Nordic Carved Wood Goose Figure

Scandinavian carving tends to strip a creature back to the two or three lines that make it recognisable, and this goose is a fair example. The neck curves, the body rounds off, and the surface is left smooth and unpainted so the teak itself carries the interest. Nothing about it shouts. On a mantel among books and ceramics, or on an open shelf beside a plant, it reads as a quiet punctuation mark rather than a centrepiece competing for the eye.

Two sizes are available and each is sold as a single figure. The small measures 8 x 3.5 x 13cm, which suits a windowsill, a bedside stack or a narrow shelf where depth is tight. The large measures 14.5 x 6.5 x 20cm and has enough presence to anchor a console table or a hearth on its own. Buying one of each suits an asymmetric grouping, since the height difference does the composing for you.

Teak is a natural material and every blank comes off the tree slightly differently, so grain, tone and figure vary from piece to piece; the goose you receive will not be an exact match for a photograph, and that is the point of a carved object rather than a moulded one. Keep it out of direct heat and wipe it with a dry cloth. It is a decorative ornament and not a toy, so keep it out of reach of small children.

• Carved teak goose figure with a smooth natural finish
• Small: 8 x 3.5 x 13cm
• Large: 14.5 x 6.5 x 20cm
• Sold as a single figure per size
• Minimalist Scandinavian form for shelves, mantels and tabletops
• Natural wood: grain, tone and figure vary from piece to piece
• Warning: this is not a toy - keep out of reach of small children