Bread Board Antique Appraisal

Vintage French Carved Wood Bread Bowl/Platter

This is a vintage oval-shaped bread bowl or platter, skillfully carved from a single piece of dark-stained wood. The piece is approximately 14 to 16 inches in length and features significant relief carving. Encircling the rim is the French phrase 'DONNEZ NOUS NOTRE PAIN QUOTIDIEN' which translates to 'Give us our daily bread,' rendered in stylized, blocky lettering. To the left side of the central basin, there is a beautifully detailed carving of stalks of wheat, a traditional motif for bakery items. The wood displays a rich, warm patina with variation in tone ranging from deep espresso to lighter amber where the finish has worn naturally. Regarding condition, the piece shows moderate signs of age-related wear including minor surface scratches in the basin and several small nicks along the outer edges and on the lettering. There is a small, notable white mark or scrape near the center-right of the bowl. The carving demonstrates high craftsmanship, typical of European folk art or mid-20th-century religious artisan wares. There are no visible maker's marks on the face, suggesting it may be a regional hand-crafted piece or part of a small boutique production, likely dating to the early-to-mid 20th century.