A burl is a living growth of wood with an unusual grain structure. It forms when the cells on a tree’s surface divide more quickly than those around them, shaping a living knot of wood. Burls and polypores are often mistaken for one another – yet each carries its own story. Both materials have been used in folk crafts throughout history.

Sensorial Bowls highlight the haptic qualities of amadou and birch burls, encouraging us to delve into their natural irregularities through tactile exploration. In the forest, tinder mushrooms and tree burls stand as silent opposites: one weaving growth and expansion, while the other works through decay and transformation. 

Birch burl, amadou

2023