North American Burl Treen: Colonial & Native American

Book excerpt: NORTH AMERICAN BURL TREEN:COLONIAL & NATIVE AMERICANThe practice of utilizing wood for domestic purposes is as old as civilization itself; however, for Europeans the use of burl was not common practice until they became colonists of North America in the 17th century. They learned from the Native Americans, for whom it was a centuries old tradition that treen made from burl (a knotty outgrowth on a tree), with its interlocking grain and strong matter was more durable than plain treen. Unlike in Europe, burls in North America were abundant, cheap, and a practical resource for everyday wares.Today, early burl treen is part of nearly every major Americana and Native Americana collection, yet the subject has largely been neglected in print, leaving most collectors and dealers with only a general understanding of the material. NORTH AMERICAN BURL TREEN: Colonial & Native American is the first comprehensive survey and study of this important historical craft. Culled from museum and private collections, the book includes nearly 200 objects and over 250 full-color images, most never before published.Chapters include:American Colonial Burl Bowls and Service WearThe Patten Family Maple Burl Sugar BowlThe Covered Burl BowlThe Burl MortarAssorted Burl TreenBurl Effigy Bowls of The Woodlands IndiansNative American Burl BowlsNative American Burl Effigy Ladles, Burl Paddles and ScoopsAtlantic White Cedar Burl of The Abenaki