Maackia Board: The Edge and Flow of the Grain

When looking at a Maackia board, the first thing that catches the eye is its outer outline rather than its straight edges. One edge curves gently, while the other continues relatively straight. We examined the board from several directions to observe differences in its overall shape and end lines.

Viewed from an oblique angle, the board’s elongated form appears alongside the patterns on its face. Dark lines run along the center, surrounded by areas of light brown. Even within a single board, variations in the tones of the pattern shift the points where the eye comes to rest.

Lines revealed along the edge

Viewed from the side, the board’s thickness and the curves along its edges—features not visible on the face—come into view. Thinner sections and areas that remain thicker appear side by side, suggesting the board’s three-dimensional outline. Alternating between the front and side views makes the differences in form more distinct.

On the face viewed from another direction, the grain flows in long lines before changing direction near the edge. The proportions of the light and dark areas also change depending on the board’s angle. Rather than using enlarged photographs that repeatedly show the same surface, we placed different views side by side to examine the differences in the lines.

From the whole to the close-up

From a distance, the board’s elongated proportions and outer outline appear first; up close, differences in color and the flow of the grain stand out. After checking the outline in the full view, examining the face and edges allows the different aspects of a single board to be read in sequence. We have not added descriptions of the wood’s properties or origin that cannot be confirmed in the photographs.

MaackiaKorean woodsGolden-brown to brown