(These objects are not in any kind of order of importance, just as they occur to me or someone reminds me of one, like this object which Ms Moon reminded me of when she posted about some wood salad bowls she recently purchased and reminisced about older ones she still has.)
These two wood bowls, 7” diameter, 1 1/2” deep.
I bought these in my early 20s during my first marriage. We were at an art/craft show though I can’t tell you where as I don’t remember but a young couple had a booth or tent or table, the specifics of which are also lost to the fog of memory, of hand turned bowls and other wood objects, again I can’t tell you what all else, and these two small shallow wood bowls caught my eye and I bought them. They were a splurge, not because they were all that expensive but because money was dear back then and it wasn't something I needed but something I wanted. When I divorced the rat bastard I made sure to take those little bowls with me. I still have them five decades later and we use them several times a week for salads.
It just now occurred to me that these were the first of what has become a small collection of art objects in bowl form, and I do consider these an art object even though I use them, a form I used extensively in my own creative endeavors in pate de verre, an object post for later.
Codex: they look bronze at first glance
ReplyDeleteThey are well oiled and polished after all these years.
DeleteWell my comment worked out well. Skynet here we come.
ReplyDeleteI thought of Mary's post as soon as I saw your bowls. They are lovely.
ReplyDeleteShe often jars my memory.
DeleteI agree with Codex - I thought they were bronze too!
ReplyDeleteI can see that except for maybe all the wood grain. The light was just right I guess.
DeleteI love wooden objects. I had a friend who did a good bit of wood turning with native Texas woods, and always enjoyed going to the woodturner's gathering in Fredericksburg. On the other hand, one of my cherished objects is a large chopping block made of woods from felled trees from friends' properties outside Kerrville. You've reminded me that I once intended to sand and tung oil it -- I ought to make that a rainy day project.
ReplyDeleteWe had a large camphor tree in the front yard of our Heights house and one day a large chunk of limb fell off and a friend of ours who was turning wood at the time took it and made a lamp base and a large egg from it. We used that lamp for years. I still have both the egg and the lamp base.
DeleteWoodturning is such a wonderful craft, I like these bowls and especially that they are in regular use. The purchasing of works of art/craft from the artists/craftworkers is, in my mind, a very specific act of transfer and respect. But you probably know a lot more about that.
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, I also have a bowl collection and have considered it an item for my list. I am not copying you.
I would never think you had copied me and it would be fine if you did anyway. We both share pictures of our gardens, why not other things we share. I much prefer buying things from their maker whenever possible supporting the arts and crafts.
DeleteOur favourite bowl is made from the burl of a tree and still retains that feature. It is beautifully done and one of our most cherished possession. If ever we get foolish enough to downsize that is not going anywhere!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever do decide to get rid of it you can send it to me.
DeleteThese beautiful bowls remind me very much of the bowls I got at a thrift store in Roseland years ago. Same beautiful, shallow shape. I am sure I've used them hundreds of times. I love it when art meets utilitarianism.
ReplyDeleteI love the shallow shape. I think that's why I was attracted to them so much. I might not have bought them if they were regular deep bowls.
DeleteIt's great when you've had something so long and yet still use it so regularly.
ReplyDeleteI have another big wood bowl that I can't remember now how I acquired it. I used it in the kitchen to hold fruit so it didn't get oiled regularly like the little salad bowls and it eventually cracked at the bottom and then the crack spread leaving a gap. Still have it somewhere but don't use it anymore. I wonder if I could fill it with some wood putty.
Deleteart is elevated to another level when it can be used like that bowl. yes, it is indeed art.
ReplyDeleteI have some things that only hold sentimental value. When we lived in the big house in Minnesota I had plenty of room to display my treasures. One in particular was a pencil drawing of a herd of elephants. Our accountant knew an artist and asked him if he could create a piece of art for me. He actually drew the duck in water for Ducks Unlimited. Very talented, he showed me a small picture of the herd of elephants in an encyclopedia. It wasn't a good picture, with lots of foliage and trees and the elephants were walking in water. I told him to lose the trees and just use pencils. It is gorgeous and huge. I no longer have anywhere to hang it. My house had 12' ceilings and it was sized for that. Anyway, I spent more on the frame that the piece of art. Burlwood and antiglare glass tinted to protect it from the sun. My youngest daughter has it hanging in her dining room. She will keep it forever. She is sentimental like me. Her sister is not. We bought a rather expensive wooden play kitchen for her daughter and my husband built a bed for her doll and I made the mattress and pillows and all the bedding. In my mind I could see her hanging onto it all for Layla's first little girl to play with. She got rid of it all and was exasperated when I asked her about it. I don't question her decisions anymore! I like your bowls and the fact that there are only two, but you still use them.
ReplyDelete