A scarce and fine 18th c. handled food bowl in original violet colored paint. 
Constructed in its entirety of lathe turned maple wood. The body is profiled in early New England fashion with a footed base and is ornamented with step turnings on its exterior. The interior exhibits light signs of use and displays scorp marks from the removal of the chuck block. 
A swelled handle is applied to the body via two early hand crafted iron screws. A small area of the exterior of the bowl has been carefully planed away flat accommodating fitment of its handle with the same procedure practiced on the underside of the handle. 
The paint and its pigmented color are the most exciting aspect, consisting of a cinnabar red with a light amount of white lead, the final result produced a thick and even color of violet. Particles of unevenly ground white lead are still present. 
Survives in a well preserved state of original condition, free from defects or cracks and retains a best of kind for paint surface qualities giving a superior visual representation of its historic nature.
The combination of seldom seen 18th c. violet paint on an unusually crafted bowl elevates this into a rarity category. 
New England. Ca. 1780-1800. 13 1/2"W.