I turned one of the two halves of this round yesterday. I started to try and turn the pedestal candle holder I had planned, and it turned out there was a pretty large pith portion, and once I started turning into that, big chunks of the wood split off. So, I've changed my plans, and will have to figure something else to turn from these.
I did capture some photos of the rounded blank, and I'm certain its not walnut now. Its a lot lighter, and it seems to have a variety of colors, including a blueish gray and orange. The pattern of the darker veins in the grain, doesn't remind me of walnut either... I'm still at a loss. I think this was a piece of reclaimed wood, as IIRC the box I grabbed it out of was full of chunks of reclaimed wood (someone even bought some American Chestnut!! Nabbed it before I could!
) Anyway, I think this wood is pretty old, its super dry and feels almost brittle, but, it actually turns pretty well (except around the pith).
A couple of photos: