Large Reed Bowl signed REX

I have this really cool old bowl that appears to have been made from two pieces of reed coiled and spliced together and held with a round head nail. There are 9 long straight pieces of wire with round heads driven throught the reeds from top to bottom and then short bend nails underneath at the base which secure everything tightly together. At the top where the reed ends, is a flat little metal piece folded over the rim to secure it, with the name REX in raised relief. The inside of the bowl may have been painted or stained at one time. It measures 14" in diamter and is about 3" deep. Anybody have any idea how old it is or who REX was? Thank you as always in advance.