VESSEL TURNED FROM BUCKEYE BURL, WITH AFRICAN BLACKWOOD FINIAL

This hollow vessel has been turned from a highly figured piece of Buckeye Burl, with striking color variation. Buckeye and related species are native to the eastern and western United States. Much of it comes from California, hence the botanical name of this species, Aesculus Californica. The timber from California and Oregon is not particularly interesting underground, but once above ground, Buckeye burl more than makes up for this: the wood is soft, witha palette of grays, whites, blacks, and some brown and orange. This all comes all from the oxidizing of underground minerals the burl has absorbed. Thepatterns that are generated by these colors are simply spectacular, like noother burl wood in the world. The variations and shapes in the figure are endlessly fascinating.

This vessel has been crowned with a finial of African Blackwood, a member of the Rosewood family and the premier detail wood available to woodturners. The piece was finely sanded and sealed; after sealing, Danish oil was rubbed into the wood, followed by hand rubbing with a combination of carnauba and beeswax in a light solvent. This finish has a very light and transparent quality. For decorative use only.

5.5" high x 4" dia