Pokerwork refers to a method of decorating wood or leather by burning a design into it, using a technique known as pyrography.. Even if the wooden object has very little burnt design, with most of the design having been painted, it is still called pokerwork. Thus, a vase may have a very small area at the top with a burnt design, and though the rest of the vase may be painted, it is still classified as pokerwork. Pokerwork as a technique is not restricted to wood, although wooden objects predominate. The technique is straightforward: a piece of metal is heated at its tip and pressed onto or drawn across the wooden surface. Repeated application produces a pattern. Pokerwork may have irregular burn marks as it  was very much a 'cottage industry'. Asian pokerwork copies that are available on the folk art market, have more regular burn marks.

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An antique kauri pine games table, pokerwork chessboard…

An antique kauri pine games table, pokerwork chessboard decorated top supported on scalloped bracket legs with card game decoration. 19th, 20th century, 77 cm high,65 cm wide, 64 cm deep.

Australian pokerwork tray with kookaburra and gumnut tree…

Australian pokerwork tray with kookaburra and gumnut tree centre made from an early packing crate, 61 cm x 33 cm

Australian pokerwork pedestal bowl. Made from wood from the…

Australian pokerwork pedestal bowl. Made from wood from the ship HMAS Encounter. Inscribed on base 'Wood out of HMAS Encounter, fired first shot at sea in the great war, 1914. F.G.' (Dia.21 cm

Schatz anniversary clock, 'Flying Pendulum' clock, and a…

Schatz anniversary clock, 'Flying Pendulum' clock, and a pokerwork cased timepiece, (3 items), the largest 47 cm high

Pokerwork breadboard and a pair of pokerwork bookends, early…

Early 20th Century Pokerwork Breadboard and Bookends Set

Pokerwork breadboard and a pair of pokerwork bookends, early 20th century, the breadboard 29 cm diameter

An Australiana pokerwork tray with hand-painted rosellas in…

1920s Australiana Pokerwork Tray with Hand-Painted Rosellas in Foliate Design

An Australiana pokerwork tray with hand-painted rosellas in foliate design, circa 1920s, 54 cm wide

Cascade Beer Tasmanian souvenir turned timber beer barrel with…

Cascade Beer Tasmanian Souvenir Timber Barrel with Hastings Caves Inscription

Cascade Beer Tasmanian souvenir turned timber beer barrel with pokerwork inscription 'Greetings from Hastings Caves Tasmania', 19th/20th century, 10 cm high

A folk art pokerwork circular plaque, circa 1910, 61 cm diameter

Circa 1910 Folk Art Pokerwork Circular Plaque - 61cm

A folk art pokerwork circular plaque, circa 1910, 61 cm diameter

An antique Australian folk art picture frame with pokerwork…

19th Century Australian Pokerwork Christmas Picture Frame

An antique Australian folk art picture frame with pokerwork decoration and Christmas inscription, 19th century, 71 cm x 60 cm, internal 55 cm x 43 cm

Vintage Australian pokerwork tray 62 x 38 cm

Australian Vintage Pokerwork Tray - 62x38 cm

Vintage Australian pokerwork tray 62 x 38 cm

H.M.A.S. Sydney Australian pokerwork waratah plate by Frank…

HMAS Sydney Waratah Plate by F.W. Cuneo, 1914

H.M.A.S. Sydney Australian pokerwork waratah plate by Frank Walter Cuneo, emblazoned on the front 'H.M.A.S. Sydney Destroyed Emden 1914', and further noted verso 'Timber out of H.M.A.S. Sydney. Destroyed Emden 1914. F.W.C.', 22 cm diameter

New Zealand kauri poker work folk art glove box decorated with…

Kauri Poker Work Glove Box with Floral Decorations

New Zealand kauri poker work folk art glove box decorated with roses and leaves in the style of Jane Brenkley, the base signed J Vickery, Sunshine Studio, N.P. (new Plymouth?) c1950-60, 30.5 cm width

Vintage wood framed pokerwork tray blossom decorated pokerwork,…

Vintage Blossom Pokerwork Tray in Wood Frame (8 words)

Vintage wood framed pokerwork tray blossom decorated pokerwork, under glass, within wood framed tray, length 60 cm

Pokerwork box with decoration of Fort Denison, Sydney

Fort Denison Pokerwork Box

Pokerwork box with decoration of Fort Denison, Sydney

A pokerwork box by Alice Mary Parsons, the hinged top centred…

Alice Mary Parsons Pokerwork Box with Stylised Grove Design

A pokerwork box by Alice Mary Parsons, the hinged top centred with a roundel of a stylised grove of trees with a landscape beyond, signed to the base, first quarter 20th century, height 5.5 cm, width 20.5 cm, depth 18 cm. Provenance: The Ruth Simon…

Two Australian pokerwork tea trays, a circular tray with a pair…

Glazed Pokerwork Kookaburra Tea Trays with Handles

Two Australian pokerwork tea trays, a circular tray with a pair of kookaburras on a wintry branch, and an oval tray with a single kookaburra on a eucalypt branch, both glazed, with woven handles and edges, first half 20th century, diameter of circular…

A pair of Australian pokerwork trays, each pyrographically…

Australian Pyrography Koala & Kookaburra Decorated Trays

A pair of Australian pokerwork trays, each pyrographically decorated to the centre with three koalas or three kookaburras in eucalyptus boughs, glazed top, woven handles and borders, first half 20th century, 32 x 48 cm

An Australian pokerwork lampbase, of elongated ovoid outline,…

Waratah Pokerwork Lampbase, Mid 20th Century

An Australian pokerwork lampbase, of elongated ovoid outline, with a repeated design of waratahs, mid 20th century, height 42 cm

Oval pokerwork kookaburra and Gumleaves two handled tray, 53 cm…

Oval Kookaburra and Gumleaves Tray

Oval pokerwork kookaburra and Gumleaves two handled tray, 53 cm wide, 35 cm deep,

A poker work fire screen, signed and titled lower left 'The…

"The Lake" by M. Norris - Poker Work Fire Screen

A poker work fire screen, signed and titled lower left 'The Lake,..M. Norris', circa 1920, 65 cm high, 70 cm wide

A pair of Australian pokerwork candlesticks, circa 1920s, 31.5…

1920s Australian Pokerwork Candlesticks, 31.5cm High

A pair of Australian pokerwork candlesticks, circa 1920s, 31.5 cm high

An impressive hand-painted pokerwork lamp base, huon pine,…

Hand-Painted Pokerwork Lamp Base, Circa 1930, Huon Pine

An impressive hand-painted pokerwork lamp base, huon pine, circa 1930, 61 cm high

A Jane Brenkley pokerwork decorated gourd, with two portraits…

Maori Women and Fantails Gourd Art

A Jane Brenkley pokerwork decorated gourd, with two portraits of Maori women and two studies of fantails, height 28 cm.

A Jane Brenkley New Zealand Exhibition 1940 box and Maori…

Maori-Inspired Box and Desk Calendar Set

A Jane Brenkley New Zealand Exhibition 1940 box and Maori themed desk calendar, the small box with poker work and painted lake side whare, the calendar with busts of Maori women, length 11 cm and 29.5 cm

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Wood 'Friendship' Box by Jane Brenkley (1956)

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and sides carved with roses with paint and stained finish, the interior with pokerwork landscape, roses and epithets, signed and dated 1956. 36 cm x 16.5 cm x 17 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Wood Friendship Box with Shells and Roses

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid incised and inset with shells and cats-eyes, the sides with carved roses, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithet, signed and dated 1950. 270 x 19.5 cm x 12 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Wood 'Friendship' Box by Jane Brenkley (1952)

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and front and back carved with deer with paint and stained finish, the ends with pokerwork landscapes, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithets, dated 1952. 36 cm x 19 cm x 16.5 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Wooden Friendship Box by Jane Brenkley (1951)

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and walls carved with roses with painted highlights, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithets, dated 1951'. 48 cm x 24 cm x 18 cm.

A large Jane Brenkley carved 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Friendship Box by Jane Brenkley (1952)

A large Jane Brenkley carved 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and walls carved with roses with colour staining and paint, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithets, signed and dated 1952'. 50 cm x 28.5 cm x 21 cm.

An Jane Brenkley Maori decorated 'Friendship' box, the hinged…

Maori Friendship Box with Tiki and Manaia Carvings

An Jane Brenkley Maori decorated 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and sides carved deeply with Maori inspired tiki and manaia with cats-eyes inlaid to the eyes and elsewhere as highlights. Remnant colour staining to protruding tongues. A marae landscape…

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid…

Carved Pansy Friendship Box, 1948

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'Friendship' box, the hinged lid and walls carved with pansies with painted and stained finish, the interior with pokerwork landscape and epithets, dated 1948. 44 cm x 19.5 cm x 10 cm.

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'wakahuia', the hinged lid and…

Carved Wood Wakahuia with Tuatara and Maori Masks

A Jane Brenkley carved wood 'wakahuia', the hinged lid and sides carved with tuatara, naive Maori masks to either end, remnant colour staining; the interior with pokerwork landscape, epithets, signature and date 1957. 34 cm x 9.5 cm x 9 cm.

A kauri pokerwork trinket box, decorated with titoki fruit and…

Kauri Trinket Box with Landscape Sketch

A kauri pokerwork trinket box, decorated with titoki fruit and leaves, the hinged lid interior with penwork sketch of a landscape with whare and figure. 25 cm x 14.5 cm x 7 cm.

A pair of Australian pokerwork door plates, late 19th early…

Australian Pokerwork Door Plates, Late 19th Century

A pair of Australian pokerwork door plates, late 19th early 20th century, 28 cm high

Collection of pokerwork including kookaburra tray

Kookaburra Pokerwork Collection with Tray

Collection of pokerwork including kookaburra tray

New Zealand Colonial kauri pokerwork coffer, the hinged lid and…

Kauri Pokerwork Coffer with Foliage Decoration

New Zealand Colonial kauri pokerwork coffer, the hinged lid and front decorated with foliage

A pokerwork board, crumb tray and brush, circa 1920, the board…

1920 Pokerwork Set with Board, Tray, and Brush

A pokerwork board, crumb tray and brush, circa 1920, the board 25 cm diameter

An Australian pokerwork bowl, kookaburra and gum leaf motif.…

Kookaburra and Gum Leaf Pokerwork Bowl

An Australian pokerwork bowl, kookaburra and gum leaf motif. Diameter 22 cm.

An Australian pokerwork nutcracker bowl and hammer, with…

Laughing Kookaburra Pokerwork Nutcracker Bowl & Hammer

An Australian pokerwork nutcracker bowl and hammer, with laughing kookaburra motif. Circa 1930. Diameter 22 cm. (2).

Victorian pokerwork decorated wall shelf pokerwork floral…

Victorian Pokerwork Wall Shelf with Portrait

Victorian pokerwork decorated wall shelf pokerwork floral decorated, with Victorian era photograph portrait of a woman, marked origin New London, South Africa. (Height 29 cm approx).

A large turned kauri bowl, cauldron form, the short footed base…

Adzed Kauri Cauldron Bowl with Pokerwork Circle Design

A large turned kauri bowl, cauldron form, the short footed base with decorative adzed and pokerwork for circle design, the rim with drying crack. Diameter 46 cm.

Two serving trays, carved blackwood one with pokerwork…

Pokerwork Kookaburra Blackwood Serving Trays, Early 20th Century

Two serving trays, carved blackwood one with pokerwork kookaburra design, early 20th century 61 cm across the handles

An Australian pokerwork koala bowl, huon pine, circa 1930 8.5…

Australian Pokerwork Koala Bowl, Huon Pine, 1930

An Australian pokerwork koala bowl, huon pine, circa 1930 8.5 cm high, 27 cm diameter

Two vintage Australian pokerwork breadboards, each with…

Wildflower Pokerwork Breadboards

Two vintage Australian pokerwork breadboards, each with wildflower decoration, 1 circular, 1 hexagonal, inset bread board to each. Diameter 20 cm & 26 cm approx.

Pokerwork standard lamp, turned pine, with spiral Autumn oak…

Autumn Oak Spiral Pokerwork Standard Lamp

Pokerwork standard lamp, turned pine, with spiral Autumn oak leaf decoration, early 20th century, height (wide shade) 170 cm

Australian pokerwork stash box in the form of a book, The Old…

Australian Pokerwork Stash Box: The Old Curiosity Shop Book

Australian pokerwork stash box in the form of a book, The Old Curiosity Shop, with hand painted panel of the shop and a kookaburra on the back, 21 cm x 17 cm

A rare pokerwork spherical box with Sturt Desert Pea design,…

1920 Tasmanian Pokerwork Box with Sturt Desert Pea Design

A rare pokerwork spherical box with Sturt Desert Pea design, circa 1920, Tasmanian huon pine with gilt finished interior, 7 cm high, 9.5 cm diameter

An Australian pokerwork comport, with kookaburra motif. Height…

Kookaburra Pokerwork Comport

An Australian pokerwork comport, with kookaburra motif. Height 13.5 cm

Two Poker work boxes, with kookaburra motif. 20 x 15 x 6 cm

Kookaburra-themed Poker Work Boxes

Two Poker work boxes, with kookaburra motif. 20 x 15 x 6 cm

A Poker work bread board, with kookaburra motif and pine insert.…

Kookaburra Poker Bread Board - 30cm Diameter

A Poker work bread board, with kookaburra motif and pine insert. Diameter 30 cm

A large pokerwork pot, with Australian native floral motifs.…

Floral Pokerwork Pot: Australian Native Motifs

A large pokerwork pot, with Australian native floral motifs. Height 25 cm

A pokerwork kookaburra sewing box, 18 cm high, 16.5 cm wide, 9…

Pokerwork Kookaburra Sewing Box - 18 cm

A pokerwork kookaburra sewing box, 18 cm high, 16.5 cm wide, 9 cm deep

A pokerwork fire screen decorated with parrots, early 20th…

Parrot-themed Pokerwork Fire Screen, Early 20th Century

A pokerwork fire screen decorated with parrots, early 20th century, 67 cm high, 61 cm wide

A pokerwork dish with koala decoration and original Humphrey…

Koala-themed Pokerwork Dish and Jewel Box

A pokerwork dish with koala decoration and original Humphrey paper label together with a koala decorated jewel box, dish 11.5 cm diameter

Two pokerwork fruit bowls with gum blossom decoration, one with…

Gum Blossom Pokerwork Fruit Bowls with Label, 27cm Diameter

Two pokerwork fruit bowls with gum blossom decoration, one with original Hielco ware paper label, largest 27 cm diameter

A pokerwork serving tray with poinsettia floral design, early…

Poinsettia Pokerwork Serving Tray - Early 20th Century

A pokerwork serving tray with poinsettia floral design, early 20th century, 50 cm across the handles

An oval pokerwork serving tray with magpie decoration, early…

Magpie Pokerwork Serving Tray, Early 20th Century

An oval pokerwork serving tray with magpie decoration, early 20th century, magpie decoration is exceptionally on Australian pokerwork, 46 cm across the handles

A pokerwork kookaburra bowl, early 20th century, 19 cm diameter

Early 20th Century Pokerwork Kookaburra Bowl, 19cm Diameter

A pokerwork kookaburra bowl, early 20th century, 19 cm diameter

A pokerwork plate with two kookaburras on a wattle branch,…

Jenolan Caves Souvenir Plate with Kookaburras

A pokerwork plate with two kookaburras on a wattle branch, souvenir of Jenolan Caves, 24 cm diameter

A pokerwork fruit bowl and circular box decorated with…

Pokerwork Poinsettia Fruit Bowl and Box

A pokerwork fruit bowl and circular box decorated with poinsettia flowers, the bowl 22 cm diameter

A pokerwork kookaburra panel, early 20th century, 32 x 22 cm

Early 20th Century Kookaburra Pokerwork Panel

A pokerwork kookaburra panel, early 20th century, 32 x 22 cm

A pokerwork waratah pattern nut cracker and bowl, together with…

Waratah Nut Cracker Set with Mirror

A pokerwork waratah pattern nut cracker and bowl, together with a circular mirror, mirror 25 cm diameter

A pokerwork picture of kookaburras, 33 x 64 cm, framed 51 x 82…

Kookaburras in Pokerwork: A Frame-worthy Delight

A pokerwork picture of kookaburras, 33 x 64 cm, framed 51 x 82 cm

Three pokerwork boxes decorated with koalas, two with original…

Koala-themed Pokerwork Boxes with Humphrey Labels

Three pokerwork boxes decorated with koalas, two with original Humphrey labels, the largest 7 cm high, 17 cm wide, 17 cm deep

Two pokerwork nut bowls with crackers, the largest 22 cm…

Pokerwork Nut Bowls with Crackers - Set of Two

Two pokerwork nut bowls with crackers, the largest 22 cm diameter

A pokerwork kookaburra pattern smoker's stand and pair of…

Pokerwork Kookaburra Smoker's Stand and Bellows Pair

A pokerwork kookaburra pattern smoker's stand and pair of bellows, the stand 68 cm high

A pokerwork poinsettia pattern smoker's stand, 68 cm high

Pokerwork Poinsettia Smoker's Stand - 68cm High

A pokerwork poinsettia pattern smoker's stand, 68 cm high

A pokerwork 'Koala' Arts and Crafts matchbox holder

Koala Pokerwork Matchbox Holder for Arts and Crafts

A pokerwork 'Koala' Arts and Crafts matchbox holder

A pokerwork 'Kookaburra' Arts and Crafts bowl, H. 16 cm

Kookaburra Pokerwork Bowl - Arts and Crafts Style

A pokerwork 'Kookaburra' Arts and Crafts bowl, H. 16 cm

A pokerwork shoe box, 41 x 46 x 31 cm

Pokerwork Shoe Box - 41x46x31cm

A pokerwork shoe box, 41 x 46 x 31 cm

Pokerwork kookaburra bookends painted with kookaburra amongst…

Kookaburra Pokerwork Bookends

Pokerwork kookaburra bookends painted with kookaburra amongst wattle, on a fine flame ground, carved with geometric patterns, each with a brass swing hinge to the base. Condition: good, some age related wear to the edges. Height 13.5 cm

New Zealand kauri folk art pokerwork tray., the centre with a…

Maori Chief Pokerwork Tray

New Zealand kauri folk art pokerwork tray., the centre with a portrait medallion depicting a Maori chief surrounded by butterflies and floral decoration. Length 54 cm

A pokerwork and case tray, with glass sheet lining. C.1930's.…

Pokerwork Tray with Glass Lining, 1930s

A pokerwork and case tray, with glass sheet lining. C.1930's. 34 x 53 cm

A pokerwork bowl, depicting eucalyptus leaves on body. Diameter…

Eucalyptus Pokerwork Bowl

A pokerwork bowl, depicting eucalyptus leaves on body. Diameter 22 cm.

Vintage poppy pokerwork tray, 53 cmx 39 cm approx.

Poppy Pokerwork Tray - Vintage Beauty

Vintage poppy pokerwork tray, 53 cmx 39 cm approx.

An interesting Art Nouveau floral decorated ten drawer…

Art Nouveau Ten Drawer Floral Pokerwork Chest

An interesting Art Nouveau floral decorated ten drawer pokerwork chest. 141 cm high, 59 cm wide, 27 cm deep

Pokerwork pedestal, cedar and pine with gumleaf decoration,…

Gumleaf Pokerwork Pedestal, Late 19th Century

Pokerwork pedestal, cedar and pine with gumleaf decoration, late 19th century. 77 cm high

Australia pokerwork book tidy

Aussie Pokerwork Book Holder

Australia pokerwork book tidy

Vintage pokerwork tray 28 cm x 50 cm approx

Vintage Pokerwork Tray - 28x50cm

Vintage pokerwork tray 28 cm x 50 cm approx

A poker-work doiley holder, featuring an Australian wildlife…

Australian Wildlife Doiley Holder for Poker Nights

A poker-work doiley holder, featuring an Australian wildlife scene

An Australian pokerwork breadboard decorated with a kookaburra…

Kookaburra and Gumnuts Pokerwork Breadboard

An Australian pokerwork breadboard decorated with a kookaburra and gumnuts, approx 30 cm diameter

Vintage pokerwork footed bowl with Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie…

Pokerwork Bowl with Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie Decoration

Vintage pokerwork footed bowl with Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie decoration, 24.5 cm diameter, 12.5 cm high

A pair of Australian pokerwork timber bookends, with bird and…

Wildflower Bookends with Australian Bird Design

A pair of Australian pokerwork timber bookends, with bird and wildflower design. Height 18.5 cm

A pair of Australian pokerwork timber bookends, with bottle…

Australian Pokerwork Bookends with Bottle Brush Design

A pair of Australian pokerwork timber bookends, with bottle brush design. Height 18 cm

A pair of Australian pokerwork timber bookends, with eucalyptus…

Australian Pokerwork Eucalyptus Bookends by Ethel Dinan (1940)

A pair of Australian pokerwork timber bookends, with eucalyptus leaves design. Signed Ethel Dinan to base. c.1940. Height 14 cm

An Australian pokerwork timber candlestick, with geometric…

Australian geometric pokerwork candlestick, 27cm tall

An Australian pokerwork timber candlestick, with geometric design. Height 27 cm

A pair of Australian pokerwork timber bookends, with koala…

Koala Pokerwork Bookends

A pair of Australian pokerwork timber bookends, with koala design. Height 14 cm

Australian pokerwork bowl, with kookaburra decoration, 22 cm…

Kookaburra Pokerwork Bowl - 22cm Diameter

Australian pokerwork bowl, with kookaburra decoration, 22 cm diameter approx

An Art Deco painted and poker worked decorative tray, approx 51…

Art Deco Painted Poker Worked Tray

An Art Deco painted and poker worked decorative tray, approx 51 cm x 33 cm

Vintage Australian pokerwork smokers stand decorated with…

Australian Pokerwork Smokers Stand with Wildlife Decor

Vintage Australian pokerwork smokers stand decorated with kookaburra,gum leaf, and magpies, height 85.5 cm approx

Vintage Australian pokerwork tray decorated with kookaburras…

Kookaburra Pokerwork Tray with Wicker Handles

Vintage Australian pokerwork tray decorated with kookaburras and gum leaves on a double handled wicker frame, width 55.5 cm approx

A poker-work picture peg-tray, Australian, first half 20th…

Poker-Work Peg Tray from 20th Century Australia

A poker-work picture peg-tray, Australian, first half 20th century, 33 cm high, 46 cm wide

A pokerwork bread board Madge Turnbull July 1930 inscribed to…

Pokerwork Bread Board, July 1930

A pokerwork bread board Madge Turnbull July 1930 inscribed to base diameter 30 cm

Two Australian Pokerwork smokers stands one decorated with…

Australian Pokerwork Smokers Stands with Bird and Kookaburra Decorations

Two Australian Pokerwork smokers stands one decorated with Kookaburra & gumleaf / gumnuts & the other with birds decoration, 73 cm high approx. (tallest)

Vintage oak cigar box in the form of a barrel together with a…

Oak Barrel Cigar Box and Pokerwork Lid Box Set

Vintage oak cigar box in the form of a barrel together with a lidded pokerwork box

Pokerwork tray with kookaburra painting width  55 cm

Kookaburra Pokerwork Tray - 55cm Width

Pokerwork tray with kookaburra painting width 55 cm