Description
This large handcrafted bowl measures 12″ in diameter. It has a graceful, sweeping curve and slightly enclosed form. The elegant undercut below the rim creates shadow lines and visual interest. 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 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.
Any St. Joseph’s University alumni out there? The wood this bowl is made from was salvaged from an approximately 100 year old specimen that had to be taken down at the Barnes Arboretum at St. Joseph’s University in the fall of ’22.
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…)
Bowl size: 12″ diameter, 4.25″ high
Bowl capacity: 4 quarts
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(click on image to view full size…)
LONDON PLANE (Platanus x acerifolia) is native to western Europe and is a hybrid of Sycamore. It has grain that is generally straight, and it’s color is generally darker / redder than Sycamore. When quarter-sawn, the timber has a distinctive and highly decorative appearance of dark reddish-brown flecks against a lighter background and is known as lacewood.
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 in the fall of ’22.
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…)
