Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Emerged during the mid-20th century
- Informed by European modernism, Bauhaus, International style, Scandinavian modernism and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture
- A heyday of innovation in postwar America
- Experimentation with new ideas, new materials and new forms flourished in Scandinavia, Italy, the former Czechoslovakia and elsewhere in Europe
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Simplicity, organic forms, clean lines
- A blend of neutral and bold Pop art colors
- Use of natural and man-made materials — alluring woods such as teak, rosewood and oak; steel, fiberglass and molded plywood
- Light-filled spaces with colorful upholstery
- Glass walls and an emphasis on the outdoors
- Promotion of functionality
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Charles and Ray Eames
- Eero Saarinen
- Milo Baughman
- Florence Knoll
- Harry Bertoia
- Isamu Noguchi
- George Nelson
- Danish modernists Hans Wegner and Arne Jacobsen, whose emphasis on natural materials and craftsmanship influenced American designers and vice versa
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
- Eames lounge chair
- Nelson daybed
- Florence Knoll sofa
- Egg chair
- Womb chair
- Noguchi coffee table
- Barcelona chair
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Color: Beige
Jean Pierre Vitrac, Modular Tray, for Aperitif, Edition Guillois, circa 1970
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Jean Pierre Vitrac, modular tray, for aperitif, Edition Guillois, circa 1970.
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Plastic
Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths Candelabrum & Pair Serving Trays
Located in Hanover, MA
A three piece serving centerpiece grouping from among the least commonly seen items from the 1950's brass ware collection designed by Tommi Parzinger for Dorlyn Silversmiths, consisting of an exceptionally large candelabrum for five tapers with two tiers of round bon bon trays, and a matching pair of two-tier serving trays...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Brass
Vintage Light Purple Decorative Glass Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful decorative light purple glass plate/bowl from Italy. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Unique ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Christimas Decorative Painted Ceramic Plate, Villeroy Boch, France, 2000s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
The Toy's Delight round plate from Villeroy&Boch with a diameter of 44 cm is perfect for serving snacks, cakes, fish or cold cuts. A large platter with decorative edges is decorated with Christmas...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Mid Century Vintage Flowers Decorative Porcelain Plate, Germany, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative Flowers plate from Bavaria, Germany. Produced in 1970s.
The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Beautiful...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass
Mid Century Vintage Rose Decorative Porcelain Plate, Germany, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative Rose plate from Bavaria, Germany. Produced in 1970s.
The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Beautiful pi...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass
Mid Century Vintage Flowers Decorative Porcelain Plate, Germany, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative Flowers plate from Bavaria, Germany. Produced in 1970s.
The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Beautiful...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass
Mid Century Vintage Flowers Decorative Porcelain Plate, Germany, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative Flowers plate from Bavaria, Germany. Produced in 1970s.
The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Beautiful...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass
Fornasetti Fish Bowls on Tray, Italy, 1950s
By Fornasetti
Located in Berlin, DE
Set of four Fornasetti Fish Bowls on a Tray, Italy 1950s. The measurements given apply to the tray. One bowl measures 11 x 14 x 3 cm.
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Porcelain
Willy Rizzo Nesting Trays Serving Pieces in Steel and Brass 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Paris, IDF
Beautiful Willy Rizzo set of three nesting trays in polished stainless steel and brass, signed, from the 1970s. The graduated measurements are 5.15 inches then 7.9 inches and 10.65 i...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Brass, Steel
Roger Capron 1 of 2 Place Sets, France, 1950s
By Roger Capron
Located in Berlin, DE
Roger Capron 1 of 2 Place Sets, France - 1950s.
Roger Capron (1922-2006) was a French ceramic artist and designer who was known for his innovative use o...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Transparent and Yellow Decorative Glass Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative transparent and yellow glass plate from Italy. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Beautiful pie...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Vintage Flowers Decorative Porcelain Plate, Germany, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative Flowers plate from Bavaria, Germany. Produced in 1970s.
The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Beautifu...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass
Midcentury Purple Lavender and White Decorative Glass Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Beautiful decorative white and purple glass plate/bowl from Italy.
Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks.
Original glass,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Cecil J Garland Bristol Wemyss Cabbage Rose Hand Painted Plate
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning and well hand painted pottery plate, probably Plichta, decorated with the Wemyss Cabbage Rose design by Cecil J Garland and dated 1949. The earthenware plate is of simple rounded shape with a raised edge and standing on a narrow round foot. The plate is finely hand painted with in the Scottish Wemyss Pottery style with cabbage roses...
Category
1940s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
Delvè MidCentury Italian Brass and Glass Set of Glasses and Tray for Delfi 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Excellent set of Italian crystal glasses with brass base ad tray. Claude Delvè designed this set in Italy during the 1970s for Delfi.
This piece is uni...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Brass
John Beswick Midcentury Ceramic Tennis Set in the Prancing Horses Design
By Beswick
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and iconic John Beswick midcentury pottery 'tennis set' decorated in the prancing horse design dating from circa 1960. The set comprises of an ove...
Category
1960s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
Set of Six Ice Effect Lucite and Steel Placemats Willy Rizzo style, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Set of six squared placemats in ice-effect lucite and steel borders in the style of the Italian designer Willy Rizzo.
Made in Italy 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Mid Century Red and Orange Vintage Splatter Confetti Lunch Trays, Set of 4
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A set of four hard plastic vintage lunch trays. This set of trays is decorated with confetti or splatter ware in red and orange. Each includes six w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Spaniel Dog and Flowers Decorative Porcelain Plate, Germany, 1970s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative Spaniel Dogs plate from Bavaria, Germany. Produced in 1970s.
The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Bea...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass
Mid-Century Oval Serving Tray in Brass and Cream-Colored Plexiglass, Italy 1980s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful cream lucite serving tray with mid-century brass edging. This wonderful piece was made in Italy in the 1980s.
A fantastic piece of service that will complement a moder...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4828 Cane and Steel Knife
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4828 cane and steel knife. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished steel and handwoven cane.
Price is per item...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Steel
Metal Tray by Mathieu Matégot
Located in Berlin, DE
Tray by Mathieu Matégot in perforated metal sheet.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal
Carl Auböck Salad Servers in Horn, Austria 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck salad servers, Austria 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Horn
Mid Century Green Decorative Glass Flower Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative green flower glass plate from Italy. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks. Original glass. Beautiful piece for every interior! Only one unique piece.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Carl Auböck Salad Servers in Horn, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck salad servers, Austria, 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Horn
Villeroy & Boch Twist Alea Limone Charger Chop Plates Set of 10
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Set of 10 Villeroy & Bochtwist Alea Limone easy collection round chargers or platter.
Measure: 12".
In good condition with no nicks, chips, or crazing. Some light non-gray utensil m...
Category
Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Porcelain
Rose Pink Midcentury Platter/Bowl, Poland, 1970s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Fruit stand made of rose pink glass with ornaments.
PErfect for sweets, fruit or small items.
Very good condition, no damage
Dimensions: height 23...
Category
Mid-20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Glass
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Pair of Plastic Bowls & Tray Blue Flowers Gold Leaves
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage mid-century modern pair of transparent goldish molded pliable plastic bowls and a tray with blue flowers & gold stems, gold leaves, and gold glitter or gilt flecks. Be...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Plastic
1970s Serving Tray Handles Silver Plated Hammered Steel Mid-Century Modern
Located in Miami, FL
Square decorative serving tray made out of hammered cutout steel and silver plate handles.
Mid-Century Modern Design made in America in the early 1970s.
In pristine vintage conditi...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Silver Plate, Steel
Vintage Fred Press Nautical Themed Glass Serving Tray
By Fred Press
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-Century modern Fred Press designed nautical themed, molded glass serving tray. The back with a pebbled surface and the front decorated in 22k gold and...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Glass
Salins Ceramic French Porcelain and Earthenware Cheese Platter Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Salins ceramic cheese board, 1950s.
Vintage ceramic cheese board Salins France, circa 1950s. Drawing by Y. Cruaz based on the theme of the fable "Le corbeau...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Earthenware, Porcelain
G. Jensen Sterling Silver Charger/ Plate in Pyramid Pattern #600y from 1910s/20s
By Georg Jensen
Located in New York, NY
Georg Jensen sterling silver charger / plate in Pyramid pattern number 600Y, designed by Harald Nielsen, with a beautiful geometr...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
Carl Auböck Horn Salad Servers, Austria, 1960s
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck Salad servers made of Horn, Austria, 1960s.
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Horn
Set of 4 Preisner Pewter Beverage Cups and Tray
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful midcentury set of pewter cups and serving tray, platter. Stamped.
Tray measures 10 inches in diameter x .5 deep
Cups measure 3.25 inchres in dia...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Pewter
Barware Set Tray, Tongs and Corkscrew in Goatskin & Steel by Aldo Tura, Italy
By Aldo Tura
Located in Rome, IT
Barware set composed of a serving tray, tongs and corkscrew in white goatskin and steel details by the Italian designer Aldo Tura. Made in Italy in the 1950s.
The original label i...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Steel
Vintage Beige Decorative Wood Plate, Italy, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood plate from Italy. The plate is hand painted. Plate is in very good vintage condition, no damage or cracks in the frame. Original wood. Beautiful piece for every inter...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Giltwood
Studio Pottery Signed Charger, circa 1970
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Studio pottery signed charger / plate. Circa 1970.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Fratelli Mannelli Travertine Channeled Plate Charger Centerpiece
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Veined channeled Travertine Fratelli Manelli charger plate centerpiece with appropriate Fratelli Mannellli labels on underside, see pic.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Travertine
Vintage Wood and Ceramic Green Shells Decorative Plate, France, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Decorative wood and green shells plate from France. Produced in 1960s. Hand painted. The set is in very good vintage condition. Beautiful piece for every t...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic, Glass
Deer Heads Centerpiece Bowl in Silver Plate
Located in Barcelona, ES
Outstanding hammered silver plate deer round centerpiece bowl. Italy, 1970s.
This piece features a molded deer with antlers rising over the sides of the bowl that has a hammered fin...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
Round Rattan & Brass Plate Centerpiece, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Round centerpiece in rattan framed by brass border made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Brass
1960s French Provençal Saint-Pol-de-Léon Floral Seven-Piece Oyster Service
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A French Provençal mid-century oyster service, a master server with six plates, marked St.-Pol-De-Leon, circa 1960s.
Saint-Pol-de-Léon is a commune in the Finistère department of Br...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Earthenware
Large Midcentury Glass Platter
Located in San Diego, CA
Large midcentury glass platter with colorful shape design, circa 1960s. The very attractive piece measures 15.375" x 14.75" and is in excellent condi...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Glass
Brass, Copper, Silver, Sterling Silver with Abalone Tray Signed Mid Century
By E. Cabello 1
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely Mid-Century Modern mixed metal signed round tray is a combination of brushed brass, copper, silver and sterling silver as the star surrounded by a mosaic of beautiful aba...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver, Brass, Copper
Design Technics Ceramic Platter Attributed to Lee Rosen
Located in Chicago, IL
This ceramic platter attributed to Lee Rosen for Design Technics is a functional decorative art object. It's lovely to look at, and it also makes an excellent serving plate or tray. ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
Modern Porcelain Breadstick Holster Server Platter Rometti Ceramics 1950s, Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rometti Italy midcentury porcelain breadstick holster server platter. Hand painted figurative scene in orange and cream inside, green marbled exterior, swooping metal handle with yel...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Wrought Iron
Tommi Parzinger Polished Nickel Candlesticks, Tray Set
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century three-piece table garniture set featuring a serving tray and a pair of candlesticks, all designed by Tommi Parzinger.
Tray measures: 10.5 x ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Nickel
Robin Mix Large Scale Mouth-Blown Lavender Glass Charger
Located in Hanover, MA
Large scale mouth blown lavender glass charger by glass artist Robin Mix, signed and dated 1989.
See our separate listing Ref: U11080888661078 for the comp...
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Blown Glass
1960s Italian Coffee Table with Elliptical Brass Tray Top
Located in Hanover, MA
1960s Italian cocktail table with splayed black enameled steel legs and two moulded brass cartouche form pedestals above which are splayed steel supports.
This table was most lik...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Brass, Steel
Mid-century Modern platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern platters and serveware for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage platters and serveware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern platters and serveware made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original platters and serveware, popular names associated with this style include Jens Quistgaard, Dansk Designs, Robert Picault, and Tiffany & Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for platters and serveware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $33 and tops out at $48,500 while the average work can sell for $578.
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