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

Pair Of Wooden Bowls
Sep 27, 12:00 PM EDT
Pair Of Wooden Bowls
by Aether Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$85 Bids
Antique Dough Bowl with Four Legs Stand
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
Antique Dough Bowl with Four Legs Stand
by Paul Arsenault Auctioneers
Est: $0- $0
$303 Bids
Three Exotic Wood Turned Vessels, Contemporary
Sep 30, 11:00 AM EDT
Three Exotic Wood Turned Vessels, Contemporary
by Neue Auctions
Est: $100- $300
$703 Bids
WOOD BOWL, HAND CARVED DUCK
Sep 28, 12:00 PM CDT
WOOD BOWL, HAND CARVED DUCK
by McCurley Auction Company
Est: $0- $0
$63 Bids
HAND CARVED WOOD BOWLS
Sep 28, 12:00 PM CDT
HAND CARVED WOOD BOWLS
by McCurley Auction Company
Est: $0- $0
$33 Bids
19th c Carved Wooden Trencher Bowl
Sep 29, 9:30 AM EDT
19th c Carved Wooden Trencher Bowl
by Merrill's Auctioneers & Appraisers
Est: $100- $200
$501 Bid
WOODEN BOWL
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
WOODEN BOWL
by Farrin's country Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$201 Bid
BURL BOWL and LADLE
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
BURL BOWL and LADLE
by Farrin's country Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$201 Bid
Dale Pary Black Walnut Turned Wooden Bowl
Oct 14, 10:00 AM EDT
Dale Pary Black Walnut Turned Wooden Bowl
by Atlanta Auction Gallery, ltd
Est: $50- $100
$251 Bid
Antique Carved Wood Dough Bowl
Sep 30, 10:00 AM MST
Antique Carved Wood Dough Bowl
by EJ'S Auction & Appraisal
Est: $0- $0
$101 Bid
WOODEN BOWL
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
WOODEN BOWL
by Farrin's country Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$201 Bid
EARLY CHOPPING BOWL
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
EARLY CHOPPING BOWL
by Farrin's country Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$201 Bid
Edward Moulthrop Georgia Pine Glory Bowl
Oct 07, 9:00 AM EDT
Edward Moulthrop Georgia Pine Glory Bowl
by Case Antiques, Inc. Auctions & Appraisals
Est: $2,000- $2,400
$1,0000 Bids
Lituanian Carved Wooden Bowl
Oct 07, 2:00 PM EDT
Lituanian Carved Wooden Bowl
by Connoisseur Online
Est: $40- $80
$200 Bids
A Burlwood Scoop and Bowl
Oct 04, 10:00 AM EDT
A Burlwood Scoop and Bowl
by Hindman
Est: $600- $800
$3000 Bids
Ron Layport Turned Maple Burl Wood Bowl 2001
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
Ron Layport Turned Maple Burl Wood Bowl 2001
by Concept Art Gallery
Est: $1,200- $1,800
$8500 Bids
A TURNED SYCAMORE BOWL, 18TH CENTURY
Oct 06, 10:30 AM BST
A TURNED SYCAMORE BOWL, 18TH CENTURY
by Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Est: £500- £800
£4500 Bids
18TH C. BURL BOWL
Oct 01, 11:00 AM EDT
18TH C. BURL BOWL
by CRN Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$2000 Bids
19thc Hand-carved Wood Plantation Dough Bowl
Oct 07, 2:00 PM EDT
19thc Hand-carved Wood Plantation Dough Bowl
by Connoisseur Online
Est: $150- $300
$1000 Bids
2 GEDRECHSELTE HOLZSCHALEN
Sep 30, 11:00 AM CEST
2 GEDRECHSELTE HOLZSCHALEN
by Auktionshalle Cuxhaven
Est: €0- €0
€100 Bids
New England burl bowl, 19th c.
Oct 06, 9:00 AM EDT
New England burl bowl, 19th c.
by Pook & Pook Inc.
Est: $400- $700
$2000 Bids
A Contemporary Turned Spalted Beech Bowl by Ray Patterson, with thick flat topped rim and a band of
Oct 01, 11:00 AM BST
A Contemporary Turned Spalted Beech Bowl by Ray Patterson, with thick flat topped rim and a band of
by Wilkinson's Auctioneers
Est: £30- £60
£200 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Wooden Bowls


Designer Homes of Central Florida

Designer Homes of Central Florida

Hannam's Auctioneers

Hannam's Auctioneers

Farrin's country Auctions

Farrin's country Auctions