Swedish 19th Century Folk Art Root Wood Bowl

Swedish 19th Century Root Wood Bowl. Hand-carved from a single section of root wood, this vessel features an asymmetrical, organic form with an uneven, undulating rim. The exterior retains a deep reddish-brown pigmented finish that highlights the irregular burls and natural texture of the wood, contrasted by a distinctly painted white band along the exterior rim. The unpainted interior exposes the raw, heavily grained root wood. The underside is inscribed with carved capital initials "I.B.S."

Specifications:

Origin: Sweden

Period: 19th Century, ca 1800 -1860

Style: Folk Art / Provincial

Finish: Reddish-brown and white pigment over wood (exterior); Unfinished (interior)

Dimensions: H: 6.3" (16 cm) | W: 19.7" (50 cm) | D: 11.8" (30 cm)

Condition: Structurally stable with wear consistent with its utilitarian history. The piece exhibits extensive natural desiccation fissures, most notably a distinct vertical shrinkage crack descending from the right side of the rim on the exterior. The exterior paint shows heavy abrasion, and the unpainted interior displays deep oxidation and historical surface wear. The carved initials on the underside are distinct and legible.