Shipworm Artistry – Natural Timber Pylon
The sea is full of mysteries, and one of its hidden artists is the humble shipworm. These creatures, though known for the damage they cause, are nature’s accidental sculptors, transforming timber pylons, wharves, and shipwrecks into intricate, organic art pieces over time.
Inspired by the complex and delicate patterns shipworms leave behind, Natureworks owner David Joffe has created a remarkable replica of an eroded wharf pylon. The sculpture captures nature’s craftsmanship in stunning detail, bringing a piece of the ocean’s hidden beauty into people’s homes.
Weathered wood-boring molluscs sculpt a piece of art
With tiny shells, shipworms carve tunnels through submerged wood, which become both a food source and a safe habitat for them. These tunnels slowly transform a solid timber structure into a delicate web of curves, crevices, and textures, giving the wood an appearance of aged, organic lace.
Seeing beauty in nature – inspired by a love of the natural world
David Joffe came across a weathered wharf pylon ravaged by shipworms and was struck by its beauty. Where some might see the damage, Joffe saw art—organic crevices, softened curves, and unexpected patterns carved by the shipworms’ quiet persistence. To preserve this natural wonder, he decided to create a replica, capturing each groove, crevice, and mark to reveal the remarkable story of transformation hidden within the wood’s decay.
We invite you to take a closer look to explore each crevice, trace the pathways created by these industrious marine creatures, and appreciate the surprising beauty of natural erosion. If you are looking for a unique and natural decor feature, this may be the one! It’s now available to the public and would make an interesting talking point, with its own story to tell.
Read our blog post about how this organic sculpture was inspired by Mother Nature.
Features
- L 240.5cm – 8ft tall – approx 30kg – lightweight and easy to move around
- Round base 30cm diameter and tapers to 20cm at the top
- Artificial timber replica with authentic shipworm boreholes
- Sturdy fibreglass construction
- Handmade at Natureworks and painted in similar tones and colouring as the original
- Original still standing in Natureworks Owner’s house – weights approx 200kg
- A square baseplate is available on request
- Ideal home decor display or seaside restaurant, Pirate-themed events and environmental centres
- Can you spot the difference between the real pole and the replica?
Watch the video
David Joffe talks about this timber pylon that was naturally eaten by shipworms.
