The Patient Grain — Illinois Pecan Candy Bowl

Story / Provenance

The Patient Grain was turned from Illinois-harvested pecan purchased directly from a local harvester. The wood came from a wide board approximately two inches thick, and that available thickness helped determine the bowl’s low, open form.

Pecan can demand patience at the lathe. Even with sharp tools and a light touch, the quarter-sawn portions required considerable follow-up sanding to achieve the bowl’s smooth, uniform surface. That finishing experience gave The Patient Grain its name.

A fitting botanical detail: pecan’s scientific name is Carya illinoinensis. The Missouri Botanical Garden notes that the species name illinoinensis means “of Illinois”—especially appropriate for a bowl turned nearby from Illinois-harvested pecan.

About This Piece

This one-of-one bowl has a shallow, accessible form suited to candy, nuts, wrapped treats, and other small snacks. Its warm golden-brown color and flowing grain also allow it to stand on its own as a small decorative dish.

The bowl was hand-turned and finished with walnut oil followed by a paste wax containing walnut oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax.

Details

• Wood: Illinois Pecan (Carya illinoinensis)
• Craft: Hand-turned
• Dimensions: Approximately 6½ inches wide × 1½ inches high
• Bare weight: 6.8 ounces
• Finish: Walnut oil, beeswax, and carnauba wax
• Intended use: Candy, nuts, and small snacks
• Care: Hand wash and dry promptly. Do not soak or place in a dishwasher.
• One of one