Flaming Pearl Birch Burl Bowl (20WS14) SOLD

This bowl was turned from a large birch burl that came from the UP of Michigan, just across the lake from my shop. The burl is large and heavy and is shown below being lifted with a shop crane onto my Stubby S1000 lathe. You never know what hides inside a birch burl, sometimes rot and sometimes a jewel. The bowl is jewel, full of flaming pearl figuring. This figuring is called chatoyance, similar to mother of pearl, tiger eye, and moon stone. This bowl is alive with dancing flame. The flame moves and curls as it is observed from different angles. Birch burl often has some chatoyance, but this bowl has it everywhere. This is very unusual. The bowl also has a live bark edge that gives nice contrast to the light pearly wood. The shape of the bowl evolved from the shape of the burl and my desire to have a complete live edge. The surface of the bowl is smooth but one’s eye tells the brain that it has a wave texture. This is very special and makes this bowl a conversation piece. The bowl was turned from green wood using handheld tools on a lathe, dried for several months, and sanded to 600 grit. The wood was unusually hard and difficult to carve. 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 this bowl is best suited for artistic display, but could also be used to hold something special. The base of the bowl is slightly off center due to the shape of the burl. This made the bowl a bit unstable to tipping, so I added a black walnut base. This base is 8.5” in diameter and was turned to exactly fit the bottom of the bowl. The black walnut wood came from the Minneapolis area. The light-colored bowl looks great sitting on this dark base, and it is very stable. This bowl is stunning and will be the center of attraction on a table in a large room. A true collector's piece!

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.