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The Paul Revere bowl is one of the most versatile silver pieces you can collect – and you can find it everywhere. I can’t tell you how many of these bowls I’ve picked up at estate sales, antique shops, and markets.
According to Salisbury Fine Metal Artisans, the history of this bowl began in the 18th/c:
“In 1767 the Sons of Liberty commissioned silversmith and fellow member, Paul Revere, to create a silver “Liberty Bowl” honoring the ninety-two members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives who refused to rescind a letter sent throughout the colonies protesting the Townshend Acts.”
Pro tip: One thing you will want to look into is a plastic liner for your bowl, especially if you are using it to hold potpourri or a dip. They take a bit of digging to find, but you can usually find them through an old-fashioned Google search. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and the bowl will come with a plastic liner. If you don’t have one, make sure and give the bowl a good wash before you serve anything edible in it. Always wash your silver with soap and water after polishing.
Today, you can use these bowls in a number of different ways. My friend, Lindsay, and I were chatting recently about their many uses. She was a big inspiration for this post since her ideas to use them to hold various items from one’s pockets were brilliant. So, without further adieu, here are a few ways to use these bowls in your life:
To hold potpourri. Use a plastic liner if you have one. If not, use my mom’s trick and crinkle a small zip-top bag in the bottom to line the bowl and give it a little height so that you don’t have to use an entire bag of potpourri to cover it. Make sure you arrange it in a lovely way so that the different pieces in the potpourri are showcased. Aromatique is my favorite brand for potpourri thanks to my mom.
Check out my recent post with Aromatique for my top tips for arranging potpourri!
To corral collar stays or buttons. There are collar stays, buttons, and business cards everywhere in our house. It’s almost shocking. Having a Revere bowl handy to catch these little items keeps them contained – and in a very chic way.
A drop zone for keys and anything else that falls out of one’s pocket. I had been using a small ceramic platter to catch our mail, keys, etc. and recently switched to one of these bowls. The silver is sturdier and looks much more stylish. As a bonus, it encourages us to go through the mail since there’s only so much space in it. That’s a win for everyone!
A collector of business cards. Add a touch of elegance to your library or desk. I’m keeping my eyes open for a bowl that’s the perfect size to place on my desk at work to keep my business cards neatly displayed.
A nut or candy dish. I always sprinkle these bowls throughout our entertaining spaces when we host friends. They are the perfect size to hold Easter candy, nuts, or your favorite bar mix.
A centerpiece for your flower arrangements. A little bit of floral foam in the base of the bowl is all you need to anchor a gorgeous statement arrangement.
Server for dips. Silver bowls are also perfect dip servers, especially if you can find a plastic liner. Just be sure not to mix the dip in the bowl itself or you’ll risk removing some of the tarnish and adding that unexpected – and inedible – seasoning to your dip. Here’s one of my new favorite dips from my friend, Heather.
Holder for paper clips. A silver Revere bowl is a perfect container for these. Of all the items in my desk at home, I find I reach for these most often. It’s nice to have them handy and well-displayed in a container other than their plastic box.
Jewelry dish. A Revere bowl is the perfect place to stow discarded earrings from the evening before.
