Stunning Aspen Burl Bowl (24WS6)

This bowl was turned from an aspen burl that came from Hovland, Minnesota, near the shore of Lake Superior. Images of the trimmed burl (attached to my lathe) are shown. Aspen burls are very rare. I have seen only a few in a living tree!  Loggers tell me they see about one burl in 1000 trees. Many years I get only one burl, sometimes none. This burl had jagged and knobby bark which accounts for the irregular natural bark edge of the bowl. The unusual shape of the bowl shows the actual outer shape of the burl. 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 some decayed areas and bark inclusions. These were stabilized with CA resin and dark wood powder. The wood has stunning grain figuring that includes wavy grain lines, tight banded swirls, golden to brown-red colors, and many feathers of flame/curl figuring (chatoyance). I call this Lake Superior banded agate figuring since it looks a lot like our local banded agates. This figuring is special and very unusual in wood. The patterns, colors, and chatoyance in this bowl are breathtaking, among the best I have seen. A jagged bark edge frames this unusual bowl. The shape of the bowl was chosen to best show the grain figuring and to display the interesting unsymmetrical bark edge that surrounds the round central part of the bowl. The trimmed burl is shown below to help visualize how this burl was turned. The bowl was turned from green wood using handheld tools on a lathe, dried for several months, and sanded to 400 grit. Bowls turned from green wood always warp some during drying. This gives distortions that add natural charm to a bowl. I re-turn the bottom of green turned bowls to remove warping to make sure they sit nicely. The bowl was sealed with two coats of tung oil, hand sanded after each coat. This finish is considered food safe, although the bowl is best suited for artistic display. Aspen burl is rare and difficult to turn. Very few wood turners work with aspen burl. It is my favorite wood to turn because it is always unusually beautiful (and I like a challenge). This bowl is a gem that would be perfect in a rustic country home as well as a city home to bring in some Northwoods beauty. 

 

 

 

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.