Philip Moulthrop
Marietta, Georgia


Spalted Silver Maple Bowl
8” high x 15.25” diameter
This piece was turned on a lathe from a section of a silver maple log. The spalting, or black figuring, occurred after the tree was cut. The piece was first hollowed and dried and then sanded and coated with four coats of finish.


Philip was ten when he learned about lathes and chisels from his father, Ed Moulthrop. In 1977, after working as a photographer and studying law, Philip focused on wood turning and began to develop his own style. One of his most unusual designs is the mosaic bowl created by applying 1-inch-thick cross-sectioned discs of wood to a bowl form and filling in around them with dark wood resin, a process that takes five times longer than his other bowls.

The process of creating the turned wood bowls and vases begins with green sections of native southeastern trees and a chain saw. The green log is first roughed into the initial shape, using a hand-made lathe and hand-forged tools, after which the piece is treated for several months to prevent cracking. The wood is then dried for more than a month and re-turned on the lathe to its’ final form. The bowl under goes numerous sandings and is coated with several coats of finish. The entire process may take from four months to over a year.