Burning the Center of a Bowl Blank Before Carving

[John Morris]

Folks, I was talking to a young man the other day and he sat in on a Native American bowl making class briefly, back on the east coast. He did not remember what this method of bowl making was called, and I am unable to find anything online about the method. The method of carving a bowl by Native Americans goes way back, as old as our land is. Apparently the Natives would take the timber, char or fire the center of the timber (bowl blank) as to make it easier to carve out the center of the bowl because the center is black and soft. They used the same methods for their dugout canoes, burning the center, to soften the timber or log, and dig it out with implements.

 

Has anyone heard of this method of bowl carving? And if so, what's it called so I can research it, thanks!

[Larry Buskirk]

John,

Probably not what you're looking for, but you might find it an interesting read. 

https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1525/aa.1908.10.3.02a00060

There were probably several names given to the process as the knowledge was passed from nation to nation.

[Larry Buskirk]

@John Morris I believe you already know the term "charring"

[John Morris]

Larry, thanks for the information, just getting back to this, I'll take a look at the link, appreciate it much!