Large Cheese Board in Tzalam wood, Taller Maya, Mexico, 2024 - Lot 783

Produced by Taller Maya, this hand-carved serving board reflects a contemporary interpretation of regional woodworking traditions. Formed from sustainably sourced Tzalam—a dense hardwood native to the Yucatán Peninsula—the piece highlights the material’s warm tonal range and pronounced natural grain.

Its elongated, organic silhouette tapers gently to a raised support, introducing a subtle sculptural lift that distinguishes it from conventional flat boards. The carved profile emphasizes structural clarity while preserving the integrity of the wood, allowing the surface to function equally as presentation piece and utilitarian object.

Finished to reveal the depth and variation inherent to Tzalam, the board balances durability with refinement. Both functional and materially expressive, it stands as a considered example of craft rooted in place, shaped by the hands of regional artisans and defined by the quiet strength of its native wood.