There are a lot of different Lord of the Rings gifts out there, but if you're specifically interested in finding some wall art, I think I've stumbled upon the perfect thing. There's a company called ZeWood that makes officially licensed 3D wooden maps of Middle Earth and they look pretty awesome.
The company has two different versions of the map available on Amazon in various sizes, with the cheapest option available for under $150. The effect of layered wood creates a wonderfully textured piece of wall art perfect for an office or living room space.
ZeWood Middle Earth 3D Maps for Sale
Of the two Middle Earth maps ZeWood has to offer, the multicolored version is my favorite. It's the more expensive option, with the base 10-inch by 8-inch size starting at $229.50, but the addition of green trees and a darker Mordor are undeniably cool. The art itself is made up of natural birch plywood that has been laser cut and stained to get the effect.
The cheaper Middle Earth map comes in a longer rectangle version, with the larger 15-inch by 8-inch size starting at $149.50. It has the same mountain texture and the blue stain on the ocean, but without the trees and Mordor getting highlighted with additional colors. Because of the shape of this map, however, you do get a look at what lies to the east of Mordor.
How Are These Maps Made?
If you do a quick search for Middle Earth maps to use as wall art, there are a lot of different options available on Amazon and Etsy. ZeWood's maps are unique in that they are made of layered pieces of stained wood. They are really the only company making such a high-quality product right now and also the only ones who are officially licensed to do so.
As for how the maps are actually made, you can find the full production process directly from the ZeWood website. Every product goes through an extensive design process, which creates molds for laser cutting. Once the designs are cut, the pieces get smoothed and colorized with natural finishes before getting glued, framed, and ready to be shipped. While the company began as just two people crafting fantasy art for an Etsy shop back in 2019, it has since become a full-scale workshop producing officially-licensed masterpieces.
Jacob Kienlen is a Senior Audience Development Strategist and Writer for IGN. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, he has considered the Northwest his home for his entire life. With a bachelor's degree in communication and 10 years of professional writing experience, his expertise is spread across a variety of different pop culture topics -- from TV series to books and the latest Pokémon games.
