Proteus
Oil finish

The body of this hollow form is a large piece of Cupressus which I found after it was blown down in a storm in 2005. The string of exotic wood inserts remind me of a large molecule like a protein and, as this is the first such vase I have made, the name ‘proteus’ was arrived at.

This hollow form was made after making ‘The Big Bang’ and the basic technique is the same although here the surface has also been carved to add texture.

33cm dia x 33cm high
(13in x 13in)

£250

1850 Oak
Turned and Carved
Wax finish

This piece of oak was part of a roof beam from a barn which a friend has converted into a home. The barn is marked on maps dated 1850, so this oak is at least as old. The colour variation is natural, caused by the atmosphere in the barn reacting with the oak.

13cm dia x 19cm
(5in x 7½in)

£40

Olive Ash & Ebony
Wax finish

Hollowed through the small hole in the top, this piece of olive ash makes an attractive hollow form and contrasts well with the ebony used for the neck

12cm dia x 7cm tall
(4¾in x 2¾in)

£89

This item is displayed at the Gallery on the Usk in Powys, and may be purchased from them or directly from me.

Olive ash and Ebony
Wax finish

A small vase made from olive ash with an ebony collar. Olive ash is the darker, mottled timber often found in the centre of mature ash trees. It resembles olive wood in appearance, hence the name.

7cm dia x 10cm tall
(2¾in x 4in)

£25

Spanish Olive
Wax finish

Complete with holes, splits and cracks this vase is made from a piece of Andalucian olive wood. The wood split and cracked as it dried out, before the vase was made, but the ‘defects’ add  interest and beauty to the piece.

18cm dia x 15cm tall                               (7in x 6in)

£sold

Maple
Acrylic finish
 

These small hollow forms are attractive shapes and are finished to a high gloss.

9cm dia x 8cm tall                               (3½in x 3¼in)
 

£20  each

Cherry with Cocobolo Neck
Wax finish

Another piece with inset pieces of a number of exotic timbers, this small cherry vase has 74 inserted pieces, including ebony, purpleheart and wenge among others.

This piece was made for an article in The Woodworker & Woodturner, specifically to demonstrate how Proteus (above) was made.

11cm dia x 15cm tall                               (4½in x 6in)

£95

Walnut
Oil & Wax finish

I was told this was Ash when I was given it whilst turning in France. There is a superficial resemblance between the bark and leaves of Ash and Walnut, but very little between the two types of timber. As soon as I started to turn it I knew it wasn’t Ash and became more and more convinced that it is Walnut.

23cm dia x 20cm tall                               (9in x 8in)

£Sold