Woodenware, and particularly wooden bowls, have been continuously made in America since before the Pilgrims jumped onto Plymouth Rock in 1620. The pilgrims didn't come to America empty handed. They did bring some kitchenware with them, however — like the Native Americans — they found that woodenware served them well. Hence, they supplemented their cupboards with wooden table and kitchenware sometimes called Treenware.

Making a good wooden bowl depended on finding a tree with an injury often referred to as the burl of a tree. The tree would have responded to the injury with a hard woody growth that is very dense. Bowls made from this part of the tree tended not to crack and lasted longer than those from other parts of the tree.

Most primitives do not have a makers' mark, so identifying them can be a challenge. Any wooden piece that is several hundred years old is going to show some wear and probably be handmade. Wooden bowls would be no exception. They would show carving marks, scuffs from use and perhaps a crack from the drying of the wood over the last century or so. The type of wood used to make the bowl might offer an indication of where it was made. These are all good clues when pursuing provenance.

A bowl doesn't need to be hand wrought to be of value. For example, Martha Stewart Magazine recently featured a company in Michigan that produced wooden bowls from 1911 through 1955. Munising Woodenware Company was noted for its fine machine-lathed vessels made from hardwoods. Lots of this type of woodenware are turning up in antique shops and aren't priced nearly as high as some of the 17th and 18th century New England variety.

As mentioned, wooden bowls and kitchen wares have been made continuously through our history so identifying one of the really old ones can be a challenge. In our vicinity, we are fortunate in that we have a point of reference within driving distance. The Heritage Farm Museum and Village has some fine examples of primitives on display for visitors to examine. Directions and operation hours for the museum can be found at www.heritagefarmmuseum.com.

Jean McClelland writes about antiques for The Herald-Dispatch.

The Herald-Dispatch

A three-piece antique treenware butter mold.

Purchase this photo