WHAT IS SPALTED WOOD?

Spalted wood is wood which has started to rot. It has been attacked by a fungus which often disfigures the wood with an intense and highly figurative pattern. It may occur naturally or be induced during the storage process. In any case it is a risky process and about half of all spalted pieces get consigned to the fireplace because they have gone too far or because the pattern is not interesting.

Those pieces which are retained provide spectacular material for bowls or sculpture. Because of the precarious supply of this wood finished pieces in spalted wood are more expensive than comparable work in normal woods.

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