Featured Small Wood Bowl with Face

Hi,
Trying to figure this little bowl out, about 2" x 2 1/2". I'm not good at types of wood but the base makes me think it is burl. No idea on where this is from.
Any ideas or information appreciated.
Thanks for looking.
View attachment 42291

 

With the size at 2.5 inches and the metal ring it looks like a canoe/hiking cup.The design really doesn't look like North American or Scandinavian though and the photos are too dark to tell type of wood.

 

Kvosh? Large Salt? Someone made good use of an oddly shaped bit of wood.

 

Thanks Hollyblue and MOS, I'll check out those ideas out.
It has a bit of damage along the edge but it is a sweet little thing.

 

To me it looks roman or greek , and since it seems to be turned on a lathe Im guessing tourist souvinier that was really well used . Does the head look applied , or is that just me ?

 

Appears to be hand-carved from one piece of wood, can't recall seeing anything quite like it, though the designs on the side look irritatingly familiar. That bent D-ring looks incongruous, suspect it's a later addition - it is a very cool little piece, has a folk art look to me...

~Cheryl

 

I'm not seeing this as lathe turned.

 

I'm with Holly on this...

 

I have no real knowledge but I get a Scandihoovian vibe from the decoration of the vessel. The Norskis had bowls with heads, but all I have seen are horses, eagles, and of course dragons. (I guess it could be a lopped-off English head.)

The wood does look like burl or more likely root to me.

 

I'm throwing in with Holly... hiking, or fun drinking cup to hang on your belt at the next Rennaisance Fair, handy for toasting Good King WhoZit!

 

Thanks for all the replies folks
Yes, made from one piece of wood. I also though maybe Greek johnny.
I'll check out root too steersman.
Part of the design looks like fish heads to me.
I'm seeing lots using canoe/hiking cups but nothing really similar, will keep looking.

 

Yours is the prettiest I have ever seen.
A few others... not the right wood or same style, but cute.

https://www.google.com/search?q=car...arved+wooden+hiking+cup&imgrc=tuD60z5wmTHqcM:

 

I think this piece has some honest age to it, do not believe that wire D-ring is original, it looks wrong and would be awkward in use as well as in hanging, would also expect some discoloration, smoothing of the rim of the hole from the wire moving back and forth - the hole just looks a bit fresh to my eyes...

Would guess a dipper or perhaps a small cup, could be Scandinavian, the decoration is sort of similar to some, but that head would really be atypical - believe it could easily be a folk art carving from a variety of places. All that said, have little time to poke around, but the links below show a dipper and small drinking bowl from Norway, somewhat similar in size:

http://digitaltmuseum.no/0110231433...classification=272.5&advanced_search=1&pos=61

http://digitaltmuseum.no/0110232224...lassification=272.5&advanced_search=1&pos=271

~Cheryl

 

That metal bit would have marked the piece a lot if it were original. Looks like someone just wanted to hang it up. Was there a piece of tape on the bottom? Price tag?


I liked it a lot. Now I'm liking it even more. (7/8ths Norwegian ancestry)

 

Heh, got me beat, only a quarter Danish - but have always been fascinated by my 'Viking' heritage...

Don't know if you saw this: https://www.antiquers.com/threads/carved-scandinavian-spoon.6939/

~Cheryl

 

The face carving is giving me a Jesus vibe. could it be religious in nature?

 

Thanks for links gila and dragonfly
I agree about the D-ring, it is a awkward.
There are some interesting examples in that link dragonfly!
The face looks like a woman to me but could be a man - made me think of a figurehead on a ship.
I remember your spoon dragonfly, it is beautiful!

 

The "D" ring probably was not original,but the wear at the hole looks like long term wear from a cord or leather thong.

 

Makes me think of a figurehead too - really not quite sure what to make of it, but I sure like it. Sorry, didn't intend a hijack with the spoon, just thought Steersman might like to see it...

~Cheryl