Precession No.3

Size - D 30cm x H 5cm 

Material - Ash (scorched)

Finish - Tung Oil + Wax 

A sculptural bowl with an interior wave detail. Some of the most exceptional grain I have seen in ash. 

‘Precession - the slow continuous wobbling motion of a spinning objects axis’. This piece has no foot but rather a curved surface. It therefore invites play if you so desire - a kind of kinetic sculpture. 

The idea started when walking past a waved piece of mine in the workshop. Without the visuals this is kind of hard to describe but bear with me. As you walk past these scorched objects the light is reflected back off the surface in different ways. Sometimes all you see is black and others almost a glaring and popping grain appears. I wondered rather than walking past constantly to create this effect, if the object instead could be spun on the spot to reveal these grain popping moments. It turns out it’s rather mesmeric - I will be posting some Instagram content so you can see for yourselves. 

Just like a spinning top, gyroscope or indeed the earth these objects not only spin but also wobble on an axis - an extra surprise from this fun experiment and hence the name ‘Precession’. 

Made from a storm fallen Ash sourced from woodland adjoining the workshop in Kent.

The object has been scorched with a blowtorch then meticulously burnished, removing loose char and bringing the surface to a slight polish. Inspired by ‘Yakisugi’, a Japanese method of wood preservation using fire.

It’s an anxiety inducing process with no guarantees of success. It either ends in heartbreak or elation. The thin edge on this piece didn’t do any good for my nervous system but I’m delighted that it survived. 

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. 

- hand wash / wipe clean only 

- for spinning or ornamental use - please expect a slight scuffing to the base over time if spun a lot. 

 - Please note - any orders placed will be packed and shipped after the 10th August