Birch Shrink Pot #3

The Scandinavian Birch Wood Shrink Pot

Originating from the pine and birch filled wilds of Scandinavia, the ancient technique of shrink pot making has remained almost unchanged throughout the ages. The green wood must be cut seasonally in winter time, with the forests blessings, when there is little sap running. This retains the beautiful bark and ensures more stability in the wood as it dries.
Then using auger drills and chisels the green log can be hollowed and a small ridge carved inside so as to fit a seasoned hardwood base, in this case Sweet Chestnut. As the wood dries slowly over a few moons the pot ‘shrinks’ firmly over this base. Only when fully dried a lid can be carved and fitted.

The wood is locally sourced from storm-felled trees with lids and bases made from up-cycled timber.

Each pot is a one of a kind offering from the forest to remind us of our ancestral roots.