An Exceptional Swedish Birch Burr Bowl (Vrilskål) c.1840

A fine example of Swedish vernacular folk art, circa 1840, carved from a single piece of highly figured birch burr.

The substantial, asymmetric bowl has a deep, hollowed interior, its dense and complex grain revealed through generations of use. The surface has mellowed to shades of ivory, honey and soft grey, with historic wear, age-related cracks and old repairs.

Three impressed marks to the underside, possibly identifying a former owner or household.

Root and burr bowls formed an important part of Scandinavian rural life, made by craftsmen who worked with the natural growth and irregularities of the timber. Originally functional household vessels, the finest surviving examples are now collected for their individuality, craftsmanship and sculptural qualities.

An exceptional piece of Swedish folk art, with the presence to stand alone in a contemporary interior.