Romanian Carved Wood Two-Handled Dish with Sawtooth Border, Signed N POPA, Nicolae Popa Folk Art

Description

Overview

A two-handled dish hand-carved from a single piece of wood, incised “N POPA” on the outer wall of the bowl. The piece is consistent with the work of Nicolae (Neculai) Popa (1919–2010) of Târpești, Neamț County, Romania, a celebrated naive sculptor and founder of a village ethnographic museum. It likely dates to the late 20th century and comes from The Craft World Tours Collection, whose Romania itineraries included visits with Popa.

Design & Craftsmanship

• Function & Form: Decorative shallow dish, approximately 11″ across the handles, about 1 lb, with a round bowl and a flared tab handle at each side.
• Artistry & Ornamentation: The bowl rim is notched all around, with a sawtooth chip-carved border just inside it and a tool-faceted interior. Each bow-tie shaped handle is incised on top with columns of triangle notches and sawtooth-cut along the outer edge. Rounded, faceted underside. Likely a pale hardwood.
• Structural Base: Sits on a small flat foot; “N POPA” incised on the side of the bowl with an underline.

Condition Report

• Surface Condition: Light surface wear and a few small raised splinters on the notched edges, consistent with age and handling; no cracks observed.
• Structural Integrity: Appears solid and stable. This item is sold “as-is” with all associated patina and wear inherent to its age and history as part of the Craft World Tours Collection.