Swid Powell Decorative Objects

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Zaha Hadid and George Sowden, creating products that incorporated the bright, saturated colors and popular and historical references, like Classical columns, that animated postmodern design in the 1980s.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.

Creator: Swid Powell

Steven Holl Patinated Bronze Candlestick for Swid Powell rare Postmodern Memphis

$875

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Swid Powell Italian Silver Plated Chrome Picture Frame by Richard Meier

$950

Swid Powell Italian Silver Plated Chrome Picture Frame by Richard Meier

By Richard Meier, Swid Powell

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate, Chrome

Pr. Postmodern Silverplate Candlesticks by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, 1980's

$3,000

Pr. Postmodern Silverplate Candlesticks by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, 1980's

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in New York, NY

Incredible pair of post modern silver plate candlesticks, by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Very hard to find, especially in pairs, this impre...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Richard Meier for Swid Powell Stainless Steel Bowl/Centerpiece

$900

Richard Meier for Swid Powell Stainless Steel Bowl/Centerpiece

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful post modern design by the well known architect Richard Meier. Measure: 10 inches.

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell

$4,300 / set

Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell

By Swid Powell, Robert Venturi

Located in Chicago, IL

Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell, Both stamped RVenturi MADE IN ITALY SILVER PLATED with copyright mark.

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

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

$4,500 / set

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver

Ettore Sottsass Candelstick / Candle Holder, Silver Plate for Swid Powell

$1,100

Ettore Sottsass Candelstick / Candle Holder, Silver Plate for Swid Powell

By Ettore Sottsass, Swid Powell

Located in Los Angeles, CA

This is one icon of Post Modern design by the well known architect Ettore Sottsass.

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Richard Meier Postmodern Silverplate Candlestick for Italian Swid Powell, 1980's

$1,450

Richard Meier Postmodern Silverplate Candlestick for Italian Swid Powell, 1980's

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Silver-plated candlestick designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, Italy. This striking postmodern design exemplifies Meier’s sculptural, architectural approach, bringing bold pres...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Richard Meier Swid Powell Magnifying Glass in Box Mid Century Modern Architect

$699

Richard Meier Swid Powell Magnifying Glass in Box Mid Century Modern Architect

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Atlanta, GA

Modernist Silverplate Magnifying Glass, designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, Italy, circa 1980s. Includes original box and cloth bag. It is the perfect gift for the favorite de...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Richard Meier Swid Powell Magnifying Glass Mid Century Modern Architect Design

$650

Richard Meier Swid Powell Magnifying Glass Mid Century Modern Architect Design

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Atlanta, GA

Modernist Silverplate Magnifying Glass Designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, Italy, circa 1980s. Makes the perfect gift for the favorite design lover in your life (even if it's ...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Picture Frame

$873

H 9.06 in W 7.09 in D 1.19 in

20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Picture Frame

By Arval Argenti Valenza

Located in VALENZA, IT

Sterling silver photo frame. The frame was made in Italy by the Argenteria Raddi of Florence. The design is typically Libeerty with the characteristic flowers, festoons and ribbons...

Category

1990s Italian Art Nouveau Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

Contemporary Modern, Kubbe Large Candleholder, Varnished Silver-Nickel Plated

$193 / item

H 6.3 in Dm 3.15 in

Contemporary Modern, Kubbe Large Candleholder, Varnished Silver-Nickel Plated

By DAY Studio

Located in İstanbul, İstanbul

Kubbe collection was designed with inspiration from the domes of the courtyards, shops and workshops of the Grand Bazaar, which has been the center of silver-smiting in Istanbul for ...

Category

2010s Turkish Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Contemporary Modern, Kubbe Minimal Candleholders, Silver-Nickel Plated, Set of 2

$222 / set

H 2.37 in Dm 2.76 in

Contemporary Modern, Kubbe Minimal Candleholders, Silver-Nickel Plated, Set of 2

By DAY Studio

Located in İstanbul, İstanbul

Kubbe collection was designed with inspiration from the domes of the courtyards, shops and workshops of the Grand Bazaar, which has been the center of silver-smiting in Istanbul for ...

Category

2010s Turkish Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Midcentury Rounded Picture Frame Made in Silver Plate and Teak, Italy, 1970s

$574

H 8.27 in Dm 8.27 in

Midcentury Rounded Picture Frame Made in Silver Plate and Teak, Italy, 1970s

Located in Roma, IT

We are pleased to offer an elegant circular picture frame, almost certainly made in Italy between 1960 and 1970. This vintage round frame is crafted in silver plate with a mahogany-v...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

1990s Pair Postmodern Memphis Industrial R W Stoller Brutalist Candle Holders

$1,280 / set

H 9 in W 3 in D 4 in

1990s Pair Postmodern Memphis Industrial R W Stoller Brutalist Candle Holders

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in St.Petersburg, FL

Very rare, likely one of a Kind pair of Hand -Forged Brutalist Post Modern Candler Holders by famed American Sculptor R. W. Stoller. Signed and dated These stunning Matisse lime ab...

Category

1990s American Post-Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

Large Black and Green 'Krenit' Bowl by Herbert Krenchel for Torben Ørskov & Co

$382

H 5.71 in Dm 9.85 in

Large Black and Green 'Krenit' Bowl by Herbert Krenchel for Torben Ørskov & Co

By Torben Orskov, Herbert Krenchel

Located in Steenwijk, NL

This 'Krenit' bowl was designed by mechanical engineer Herbert Krenchel and his good friend Torben Ørskov who put them in production in 1953. They had realised that Americans ate a l...

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Antonio da Ros (attr.) for Cenedese Large Cobalt Blue Colored Murano Glass Bowl

$1,435

H 2.96 in Dm 10.83 in

Antonio da Ros (attr.) for Cenedese Large Cobalt Blue Colored Murano Glass Bowl

By Cenedese, Antonio da Ros

Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern

Large cobalt blue colored (colored) Murano glass serving bowl or dish attributed to Italian Murano glass designer by Antonio da Ros (1936-2012) for Cenedese, circa 1970-1990. Wonderful deep cobalt blue color. Simplistic yet elegant form, almost futuristic. Would look fantastic in a kitchen, on a white marble countertop...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass

Pair of 18th Century French Patinated Bronze Candlesticks

$580 / set

H 10.375 in Dm 5.5 in

Pair of 18th Century French Patinated Bronze Candlesticks

Located in Dallas, TX

Cast in France during the 1700s, this pair of bronze candlesticks has a lovely patination, giving them a glossy brown color. The highly contoured and curved bases are mirrored by the...

Category

18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Waterford Center Bowl

$2,300

H 4 in W 13.75 in D 10 in

Waterford Center Bowl

By Waterford Crystal

Located in Hudson, NY

A finely cut and polished crystal regency style Waterford Louise Kennedy bowl . The Regency shape is a time-honored style for good English cut crystal a...

Category

1970s Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Pair of Pair Pont Cut Glass and Silver Plate Tall Candlesticks

$1,950 / set

H 16 in Dm 5.5 in

Pair of Pair Pont Cut Glass and Silver Plate Tall Candlesticks

By Pairpoint Glassworks

Located in Lambertville, NJ

A pair of elegant tall candlesticks with a diamond cut bodies with silver-plate bases with acanthus leaf decoration, signed on the bottom Pairpoint. 16 inches tall.

Category

Early 1900s American Edwardian Antique Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Travertine Eclipse Bowl

$333 / item

H 3.15 in Dm 11.82 in

Travertine Eclipse Bowl

By Kiwano Concept

Located in Eindhoven, NB

Expertly crafted and finished by hand, our travertine bowls are a study in sculptural simplicity. This beige Travertine Eclipse Bowl is stunnin...

Category

2010s Dutch Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Travertine

1950s Danish Teak Freeform Carved Nut Bowl Table Centerpiece Vintage Modern

$795

H 2 in W 8.5 in D 5.5 in

1950s Danish Teak Freeform Carved Nut Bowl Table Centerpiece Vintage Modern

By Finn Juhl

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Obscure Danish Design Company, AL-BO. Highly finished, thin walled Teak wedge-shaped bowl.

Category

1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Previously Available Items

Swid Powell Silver Plate Bowl or Candy Dish by Richard Meier

Sold

H 2.5 in Dm 6 in

Swid Powell Silver Plate Bowl or Candy Dish by Richard Meier

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair of Richard Meier “King Richard” Silver-Plated Candlesticks for Swid Powell

Sold

H 9 in Dm 3.5 in

Pair of Richard Meier “King Richard” Silver-Plated Candlesticks for Swid Powell

By Richard Meier, Swid Powell

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Pair of Richard Meier “King Richard” Silver-Plated Candlesticks for Swid Powell, 1983 Pair of vintage “King Richard” candlesticks designed by American architect Richard Meier for Sw...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Architect Richard Meier Design Silverplate Rotating Cross Bowl for Swid Powell

Sold

H 2.5 in Dm 6 in

Architect Richard Meier Design Silverplate Rotating Cross Bowl for Swid Powell

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Oakland, CA

Silverplate over brass bowl designed by architect Richard Meier for Swid Powell, referred to as the Cross Bowl, made by Plata Lappas, Buenos Aires for Swid Powell. Unlike the larger ...

Category

1990s Argentine Post-Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Swid Powell Candlesticks, Designed by Stern, Italian- Set of 2, c. 1980's

Sold

H 6.5 in Dm 3.5 in

Swid Powell Candlesticks, Designed by Stern, Italian- Set of 2, c. 1980's

By Robert A.M. Stern, Swid Powell

Located in Ross, CA

Set of two stamped Swid Powell Candlesticks, made in Italy in the 1980's. Designed and stamped with architect Robert A.M. Stern's initials. The pattern is called "Century". Swid Pow...

Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Richard Meier large bowl / centerpiece silver plate for Swid Powell .

Sold

H 2.75 in Dm 11.8 in

Richard Meier large bowl / centerpiece silver plate for Swid Powell .

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful centerpiece designed by the well known architect Richard Meier . This is a large almost 12 inches diameter .

Category

Late 20th Century Argentine Post-Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Swid Powell Italian Silver Plated Chrome Picture Frame by Richard Meier

Sold

H 7.75 in W 8.75 in D 2 in

Swid Powell Italian Silver Plated Chrome Picture Frame by Richard Meier

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A stunning example of Richard Meiers work with Swid Powell. The sliver plated picture frame is a modern piece with a sphere and cylinder which house two pieces of glass floating. ...

Category

20th Century Italian Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate, Chrome

Charles Gwathmey, Robert Siegel, Vintage Swid Powell Silver Plate Courtney Bowl

Sold

H 4 in Dm 11.5 in

Charles Gwathmey, Robert Siegel, Vintage Swid Powell Silver Plate Courtney Bowl

By Swid Powell, Gwathmey Siegel & Assoc

Located in North Miami, FL

This vintage hand hammered silver-plated brass bowl by the architectural team of Robert Siegel and Charles Gwathmey for Swid Powell is one of the most iconic designs made and also on...

Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

Postmodern Cross Bowl by Richard Meier for Swid Powell

Sold

H 2.5 in W 6 in D 6 in

Postmodern Cross Bowl by Richard Meier for Swid Powell

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Sometimes referred to as the Cross Bowl and other times as the X-Base Bowl, this postmodern silver-plated bowl is one of Richard Meier’s simplest and most iconic designs for Swid Pow...

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate

"Metropolitan" Candlestick by Robert A. M. Stern for Swid Powell

Sold

H 9.13 in Dm 3.5 in

"Metropolitan" Candlestick by Robert A. M. Stern for Swid Powell

By Robert A.M. Stern, Cleto Munari, Swid Powell

Located in Skokie, IL

"Metropolitan" Candlestick by Robert A. M. Stern for Swid Powell A single iconic "Metropolitan" silver-plated candlestick designed by Robert A. M. Stern for Swid Powell. Stern, b. 1...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

"Silvershade" Candlestick by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell

Sold

H 12.75 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

"Silvershade" Candlestick by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell

By Cleto Munari, Ettore Sottsass, Swid Powell

Located in Skokie, IL

"Silvershade" Candlestick by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell A single "Silvershade" silver-plated candlestick designed by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell. Sottsass, 1917-2007, was a...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

"Moonlight" Candlestick by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell

Sold

H 13.63 in W 2.75 in D 2.5 in

"Moonlight" Candlestick by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell

By Swid Powell, Ettore Sottsass, Cleto Munari

Located in Skokie, IL

"Moonlight" Candlestick by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell A single "Moonlight" silver -plated and brass candlestick designed by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell. Sottsass, 1917-2007...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

"Starlight" Candlestick by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell

Sold

H 12.88 in W 3.13 in D 3.13 in

"Starlight" Candlestick by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell

By Ettore Sottsass, Cleto Munari, Swid Powell

Located in Skokie, IL

A single "Starlight" silver-plated and brass candlestick designed by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell. Sottsass, 1917-2007, was a noted 20th century Italian architect and the founder ...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Decorative Objects

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Swid Powell decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Swid Powell decorative objects 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 decorative objects, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original decorative objects 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 decorative objects by Cleto Munari, Richard Meier, and George Sowden. Prices for Swid Powell decorative objects can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $595 and can go as high as $6,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,450.