Introducing Marovo Island Traders: Lighting Crafted from Fossil Coral

Fossil Coral is the preserved remains of ancient coral reefs and organisms that have undergone the process of fossilisation. When coral structures settle into ocean sediment, minerals such as silica or calcite gradually replace the organic matter, turning them into stone. The result is a material marked by intricate patterns and sacred geometries that reflect the coral’s original form.

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Fossil Coral provides a window into the planet’s geological and climatic history. Its growth patterns record environmental changes over time, offering valuable insights to scientists and sparking wonder in those who encounter it today.

In the Solomon Islands, Fossil Coral is one of the most abundant natural stones found on land. Each piece is carefully collected and restored, revealing its unique detail and character.

Marovo Island Traders combines the artistry of local craftsmen and women from the Marovo Lagoon with the expertise of Australian designers. The result is a highly sought-after collection of pendant and wall lights that pair the organic patterns of fossil coral with brass, copper, and Italian cable.

Each piece celebrates individuality: no two fossils are ever the same. The subtle imperfections, unique veining, and textures bring character and rarity to every product. Beyond their beauty, these lights generate income for the Marovo community, making them not only captivating additions to interiors but also contributors to a sustainable future.

To help our community discover more about this new collection and the story behind it, we asked Matt Woodfield, Founder/Director/Artist at Marovo Island Traders to share his insights:

My relationship with Fossil Coral began while building my Free Diving Eco Lodge in the Marovo Lagoon. Much of the Solomon Islands’ coastal land is made of limestone and silica fossil coral, formed from ancient reefs over millions of years. Weeks spent digging the foundations gave me a deep respect for this material and inspired me to collaborate with local artisans on mosaic tables and carved sculptures. Throughout the creative process I realised the stone truly came alive when illuminated, creating an ethereal glow, an almost otherworldly light, revealing patterns shaped by time, tide, and life itself.

Fossil Coral is a natural record of ancient marine life, full of intricate patterns that give it a raw, organic texture. When lit, its translucent quality lets light pass through softly, casting a warm, fire-like aura that brings the delicate fossil structures to life. Its mix of history, texture, and radiance makes Fossil Coral stand apart from other natural stones—quietly captivating, and impossible to replicate.

The artisans in Marovo Lagoon come from generations of world-class timber carvers. They know this place better than anyone—its rhythms, its materials, its stories. Centuries of carving have given them steady hands and an instinct for how natural resources want to be worked. Working with Fossil Coral in this way is new to them, but they meet it with the same respect: listening to the stone, not forcing it. The result is honest, timeless, and beautiful, rooted in their land, their history, and is something they are proud of.

All of our Fossil Coral is gathered from the land—never the ocean. With no roads or trucks on the island, moving the bigger pieces takes strength and teamwork. Once the stone makes it back to our lodge workshop, every shade is carved by hand. The process is about balance—shaping the stone into a modern form without stripping away its history. Cracks, fracture lines, holes, even the trace of tree roots—these aren’t flaws, they’re the fingerprints of time. They’re what make each light unique. From there, the brass and electrical work are built in our Australian workshop before each piece sets off into the world.

We take a wabi-sabi approach—leaning into the rawness instead of sanding it down. The fractures, holes, and imperfections are the incredible story, not something to hide or eliminate. To anchor that wild energy, we bring in elemental materials—solid brass, heavy rope—things that feel honest, classic and grounding. The forms stay stripped back and timeless so the stone can be at the forefront.

It changes all the time. The magic is in seeing the right piece land in the right space. One that stands out is a 600mm bespoke Brain Coral Pendant we made for the entrance of a waterfront home at Wategos—it feels like the ocean itself is greeting you at the door. But we’re just as drawn to the simplicity of a Dome Flush Wall Sconce or a classic Hanging Pendant. It’s testament that when you let the material lead, the result doesn’t age—it just gets stronger.

Marovo Island Traders was created to give our community a stable income. When COVID shut down tourism—including our Free Diving Lodge—we had to pivot to support the crew who relied on us. We turned to the fossil coral on our doorstep and the skills of our generational carvers to create something authentic—made locally, valued globally. With the support of local agencies, Solomon Airlines, and our first clients, we started small, working with a raw, primitive material to build products that could reach likeminded people around the world. Today, our mission is simple: to keep building stability through training, upskilling, and creating work the community can be proud of—and depend on.

We’re inspired by classic simplicity—forms that let the material take centre stage. Geometric shapes (domes, cones, and tubes) echo architectural lines from Mediterranean to modern, while our brass finishes—from polished to antique / blackened—allow the pieces to complement everything from minimal rustic to raw, brutalist spaces. We combine my vision as an Artist and deep knowledge of the material with Amy’s [Amy Vomiero, Co-Owner/Designer] career in design and focus on artistic heritage, to refine proportion, scale, and functionality—maximising each stone while bridging historical technique with contemporary design.

In a world built on mass production and disposable trends, natural materials are the real luxury. Our collection celebrates the raw beauty, the cracks, the imperfections, and the stories each stone carries—bringing craftsmanship, sustainability, and a direct connection to the earth back into modern interiors and architecture. We’re committed to a world that values meaning over mass production, where design, craft, and the planet can thrive together.