Featured Carved Wooden lacquered? Bowl

hi all
Firstly apologies for the poor picture quality taken from the inside of my car...
Here i have a wooden bowl approz 5.75 inches in diameter
It is a heavy wood and feels very cold, carved all over inside and out. Lacquered or painted in dark brown/black?
Im open to all help

 

Ratsy, no need to apologize, the pictures are very good.
And it is a very beautiful bowl. It is from the Himalayas, probably Nepal.
The symbols are the Ashtamangala, the sacred suite of Eight Auspicious Signs, or Eight Buddhist treasures.
I know you don't have a problem with explanations, so here we go, not while you're driving:

- The endless knot - the intertwining of wisdom and compassion, and interconnectedness of other important aspects which will lead to enlightenment.
- The victory banner - the victory of the activities of one's own and others body, speech and mind over obstacles and negativitities.
- The Dharmachakra, or wheel of law - the turning of the wheel of Dharma, which means continuous instructing of Buddha's teachings and living according to them.
- The bejewelled parasol - protection from illness, harmful forces and suffering.
- The goldfish - a state of fearlessness, without danger of drowning in the ocean of sufferings.
- The wisdom or treasure vase - an inexhaustible vessel for wisdom, longevity, health, wealth, prosperity. Also the wisdom and spiritual treasure gained through initiation.
- The lotus flower - rising from wordly defilement to purity through spiritual growth, just like the beautiful lotus flower rises from muddy waters.
- The right-coiled white conch - the deep and far-reaching sound of the Dharma teachings, which awakens disciples from the deep slumber of ignorance.

These symbols were originally ancient Indian symbols of royalty and have found their way to Hinduism and Buddhism. Gautama Buddha himself was a prince.

The bottom depicts the churning of the cosmic sea, to obtain amrita, the nectar of life. Wonderful!
The churning of the cosmic sea is a Hindu myth, which also points to Nepal, where Hinduism and Buddhism are often combined.

 

Wow thanks so much for that explanation! I know a little of the Buddhist treasures from my obsession as a teen, didnt make the connection here though!

Your knowledge is seemingly without limit

 

Only seemingly.
This forum keeps me learning every day.

 

I also explored Buddhism as a teen, thought that would be my direction, but it wasn't. I still regard Buddha as one of the great world teachers, though.

 

I like this a lot, I've never seen this sort of work and carved Indian work is my thing

 

Me neither, havent found anything similar online and cant work out what wood has been used. Very heavy and mid brown in colour.

 

I haven't seen it before either, I am just going by the style and symbolism if the carving. I absolutely love that bowl.
Here is one of my Nepali bracelets with similar decorations:

 

That is adorable!

 

The work looks as good quality as Nagina carving but the style isn't right, do you think the black is rubbed ebonizing?

 

Looks like it.

 

Ive contacted a couple of auction houses, if i get any more details i will let you know

 

Wonderful! I'd love to know.