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Zaha Hadid and George Sowden, creating products that incorporated the bright, saturated colors and popular and historical references, like Classical columns, that animated postmodern design in the 1980s.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.
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 Mapplethorpe Orchid Plate for Swid Powell, Porcelain, 1987
By Robert Mapplethorpe
Located in Downingtown, PA
Modern Monochromatic: Robert Mapplethorpe’s ‘Orchid’ for Swid Powell 1987 This sophisticated and collectible porcelain plate was designed by...
Porcelain
Richard Meier for Swid Powell Stainless Steel Bowl/Centerpiece
By Richard Meier, Swid Powell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful post modern design by the well known architect Richard Meier. Measure: 10 inches.
Stainless Steel
$788Sale Price|20% Off
H 3 in Dm 10 in
Richard Meier Silver-Plate Architectural Skyscraper Bowl For Swid Powell 90's
By Swid Powell, Richard Meier
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
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
Malachite Porcelain Plates, Set of 4
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of four (4) porcelain appetizer, bread, dessert plates, etc., with a green faux-malachite design, circa late-20th century, 1980s, '90s. These porcelain plates depict ...
Porcelain
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
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
$575Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 2.75 in W 5.75 in D 5.75 in
Ettore Sottsass for Swid Powell “Renaissance” Cup & Saucer, Set of 4
By Ettore Sottsass, Swid Powell
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
$500 / set
H 1.25 in W 12 in D 12 in
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
Collection of Fourteen Porcelain Plates by Various German Makers
By Dresden Porcelain, Meissen Porcelain
Located in London, GB
Collection of fourteen porcelain plates by various German makers German, circa 1900 Measures: Largest height 4cm, diameter 23cm Smallest height 3cm, diameter 19cm Each of the f...
Porcelain
Set of Six Porcelain Plates with Hunting Trophies for Claudia
By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six porcelain plates. Hands painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads. Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line and with an additional green one. Handmade in Bava...
Porcelain
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
Cup & Saucer Designed by Michael Graves for Swid Powell Cityline Corinth
By Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful set of single coffee cup and saucer designed by Michael Graves for Swid Powell, very rare set designed in 1987 in porcelain finish. The saucer is 6" in diameter.
Porcelain
Rare Charger Porcelain Plate by George Sowden for Swid Powell "Rio" Signed
By George Sowden, Swid Powell
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare porcelain charger plate designed by George Sowden for Swid Powell, called Rio, excellent condition no chips or cracks.
Porcelain