LACQUER WORKER BOWL PD57

A large Japanese lacquer worker's mixing bowl. This irregular folk bowl was used to mix large batches of liquid lacquer (urushi) and color oxides for later use. After each batch a small amount of lacquer would dry in the bowl before the next project. Over the years the bowl of use the bowl has a well cleaned base showing the exposed wood grain, and sides with more built up of numerous layers of lacquer. 
Early 20th century
16½” diameter x 6” high