Some exciting new bowls including replica Neolithic woodwork for Stone Henge Visitor Centre.
Been too busy making and getting ready for SPOONFEST to update the blog but here are a few pics of new work.
Three quaichs just finished, silver rims and sycamore bowls, perfect for the discerning whisky drinker.The first one went off in the post today.
Next a porringer, one of my most popular bowls. I use these for breakfast every day and soup, when I am making soup in the winter.
I have been working on a fun commission which is all carving no turning. The black is because the finish is achieved by burning and scraping, they are replicas of Neolithic and bronze age bowls for the new Stone Henge Visitor centre.
I love this one, a copy of one found during excavations at Heathrow airport. I made one a few years ago which is in a glass case in terminal 4. Too nice not to use though I might have to make myself one.
Robin,
is that burnt/scraped finish a ancient form of finishing or are you replicating how they look once we dig them up? it looks really good, is it practical for daily use?
thanks for sharing.
We do not know how these things were made in the Neolithic. Stone tools are not brilliant at hollowing and burning and scraping works albeit slowly but then if you are sat around a fire all evening then speed is probably not an issue. The finish works well.
sounds like a pleasant enough chore sat round a fire with friends, family and good conversation.
It sounds like a silly question but is it ‘just’ a matter of burning the wood and sort of burnishing the blackened wood with a hard surface. does the wood have to burn a touch or will smoke and soot gathering on the surface work the same. i will have to try this out on some of my spoons.
Blessings and Thanks again.
PS feel free to keep your trade secrets secret.
Interesting looking carved cup, re hollowing with stone tools. In my limited experience of experimenting with various stone tools yep hollowing small vesels is not easy. However, bone gouges ( which date before the Neolithic) seem to work Ok on really green wood and ground flint chisels are known and may work though i do not have one. i found that once the wood is dried a little the arret ridges on the back of flint flakes are good for scraped finishes working like cabinet scrapers. Takes me back over 30 years to doing my undergraduate dissertation on evidence for Old Stone Age woodworking ie the begining of it all. A version of it was published in the Tools and Trades History Society Journal 1st or 2nd issue I think, but that study focussed on earlier Stone Age work when ground stone edge tools were not available as they were in the Neolithic.
Finally your Blog and links are a treasure trove and the foundation of a series of small beatifully illustrated books?? I hope- as per ‘wooden bowl.
Thanks for your efforts Damian G
Thanks Damian, I will have a go with bone gouges next time. As ever the brief on this one was compromised by finances so I roughed much of the work out with steel tools and finished with scrapers.
We’ll I was graciously surprised this morning when I stumbled onto your YouTube video on carving a front room spoon and then your blog!
As you were carving I thought how you are my kind of carver carving in the front room leaving all that chip mess on the floor!!! But knowing you will clean it up!
Really have received inspiration for continuing my spoon carving by seeing some if your work!
Thanks for the inspiration that quite often goes unsaid but thought I would send it out to you!
Thanx Jim!