Title: Oak Barrel
Price: $500
Dimensions: 10" x 8"
Materials: Spaulted Red Oak
Other info: Working only in found wood, I chose this piece as an example of extreme recycling. In a state forest where I regularly walk my dog, I've walked by this large fallen oak tree many times. It always looked beyond hope of any use - it was just too deteriorated. One day I kicked it and discovered that under three inches of punky exterior scale was a hard core. I came back with my chainsaw and cut a couple of blanks.
Considering this as garbage wood I thought it only fitting to make a scale model of my kitchen garbage can--a 19th century oak barrel. An old broken down barrel that I recycled into a useful item. This is a .41 exact scale model of that barrel.
Turned from one piece of wood except the top. The top was taken from the same log, and mirrors the bottom of the barrel. Staves and hoops are hand carved and hoops are dyed for contrast. Finished only in oil and left in a semi-rough state to match the original. The bottom has a small void and the pith has swelled slightly, but it still sits firmly on a flat surface. Turned to about 1/8" thickness. 10.25" tall and 8" at its widest point.
