Split-turned hollow vase
Let me say from the outset, that this design was heavily inspired by a project that Mark Sanger had published in Woodturner, so it was clearly meant to be reproduced. Mark’s piece was actually wet-turned from a fresh oak log, but mine was turned from a walnut log which had been stored under cover for several years by a local gentleman who called at my shop one day and asked me if I wanted (for free) a load of dry logs and planks that he had accumulated over the years - I like people like that!
The log was a true circular section at one end, so that became the base, but quite elliptical at the other, so that became the top. It’s overall dimensions are 20” x 8” (50cm x 20cm) and was split at about 7” (18cm) up from the base. It’s by far the deepest vessel I’ve worked on, and I’m not too happy with the inside, although the top four or five inches are fine and the opening is much too small for an adult hand. I did consider narrowing the base further, which would have added a little to the height, but I felt that it would become too unstable, so it doesn’t truly reflect the rule-of-thirds.
Turning it took about three and a half hours to do all the initial shaping, splitting, hollowing and gluing back together, then a further half hour to remount the complete vase and turn away the top-end tenon and blend it in to the inner and outer shapes, half an hour to cut and scorch all the scorch-lines, then a final half hour to reverse mount, turn away the foot tenon, seal and polish. So it owes me for five hours work, which will probably increase to five and a half by the time I finish buff-waxing it.
C&C always welcome, and I do hope that Mark likes it.
