An antique (probably 19th century) copper bowl with a wonderful verdigris patina

I recently acquired this item and had no hesitation whatsoever in buying it when I saw it due to the wonderful verdigris patination this bowl has acquired in the last 150 or so years. This makes a fantastic display piece

This bowl is made from very thin copper. We can be sure of this because the thickness of the material is uniform throughout. The bowl's thickness would have made it impractical as a baking/cooking utensil. My best guess is that it served as a liner and was encased in a ceramic container but that is as far as my thoughts have taken me

Copper does not normally decay to the extent exhibited by this bowl, but I acquired this item in Suffolk where the soil can be very acidic (as evidenced by the Sutton Hoo ship burial where the timbers had rotted away in the soil leaving only an imprint of the vessel) The acidic soil, the thinness of the material and undoubtedly plough action has all contributed to the outcome

As an antiques dealer you have to be prepared to sell everything, or you simply become a collector of items. I will be sad to see this item go. I am sure that someone will be equally attracted to it as I was when I saw it. This is undoubtedly a one-off item. In terms of the copper content it is worthless, but more than makes up for this by the wonderful patination which makes it a unique piece of sculptural art

Health warning: I am selling this as I bought it - there are numerous sharp edges to the metal, so this item needs to be displayed well away from small hands and pets i.e. on a reasonably high shelf  

Dimensions:

Diameter across the top: c.26cms; Diameter of base: c. 12cms; Height: c.10cms

Postage is just to mainland UK. Delivery will be via UPS

Please see my other items which are predominantly 18th and 19th century in date