of hours before the design is fully elaborated and the created piece of work may be handed over to the client. There really are no limits for creating unusual products from this unique material.