Modern Serving Pieces
MODERN STYLE
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”
Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.
Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair — crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.
It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.
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Style: Modern
'King Cutlery' Caviar Spoon in Silver by Georg Jensen, 1940s
By Georg Jensen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
In the series King Cutlery (Da: konge bestik) from Georg Jensen comes this small caviar spoon in Sterling Silver. The design dates from 1915. This particular spoon is an example from...
Category
1940s Danish Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Sterling Silver
Guido Gambone 33 Piece Ceramic Coffee and Espresso Set, 1950s
Located in New York, NY
33 Piece hand-thrown ceramic coffee and espresso service set with iconic yellow and blue colors and salt glaze by Guido Gambone, Italy, 1950s (signed on the bottom on all pieces with...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic
French Art Moderne Bronze Centerpiece with Two Female Figures
By Laroche
Located in New York, NY
French Art Moderne style bronze centerpiece with 2 female figures holding cut crystal bowl (signed LaROCHE)
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Bronze
"Vivo" by Arnaldo Gamba
Located in Stratford, CT
Abstract yet functional piece can be used as a complex tray or simply as a decorative object. Comes with certificate of authenticity
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Aluminum
Cheese Shaker by Cini & Nils
By Cini & Nils
Located in Sheffield, MA
A masterfully designed modernist cheese Shaker of impeccable quality made of Lucite and stainless by Cini & Nils, Italy, 1970s.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel
Brass Signed Vintage Hand Wrought Sculptural Serving Pieces Barware
Located in North Miami, FL
These beautiful and artful professionally polished brass serving pieces will add to any glorious table setting and great for serving. They are hand wrought and have an initial on the...
Category
1880s American Antique Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass
Maitland Smith Tesselated Coconut Shell Tray or Serving Platter
Located in North Miami, FL
This monumental flat tray and or platter by Maitland Smith looks like a beautiful rose that has opened up in segments and in still form. Luscious shades or r...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Coconut
Romeo Rega Stainless Steel Chargers or Placemats Set of Six Vintage, Italian
By Romeo Rega
Located in North Miami, FL
These octagonal signed Italian vintage rare Romeo Rega octagon stainless steel placemats and or charger plates make a great statement to any dining tab...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel, Steel
Diego Rivera Style MId Century Modern Silver Plate Tray Barware
Located in North Miami, FL
Exotic depictions of embellished and embossed Diego Rivera imagery are the centre of this polished silver-plate serving tray. The recessed steeped lines framing the inside imagery add dimension and form. it is signed on the back and numbered Tropical pattern by International Silver Co. #8166 The scene is of a caped woman...
Category
1940s American Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Silver Plate
American Art Moderne Aluminum and Crystal Compote
By Kensington Furniture Company
Located in New York, NY
American Art Moderne (1930s) round aluminum top and base compote with a centered crystal ball (marked KENSINGTON; Attributed to LURELL GUILD) (Ref...
Category
1930s American Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Crystal, Aluminum
Seletti "Hybrid-Dorotea" Round Tray in Porcelain
By Seletti
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Porcelain
Black Lacquered Wooden Tray with Floral Motifs, Circa 1980.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Black lacquered wooden tray with floral motifs, circa 1980.
Lacquered wooden tray from the 1980s with pretty floral motifs in the centre.
h: 4.5cm, w: 54cm, d: 34cm
Category
20th Century European Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wood
Silver Plated Dish by Christofle, 1980.
By Christofle
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Silver plated dish by Christofle, 1980.
Silver plated dish by Christofle in its original box, very good condition, 1980.
Box: h: 3.5cm, w: 31cm, ...
Category
20th Century French Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Silver Plate
Contemporary Tea Pot Jasper Stone Silver Plated Colour Natural Stone Handle
Located in Milan, IT
Elevate your daily tea ritual with our teiera, a plated brass vessel crafted in italy with precision turning techniques. The exquisite quartz top handle adds a touch of jewelry-inspi...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Silver Plate
Almis-H Contemporary Moroccan Teapot by Jonathan Amar
Located in Paris, FR
Almis-H Model
Choice of thick nickel-plated or silvered brass, highlighted by hammered details.
Can hold 990cl.
Handwork:
Hammering
Approximate weight:
600gr. silvered
800gr. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass
Almis-M Handcrafted Moroccan Teapot by Jonathan Amar
Located in Paris, FR
“The art of tea making, a tribute to the love of a Moroccan tradition”
Handmade by master blacksmiths from Fez, our teapots are the fruit of an intricate dialogue between modern des...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass, Silver Plate, Nickel
Arthur Court Fish Platter Serving Dish
By Arthur Court
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
Arthur Court Aluminum Fish Platter Serving Dish.
Category
20th Century American Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Aluminum
Dot Cup in Amber/Cream
Located in Richmond, VA
Blown glass tumbler in amber with a cream handle. Perfect size for water, wine, juice, or spirits. Handmade in USA by Grace Whiteside of Sticky Glass.
Plea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Blown Glass
Coucou Tall Glass Set in Amber
Located in Richmond, VA
Set of two tall drinking glasses in a faceted silhouette by Maison Balzac.
Food grade colored glass, individually mouth blown.
Heat and cold resista...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Blown Glass
Dot Cup in Whiskey/Grey
Located in Richmond, VA
Blown glass tumbler in whiskey with a grey handle. Perfect size for water, wine, juice, or spirits. Handmade in USA by Grace Whiteside of sticky glass.
...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Blown Glass
Bubble Cup in Aurora/Yellow
Located in Richmond, VA
Blown glass tumbler in aurora with a yellow bubble handle. Perfect size for water, wine, juice, or spirits. Handmade in USA by Grace Whiteside of Sticky Glass...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Blown Glass
Almis-B Contemporary Moroccan Teapot by Jonathan Amar
Located in Paris, FR
Almis-B Model
Choice of thick nickel-plated or silvered brass, highlighted by engraved details.
Can hold 990cl.
Handwork:
Engraving
Approximate weight:
600gr. silvered
800gr. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Moroccan Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass
Majolica Charger Plates Set Eight Dinner Plates Serveware Tableware Blue Painted
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
This colorful set of 8 majolica charger plates is handmade and hand-painted in Italy following the original Renaissance painting technique, unchanged over time, which we observe to the letter.
The elegant decoration total blue is composed by a halo of blue foliage that resembles four groups of wings, further ornamental elements develop from the center of the plate, projected outwards and giving movement to the entire compositional structure.
The beauty of these majolica plates is underlined by the artist's visible brushstrokes that give them a unique style.
Further possibility to order a set of 4, 6 or 12...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Monumental Arthur Court Silver Aluminum Turtle / Tortoise Serving Centerpiece
By Arthur Court
Located in Houston, TX
Monumental aluminum turtle / tortoise serving platter by the designer Arthur Court. There is a carved wooden tray inside that is removable. Stunning cente...
Category
1970s North American Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Aluminum
21st Century LPWK Jug Murano Glass Various Colors
By LPWK- laura polinoro work shop, Purho Murano
Located in Brembate di Sopra (BG), IT
IMPORTANT: ONCE THE ORDER IS CONFIRMED, PLEASE CONTACT MESSAGE CENTER
TO CONFIRM THE COLOR REQUIRED.
21st century LPWK jug Murano glass various colors
Pastelli is a collection co...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Murano Glass
Modern serving pieces for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique 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, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used 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 Ghidini 1961, Ivan Colominas, Kartell, and Patricia Urquiola. 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 $40 and tops out at $30,579 while the average work can sell for $428.
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