[MR] OT: Wood care question

[TinkerbellProxy at aol.com]

Thank you everyone for so many wonderful answers!  I'm hoping that  just 
washing the bowl will bring it back but I'm uploading some images now so  that 
those interested can look it over.  I was told the dings and scratches  were on 
it when it was last seen or displayed, but the black parts didn't  exist.  I'm 
not sure if it's mold, engine oil (it shared a shelf with  parts!) or it could 
be from rodent urine.  It is even possible  the black bits are from having 
been burned.  The shed in question had  a short infestation years ago but the 
wooden bowl would really attract their  attention. Inside is very battered as 
I've been told it was never oiled but  cleaned by scrapping with a metal spoon, 
so the bottom inside is very  rugged.
 
I'm afraid I was a little eager last night and sanded the outside of the  
bowl with a fine grit.  It has a wonderful grain and is almost perfectly  smooth 
already, with just a light sanding.  Since I did this you can no  longer 
really see all the scratches that were on the outside but it looked  like some 
strange cat had went at it. I did some clarifying on the age and  it is only known 
for sure that it is over 70 years old, as her eldest child  remembers it 
being used.
 
Here's the link to the images:
 
_http://s554.photobucket.com/albums/jj427/kratsina/wooden%20bread%20bowl/_ 
(http://s554.photobucket.com/albums/jj427/kratsina/wooden%20bread%20bowl/) 
 
Any thoughts on the black spots?  Or wood type?   I really  appreciate all 
the suggestions!
 
T
 
 
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