Silver Bowls

Today, antique and vintage silver bowls bring elegance to a dining table along with the intrinsic value of precious metals.

Silver bowls have been enduring pieces in dining collections and serveware throughout history. The design of a bowl reflects the era in which it was produced, as silversmithing techniques waxed and waned in popularity. Today, silver bowls of all styles are admired, including those with metalwork details made through chasing, engraving, repoussé and niello.

The craft of making sterling-silver bowls involves ancient processes. Silversmiths often use a technique called “sinking” to produce the shape of the bowl. A sheet of silver is hammered over a mold starting at the edge and moving the hammer toward the center. Later, a process called “chasing” might be integrated. This adds ornate detail to the form by way of steel punches and a chasing hammer.

Silver bowls have historically had varied uses. A porringer bowl is a shallow bowl with one or two handles mostly used as you might any serving bowl or tureen — to serve soup or stew — and was especially popular in the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. Silver centerpiece bowls and punch bowls were status objects in the American Colonial era and were frequently used in dining and entertaining to chill glasses rather than serve drinks.

Browse 1stDibs for a large collection of striking silver bowls and other silver, flatware and silverplate to reflect this rich heritage of craftsmanship in your dining room.