A polished surface can reveal a bowl through reflections as well as through colour and grain. A bright highlight may describe the curve of the wall, while a broad reflection can hide some of the timber detail. The way an object is lit therefore influences how its surface is understood.
When looking at a photograph, distinguish between a mark in the wood and a reflection on the finish. A pale patch is not necessarily a different colour in the timber. Comparing several views, where available, can prevent an uncertain observation from becoming an incorrect description.
For a display photograph, a simple background helps keep attention on the object. Light from a window can be explored from different angles, with the camera held in a consistent position. The purpose of this exercise is to compare appearances, rather than to decide that one kind of sheen suits every piece.
The club archive image is a starting point for noticing how light travels over a curved surface. Ask which parts of the bowl are easiest to read and which are obscured. That conversation connects presentation with design: the object has a form, but viewers meet that form through its surroundings and illumination.