Intricately Carved Gourd Lamps Cast Magical Shadows on Your Walls

Poland-based artist <a href="http://www.calabarte.com" target="_blank">Calabarte</a> has made an art out of transforming <a href="http://inhabitat.com/light-bulbo-is-a-lamp-made-from-a-pumpkin-like-veggie/" target="_blank">gourds</a> into beautifully detailed lamps. The delicate pieces are intricately hand-carved, and their designs cast gorgeous patterns on their surrounding walls. The artist uses the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/gregg-parsells-origin-pendant-lamp-evolves-elegantly-from-recycled-materials/" target="_blank">organic lamps</a> to bring a little magic into his favorite time of day: the evening.

We normally associate gourds with fall and <a href="http://inhabitat.com/feast-on-fantastical-food-art-landscapes-for-thanksgiving/" target="_blank">Thanksgiving</a> centerpieces. The curly squash, usually in oranges and greens, fill <a href="http://inhabitat.com/artists-turn-abandoned-bikes-into-flowering-neon-street-art-in-toronto/" target="_blank">baskets</a> around the USA, decorating doorsteps, porches and interiors.

Calabarte takes this folksy craft-like decoration, and turns it into an element of high-end design.

The fruits are hand-dried, and are sourced from their indigenous <a href="http://inhabitat.com/eskom-installs-solar-powered-heaters-on-south-african-roofs/" target="_blank">African</a> and Asian origins. Using different sized cutting tools, Calabarte hand perforates holes, pattern and lines into the gourd’s dried skin. Being organic, the skin is somewhat <a href="http://inhabitat.com/pulplamps-recycle-old-newspapers-into-amorphous-cocoon-like-lamps/" target="_blank">translucent when lit from within</a>, so white wood pieces are inlayed to create both decorative design, and opacity.

The gourds are cut in half, to create a wall <a href="http://inhabitat.com/elegant-no-glue-no-screw-lamp-is-made-from-recycled-wood-and-a-chinese-lantern/" target="_blank">lamp</a>, or kept in their entirety and attached to stands, which are often bound in decorative rope. The light fixture inside is accessible through small trap doors, which are held closed with tiny <a href="http://inhabitat.com/ge-developing-new-magnets-that-could-reduce-demand-for-rare-earth-metals/" target="_blank">magnets</a>.

When unlit, the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/rainbow-hued-ole-kirk-lego-lamps-cast-striking-fascinating-shadows/" target="_blank">lamps</a> appear as gorgeous sculptural pieces, in organic browns, whites and rusty reds. When illuminated, the magic begins. The gourd’s skin glows with organic viscous textures, in addition to Calabarte’s intentional <a href="http://inhabitat.com/maskull-lasserre-painstakingly-carves-creepy-sculptures-into-everyday-objects/" target="_blank">carvings</a>. But the shadow is perhaps the most magical part - casting surreal patterns on all that they touch.

Calabarte’s organic gourd pieces are one of a kind, and available by emailing [email protected].