There are bread dough bowls made of tupelo wood that are a tradition in the south.

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Here is a link that might be useful: Thompson Dough Bowls

tersea, that's it;) Although Aunt Pauline's was well seasoned, LOL. Thanks!

I looked on E-Bay for you, and they do have a couple of them. Now I want one !!! I shall start looking in antique stores for one. I know they will be hard to find. Diana55

It is curious that different sites come up on a Google search. Jas. Thompson Wooden Dough Bowl was listed on a search I just did. It is less expensive than Thompson Dough Bowls, which are actually the most beautiful of the two.

Here is a link that might be useful: Jas. Thompson Dough Bowl

oops, it's Townsend & Son

Those are really beautiful. I wonder how helpful they actually are in making bread? My problem with kneading dough is that I'm short, and the counter is already a little too high for me. the few inches those bread bowls would add might be a problem. I'd have to get a step stool to knead. Actually, I've done that before anyway, now that I think about it.

Sally

Sally,
I believe that a dough bowl such as the ones posted, you actually do sit down and knead the dough in the bowl while holding it in your lap. These bowls by their special shape are meant to mix and knead yeast breads and biscuits in while sitting.

Teresa

Wow, I love those.

Ann

Hey Ann,
Wonder if you could talk your wood carver friend into making some of these? Wonder if he would give us a deal for multiple orders??? I've always wanted one.

I have seen antique dough bowls used decoratively in the middle of a wood dining table filled with apples, pine cones, greenery, or dried flowers such as hydrangea blossoms. Very attractive.

Teresa

Ooooh! I want one too.

This was on our DR table with fruit when I was growing up. Dad finally gave it to me when he moved last year. I don't want to use it - it's just for sitting on my table these days.

That bowl is lovely, but I believe in using most things, although I might feel differently if I had an old family dough bowl.

Are those hand hold indentations on the back?

Teresa

Teresa,
Thanks;) Yes, those are hand hold indentations on the back. I also believe in using most things, and I do if chances are using it won't damage it.

I never would have thought of sitting down to knead dough, especially in my lap. What an interesting method. I had never heard of them before this thread, now I'm wanting one of those dough bowls, too.

Sally

The reason this particular kind of dough bowl is oblong is that the length is needed to knead the dough forward and back in the bowl. By holding the indentations on the back (of cotehele's bowl) to steady the bowl with your left hand, you can securely knead with your right hand. I'm sure our fore-mothers appreciated any chore that could be done sitting down - churning, darning, snapping beans, shelling peas, etc.

I've been trying to figure out what the "food safe" woods are in the US. I'm guessing tulip poplar (tupelo), maple, cherry, and maybe bass? Although the price of the Jas Townsend bowl is tempting, the info says it is made from "downed timber" and it is imported, too.

This bass wood dough bowl says that it is food safe. It is $35 and the link is available below. The beechnut bowl is nice too. This wood carver is in Richmond, VA.

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Here is a link that might be useful: Carved Wood Bowls