Carved Perch Trinket Dish

A perch rendered in low relief, its body scooped open into a shallow dish. This CNC-ready carving shows a plump freshwater fish in side profile — the spiny dorsal fin raised in a finely ridged crest, the gill plate and rounded eye crisply cut, tail and pectoral fins fanned with carved rays. The clever twist is the hollowed centre: the belly is dished into a smooth basin, turning the fish into a functional trinket tray, spoon rest or key catch, while a woven cross-hatch texture frames the rim like scales and lends contrast against the polished scoop. It's a natural fit for an angler's cabin, a kitchen worktop, a lake-house bathroom or as a handmade gift for someone who fishes. Carve it from a warm hardwood and it becomes a small heirloom. CNC and print notes • For routing, rough with a ball-nose then finish the crossed texture and fin rays with a fine tapered ball or V-bit; keep stepover tight on the smooth dish for a clean sheen. • Walnut, cherry or oak show the relief beautifully; seal the basin with a food-safe oil or wax if it will hold small items. • For FDM/resin, print flat with the dish facing up so the scoop needs no supports; 0.12 mm layers keep the fin detail sharp. • Finish with a light sand along the grain and an oil rub to pop the carved lines.