Description
The grain on these Toona sinensis bowls has been spectacular. This will be the last one, as I have used all of the larger pieces that I salvaged. And as I look back at the photos of the other bowls from this tree, I believe this 5th and final one may be the finest of the series. I nailed the curve, and Mother Nature did the rest.
Any St. Joseph’s University alumni out there? The wood this bowl is made from was salvaged from a 90 foot tall, 100+ year old specimen that had to be taken down at the Barnes Arboretum at St. Joseph’s University in the fall of ’21. It was a Toona sinensis – commonly known as Chinese Toon, Chinese Cedar, or Chinese Mahogany.
This medium-large handcrafted bowl measures 10-1/8″ in diameter. The striking reddish color and grain of this timber is really special. A stylish foot on the bottom makes the bowl appear to float above the table. 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 finished with five 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…)
When this bowl arrives and you unwrap it, be sure to lift it to your nose and take a whiff… it’s reminiscent of cedar, but different. In a good way. And it stays with the wood for a long time. You may be buying this bowl as a gift, but you may decide to keep it.
Bowl size: 10-1/8″ diameter, 4″ high
Bowl capacity: 2.5 quarts
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(click on image to view full size…)
Chinese Toon (Toona sinensis) is native to eastern and southeastern Asia. It is a deciduous tree in the mahogany family that can grow up to 65 feet tall (or in this case, 90 feet!). They are commonly used as a shade tree, specimen, or street tree.
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
As noted above, this lovely tree began life before any of us were born. The prized Barnes Arboretum specimen had to be taken down due to disease and old age. Myself and other members of First State Woodturners were able to salvage sections of it last fall.
Sustainability
This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, nor is it on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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…)
