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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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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: 1950s
Large Majolica Leaf Platter Vallauris circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Leaf Platter Vallauris Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Modern dish by Fornasetti (1913-1988)
Located in London, GB
Unusual early plate by Pierro Fornasetti. This design is no longer in production and relates to his early work but is not a theme he later continued into production. In 1945 he advertised Camus' tragedy Caligula and this is th closest reference to this motif in which he advertises Le Scala...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Large Green Majolica Platter with Leaves Saint Clement, Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large green majolica platter or bowl with leaves signed B-Letalle Saint Clement Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Fornasetti Fish Bowls on Tray, Italy, 1950s
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

Mid-Century French Ceramic Plate by Naumovitch Gourju, Grand Chêne, Vallauris
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Mid-century French ceramic pitcher by Naumovitch - Grand Chêne Studio, Vallauris - 1950's Enamelled dish with a white background, it is decorated with a f...
Category

1950s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel

Mid-Century French Green Majolica Deer Trivet Vallauris
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-century French Green Majolica deer Trivet Vallauris. Shaped as an hunting horn.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

25 Piece Rice Porcelain Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg Coffee Set for Arabia
Located in North Miami, FL
25 piece rice porcelain set designed by Friedl Holzer-Kjellberg for Arabia. Set has 12 plates, 12 cups and small sugar bowl. The plate measures 4.75"x...
Category

1950s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Dansk Rare Woods Wenge Tray by Jens Quistgaard
Located in San Diego, CA
Dansk rare woods tray by Jens Quistgaard. Finely crafted of solid exoctic woods, including Wenge. Stamped JHQ Denark.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wenge

Italian Modern 3 Ernestine Ceramiche Serving Bowls Salerno, Italy, 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
REDUCED FROM $150....Ernestine ceramics bowls are a must for a garden lunch or brunch. The shape of the bowls is superb, with their double outer edge and wide flat shoulder rim terminating in a sharp edge bowl. The decorations are a work of art with fluidity and lovely color palette. The flowers depicted are Morning Glory pattern # 934, Violets #727 and Pansies on the rim with Wild Roses in the center #871. All three are signed Ernestine ITALY...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Mate´got. Manufactured by Artimeta (Holland), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In great original condition wi...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

Majolica Oyster Platter Aetgina Vallauris Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Oyster Platter signed Aetgina Vallauris Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Jacques Blin Anthropomorphic Ceramic Bowl, France 1950s
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Rare anthropomorphic bowl by Jacques Blin (1920-1995), France 1950s. Unique piece with a beautiful color scheme of blue tones and dark grey. Interesting engraved decoration. Jacques Blin is considered as one of the important French mid-century ceramists. The bowl is signed at the bottom: J Blin...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Mathieu Matégot Enameled Metal Plate, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Enameled metal plate designed by Mathieu Matégot. Manufactured by Artimeta (Holland), circa 1950. Lacquered perforated metal with original paint. In great original condition wit...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

Midcentury Period Sterling Silver and Glass Hors d'oeuvres/Caviar Platter
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century Modern period, sterling silver and glass hors d'oeuvres/caviar platter, the Watson Company, Attleboro, Mass., circa 1950s. Glass dip/caviar holder...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mid-Century Modern Fish Serving Plate by Vallauris Signed Morvan, France, 1950s
Located in Paris, FR
Beautiful and large Mid-Century Modern fish serving plate in vallautis ceramic signed by Morvan. Great combination of colors. France, 1950s In an ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

Set of Cathrineholm Silver Buffed Stainless and Porcelain Enamel Bowls
By Grete and Arne Korsmo, Cathrineholm
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Beautiful set of three Cathrineholm of Norway silver buffed stainless steel of highest quality and porcelain enamel bowls in white and cobalt blue on a ...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Enamel, Stainless Steel

Longwy Dishe Mid-Modern Century
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Big dishes by Longwy with Medusa decor. Made in faience craquelée.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Faience

Majolica Oyster Platter Aetgina Vallauris circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica Oyster Platter signed Aetgina Vallauris Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Platter by Krautheim Bavaria, Germany
Located in Chorzów, PL
Dessert plate by Krautheim Bavaria, Germany. Dimensions: avg. 20 cm.
Category

1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

Ceramic Platter by Nancy Wickham Boyd
Located in Littleton, CO
A spectacular hand-thrown earthenware ceramic platter with spiral motif and incised web overlay by Vermont studio potter Nancy Wickham Boyd. Ear...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Large Decorative Plate by Roger Capron '1950s'
Located in London, GB
A large decorative platter by artist Roger Capron (1922 - 2006) who founded the craft-based workshop in Vallauris, France, l'Atelier Callis, w...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Large French Majolica Fish Platter Vallauris, Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Majolica fish Platter signed Vallauris, Circa 1950. Measures: 18 inches by 10.5 inches.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Enamel Lazy Susan by Marrell
Located in Riverdale, NY
California modern handmade Mid-Century Modern Lazy Susan server of wood with enameled copper bowls in vibrant pink and black by Marrell. Bowls sit on a hand made wood base with ball ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Copper, Enamel

Nest of Three Staved Teak Serving Trays by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Complete set of three staved teak serving trays by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk. Designed with a slight size disparity (small, medium, and large) to allow the trays to nest together whe...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Barware Set Tray, Tongs and Corkscrew in Goatskin & Steel by Aldo Tura, Italy
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

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

Lars Holmström Large Tray in Brass by Lars Holmström in Arvika, Sweden
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
This handcrafted tray made in solid brass was made in Arvika Sweden. The design by Lars Holmström. Good Condition. Measures W 56 D 38 cm
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Sterling Modernism Dish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modernism is all the rage and here’s a lovely example; this sterling silver candy dish. Shaped like an abstract triangle, it stands on a pedestal (not weighted). The ends are fluted;...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Scandinavian Teak Tray by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Design
Located in Montreal, QC
Scandinavian teak tray by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Design Marked under base: Staved teak dansk design danmark JHQ.
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

Oversize Majolica Leaf Vallauris Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Oversize Majolica Leaf Vallauris, heart shape Vallauris 1950. 15" by 15.3".
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of French Red Majolica Shells Dishes Vallauris, Circa 1950
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of French red Majolica shells dishes Vallauris Circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Decorative Ceramic Tray by Charles René Neveux for Cerenne Workshop, c. 1950s
By Charles René Neveux
Located in London, GB
Mid-century ceramic hors d'oeuvres tray by Charles René Neveux for Cerenne Workshop (circa 1950s). This rare ceramic with abstract motif is signed by Neveux himself. A tomato-red base is complemented by a yellow repeating pattern at the edges and a dash of turquoise from the abstract in the recess of the tray. An eye-catching piece from the South of France. When it was created, the 1955 film, Et Dieu Créa la Femme...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-Century Modern Sterling Silver and Translucent Glass Tray by Dorothy Thorpe
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modern tray was realized by the esteemed American designer Dorothy Thorpe circa 1950. It features a sterling silver inlay around the perimeter with a circul...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Ceramic Vase by Robert Meynard Vallauris, France, 1950's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming small vase by important French potter Robert Meynard, Vallauris, France ca'1950's.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Mid Century Black Glass Octagonal Dinner Plate and Bowl Set France Set of 5
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Art Deco black glass octagonal table plate and bowl set France, set of 5 Four (4) black octagonal glass plates and one large black octagonal serving bowl. Measures: Hexagon bowl...
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Italian Metal Tray Turquoise-Blue Base Color Gilded Ornaments 1950s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Extremely decorative and rare metal tray from the 50s Italy. The turquoise-blue base color is decorated with a gilded representation of classicism (stylized) and decorative elements...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Metal

Sterling Midcentury Dish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are offering this midcentury sterling silver dish by Gorham Silver Company of Providence, Rhode Island signed 1956. It is a square shape with scal...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Bronze Fish Cutting or Cheese Board
Located in New York, NY
Unique bronze fish cutting or cheese board or platter. Has original patina, original maple board and has a nice size.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Bronze

Christian Fjerdingstadt for Gallia, Silver Plated Swan Gravy Boat, French, Circ
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This delicate swan gracy boat is made of silver plated. This is a work by Christian Fjerdingstadt for Gallia, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Silver Plate

Italian Mid-Century Patisserie or Fruit Ètagéres, 1950s
Located in Berlin, DE
A pair of Italian 1950s wood and crystal patisserie étagéres or table decorations, 1950s.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Crystal

Carl Aubock Triangular Walnut Cutting Board with Wickerwork Handle Knife, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful triangular cutting board and knife, designed and executed in the 1950s by Carl Aubock. Made of walnut and leather. The knife is manufactured by Amboss Austria and fully m...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Steel

Brass, Copper, Silver, Sterling Silver with Abalone Tray Signed Mid Century
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

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

Tiffany Sterling Leaf Dish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are proud to offer this sterling silver Tiffany serving dish. In the 1950s Tiffany introduced their midcentury designs. They were clean and less ornate than their past designs. Am...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Tiffany & Co. Sterling Dishes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are thrilled to offer this pair of midcentury sterling silver dishes by Tiffany & Co. They are quintessential Mid-Century Modern with their sleek lines and uber-modern shape. The ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Group of Coin Inlaid Trays by Couroc
Located in Atlanta, GA
Group of nine coin inlaid trays by The Couroc Company, American, circa 1950's. These would look great mounted on a wall together. Constructed of antique coins mounted in black resin ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Resin

Pair of Tiffany Sterling Midcentury Dishes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Proud to offer this pair of sterling silver dishes by Tiffany & Co. They are the quintessential Mid-Century Modern sterling of that period. With their simple and understated design a...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Sterling Tiffany Leaves
Located in Brooklyn, NY
We are just in love with these Tiffany & Co. sterling silver leaves. A pair of midcentury leaves that stand on three legs. There’s a handle that extends which mimics the stem. These ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

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

Tiffany Midcentury Dish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Like a flower blossoming, this Tiffany dish has the same shape; scalloped with five leaf-like pedals. It stands on three round - ball feet, raising it off...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Large Ceramic Shell Bowl by Pol Chambost, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large ceramic shell bowl by Pol Chambost, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Shell Bowl by Pol Chambost, circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ceramic shell bowl by Pol Chambost, circa 1950.
Category

1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Tiffany Dishes
Located in Brooklyn, NY
These midcentury Tiffany dishes are too nice to be taken out only when needed. Keep these dishes out on your coffee table all the time. Four balls prop them up so they’re off the sur...
Category

1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Sterling Silver

Steel Plate by Hagenauer
Located in Vienna, AT
Steel hammer pattern coppered. Made by Hagenauer in Vienna in the 1950s. Very good used condition.
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Copper, Steel

Corrado Corradi Dell'Acqua Table Food Warmer for Azucena, 1955
Located in Milan, IT
A rare example of an early Azucena Homeware design piece. Reference : Domus No. 313 Dic. 1955 p. 4
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Brass

Pair of Large Midcentury, Walnut Orange Paint Chargers
Located in Westport, CT
Pair Large serving platters/wall hanging Chargers in walnut wood and orange painted.possibly Japanese with black backs .one charger is 18' and the smaller one is 14"
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Wood

Finely Crafted Rosewood and Teak Reversible Serving Tray by Jens Quistgaard
Located in Ferndale, MI
Finely crafted rosewood and teak reversible serving tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk.One side in exotic wood grain is smooth and concave to the center . Flip side holds butcher bloc...
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Teak

"Knight in Profile", Unique Charger by Stalhane for Rorstrand
By Joel Shane
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An important and early work by Carl-Harry Stalhane, this unique charger is Picassoesque in style and is glazed with brilliant colors.
Category

1950s Swedish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware

Materials

Porcelain

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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