Herein disclosed is a tissue supplied in a configuration pre-shaped to the topography of the recipient surface for covering defects in the articulating surfaces of bones. Also discussed herein is a method of preparing a graft for reconstruction of a defect in an articular surface of a bone comprising determining the topography of the native articular surface and the corresponding underside of the cartilage layer； fabricating a pair of mating surfaces having the topography of the native articular surface and the underside of the cartilage layer； harvesting a cartilage graft from a cadaveric donor； and placing said graft between the mating surfaces and subjecting said graft to sufficient pressure for a sufficient duration to cause it to change shape to that of the deforming surfaces.
