Numero oggetto
2019/93/1-2
Creatore
Descrizione
This half-cut bowl was produced by Derbyshire-based bowl turner, Robin Wood. Wood creates bowls and plates, making use of lathe tools in his craft. His work revives the previously extinct heritage craft of bowl-turning, of which George lailey was considered one of the last in England. This bowl was one of a nest purchased by the MERL in 2015 as part of the Museum's handling collection. The bowl shows the markings and process behind bowl turning. The bowl has split due to shrinkage as a result of drying out, hence numbering parts 1 and 2.
Descrizione fisica
1 half-cut bowl; Wood: Good condition
Storico archivio
Email, Charlotte Dew to Isabel Hughes, 4 March 2015 - 'Morning Isabel, // Furthering our conversation on Monday about the purchase of objects, I have at last spoken to Robin Wood. He is able to produce the part-made nest of bowls, cut in half, for £80 including delivery. I have updated the spread-sheet circulated at the meeting to reflect this, and attach it. // As we discussed it would be great to proceed with the commissioning of the bowls and spoons, and related tools at the earliest convenience, so they can be used as part of the training. Are you happy to liaise with Caroline re the budget, or would you like me to? // The biggest question, dependent on how much is in the budget, is whether we can afford the part-made bridle, and are consequently be able to create sessions based on leather craft. // Thanks in advance for letting me know. // Best, Charlotte', Object research project, Madeleine Ding, January 2020 – 'How can this object be described? // This is a partly finished wooden bowl. The bowl is half finished, with the central piece still joined, to show how the inside of the bowl was created. The bowl has split due to shrinkage as a result of drying out. It is a nested bowl – as another small bowl can be made from the central wooden core. It is made of sycamore or beech wood. // What were wooden bowls used for? // From 600 to 1600AD, everyone in Europe ate from wooden bowls. This type of tableware was replaced by pottery plates and bowls which were mass produced. // How are turned bowls made? // Turned bowls and plates are produced on a lathe, a machine that rotates the wood as it is cut. This bowl was made on a pole lathe, a medieval style lathe which using a springy stick to spin the lathe. The wood is shaped with a variety of chisels or turning hooks. // Why make turned bowls? // Robin Wood, who made this bowl, was inspired by the story of George Lailey, a bowl turner from Turner’s Green, Bucklebury Common, Berkshire. George made turned bowls for over 80 years. When he died in 1958 there was no one to continue his profession. George was reputed to be the ‘last bowl turner in England’. Robin Wood wanted to find meaningful work with his ‘head, hands and heart’ and decided to learn to turn bowls using these forgotten methods. He was particularly intrigued to learn that George Lailey was so skilled he could cut one bowl inside another, so from one block of wood he could create up to five pieces, rather than turning the inside into shavings. Robin made his own tools and took five years to become proficient. // Which other objects in the collection relate to the bowl? // The Museum holds the Lailey collection of bowl turning tools and his hut and equipment is on display in the Gallery. There are also 59 bowls, plates and candlesticks made by Lailey in the museum. // George Lailey worked on Bucklebury Common which was the source of his wood and home to other wood workers. In the past, turners produced a great variety of turned ware ranging from bowls and trenchers for domestic use, to cheese moulds, cream skimmers, and milking stools. Tool handles and chair legs and spindles were also made by wood turners. // George Lailey made his own chisels or turning hooks to carve his wooden bowls. // How did this item get into MERL’s collection? // The bowl was commissioned from Derbyshire-based bowl turner Robin Wood to show how a turned bowl is created. It was commissioned to show a stage of manufacture. His work revives the previously extinct heritage craft of bowl-turning. This bowl was purchased by the MERL in 2015 to become part of the Museum's handling collection.'
Luogo di produzione
Derbyshire
Data
2015 - 2015
Nome oggetto
Materiale
Tecnica