Double-sided burl bowl
New England, circa 1760-1780
Ash burl, original resin-based finish, height 5 3/8 inches, diameter 7 inches

This bowl ranks as an iconic example of Colonial American lathe-turned burl. It is probably a unique example in which both bowls were turned from one piece of ash burl. While both bowls are footed, one is turned with an interior lip allowing them to fit together. An interior and exterior color line on the bottom bowl shows evidence of its probable use as a container for liquid-based foods. Steven S. Powers has described this bowl as “An American Treen Masterpiece,” and “An ingenious and unique burl covered container. When flipped the removable cover is used as another bowl of equal size as the base bowl. In some variations the form can be seen in silver and pewter- this is the only example that I have seen in burl treen.”