Object of the month: Bowl

Bowl

This bowl was found during a dive at a depth of 30 meters outside the quay close to the former director's residence for Kåfjord Copper Works. These types of bowls were used to serve food or drink in the 18th and 19th centuries. They usually had two handles and were made of either ceramic or metal.

The bowl from Kåfjord has the year 1864 painted inside. Only half of the bowl has survived until today, and the barnacle growth tells of its stay on the seabed. The inside of the bowl is glazed, and the geometric motifs and stylized plant shapes are typical of pottery from Trøndelag. This pottery tradition had its heyday in the 19th century, but the first potters started up in that region in the early 17th century. This bowl is just one of several examples of pottery from Trøndelag found on the seabed in Kåfjord.

In 1997, Alta Museum lent the bowl to Potteriet Røros, established in 1993, with the goal of reviving the pottery tradition in Trøndelag. They made copies of the bowl for sale, and one such copy is on display here together with the original.

Text: Lena Karlstrøm
Photo: Anne Klippenvåg Pettersen