Monkey Pod Wood Bowl Appraisal

Hand-Carved Sculptural Monkey Pod Wood Bowl

This is a large, hand-carved decorative bowl fashioned from a single piece of tropical hardwood, likely monkey pod (Samanea saman) or a similar acacia-adjacent species. The item features a distinctive sculptural form with an organic, undulating 'wavy' rim that provides significant depth and visual movement. Physically, the wood exhibits a rich, warm medium-to-dark brown color with prominent golden undertones and a visible horizontal grain pattern. The construction is solid-carved, indicative of mid-century hand-craftsmanship frequently seen in Pacific Island or Southeast Asian artisanal exports from the 1960s or 1970s. The exterior and interior surfaces are finished with a soft, semi-gloss luster that enhances the figured wood grain. In terms of condition, the piece shows evidence of age and use; there are visible surface scuffs, small nicks along the delicate rim edges, and some minor pitting or surface irregularities consistent with natural wood drying and handling over time. The craftsmanship is of high quality, evidenced by the uniform thinning of the walls and the smooth transition of the free-form curves. There are no immediately visible maker's marks in this view, which is common for such bespoke or studio-crafted wooden wares. It serves as both a functional serving piece and a mid-century modern aesthetic accent.