Featured Would love help identifying this antique stoneware bowl!

Would appreciate some help identifying this very large stoneware bowl! It was passed down from my mother-in-law who said it was "ancient". I am looking for its approximate age and region where it was made. Someone once suggested it was Italian. Any information is helpful as I have not been able to find anything similar online. It is 16 1/2 inches in diameter and 8 1/2 in tall to the tops of the handles. Very heavy. Probably about 10 pounds give or take. Thank you so much!

 

Is there English letters and perhaps numbers written here?
Is it another language besides English? =)

 

I think it's Japanese Oribe pottery.

 

It looks like it may be signed. Could we see a straight on photo of the base?

 

So do I.

 

I will add more photos ASAP. Did a quick Google search and yes, it does appear to be Japanese oribe. You guys are amazing!

 

Any ideas as to its approximate age?

 

I found a very similar one online and it was dated 19th c. But I find it difficult to put a date on these pieces. It seems to have some age though.

 

I don't know why I'm having such trouble attaching additional photos. lol Hopefully you all can see them. I don't see anything on the base or the side that looks like a maker's mark.

 

Another question. Do these symbols mean anything or is this just decoration? Are they supposed to be symbolic of something?

 

It does appear to have some age. Too bad about the cracks, but somehow that doesn't detract from its beauty.