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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

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

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.

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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Mid-Century Modern
Russel Wright "Oceana" Serving Bowl
Located in Hanover, MA
Russel Wright "Oceana" sculptural serving bowl circa 1938 produced by Klise Woodworking Company, Grand Rapids, MI. Hazelwood in the form of deep-sea fauna. This particular one had a...
Category

1930s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Maple

New / Old Stock Inlaid Wood "Floral" Tray by Couroc California
Located in San Diego, CA
Super cool brand new / old stock inlaid wood "flora" tray handcrafted by Couroc California, circa 1970s. The tray is in brand new condition in original packaging with original brochu...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Resin, Wood

1960s Michael Lax Copco Blue Lidded Pot Saucepan Denmark
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Michael Lax for Copco Blue Lidded Pot Saucepan Denmark Cast Iron Enamelware 4.5 h x 13 w x 7.25 d Original vintage unrestored Refer to images
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel, Iron

1960s Jens Quistgaard Dansk Charcuterie Rare Woods Tray Denmark
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Jens Quistgaard Dansk Rare Woods Sculpted Modern Tray Denmark Charcuterie Board Cutting Cheese Platter Serving Piece Staved Teak maker stamped 1.5 H 14 D x 19.75 W Preowned or...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Individual Teak Charcuterie Serving Trays with Holder by Digsmed Denmark
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A set of four teakwood stacking individual serving / Charcuterie boards with matching holder . A great piece for that small get together or presenting your favorite cheeses and meats...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

1960s Blue Copco Paella Dish Michael Lax Denmark Modern Enamelware
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Blue Copco Cookware by Michael Lax Denmark Modern Enamelware 3 h x 13.13 w x 11.2 Original unrestored preowned vintage condition See all images for details.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Mid Century Lorin Marsh Serving Tray Glass Inset Brass Nickel karl Springer
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Wonderful Mid Century Modern Lorin Marsh Serving Tray With Glass Inset And Brass And Polished Nickel Hardware In The Manner & Style Of karl Springer.
Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Large Mouse Teak Charcuterie Serving Board by Digsmed Denmark
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A large teak wood serving or charcuterie board known as the mouse board because of it's whimsical shape and detailed button styled eyes . Well crafted with raised boarder and hole fo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Vintage Green California Ceramic Egg Platter
Located in East Quogue, NY
Vintage California Pottery avocado green ceramic egg platter dish with chicken design in the center. Marked "Calif USA S29" on the back. The plate accommodates 15 egg halves. A fun...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Cheese Tray Board Platter Silver Plate and Glass by Produx, Paris
Located in Atlanta, GA
Stunning 1970s modernist cheese display board, serving tray, or platter was crafted by French Silversmith Maison Produx, Paris. The thick smoked glass base has a large silver plate h...
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Lucite, Rattan or Wicker and Brass Barware Serving Tray, Italy 1970s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant barware serving tray was crafted in Italy in the 1970s. The platter or decorative bowl boasts a square shape with a raised gilded brass all-around gallery and genuine ra...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Small French Majolica Fish Platter Vallauris, Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Small French Majolica fish platter Vallauris Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Beautiful Mid-Century Inlaid "Roadrunner" Tray by Couroc California
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful super cool inlaid "Roadrunner" tray handcrafted by Couroc California, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and measures 13.75"D x .5"H. #3584  
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Resin, Wood

Jens H. Quistgaard Teak Serving Tray by Dansk
Located in New York, NY
A divided teak wood tray with an end-grain teak cutting surface and a recessed section, designed by Jens H. Quistgaard for Dansk. Branded "Dansk Designs Denmark IHQ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood, Teak

French Majolica Egg Platter Vallauris, Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Egg Platter Vallauris, Circa 1950. With salt and pepper roosters shakers.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Georges Briard Music Themed Hand Painted Tole Tray or Wall Plaque, circa 1955
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large Georges Briard metal tray designed to hang on the wall, having hand painted gold gilt musical themed instruments with Bass, Harp and Horn. Has label on back when purchased in 1...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

1970s Swirled Clover Silver Plate Bar Service Tray
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Swirled Silver Plate Service Tray 13.5 x 13.5 x .38 H Preowned unrestored vintage condition See all images for condition.
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver Plate

1970s Modernist Round Teak Wood Plate
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Modernist Teak Wood Plate Black backside Round Platter .5 h x 14.75 diameter Preowned unrestored vintage condition, not new. Refer to all images.
Category

Late 20th Century Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Pair Couroc Trays & Orange Vintage Plastic Salad Serving Set
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage mid-century modern 6 gold embossed owl Tom Collins Culver glasses (2 with signatures) & a black resin Couroc tray with wood owl, brass, gold, and rhinestone inlays....
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Gold

Don Shoemaker Decorative Tray for Señal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Serving tray by Don Shoemaker for Senal of Mexico. The tray has a dark rosewood frame with integrated handles at either end, and the tray surface is inlaid with precious wood veneer ...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Rosewood

Jens Quistgaard "Rare Woods" Rosewood Serving Tray for Dansk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Palisander, Rosewood

Mid-Century Marble Cheese Board by Georges Briard
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice mid-century marble cheese board by Georges Briard, circa 1970s. The piece is in very good condition and measures 15"W x 10.25"D x .5"H. Cool piece in great condition! #3521
Category

Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Marble

French Faience Peonies Fish Platter Gien Circa 1950
By Gien
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Peonies Fish Platter Gien Circa 1950. 26.2 inches by 10.3 inches.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century French Majolica Fish Wood Imitation Platter Salins
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century French Majolica Fish Wood Imitation Platter signed Salins. Model Bahama.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 6 Bentwood Teak Charger Plates 18", Made in Sweden, ca. 1960
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Set of 6 Bentwood Teak Charger Plates 18", Made in Sweden, ca. 1960 Rare larger 18" size serving trays could also be used as chargers for a layered look. All trays are in excellent...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Vintage Couroc Phenolic Resin Serving Tray with Inlaid Wood and Brass Whale
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid 20th century serving tray by Couroc of Monterey, made from phenolic resin and inlaid with wood and brass depicting a whale with a bird perched on its back and the sun in the sky....
Category

1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Shell, Resin

Modern Art Sculptural Walnut Wood Tray
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Modern Art Sculptural Walnut Wood Tray 12 d x 18 long x 1.13 Preowned original vintage condition See all images for details.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Walnut

1960s Dansk Staved Teak Cutting Board IHQ Denmark
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Dansk Staved Teak Cutting Board IHQ Denmark charcuterie board serving platter meat cutting board. 1.5 h x 13 diameter designer Jens Quistgaard...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

1970s Modern Pig Party Platter Serving Tray Charcuterie Board
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Modern PIG Pupu Party Platter Serving Tray Charcuterie Board Unmarked Approximately 31 w x 10 d x 1.5 tall Whimsical vintage modern piece Preowned original unrestored vintage c...
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood

Teak Chip and Dip Tray
Located in Vallejo, CA
A vintage teak chip and dip tray. Includes a smaller removable bowl in the center. Raised rim along the edge for keeping things in places. Beautiful natural grain to the wood. Measur...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Vintage Italian Large Etched Mirrored Tray Attributed to Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Large Italian Etched Mirrored Brass Cast Handles Green Rope Detail Tray Attributed Venini
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Teak Serving Tray or Platter
Located in San Diego, CA
Midcentury teak serving tray or platter from Denmark, circa 1960s. The platter is 12" in diameter and .5" high. The piece is in very good...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Vintage Swedish Midcentury Trays by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn
Located in San Diego, CA
A set of three vintage serving trays by Josef Frank for Svenskt Tenn. Sweden, 1960s Classic textile design by Josef Frank over molded plywood tray...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Jens H. Quistgaard Tray Manufactured By Dansk Designs, Denmark, 1960's
Located in New York, NY
A lacquered wood tray with a flat rim in the form of an eye.
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage 1940s Brad Keeler Ceramic Lobster Cabbage Leaf Divided Dish 872 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage 1940's Brad Keeler "lobsterware" porcelain divided serving dish in the shape of a red lobster seated at the center of a pair of cabbage / lettuce leaves. Item number 872. Mad...
Category

1940s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

1960s WMF Ikora Crumb Catcher Set Pan & Brush Germany
Located in Chula Vista, CA
WMF Ikora Crumb Catcher Tray and Brush Germany Silent Butler Table Cleaner set Tray & brush valet by WMF IKORA, Germany Electro silverplated Brass. Stamped underneath. Valet Tray 8 ...
Category

1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass, Aluminum

Four Piece "Space Age" Serving Set of by Metlox of California
Located in San Diego, CA
A super cool four piece "Space Age" serving set by Metlox of California, circa 1960s. The pattern is "Poppytrail" and it is has a wonderful design and color. The set consists of the ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

1970s Charcuterie Cheese Board Staved Teak
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Charcuterie Cheese Board Teak 6.25 w x 14.5 x 2 Preowned vintage unrestored condition, please see images provided.
Category

1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Mid Century Carole Stupell Design Faux Malachite and Brass
Located in Atlanta, GA
Carole Stupell (American, 1905-1996), circa mid century.
A unique faux malachite and brass rimmed charger or plateau.
Marked to bottom "Carole Stupell Designs".
Approx...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass

1960s Modernist Silverplated Serving Dish Fisher
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Silverplated Footed Serving Dish Modernist Round Triangle Fisher stamped k85 8.5 diameter x 2.25 h Unrestored original vintage condition See...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver Plate

1970s Red Spanish Paella Casserole Pan Le Creuset France
By Le Creuset
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Classic Red Spanish Paella Pan Le Creuset France maker France Le Creuset stamped 25 enameled cast iron wide pan Casserole 2.5 h x 8 d x 12.5 long Preowned original vintage condition ...
Category

Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel, Iron

Large Cheese and Cracker Tray with Cloche
Located in Vallejo, CA
A large mid century cheese and cracker serving tray with a glass cloche. The tray has 4 divided compartments for serving and is made of ceramic with a muted greenish beige colored gl...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic, Glass

Pair of Mid-Century Green Majolica Deer Wine Coaster Bottle Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Mid-Century Green Majolica Deer Wine Coaster Bottle Vallauris. In a shape of an hunting horn.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

1960s Round Service Tray Lacquered Rosewood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1960s Bent Plywood Rosewood Round Service Tray 13.25 diameter x .75 appears as rosewood with black lacquer finish at bottom. No label Original vintage condition See images provided.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Rosewood, Plywood, Lacquer

Mid-Century Black Slate and Teak Trivet by Harpswell House
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique 300 million year old black slate and teak hardwood trivet by Harpswell House of Brunswick, Maine, circa 1980s. The piece is quite stylish and very functional and in very good ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Slate

Barware Serving Tray Tortoiseshell Lucite and Brass, Italy 1970s
By Studio Italia Design
Located in Atlanta, GA
This stunning Mid-Century modernist barware serving tray or platter was crafted in Italy in the 1970s. The large rectangular shape boasts a raised Lucite insert with a faux tortoises...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal, Brass

Teak Bread Cutting Board by Selandia
Located in Vallejo, CA
A vintage teak bread cutting board by Selandia. Curved shape for holding a piece of bread in place with an angled groove in the center for guiding a knife. Beautiful natural grain to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Large California Cloisonné Enamel on Copper Charger / Tray by Landau Goldsmith
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive and large California Cloisonné enamel on copper charger made by Landau Goldsmith of Los Angeles with floral / petal motif throughout. A...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Copper, Enamel

French Majolica Wall Fish Cote D’Azur Circa 1970
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica Wall Fish signed Côte d’Azur Vallauris , Circa 1970.
Category

1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

1960s Gense Modern Wedge Stainless Serving Tray Sweden
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury Modernist Wedge Serving Tray from Sweden Stainless Steel Stamped Gense 13.75 long x 5.5 w x 1 h Unrestored vintage condition See all images provided.
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Mid-Century French Ceramic Bowl Robert Picault Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century French Ceramic Bowl signed Robert Picault Vallauris.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

1950s Sculptura Kromex Hostess Serving Tray Platter
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Vintage Kromex Serving Tray Platter 1 h x 19.25 w x 13.5 d stamped Kromex USA Preowned unrestored vintage See images provided.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

Mid-Century French Ceramic Fish Dish Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century French Ceramic fish dish signed Vallauris.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver Tray with Stylized Grape and Vine Motifs
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful sterling silver decorative tray was realized in Great Britain, circa 1950. It features a circular centre with rounded scalloped sides that offer stylized grape and vin...
Category

1950s English Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Danish Modern Teak Handled Serving Tray and Bowl by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in Chicago, IL
A truly hard-to-find matched set of Dansk Danish modern teak bowl and tray serveware designed by Jens Quistgaard. A very large handled serving tray is accompanied by a shallow servin...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Carl Auböck Model #3431 'Knopferl' Brass Tray
Located in Glendale, CA
Carl Auböck model #3431 'Knopferl' brass tray. Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural Viennese tray is executed in patinated and p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass

French Majolica Fish Platter Vallauris, Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
French Majolica fish platter signed Vallauris Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Mid Century Modern Handmade Chinoiserie Style Tray by Moire Glaze Kyes
Located in Seattle, WA
This Maker Was Based out of Pasadena CA in the 60s and 70s. Olive/Sage Green Tone. Handmade Based on the Sticker on the Bottom as Shown. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pict...
Category

1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

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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