From breakfast cereal to late-night munchies, most of our meals begin and end with serving bowls and a handful of other serveware accessories, but have you ever pondered upon the thought of how and when they were invented? If not, then don’t worry! This blog will go into the history of various cookware and tableware items.

What is a Serving Bowl?

With so many intricate variations in the market, it can be quite difficult to determine what can or cannot be considered a serving bowl. It is a small or medium-sized container or utensil with a deeper depth for preparing and serving dishes and beverages. Bowls are typically circular in form with a spherical hollow interior. A bowl’s design makes it the perfect vessel for holding both dry and liquid meals.

History of Serving Bowls

Serving bowls have been used by mankind for thousands of years. Their earliest existence dates back to ancient Greek, Chinese, Cretan, and some Native American cultures. In fact, it is said that in ancient times, they were used as both eating and drinking utensils.

These days, bowls come in a wide range of materials, including ceramic, wood, metal, and plastic. Additionally, bowls come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This evolution has resulted in various changes to the table and service etiquette.

Specific meal items are served in different-sized bowls. Have you ever noticed how your dessert bowl always seems to be the smallest? Large bowls, which may contain more than one serving amount, are frequently used as serving utensils. Depending on the size and the recipe, these home décor items can also be used to prepare a dish or meal, such as salads or cereal.

Throughout history, there has been overlapping between cups, bowls, and plates. Ceramic bowls are the most frequent vessel used for serving and consuming meals in numerous civilizations, including China and Korea. Tea and alcoholic beverages were also traditionally served in tiny bowls.

Evolution of Serving Bowls

Serving bowls have been used by human societies for millennia. The oldest unearthed bowl is thought to be 18,000 years old. Throughout history, pieces of silver hollowware from many cultures have been found in civilizations and cemeteries all around the world.

The artifacts that have been unearthed so far show that silver has been used for many years as a building material for bowl production. Bowls made of this material were frequently discovered throughout the Greek, Egyptian, Etruscan, and Roman eras.

Pottery was another popular technique for making earthenware and ceramic bowls. This method was especially popular in ancient Greece and is being used today in China. The first beautifully adorned Chinese bowls date back to Neolithic times! The Greeks also used and created a vast range of bowls. Kylices (bowl-shaped cups) and little objects like pateras and phiales were among them.

As time passed, craftsmanship skills and techniques improved, as evidenced by the evolution of the material used to make these kitchenware essentials. And over time, more enduring materials like silver and metal were developed and came to represent luxury.

Conclusion

Bowls have been used in a variety of ways over the years and have therefore undergone diverse designs and types of evolution based on the requirements, tastes, and fashions of the time in various nations and civilizations. In today’s environment, we frequently utilize these tableware accessories for purposes other than eating and serving meals. We utilize them as home décor items and in a variety of innovative DIY projects as well.

Buying Serving Bowls from Hornbill & Hornbill

From simple layouts to carved structures, we’ve got something for everyone!

You can buy serving bowls for everyday use as well as for home decoration purposes from our home décor store. We have a lovely selection of sustainable bowls produced by exceptional craftsmen from food-safe materials such as ceramic and wood.

So, make your way to our store and give your kitchen a makeover with our premium collection of serving bowls.