Medium based on the pale color, soft appearance, fine texture, and traditional usage as a carved dough bowl. confidence

American Basswood (or possibly Poplar / Pine)

Tilia americana · Hardwood

Identify any wood from a photo, free.

Straight grain with a fine, uniform texture and little visible figure, typical of hand-hewn or turned utility items.

Pale creamy white to light brown with subtle darker staining from use and aging, low natural luster.

410 lbf (Very Soft)

Non-durable, perishable regarding decay and insect attack.

Value & Sustainability

Estimated Market Value: $3.00 to $6.00 per board foot (raw lumber), though finished antique dough bowls vary widely in decorative retail value.
Wood Age Estimate: Likely vintage or antique (approx. 50-100+ years old), indicated by the heavy patina, dark staining from use, and wear patterns.
Sustainability Status: Least concern, highly sustainable, widely available, not listed on CITES or IUCN red lists.

Carving, wooden bowls, boxes, interior millwork, core stock for veneering, and plywood.

Eastern North America

Exceptionally easy to work with both hand and machine tools; cuts, carves, and glues very well, though its softness makes it prone to denting.

Food-safe mineral oil, beeswax, or simple shellac and paste wax to preserve the aged patina without sealing it inappropriately.

Lightweight, very stable when dry, odorless and tasteless when finished, making it historically popular for food-contact items like dough bowls.

Identified July 28, 2026