Description

This large handcrafted bowl measures 11.75″ in diameter. The deep, slightly enclosed form is reminiscent of the Calabash bowls of the Hawaiian and Pacific islands. The bowl has a non-toxic, food-safe oil/wax finish.  It could be used as a salad or fruit bowl, hold your popcorn on Netflix night, or just be admired as a decorative display piece. It would make a lovely gift or an objet d’art for your coffee table or bookshelf.

This bowl was turned “green” – while the wood was still wet, that is – and allowed to dry naturally for a few weeks. The wood moves as it dries, so the piece has a very subtle natural shape, best observed by sighting across the rim.

From the ‘Turning Lemons into Lemonade’ department, this bowl has a very small, natural crevice on the side. I have filled the crevice with an inlay of copper. (Very fine, pure copper powder is mixed with epoxy. Inlays are completely food-safe and guaranteed for the life of the bowl.)  The slight glint of copper against the deep cherry color is a striking visual surprise, and somewhat unique.

The bowl was finished with four coats of hand-rubbed, food-safe, oil/wax finish, and then buffed out with a light coat of Carnauba wax. With proper care, this bowl will last for generations. (See care instructions below…)

Bowl size: 11-3/4″ diameter, 5-1/8″ high
Bowl capacity: 5.5 quarts

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(click on image to view full size…)

Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) is native to eastern North America. It has been one of our most prized furniture timbers for centuries. It is easily workable with both hand and power tools and it exhibits some of the most beautiful colors and grain patterns of any domestic species. Black Cherry develops a rich reddish-brown patina as it ages. As a woodturner, cherry is one of my favorite species. It never disappoints!

Caring for Wooden Bowls

The food-safe finishes I use are water-resistant – not water-proof. Wash wooden bowls with mild soap and warm water. Rinse and towel dry immediately.

Wooden kitchenware is not dishwasher safe and should never be left in water to soak. Excess water for prolonged periods can cause the wood to swell and crack. Also, do not put wooden bowls in the microwave. They will super-heat, split, or even catch fire!

If the wood starts to look faded or dry, rejuvenate it with a quality butcher block / cutting board oil or conditioner, such as Howard Butcher Block Conditioner or Mahoney’s Walnut Oil. You can find these and other good choices on Amazon or at your local Lowe’s, Home Depot, Woodcraft, Walmart, etc. (A free sample is included with your purchase.)

NOTE: If your bowl sees only light use, an occasional buffing with a clean cotton cloth is all that’s needed to keep it looking great.

History

This particular cherry tree was given to me by a couple from Newark, Delaware.

Epilogue

I hope you enjoy this bowl as much as I have enjoyed creating it and telling you about it. The process of turning a piece of fallen tree into a beautiful and functional bowl involves many steps and can take up to a year (the wood has to dry slowly…).

I know it takes a leap of faith when you can’t see a piece in person and hold it in your hands. All of my work is satisfaction guaranteed. If the piece is not what you were expecting, please reach out to me as soon as possible to arrange a return.

And finally, if you’re in the area (Delaware) and would like to see a piece in person, please contact me to arrange a studio visit.

(The 40 second time-lapse video below is not this particular bowl, but the process is essentially the same…)