Walnut Vase

My first attempt at a walnut vase, and what a wood to start with. This piece was acquired from Ian Pope, who sourced it many years ago, so it was very well seasoned by the time it reached the lathe.

The section of branch was a little uneven, which made getting started hard work — the bark was rough and the blank wobbled until it found its centre. Once past that initial roughing though, walnut proved to be a pleasure to turn.

As the bark came away, patches of spalting emerged — dark lines running through the lighter sapwood where fungi had begun to work the timber. Rather than turning it away, I kept as much as possible, letting the natural markings become a feature of the finished piece.

The classic vase profile emerged nicely — a generous belly narrowing to a waist before flaring out at the rim. The grain swirls around the curves in a way that only becomes apparent once you start shaping.

The melamine lacquer transforms the walnut — rich chocolate and amber tones come alive, and the swirling grain patterns seem to shift as you move around the piece. The spalting adds character, with dark veins running like ink through the lighter wood.

I have another couple of pieces from the same tree, so watch this space.