An early Native American eating bowl in original surface.
Constructed from the solid, a choice piece of figured ash burl was chosen and formed into a shallow ovular body with angular sides formed releasing strong visual representation of energetic graining and being consistent with Native American culture having a revered respect with the beauty of nature.
Protruding from the handle is the silhouette of a wood duck, a revered creature in Native American folklore due to its brightly colored plumage and graceful disposition.  The effigy also features a pierced hole for loop attachment and being widely chamfered from boring the hole with a stone drill bit. Tool marks from manufacture are present and remain undisturbed. 
Many words such as graceful, robust, abundancy and totemic come to mind when describing its nature but the beauty is best  appreciated when handling....smooth, heavily oiled surface elements present themselves with undisturbed properties. Extremely organic and powerful when held in hand. Superlative original condition. 
Eastern Great Lakes or NY state origin. Ca. 1770-1820. 6 1/4"L.