Category Archives: historical reference

A Bowl for Enkidu

Posted on December 4, 2016 by Dave Fisher

It seems that our problem with portion control goes back at least 4700 years.  In the Epic of Gilgamesh, probably the oldest recorded story in human history, Shamhat is tasked with civilizing the wild beastly man Enkidu.  To lure him … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, historical reference, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Trees and Truth

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Dave Fisher

If you’re interested in etymology, trees, and truth, this short Ted Ed video is worth a few minutes of your time.  Not only does it provide a linguistic link to our timeless reverence for trees, but the animation is also … Continue reading →

Posted in historical reference, nature, trees, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , | 1 Comment

If Yinz* are Ever in Pittsburgh

Posted on September 17, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Earlier this week, I found myself with a few hours to walk around the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh.  There was no chance of getting lost; all I had to do to orient myself was look for the centerpiece of the … Continue reading →

Posted in carving, historical reference, patterns, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Ale Hen

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Dave Fisher

In one of my conversations with Beth Moen at Greenwood Fest, we talked about the use of aspen as a traditional wood for bowl carving.  Beth said that she liked Aspen because, although it is a relatively soft hardwood, the … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, historical reference, trees, Uncategorized | Tagged | 9 Comments

Behind the Mask

Posted on July 11, 2016 by Dave Fisher

Last week, I found myself in a house with this intriguing wooden mask on display.  It was about 17 inches high, 9 inches wide, and 7 1/2 inches deep.  I know very little about African masks, but to my untrained … Continue reading →

Posted in adze, finding wood, green woodworking, historical reference, holding, sketch, Uncategorized, video | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Jolly Good Ale and Old

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Dave Fisher

  William Stevenson was a sixteenth century English clergyman and playwright who also wrote this charming drinking song.  In it, we find reference to ale bowls, both “scour’d” and “lustily troll’d.”  And all wives should take notice of the generosity demonstrated by Tib. … Continue reading →

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Chip Carving for Warlike Men and School Girls

Posted on April 13, 2016 by Dave Fisher

It is difficult to conceive the contradictory fact that this apparently simple form of art [chip carving] was once the exponent of a struggling desire for refinement on the part of fierce and warlike men, and that it should, under … Continue reading →

Posted in books, carving, historical reference, patterns, quotes and excerpts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Almost Ready for Ale

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Dave Fisher

I finished carving a couple personal-size ale bowls over the weekend.  These are the two I mentioned having roughed out in my recent post about ale bowls.  I haven’t oiled them yet, but I thought I’d share some photos of … Continue reading →

Posted in bird bowls, bowls, carving, cherry, historical reference, holding, layout, tools, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 14 Comments

Ale Bowls

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Dave Fisher

  Today, most people limit their drinking from bowls to the sipping of cereal milk, but there is a long tradition of drinking from bowls.  Ale bowls are a rich part of that tradition. I have done a little research … Continue reading →

Posted in ale bowls, bowls, green woodworking, historical reference, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 24 Comments

The Carving Fountain of Youth

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Dave Fisher

By now, most of you have probably watched the video featuring Bengt Lidström, renowned Swedish architect and bowl carver.  Recently, I contacted Drew Langsner in an effort to learn more about Bengt.  He informed me of an extensive article about … Continue reading →

Posted in bowls, carving, green woodworking, historical reference, holding, paint, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 19 Comments