American Elm burl with African blackwood

[David Keller]

This is from wood salvaged from a local tree trimmer's lot.

12.5" by 5.5"

Finished with shellac and antique oil then lightly buffed. The cracks and voids are filled with epoxy mixed with blackwood dust.

Comments and criticism appreciated.

 

[el_d]

WOW!! David great Work, love the delicate finial.
How do you turn that with out it breaking

 

[nava1uni]

That is beautiful. I love the eyes and voids of this piece. The finial is delicate and really highlights the piece.

 

[louisbry]

Beautiful piece of art. I too like the finial. Great touch using blackwood dust to fill voids.

 

[Fred]

Excellent piece!

 

[phillywood]

David nice find and beautiful work. I hope you didn't sit there and hand sand that finial little at a time to that size. I am amazed how you turned it so thin.

 

[David Keller]

Thanks, folks! Several of you commented on the thinness of the finial... If you haven't turned African blackwood, you're missing out when it comes to this kind of thing. It's easy to work and holds detail very well. It's probably my favorite finial wood especially when I'm trying to do something thin like this. With that said, they don't all survive... I break a few here and there when trying to go thin.

 

[wizard]

All I can say is WOW !! Beautiful piece of work !

 

[wizard]

David, How long did it take you to make that ? You must be one heck of an awesome surgeon if the skills came in handy!

 

[David Keller]

David, How long did it take you to make that ? You must be one heck of an awesome surgeon if the skills came in handy!

Thanks for the kind words, Doc.

I roughed it out several months ago, DNA soaked, dried, and then re-turned it a few weeks ago. The form and finial were done on the same day, and I'd guess it took me about 5 hours in total.

 

[Rcd567]

You are very talented. I love your work.