The Story Behind the Black Limba Vessel
The Story Behind the Black Limba Vessel
The “Black Limba” vessel is more than just a piece of art—it’s a testament to resilience, creativity, and the beauty of imperfection.
Black Limba while on the lathe unfinished.
The Challenge
When a gallery admired my bowls, they encouraged me to push my craft further and create vessels. It wasn’t an easy journey; there was no one to teach me, and I had to rely on my own ingenuity. Starting with a stunning piece of Black Limba wood—valued at $900—I began shaping the vessel. The process was meticulous, requiring precision and care.
A Heart-Stopping Setback
While drilling a central hole to shape the interior, disaster struck. The drill bit extension snapped, damaging the drill press and cracking the vessel in three places. My heart sank. I thought the project was ruined—and my wife, Vicki, might never forgive me for the loss.
Turning Tragedy into Triumph
To my surprise, Vicki insisted we keep the vessel, cracks and all. Inspired by her encouragement, I decided to piece it back together. Using heavy-duty straps, I carefully aligned the cracks and glued the vessel with precision. Miraculously, the cracks fit perfectly, and no pieces were missing.
The Result
Today, the Black Limba vessel stands as a flawless masterpiece. Not even I can spot where the cracks once were. This vessel embodies perseverance and the idea that even perceived flaws can lead to something extraordinary.
The finished Black Limba
