Mallee Burr Bowl

[Duncan A]

Some time back there was a discussion about finishes on red/brown mallee.
I suggested using oil, and said I'd post a picture in the near future to show the finish.
Unfortunately I can't find the post and am not even certain that it was on the AWGB forums!
However, notwithstanding my memory issues, I've just done a bowl from what I would call brown mallee; don't know exactly what species of eucalyptus it is.
Also unfortunately, given that I said I'd use oil, I finished it with Chestnut melamine lacquer but, for what it's worth, here it is.
Dimensions: L430 x D200 x H40mm.
The gold flecks are Chestnut gilding cream.
Comments welcome but please be gentle, I've never done a piece like this before.
Duncan

[andy44]

Looks good to me Duncan, don't think it needed the gilt cream though fella.
all the best
Andy

[bodrighywood]

Doesn't need the cream but what the heck, certainly doesn't do it any harm .

Pdete

[Tony_a]

I really like that Duncan, the beading adds to the piece without detracting from or competing with the feature of the wood. 

Tony

[John Plater]

Lovely piece of wood and good, crisp detailing. I too think that the gilt cream is unnecessary and would prefer the piece without.
ATB John

[Derek]

A very nice piece and as above the beading adds to the bowl. I like the cream on this one as I find it highlights the little fissures within it but to make a proper assessment whether it looks good with or without I would need to see both before and after.

[Duncan A]

Thanks for the comments guys, I too was a little unsure about the gilding but had originally intended to do more decoration and some colouring as well. By the time I decided to keep it simple, I'd already done the gilding and it seemed too much trouble to remove it. The picture makes it look much busier than it appears in the flesh but it would probably have looked better with just the bowl itself gilded, leaving the top natural.
The underside has no gilding cream and shows the natural colour.
I was a little apprehensive about using the beading tool on a burr but was pleasantly surprised at how smoothly it cut.
Duncan

[Bryan Milham]

It's a shame the burr fissures are all on one side, them having the gilt cream in them, makes it look one sided but overall the bowl is great.
Will look fantastic as a centrepiece in a table or dresser.