Black Ash burl Bowl (23SF29) SOLD

bowl was turned from an old dry black ash burl that came from the eastern tip of Minnesota on the north shore of Lake Superior. Images of the trimmed burl (on the lathe) are shown. The wood is unusual and not typical of black ash burl. It does have the typical golden-brown color, but the figuring consists of many circular grain patterns as if the burl grew with branches, but there was no sign of branches in the outer part of the burl. This looks a lot like a topological map with mountains and valleys. The outer part of the burl does have a lot of mounds and knobs (see photos of the burl). The darker circular grain lines all had to be stabilized with CA resin and wood dust, not surprising for an old burl. There were also a few decayed areas that were stabilized with CA. This grain pattern is very nice and full of interesting motifs of faces. The burl was missing a lot of its bark and most of the remaining pieces flew off during turning. A small part of the bowl edge retained some bark, and the rest has a beautiful natural edge. The outer shape of the bowl follows the knobby shape of the burl. Black ash is a special wood of great importance to Native Americans. It was used to make baskets, canoe ribs, lacrosse sticks, and its bark has medicinal properties. Black ash trees grow in swampy areas and are under attack by the emerald ash borer. We may lose all these trees in the coming years. It is nice that this burl came from land near an Indian Reservation and was in fact given to me by a Native American. The shape of the bowl evolved from the shape of the burl, and my desire to bring out the beauty of the wood and maintain a complete natural edge. The bowl was turned from dry burl wood using handheld tools on a lathe and sanded to 400 grit. The bowl was sealed with two coats of tung oil, hand sanded after each coat, and finished with a buffed thin coat of beeswax and walnut oil. This finish is considered food safe, although the bowl is best suited for artistic display. This bowl is beautiful with its unusual grain patterns and interesting shape. 

 

 

 

All my bowls are can be returned for a full refund if you are unsatisfied for any reason within 60 days. You must only pay the return shipping.

All of my bowls come with a laminated card with images of the bowl and burl, a complete description of the bowl and making process, and the artist's bio on the back side. There is no price on the card so it can be used if the bowl is given as a gift.