The bowl has a rich, lustrous patina. It would have been used to hold food and stands on five faceted legs, each with a pronounced bend. The bowl and the base have bands of scarification marks reminiscent of the work of artists of the Chokwe people and related groups.
At the time of its construction, the wood was darkened in patches rather than overall by a process of scorching.
Overall, this is a relatively large piece, highly sculptural and visually arresting and with excellent patina.
References
Binkley, D. & P. Darish, Kuba, 5 Continents, 2009.
Quarcoopome, N.O. (ed.), Through African Eyes: The European in African Art, 1500 to Present, Detroit Institute of Arts, 2010.