Chinese Chestnut Cup

This is the first piece that I’ve submitted to the LJ. I’ve turned quite a few things before now but none that I’m as happy with as this or got decent pictures of before giving away. Most of it was Ambrosia Maple, which is not one of my favorite woods, but popular with many. I suppose that you call this a bowl or a cup. I’ve been calling it a cup simply because it is taller than it is wide, not that that means anything really.

I got this wood a few weeks ago from Mike Smith ( www.centurytreeturnings.com ) and it was my first time turning Chinese Chestnut. It was a dream to turn and needed very little sanding. Only a little around the natural lip. My favorite part of it is the knot running through it and the discoloration on the bottom of the cup. This piece was turned for my girlfriend who picked out the blank because of the lip.

Finish: Three coats of Walnut Oil/WOP mix with a bit of the gloss knocked off
Dimensions: 4” x 4.5”

All comments and critiques welcome! Thanks.

-- Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it. -Mark Twain