This unusually large and dramatically figured bowl was handmade by master wood turner Lou Pignolet, from a large aspen burl obtained from local loggers in Hovland, MN, during the late spring of 2012. The burl was solid with few decayed areas, which is unusual for aspen burls. The burl was turned using hand-held tools on a power lathe. The bowl is large (13" diam, 8" ht) with wild swirling grain figuring, unusual earthy colors, lots of shimmering flame, and all of its natural bark edge. The bark is quite dramatic, giving the bowl an amazing appearance. Note the light patch on the bottom of the bowl. It is part of the main straight grain log from which the burl grew. You can actually see how the burl emerged from the tree, an unusual feature of this bowl. This bowl is a spectacular example of a North Shore aspen burl, a rare collectors piece demanding the center of attention of a special room.