Wave Yakisugi Bowl from Ash 

Size - D 34cm x H 8cm 

Finish - Tung Oil and Waxes 

A simple and graphic waved detail which correspond on both sides of the object. Some exceptionally beautiful grain through this piece, enhanced further with the undulations. 

This is the bowl that I was so conflicted whether to char the surface or not, if you have been following along on Instagram you’ll know.

It has been turned very thinly, which adds a huge amount of jeopardy when it comes to the yakisugi treatment. I have had many similar thickness objects fail in the past, which have cracked or warped changing the object for the worse. With some careful work and a lot of luck, I was delighted with the outcome.

I’m glad I stuck to my intentions and vision for the piece. I guess that is easier saying in hindsight when it has turned out better than I could have dreamed. It’s often said we only learn from failure, but this experiment has taught me to be more brave and audacious in my approach. Perhaps many more pieces will fail in the future and that makes these ones that survive even more special.

A tip for displaying. Position the bowl on a surface between you and a natural light source. As you move through the space the piece will reflect light off its surface revealing the waves and the grain. 

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. 

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

- hand wash / wipe down only