I purchased this rectangular, totally hand-hewn top and bottom, dark walnut colored wood bowl with mysterious letter and symbol carvings on the top at each end, from a dealer, in about 1958 while our family lived in Kansas City.  Has a feeling, to me, of Eastern Europe. Museum quality.
 
Wood type unknown.
 
More photos available on request.
 
13.5” across; 7.5” wide; 3.25 deep