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BASKETS & STORAGE

Antique Chinese Hand-Carved Wooden Fruit Preparation Bowls

Antique Chinese Hand-Carved Wooden Fruit Preparation Bowls

£95.00
£95.00
Sale Sold out
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Substantial antique wooden preparation bowls from rural northern China, each hand-hollowed from a chunky section of tree trunk. Perfect as large fruit bowls on a farmhouse kitchen table or island, or simply as a statement display pieces, allowing the shape and texture of the wood to take centre stage. Originally used for everyday food preparation and handling produce, these wonderfully simple wooden vessels have deep scooped interiors, thick irregular walls and short handles extending from one end. The timber has developed a beautifully weathered surface, with visible tool marks, natural splits, worn edges and variations in colour from years of use. Three available, each completely different in size, shape and finish. 

Style

Delivery Information

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Small Items

UK Royal Mail Tracked 3–5 days £4.95

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England: Free delivery (typically 2–6 weeks) via one-man courier or pallet service.

Scotland & Wales: Please contact us for a delivery quote.

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More About This Piece

These bowls come from the rural communities of northern China, where substantial wooden scoops and troughs were used for everyday agricultural and kitchen tasks. Similar examples from northern China have been documented as grain and rice scoops, while larger hand-hollowed vessels were also used for food preparation. Their precise original use could vary depending on the household and region.

Each has been hollowed from a solid section of timber, leaving thick walls and a deep recessed interior. The short projecting handles would have made the vessels easier to lift, move or tip during use. Rather than being uniformly shaped, the bowls retain the irregular contours of the original wood, along with visible working marks and natural cracks.

Today they make wonderful decorative fruit bowls, particularly on a large kitchen island or farmhouse table. They could also be used to display pine cones, dried botanicals, linen napkins or other household collections. The smaller example would be lovely on a console table, while the larger pieces have enough presence to be displayed on their own.

Condition

Good antique condition with substantial wear from previous use, including natural splits, old worm holes, cracks, chips, worn edges, tool marks and irregularities throughout the timber. Each bowl has its own variations in colour, shape and surface. As these are antique wooden vessels with a history of previous use, we recommend using a suitable food-safe liner or separate container when displaying fresh fruit or other foodstuffs.

Why We Love It

It's the weight and simplicity of these that we love. They've been hollowed out of such substantial pieces of timber, and all the working marks and uneven edges are still there. They look fantastic filled with fruit on a big farmhouse table, but we'd be just as happy leaving one empty on a kitchen island.

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