This is one of those things I occasionally pick up just because it looks good, is well designed or made from interesting materials. In this case all three apply and it was hard to pass for less than a dollar.
The wood has some very nice contrasting grain - at first I thought walnut, then maybe cocobolo but it doesn't have enough red in it. That made me think of claro walnut, but the density and weight doesn't seem to be right - instead it's probably some type of imported hardwood from South America or Africa. If anyone can identify the species let me know.
What I found interesting in this is how well the object is executed - many different round-over bits and back bevels were applied.
The wood in this is just gorgeous and the acute and obtuse angles just magnify the grain patterning.
Someone suggested that this might be some type of communion platter - I don't know anything about that - I was thinking I might try to find some glass inserts for the holes and use it for soft lighting with tea candles. If nothing else it would make an interesting if rather tippy trivet.
The piece is signed on the bottom but the initials or name doesn't make much sense to me - "DHcks" - perhaps it's "D Hicks"...
-- John
