Black Ash Burl Bowl (26WS11)

This pear-shaped bowl was turned from a black ash burl harvested on private land in Grand Rapids, MN. An image below shows the trimmed burl on the lathe ready for turning. The wood was starting to decay and punky in areas but otherwise solid. I stabilized the soft areas with CA resin during the turning and again during sanding. The onset of decay is called spalting and can give unusual and beautiful wood grain and colors. The grain figuring in this bowl includes bird's eye and flame (chatoyance). The combination of these patterns is stunning. The darker lines and regions are due to spalting and from a small knot in the bottom of the bowl. These areas are sealed and stable. The circular growth lines of the burl show a golden-brown color in the lower part of the bowl. These contrast to the lighter golden color near the top of the bowl. 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. The bowl was turned using handheld tools on a lathe from dry wood and sanded to 400 grit. The bowl was sealed with two coats of a mixture of pure tung oil and citrus solvent, hand sanded after each coat. This finish is considered food safe. If needed, the finish of the bowl can be rejuvenated by applying a thin coat of walnut oil, wiping with a soft cloth, and letting it dry. This bowl is a beautiful example of black ash burl. It can be used to display food, but is best to display as a special piece of art.

 

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.