The $2.2 Million Bowl…and Vintage Bowls For The Rest of Us

I was bowled over when I heard about the antique ceramic bowl that sold for more than $2.2 million in a New York auction. The sellers were regular folks who bought the simple white bowl for a few dollars in 2007, just because they liked it. They've displayed it in their family living room ever since. I bet it was a surprise when they learned it was 1,000-year-old antique pottery from the Northern Song dynasty in China!

That got me thinking about how antique and vintage bowls are such great accents to include in your decor. Aside from their decorative value, they are useful too. (None of these vintage bowls at EuroLuxHome.com cost $2.2 million!)

This vintage French leaded crystal bowl is made to hold fruit or candy, but it would also look sweet filled with potpourri or dried or silk flowers. Or how about shells, sea glass and other beachcombing finds?

A lidded vintage bowl like this Italian Capodimonte dish is perfect for keeping your favorite jewelry safe and easy to find. The cheerful posy of flowers on the lid makes it such a pretty decoration for any dressing table. (Hmm… Mother's Day is coming. Maybe Mom would like this in addition to the real bouquet of flowers you'll give her!)

A shallow vintage bowl like this French pewter one is a lovely way to display items of sentimental value. Such as the matchbooks you've picked up on your world travels, the feather found on a mountain hike, or the champagne cork you popped when your grandchild was born. And talk about a conversation starter when guests come round!

Of course, some bowls are too beautiful to fill - they are statement pieces on their own. We love the Dale Tiffany line that we added to our product list this year, including these hand-blown art glass bowls. They are high-quality reproductions that Greg and I selected individually, and I wish you could see just how stunning they are in real life. A photo can't quite do justice to their luxurious color and sheen.

They add a great pop of color to any room. When you own a highly decorative bowl like these, I suggest letting it stand alone as a focal object. Display it on its own shelf or surface, as too many other pieces nearby can distract the eye.

Do you have any interesting ways you display or use your vintage and antique bowls? Tell us about it!