Pyrography (aka ‘pyrogravure’) is an age-old technique where a heated metal instrument is used to burn wood leaving behind a decorative pattern.

Common items decorated with pyrography designs include cups, bowls, furniture, and picture frames. Light-colored woods like beech, birch, sycamore, and basswood were commonly used with pine and oak being desirable alternatives.

The most prevalent artifacts decorated with pyrographic designs are dried gourds. There are found in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world.

Pyrography dates back to the Egyptians and some African tribes. The Chinese referred to wood burning as “fire needle embroidery” whereas “pokerwork” was preferred during the Victorian era. It was not until the turn of the century that the name “pyrography” took hold.

In the 19th century, the invention of new machines, some of which added color and shading, gave way to kits for use in the home. Advertisements in women’s magazines popularized the craft as a good pastime for young women. Affordable kits with instructions were ordered from catalogs.

Today pyrographers use heat controlled, low-voltage tools to burn their designs into woods found around the world.