Swid Powell Tea Sets

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Zaha Hadid and George Sowden, creating products that incorporated the bright, saturated colors and popular and historical references, like Classical columns, that animated postmodern design in the 1980s.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

1987 Big Dripper Ceramic Coffee Set Michael Graves for Swid Powell

$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off

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...

Category

1980s Japanese Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 21 Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman's 'Tuxedo' for Swid Powell Various Porcelain

$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...

Category

20th Century American Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Robert Mapplethorpe Orchid Plate for Swid Powell, Porcelain, 1987

$1,500

H 1 in Dm 12 in

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...

Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

"Nanna" Michael Graves by Leonardo 1996 Post modern Design Glass Teapot

$1,250

H 11.5 in W 10 in D 5.5 in

"Nanna" Michael Graves by Leonardo 1996 Post modern Design Glass Teapot

By Michael Graves (b.1934)

Located in Brescia, IT

"Nanna" Teapot Prod. Leonardo Designer Michael Graves Italy, 1996 Blown glass and stell details New with original box Perfect condiction. Rare object for so beautiful home

Category

1990s Italian Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Blown Glass

Postmodern Ceramic Cookie Jar Designed by Michael Graves Atomic Bomb

$195

H 12 in Dm 7.5 in

Postmodern Ceramic Cookie Jar Designed by Michael Graves Atomic Bomb

By Michael Graves (b.1934)

Located in San Diego, CA

Great and unique design by Michael Graves classic 1980's postmodern look with atomic Age design , in a white porcelain finish cookie jar with a lid and rubber sealer to keep them fresh.

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Postmodern Rare Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves

$225

H 12 in Dm 7.5 in

Postmodern Rare Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves

By Michael Graves (b.1934)

Located in San Diego, CA

A Classic postmodern Memphis era design teapot designed by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s, a rare design not many were produced it's in good condition. A cool whistle that works whe...

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Alain Maunier 1960s French Ceramic Coffee Set

$1,250 / set

H 10.5 in W 6.5 in D 5 in

Alain Maunier 1960s French Ceramic Coffee Set

By Vallauris

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Incredible ceramic coffee set made by French ceramic maker Alain Maunier in Vallauris, 1960's. Set includes 1x large coffee pot with lid, 1x sugar bowl with lid, 1x creamer pot witho...

Category

1960s French Vintage Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Graves "Piazza" Limited Edition Coffee & Tea Set, .925 Silver for ALESSI

$32,000

H 14 in W 16.25 in D 16.25 in

Michael Graves "Piazza" Limited Edition Coffee & Tea Set, .925 Silver for ALESSI

By Michael Graves (b.1934)

Located in Tinton Falls, NJ

Michael Graves (USA) ALESSI SpA (Crusinallo, Omega, Italia) Italian 925 Pure Silver Limited Edition Coffee & Tea Piazza w/ Tray Edition # 64 / 99 (Design: 1984 / Production: 2003...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Post-Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Silver

Italian Butter Dish Michael Graves for ALESSI

$260

H 3 in W 7.5 in D 3.5 in

Italian Butter Dish Michael Graves for ALESSI

By Michael Graves (b.1934), Alessi

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Vintage butter dish designed by Michael Graves for Alessi. Made in Italy. Marked on the base “Alessi INOX 18/10 Italy”.

Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Richard Meier for Swid Powell Silver Plated Peppermill

$795

H 6.5 in Dm 1.75 in

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...

Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Postmodern Rare Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves

$156Sale Price|20% Off

H 12 in Dm 7.5 in

Postmodern Rare Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves

By Michael Graves (b.1934)

Located in San Diego, CA

A Classic postmodern Memphis era design teapot designed by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s, a rare design not many were produced it's in good condition except for a ding on the botto...

Category

20th Century North American Post-Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Richard Meier Silver-Plate Architectural Skyscraper Bowl For Swid Powell 90's

$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 ...

Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Silver Plate

Post-Modern Stainless Steel Bar Set by Michael Graves

$375 / set

H 11 in W 6.5 in D 8.25 in

Post-Modern Stainless Steel Bar Set by Michael Graves

By Michael Graves (b.1934)

Located in San Diego, CA

A nice post-modern stainless steel bar tool set by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s. The set is in good vintage condition and measures 6.5"W x 8.25"D x 1"H. The set includes cocktail ...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Stainless Steel

Orange Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Set for Four

$1,927 / set

H 8.27 in W 6.7 in D 8.27 in

Orange Glazed Ceramic Majolica Coffee or Tea Set for Four

Located in Barcelona, ES

Coffee or tea sea set orange design, Spain, 1960s. Cool set of hand-painted glazed ceramic orange shaped tea, coffee or breakfast serving set fo...

Category

20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

Swid Powell Dinner Set "Chicago Blues" Custom

$6,600 / set

H 1 in Dm 11 in

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...

Category

20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Michael Graves Big Dripper Coffee Pot for Swid Powell, Post-Modern, 1980s

$850 / set

H 8.75 in W 10.75 in D 6.75 in

Michael Graves Big Dripper Coffee Pot for Swid Powell, Post-Modern, 1980s

By Michael Graves (b.1934), Swid Powell

Located in Downingtown, PA

Michael Graves Big Dripper Coffee Pot for Swid Powell, Post-Modern, 1980s This complete and pristine example of the Big Dripper, Michael Graves's celebrated Post-Modern coffee pot ...

Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Previously Available Items

1930s Art Deco Nickel Silver Three Piece Sugar Bowl, Milk Pourer and Tray

Sold

1930s Art Deco Nickel Silver Three Piece Sugar Bowl, Milk Pourer and Tray

By Swid Powell, Richard Meier

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 ...

Category

1930s Italian Art Deco Vintage Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Silver, Nickel

Big Dripper Ceramic Coffee Set by Michael Graves for Swid Powell

Sold

H 8.75 in W 7 in D 11.25 in

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Ceramic

Postmodern Swid Powell Porcelain Coffee or Tea Cups by Robert Venturi, Set of 3

Sold

H 3.88 in W 4.25 in

Postmodern Swid Powell Porcelain Coffee or Tea Cups by Robert Venturi, Set of 3

By Swid Powell, Robert Venturi

Located in New York, NY

A scarce set of three (3) '90s Postmodern black and white "Dashes" porcelain coffee or tea cups by designer and architect Robert Venturi, circa 1990s, late 20th century, for Swid Pow...

Category

1990s American Post-Modern Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Porcelain

Sterling Silver Four-Piece Coffee Set by Calvin Klein for Swid Powell

Sold

H 9 in Dm 4 in

Sterling Silver Four-Piece Coffee Set by Calvin Klein for Swid Powell

By Calvin Klein, Swid Powell

Located in Palm Desert, CA

Fantastic four-piece coffee/tea service by Calvin Klein for Swid Powell. Sterling silver. Made in Milano, Italy. Includes coffee, tea, cream and sugar. Italian silver hallmark five p...

Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Swid Powell Tea Sets

Materials

Sterling Silver

Swid Powell tea sets for sale on 1stDibs.

Swid Powell tea sets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of sterling silver and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Swid Powell tea sets, although silver editions of this piece are particularly popular. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tea sets by Matteo Thun, and Michael Graves (b.1934). Prices for Swid Powell tea sets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $950 and can go as high as $8,950, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,950.

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