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Collect Vintage Munising Bowls

Collect Vintage Munising Bowls


Antique pie safe with old bowls inside

Munising bowls are vintage wood bowls that were manufactured in Upper Peninsula, Michigan, by Munising Wood Products. The factory operated in its namesake town from 1911 to 1955.

Bottom of Munising bowl with stamp
Image via Worth Point

Also Read: Collecting Vintage Christmas Ornaments

Identifying and Purchasing the Collectible

These vintage pieces come either with a wood finish, or painted. They’re made with maple or beech, and can be identified with a stamp of “Munising” on the bottom. You can distinguish authentic bowls because they’re carved as one piece from a log in a process that cuts each bowl in succession to easily nest into the next bowl.

Stack of vintage bowls with legs on a white background
Image via Etsy

Look for Munising bowls nationwide, but if you’re ever on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, make a stop in the town of Munising! You can also find the bowls nationwide in antiques stores, or online locations like Etsy and eBay. Individual bowls can range from less than $10 to nearly $100, depending on the condition.

early vintage munising bowl
Image courtesy of Earth Angel Studio

A Visit to the City

Rondi Olson, owner of Harvest Market in Munising, Michigan, sells a large collection of Munising bowls in her store and educates visitors on their history. “The entire town has an emotional attachment to the bowls,” she says.

Even though the operation closed in the 1950s, Olson managed to acquire the trademark, and now produces a small quantity each year to give the community legal control over the manufacturing of new Munising bowls.

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munising oval wooden bowl with handle and feet
Image courtesy of Chairish.

Collectibles Care

To care for wooden Munising bowls without varnish, simply rub the piece with food grade mineral oil. For painted bowls, if you find any in poor condition, you can sometimes revive them with a coat of water-based polyurethane. To clean the bowls, wash with warm soapy water but don’t soak. Dry immediately.

Vintage munising bowl on table with white wall behind
Image via Etsy

Love vintage collectibles? Learn how to identify and collect vintage glass bottles! Of course, don’t forget to follow us on InstagramFacebook and Pinterest to get your daily dose of farmhouse inspiration!

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