A dark planet stone contemporary sculpture glows in a lavender garden before a grand brick manor at dusk.

A dark planet stone contemporary sculpture rests among white flowers and greenery in a landscaped garden with stone paths.

A dark planet stone contemporary sculpture sits among lush green bushes and purple flowers in a sunlit garden.

A dome-shaped contemporary sculpture made of smooth, dark planet stones under low lighting.

Dark Planet

Name: Dark Planet, Garden Sphere in Black Stone or Slate
Brand: David Harber

Formed from countless irregular polished black puddle stones, or slate shards, Dark Planet is tactile and visually arresting. Meticulously positioned stones create a harmonious stone sphere. Painstaking to make, pleasurable to own.

As an outdoor sculpture, Dark Planet has a presence by day and by night. Irresistibly tactile in the light, it glows in the darkness as light seeps through the fissures between the stones.

Variations & finishes

Two wooden benches face a dark planet stone contemporary sculpture in a landscaped garden with grass and plants.

1. Stone

Smooth black puddle stones

Large round sculpture like a dark planet, made of stacked black smooth stones in a landscaped garden with grass.

2. Slate

Shards of Welsh slate

Sculpture with black stones and stainless steel panels encasing a rusted sphere, set in greenery.

Kernel

Stainless steel, pebble and oxidised steel

Dark Planet Fire Table

Mirror-polished stainless steel, black pebbles, and granite

This piece can be constructed from smooth black puddle stones or shards of Welsh slate. Internal lighting is included, which shines out through the gaps in the stones at night and transforms the sculpture into a mesmerising sight.

Dimensions

Dark Planet comes in a 76cm, 100cm and 120cm diameter, with other sizes available on request.

Available finishes

Puddle stone or Welsh slate

Example scale

76cm, 120cm, 160cm
(Model scale: 180cm)

Design details

Our Dark Planets transform raw nature into geometric outdoor art, but it requires painstaking work to create these detailed spherical sculptures. Our stone specialists are incredibly skilled, patient, and have an amazing eye for detail.

A round dark planet stone fountain glows with yellow lights in a landscaped garden with trees and trimmed bushes.

These pebble balls can also be made into a water fountain. The piece is made by hand from smooth black puddle stones, with the gaps between the stones fully grouted. This allows for water to cascade gently over the stones, creating a mesmerising focal point that is both an aural and visual delight in any outdoor space.

Kernel is a later version of Dark Planet with a mirror-polished, stainless-steel wedge cut into it to reveal a shiny fruit-like core of oxidised steel. It is transformed after dark by subtle light.

A kernel contemporary sculpture of black stones and a mirror stands on green bushes with trees in the background.

A young girl in a blue dress touches a dark planet-like stainless steel sculpture in a grassy garden.

“A major hit in my garden. People are drawn to it like homing pigeons”

London, England

Dark Planet has an irresistibly entrancing effect at nighttime as light seeps through the fissures between its stones, creating a lantern-like glow. This lighting effect hints at a primeval planetary core, continuing David Harber’s tradition of exploring the relationships between terrestrially bound and otherworldly bodies.

The durability of our Dark Planet is second to none. If you choose to install our garden sphere as a beguiling piece of outdoor decor, you’ll enjoy its enchanting effect for many years. Read our FAQs for more information.

A dark planet stone contemporary sculpture glows among lavender plants in a lush garden with trimmed hedges.

Glowing orange light shines through a dark planet pebble contemporary sculpture on a stone floor.

A modern Dark Planet fire table with flames in a lush green garden surrounded by plants and flowers.

The Dark Planet Fire Table is a variation of our classic stone sphere sculpture. A half hemisphere of polished black puddle stones forms a captivating surface from which burns a gas-fueled flame. It’s a spectacular choice for a fire pit and provides a captivating focal point for an outdoor space, day and night.

Product information

A power feed to the site is required and connection of the feature to the mains power supply must be undertaken by a qualified electrician. The LED light for this sculpture is a waterproof, sodium, 50W / 240V bulb, which will require a three-core, RCD-protected armoured cable feed. A suitable flat base of concrete or stone will also be required, and both must be organised by the client in advance of installation.

If you want our Dark Planet to appear more like a garden statue, or if extra height is required, it is possible to mount the piece on a plinth of your choice.

The high-quality slate and pebbles used to craft our Dark Planets will exhibit some natural weathering with age, however, periodic cleaning will help preserve its beauty all year round. We would recommend that this garden sculpture be cleaned with only warm water and a soft cloth to remove any detritus. Use of any abrasive cleaner will damage the finish and must be avoided. Maintenance instructions will be issued on installation.

Shipping quotes can be obtained and charged at cost.

Our outdoor spheres are often installed as captivating focal points. Intriguing in their shape and tactility, Dark Planets will elevate your garden design. Gently lit from within, these natural, decorative spheres will glow in a dark corner, offer discerning customers a unique solution to outdoor lighting. We can also transform our Dark Planets into fountains, and these can be installed as standalone water fountains or added to an existing pond or pool.

We can customise the size of our Dark Planet sculptures on request, but as standard, our Dark Planet is available in 30cm, 100cm and 120cm in diameter.

Yes! Our Dark Planet Fountain is a stunning water fountain that works as a freestanding fountain or as part of an existing pond or pool. A slate sphere water feature will change colour as water flows down its organic curves, changing the natural purple hue to grey slate.

All our materials are specially selected to withstand harsh weather and we provide all our clients with a detailed maintenance manual. Whether you choose polished black puddle stones or Welsh slate, your outdoor sphere will continue to look its best for years to come.

Natural stone like slate, brings an organic element to lived-in spaces and the natural material is a harmonious way to introduce art into the garden. Hand-crafted from thousands of slate pieces, each sculpture is bespoke by nature. Each shard has its own individual shape and texture, which means no two slate spheres are the same. Whether it is displayed at ground level, surrounded by planting, designed as a water feature, or elevated on a plinth to create a striking focal point, natural slate spheres are incredibly versatile and will suit any garden style.

We exhibit at a number of events throughout the year, including the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. We’re also happy to meet you at our Workshop and Design Studio in Oxfordshire to show you first hand the incredible craftsmanship involved in creating these much-loved sculptures. During your visit, you can chat to our design team who can advise how Dark Planet and landscaping can work together and discuss bespoke sizing. If you’d like to visit, please make an appointment by emailing enquiries@davidharber.com.