Spalted Aspen Burl Bowl (22WS21) SOLD

This bowl was turned from an aspen burl that came from the Grand Marais, Minnesota, area. The burl was obtained from local loggers. An image of the trimmed burl is shown below. Aspen burls are very rare. I have never seen one in a growing tree! This burl has jagged and knobby bark which accounts for the very irregular bark edge of the bowl. Aspen burls are always difficult to turn due to decay and separation of many of the grain lines. These grain lines need frequent stabilization during turning. This burl also had many soft areas and worm holes. These were stabilized with CA resin and wood powder. This burl also had several voids and inclusions. I probably should not have turned this burl, but the prospect of unusual spalting and the rarity of aspen burl gave me incentive to go ahead. The wood has stunning grain figuring that includes wavy grain lines, tight swirls, golden to brown-red colors, and contrasting light areas that contain flame/curl figuring (chatoyance). There is also spalting that shows as dark wavy lines in the bottom part of the bowl. It almost looks like the bowl contains wiggly worms or snakes (see top view of bowl). A jagged bark edge completes this unusual bowl. 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 bark edge. The trimmed burl is shown below attached to the lathe, ready for turning. The bowl was turned from fresh wood using handheld tools on a lathe, dried for several months, sanded to 400 grit. Bowls turned from green wood always warps some during drying. This gives distortions that add natural charm to a bowl. I re-turn the bottom of green turned bowls to make sure they sit nicely. 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. Aspen burl is rare and very difficult to turn. Very few wood turners work with aspen burl. It is my favorite wood to turn because it is always unusually beautiful. This small bowl was difficult to turn and sand. It is a gem that would be perfect in a rustic country home. 

 

 

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.