An early eastern woodlands serving bowl in original condition and surface. 
Native American culture has centuries old documentation from colonial period observations and field work during the 19th  and 20th c. providing us with some insight into their material culture. 
Spiritual and communal feast gatherings were common, requiring the use of shared large size serving bowls such as this. Its form is rooted in organic simplistic nature bridging nature and human life. 
A thinly walled taper emanates from a thick core at its center. Burning with hot stones or coals following hollowing with a scorp formed its interior. Food use, patina, shrinkage, and deeply rooted oils surmounting its rim from handling are evidentiary displayed. A singular knotch cut into its rim remains from its time of manufacture for pouring liquids and displays a life edge of organic burl matter.
This bowl remains in a remarkably well preserved state of condition, never seeing repair or cleaning. Original tool marks from a metal blade carving its form remain intact, a trait generally lost in early 20th c. "preservation".
Surviving examples of burl wood bowls in this size uncommonly see exceptional characteristics such as this during 200+ years of historical descent. A fine example of Eastern Woodlands craftsmanship.
New York, likely Iroquois. Ca. 1770-1830. 20 1/2"W.