This plate is hand-made from solid Tiger Maple wood and so rich in texture that appears to be on fire as the light moves across the grain. It is stamped with the Muskogee Artist's mark on the bottom. Measures 9 1/2" wide, 7/8" thick, and has a 1" rim. This is truly a one-of-a-kind piece of art that will stand out and make a big statement in any decor.

Only a few of the American Maple trees are categorized as hardwoods. These include the Sugar Maple and Black Maple trees. In early colonial times, the heels of women’s shoes were made primarily from Maple wood. By the 1920s, most airplane propellers were made from Maple wood because of its strength. From the earliest colonial days, Maple was a popular wood for making furniture, cutting boards, and kitchen utensils. It was considered to be one of the few woods in North America that did not apply a “taste” to food. The wood is light colored with dense grains which provide strong, durable qualities making it resistant to abrasive wear. The sapwood is white and the heartwood is a pale reddish brown with deeper colored bands.

Tiger stripes are sometimes caused when a tree grows in soil that has minerals concentrated near the primary root system.  These minerals can be absorbed by the tree and can affect the banding of wood grains and their color.  The tiger banding can also be caused by a viral infection or other stress on the tree as it grows.  Some species produce tiger banding naturally, without the influence of stress. Tiger banding is easily recognized by its pronounced wavy grain.  It is highly prized by artists and collectors.