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Head on view of a solid Karelian birch bowl that was handmade in Sweden, circa 1960.
A Nordic handmade Karelian birch wood bowl filled with garlic bulbs.
A pile of garlic bulbs inside of a Karelian birch (aka Curly birch) bowl, handmade in Sweden in the mid-twentieth century.
An angled shot showing inside and out of a blonde Karelian birch bowl that was handmade by a craftsperson in Sweden in the 1960s.
A handmade lathe turned curly birch bowl. This wood is also known as Karelian birch which is much more informative as Karelia, in Finland & Russia, is where the variant is most abundant and thought to originate.
A karelian birch bowl. Rather than an actual species, Karelian birch is a variant of silver birch with a a genetic defect that creates an ununsual grain figure. Namely, the trees’ annual rings are oriented incorrectly, which gives the wood a fiery, sunburst, appearance.
Close up of the magnificent sunburst flames in turned Karelian birch wood bowl made in Scandinavian in the 1960s. Vintage folk art, crafts and collectable design available on Art & Utility, London.
A Karelian birch bowl. Although somewhat temperamental to work with, Karelian birch is commonly used for turned objects in Scandinavian as this is how the beauty of the grain is best exploited.
A zoomed in image looking into the bowl of a carved Karelian birch vessel. The impressive lively grain makes it easy to see why Curly birch is highly prized in Scandinavia.
The reverse or underside of a Karelian birch bowl. The tiny black dot near the middle would have been the centre of the living tree. Amazing collectable Scandinavian crafts and design available on Art & Utility, London.
The back and side view of a Scandinavian lathe turned bowl made from Karelian curly warty birch. Buy Nordic design and antiques online at Art & Utility, London.
A curly birch wood bowl with striking tiger-like grain. This object was made by hand from Karelian birch in Scandinavian in the mid-20th century.
A calming scene of two blonde wood scandinavian bowls filled with vegetables on a linen table cloth. The scene is filled with muted natural colours.
The view into a Karelian birch bowl that boasts a sunburst flame like grain. This useful object, great for storing small items, was handmade in Scandinavian by a craftsman in the 1960s.
Mid-20th Century

Karelian Birch Bowl

£35.00 £0.00
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A solid Karelian birch bowl, handmade in Sweden, circa 1960.

This wood is also known as 'curly birch' but we feel the name Karelian is much more attractive and informative. Karelia, in Finland & Russia, is where the variant is most abundant and thought to have originated.

Rather than a species in its own right, Karelian birch is actually a variant of silver birch with a genetic makeup that creates an unusual grain figure.

Namely, the trees’ annual rings are oriented incorrectly, which gives the wood a fiery, sunburst, appearance.

It is precisely this lively pattern that can be seen radiating out from the centre of this bowl. Close to the middle of the bowl is a black dot which would have been the centre of the tree. The flame-like lines which dance out around the bowl are the tree’s growth rings.

To physically create the bowl a craftsperson has carved a birch log on a lathe. To add further interest and grip three lines have been cut around the lower half of the bowls outside parameter.

Although somewhat temperamental to work with, in Nordic countries, Karelian birch is commonly used for turned objects as this is how the beauty of the grain is best exploited.

Manufacturer: Unique item handmade by a skilled craftsperson.

Year of Design: Circa 1960

Colours: Yellow, orange, brown, black

Height: 5 cm, Diameter: 13.5 cm

Condition: Very good. Possibly one hairline crack in top edge but this does not impede use or enjoyment.