Lidded Container
Red Oak Burl
with Ebony Finial

Lidded Vessels are arguably one of the more difficult styles of turnings to execute. Matching of grain, aesthetic of design, visual flow of the line between the container and the lid and the actual mechanics of the fitting are all things that must be meticulously considered and flawlessly executed. As I often turn my pieces from "green" wood - or at least from wood that I have carefully seasoned and is not bought from a stock supplier and not likely to be kiln-dried - the added variables of shrinkage and change of shape during the drying process must also be dealt with.

Lidded containers that are crafted well in my opinion are those where the lid or top is fitted with a purpose; it fits snugly, is not added as an after-thought, and requires a gentle effort to open it. Whether by close-tolerance machining or perhaps fitted with a locking mechanism, lidded containers if executed correctly can be vessels which contain something of value or hold a secret.

With its strong yet delicate ebony finial, this Red Oak piece is truly one of the best fruits of my labor and is perhaps my favorite of all the many small lidded containers that I've turned over the last 20 years - all with many frustrations and equal joy.