Saturday, August 23, 2008

Bowls - functionality mixed with style

At its most basic, a bowl is a vessel suitable for holding something - food, coins, rocks, treasures, etc. From this basic principle, though, variations on the look of a bowl is as deep and wide as the bowlmaker's imagination.
I have gone on a bowl hunt and put together a selection of bowls as imaginative as they are functional and made from a variety of materials from wood to clay to glass - enjoy!

WOOD...

Spiral Bowl (no. 51) by woodbyderaud is half walnut, half maple - a beautiful juxtaposition of dark and light woods spun into a uniquely shaped bowl.


This sumptuous bowl from Sewelson Woodcraft is made from Australian Jarrah Burl (a common species of eucalyptus). It is lathe-turned and maintains the open fissures for added texture and elegance.

This fabulous bowl from myturningshop measures 9.5" wide by 2.5" tall and is made from a rare maple called Ambrosia Maple, after the ambrosia beetle that causes changes in the wood's color to create this beautiful design - lovely!

POTTERY...

This fascinating raku bowl by Rob Drexel has an even more fascinating process behind it, which you should click and read about! The designs are made using horse hair and the lip of the bowl is painted with gold leaf. It measures 9.25" wide by 3" deep.



This set of 5 gorgeous diamond-shaped porcelain dip bowls by Amy Esther are hand-stamped and decorated with a golden glaze with a hint of green from the kiln.

Like most of their pieces, this rimmed serving bowl by Dishfuls of Doodles is sure to brighten up your table with its bold, colorful designs!

This beautifully subtle large party bowl from SheaClay is glazed a creamy-rust color, measures 12.5" wide by 4" deep and wears a lovely spiral design around the rim.

This small stoneware bowl from Pat's Pottery, with its deep blue outside and jade inside, adds speckled color to functionality and is sure to make a latte that much tastier!

GLASS...

This handblown glass bowl from CorporanGlass is apple green and white with squared designs. Completely functional as a table centerpiece or fruit bowl, it measures 9.25" wide by 5" deep.

This luscious 6"x6" square bowl by MagiCat is decorated with fused glass adding a little shimmer to its bold black and red motif.

ETC...

Fun Fact: Gourd bowls predate pottery as a handicraft. This beautifully shaped mottled gourd bowl with its painstaking pine needle bound opening by midnightcoiler took first prize at the North Carolina Gourd Festival!

I'd like to end with this fabulously lovely olive green felted bowl by GretchensCreations. It is made from 100% wool fabric and adorned with a beautiful burnt orange design of gingko leaves and berries.

12 comments:

Babs said...

Those are all absolutely gorgeous! I can't begin to imagine how much work must go into some of them.

Melanie said...

This is a fantastic blog about bowls and some amazingly talented artists you showcased!!! Lots of artisans to visit!

Chaanda said...

Absolutely stunning bowls! Design Style Guide Team has an amazing team of artists!!!

Unknown said...

What gorgeous bowls!! Such talent.

Midnightcoiler said...

Mary, These bowls are so beautiful! There is so much talent in this group! Thanks for including my Painted Gorge gourd.

Tobey said...

I love bowls....these are beautiful!

Susan Elkin said...

Wonderful, wonderful and amazing creations.

~~ Susan ELkin

pat's pottery said...

This is just wonderful:>)
Thank you so much for including my small stoneware bowl:>)

Krystyna81 said...

beautiful selections!

MinervasMadness said...

What a fabulous selection. Really gives the decorating eye a pleasure and a new focus on an item that was born from functionality!
Thanks for the bowl tour!

MagiCatGlass=^..^= said...

What a great assortment of bowls! Thanks for including one of my glass bowls.

Jackie said...

Yes, these are gorgeous vessels!

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