Moroccan Thuya Wood

Thuya Wood Tree

One of our best selling items on www.worldtravelart.com is a handcrafted Moroccan Puzzle Box made from aromatic Thuya Wood. (Tetraclinis Articulata).

The coniferous, small evergreen tree is unique to the foothills of the Atlas Mountains in North West Africa and gives off an aromatic odour for protection from parasites. It is one of only a small number of conifers able to re-grow by sprouting from the stumps, an adaptation to survive wildfire and moderate browsing by animals.

Moroccan Puzzle Box

For centuries, Thuya wood has been used for decorative woodwork, particularly wood from burls at the base of the trunk. Due to Thuya wood's limited supply and careful policy of sustainability, the focus is to produce smaller items like the puzzle boxes and in controlled quantities. The unique blend of burled grain in the wood gives a magnificent appearance and sets Thuya wood apart from other woods.

Artisans in Morocco are traditionally organised in souks that specialise in a specific skill such as wood carving, pottery, leather work amongst others. The traditional skills have been handed down from generation to generation.