Turkey (or Austria) Oak is a species intoridcued to the UK in the 18th century and is distinguished from native oak by its 'hairy' acorn cups, which look like they are covered in a dense coating of moss. The timber has a propensity for shake splits, a denser and more variable grain pattern and purple streaks and dots, both of which are evident on this piece. Finished in food safe mineral oil / beeswax balm.