Is this craft sculpture functional, like a bowl or a lamp, or purely decorative?

That’s a really thoughtful question, and the answer depends a lot on the artist’s intention and your own needs. In my experience, many contemporary craft sculptures blur the line between function and decoration. For instance, I have seen pieces that look like abstract bowls but are perfectly usable for holding fruit or keys—they’re functional, but their sculptural form makes them a statement piece first. Others are designed as lamps, with a hollow interior for wiring, yet the shape resembles a surreal, flowing flower rather than a traditional lamp. Then there are purely decorative sculptures, which might mimic the silhouette of a vase but have a sealed base or irregular openings that make them impractical for holding water or flowers. The beauty of this craft is that you get to decide. If you place it on a shelf and use it daily, it becomes functional. If you mount it on a wall as a focal point, it’s decoration. So, my honest answer is: it can be both, but the maker often has a primary purpose in mind. When you look closely at the surface texture, the weight, and how the hollow space is finished inside, those clues tell you whether the artist intended it to be used or simply admired.