This is a beautiful Lunares heavy hand sand cast and hand polished aluminum bowl. Food safe. Nima Oberon Lunares is an artist who grew up in India and moved to San Francisco where she is now based. She started her business with her brother in 1996. She bases her designs on the architecture of her native country and no two pieces are exactly alike. Each piece is designed by her at her San Francisco office and then cast and polished by hand. Due to the process of sand casting there are imperfections you will see in the metal. This is standard for this process and to the individuality of each piece. This bowl was one of her display pieces and there are some minor to moderate scratches on the piece in various places. This was the way I purchased it as it was the only one she had at the time. She changes her pieces as she designs them so this piece is no longer available. The scratches do not in any way affect the bowl or it’s function. In fact, because of the casting they didn’t really bother me and most people wouldn’t even notice them as the bowl itself is so beautiful. I am, however, pointing them out. It has been wrapped, protected and never used. It makes a marvelous bowl for a large salad, large amount of fruit, chips or any other larger amount of food. It would be gorgeous on a kitchen island. The retail on this bowl was $495.00. I purchased it last year for $235.00. It will not be cast again. It is a gorgeous, impressive piece. Not dishwasher safe.