Silver Bowls

Silver bowls are an elegant way to store and serve all sorts of items with a decorative flourish. Sterling bowls have been created in every conceivable style for centuries, ranging from elaborate Rococo designs to Art Nouveau and stark Modernist bowls.

Given the long history and extensive supply of silver bowls available, they are often obtained at a reasonable price point. Given their relative affordability, it is not uncommon for collectors to possess multiple silver bowls to fit a variety of needs. Whether used to store keys next to the front door or store fruit in the dining room, the soft white glow of silver adds a touch of refinement.

Some of the most celebrated makers of silver bowls include Tiffany & Co., Reed & Barton, Georg Jensen, and Elkington Silver Co. Silver bowls of every kind abound in both silverplated and sterling, the latter of which is more resilient to wear and tarnishing.

Quick Facts

• In January 2016, Christie’s sold a 19th-century American figurative fruit bowl by Howard & Co. for more than $2,700
• Many silver bowls feature repoussé designs created when silversmiths hammer out the pattern from the inside
• Slop bowls were used by the British in the 18th century as a vessel to pour out the bottom contents of a teacup before refilling it