RootWorks® bowls, platters, and decorative items are carved from a species of Chinese Fir called Shan Mu, which grows abundantly in the mountains of Central China. RootWorks® raw materials come from stumps left by logging operations, the removal of which allows for faster reforestation. The stumps are removed by hardy teams along the mountain slopes and transported to the remote carving villages. After careful cleaning and grading each gnarled stump is then transformed by skilled carvers into the gorgeous and unique RootWorks® products we proudly offer. Watching the carvers read each organic chunk of the fragrant fir is a thing of wonder – the rough stump is turned and studied, inner and outer surfaces rough-hewn and balanced, shaved and nibbled with sharp tools, until the final form starts to emerge, each one different from the last. Each piece is then carefully sanded, smoothed, and lacquered, revealing the depth of grain, stunning color, and variety of sculptural shapes that makes RootWorks® a winning collection.
Our bowls and platters use a “Flat Cut” carving style which means the stump is split lengthwise prior to carving. This orients the wood grain in such a way that each piece can expand and contract naturally without checking or splitting. The rings are visible at both ends of the bowl and the shape of the bowl varies from almost semi-rectangular to trapezoidal. Each bowl is a blend of the distinct character of the tree from which it came and the artistic flair of the artisan carving it. The original "Stump Cut" style of cutting - rings at the bottom of the bowl - had caused problems in earlier production so we have eliminated it.