Loading Spinner

Wooden Bowls

As a widely available material, wood has been used across the world to create domestic objects for millennia. The extensive variety of trees in different geographic locations, as well as the creativity of woodworkers from diverse cultures, has resulted in an incredible range of practical and decorative woodenware.

Historically, wooden bowls have played an important role as objects for everyday use and ceremonial rituals. In the Solomon Islands, women use chisels, hammers, and sandpaper to create shallow bowls lined with inlaid shells and polished with beeswax. Once completed, the bowls are used daily within the home, as well as during special social occasions involving the local community. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kuba people also create wooden bowls used for a variety of purposes, although their objects feature carved geometric designs and figural motifs often referencing ancestors and important mythological spirits.

People across the world continue to appreciate wooden bowls for their elegant forms and natural grain patterns. An assortment of bowls made of oak, cherry wood, cedar, pine, and many other types of wood is available at auction today.


Quick Facts

  • On April 2, 2015, Christie’s New York sold a group of seven American wooden wares, including four bowls from the 19th century, for $2,750
  • On May 14, 2010, Sotheby’s New York sold a large Woodlands wood bowl, probably Iroquois, from the early 19th century for $15,000
  • Woodturning, a technique used by the ancient Egyptians and continued to this day, is frequently used to make wood bowls. The process involves a lathe, which spins a piece of wood while a woodworker carves the object into the finished product

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

EARLY LARGE 19TH C NEW ENGLAND CHOPPING BOWL
Jul 18, 10:00 AM EDT
EARLY LARGE 19TH C NEW ENGLAND CHOPPING BOWL
by Vintage Accents Auctions
Est: $100- $200
$17016 Bids
LARGE AMERICAN TURNED BURLWOOD BOWL.
Jul 25, 10:00 AM EDT
LARGE AMERICAN TURNED BURLWOOD BOWL.
by Amelia Jeffers
Est: $400- $800
$2754 Bids
Aldo Tura, nutcracker and bowl set
Jul 17, 10:00 AM EDT
Aldo Tura, nutcracker and bowl set
by Millea Bros Ltd
Est: $150- $250
$701 Bid
AMERICAN BURLWOOD BOWL.
Jul 25, 10:00 AM EDT
AMERICAN BURLWOOD BOWL.
by Amelia Jeffers
Est: $150- $300
$801 Bid
Primitive Style Dough Bowl 10"X20"X5"
Jul 20, 6:00 PM EDT
Primitive Style Dough Bowl 10"X20"X5"
by Swisher Bros. Auction
Est: $5- $1,000
$51 Bid
FINE AND LARGE AMERICAN BURLWOOD BOWL.
Jul 25, 10:00 AM EDT
FINE AND LARGE AMERICAN BURLWOOD BOWL.
by Amelia Jeffers
Est: $1,200- $1,600
$6001 Bid
MCM signed woodenware, incl. Knudsen
Jul 18, 10:00 AM EDT
MCM signed woodenware, incl. Knudsen
by Millea Bros Ltd
Est: $200- $300
$1000 Bids
LARGE RUSTIC CARVED WOOD MORTAR / MIXING BOWL, 18"DIAM
Jul 19, 10:00 AM CDT
LARGE RUSTIC CARVED WOOD MORTAR / MIXING BOWL, 18"DIAM
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $200
$800 Bids
(3) CARVED WOOD PINEAPPLE FINIALS & TURNED BOWL
Jul 19, 10:00 AM CDT
(3) CARVED WOOD PINEAPPLE FINIALS & TURNED BOWL
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $200
$800 Bids
MID CENTURY HAND TURNED LIDDED BOWL
Jul 26, 2:00 PM EDT
MID CENTURY HAND TURNED LIDDED BOWL
by Connoisseur Online
Est: $100- $200
$800 Bids
DAVID PYE (1914-1993); a turned oval fluted shallow dish, stamped mark numbered 663, diameter 38cm.
Jul 18, 10:00 AM BST
DAVID PYE (1914-1993); a turned oval fluted shallow dish, stamped mark numbered 663, diameter 38cm.
by Adam Partridge Auctioneers
Est: £500- £700
£3000 Bids
JIM PARTRIDGE (born 1953); a scorched oak bowl, stamped mark, diameter 12cm, height 10cm.
Jul 18, 10:00 AM BST
JIM PARTRIDGE (born 1953); a scorched oak bowl, stamped mark, diameter 12cm, height 10cm.
by Adam Partridge Auctioneers
Est: £200- £300
£1200 Bids
NATURALISTIC LIVE EDGE CARVED BURLWOOD BOWL
Jul 18, 10:00 AM CDT
NATURALISTIC LIVE EDGE CARVED BURLWOOD BOWL
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $800
$600 Bids
Trent Bosch (American, 21st century) Turned Wood Serving Bowl
Jul 31, 10:00 AM EDT
Trent Bosch (American, 21st century) Turned Wood Serving Bowl
by Material Culture
Est: $100- $200
$500 Bids
LARGE RUSTIC WOOD TRENCHER / DOUGH BOWL ON STAND
Jul 19, 10:00 AM CDT
LARGE RUSTIC WOOD TRENCHER / DOUGH BOWL ON STAND
by Austin Auction Gallery
Est: $200- $400
$1500 Bids
7 Pc. Mid Century Mahogany & Silver Salad Set
Jul 26, 11:00 AM EDT
7 Pc. Mid Century Mahogany & Silver Salad Set
by Joshua Kodner
Est: $50- $100
$250 Bids
ECLECTIC ASSEMBLED GROUP OF 15 HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.
Jul 25, 10:00 AM EDT
ECLECTIC ASSEMBLED GROUP OF 15 HOUSEHOLD ITEMS.
by Amelia Jeffers
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Wooden Bowls


William Smith Auctions

William Smith Auctions

Adam Partridge Auctioneers

Adam Partridge Auctioneers

Austin Auction Gallery

Austin Auction Gallery

Amelia Jeffers

Amelia Jeffers