Trash to treasure

 This replacement wand for a Tibetan singing bowl has had quite a journey.  When I first found the wood nearly 30 years ago, it was part of a pallet that a motorcycle dealer had put in the front of their lot with a "FREE" sign attached.  While the wood looks completely unsuitable for any kind of working, the color and density was interesting and I optimistically brought home a couple of these pallets.

I have no idea what species this wood might be.  Samples of light green colored wood of the pallet boards I acquired that day were sent to the University of Wisconsin for testing and they reported the samples as mountain laurel, but the reddish wood of this crosspiece is very different.  

It seems similar to mahogany in terms of density, grain, and color.  It might simply be a very poor piece of mahogany that ended up in a pallet.

The piece was worked with a drawknife and several carving knives.  A power sander was used in the initial sanding steps, but it was finished entirely by hand.



2023, unknown pallet wood, mineral oil finish.  Private collection.

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