Wood and the Sacred
Many wooden treasures are linked to the sacred. Temples, churches, mosques, and sanctuaries have long favored wood for their most symbolic elements.
Statues of deities, finely carved altarpieces, monumental doors: wood became a vehicle for spirituality. Its organic nature evoked life, rebirth, and the connection to creation.
In some cultures, it was believed that the spirit of the tree continued to live within the carved object. Thus, the wooden treasure was not only admired but also respected, sometimes feared, and often venerated.
Treasures Hidden Under Water and Under Earth
The history of wooden treasures is not limited to museums and visible monuments. Some still lie dormant underwater or buried in the earth.
The wrecks of ancient ships, for example, constitute exceptional archaeological treasures. Protected by the absence of oxygen, the wood can be preserved for centuries on the seabed or in marshy areas.
These discoveries are revolutionizing our understanding of maritime history, trade, and cultural exchange. Each recovered plank, each rusted nail, contributes to the reconstruction of a vanished world.
Restoring without betraying
Restoring a wooden treasure is a delicate exercise. It involves preserving the object without erasing the traces of time. Over-restoring risks losing authenticity; doing nothing means accepting its gradual disappearance.
Restorers often work like doctors of heritage. They study the wood, identify parasites, stabilize the structures, and use reversible techniques so as not to condemn future generations to irreversible choices.
Each intervention raises ethical debates: should we restore the appearance of.
