Large Studio Bowl unsigned

This is a really well made bowl , with no marking , incised and various other decor , mainly blackish browny colours , possibly tin glazed

A close up of the base

I like this decoration on the underside .

any ideas of origin , I can't find anything similar on the net at all , the coiled spring handles are a bit of a mystery , i'm not sure this was meant to hang .

Do you think it could have been designed as a salad bowl and the handles of the serving utensils would be held in the coiled handles?

Is it white earthenware, or is that white glaze or slip on the base?

I can't tell Naomi , I think the clay is white but it has been glazed as well .

i like the idea of the handles being used for the utensils , but it looks a bit elaborate for a salad bowl imo.

I think whoever made it was influenced by aboriginal pieces. It might even be Australian.

we were thinking along similar lines,although thought maybe African influence , well at least the inside decor reminds of that, the underside or outside is very different although a lot of cross hatching and squiggles etc .

It's the crosshatching and squiggles that make me think Australian, rather than African.

Ok , ta Naomi , I will look down that route .....down under  

Has anyone any early pics of James Tower Bowls , I'm not suggesting this is his work , however there are similarities the pressed moulded shape , the colouring ,the scratching away to reveal under glaze etc ., even the poorly finished base ( shapewise )is similar , it was purchased from an auction with good pieces by the sellers hubby, Iv'e found one early piece and the paintwork is the same also , I can't think it's from another country anymore it looks 50's or 60's uk  

very nice and beautiful bowl... soon as i saw it i just thought it might be Australian right away :)

Thanks Sunny , yes I can see why it might be thought Australian , I'm not so sure myself , African , South American also crossed my mind but , I still think british origin, I'd love to get a pozzy on it and will hang on to it as it's a nice piece with a bit of substance about it  

yeah it will make an eye catching center piece for now until you locate the maker, very nice and never seen anything like the style before more like space ship :)

ed did you think it might come from new zealand as well? they use this type of design also?

well it's possible , but I can't find anything else that would suggest that .