Antique Native American Birch Bark Round Bowl Very Old Very Rare
This birch bark bowl is very old and it shows in the patina of the surface. The rim around the edge still has almost all of the stitching but you can see clearly the embedded soil between the stitches that almost makes the piece resemble an artifact. The discoloration and crackling of the outside surface could only have happened if it had been used near a open fire. It is not decorative or embellished in any way but was meant to be used. The surface has a smooth silky feel as if it had been handled many years and maybe once held oily meats or fish. Of course, it has no odor now, but it was a bowl that was certainly used often by the owner. I wish I knew the Native American tribe that would have made the bowl, but I have no idea. I just know that it looks and feels very old. It in no way compares to more modern birch bark bowls. This one goes way back in years and would be a piece for advance collectors of Native American artifacts. 11.5″ x 3.75″.