Coved Yakisugi Bowl from Ash 

Size - D 18.5cm x H 11.5cm 

Finish - Tung Oil and Waxes 

The cove detail on the exterior which extends to the foot has come about from a playful experiment which I’ve really taken to. The undulating pattern brings a beautiful detail to the grain together with creating interest with light and shadow.

The other component of this cove detail is the textural experience. It just feels so nice in hand as your fingers conform to the indentations and ridges.

This piece features some beautiful grain and a feeling of delicacy with the small foot and thin rim. I’ve left a little weight in the base to lower the centre of gravity making it more stable. 

Sourced from trees that had to be felled a few years ago in our woodland. Unfortunately we have had a lot of problems with ‘ash dieback’ a disease which ash trees get. 

I’m really trying to make the most of this ash wood while we still have it. As such I’ve continued working on these yakisugi pieces and they have come to be a bit of an obsession, really fueling my creative expression. 

‘Yakisugi’ is a Japanese method of wood preservation using fire, dating back to the 18th Century and often used to treat the external wooden cladding of a building. 

Here I’m using Ash which has an open grain structure and the rapid springtime growth is far less dense than the later summer growth. This burns more easily and so when brushed down creates a beautiful texture all over the surface. 

After scorching, the pieces are meticulously burnished using a stiff brush, removing loose char and bringing the surface to a slight polish. 

All pieces are stamped with my makers mark, a very subtle ‘H’ on the underside so as to not detract from the beauty of the object. 

A sculptural piece for display purposes only. 

- Tung Oil comes from a nut so please be aware if you have a nut allergy.