Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
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 celebrated 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.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. 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
Serving Tray Faux Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Christian Dior Style, Italy 1970
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing serving tray in faux tortoiseshell and brass with handles in the style of Christian Dior Home.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal, Brass
1940s Maurice Duchin Petite Pedestal Cake Plate Sterling Silver
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Maurice Duchin Sterling Silver Weighted Small Pedestal Cake Plate
stamped
sterling weighted Duchin Creation
6.5 across x 3.25t
Original unr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Crystal, Silver
Large 27cm Horn Salad Cutlery servers set by Carl Auböck attrib., Austria, 1950s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article:
salad cutlery set
Design:
attributed to Carl Auböck, 1950s
Producer:
attributed to Auböck Workshop Vienna, Austria
Origin:
Austria
Age:
1950s
Description:
Original vintage...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass
Longchamp Majolica Ceramic Oyster Set, 1970s
By Longchamp
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Art Majolica Ceramic Oyster Set by Longchamp, Côte d'Or, France, 1970s. This exceptional French art majolica ceramic oyster set, produced by Longchamp (Côte d'Or) in the 1970s...
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic
$2,000 / set
Shigemichi Aomine Bentwood Teak Tray for N.C.C., Japan, c.1960
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Shigemichi Aomine Bentwood Teak Tray for N.C.C., Japan, c.1960.
Category
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Teak, Bentwood
$120 Sale Price
20% Off
Unusual Enamel Bowl by Bovano
By Bovano
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An outstanding, large enamel bowl by Bovano. 9" diameter, signed underneath, colorful abstract design, ca' 1960s.
Category
1960s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Enamel
Vintage Gold Plated Bamboo Design Serving Forks Set Of 12
Located in North Miami, FL
These vintage elegant gold plated serving forks fro the 60's are a set of 12. They have the bamboo design on them. Signed with V's one small and one large. They must ne hand washed n...
Category
1960s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal, Gold Plate
Gio Ponti by Calderoni Italian Design Alpacca Metal Serving Coffee Set
Located in Brescia, IT
Gio Ponti
"Parco Dei Principi Hotel" series
by Calderoni, 1940s.
Silver alpacca metal
excellent condiction.
Measures: H 15, H 13, H 12.
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal
1950s Carl Auböck Charcuterie Sculptural Snack Board Knife Austria
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Fantastic design by Austrian designer Carl Auböck
Sculptural walnut wood cutting board. Leather with beautiful patina.
Knife appears as stainless steel (unmarked) with cane wra...
Category
1950s European Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel
1960s Teak Tray Cutting Board Digsmed Denmark
By Digsmed
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Digsmed Denmark Teak Wood Tray Triangular
Hangable Cutting Board Surfboard Charcuterie
Signed
12.75 w x 24.5 long x 1d
Original vintage unrestor...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Teak
Faux Tortoise Bakelite and Brass Tray
Located in New York, NY
Faux tortoise bakelite and brass tray. Vintage Bakelite tortoise serving tray in rich natural hues edged in brass. Italy, 1970's
Dimensions: 17 3/4" W x 13 1/2" D x 1 3/8" H
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass
Mid Century Berlin Tiergarten from Rosenthal China Modern Tea Pot Germany 1959
By Rosenthal
Located in Miami, FL
From 1959 Tea Pot by Rosenthal Germany with pattern named after the famous Tiergarten in Berlin. Slick designed form and simple decoration. Under the flared rim, a band of stilized ...
Category
1950s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Vintage BBQ Skewers in Steel with Solid Brass Handle set of 6
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Heavy brass and steel BBQ skewers with vegetable motif. Solid brass detail fobs sturdy steel skewers.
Category
1970s Indian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass, Steel
Dansk Teak "SPHERE" Pepper Mill Peppermill Quistgaard JHQ IHQ Denmark
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Buffalo, NY
Collectible and highly sought-after Jens Harald Quistgaard Dansk teak pepper miil / salt shaker from the 1960's. Model # 855. Made in Denmark. This p...
Category
1960s Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Teak
1950s Italian Florentine CC Pepper Mill Grinder Style Parisi
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Hand painted 1950s Vintage Italian Florentine Pepper Mill
Brass Grinder
made in Italy Ico Parisi Era.
Modern design with clean lines diamond sha...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Gold Leaf
1950s Luxembourg Man Woman Hand Carved Wood Salad Server Set Italy
By ANRI
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
1950s stamped Luxembourg Hand Carved Wood Salad Server Set
Man and Woman
Folk Art attributed ANRI Italy
10 x 1.5 x .5d
Preowned new original vintage unrestored cond...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wood
Glazed ceramic Cauliflower Centerpiece signed Mancioli. Italy, Mid-20th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Glazed ceramic Cauliflower Centerpiece signed Mancioli. Italy, Mid-20th Century
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic
Candelabra, 1950, Materials: Wood and Bronze
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Candelabra
We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal.
Pushing the button that r...
Category
1950s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Bronze
Cheese or Serving Tray in Ceramic and Wood France 1970s Brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
This cheese tray or platter is from France. It has been made in the 1970s.
Brown and Green Color.
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
$258 Sale Price
52% Off
Vintage Arthur Court Rams Head Serving Platter
By Arthur Court
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly sculptural vintage platter design by Arthur Court. Full of detail, this piece evokes brutalist notes that will provide impact and style to your decor. Unique, artistic a...
Category
1980s North American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Aluminum
Midcentury Modern Vintage Crab Cracker Tool
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Crab Cracker Tool
5.5 long x 2.25 w x .25
Preowned vintage condition.
Review images.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Russel Wright Seafoam Blue American Modern Ceramic Coffee Pot
Located in Miami, FL
Mid Century Russel Wright (1904-1976) Seafoam Blue American Modern ceramic Tea Pot designed in 1937 and produced of durable earthenware by Steubenville Pottery later by Bauer of Cali...
Category
1950s American Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Two Enameled Copper Trays / Plates by David Andersen, Norway 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Two trays / plates enamel over copper, by David Andersen 1960s. Big plate has hanging device on back.
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Copper
Taverneau Serving Tray by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor
By Arthur Umanoff, Raymor
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A hand carved and finished serving tray made of Taverneau, an uncommon Haitian wood with a rattan wrapped handle. Designed and by Arthur Umanoff, produced...
Category
1960s Haitian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Rattan, Wood
Art Deco Coffee Set made in bakelite and pewter
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, we offer this Art Deco Coffee Set made in bakelite and pewter, fantastic patina.
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Pewter
Small serving plate iron lacuered around 1970s
Located in Wien, AT
Small serving plate iron lacuered around 1970s
Original condition
Category
1970s Austrian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Iron
Vintage Tin Hearts Mini Bake Molds Aluminum Set of 11
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Tin Hearts Mini Bake Molds Aluminum set of 11
3.25 w x 3.5 d x 1 h
Original vintage
refer to images
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Aluminum
60s Don Shoemaker Tray Exotic Mexican Hardwood Diamond Geometric Motif Craftsman
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Don Shoemaker designed tray for Senal S.A. Nice uncommon diamond inlays.
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Hardwood
French Mid-century Set of Appetizer Dishes, Vallauris, 1960s
By André Baud
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
French Mid-century appetizer dishes, Vallauris, 1960s. Set of 4 ceramic dishes and a wooden tray. Each dish shows a different decor. Mushrooms, sardines, fish and sausage. Width : 18...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic, Wood
Vintage Modele Depose France Set of 6 Escargot Dishes
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic escargot serving dishes feature the Mid-Century Modern style shape with the buttery yellow glaze on top of the dish and light brown glaze on the sides, bottoms, and h...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Midcentury Brass and Mirror Serving Tray by Tommaso Barbi, Italy, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury wonderful rectangular serving tray or centerpiece in bronzed mirror with brass corners and frame in ivory-colored plastic material by the Italian designer Tommaso Barbi.
...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Bamboo and Stainless Steel Serving Utensils - A Set of 2
Located in Charleston, SC
We are offering a set of a bamboo serving pieces (these 2 would have come together in a box) first we have one slotted serving spoon, made by Seki Hamono KK, a Japanese company know...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel
Salvador Teran Copper Toned Brass & Terrazzo Tile 7 Piece Tea Service, 1950s
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Mid-Century Mexican Modern solid brass and glass tile Mosaic coffee service by Salvador Teran. Reflective Copper toned 7-piece set. Featuring a handcrafted set, tile embellished Bras...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass
Glass Fruit Platter
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Glass handmade midcentury fruit platter.
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Art Glass
Traditional Pastoral Primitive Set of Hand-Carved Wooden Spoons – Spain
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional Pastoral Primitive Set of Hand-Carved Wooden Spoons – Spain, Circa 1940
Description:
Step into the world of traditional craftsmanship with this beautiful set of hand-car...
Category
1940s Spanish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wood
$509 Sale Price / set
57% Off
Nesting Set of 5 Carved Agate Bowls & Display - Artisan Signed
Located in Atlanta, GA
A captivating nesting set of five carved agate bowls, each meticulously crafted from a single piece of natural agate. This set exemplifies the harmonious balance between artistry and...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Agate
$556 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Traditional Wooden Pastoral Primitive Hand Carved Fork
Located in Barcelona, ES
Traditional pastoral primitive wooden carved fork. Handmade in Spain, circa 1900. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful pat...
Category
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wood
$509 Sale Price
50% Off
Vintage Dinner Plate by Guido Andlovitz for Laveno, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1930s - 1940s.
It is made in glazed porcelain by Guido Andloviz for Laveno in "Vecchia Milano" (old Milan) style.
This is a vintage set, therefore it might show slig...
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic
$220 Sale Price / item
31% Off
Tray Centerpiece Ice Effect, Lucite Metal Willy Rizzo Style, Italy, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Rome, IT
Centerpiece or tray in plexiglass with ice effect. Attributable to Willy Rizzo, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal
Vintage metal tray with mirror, Italy 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful small vintage tray with mirror. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Good vintage condition.
Dimensions:
Width: 25 cm / 9.8 inches
Height: 2 cm / 0.8 inches
We offer a secure worl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal
Elegant Pewter Ship Decanter & Six Cups Liquor Set
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
AN ELEGANT PEWTER SHIP DECANTER AND
SIX CUPS LIQUOR SET
Les Etains du Manoir, Paris, France.
Mid 20th century.
Decanter, 8 in.(20.3 cm.) high.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Pewter
Set of Four Ceramic Serving Dishes with Handles by Jean & Juliette Rivier
By Jean Rivier
Located in London, GB
Set of four Mid-Century French small ceramic serving dishes by Jean & Juliette Rivier (circa 1960s). The bases of the dishes are decorated with colourf...
Category
1960s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic
$667 Sale Price / set
20% Off
1965 Dansk Teakwood Serving Tray Charcuterie Platter Jens Quistgaard
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1965 Dansk Staved Teak serving tray Charcuterie Platter Jens Quistgaard
Dansk IHQ Large Checkerboard meat carving cutting board tray serving Platter
Mosaic of staved solid teak by...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Teak
Original French Metal Tray "Rigituelle" by Mathieu Matégot Attrib., 1950
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Metal tray.
attributed to be Designed and produced by Mathieu Matégot.
Origin: France,
1950s.
Original Mathieu Matégot tray designed and manufactured in the 1950s in Fra...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal
$1,123 Sale Price
24% Off
Vintage Japanese ceramic crackle glazed fish dish, mid 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage Japanese glazed ceramic fish platter, circa late 1960s. Tones of Yves Klein and swimming pool blues. The “crackle” ceramic technique shines here. Few signs of age. Pick up ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic
$208 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Wenge & Butcher Block Cheese Tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Woods
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in San Diego, CA
Large wenge and butcher block cheese tray by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk Rare Woods collection, circa 1960s. Introduced in 1961, the Rare Woods line represented the finest designs and...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wenge
1950s Mid-Century Modern Italian Gilded Glass Under spirit Cherries Set
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A Mid-Century Modern painted gold glass set composed by six small cups and an under spirit cherries jar. Cup height is 7 cm and. Made in Italy in the 19...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Glass
Rosenthal Andy Warhol "Golden Angels" Plate, New in Box
By Andy Warhol, Rosenthal
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Rosenthal Studio-Line Andy Warhol Christmas Golden Angels plate. New in box.
Andy Warhol, quite possibly the greatest pop artist of our time, ...
Category
Early 2000s German Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Porcelain
Vintage Italian Long Handled Iced Tea Spoons Set 3
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chula Vista, CA
attributed to Giacomio Becchetti Company
style of Gio Ponti
stamped Inoxbeck Italy 18/10
set of 3 Long Iced Tea Spoons Tall Drink Lemonade Parfait Stir
.5 h x ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel
1970s Art Pottery Salt Pepper Shaker Set Japanese Stoneware
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents
Art Pottery Salt Pepper Shaker Set Japanese Stoneware vintage 1970s
in the style of Lisa Larson Stig Lindberg
Boy 5 h x 3 w x ...
Category
1970s Japanese Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Pottery
Rustic Primitive Wood Hand Carved Basket, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Rustic Primitive wood hand carved basket, circa 1950
Manufactured in France.
In original condition with minor wear consistent of age and use.
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wood
$335 Sale Price
67% Off
Jean Despres Decorative Pan for Aperitif, 1950
By Jean Despres
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Decorative pan for aperitif by Jean Despres, France, circa 1950. Silver-plated metal piece with a hammered handle, and decorated at the base of a flat link chain. The plating is original. Dimensions : H 1.93 in. x W 8.15 in. x D 4.3 in. - H 4.9 cm x W 20.7 cm x D 10.9 cm. Signature incised "J.Després" under the handle and hallmark "JD" with an Amphora in the center (see photos).
Jean Després, born June 15, 1889 in Souvigny (Allier), and died in 1980 in Avallon (Yonne), is a French goldsmith, creator of jewelry, objects and furniture of Art Deco style, specializing in the work of the silver.Jean Després was born into a descendant family of master glassmakers, Després de Loisy, and glaziers, Turlin. The family moved in Avallon in 1890 to open an articles of paintings and art store at no. 27 rue de Paris and then at no. 20 place Vauban.He attended school and college in Avallon without being a very bright student. His passion was cycling and competitions. He obtained his patent in 1905. His father placed him in apprenticeship with a friend, goldsmith in Paris in the Marais district.At the same time, he completed his training by following the drawing classes in the schools of the city of Paris and frequented the Bateau-Lavoir, where he met Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Paul Signac, Giorgio De Chirico, Marie Laurencin, Chaim Soutine, Maurice Utrillo and Georges Braque, whom will be his best friend. He is passionate about cubism.During World War I, Jean Després was assigned as a draftsman mechanic in the workshops of the military aviation. This double experience will durably mark him and feed all his work. He participated in the Art Deco movement. He had many friends in the avant-garde of the time, such as Paul Jouve or Maurice de Vlaminck.In the 1920s and 1930s, he took over his parents' store in Avallon and set up his studio where he created motor jewelery, whose pure forms inspired by aeronautical mechanical parts were part of the avant-garde movement. Craftsman of metal, gold, silver, tin, Després shaped material, invented new forms. Like his contemporaries Marcel Sandoz or Raymond Templier, he was one of those pioneers who renounce the codes of high jewelery and the use of precious stones. He participated, with the help of Paul Signac, in his first Salon des Indépendants in 1926.He also participated in the revival of the forms of goldsmithing by removing the classic ornaments, to create pieces with massive shapes, silver, pewter, usually silver metal, everyone recognizable by its hammered appearance.In 1935, he took care of the Art and Fashion Gallery at No. 39 rue du Colisée in Paris. In 1936, he married Simone Delattre, painter and decorator on embroidered fabrics. He was rewarded by the Aeroclub which awards him a gold medal in 1937. These works were beginning to be known abroad. The following year, he was named Knight of the Legion of Honor. He run his gallery and kept his studio in Avallon. In 1940, he was President of the Goldsmiths' Union, a professional delegate for artistic protection at the international jewelery-goldsmith's office. He was the goldsmith's rapporteur on the awards commission of the Society for the Promotion of Art and Industry.In 1943, he came to live on rue de La Trémoille in Paris, where he had a shop at the same address. Among his friends, he counted Pierre Vigoureux and frequented Jules Cavaillès, Worms, Peltier, Lalique, Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Fernand Léger and many others. He counted Josephine Baker among his famous clients.After the war, Jean Després will expose several times, with the support of the State, in different foreign countries. In 1972, he offered the city of Avallon sixty-eight of his works.
EXHIBITIONS
1925: Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris, with Rose Adler and the painter Étienne Cournault
1925: International Exhibition of Decorative Arts
1926: Salon des indépendants
1928: Salon of the Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts
1928: Salon des Artistes-Decorateurs
1930: Union des Artistes Modernes, at the Pavillon de Marsan, he exhibits surrealist jewelry...
Category
1950s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal
60s Mexican Mid-Century Abalone Shell Grasshopper Tray with Lid, Mixed Metals
By Los Castillo, Taxco
Located in Miami, FL
60s Mexican mid-century Abalone shell grasshopper tray with lid, mixed metals.
Offered for sale is a Mexican Mid-Century Modern mixed metals (brass, c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal, Brass, Copper
Arthur Court Bunny Rabbit Pitcher, 1970s
By Arthur Court
Located in Miami, FL
20th Century Arthur Court aluminum pitcher in the form of a bunny rabbit with red glass eyes standing on its hind legs. Signed and dated.
Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Aluminum
Gourd Scoop With Sterling Silver, Shreve & Co., San Francisco, CA, 20th c.
By Shreve & Co.
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Gourd with sterling silver embellishment along the upper edges, hollowed out to function as a scoop. Designed and executed by Shreve and Company of San Francisco, California.
Measu...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Fruitwood
Small Coffee Set 'Novum 65', Lorenz Hutschenreuther, 1960
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Minimalist three-piece porcelain coffee set 'Novum 65' by Hutschenreuther, Germany, cobalt blue/white, released between 1968 and 1970, marked.
Priced as a set of 3.
Category
1960s German Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Porcelain
Oval Serving Tray in Effect Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass by Guzzini, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury amazing oval serving tray in faux tortoiseshell-effect Lucite featuring brass handles and borders by Team Guzzini.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
It's an iconic tray ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal, Brass
Serving Tray in Lucite, Wicker and Brass Christian Dior Home Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Midcentury wonderful rectangular serving tray in lucite, wicker and brass in the style of Christian Dior Home.
Made in Italy in the 1970s.
This item is a wonderful addition to ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Metal, Brass
1970s Sculptural Serving Dish Hand Carved Haitian Wood
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Haitian sculptural dish in wood organic form.
Stamped and numbered.
1.13 h x 15.75 w x 5.13 d
Unrestored original vintage
See images provided.
Category
Late 20th Century Haitian Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wood
Cheese or Serving Tray in Ceramic France 1970s Green and Brown Color
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Cheese or Serving Tray in Ceramic France 1970s Green and Brown Color
Category
1970s French Vintage Mid-Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic
$258 Sale Price
20% Off
Mid-century Modern serving pieces for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Mid-Century Modern serving pieces 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 serving pieces created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Mid-Century Modern serving pieces 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 serving pieces, popular names associated with this style include Jens Quistgaard, Dansk Designs, Werkstätte Carl Auböck, and Rosenthal. 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 serving pieces differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $26 and tops out at $18,800 while the average work can sell for $630.
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