Marcel Bader, the 24-year-old carpentry talent from Namibia, and his impressive bog oak table: Oiled with OLI-NATURA Worktop-Oil, this unique piece now holds a place of honor in our training workshop in Brannenburg.
Marcel Bader, a talented 24-year-old carpenter from Namibia, crafted an impressive bog oak table during his apprenticeship at the age of 19. With its bronze casting and intricate craftsmanship, the piece not only impresses aesthetically but is also functional and boasts considerable dimensions of 350 x 125 centimeters.
THE BLACK GOLD
Bog oak is a rarity, seldom seen. Often referred to as "black gold," the wood captivates with its dark to deep black coloration, acquired from centuries of resting in swamps or bogs. It's no wonder that the color nuances and dimensions of Marcel Bader's handmade bog oak table captivate the viewer. But the integration of bronze casting also leaves an indelible impression. Bader emphasizes: "The fascination of uniting bronze, hot at a thousand degrees, with centuries-old bog oak never left me."
WITH BOG OAK, TIME IS MEASURED DIFFERENTLY
At 19, Marcel Bader left his home country of Namibia to begin a carpentry apprenticeship in Germany. Even as an apprentice, he ventured into creating the table from ancient bog oak. This masterpiece not only demanded the highest level of craftsmanship and creativity but also took him on an emotional journey. Bader reflected: "I made this table during my apprenticeship, and it was both a challenge and an overwhelming experience. More than two years passed from idea to completion. It took a lot of nerves and countless hours, often late into the night. But with bog oak, time is measured differently."
Bog oak is not only exceptionally hard; it also has a striking grain and dark coloration. In his search for a suitable oil that would not only protect but also transparently enhance the wood's color depth, he came across Oli Natura's Worktop-Oil on Instagram. After extensive consultation with the OLI team, he chose this colorless wood oil, which perfectly emphasizes the natural characteristics of bog oak.
This bog oak table perfectly represents Bader's philosophy - the combination of naturalness and modernity, tradition and innovation. Each of his works tells a story. Here, it is the story of ancient bog oak, brought back to life and now playing a central role again in the form of a table. The bog oak table now has a place of honor: it is displayed in the OLI-NATURA training workshop in Brannenburg, Upper Bavaria, near Rosenheim. During a conversation with Marcel Bader, the question arose: "Will this table go into series production?" Marcel just laughed and replied: "No, this table is one of a kind. But it can certainly be purchased."
ABOUT MARCEL BADER
Marcel Bader, a 24-year-old carpenter from Namibia, moved to Germany at 19 to begin a carpentry apprenticeship in Schleswig-Holstein. Today, he is employed by a renowned carpentry firm in Munich and is completing his master craftsman training. On his Instagram channel @mader_design_, he shares his passion for furniture making and has made a name for himself as a talent in the design and carpentry industry.
