Sycamore fruit bowl with urushi

I have been loving experiments with urushi of late.

This art goes back thousands of years in Japan where it has been used for decoration on bowls, boxes and pens.

Made from the sap of a tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum, which can generously cause itching rashes to the skin when wet, it cures to a hard, durable, waterproof finish of great beauty.

The process of applying a layer, curing, applying another, curing, on and on, appeals to a sense of detail and a slow, patient way of working that appeals to me.

This fruit bowl is a replicar of a Japanese bowl.

It is turned from year felled sycamore that has mellowed beautifully to coffee and cream tones that show themselves off on the inside of the bowl, and began as a huge piece of wood that was so heavy it took 2 days to turn this piece

The outside has been laquered with several coats of seshime usrushi to give a deep, lusterous and warm finish. The three legs were hand carved from the lower section of the bowl after it was turned.

It is 11" diameter and stands 4" tall.

Northern Wood Monkey is now resident in the Republic of Ireland.

Since Brexit is has become unviable to send any items to the UK from Ireland as I am just a small business and the admin and costs are prohibitive. I am occasionally in the UK and it may be possible to send from the UK when I am there, please contact me to discuss.

Courses will be running from my home in Ireland from Spring 2025. We are in beautiful and gentle countryside here in Co Mayo and a day on a course would make a great addition to a holiday.