This lathe-turned shot glass is crafted from stabilized maple burl—an expressive wood known for its swirling grain, unpredictable figure, and warm tonal shifts. The piece features a golden base tone with rippling waves, birdseye clusters, and subtle chatoyance that shifts with the light. Each angle reveals a different personality: one face might show tight curls and pin knots, while another opens into broader, flame-like movement.
The wood was part of Dan’s first online wood auction purchase—a formative experience that opened the door to future auctions and relationships with individual sellers across the U.S. and abroad, including a friend in Indonesia who now supplies Mango, Amboyna Burl, River Tamarind, Acacia, Spalted Tamarind, Nara Wood, and Cheese Wood.
Stabilization ensures the burl’s structure remains sound and its visual complexity preserved. The piece is finished with polymerized walnut oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax for a smooth, sealed surface that’s ready to serve.
