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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chaircrafted 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
Saint Jacques Hand-Painted Ceramic Tray Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Enhance your summer entertaining with the elegant Ceramic Saint Jacques Platter. Expertly handcrafted and beautifully hand-painted in Italy, this platter feature distinctive scalloped-edge detailing inspired by the iconic Saint Jacques seashell. The charming design and artisanal craftsmanship make them a perfect choice for stylish outdoor dining or festive indoor gatherings. Ideal for serving fresh seafood, appetizers, or delightful desserts, these plates add a touch of Mediterranean flair and sophistication to your table...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Eye Birchwood Serving Tray Sky
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
The eye is a multicultural symbol of sheltering and protection made of Birchwood   Measures: 32 x 15cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Romanian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

Walnut Center Tray with White Lacquer Exterior
Located in Greenwich, CT
White lacquer tray made from solid hard maple features a contrasting Walnut Center. Perfect for displaying collectibles or as a serving piece. Tray ...
Category

2010s American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Walnut, Maple

Coffee Set, Early Paul Evans, Pewter, Danish Mid-Century Modern
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
SALE ONE WEEK ONLY "Early Coffee Set" is an exquisite and rare 3-piece pewter coffee set adorned with knobs and handles of rosewood. The set includes coffee pot 8.50” x 6”, covered sugar 4” x 2.88”, and creamer 4” x 3.75" designed for Raymor in Denmark. Underside of each impressed with Pewter and Raymor stamps. These pieces have been restored to Museum Quality by Frank Powell...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Pewter

Wooden Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in Orlando, FL
The EDGE Series Solid Oak Serving Tray is a refined fusion of natural elegance and durable craftsmanship, designed entirely from natural oak wood. Its sleek rectangular form features...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood, Oak

Hands Birchwood Serving Tray Green
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
The hand means protection, sherltering and cosyness made of birchwood   Measures: 32 x 15cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Romanian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

Modern Serving Tray Calacatta Marble Stainless Handmade Portugal Lusitanus Home
Located in Lisboa, PT
Serving Tray Sakai, Lusitanus Home Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Lusitanus Home. A sublime serving tray, Sakai was design to uplift layback moments. An organic-sha...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble, Stainless Steel

21st Century Italian Solid Silver Cruet in the Shape of a Watering Can
Located in VALENZA, IT
Nice cruet in solid 800 silver. Completely handmade, it faithfully reproduces the shape of a watering can. It can be used for pouring other types of liquids or sauces. Very elegant ...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver

Peruvian Modernistic Sterling Silver Coffee Service Set
Located in Atlanta, GA
A sterling silver coffee service set consists of six pieces: a coffee pot, a chocolate pot, a covered sugar bowl with a serving spoon, a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Peruvian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

JUJUY Medium Pitcher, Silver Alpaca and Horn
Located in Buenos Aires, AR
This family is created with the inspiration of the beautiful province of Jujuy, in the North of Argentina, and the nature of its fertile valley. It is the first line of our collectio...
Category

2010s South American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Hands Birchwood Serving Tray Yellow
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
The hand means protection, sherltering and cosyness made of birchwood   Measures: 32 x 15cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Romanian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

Hands Birchwood Serving Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
The hand means protection, sheltering and coyness made of Birchwood Measures: 32 x 15cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Romanian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

8 Neiman Marcus Vintage Half Round Capiz Shell Decorative Placemats Serving Mats
Located in Miami, FL
Charming half round serving or decorative placemats made out of Capiz shells over cork. Mother of Pearl Color and in the Shape of a seashell found at the beach. The placemats are in ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Shell, Cork

"B" Marble Tray, Morfosi
Located in Geneve, CH
"B" marble tray - Morfosi Dimensions: D 30 x W 15 cm Materials: Rosso Verona marble. Available in custom dimensions and materials. The Morfosi brand has as its guideline the st...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Io Marble Platter by On.Entropy in White, Modern Desk Accessory
Located in Athens, GR
This platter is designed as a homogeneous volume, wishing to engage the senses around the plasticity of marble. It is carved off a single piece of marble without joints or seams. Io...
Category

2010s Greek Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Rosenthal Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe Glass Plate
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Rosenthal Glass Plate, featuring Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol, quite possibly the greatest pop art artist of our time. Maker: Rosenthal Andy Warhol. Rosenthal mark: left on the b...
Category

1980s German Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Glass, Cut Glass

Solid Oak Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in Orlando, FL
The EDGE Series Square Solid Oak Serving Tray brings together the elegance of natural oak wood and the practicality of modern design, offering a versatile and refined solution for se...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood, Oak

1940s M Fred Hirsch MFH Elegant Sterling Silver Sugar Creamer Set
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1940s Vintage M Fred Hirsch MFH elegant sterling silver sugar creamer set See provided images Stamped by maker Measures: 4 tall x 2 di...
Category

1940s American Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Georg Jensen Annual Spoon Collection in Gilt Sterling Silver with Enamel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This is a thoughtfully cultivated collection of Gold-plated Sterling Silver Spoons from Georg Jensen's 'Annual Blossom' collection, initially designed by Annelise Bjorne and then edi...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver, Enamel

Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain 6" Saucer for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain 6" Saucer for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century.
Category

20th Century German Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Italian modern metal irregular bowl or container cup by La Rinascente, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern metal irregular bowl or container cup by La Rinascente, 1990s. Bowl or container cup, small in size, made of metal and with an irregular shape, with a pointed end and ...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Mies Acrylic Tray
Located in New York, NY
If you want an accessory of pure indulgent luxury look no further The Mies Trays are in a class of their own thick luxe highly polished Acrylic and entirely hand crafted in the U.S...
Category

2010s American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

Mies Acrylic Tray
Mies Acrylic Tray
$1,520 / item
Alfredo Sciarrotta Sterling Silver Ladle Twisted Handle
Located in Toledo, OH
Sterling silver ladle by Alfredo Sciarrotta. Twisted design in handle with a round ball design. No monogram. Light usual scratches. Dimensions: 3...
Category

20th Century North American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver

Cónica Cake Stand in White Marble
Located in Mexico City, MX
Cake stand in carved Veneciano white marble. Handmade in Mexico. Production time: 6-8 weeks for items without marble / 13-14 weeks for marble pieces. Shipping +10 additional busines...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Modernist Nutcracker by Jacques Adnet
Located in Brussels, BE
Modernist Nutcracker by Jacques Adnet Jacques Adnet (1900-1984) was a French architect, decorator and designer. He began his career working for the Compagnie des Arts Français, a co...
Category

1940s French Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

'King Cutlery' Caviar Spoon in Silver by Georg Jensen, 1940s
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

Wooden Decorative Board
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Hand-made wooden board This largeshaped board is hand-carved from oak. The boards as an individual or as part of the family will become a key item in every kitchen being decorati...
Category

2010s European Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Walnut

Kupu Spoon by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Kupu spoon by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Walnut, maple, natural oil wax Dimensions: W 10 cm Also available in a variety of woods The unusual proportions of the kupu spoons give ...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Maple

Marquise de Sevigne Paris Silver Plate Candy Bowl Serving Dish
By A La Marquise De Sevigne
Located in Atlanta, GA
This rare Art Deco silver plate candy bowl was hand-crafted for A La Marquise De Sévigné, the finest Paris chocolate store in the 1930s. The round Art Deco modernist shape has styliz...
Category

1930s French Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Contemporary Hand Blown "Coral Reef Glass Upstand" Sea Creatures Nature Ocean
Located in Camisano Vicentino, IT
A Hand-Blown Glass Upstand by Simone Crestani Coral Reef Upstand is one of the pieces from the Coral Collection. This exquisite upstand is inspired by the captivating and intricate...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Glass

Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Tray for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain Tray for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century.
Category

20th Century German Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

AnnieGlass Roman Platinum 3-Section Hors d'oeuvres Serving Tray, Ruffled Edge
Located in Miami, FL
AnnieGlass Roman Platinum 3-Section Hors d'oeuvres Serving Tray, Ruffled Edge Offered for sale is a ruffled edge AnnieGlass blown 3-Section Hors d'oeuvres serving tray. The serving ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Platinum

Wooden Decorative Board
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Hand-made wooden board This medium square shaped board is hand-carved from oak. The boards as an individual or as part of the family will become a key item in every kitchen being...
Category

2010s European Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Walnut

Large Pisara Spoon by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Pisara spoon by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Walnut, maple, natural oil wax Dimensions: W 7-10 cm Also available in three sizes and a variety of woods This range of small sp...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Maple

New Modern Tray in White Carrara Marble Creator Studioformart Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Serving is a refined art, Vasco can be a sculpture or a vessel, a design object and a serving platter. It is unstoppable and like the most daring seafarers, its gaze is firmly fixed ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

New Modern Dish in Black Marquinia Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Sculptural, bright white, well-defined and multi-fold. Colominas has created a table service inspired by Angelo Mangiarotti’s soft lines, exalting the shape and structure of objects ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain 7.38" Saucer for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Bjorn Wiinblad White Porcelain 7.38" Saucer for Rosenthal, Germany, 20th Century.
Category

20th Century German Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Wooden Decorative Board
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Hand-made wooden board This large round board is hand-carved from oak. The boards as an individual or as part of the family will become a key item in every kitchen being decorativ...
Category

2010s European Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Oak

C. 1930s 800 Standard Silver Soup or Punch Ladle by Robbe & Berking
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1930s 800 standard silver soup or punch ladle by Robbe & Berking, Flensburg, Germany. Rare & striking Modernism example. An elegant double band of pearls marks the distinctive ...
Category

1930s German Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver

Three 1980s Modernist Silver Plated and Glass Serving Pieces by Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This silver-plated set designed by Lino Sabattini is composed of a cruet for oil and vinegar with crystal glass ampoules, one cheese bowl, and a salt and pepper shaker. The dimension...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Walnut Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in Orlando, FL
The EDGE Series Walnut Serving Tray is thoughtfully designed to offer a natural and elegant presentation experience. Featuring solid walnut wood side panels and a top-quality MDF bas...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood, Walnut

New Modern Trivet in White Michelangelo Marble, creator Ivan Colominas
Located in Milan, IT
Myron is a trivet that is not defined by its function. Of perfect marble, with no above or below, it fulfils multiple uses in the kitchen and at the table. Size: 26 x 2 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Myron, Materia e Tavola collection by the Spanish Designer Ivan Colominas. Available also in black Marquinia marble. Made in Italy, hand finished. Mmairo loves wining and dining, good food and...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Modern Silver Plate Cake or Pastry Server
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A Modernist Cake Server in silver plate. The piece has consecutive spheres leading to the server - a modern and chic piece for the sophisticated hostess...
Category

20th Century Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

New Modern Tray in Black Marquina Marble, Creator Colominas Stock
Located in Milan, IT
An essential, Minimalist tray that easily lends itself to multiple uses. At the table, in the kitchen, in the dining room. In simlicity is beauty. Size: 40 x 2.2 cm, smooth finishin...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Hand Cutlery Servers Golden Plated Handcrafted Italy Natalia Criado
Located in Milan, IT
Add an element of elegance and playfulness to your dinner table with our hand set. Handcrafted from metal and plated brass, its distinguishing feature is the anthropomorphic handle. ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Italian Modernist Stainless Steel Carving Knife & Fork Set
Located in Bradenton, FL
An Italian modernist stainless steel carving knife and fork set. Each is signed Chef P. Giovani and marked Stainless Steel, Italy, Pat. 85278 an...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Saint Jacques Hand-Painted Pasta Plates - Set of 4 Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Enhance your summer entertaining with the elegant Ceramic Saint Jacques Plates. Expertly handcrafted and beautifully hand-painted in Italy, these plates feature distinctive scalloped...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Saint Jacques Hand-Painted Dinner Plates - Set of 4 Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Enhance your summer entertaining with the elegant Ceramic Saint Jacques Plates. Expertly handcrafted and beautifully hand-painted in Italy, these plates feature distinctive scalloped...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Oval Brass Tray With Squared Cut Out Designs and Handles Barware
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful oval brass vintage tray from the 1980's has cut out square forms as the design element. There are handles on either side. Great barware and entertainig needs. Has good...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Set of 3 Trays. From The Tempera series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Set of 3 Trays, 2023 From The Tempera series Material: Duck egg yolk, binder Overall size: 19.5 Diameter x 15 H (cm) Individual Dimensions: 19.5 Diameter x 5 H (cm) Weight: avg. 1kg Every piece is hand-made, color and measurement may slightly vary. Colors: Black and Ivory Production time is 5 weeks. Tempera series Candle Holder...
Category

2010s North Korean Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Shell

12 Modern Sterling '.800 Silver' & Multicolored Quartz Ice Tea Spoons
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
12 modern sterling (.800 Silver) & multicolored quartz ice tea spoons. Each one fitted with a 1/2" chunk of natural multi colored crystal set in abstract prong setting, with a long t...
Category

Late 20th Century European Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Quartz, Sterling Silver

Set of 5 Ceramic Square Serving Bowl, Handmade Italy, 2021, Choose Your Pattern!
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
For more than 30 years this artist has revolutionized the way of thinking about stone. Their artisan techniques are the result of careful research and deep knowledge of the subject: ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Lava

Saint Jacques Hand-Painted Salad Plates - Set of 4 Made in Italy
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Enhance your summer entertaining with the elegant Ceramic Saint Jacques Plates. Expertly handcrafted and beautifully hand-painted in Italy, these plates feature distinctive scalloped...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Silver Plated Wine Bottle Holder with Grape
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Elongated Serving Platter in Hand-Painted Ceramic by Jurg Lanrein
Located in New York, NY
This beautiful elongated modernist serving platter was realized by the esteemed artist Jurg Lanrein in Switzerland during the latter half of the 20th century. It offers a rectangular form with raised sides and hand embellished organic striations running lengthwise from end to end. Reminiscent of a deconstructed Morris Louis painting...
Category

20th Century Swiss Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Silver-Plate and Abalone Fork and Spoon Serving Pieces, Salad Servers
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely pair of vintage silver-plate and abalone salad servers or serving pieces are from the 70's. They are marked Mexico and there are no other markings. Abalone is always beau...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Amélie Handcrafted Baking Tray, Handmade in Italy 2021, Choose Size and Colors
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This wonderful collection encourages to participate in the process of combining small pleasures into a significant whole by regarding details as both minute and essential. Our artist...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

New Modern Tray in White Carrara Marble, creator Studioformart
Located in Milan, IT
Tavoletta, designed by Studioformat One could even imagine marble to levitate, flying up to the clouds light as a feather, in a perfect chromatic match. Studioformart reiterates th...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Hand-Painted Decorative Iron Tray - Seaside
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Make a bold statement with our hand-painted iron decorative tray, featuring beach huts on a blue sky. Perfect for display, this tray adds a touch of the seaside to any space. Intende...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Iron

New Modern Appetizers or Desserts Tray in White Marble creator Trapani Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Appetizer - dessert tray in white Michelangelo marble Contemporary chefs love to construct their culinary creations to enhance their impact; it’s not difficult therefore, to imagine they also love to create the props. Cristoforo Trapani, chef of Magnolia, the stellar restaurant at the Hotel Byron in Forte dei Marmi, has translated his culinary creativity to design. These two worlds meshed instantly: at the table or on a sideboard, his tiered cake stand PRE, hosts sweet and savoury finger food to be offered to guests in a creative and unexpected way. Magical and elegant appetizers or dessert tray. Five tiers with smooth and welcoming surfaces accommodate amuse-bouche and small delights. PRE will define aperitifs and banquets. Size: 30 x 44 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: PRE, Magnolia Table Collection by the Michelin Star...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

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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