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Zaha Hadid and George Sowden, creating products that incorporated the bright, saturated colors and popular and historical references, like Classical columns, that animated postmodern design in the 1980s.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.
Swid Powell Toscana Tableware Designed by Steven Harris & Lucien Ress-Roberts
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Great set of post modern colorful tableware: Designer: Steven Harris, American, born 1950 Designer: Lucien Rees Roberts, English, born 1952 Retaile...
Porcelain
Grandmother Tableware Set Designed by Robert Venturi with Denise Scott Brown
By Robert Venturi, Swid Powell
Located in Kansas City, MO
Grandmother tableware set by Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown for Swid Powell, 1984. Set of four plates, four saucers and 20 cups. Dinner pla...
Porcelain
$788Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Silver Plate
Swid Powell stainless steel Kettle/ Teapot for Calvin Klein
By Calvin Klein, Swid Powell
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.
Stainless Steel
$6,600 / set
Swid Powell Dinner Set "Chicago Blues" Custom
By Swid Powell, Gwathmey Siegel & Assoc
Located in Chicago, IL
Gwathmey & Siegel inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright designed this pattern. Custom blue five-piece dinner set in original boxes. Dinner plate, soup bowl, salad plate, cup and saucer. 6 s...
Ceramic
$1,480 / set
Swid Powell Postmodern Serving Spoon Set
By Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934), Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
A Postmodern set of sterling silver-plate salad serving spoons by architect and designer Michael Graves for Swid Powell Co., 1990. Each spoon bears the following on back as shown in ...
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
Richard Meier for Swid Powell Silver Plated Peppermill
By Swid Powell, Richard Meier
Located in Hanover, MA
Hefty and well constructed pepper mill designed by uber architect Richard Meier for Swid Powell and produced in Italy, circa 1985. Ref...
Silver Plate, Brass
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...
Ceramic
Two "Signature Black" Dinner Plates Designed By Richard Meier For Swid Powell
By Swid Powell, Richard Meier
Located in Doraville, GA
Two Signature Black buffet plates designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell in the 1980’s. Meier was at the peak of his career during this time, having designed the much lauded High ...
Porcelain
$1,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
Swid Powell Postmodern Serving Spoons Neoclassical Column by Robert Venturi
By Swid Powell, Robert Venturi, Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, chic, substantial, and iconic set of designer Postmodern sterling silver-plate serving, salad or platter spoons, with Neoclassical column handle design, designed by architect Robert Venturi for Swid Powell, circa 1990s. Each measure: 14.25" long. Pieces were manufactured by Reed & Barton for Swid Powell. All piece's bare designer and makers' mark's on back of spoon(s) as shown in close-up images #9 and 10. A great set for summer, holiday, home entertaining...
Silver Plate
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.
Silver Plate
$575Sale Price / set|50% Off
Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell “Renaissance” Cup & Saucer, Set of 4
By Swid Powell, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Exceptionally rare set of cups & saucers by the inimitable Ettore Sottsass, designed for Swid Powell. This set is held in the private collections of prominent museums, such as The Me...
Porcelain
PostModern Michael Graves Swid Powell Handblown Glass Aerator Wine Decanter
By Alessi, Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
1990s Post Modern Memphis Michael Graves and Swid Powell Handblown Glass Wine Decanter with Interior Blue Bird Aerator by Alessi. Italy A remarkably delicate and clever design. The poetic glass blue bird serves as an aerator for the wine. The cross shaped acacia wood foot as used by again by Swid Powell im his coffee set. A stylistic signature that makes a pleasing come back with this decanter. Other recurring figure across Michael Graves' career, the blue glass bird...
Blown Glass, Rosewood, Cork
Set of 21 Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman's 'Tuxedo' for Swid Powell Various Porcelain
By Swid Powell, Gwathmey Siegel & Assoc
Located in Southampton, NY
Set of 21 Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman's design 'Tuxedo' for Swid Powell - Various Porcelain pieces 3 Salad plates 7.75" diameter 3 Dinn...
Porcelain
Robert AM Stern Rare Salt Shaker for Swid Powel Silver Plated Italy
By Swid Powell
Located in San Diego, CA
The Modern Traditionalist architect, Robert A.M. Stern, is well known for his muscular take on classic American architectural idioms. Think steroidal new “pre-war” towers for billion...
Silver Plate
Wonderful Modern Pair Swid Powell Water Pitcher TsAO & McKown Silver Plate Italy
By Swid Powell
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Pair Of Swid Powell / Calvin TsAO and Zack McKown Silver Plated Water Pitchers With A Sleek Conical Form With Flat Curving Handle And Ice Guard, This Beautiful Modern Pit...
Silver Plate
$3,602 / set
H 2.37 in Dm 9.85 in
Dinner set for 6 (12 pieces) by Bottega Vignoli Hand Painted Italian Majolica
By Bottega Vignoli
Located in London, GB
Hand painted dinner ware set (6 covers - 12 pieces: 6 soup bowls and 6 plates) full-fire reduction faience earthenware (majolica) , all hand-p...
Ceramic, Majolica, Faience
Japanese Imari Dinner Plates, Set of 10
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a very good set of 10 Japanese Imari hand painted dinner plates that date to the Meiji period. All 10 plates are in very good original condition, showing only hints of use. T...
Porcelain
$4,800 / set
H 1.5 in Dm 12 in
20th Century Haviland Limoges Porcelain Tableware Set – Soleil Design Underplate
By Haviland & Co.
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Elevate your dining experience with this stunning 10-person set of Haviland Limoges porcelain underplates/chargers, crafted in the 20th century. Each piece features an elegant, hand-...
Gold
$1,600
H 7.38 in W 1.63 in D 0.5 in
45 Piece Laufer Rosewood Handle Stainless Steel Flatware Service for Eight
By Lauffer
Located in Ferndale, MI
Fine large set of Lauffer Japan stainless steel flatware. Rosewood handles also in fine condition. Included are large spoon with larg...
Stainless Steel
$1,800 / set
H 0.5 in Dm 7.75 in
Set of 21 Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman's 'Tuxedo' for Swid Powell Various Porcelain
By Swid Powell, Gwathmey Siegel & Assoc
Located in Southampton, NY
Set of 21 Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman's design 'Tuxedo' for Swid Powell - Various Porcelain pieces 3 Salad plates 7.75" diameter 3 Dinn...
Porcelain
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
Fornasetti Porcelain Musical Tableware, 5 Pcs.
By Fornasetti
Located in Astoria, NY
Collection of Five Fornasetti Porcelain Musical Instrument Tableware Pieces, comprising: (2) two "Instrumenti Musicali", plate and small dish, marked "Fornasetti Milano / Made in Ita...
Porcelain
Mitterteich Eternal Dinner Plates ; Set of 12
By Mitterteich Bavaria Porcelain
Located in Malibu, CA
Mid-century Bavarian dinner plates by Mitterteich in bright white with gold rim.
Porcelain
Fruit Salad Plates Design by Giovanna Amoruso Manzari for Limoges France
By Limoges Elite Porcelain 1
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
Giovanna Amoruso Manzari hand painted partial table service for Limoges, decorated with fruit, flowers, and butterflies. Measure 8.66 inches / 22 cm * Request info for flatware pric...
Ceramic
$149Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 0.79 in Dm 6.7 in
Contemporary Set of 2 Bread Rim Plates Gold Hand Painted Porcelain Tableware
By Coralla Maiuri
Located in Roma, RM
Michelangelo Collection is named after a hall of the Borghese Gallery in Rome and evokes the eternal beauty of Renaissance and Baroque art, underlined by the gold finishes. Hand pa...
Gold
Large Salad Serving Bowl Replacement Kingswood by Royal Doulton
Located in Neguri, Vizcaya
10" Large salad serving bowl replacement flatware & dinnerware Kingswood by Royal Doulton. Set composed of : 2 large rim soup bowls 9 1/8 in 20€ each 2 salad plates 8 in- 20€ eac...
Ceramic
Large Late 19th Century Blue Willow Serving Platter Staffordshire
By J.H. Warranted Staffordshire 1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and in excellent condition. No cracks or chips, a few scratches on the underside but nothing deep or threatening the integrity. Great blue and very functional as it's a deep...
Clay, Porcelain
Sold
H 4.32 in W 8.25 in D 8.25 in
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 ...
Crystal, Metal, Silver Plate
Skyscraper Silver Plate Tray by Richard Meier for Swid Powell
By Richard Meier, Swid Powell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1980s. Designed by world renowned architect Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Perforated decorative border. Impressed on underside with designer and manufacturer signature. Manufa...
Silver Plate
1930s Art Deco Nickel Silver Three Piece Sugar Bowl, Milk Pourer and Tray
By Richard Meier, Swid Powell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This 1980s Italian silverplate footed sugar and creamer set with tray was created by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. The set, sold together, features a perforated square border and a ...
Silver, Nickel
Italian Silverplated Salt & Pepper Shaker Set by Robert and Trix Haussmann
By Robert and Trix Haussmann, Swid Powell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
1980s, Italy. Designed by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Swid Powell. Marked by the designer on the underside. Sold as a set of two.
Silver Plate
Sold
H 10.75 in W 3 in D 0.05 in
Silver Salad Tongs by Micheal Graves for Swid Powell and Reed & Barton
By Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Oakland, CA
Memphis style silver plate salad tongs designed by architect, industrial designer and educator Micheal Graves (1934-2015) for Swid Powell and Reed & Barton. Embossed leaf patterns o...
Britannia Standard Silver, Silver Plate
Sold
H 3.5 in W 3.5 in D 5.75 in
Dripper Ceramic Creamer and Sugar Pot by Michael Graves for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perhaps Michael Graves' (1934-2015) most well-known design for Swid Powell, the Dripper series (1986) produced two sizes of a coffee pot born from Graves' preference for drip coffee ...
Ceramic
Swid Powell Silver Plate Bowl by Elsa Rady
By Elsa Rady, Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Elsa Rady for Swid Powell Silver Plate Bowl. In very nice shape, all cleaned up and ready to go!
Silver Plate
Sold
H 5.25 in W 4 in D 1.75 in
Haussmann Swid Powell "Mickey Mouse" Silver Plated Pepper Mill Grinder C. 1987
By Swid Powell, Robert and Trix Haussmann
Located in Atlanta, GA
Designer: Robert and Trix Haussmann (1931 – present and 1933 -present) for Swid Powell (established 1982). A whimsical but important modern design, often described as the “Disney” ...
Silver Plate
Richard Meier for Swid Powell Post-Modern Period Skyscraper Bowl
By Richard Meier, Swid Powell
Located in Toledo, OH
Richard Meier for Swid Powell Post-Modern Period Skyscraper Bowl. circa 1990's. A designer Post-Modern Period sterling bowl by iconic American artist and architect Richard Meier for ...
Silver Plate
Big Dripper Ceramic Coffee Set by Michael Graves for Swid Powell
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Swid Powell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perhaps Michael Graves' (1934-2015) most well-known design for Swid Powell, The Big Dripper (1986) is a 14 cup coffee pot born from Graves' preference for drip coffee and a lack of available drip coffee makers that met his aesthetic standards. This set includes the coffee pot, filter holder, sugar pot, and creamer in a high gloss white glaze with gold decoration and a brick red base. Examples of this stunning post modernism...
Ceramic
Sold
H 3.5 in W 3.5 in D 5.75 in
Dripper Ceramic Creamer and Sugar Pot by Michael Graves for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perhaps Michael Graves' (1934-2015) most well-known design for Swid Powell, the Dripper series (1986) produced two sizes of a coffee pot born from Graves' preference for drip coffee and a lack of available drip coffee makers that met his aesthetic standards. This set is the sugar pot...
Ceramic
Sold
H 2 in W 8 in D 3 in
Robert Venturi for Swid Powell, Reed & Barton Postmodern Stainless Flatware Set
By Swid Powell, Robert Venturi, Reed & Barton, Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Robert Venturi & Denise Scott Brown for Swid Powell, Reed & Barton Postmodern flatware set. Stainless steel. Made in Japan. This iconic postmodern ...
Stainless Steel