Indian Wood Crop Seeder

A wide, boxy bowl on an hourglass stand, with a pair of ears.

This carved wood crop seeder is from Maharashtra, India, and dates to the early 20th century. A seeder lets a farmer place seed at an even depth and spacing, and traditional versions across South Asia are typically pulled by animals through prepared fields. A square-mouthed bowl with sloping sides narrows into a waist, then flares into a stepped, pyramid-like foot. Rows of small circles and diamond patterns decorate the sides, and two round loop handles project at the narrow point. The surface is rich brown and smooth. It is 7 inches wide, 7 deep and 5 high.

Handles on the middle, because that is where trouble starts.