Large Swedish Root Bowl with Handle, 19th century

A large Swedish root bowl, carved by hand from a single piece of root wood, with a small lug handle at one end. The outside follows the knotted growth of the wood, and the unpainted surface shows the natural grain, dried to a pale tone. A darkened area in the bottom of the bowl comes from use. Age cracks run through the walls, the natural result of the wood moving over time.