This one-of-a-kind freeform wood platter or wall hanging sculpture features curvy, burl figured, beautiful grain patterns.  It is 22.25” long, 15.125” wide, 2’’ thick, and weighs 3 lbs. 1 oz.  
The salvaged Siberian black elm wood (Ulmus pumila) came from a 30” diameter,  60’ tall tree that was about 120 years old and covered with knobby burls.  Unfortunately, it fell in a severe late-winter ice storm in Oregon City, Oregon, in 2021. I was lucky to salvage 30 amazing pieces for carving.  
While the wood was curing, I worked on this sculpture off and on for 12 months using a combination of both aggressive and delicate power tools combined with fine hand tools and tons of sandpaper.   Much of its natural and enticing spiny exterior has been preserved to add character to the art.  Small splits and cracks were strengthened and sealed with clear epoxy.  
A smooth and glossy oil-based, food-safe finish protects this bowl so it can hold and display anything but liquids or moist items.   
Care of your Valuable Art piece:    
1.  The beauty of your art piece is best maintained by periodic gentle dust removal with a soft brush on a vacuum cleaner and, if you feel it is needed, occasional buffing with a very light coating of something like food-safe Howard's Butcher Block finish or -- especially if it is for display -- Howard’s Feed-N-Wax (a blend of beeswax and Brazilian carnauba wax [pronounced kahr-nou-buh], mineral oil, and orange oil) which helps protect and enhance the rich colors.  
2. As for all wood art, it should NOT be displayed in direct sunlight (no wood likes direct sun) because strong light fades rich colors.  Of course, some wood colors inevitably change over time. 
3. Display this treasure where it will be protected from chemicals, moisture and damaging heat. 
4. If you have specific questions, you are welcome to email me:  rcpaulson@msn.com.  
About Siberian Black Elm (Ulmus pumila) -- typical tree shown above:  
Siberian Black Elm trees have a slippery, gooey sap that makes handling their wood a bit difficult and messy when it is green (not yet cured). If green, even the sawdust is a sticky, gooey mess.  The wood itself is soft and not strong enough for lumber.  However, its slightly reddish brown grain is quite attractive for art pieces and wood with burls is especially attractive.  
The species is native to Asia and was introduced to the United States in the 1860s.  In the U.S., it is often considered an invasive tree, particularly because it is extremely hardy and fast-growing.  These trees are not recommended for use as an ornamental tree because limbs tend to break as they age.  
Because of its high tolerance to extreme conditions (droughts, freezing cold, polluting city smoke, and poor soil) the tree is able to grow abundantly in locations where other trees cannot.  In the Midwest and Great Plains regions of the United States, the Siberian elm has a reputation for invading pastures, stream banks, roadsides, and prairies, but it is also purposely used for windbreaks.  It has been crossed with the American elm (U. americana) to produce an American elm-appearing hybrid that is resistant to Dutch Elm’s Disease.