Gamal wood is a fast-growing tropical hardwood (botanically Gliricidia sepium) grown widely across Bali and tropical Asia. We use it in reclaimed and offcut form as the natural base for our hand-blown recycled glass pieces. It is dense, warm-toned and beautifully grained, which makes it ideal for hand-shaping by Balinese artisans.
What is gamal wood?
Gamal is the Indonesian name for Gliricidia sepium, a fast-growing leguminous tree found throughout Bali and much of tropical Asia. It is a genuine hardwood, dense and close-grained, yet quick to mature compared with slow-growing timbers like teak. Across Indonesia it is an everyday working tree rather than a rare one, which is part of what makes it a thoughtful material to reclaim.
On the island, farmers grow gamal as living fence posts and as shade for crops, cutting it back regularly. The branches and trunks left from that routine pruning, along with offcuts from larger woodworking, are exactly the kind of timber that finds its way into craft. That abundance, paired with its handsome grain, is why it has become a staple of Balinese making.
Why gamal wood suits Balinese craft
Gamal suits hand-craft because it is dense enough to feel substantial and hold a polished finish, yet workable enough to carve, turn and sand by hand. Its warm honey-to-chocolate tones and visible grain give every base real character, which complements the bright, glassy colour of hand-blown recycled glass.
A few practical qualities make it a favourite among the artisans who make our pieces:
- Workability: it cuts and shapes cleanly with hand tools, so each base can be formed individually rather than machine-stamped.
- Density and weight: a gamal base gives a piece reassuring heft, so a bowl or vase sits steadily on a shelf or table.
- Character grain: swirling figure, knots and tonal shifts mean no two bases look alike.
- It takes glass well: the timber gives a stable, organic foundation onto which molten glass is fused, marrying two natural materials in one object.
To see how the two materials come together, our explainer on what molten glass on wood actually is walks through the craft in detail.
Is gamal wood sustainable?
Used the way we do, yes. Gamal is fast-growing, so it regenerates far quicker than slow-maturing tropical hardwoods. More importantly, the bases we use are reclaimed and offcut timber: wood left over from pruning, fencing and other woodworking, rather than trees felled to make a bowl. Reclaiming this material puts it to use instead of leaving it discarded.
Choosing reclaimed gamal alongside recycled glass lowers demand for virgin materials on both sides of the object, the wood and the glass. It is the same principle behind our wider range, set out in our guide to why recycled glass homeware is a sustainable choice. We are honest about what gamal is, a working tropical hardwood, and the sustainability comes from reclaiming it, not from any claim that the species is rare or precious.
What does gamal wood look like?
Gamal runs from pale honey and gold through to deeper amber and chocolate brown, often within a single piece. The grain is expressive: flowing figure, the occasional knot, fine darker streaks and natural tonal variation. Sanded and finished, it has a soft, tactile sheen rather than a high-gloss lacquer.
Because each base is shaped by hand from a unique piece of timber, variation is the point, not a flaw. Two pieces from the same collection will differ in tone, grain and shape, which is exactly why every Molten Root object is genuinely one of a kind. That individuality is most striking on larger designs, so it is worth browsing the statement centrepieces to see the range of grain and form, or the recycled glass bowls for the everyday version of the same pairing.
How to care for gamal wood
Gamal wood asks for very little. Keep it out of prolonged direct sunlight and away from radiators or heat sources, which can dry timber over time. Wipe the wooden base with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry it straight away, rather than letting it sit in water. Avoid harsh chemical cleaners and abrasive sponges.
Every so often, a light application of natural wood oil or beeswax conditioner will nourish the timber and lift its grain. Because our pieces pair wood with hand-blown glass, follow care guidance that covers both materials together, which we set out fully in our guide to caring for reclaimed wood and recycled glass.
Where gamal sits in our materials story
Gamal wood is one half of what makes our homeware distinctive; recycled glass is the other. To understand how reclaimed timber and recycled glass fit into a calmer, more natural home, our complete guide to sustainable homeware is the best place to start, and you can shop the pairing directly in the molten glass on wood collection.
Frequently asked questions
Is gamal wood a hardwood?
Yes. Gamal (Gliricidia sepium) is a genuine tropical hardwood: dense, durable and close-grained. The difference from timbers like teak is that it grows quickly, so it matures far sooner. We use it in reclaimed and offcut form rather than felling trees for it.
Is gamal wood the same as teak?
No, they are different species. Teak is a slow-growing, oil-rich hardwood, while gamal is a fast-growing leguminous hardwood common across Bali. Gamal has its own warm honey-to-chocolate colouring and characterful grain, and its quick regeneration is part of why reclaiming it is a sensible choice.
Will the wood and glass last?
With simple care, yes. Keep pieces away from direct heat and standing water, wipe with a soft damp cloth, and condition the wood occasionally with a natural oil or wax. Because each piece is handmade, treat it as the one-of-a-kind object it is rather than a mass-produced item.
Why does my piece look different from the photo?
Because it is hand-shaped from a unique piece of reclaimed gamal and finished with hand-blown recycled glass, colour, grain and shape vary from piece to piece. No two are identical, which means yours is genuinely one of a kind.
