Olive Wood Craftsmanship: A Mallorcan Tradition
The island of Mallorca, nestled in the Mediterranean between southern Spain and northern Africa, is a land of olive trees, highly valued for the so-called liquid gold made from olives—olive oil—but also for their wood.
Typically, these trees are used to harvest olives, but when they need to be pruned or felled, the wood is handed over to Mallorcan artisans who specialize in creating all sorts of items, particularly for decoration, kitchen use, or both.
Why Olive Wood is Used
Olive wood is prized because it is strong, flexible, and features beautiful grain patterns not found in other woods. It can be used to make large furniture pieces, decorative objects, or various utensils.
The unique appearance of olive wood, with its twisted and knotted trunk typical of the Mallorcan landscape, creates irregularities that give it its distinctive character.
This compact and very hard wood is cream-colored with dark brown and nearly black contrasts. Over the years, it darkens, further enhancing its beauty. It is also a very durable material that, once worked, has a natural shine, eliminating the need for additional products, making it more environmentally friendly.
The Tradition of Olive Wood Craftsmanship in Mallorca
The tradition of olive wood craftsmanship is native to central Mallorca, though olive wood products can be found all over the island.
The association of Specialist Olive Wood Artisans began its work in the mid-20th century in the heart of Mallorca. Initially, they were a series of independent workshops, but gradually, with technological evolution and market demand, they have united to offer quality products distributed worldwide, respecting the environment, and maintaining the ancient tradition of woodworking.
Families shape the wood to create spoons, ladles, cutting boards, kitchen paddles, and many other objects that are authentic works of art typical of Mallorca.
The Process of Crafting Olive Wood
Working with olive wood is not easy. It requires foresight and precision, as it is a job that demands almost millimetric accuracy, whether done manually or with machinery.
The process starts with extracting a block or a rough rectangle of wood, depending on the final product, and then sanding, polishing, and if necessary, varnishing or coloring each piece.
Sometimes, small accessories are added, such as the metal parts in pepper or salt mills. The lathe operates at high speed, but each tool's use must be carefully measured to ensure perfect results.
Once the wood takes the desired shape, it goes through a "hibernation" period. Olive wood is very moist and must be thoroughly dried to prevent cracks or breaks over time.
This is a slow, detailed process that cannot be rushed or accelerated, resulting in an excellent product with the required quality.
