First Talbert Briar for 2021.  First of many, I hope – Emily is currently doing our business taxes for last year and we were both surrpised and horrified that we made exactly ONE Talbert Briar in 2020… Talk about a rarity!  In any case, with a much-improved and expanded workshop and better set up tooling, I’m hoping we can do quite a few Talberts this year, as I’ve missed them a lot.  Ligne Bretagnes are fun, but they just don’t offer the level of creative expression available when making something from a block and a rod.

And speaking of creative, this one was a real monster to photograph, but I hope I’ve given a decent idea of the very non-traditional shape.  I sculpted the entire form to follow the briar grain, and one can follow the flow of the grain and bird’s-eye across the curves and flat panels of the shape.  The shank tilts with the grain, the bowl rim is a bird’s-eye festival, and bird’s-eye flat areas abound.

The stem is handcut from German cumberland rod, with a ring positioned to catch the swirl of the grain in the material.  The finish is a lighter version of a contrast stain – The briar was remarkably flaw-free so it was possible to be delicate with the stain.  There’s a contrast layer under the surface to bring out the darker detailing of the grain (especially the bird’s-eye), while the final fiery orange tint was chosen to harmonize with one of the color striation strains in the cumberland stem, to better help them blend into one harmonious whole.

A good start for the year!