Mountain Mahogany Bowl, turquoise inlay. I have been intrigued by mountain mahogany for a long time, probably starting with the story from a friend who used it for firewood and melted the grate in his wood stove. After taking up turning I began looking for a piece large enough to use on the lathe, and finally managed to bring home a large branch from a dead tree I found while camping in eastern Nevada.

Mountain mahogany has many interesting properties. Although it is incredibly dense, it also seems to fracture easily and so it is hard to find a defect-free piece to turn. In an effort to get an adequately sized piece I took a risk and violated one of the first principles of wood working and used the pith. I frequently stopped the lathe to make sure I hadn't mistakenly chucked a rock from the garden, and I was at the sharpening wheel so often I eventually just left it running.

The result, though, is probably my favorite piece I have yet produced. Simple lines with a subtly detailed rim and a tiny bit of turquoise make the piece graceful and elegant, all while retaining some of the rustic nature of the wood. The dense wood took a high polish and feels firm and substantial in the hand.

2 3/8" tall x 4 3/4" diameter. NFS.