The Revere bowl is unmistakeable. Inspired by the original bowl made by namesake silversmith and patriotic messenger, Revere bowls come in sizes from tiny salt cellar to voluminous punch bowl. The original Paul Revere bowl is sterling silver. Vintage Revere bowls can also be found in sterling, but more commonly silver or brass plate, stainless, aluminum, pewter, glass and plastic.
Why the Revere Bowl is a classic
The simplicity of the shape, the elegance and balance of the design of Revere bowls makes it instantly recognizable. But even though it’s a classic, it doesn’t get the respect it deserves on the secondhand market. It may be because their popularity in the 20th century has made them just another omnipresent estate sale item, along with weighted sterling candleholders and silverplated covered vegetable dishes. But the Revere bowl has a pedigree the other two don’t have. The original bowl meant to a lot to a fledgling nation.
Sons of Liberty Bowl, Paul Revere Jr., 1768. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.Revere Bowl History
Paul Revere was commissioned to make the Sons of Liberty Bowl by fifteen members of the Sons of Liberty to honor the “Glorious 92,” the group of Boston legislators who drafted a letter spread through the original colonies protesting the Townshend Acts. Imposed by England, the Townshend acts taxed tea, paper, glass and other necessities. It was not popular in Boston.
It makes sense that one of the most treasured American relics would be reproduced. There are some lovely historically accurate reproductions complete with engraving. But the vast majority are purely decorative pieces. If you didn’t know the origin story, you might never associate the centerpiece at the wedding with the Sons of Liberty.
The Revere Bowl Today
Revere bowls are still made and still given as gifts and awards. But why buy new when there are so many excellent vintage ones out there from fine quality makers? So many to choose from including bowls with enameled interiors, food safe glass inserts, and awards.
(Shown: Oneida bowl with inserts offered by SecondWindVintage on Etsy, $22.95. 1950s sterling trophy bowl offered by TheShopsInUptown on Etsy, $325. Reed and Barton bowl with enamel blue interior offered by bythenote on Etsy, $27. Steuben glass bowl from the Corning Museum of Glass.)
There is no room in the house where Revere bowls can’t be used. Fill one with seashells. Use one as a fruit bowl. Show off nicely rolled guest towels. Catch keys by the front door.
One of the most common uses is for flower arrangements, like this arrangement from Pender & Peony.
Revere bowls allow you to create a centerpiece low enough to talk over, so they are popular at weddings like this one from insideweddings.com.
A silver-plated Revere bowl elevates a party or office candy dish to something much nicer, as demonstrated by Paige Menier’s blog, thepinkclutch.com. Paige also suggests using them for serving other foods, provided the bowl has a food-safe liner like the glass or plastic ones shown above.
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