Carved Balance Wine Stand — Mouse figure from Suar wood
The Mouse balance wine stand has a special place among the carved balance series: this version is shaped from a single piece of Suar wood. Suar (Samanea saman) is a hardwood native to Central America and South Asia, widely grown in Indonesia. Craftspeople prize it for its rich, warm grain, where deep chestnut-brown and lighter honey tones often appear side by side within the same piece. As a result, each stand is not just a functional object but a miniature wooden artwork that stands on its own on an open shelf.
How it works
The rounded rear of the Mouse figure and the distribution of its mass (except for the eyes) are not accidental. The carver shapes the centre of gravity precisely to counterbalance a standard 0.7–0.75 litre wine bottle. When you slide the neck of the bottle into the carved opening and let go, the system settles into the tilted position where the bottle seems to float, held up by the figure. Even a simple dinner table instantly becomes an event.
Character of Suar wood
Suar is a moderately hard wood, resistant to bumps and pressure, and velvety to the touch after careful sanding. Its grain is bold and flowing, with dark brown bands frequently crossed by creamy lighter zones in the inner sections. These natural tones are what make every Mouse piece slightly different — a genuine one-of-a-kind rather than a mass-produced item. The stand is made from a single piece of wood except for the inserted eyes, which gives it extra stability.