HOLLOW FORM TURNED FROM BUCKEYE BURL

This hollow form has been turned from Buckeye Burl [Aesculus californica]. Buckeye and related species are native to the eastern and western United States. Much of it comes from California, hence the name of this species. The timber from California and Oregon is not particularly interesting underground, but in its burl (above ground) form, Buckeye more than makes up for this: the wood is soft, with a palette of grays, whites, blacks, and some brown and orange. This all comes all from the oxidizing of underground minerals the burl has absorbed. The patterns that are generated by these colors are simply spectacular, like no other burl wood in the world.  The variations and shapes in the figure are endlessly fascinating.

Hollow form turning is one of greatest technical challenges in woodturning, producing an object that has thin walls and is remarkably light. The turning is hollowed entirely through the hole at the top, about 0.5” in diameter. The technique requires great patience and precision on the interior of the turning!

5 inches dia x 2.5” high