Not many of those old bowls exist today. They were made to be used so wore out. However, those from one's childhood are popular, such as the ones my mom used in the kitchen at our farm.

Bowls of Great Variety

The pioneers shaped the earliest bowls with simple tools, such as chisel, knife, and plane. Later, especially in the 18th century, as colonial tradesmen began to make woodenware, they used lathes for turning the inside of bowls, cups, and mortars. From this came the name of "turner's ware" for such items.

New England Woodenware Industries

The Shakers of New Hampshire and New York made wooden bowls, usually painted on the outside with yellow, blue, blue-green, or orange. Theirs were well-made and of excellent design and proportion. Most Shaker wares now are found only in museums or private collections.

Various Woods for Bowls

White ash bowls often were fashioned into nests of bowls. These were rare items, even in those days, and a household was unlikely to have more than one set. So today, they are greatly coveted by collectors.

Among other rare pieces are bowls of curly and bird's-eye maple. Also, salt bowls for table use are dated items.

Wooden Chopping Bowls

To obtain a nice finish, sand the inside and out with fine sandpaper, then rub the outside with oooo steel wool. The outside may be waxed until it has a high shine, while the inside is usually left as is. You might rub salad oil over the inside lightly to keep it from drying out.

Decorative Pieces

About the Author

Mary Emma Allen has written "Curios of Yesteryear" for publications since the 1960s. She and her daughter find their trips into the realms of collectibles enjoyable adventures. Mary Emma also writes other columns, books, and travel articles. Her book, "The Magic of Patchwork", takes you into the history of quiltmaking. Visit her web site for more information about her columns and books at http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea.