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Swid Powell

The New York City–based tableware company Swid Powell produced some of the most distinctive china and silver of the 1980s in collaboration with international architects and designers. It enjoyed renewed attention in 2007, when the Yale University Art Gallery mounted the exhibition “The Architect’s Table: Swid Powell and Postmodern Design,” celebrating the donation to its collection of the company’s papers.

Swid Powell was established in 1982 by Nan Swid and Addie Powell, who met while working at the modernist furniture company Knoll. Their idea was to translate the aesthetics of postmodern design from the skyscraper to the dining table, and they brought into their preliminary discussions nine prominent architects. Among these were Philip Johnson, Stanley Tigerman and Richard Meier, all of whom expressed enthusiasm about making their designs accessible beyond the small group with the funds to commission buildings from them.

The first Swid Powell collection was launched in 1984, accompanied by a bold, graphic print campaign in keeping with the era’s advertising trends. The company’s best-known collaboration was with Robert Venturi’s Philadelphia-based firm, Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, whose patterns — particularly the floral design Grandmother inspired by a tablecloth Venturi saw at the home of a colleague's grandmother — adorned Swid Powell porcelain as well as furniture and clothing.

The firm also partnered with architect Richard Meier, whose geometric designs were inspired in part by those of Josef Hoffmann and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Swid Powell also worked with Arata Isosaki, Ettore Sottsass, Zaha Hadid and George Sowden, creating products that incorporated the bright, saturated colors and popular and historical references, like Classical columns, that animated postmodern design in the 1980s. The Chicago Blue china pattern designed for Swid Powell by the firm Gwathmey Siegel references the distinctive patterns of Frank Lloyd Wright’s leaded glass windows. As you will see in the examples below, Swid Powell continued to produce fine, fashionable homewares throughout the decade and beyond.

Average Sold Price
$782
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Swid Powell for Calvin Klein Silver Plate Caviar Bowl Dish Chiller, circa 1980
Swid Powell for Calvin Klein Silver Plate Caviar Bowl Dish Chiller, circa 1980

Swid Powell for Calvin Klein Silver Plate Caviar Bowl Dish Chiller, circa 1980

By Calvin Klein, Swid Powell

Located in Atlanta, GA

Indulge in the ultimate expression of refined luxury with this rare modernist caviar bowl, a masterpiece designed by Swid Powell and exclusively distributed through the Calvin Klein ...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Swid Powell

Materials

Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate

Swid Powell Italian Silver Plated Chrome Picture Frame by Richard Meier
Swid Powell Italian Silver Plated Chrome Picture Frame by Richard Meier

Swid Powell Italian Silver Plated Chrome Picture Frame by Richard Meier

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

The Swid Powell Floating Picture Frame by Richard Meier is a masterclass in refined modern design—architectural in spirit and minimal in execution. Created for Swid Powell, the fram...

Category

20th Century Italian Modern Swid Powell

Materials

Silver Plate, Chrome

Steven Holl Patinated Bronze Candlestick for Swid Powell rare Postmodern Memphis
Steven Holl Patinated Bronze Candlestick for Swid Powell rare Postmodern Memphis

Steven Holl Patinated Bronze Candlestick for Swid Powell rare Postmodern Memphis

By Swid Powell, Steven Holl

Located in San Diego, CA

patinated bronze candlestick designed by American architect Steven Holl for Swid Powell c.1980's , very rare tall candlestick hard to find very collectible in a verdigris finish stamped at the bottom, with some scuff marks due to age solid piece great for postmodern , Memphis mid century home decor.

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Swid Powell

Materials

Bronze

Swid Powell stainless steel Kettle/ Teapot for Calvin Klein
Swid Powell stainless steel Kettle/ Teapot for Calvin Klein

Swid Powell stainless steel Kettle/ Teapot for Calvin Klein

By Swid Powell, Calvin Klein

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is an amazing Post Modern design by Calvin Klein , Some of these pieces were made in Italy other in USA.

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell

Materials

Stainless Steel

Pair of Ettore Sottsass Silver Candlesticks for Swid Powell and Reed and Barton
Pair of Ettore Sottsass Silver Candlesticks for Swid Powell and Reed and Barton

Pair of Ettore Sottsass Silver Candlesticks for Swid Powell and Reed and Barton

By Ettore Sottsass, Reed & Barton, Swid Powell

Located in Kansas City, MO

Striking pair of silver plated candlesticks designed by Ettore Sottsass and made by Swid Powell in collaboration with Reed and Barton, 1980s.  

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell

Materials

Silver

1987 Big Dripper Ceramic Coffee Set Michael Graves for Swid Powell
1987 Big Dripper Ceramic Coffee Set Michael Graves for Swid Powell

1987 Big Dripper Ceramic Coffee Set Michael Graves for Swid Powell

By Michael Graves (b.1934), Swid Powell

Located in Chula Vista, CA

1987 Postmodern Big Dripper Coffee Set by Michael Graves for Swid Powell High gloss white glaze large pot, filter holder, and lid with gold decoration and brick red base. Large Coffe...

Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell

Materials

Ceramic

Richard Meier Silver-Plate Architectural Skyscraper Bowl For Swid Powell 90's
Richard Meier Silver-Plate Architectural Skyscraper Bowl For Swid Powell 90's

Richard Meier Silver-Plate Architectural Skyscraper Bowl For Swid Powell 90's

By Richard Meier, Swid Powell

Located in North Miami, FL

This iconic 1992 silver plate skyscraper bowl was designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Made In Italy. It is an iconic design by an iconic architect. It was produced in 2 sizes ...

Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Swid Powell

Materials

Silver Plate

Swid Powell Silver Plate Bowl or Candy Dish by Richard Meier
Swid Powell Silver Plate Bowl or Candy Dish by Richard Meier

Swid Powell Silver Plate Bowl or Candy Dish by Richard Meier

By Richard Meier, Swid Powell

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A beautifully restrained silver-plate bowl designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Sculptural yet understated, the piece stands confidently on its own while remaining perfectly su...

Category

Mid-20th Century Argentine Modern Swid Powell

Materials

Silver Plate

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Swid Powell Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2026$1,215Sterling SilverSilver Plate1980s
2026$1,125Silver Bowls, Serving Bowls and TureensSilver PlateLate 20th Century
2026$1,800Candle HoldersSilver Plate, BrassCirca 1980s
2025$504CandlesticksSilver Plate, Brass1983
2025$550CandlesticksSilver Plate, Brass1985
2025$140PorcelainPorcelain1987
2025$488Decorative BowlsSilver Plate1991
2025$535Sterling SilverSilver Plate1990's
2025$890Decorative BowlsSilver Platen/a
2025$500Decorative Dishes and Vide-Poche, Decorative BowlsSilver Platecirca 20th Century
$782
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$140-$1,800
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Creators Similar to Swid Powell

Swid Powell furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Swid Powell furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Swid Powell furniture, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Swid Powell were created in the modern style in europe during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Richard Meier, Alessi, and Marco Zanini. Prices for Swid Powell furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $175 and can go as high as $8,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,200.
Questions About Swid Powell
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
    To identify old plates, flip them over and examine their maker's marks. You can research these markings using trusted online resources to find out who produced your plates. Some pieces may also feature production years, model or style numbers, patent numbers and other information that can be useful when making an identification. If your plates are unmarked or you encounter any problems with your research, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Explore a diverse assortment of antique and vintage plates on 1stDibs.