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large bowl

J

Jack Hamner

Joined
Sep 19, 2013
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Location
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Jack Hamner Jack Hamner is online now

Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: virginia
Posts: 1
Default Large bowl
Hi,
Thank you for allowing me to participate in your forum!
I posted information about this bowl on another excellent forum and got much helpful information.
I then ran across your site and thought well there must be many experts here in addition to the ones who have already helped me tremendously. I would love to find out everything I can about the bowl, especially what kind of wood it is and exactly how to care for it so it won't dry out and crack. I would also love to know if there are others out there of similar size and shape. Finally, I would like to place a value on the piece so that I can insure it.
Thanks so much!

Burl bowl--36" in diameter
8-10" deep
3.5-4" thick




A 12 ounce soda can is shown for reference
Click image for larger version
 

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Jack,
Insurance wise you need to check with your agent.
They usually require some documentation to support the value of artwork such as a sales receipt or a recognized appraisal.

Obviously your agent would not let you insure the soda can for $1,000 unless you could document some value derived from something like being in a famous commercial or painting.

Large bowls are uncommon but not rare.

Al
 
hockenbery said:
Jack,
Insurance wise you need to check with your agent.
They usually require some documentation to support the value of artwork such as a sales receipt or a recognized appraisal.

Obviously your agent would not let you insure the soda can for $1,000 unless you could document some value derived from something like being in a famous commercial or painting.

Large bowls are uncommon but not rare.

Al
Click to expand...

Thanks Al! I really appreciate your help. P.S.--the can is for sale at a good price!
 
The main reason for a lot of pieces cracking is sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Other than that, the wood will move a bit, and it is probably dry. So, if you have it out in the car for a day or so here in western Oregon in the winter where it is 90+% humidity and cool, and bring it into the house and set it down near the wood stove to warm it up, you are asking for cracks.

For keeping the finish updated, I am not sure with that piece. Part of it would depend on what finish is already on it. With all the voids in it, some oils will not work well because they get into the voids, then as it dries, they come back to the surface and leave small spots around all the voids. They can be buffed out with the synthetic steel wool pads.

Value? That is a tough one. Who made it? How much did you pay for it? Where did you buy it? How long have you had it? For a piece that size, I would want at least $1,000, but it is probably worth a lot more, depending on the market where you buy or sell it.

Wood type? A lot of turners will sign, date, and include wood species on the bottoms of their bowls. You may be able to find people locally who could identify it.

robo hippy
 
Welcome to the AAW forum. Are you a turner or a collector?

That is one whopper of a bowl. I wouldn't worry about the bowl drying out because it appears from the photos that the bowl is fairly old which means that it has been dry for a long time. It is likely that the person who made it let the wood dry before completely finish turning it. Also, given that it is burl, I think that it will be less likely to have a problem with cracking. As far as caring for it, just keep it out of direct sunlight or where it would be exposed to unusually large changes in humidity.

As far as the identity of the wood is concerned, I have no idea. The photos do not provide enough detail to make a guess.
 
I'm pretty sure it's an Australian wood and probably one of the following:
  • Australian Red Salmon Gum
  • Mallee
  • Amboyna Burl

What does the "underside" look like? Pics?

Just my opinion: As to value, it's a tough one if it's not by a "famous" maker or nor has historical provenance. Large bowls can be difficult to sell due to the very massive size and the need for an even more visually massive display they require. Because of this, the pricing isn't linear from small turnings to large.
 
Last edited:
robo hippy said:
The main reason for a lot of pieces cracking is sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Other than that, the wood will move a bit, and it is probably dry. So, if you have it out in the car for a day or so here in western Oregon in the winter where it is 90+% humidity and cool, and bring it into the house and set it down near the wood stove to warm it up, you are asking for cracks.

For keeping the finish updated, I am not sure with that piece. Part of it would depend on what finish is already on it. With all the voids in it, some oils will not work well because they get into the voids, then as it dries, they come back to the surface and leave small spots around all the voids. They can be buffed out with the synthetic steel wool pads.

Value? That is a tough one. Who made it? How much did you pay for it? Where did you buy it? How long have you had it? For a piece that size, I would want at least $1,000, but it is probably worth a lot more, depending on the market where you buy or sell it.

Wood type? A lot of turners will sign, date, and include wood species on the bottoms of their bowls. You may be able to find people locally who could identify it.

robo hippy
Click to expand...

MAN, THAT'S A WHALE OF A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION IN JUST A FEW PARAGRAPHS! Thanks so much!
As to acquisition, I purchased it at a local thrift store here in Central Virginia for $49.95. I was a little unnerved when one of the employees said "Oh my gosh--you mean somebody actually bought that! I started to tell her I needed something to serve a salad for a party of 50, but I held my tongue!
 
Bill Boehme said:
Welcome to the AAW forum. Are you a turner or a collector?

That is one whopper of a bowl. I wouldn't worry about the bowl drying out because it appears from the photos that the bowl is fairly old which means that it has been dry for a long time. It is likely that the person who made it let the wood dry before completely finish turning it. Also, given that it is burl, I think that it will be less likely to have a problem with cracking. As far as caring for it, just keep it out of direct sunlight or where it would be exposed to unusually large changes in humidity.

As far as the identity of the wood is concerned, I have no idea. The photos do not provide enough detail to make a guess.
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the welcome! Everyone on this forum has been so helpful and eager to help me out. I must admit that I am neither a turner (except in bed) or a collector--I guess you could call me an opportunist. If I see something that looks like a good deal, I either buy to resell or put in our home. I have never bought (or even seen!) anything like this, but it looked like a deal to me! Thanks again for your help!
 
Owen Lowe said:
I'm pretty sure it's an Australian wood and probably one of the following:
  • Australian Red Salmon Gum
  • Mallee
  • Amboyna Burl

What does the "underside" look like? Pics?

Just my opinion: As to value, it's a tough one if it's not by a "famous" maker or nor has historical provenance. Large bowls can be difficult to sell due to the very massive size and the need for an even more visually massive display they require. Because of this, the pricing isn't linear from small turnings to large.
Click to expand...
Thanks so much, Owen. It was purchased from a thrift store here in Central Virginia--not sure how it got here from Australia, but anything is possible--maybe someone got it there, got tired of stumbling over it, and donated it here in Va. I will try and take some underside pics asap. Again, many thanks!
 
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