It will hold any bowl from ceral to probably about a medium sized salad bowl either glass or plastic (glass would look prettier on it though). I just put a ceral bowl on it and it fits, but it just doesn't rest on top. No, I didn't carve it (I do beadwork) and I don't see a signature on it of the person who did. I probably picked this up during my travels. I think I got this at a consignment shop in NJ when I lived there. This would be really pretty for you to paint. :)