Artist and designer Georges Briard (1917–2005) — a name that has for more than a century been a marker of spectacular and stylish vintage glassware, serveware and other household objects — was born Jascha Brojdo in Russian Ukraine.
Brojdo grew up in Poland and moved to the United States in the 1930s, studying art at the University of Chicago and the Art Institute of Chicago before serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he began hand-painting metal serving trays while working for Max Wille of M. Wille Company, where Wille suggested changing his name to distinguish his commercial work from his fine art.
As Georges Briard, Brojdo created award-winning designs for items including glasses, trays, coffeepots and dishes in materials like glass, ceramics, metal and wood; he even created gold-plated serveware. His serveware was especially popular from the 1950s to ’70s. It was produced by companies including Culver, Pfaltzgraff and Mdina Glass and sold at high-end department stores like Neiman Marcus and Bonwit Teller. His designs have a signature opulence, evoking the mid-century modern aesthetic of his time as well as borrowing elements from Art Nouveau and Venetian styles, while the quirky, playful barware pieces he produced featured peacock feathers, skulls and tennis balls.
With colorful, intricate patterns and motifs such as butterflies, Christmas trees and Piet Mondrian-esque geometric abstractions, Georges Briard glasses and dishes were found in the homes of the most fashionable hosts of the mid-century. Today, they are highly prized by collectors.
Find a collection of Georges Briard vintage bar glasses, serving trays and other goods on 1stDibs.
Georges Briard Midas Hyalyn Porcelain Ashtray with Gold Design
By Georges Briard
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Georges Briard Midas Hyalyn porcelain ashtray trinket dish home bar decor. Vintage Georges Briard ceramic ashtray Mid Century Retro gold medallion graph...
Porcelain
Signed Marc Newson Ashtray
By Marc Newson
Located in NYC, NY
A clear smoke-colored ashtray by Marc Newson with facsimile of the artist's signature on underside.
Glass
$360 / set
H 3.39 in W 2.36 in D 2.36 in
Mid-Century Modern Onyx Smoking Set with Lighter & Ashtray, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous smoking set in onyx. The table lighter works perfectly. Made in Italy. The items are in excellent condition. Dimension: Table Lighter diameter 2,36 x 3,39 H inches di...
Onyx
$420 / set
H 3.39 in W 2.36 in D 2.36 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Italian Onyx Smoking Set with Table Lighter & Ashtray
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-Century Modern smoking set, meticulously crafted in Italy during the 1960s. The two-piece collection showcases the organic beauty of genuine onyx stone, celebrated for its striki...
Onyx
Art Deco Chrome Lighted Smoker's Stand or Ashtray with Electric Lighter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This Art Deco styled lighted smoker's stand is unsigned but presumed to have been made in the United States in the 1950s. The stand features a light at the top and base made of swirled glass of orange and cream hues to replicate alabaster which emits a warm glow when lit. The central post is also accented with a marbled and tapered, possibly alabaster cylinder which is separated by a chrome ring. The top features two removable ashtray cups and a covered tobacco canister...
Metal
$420 / set
H 3.39 in W 2.36 in D 2.36 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Italian Onyx Smoking Set with Table Lighter & Ashtray
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant two-piece Italian smoking suite that perfectly encapsulates the glamour of 1960s Mid-Century Modern design. This striking set pairs the organic, natural beauty of carved ston...
Onyx
$360 / set
H 4.72 in W 2.36 in D 2.36 in
Mid-Century Modern Onyx Smoking Set with Lighter & Ashtray, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1960s Gorgeous smoking set in onyx. The table lighter works perfectly. Made in Italy. The items are in excellent condition. Dimension: Table Lighter diameter 2,36" x 4,72" H inches d...
Onyx
$440 / set
H 3.54 in W 2.36 in D 2.36 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Italian Onyx Smoking Set with Table Lighter & Ashtray
Located in Milano, IT
Exquisite two-piece smoking set, beautifully crafted in Italy during the 1960s. The set includes a striking table lighter and a matching square ashtray, both carved from solid blocks...
Onyx
Ashtray Match Box Case Set Cloisonné Enamel
Located in New York, NY
An enamel Cloisonné match box case and ashtray set, circa early-20th century, Asia. Set includes 1 matchbox holder, and 1 ashtray/dish/plate (for used matche...
Brass, Enamel
Art Deco Ashtray/Ring Tray with Female Harlequin Dancer Statue by Frankart
By Frankart
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Marble ashtray/ring tray with a female Harlequin dancer spelter metal female statue, circa 1920.
Metal
"La Terre, " Copper Art Deco Ashtray, France
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare and unusual, this copper ashtray celebrating the pottery industry in France is reminiscent of bronze and copper pieces designed by Paul Manship and other major sculptors in the 1920s and 1930s. This example, made of copper painted gold, depicts a nude potter at his wheel, surrounded by symbols of his industry, including kilns, planting pots and...
$420 / set
H 3.39 in W 2.36 in D 2.36 in
1960s Mid-Century Modern Italian Onyx Smoking Set with Table Lighter & Ashtray
Located in Milano, IT
Mid-Century Modern smoking set, masterfully crafted in Italy during the 1960s. Carved from a stunning block of natural green onyx, this two-piece set features vibrant, swirling veins...
Onyx
Italian Alabaster Marble Ashtray Regency Style with Paw Feet
Located in New York, NY
A small Italian alabaster marble ashtray with animal paw feet in the Regency style, circa 1960s, Italy. A convenient mini ashtray with protective gold gilt metal rim around top with ...
Alabaster, Metal