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Zaha Hadid and George Sowden, creating products that incorporated the bright, saturated colors and popular and historical references, like Classical columns, that animated postmodern design in the 1980s.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.
$1,480 / set
Swid Powell Postmodern Serving Spoon Set
By Reed & Barton, Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
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
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
Villeroy & Boch Avant Garde Stainless Steel One Flatware Set Vintage
By Villeroy & Boch
Located in North Miami, FL
This modernist and avant garden Villeroy & Boch service for one stainless steel flatware set was made in West Germany in 1971 It is hallmarked on the back of each piece. It was part of a collection that was designed by the duality of Helen Von Both and Frederico Fabbrini and was part of the La Bomba...
Stainless Steel
$750
H 3 in W 7 in D 3 in
Vintage Mother of Pearl Organic Sculptural Serving Spoon, Twisted Design, 1980's
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely twisted vintage spiral organic shaped mother of pearl sculptural serving spoon is so versatile. It makes a great addition to any elegant tabletop and dining. Perfect now ...
Mother-of-Pearl
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
$448 / item
H 3.35 in W 1.58 in D 2.76 in
Ghidini 1961 Rabbit Salt and Pepper Set in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Salt and pepper in brass with PVD treatment The rabbit is the latest iconic object I have designed. For Ghidini it has turned into a family of precious metal objects: salt and pepp...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Mid Century Chaffing Serving Dish for Dorlyn Silversmiths
By Tommi Parzinger
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A complete Parzinger serving dish or chaffing dish set including bottom tray, stand, burner, pot with lid and wood handles and the Pyrex glass insert. A ...
Metal
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
Swid Powell Dinner Set "Chicago Blues" Custom
By Gwathmey Siegel & Assoc, Swid Powell
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
$950 / set
H 1 in W 8 in D 3 in
Vintage Brass Hand Wrought Serving Pieces Set of 2, Sculptural Design, 1980's
Located in North Miami, FL
These beautiful, vintage and artful professionally polished brass serving pieces will add to any glorious table setting and great for serving. They are hand wrought and have an initi...
Brass
Elegant Pewter Ship Decanter & Six Cups Liquor Set
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
AN ELEGANT PEWTER SHIP DECANTER AND SIX CUPS LIQUOR SET Les Etains du Manoir, Paris, France. Mid 20th century. Decanter, 8 in.(20.3 cm.) high. ...
Pewter
$758 / item
H 3.15 in W 1.58 in D 1.58 in
Ghidini 1961 Omini Salt and Pepper Set in Gold by Stefano Giovannoni
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Salt and pepper in stainless steel with PVD treatment Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monoli...
Stainless Steel
$423
H 11.42 in W 2.37 in D 1.58 in
Antique French Sterling Silver Bowl Serving Spoon Napoléon Trois, Minerva Head
Located in Vienna, AT
Exquisite large sterling silver souce or bowl ladle, sterling handle. Excellent condition, stamped with the Minerva Hallmark and the Makers initials LP. Solid and heavy piece ( 97 ...
Sterling Silver
Little Dripper Ceramic Coffee Pot 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 Little Dripper (1986) is a 10 cup coffee pot born from Graves' preference for drip coffee and a lack o...
Ceramic
Little Dripper Ceramic Coffee 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 Little Dripper (1986) is a 10 cup coffee pot born from Graves' preference for drip coffee and a lack o...
Ceramic
Richard Meier for Swid Powell Silver-Plate Skyscraper Bowl or Centerpiece
By Swid Powell, Richard Meier
Located in North Miami, FL
This large, commanding and modernist silver-plate bowl or centerpiece bowl is by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. It is from the skyscraper series and from the 1980s. Very postmodern. ...
Silver Plate
Silver-Plated Scalloped Nut Dish by Michael Graves for Swid Powell
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Swid Powell
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Here is a very famous design by Michael Graves for Swid Powell that is very difficult to find. The bowl is peen-hammered and sits on a fixed cruciform base. The initial drawings for ...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 13.63 in W 2.75 in D 2.38 in
Compatible Pair of Candleholders by Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell
By Ettore Sottsass, Swid Powell
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Geometric form both bearing the Swid Powell mark. One made of silver plate and the other made of silver plate and brass. Good condition consistent with age and use with some surface ...
Brass, Silver Plate