Fruit bowls are the most hedonistic members of the tableware family.
Replete with luscious fruits in rainbow shades, fruit bowls are as much of a decorative piece as they are a functional one.
It comes as little surprise then that fruit bowls are the apple of many an artist's eye (excuse the pun). Behind flowers, fruit bowls are arguably the most popular motif in the still life genre, notably championed by Dutch painters of the 17th century.
These works typically focused on intensely naturalistic detailing inspired by merchants' trips abroad. Exotic fruits, flowers, glassware and ceramics became attractive objects of desire in still-life works and reflected increasing scientific interest during the era. Fruit was symbolic of a well-travelled artist, yet it also had a more sinister meaning.
Evidenced in the works of Caravaggio, Balthasar van der Ast and Jacob Van Es, fruit bowls were a popular memento mori, a symbolic trope acting as a reminder of the inevitability of death. Fruit is subject to age and decay, reminding the viewer of the transience of time.
Jolly art historical references aside, a fruit bowl is also a point of playfulness in the kitchen. Brands such as Bordallo Pinheiro create colourful designs inspired by pieces of fruit spanning rock melon to papaya. Seletti deconstructs the classic rounded fruit bowl silhouette, adding an element of asymmetry to the quirky collection. John Lewis covers the basics. There’s plenty to ponder in the world of fruit bowls.
Whether opting for a mid-century item or a surrealist centrepiece, there’s a fruit bowl for every interior. Browse the edit below and discover the pear-fect piece to elevate your home.
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Bordallo Pinheiro Papaya Earthenware Platter
Add a pop of papaya to your homeware arsenal. Bordallo Pinheiro’s adventurous designs will inject any space with a bolt of vivid colour.
Buy now £80.00, Matches
Seletti Olinda Hybrid Porcelain Fruit Bowl
Seletti took inspiration from Chinese and European bone china for its Hybrid collection. The brand’s funky fruit bowls are split down the centre, creating a unique piece to fill with berries galore.
Buy now £39.00, Selfridges
Kew Living Jewels Salad Bowl
Made from sturdy stoneware in a serene shade of sea green, Kew Living’s jewel-toned bowl is an affordable, elegant pick for your kitchen.
Buy now £20.00, Dunelm
Bordallo Pinheiro Melon Earthenware Serving Bowl
Another tongue-in-cheek Bordallo Pinheiro creation, this tangerine-toned serving bowl is truly one-in-a-melon. Made of earthenware in Portugal, the charismatic piece is microwave and dishwasher-safe for easy everyday use.
Buy now £66.00, John Lewis
Tina Vaia Beaded Large Clay Bowl
Colour fiends will delight at the bold brilliance of Tina Vaia’s apple-green fruit bowl. Complete with a beaded base and a smooth scooped silhouette, the Spanish piece will make guests green with envy.
Buy now £187.00, Matches
John Lewis Glazed Decorative Bowl
A beautiful, timeless bowl to house a multitude of fruit, John Lewis’ large centrepiece is elegantly coloured with a green and blue glaze. Pile up bananas, peaches and plums to create a work of art. Perfect for wedding gifting.
Buy now £40.00, John Lewis
OKA Kintaro Serving Bowl
Available in crimson, blue and green colourways, OKA’s Kintaro bowl is a sweet pick for print enthusiasts. Vertical stripes pepper the exterior of the bowl while vine-like swirls line the rim.
Buy now £53.00, OKA
H&M Wooden Pedestal Bowl
Inspired by mid-century minimalism, H&M’s wooden rendition will neatly slot into both rustic and modern interiors. The versatile piece is elevated by a stand, quite literally taking your table setting to a new level.
Buy now £24.99, H&M
Bordallo Pinheiro Strawberry Earthenware Serving Bowl
Bordallo Pinheiro’s collection is berry cute, there’s no denying that. The brand’s Strawberry Earthenware Serving Bowl is a bold choice for shoppers looking to zhuzh their interiors with a touch of fruity frivolity.
Buy now £41.00, John Lewis
Marquis & Dawe Large Decorative Green Bowl
Love fruit? Load up Marquis & Dawe’s Large Decorative Green Bowl with berries, citrus and stone fruits thanks to the generous proportion of the gorgeous green bobbled piece.
Buy now £65.00, NOTHS
