Wooden Pair of Pears

Decorative, spun wood fruit with ambiguous intent.

A thing that seems like another thing, in addition to the thing it actually is, can be such a delight. It holds the promise of intrigue and challenges perception in slippery ways that suspend disbelief, despite our firmest resolve.

Clearly, these are two oversized pears. Carved from wood, left unpolished, and with the grain on full display. But they could also be a pair of winter squash, especially when viewed from the bottom up.

Laid on their sides with said bottoms touching and viewed from above, they almost look like an ample bosom. Viewed from the side when standing upright? A full-figured, feminine form.

Even more entertaining are the conflicting attempts to pin a concrete meaning to such objects, particularly when they hold historical significance across different cultures: depending on the country, a pair of pears can signify prosperity, unending love in relationships, divorce, fertility, or protection against malevolent spirits.

This deliciously ambiguous set was sourced by Kentaro Poteliakhoff who selects vintage design items for his interior design shop, ROOMS of Clapton.