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.
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Style: Mid-Century Modern
Period: 1970s
1970s Modern Vintage Revere Pewter Serving Tray Plate in Faux Wood
By Revere
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Modern Vintage Revere Pewter serving tray plate in faux wood
Maker stamped Revere Pewter
13 diameter x .75
Preowned vintage condition
See...
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Pewter
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
Christian Dior in the 1970s for his Home Collection Tray and Vine Holder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Christian Dior Tray and Vine Holder Lucite and Autumn Maple Leaves
This is a very special serving tray, designed by Christian Dior in the 1970s for his Home Collection. This board ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Plexiglass
Serving Tray Lucite Tortoiseshell & Chrome Christian Dior Style, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
1970s Rectangular serving tray centerpiece in tortoiseshell-effect lucite and chrome borders in the style of Christian Dior Home, made in Italy 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Chrome
"Sahara" Plate, Designed by J. Drost, Ząbkowice, Poland, 1970s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Salmon-colored plate model "Sahara" produced by HSG "Zabkowice" in Dabrowa Górnicza.
Designed by Jan Sylwester Drost in the 1970s.
Very good condition without damage
Measure...
Category
1970s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Glass
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
Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Porcelain Tea Sets
Located in Milano, IT
Rosenthal tea sets made of porcelain designed by Tapio Wirkkala represent the best combination of modern and traditional design. Created in 1969, Ros...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-Century Modern Porcelain Oyster Plate Bauscher, Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful oyster plate features 6 wells for oysters and one for the sauce or lemon. It is marked at the back with manufactory sign. Nice addition to your table or just to displa...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
Free Form Lucite Bowl by Ritts Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lucite bowl by Ritts Co., c.1970s, USA. The bowl features a concave center that allows it to serve as a vide poche, catchall, or fruit bowl.
Dimensions: 16" width x 12" depth x 4" h...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Lucite
Oval Serving Tray Bamboo, Rattan & Brass, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern serving cocktail bar tray with polished brass handles . Made of rattan and bamboo, this charming piece is in the typical style where the or...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Brass
Round Centerpiece Serving Tray Lucite Faux Tortoiseshell and Brass, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing round serving tray / centerpiece in tortoiseshell effect lucite with and border brass in the style of Christian Dior.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Brass
Alessi 4 Parts Hors d'oeuvres Service Crystal Glass Designed Ettore Sottsass
Located in Miami, FL
This Listing offers the Alessi 4 compartments Hors d'oeuvres service in crystal glass designed by Ettore Sottsass, made in Italy, circa 1970s.
Mid-Century Modern Serveware, Barware in minimalism design and heavy lead crystal.
All 4 Triangle shaped bowls have the golden Alessi Label.
Practical to serve Your favorite Dish at Your Holiday or Family Dinner...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Crystal
Serving Tray or Vide-Poche in Bamboo and Tortoiseshell Lucite, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Rectangular serving tray or vide-poche in lucite effect tortoiseshell and Bamboo.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass
Oval Serving Tray Bamboo, Rattan & Brass, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Beautiful 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern serving cocktail bar tray with polished brass handles. Made of rattan and bamboo, this charming piece is in the typical style where the org...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Brass
Midcentury Tortoiseshell Lucite and Silver French Serving Tray after Dior, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful mid-century serving tray in lucite with tortoiseshell effect and silver. This fantastic piece was designed in France following the style of Christian Dior Style during the ...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Silver
Donald Drumm Brutalist Casserole Dish
By Donald Drumm
Located in New York, NY
Both stylish and practical this uncommon 3 quart sand cast aluminum casserole dish by Donald Drumm is sure to make a statement at any event. Signed Drum...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Aluminum
Glass Cake Stand, Poland, 1970s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Glass cake stand, Poland, 1970s
Measures: height 18cm, diameter 33cm.
Category
1970s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Glass
Bamboo, Rattan and Black Laminate Large Rectangular Serving Tray, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Large rectangular serving tray in black laminate framed by bamboo and rattan with handles.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Laminate, Cane
Mid-Century Modern Porcelain Oyster Plate Bauscher, Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful oyster plate features 6 wells for oysters and one for the sauce or lemon. It is marked at the back with manufactory sign. Nice addition to your table or just to displa...
Category
1970s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage French Decorative Large Platter by Albert Thiry 'circa 1970s'
By Albert Thiry
Located in London, GB
Large mid-century decorative platter (circa 1970s) by Albert Thiry. A creamy-white glaze with touches of blue-grey provides the background for a colourful thistle motif in the centre...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
Square Bronze Bowl with Organic Figure
Located in London, GB
Decorative bronze square bowl with organic figure in abstract style with original patina. The image flows over the dish which extends the edge on one side to make it more dramatic.
...
Category
1970s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Bronze
Two "Sahara" Plates, Designed by J. Drost, Ząbkowice, Poland, 1970s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Two salmon-colored plates, "Sahara" model produced by HSG "Zabkowice" in Dabrowa Górnicza. Designed by Jan Sylwester Drost in the 1970s.
Very good condition, no damage
diameter...
Category
1970s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Glass
1970s Don Shoemaker Service Tray Exotic Wood Stripe for Señal Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Service tray
By Designer Don Shoemaker produced by Senal in Mexico, 1970s
Marvelous midcentury service tray Medley of exotic woods
Cut out Handle design for easy carry
Measures: ...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Rosewood, Cocobolo
Turquoise Platter, Poland, 1970s
Located in Chorzów, PL
A turquoise plate / platter produced in Poland in the 1970s.
Very good condition
Measures: height 4cm, diameter 29cm.
Category
1970s Polish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Glass
Tapio Wirkkala Finnish Hand Carved Leaf Platter
Located in Countryside, IL
Tapio Wirkkala Finnish Hand Carved Leaf Platter
This piece measures: 6.5 wide x 4.5 deep x 1.25 inches high
This platter is in excellent vintag...
Category
1970s Finnish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Wood
Faux Turtle-Shell Lucite Round Tray. French Work. Circa 1970.
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This faux turtle-shell round tray is made of lucite. This is a French work. Circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Lucite
Higgins Fused Glass Tidbit Tray
Located in Highland, IN
Michael and Frances Higgins’ distinctive designs in fused glass are rich and complex. This large tidbit or snack tray is a terrific example. The vivid peac...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Glass
1970s Fancy Wood Cutting Board Modern Charcuterie Serving Platter
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Fancy wood cutting board Modern Charcuterie platter
1.25 tall x 18 w x 12
Preowned original vintage condition
See images provided please.
Category
1970s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Wood
Silver "Baja" Centerpiece Bowl by Lino Sabattini
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This oblong silver plated centerpiece bowl is known as the "Baja" by Lino Sabattini. It is stamped "SABATTINNI" on the edge of the bowl and signed "LINO SABATTINO" with "BAJA B/239 C...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Silver Plate
Giant Life-Size Lamb Serving Platter by Franco Lapini, Italy, 1970
Located in Munich, DE
Franco Lapinis exquisite sculpture giant life size lamp platter made entirely of metal plated in silver and its surface is lightly textured to give it a...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Silver Plate
Fiber Glass Platter, with Decor of Hook and Fish, Rond Shape Italy 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
t is a round-shaped tray, made of fiberglass. It was made in Italy in the 1970s. The decorations that compose it are small fishes and hooks.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Fiberglass
Silver Plated Dish Representing a Fish, French Work, Circa 1970
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This dish is representing a fish and is made of silver plated. This is a French work. Circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Silver Plate
Ceramic Stoneware Fruit Platter
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, We offer this beautiful Ceramic Stoneware Fruit Platter signed by G. Reni.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Stoneware
Italian MidCentury Serving Tray in Lucite, Rattan and Brass in Shell Shape, 1970
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous serving tray, in the shape of a shell, made of lucite, rattan and brass.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Braided rattan is cast within the Lucite acrylic material. Beautiful workmanship.
The brass part is kept in original vintage version, with the patina from that time.
Since the shape is as a shell, the tray inside...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Brass
Set of 4 Resin Plates with Incrusted Seahorses, Fishes, Algues and Shells
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
These 4 plates are made of lucite with incrusted seahorses, fishes, algues and shells. This is a French work. Circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Lucite
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
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
Round Centerpiece Serving Tray Lucite Tortoiseshell & Steel Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Iconic round serving tray / centerpiece in tortoiseshell effect lucite with a steel circle in the style of Christian Dior made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Steel
In the Style of Jacques Adnet, Faux-Bamboo Chromed Tray with Smoked Glass French
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This faux-bamboo tray is made of chrome with smoked glass. This is a French work, in the style of famous French designer Jacques Adnet, circa 1970.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Chrome
Excellent Set of Six Table Mat Rome, Italy, circa 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful Vintage set of 5 of Tablemat made in italy 1970s with brass details.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Brass
Ice Effect Tray Centrepiece, Lucite and Brass Willy Rizzo Style, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Huge squared ice effect centerpiece tray in Lucite and brass in the style of the Italian designer Willy Rizzo.
Made in Italy, circa 1970.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Brass
Midcentury Italian Willy Rizzo Faux Tortoisshell Cross Leg Tray Table
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Baambrugge, NL
Beautiful midcentury tortoiseshell tray table produced in Italy during the 1970s. The design for this Italian piece of serveware is attributed to Wi...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Aluminum
Serving Tray in Glass and Golden Metal Branches Maison Baguès Style France 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Elegant serving tray in Maison Baguès style with animated branches decoration and handles in golden metal and glass shelf. Made in France in the 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal
Mobach, Large Enameled Earthenware Basin, Signed "Mobach" circa 1970-1980
By Morbach
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Mobach, large enameled earthenware basin, signed "Mobach" circa 1970-1980.
Category
1970s Dutch Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Ceramic
1970s Austrian Vintage Art Nouveau Style Light Blue Glass Bowl with Oak Leaves
Located in New York, NY
1970s very decorative glass centrepiece / platter plate, by artist Michna, handcrafted in crystal pâte de verre tinted in a sophisticated and unusual aquamarine blue. The exclusive A...
Category
1970s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Art Glass, Cut Glass
Arthur Court Polished Aluminum Fish Shaped Serving Platter, 1975
By Arthur Court
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Gorgeous polished silver aluminium fish tray or platter by San Fransisco designer Arthur Court. Beautifully designed with detailed scales and fins and a ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Aluminum
Stunning Italian Ice Bucket in Solid Molded Lucite 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully crafted and stunning ice bucket in solid molded and polished lucite on a swivel hinge with original ice tongs, Italian 1970s. This is one of the best lucite ice buckets ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Lucite
Willy Rizzo Style Ice Effect Turquoise Lucite and Brass Barware Serving Tray
Located in Atlanta, GA
This gorgeous 1970s modernist barware serving tray has its design attributed to Willy Rizzo. The geometric shape boasts a gilded brass metal gallery and turquoise blue-lagoon texture...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Brass
Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell and Chrome Christian Dior style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Amazing octagonal serving tray in lucite faux tortoiseshell effect and chrome in the style of Christian Dior.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
Materials
Metal, Chrome
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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