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Zaha Hadid and George Sowden, creating products that incorporated the bright, saturated colors and popular and historical references, like Classical columns, that animated postmodern design in the 1980s.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.
Pair of Silver Plate Fluted Candlesticks by Robert A.M. Stern for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine pair of postmodern silver-plated candlesticks. Designed by Robert A. M. Stern for Swid Powell. In the form of stout, fluted columns with broad flat bobeches. Swid Powell w...
Silver Plate
George III Sterling Silver Chamber Stick
By Henry Chawner
Located in Brisbane City, QLD
A wonderful George III period chamber stick in sterling silver by Henry Chawner of London. An elegant scrolled handle is mounted to an octagonal base underneath a column with reeded ...
Silver, Sterling Silver
$743 / set
H 5.63 in W 2.64 in D 2.64 in
Pair of Lovely Queen Elizabeth ii Sterling Silver Candlesticks, Birmingham, 1972
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of Elizabeth II 1972 Sterling silver candlesticks A nice decorative pair, Birmingham made and very elegant ...
Sterling Silver
7-Light Candelabrum in Solid 925 Silver by Pria e Sari, Italy (1900)
Located in Bergamo, BG
Magnificent 7-light candelabrum entirely crafted in solid 925 silver, without any internal filling, by the artisan Pria e Sari, Italy, dating back to 1900. The piece features an eleg...
Silver
Handmade Whimsical Hanging Sterling Silver Menorah for Hanukkah Yemenite Hand Ma
Located in Great Neck, NY
Whimsical Menorah for Hanukkah. A beautiful piece that is all handcrafted with Solid Sterling Silver in Israel with fine yemenite workmanship that...
Sterling Silver
Important Silver Table Garniture Friedeberg Pair Large Candelabra & Centerpiece
Located in Antwerp, BE
An Important silver table garniture comprising a pair of large eight-light candelabra and a centerpiece, by Heinrich Friedeberg, Berlin, circa 1850-1860 Description An Important sil...
Silver
$2,700Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 5.5 in W 4.5 in
4 Norwegian MCM Modernist Enamel Sterling Silver Candlesticks N.M.Thune Viking
By N.M. Thune
Located in New York, NY
This is a rare museum quality set of Four Norwegian Mid-Century Modernist Enameled Sterling Silver Candlesticks by N.M. Thune of Norway and dating to the 20th century. Each candlestick is adorned with magnificent enamel images with depictions of Norse Mythology and Viking imagery. The colors and design are mid-century magnificence. The very rare group of candlesticks...
Silver, Sterling Silver, Enamel
Lapis Lazuli Silver Plated Spoon Set of Six by Marina J.
By Marina J.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing One of a Kind Spoon Set by Marina J. Each spoon in this set of 6 is composed of clean and graceful lines giving this elegant set a modern flare. The lapis lazuli beads attach...
Lapis Lazuli, Silver Plate
19th-Century European Silver Hanukkah Menorah
Located in Tel Aviv, IL
Description: This is a 19th-century silver Hanukkah menorah from Europe, showcasing a beautifully engraved Star of David at its center. Below the star are the Tablets of the Law, fla...
Silver
George III 19th Century Emes Barnard Sterling Silver Candle Chamberstick
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Antique George III sterling silver single candle chamberstick by Rebecca Emes and Edward Barnard, circa 1817. Features gadrooned edges, a ring handle with thumb rest that also has a small square hole to hold a candle snuffer. Measures 2 1/2" high, 5 1/2" diameter at base, 7/8" diameter candle hole...
Sterling Silver
Designed Yemenite Israel Handmade Sterling Silver Menorah for Hanukkah
Located in Great Neck, NY
A beautiful piece to celebrate the important holiday of Hanukkah with. This menorah is all handmade from Sterling Silver stamped .925, in Israel by a yemenite artisans with filigree ...
Sterling Silver
Pair of 51 cm Tall voluptuous Gold-Plated Brass Candleholders
Located in Berlin, DE
These extraordinary gold-plated brass candleholders are impressive due to their sheer size of 51 cm / 19,69 inches. A decorative highlight for a spacious home. The elegant balustrad...
Gold Plate, Brass
$1,145 / set
H 11.42 in W 4.53 in D 3.94 in
Rare 19th Century Solid Bronze Candlesticks August Maximilien Delafontaine, Pair
Located in GB
Wimbledon Furniture We are delighted to offer for sale this simply stunning pair of solid bronze candlesticks after Auguste-Maximilien Delafo...
Bronze