This fabulous turned wood vintage serving bowl is both a work of art (a fabulous op art sculpture) and a functional serving piece.   We believe it is most likely by an American craftsperson.   The two colors of wood and the design create a modern geometric / op art wood masterpiece.

Display it alone as a sculptural MCM work of art – or use it as a serving piece.   It would also be a great container / organizer on a counter, desk or bookshelf.

The checkerboard pattern of the sides together with the pinwheel (pie slices) pattern of the round bottom create one of the most interesting serving bowls we have ever owned.  

We are not sure of the wood / woods used.   It might be one type of wood with a darker stain used on the contrasting pieces.   It might be a combination of two types of wood.   The darker sections have the grain character and look of walnut.   If the lighter sections are a different wood, they might be maple.

The wood artist created the checkerboard / pinwheel structure before “turning” the bowl.   The shape is simple, elegant and streamlined.   The diameter at the rim is under 10” on the inside and about 10 ¼” on the exterior.   On the exterior, it is about 4” tall at the sides, and the interior depth is about 3 ¾”.

To give you an idea of the scale of the checkerboard design, the rectangles on the middle row are 1 1/8” x 1 3/8’.   The total height of the three horizontal bands / rows of rectangles is about 3 3/8”.   As you can see from the photos, on the sides the outer rim of each “pie slice” is the width of three of the small rectangles.

For fans of woodworking, marquetry and fine craftsmanship, this bowl is a great find --- both as a work of craft art and as a functional, beautiful and classic serving piece.

There is a semi-glossy finish on the bowl.   The bowl is in very good condition.   There are some rubs / scratches / abrasions from age, use, wear and handling.   If you want to conceal the minor marks on the wood, you can use some lemon oil.   While this has been in our collection, we have never done anything to it other than dust it (we have never oiled it).

If your modern interior needs some unique accent pieces with a geometric twist, this will be a wonderful conversation piece.

If you think outside of the box, there are a number of creative ways to repurpose it.   What about turning it upside down and using it as a spectacular base or stand for a piece of contemporary art pottery, glass, sculpture, etc.?   If you have an interesting modern center pedestal stand, this would make a phenomenal top (with the bowl in its “normal” position or flipped upside down).   You can either attach it to an existing smaller round top ---- or just attach it to the base (that no longer has its original top surface --- because it is long gone or you have chosen to remove it in order to use its base).    You could also turn it into an interesting pedestal bowl if you happen to have something that would serve as a unique and appropriate base.

If you know which craft artist made this fabulous bowl, please let us know!

All of the art work and collectibles being sold by Adams-Byrd have been collected and selected one at a time by the proprietor, an art historian with many years of training and experience in university art history departments, museums, galleries, and historic sites both in the U.S. and abroad.  Our small family business has been based in the Washington, D.C. area for many years.  Our online presence has now replaced our brick & mortar locations. The art and collectibles that we are offering to discerning shoppers are special and unique pieces that have been carefully “curated” by us. 

www.adamsbyrdcollection.com

www.adamsbyrdantiques.com

*****  FALL SALE ----- ON SALE for a few weeks  for $249 (with free USPS Ground Advantage shipping) -- reduced from $299 *****

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