





by Rocco Santese
July 1–31 • Palazzo Martini, Oria
Wood art for indoor and outdoor spaces. Lamps, carvings, inlays and artistic installations handcrafted in Puglia.
The art of knowing how to model wood
Santese Art is Rocco Santese's artistic cabinetmaking workshop in Oria. For over 40 years we have crafted carvings, inlays, restorations and bespoke furniture using time-honoured artisan techniques.
From July 1 to 31 we are exhibiting at Palazzo Martini in Oria a selection of works dedicated to the Giardini del Salento: lamps, carvings and artistic installations for the home, garden and open-air spaces.
Each piece is unique, handcrafted from fine Italian woods.
Handcrafted wood sculptures and decorations made with mastery and artisan precision.
Artistic compositions in fine woods, created using ancient inlay techniques.
Recovery and preservation of furniture and art objects using techniques respectful of history.
Design and creation of custom furniture in solid wood with fine finishes.
Entrance doors, gates and wooden frames with carved details and exclusive finishes.
Personalised consultation and design of artisan solutions for indoor and outdoor spaces.
Hands-on lessons to learn artistic woodworking techniques under the guidance of master craftsmen.
July 1–31 • Palazzo Martini, Oria
Unique works for indoor and outdoor settings. Each piece tells a story of light, matter and memory of Salento.

38 cm Ø
€2,300
Door insert in light walnut with high-relief Sun and Moon carving. The two faces gaze at each other in an eternal embrace of light and shadow. A portal of poetry between day and night of Salento.

22 cm Ø × 33 cm h
€380
Rustic Dawn lamp in olive with burl base and rechargeable LED. The light at the top announces the dawn like a new day in the forest. An ode to rebirth and the light of Salento.

26 cm Ø × 31 cm h
€420
Wild Chalice lamp in olive with burl base and rechargeable LED. The light glows from below the chalice like an offering in the forest. An ode to wild nature and the light of Salento.

20 × 20 cm
€520
Hanging lamp in ebonized national walnut with circular inlays in olive and paduk. The bell shape and side holes create a unique play of light. An ode to light and the matter of the Salento gardens.

38 cm Ø × 29 cm h
€980
Hand-carved dark walnut clock with Liberty-style horse heads. Scrolls and horses seem to dance around time. An ode to freedom and the tradition of Salento.

24 cm Ø × 12 cm h
€420
Centerpiece in olive burl with segmented rim in paduk, national walnut, lemon and wengé. The central burl grains dance with the colors of the rim. A circle of essences celebrating Salento.

28 cm Ø × 10 cm h
€560
Lamp in reclaimed national walnut with base decorated by refined circular inlays of paduk and mulberry. The ancient wood grains blend with the circles through which light filters. A play of light through the grains of the reclaimed wood.

108 cm Ø × 21.5 cm h
€1,500
Cimasa in chestnut with richly hand-carved floral motifs. Flowers and scrolls unfold on the sides in an ode to nature and the tradition of Salento.

23 cm Ø × 30 cm h
€380
Crown of Fire lamp in olive with burl base and rechargeable LED. The inner flame lights the crown like a fire in the forest. An ode to strength and the light of Salento.

40 cm Ø × 150 cm h
€980
Floor lamp Ancient Essence in olive. The light filters through the pleats of the shade like the ancient essence of the forest. An ode to memory and the light of Salento.

22 cm Ø × 37 cm h
€390
Lamp in olive burl with rechargeable LED. The inner flame lights the phoenix rising from the wood. An ode to rebirth and the memory of Salento.

12 cm Ø × 17 cm h
€95
Little Flame of the Forest candle holder in olive burl. The lit candle glows like a small flame in the forest. A whisper of light and quiet among the roots of Salento.

9 cm Ø × 16 cm h (max)
€165
(together)
Pair of flower holders in olive with mulberry inserts. In the tall vase dried Mediterranean flowers, in the small one a lit candle that glows softly. A play of nature and light in the hands of Salento.

40 cm Ø × 56.5 cm h
€550
Electric lamp The Dawn of Wood in olive. The light filters through the pleats of the shade like the dawn rising in the forest. An ode to light and the beauty of Salento.

22 cm Ø × 28 cm h
€380
The Druid lamp in olive with burl base and rechargeable LED. The light at the top watches like a druid of the forest. A whisper of wisdom and light among the roots of Salento.

25 cm Ø × 16.5 cm h
€680
Wormhole lamp in ash with mansonia walnut inlays and ebonized national walnut base. The central burl emits blue light that also glows from under the base. A portal of light and wood between worlds.

12 cm Ø × 32 cm h
€320
Lantern in olive wood with rechargeable LED. The carved flame lights the wayfarer's path. A whisper of light that guides through the shadows of Salento.

7 cm Ø × 15 cm h (ciascuno)
€120
(together)
Pair of candle holders in olive and walnut with decorative holes. The light from the low candles shines outward creating a warm glow. A play of light that dances through the holes of the olive wood.

8 cm Ø × 24 cm h (max)
€650
(together)
Quartet of jewelry holders in olive burl, ebonized walnut and lemon wood. Each piece tells a different story of form and grain. An ode to the variety and poetry of Salento wood.

36 cm Ø × 9 cm h
€390
Turned bowl with inlays of olive, national walnut, lemon and apricot; ash base. Fluid grains celebrate the harmony of Mediterranean essences.

38 cm Ø × 9 cm h
€520
Bowl featuring a spectacular sunburst inlay of olive, ash, lemon, pear, national walnut and cherry. The carved central motif highlights the flowing wood grains. An ode to the light and matter of the Salento gardens.

120 cm Ø × 80 cm h
€6,000
Kingdom of the Two Sicilies table inlaid in national walnut, mahogany, pear, wenge, ramino, cherry, paduk, danish walnut and mansonia walnut. The map of the ancient kingdom tells stories of glory and memory. An ode to tradition and the beauty of Salento.

16 cm Ø × 20 cm h
€195
Saturn-shaped jewelry holder in olive and pear wood, with ring in olive burl. The central sphere rotates gently within the arms of the burl. A small wooden universe suspended between light and memory.

27 cm Ø × 20 cm h
€620
Lidded vessel in olive burl with national walnut lid featuring refined circular inlays of olive, paduk, mulberry and walnut. Turned knob in olive root. A dialogue between burl and walnut inspired by the gardens of Salento.

25 cm Ø × 34 cm h
€380
Lamp in olive burl with rechargeable LED. The light at the top watches over like a sentinel of the forest. A whisper of quiet strength among the roots of Salento.

20 cm Ø × 36 cm h
€265
Jewelry holder in olive wood with large sculpted body and tall finial topped by a sphere. The grains seem to dance around time. A small monument of light and wood from Salento.

11 cm Ø × 30 cm h (max)
€450
(together)
Trio of flower holders in national walnut with circular inlays of mulberry. The two larger ones hold dried Mediterranean flowers, the small one a candle. An ode to simplicity and light of Salento.

25 cm Ø × 16 cm h (max)
€1,500
(together)
Trio of lamps in olive burl with ebonized national walnut cones. One features inlays of mulberry and pear. The burl floats suspended in an embrace of light and shadow.

31 × 31 cm, spessore 6 cm
€340
(together)
Pair of ash wood corbels with baroque scroll and leaf carvings. The sculpted motif evokes the grace and strength of the Salento gardens. An ode to tradition and the beauty of wood.
ALL WORKS ARE HANDCRAFTED FROM FINE SALENTO WOODS • UNIQUE PIECES