I don't use it as a lather bowl, but certainly could. I put my soap containers in them to keep counter clean. The cover is nice for keeping cat hair out while the soap dries. General consensus is that it's a French onion soup bowl. 1.99 at Goodwill. I think I have 3 or 4 of them.
Some day I'll get one of the Turkish hammered copper bowls. Like holding the lather bowl in my hand.