Natural Edge White Oak Burl Bowl (24WS5)

This calabash style bowl was turned from a piece of an enormous white oak burl that was cut from a downed 200-year-old tree. The tree grew on a farm in Elk River, MN. Two pieces of the burl are shown (note the glove for size perspective). These two pieces are about half of the main burl! The piece on the right was cut and trimmed into several bowl blanks. The one used for this bowl is shown attached to the lathe. This oak burl had some decay and several thin (≤1/16”) cracks. These cracks followed grain lines around the axis of the bowl. Turning bowls like this is a bit tricky since even small cracks can lead to pieces flying off the lathe. All the cracks in the bowl blank were filled with dark wood dust and cyanoacrylate glue to provide a solid and secure piece. Several small filled/stabilized cracks are visible in this bowl. The bowl is strong, and all cracks are stabilized. Most of the bark on this burl had come off over the years, but the piece used for this bowl had good stable bark. The bowl shows wavy growth rings that are darker brown and contrast with the golden-brown color of the wood. These wavy lines are circular around the bowl. There are also tiny perpendicular (radial) rays (typical of oak) running up the sides of the bowl. These have the appearance of tiny worms wiggling their way up the sides. These wormy patterns also meander around in circular zones giving a beautiful texture in the sides of the bowl. Overall, this is memorizing and difficult to put into words. The bowl was turned using handheld tools on a lathe from green wood, dried for several months, and sanded to 400 grit. Bowls often warp a little during the drying. This is not usually noticeable but requires the re-turning of the base and bottom of the bowl. The bowl was sealed with two coats of pure tung oil (diluted 50% with citrus solvent to speed up drying), hand sanded after each coat. This finish is considered food safe, so this bowl can be used to store or serve food, although this bowl is best suited for artistic display. Oak is a very hard wood and sands amazingly smooth. I find it wonderful to just feel this smoothness. The natural bark edge on this bowl is stable.

 

 

 

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.