If you look at the history of barbers, you will find that they were similar to doctors in the early years. Known as barber-surgeons, they performed a multitude of tasks, including bloodletting, pulling teeth, setting bones, and treating wounds. This bowl was used for a few purposes, namely bloodletting and pulling teeth. The notch is made to contact the neck, so the bowl would easily hold any blood or fluids that occurred during surgery. On the right side of the bowl is a small divot where the barber would lay his thumb so he could easily grip the bowl when his hands were wet. The bowl is decorated with flowers around the lip and inside with an insect as well. The lip is free of chips or cracks, with three mold marks underneath, along with two holes drilled in the base, and three small cracks on the base. 2008-YP