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Zaha Hadid and George Sowden, creating products that incorporated the bright, saturated colors and popular and historical references, like Classical columns, that animated postmodern design in the 1980s.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.
Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell
By Robert Venturi, Swid Powell
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell, Both stamped RVenturi MADE IN ITALY SILVER PLATED with copyright mark.
Silver Plate
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.
Stainless Steel
$189 / 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 ...
Brass, Nickel
$875
H 16.25 in W 5 in D 5 in
Steven Holl Patinated Bronze Candlestick for Swid Powell rare Postmodern Memphis
By Steven Holl, Swid Powell
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.
Bronze
$3,000
H 12 in W 4 in D 4 in
Pr. Postmodern Silverplate Candlesticks by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, 1980's
By Richard Meier, Swid Powell
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...
Silver Plate
$1,245
H 6 in W 8.5 in D 2 in
Mid-Century Swid Powell Silver Plated Picture Frame with Spherical Detail
By Swid Powell
Located in New York, NY
This Swid Powell silver-plated picture frame, created in the United States around 1980, is a striking example of modernist design infused with subtle elegance. Swid Powell, a promine...
Metal
$4,500 / set
H 12.75 in W 3.75 in D 3.5 in
Pair of Ettore Sottsass Silver Candlesticks for Swid Powell and Reed and Barton
By Reed & Barton, Ettore Sottsass, 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.
Silver
$1,845
H 4 in Dm 14 in
Modern Richard Meier Silver-Plate Architectural Skyscraper Bowl For Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in New York, NY
This architectural silver-plate bowl, designed by celebrated modernist architect Richard Meier for Swid Powell, is a striking example of late 20th-century design. Crafted in Italy ci...
Silver Plate
$325
H 12 in W 4.1 in D 4.1 in
1980's Post-Modern Silverplate Candlestick by David Palterer for Swid Powell
By David Palterer, Swid Powell
Located in Rochester, NY
Vintage 1980's architectural Post-Modern sword hilt form silver plate candlestick ( double bowl - one smooth / one hammered - atop a tapered column ) designed by David Palterer for ...
Silver Plate
Pair of Modernist Signed Swid Powell Geometric Candlestick Holders
Located in New York, NY
This Modernist pair of silver-plated candlestick holders by Swid Powell, designed by the renowned architect Robert A. M. Stern circa 1980, exemplifies the sleek and architectural des...
Silver Plate
Swid Powell Silver-Plated Picture Frame with Spherical Detail
By Swid Powell
Located in New York, NY
This Swid Powell silver-plated picture frame, crafted in the United States circa 1980, is a refined example of the design brand’s ability to blend modern sophistication with thoughtf...
Silver Plate
$119 / item
H 2.37 in Dm 2.76 in
Contemporary Modern, Kubbe Minimal 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 ...
Brass, Nickel
$699
H 9 in W 3.75 in D 0.5 in
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...
Metal, Silver Plate