Spalted Maple Burl Shot Glass

Spalted Maple Burl Shot Glass — Handcrafted & Natural

Dimensions: ~3‑3/4 inches tall × 1‑1/2 inches diameter

Turned from Spalted Maple Burl (Acer saccharum / Acer macrophyllum), this piece showcases two extraordinary features of maple wood. Burl refers to the irregular growths that produce swirling, chaotic grain patterns, often dotted with “eyes” and ripples that shimmer in the light. Spalting is a natural process caused by fungi that leave dark, wandering lines and tonal shifts across the wood, transforming ordinary maple into something dramatic and unpredictable. Together, burl and spalting create a surface alive with movement—grain that twists like smoke and lines that trace the story of decay preserved in form.

The vessel’s figure reveals contrasting shades of cream, gold, brown, and black, with marbled patterns that feel organic and untamed. Slender yet balanced, it is sized for a refined pour while offering a tactile connection to the wild character of the wood. Each shot glass is unique, its grain telling a different story—no two will ever share the same pattern.

Stabilized for durability and finished with polymerized walnut oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax, the surface is smooth, food‑safe, and softly lustrous. The finish enhances the natural figure while protecting the delicate burl and spalting from wear. More than functional, this shot glass is a small vessel with bold personality, a celebration of maple’s resilience and the artistry of turning chaos into craft.