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Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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Style: Mid-Century Modern
French Crystal Fruit Bowl or Serving Dish
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful midcentury period hand-cut crystal fruit bowl or serving dish. Very good quality. This item is unmarked but is in the manner of many mad...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Crystal

Mappin & Webb Pair English Silver Plated Cockerel Mounted Egg Stands
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish pair vintage Mappin & Webb silver plated egg stands mounted with a cockerel handle and dating from the mid 20th century. The stands have a sha...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair of French Red Majolica Shells Dishes Vallauris, Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of French red Majolica shells dishes Vallauris Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Dansk Cutting Board
Located in Chicago, IL
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Walnut

1950s Set of Danish Just Andersen Pewter Coffee Service
Located in Knebel, DK
1950s Set of Danish Just Andersen Pewter coffee service The set consisting of a coffee pot, creamer, sugar bowl and a tray all marked with Ju...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Pewter

In the Style of Jacques Adnet, Faux-Bamboo Chromed Tray with Smoked Glass French
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This faux-bamboo tray is made of chrome with smoked glass. This is a French work, in the style of famous French designer Jacques Adnet, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Chrome

Vallauris Coffee Set Yellow Brown Ceramic, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Authentic French midcentury creative full coffee set containing 9 pieces: Measures: 6 cups diameter 8-8.5cm H 7 cm 6 saucers 11 cm x 11.5 cm Jar H 26 cm x L 24 cm x 9.5 cm Milk j...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Divided Wood Tray by Gladmark
Located in Vallejo, CA
A mid century divided wood tray. Nice minimalist design in a rounded square shape. Made in Sun Valley, CA by Gladmark.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

French 1940s Inlaid Tray
Located in London, GB
A French 1940s rectangular serving tray. Surrounded with a raised curved edge and decorative cross banding to the interior border. The central squ...
Category

1940s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

Cenedese Vintage Murano Glass Vibrantly Colored Cobalt Blue Glass Cake stand
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Glass cake stand or serving plate by Cenedese. Wonderful color/color of blue with black banding and simplistic yet elegant form. Fun to dine with vibrant vintage midcentury Murano gl...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Murano Glass

1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian Gilded Glass Under spirit Cherries Set
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A Mid-Century Modern painted gold glass set composed by six small cups and an under spirit cherries jar. Cup height is 7 cm and. Made in Italy in the 19...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Glass

Ceramic Hand Painted Strawberry Motif Serving Platter, Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A vintage hand-painted ceramic strawberry motif serving platter or relish dish. This serving dish features four wells that will accommodate dips, relishes ...
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

French Decorative Ceramic Tray by Albert Thiry 'circa 1960s'
Located in London, GB
Mid-century decorative tray (circa 1960s) by Albert Thiry. A chalk-white glaze provides the background for a colourful thistle motif in the centre. The rim has touches of earthy gree...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Vallauris Blue Ceramic Coffee Set, Mid-Century Modern, France, 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Creative French Mid-Century Modern coffee set signed by Vallauris presenting 7 pieces in a very good general condition. Measures: 4 cups diameter 8-8.5cm height 7 cm 4 saucers 11 c...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Teak Serving Dish
Located in Denton, TX
Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Designs Denmark divided serving dish. Great for parties for a chip/ dip/ veggie platter.
Category

20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Teak

Auböck Brass Coin Bottle Opener, Midcentury, 1950s, Austria
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Beautiful Auböck coin bottle opener in solid brass, made by Werkstätten Carl Auböck in 1950s. The casting is very fine because this is an earlier opener. T...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Pair of Original Vintage Server Salad Utensils by Herbert Krenchel
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of vintage server salad utensils by Herbert Krenchel dims are of the spoon.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Plastic

Midcentury Teak Tray / Cheese Board with Dome by Luthje Wood of Denmark
Located in San Diego, CA
Very nice midcentury teak tray / cheese board with plastic dome by Luthje Wood of Denmark, circa 1970s. The board is 22" long and has two compartments; the 6" center circle is covere...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Steel Set by Gio Ponti for Calderoni, Italy, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Set composed by tray and three pitchers by Gio Ponti for Calderoni, Milano Size of the biggest pitcher is cms 18 x 1 2 x 12.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Midcentury Mexican Dish in Peace Dove Form by Los Castillo
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Rare Midcentury Mexican dish in Peace Dove Form by Los Castillo in silver plated and stone inlay includes marked brand and serial number #332.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Art Glass Starfish Bowl in Turquoise and Gold
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A unique starfish of art glass - the piece is reverse painted green with gold leaf overlay. A wonderful addition to homes near the water, perfect for serving or holding fruit or nuts...
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Art Glass

1960s Shigemichi Aomine Japanese Midcentury Teak Trays Serving Sushi Platters
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Shigemichi Aomine for the National Crafts Council (NCC.) Pair of sculptural serving trays. Large L 22 in Small L 9 x W 6.75 x H 3/8 in      
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Teak

Bamboo Rattan & Brass Serving Tray, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Serving tray in rattan bamboo with brass details and handles made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Brass

Midcentury Vallauris Majolica Ceramic Platter
Located in Miami, FL
Impressive and colorful leaf shaped glazed ceramic platter, serving tray or centerpiece manufactured by Vallauris France, pottery makers, circa 1950s. Useful as centerpiece, fruit or dessert...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

St. Louis French Hand Cut Crystal Decorative Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
Very beautiful crystal bowl from the famous manufacturer, St. Louis or Saint Louis. The design features magnificent and intricate cuts. Stunning with a surprising optical appearance...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Crystal

Marble Effect Acrylic and Frame Chrome Tray Centerpiece Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Large rectangular Acrylic marble effect and frame chrome tray centerpiece, Italy, 1970s.  
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Wicker Lucite Serving Tray Metal Frame by Janetti, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Serving tray in Lucite wicker and metal frame by Janetti Roma Firenze (original label attached on the back), Italy, 1970s.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Danish Modern Teak Salt & Pepper Grinder Combo by Quistgaard for Dansk Designs
Located in Miami, FL
Great Mid-Century Modern teak peppermill / salt shaker combo by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs. Ground pepper comes out of the bottom when to...
Category

1970s Thai Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Teak

Pair of MCM Walnut and Sterling Silver Salad Servers Made in Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of MCM walnut and sterling silver salad servers made in Italy, circa 1970s. The set is in very good vintage condition and would work...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of MCM Teak Salad Servers by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice pair of MCM teak salad servers by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, circa 1970s. The servers are made of solid teak and they measure 13.25" long x 2"...
Category

Mid-20th Century Malaysian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Teak

Antique Vintage Sterling Silver Mid Century Serving Card Tray Twentieth Century
Located in Dublin, Ireland
A superb example of a mid century heavy gauge sterling silver flat card tray of outstanding quality and condition for such an early silver item. The shaped circular form with sty...
Category

20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Faux Tortoiseshell Serving Oval Tray Centerpiece in Lucite, 1970s, Italy
Located in Rome, IT
Splendid oval serving tray / centerpiece in faux tortoiseshell, Italy, circa 1970.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite

Silver Plated Bell Pepper Ice Bucket, French, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This very nice bell pepper ice bucket is made of silver plated. This is a French work (engraved silver plated), circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Vallauris French Mid-20th Century Ceramic Lemonade Set
Located in Miami, FL
Beautifully crafted ceramic pottery pitcher and five cups with stunning colors. Handcrafted in Vallauris, France using traditional pottery making techniques, circa mid-1950s. Most commonly used as a lemonade set...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Danish Vintage Teak Plates and Bowl 1960s, Set of 6
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish vintage teak plates and bowl 1960s, set of 6. Mid-Century Modern Danish tableware in teak. This set consists of: Four teak serving plates b...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Teak

Danish Mid-Century Modern Teak Serving Plate or Cheese Board Similar to Bojesen
Located in London, GB
A Danish Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian design serving platter or cheese board in the style of Kay Bojesen. A sleekly designed handle with a hole for a strap to hang, glides over th...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Teak

Vintage Belgian Yellow-Orange Enameled Casserole
Located in High Point, NC
This enamel pot was made in Belgium and features an uplifting yellow-orange gradient. The pot comes with a lid and carrying handles on the sides.
Category

1960s Belgian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Bowl Made In Teak By Jens Harald Quistgaard From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
  This teak bowl, designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard in the 1960s, is a stunning example of mid-century Danish design. Crafted from rich teak wood, the bowl exudes warmth and natur...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Teak

Silver Plated Sleigh Bottle Holder, French, Circa 1930
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This sleigh bottle holder is made of silver plated. This is a French work, circa 1930.
Category

1930s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Christian Fjerdingstadt for Gallia, Silver Plated Swan Gravy Boat, French, Circ
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This delicate swan gracy boat is made of silver plated. This is a work by Christian Fjerdingstadt for Gallia, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

1970s Chrome and Brass 'Strawberry' Tray
Located in London, GB
Rare decorative ‘strawberry’ tray in the style of David Marshall (circa 1970s). Perfect for the dressing-table, bar or as an Object d art.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Chrome

Design Silver Plated Bottle Holder, French, Marked and Numbered, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice and unusual design bottle holder is made of silver plated. This is a French work, marked and Numbered. Circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Jacques Adnet & Christofle, Silver Plated and Chinese Lacquer Bottle Holder, Fre
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful bottle holder is made of silver plated and black chinese lacquer. This is an iconic model by famous Franch designer acques Adnet & Chri...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

1970s Knife Sharpener Tool Exotic Design Bone Handle
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Knife Sharpener Mid Century Knife Sharpener Exotic Design Bone Handle 1970s Unmarked attribution Westall Richardson Sheffield England 13 x 1.75 x 2.5 ...
Category

1970s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

American 1970s Extra Large Chrome and Mirror Tray in the Style of Willy Rizzo
Located in London, GB
Substantial serving tray with three tiered decorative chrome surround and reflective mirrored base.
Category

1970s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Chrome

Bronze Fish Cutting or Cheese Board
Located in New York, NY
Unique bronze fish cutting or cheese board or platter. Has original patina, original maple board and has a nice size.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Iron Metal Serving Cart
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this iron metal serving cart, fantastic design with brass accents.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass, Iron

Midcentury Italian Silver Plated and Wood Pourer with Horn Handle, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Iconic and elegant silver plated and wood wine pourer. This fantastic piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s. It is made of simple and fascinating silver lines with a focal ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of 6 Brass Skewers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 6 brass skewers - make meat or fruit kabob's - great presentation.
Category

20th Century Turkish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Deco Modern Cut Crystal Salt Shaker and Pepper Mill
Located in Miami, FL
Deco modern pair of tall and heavy cut lead glass salt shaker and pepper mill with silver plated tops. Elegant and sleek, this pair would enrich the ...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Cut Glass

Danish Modern Stainless Steel Cream and Sugar Set on Teak Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Danish modern stainless steel cream and sugar set on teak tray, circa 1960s. #1073.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Tjorn Sterling Silverware by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk, Germany
Located in New York, NY
A set of sterling silverware in the Tjorn pattern designed by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Priced per five-piece place setting. Up to 12 (twel...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Serving Set "Cylinda Line" by Arne Jacobsen
Located in Vienna, AT
The epochal “Cylinda Line” serving set by Danish designer Arne Jacobsen, styled for Stelton in 1967. The set is entirely manufactured of stainless steel, the handles of the jugs are of black Bakelite. Our ensemble consists of mocha jug...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

French Midcentury Ceramic Liquor or Aperitif Set from Vallauris
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful midcentury 7 piece liquor set from Vallauris, France generally used for an afternoon aperitif traditional in the country. The pottery is black matte with red, yellow, g...
Category

1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Black Metal and Rattan Bottle Holder, Scandinavia, circa 1950
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice design bottle holder is made of black metal and rattan. This is a Scandinavian work, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century Modern Mexican Copper Platter with Sterling Figures, circa 1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
Midcentury copper platter with sterling, circa 1950s Fantastic copper platter surrounded with sterling donkey, bull fighter, farm worker, and various figures. The platter is st...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver, Copper

Jacques Adnet Leather Bottle Holder, France, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
Jacques Adnet sling leather and brass 4 bottles holder, France, 1950s midcentury French modern. In a very good general condition. Very charming piece.   
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Silver Plated and Black Plastic Bottle Holder, French Work, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice bottle holder is made of silver plated and black plastic. This is a French Work, circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid-century Modern serving pieces for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern serving pieces for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage serving pieces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern serving pieces made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original serving pieces, popular names associated with this style include Jens Quistgaard, Dansk Designs, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, and Rosenthal. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for serving pieces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $26 and tops out at $18,800 while the average work can sell for $630.

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