Rewarewa lid with Matai box

65mm H x 132mm L 105mm W

Hal Martin's beautiful wooden taonga boxes are handcrafted from a wide variety of stunning timbers. His designs are intentionally simple and minimal, allowing the natural beauty and carefully selected grain of the wood to take centre stage.
Each box is individually handmade, which means there may be small imperfections—either from the hand-finishing process or natural features in the timber itself, such as knots or whorls in the grain. These are not flaws, but rather part of the unique character and charm of each piece.
The finish is a blend of shellac, Danish oil, and hard furniture wax, giving the boxes a soft, rich sheen. Nearly all of the timber used by Hal is re-purposed, sourced from old furniture or demolition materials.

To maintain the finish, a dull surface can be refreshed with a small amount of high-quality furniture wax applied with a soft cotton cloth, followed by gentle buffing.
Softer woods like kauri can scratch or dent easily, while harder timbers such as heart rimu, matai, red beech, and oak are more durable. Avoid dragging the box over rough surfaces or placing sharp objects against it.
As natural wood responds to temperature and humidity, lids may loosen or tighten with the seasons. Keep the boxes out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources to prevent warping or fading.