10 Centerpiece Bowls Too Pretty to Fill

Put one of these handmade centerpiece bowls on consoles, shelves, kitchen counters, and, of course, on the table for a scene-stealing moment

Written by Joanna Linberg August 10, 2018
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1 of 10 Courtesy of Individual Medley Store

Love Triangle

Count on today’s trendiest geometric—the triangle—to give an earthy ceramic bowl heaps of contemporary panache. The cut-outs magically give this hefty dish an airy quality, too. Leave it empty or fill it with something that’s worth the extra peeks, like dried seed pods or leafy stems of kumquats.
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2 of 10 Courtesy of Hawkins New York

Wake-Up Call

Have you ever watched, mesmerized, while pouring milk into a tall glass of coffee? The milk streams and swirls before blooming on top—this bowl satisfies in a similar way. The creamy speckles seem to swim around espresso-colored spots, a product of the mouth-blown creation process. It’s deliciously retro and of-the-moment all at once. And if you can’t get enough, take heart: two types of cocktail glasses and a smaller bowl are also available.
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3 of 10 Courtesy of Corbé

Back to the Land

Hearkening back to the ample bowls that used to stock farmhouse kitchens, this centerpiece bowl is just more than one foot in diameter. The difference between then and now is that this vessel is covered with a textured glaze that draws all sorts of subtle colors out of the porcelain, resulting in an art piece suited for dry foods and décor.
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4 of 10 Courtesy of FS Objects

Best in Brass

You could search high and low and find no better topper for your coffee table than this glamorous take on a footed trough. (OK, the silver and copper versions are also exceptional.) On its own, it’s a commanding presence. But the shape and size (15 inches long) means there’s no limit to what you could place inside. Branches, collected pine cones or nuts, kokedama, wine corks…all would look astounding. Try it on a mantel, too.
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5 of 10 Courtesy of Artemest

Icing on the Cake

If you’re seeing a two-tier frosted cake turned on its head, you’re not far off. That classic silhouette inspired this near-12-inch bowl handmade from paper clay and a mix of natural fibers. The unique material gives the bowl a matte, paper-like finish that’s jazzed up by the lines in the “icing.”
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6 of 10 Courtesy of Local + Lejos

It’s a Small World

When you look into the woven center of this sisal basket, what do you see? Local + Lejos founder Sheeva Sairafi hopes you’ll see the teal of the Pacific as spotted from her home base in Los Angeles, but also the soft pink of a Rwandan sunrise. There, she partners with a co-op of women who weave these baskets from the fibers harvested from agave plants. They provide the artistry, she provides the eager market, so this bowl does way more than hold a few oranges.
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7 of 10 Courtesy of MQuan Studio

Nothing to Hide

To artist Michele Quan, a bowl is never just a bowl. She crafts her stoneware pieces with as much attention to symbolism as she does to beauty. This “Eye” vessel, for example, represents “looking deeply even if it is not convenient.” Put this shallow bowl anywhere you could use the reminder—a coffee table or desk are nice—just leave it off the dining table because the glaze isn’t food-safe.
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8 of 10 Courtesy of Hive Modern

Experimental Charm

Talk about an origin story. This beaded look came into being when Finnish artist Oiva Toikka hid the joint marks left by pressing together two glass pieces with single drops of glass. The resulting “dewdrops” prompted a series of pieces made in this style, Kastehelmi, of which this hand-blown bowl is a standout member.
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9 of 10 Courtesy Helen Levi Brooklyn

It’s My Party

All the magic of funfetti birthday cake with all the long-lasting practicality of stoneware. Artist Helen Levi splatters each bowl with a rainbow of paint, then glazes the outside for a shiny finish. The multitude of colors make it easy to mix in with dinnerware of all hues.
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10 of 10 Courtesy of Areaware

Meta Marvel

What do you need first thing in the morning? To be delighted. And there’s no other possible reaction to have while plucking a banana out of this bowl. Designer Harry Allen created this resin piece as part of his Reality Series, in which art imitates life with witty results.
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