African Wattle Sculpture

By Gys Potgieter

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Designer

Gys Potgieter

Woodcrafter

Gys Potgieter

Tree

Weeping Wattle

Common name

Wattle Tree

African wattle sculpture

This unique sculpture celebrates the circle of life and represents the infinite nature of taking and giving back life to Earth. The piece of wood used to create this artwork was picked up in a veld, but its splendour was soon revealed after opening up the surface and exposing the beautiful grain. The African wattle tree is significant in providing pollen and nectar for bees and depending on your viewpoint, you may notice a swarm of bees in mid-flight or the slow and deliberate shape of the wattlebird.

DESIGNER

Gys Potgieter is the visionary and owner of Kuni, a master of his craft and doing what he loves – crafting wood by hand. He favours indigenous wooden slabs and his designs flow with the shape, grain and nature of the slab. For Gys, the perfectly crafted furniture piece is as functional as it is beautiful. It is not about the extent or number of items produced, but about the passion and pride of producing a single, unique, handcrafted work of art, a natural object of lasting beauty.

Gys Potgieter

AFRICAN WATTLE

THE TREE

Family: Fabaceae | Synonym: Peltophorum africanum Sond

The African wattle is a semi-deciduous to deciduous tree and grows to about 15m tall. It is a native tree to Southern Africa and has beautiful yellow flowers, making it an excellent tree for bee-keepers. In spring time, water drips from the tree branches, which is why the tree is often referred to as the “weeping wattle.”

The African wattle grows mainly in the northern provinces and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.

USING THE WOOD

The African wattle is a great fire-wood and excellent for carving.

WOOD PROPERTIES

The roots of the African wattle are used to heal wounds, toothache and sore throats. It is also used to relieve stomach pain and treat sore eyes.