Suzu

SUZU (Japanese "Bell") A modern take on a gong made from the top of decommissioned gas cylinders mounted on a selected wood such as quilted beech, or highly textured scorched oak. A thread is created inside the cylinder neck to take a hand made aluminium bolt through the wooden base. The rim of the Suzu is turned and polished to perfection but both the inside and outside of the cylinder are left as is, often displaying internal rust. The outside colouring depends on the gas originally contained, black and white quartered, as shown, being oxygen. The inside of the bell, where the bolt appears through the neck is finished with a turned ebony plug. The striker, either ebony or purple heart, has a small quantity of lead inserted in the end to ensure a good ring when used. All Suzus are signed, numbered and dated on the base.
Suzu - scorched oak base, purple heart striker.
The inside of the cylinder is always left untouched. This one shows an interesting rust pattern.
All Suzu are finished with a hand turned ebony plug to disguise the cylinder neck and aluminium bolt.

Suzu Bowl

Suzu Bowls use the base of decommissioned gas cylinders rather than the top. The rim is highly finished and, like the Suzu, both the inside and outside is left as found. The bowl sits within a recess in the square block of wood.