Bowl 1700 - 1775

This bowl, now at the Art Institute of Chicago, was made by an anonymous artist out of wood. The roughly carved surface speaks to a direct, unadorned approach to making. Notice how the bowl’s shape follows the natural grain of the wood, suggesting a maker deeply attuned to their material. The bowl feels like it has been shaped with simple tools, perhaps over time, revealing the amount of work involved in the production process. Its texture and weight imply a functional object, meant for everyday use. The bowl invites us to consider the lives and labor of those who may have used it, and serves as a reminder of the inherent value in handmade objects, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.