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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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

New Modern Tray/Chopping Board in White Carrara Marble, creator Studioformart
Located in Milan, IT
A little bit board and a little bit tray. The distinctive opening welcomes a glass, a napkin and makes for a better grip, which makes Paletta perfect for cock...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

New Modern Dish in White Carrara 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

New Modern Dish in White Carrara Marble, creator Studioformart
Located in Milan, IT
Having abandoned soft and linear shapes, Studioformart has considered a rational and perfectly functional dining set. Soup plate, dinner plate and dessert plate, Square is a declarat...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Dish in White Carrara Marble by Studioformart, Italy
Located in Milan, IT
Having abandoned soft and linear shapes, Studioformart has considered a rational and perfectly functional dining set. Soup plate, dinner plate and dessert plate, Square is a declarat...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Pair of Modernist Chrome and Cobalt Candle Holders by Chase Co
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of modernist chrome and cobalt candle holders by Chase & Co., circa 1940s. The chrome design features a 2.5" round cup on a coba...
Category

20th Century American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Chrome

Chrome "Top Hat" Toothpick Holder / Shot Glass Chase Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool chrome "top hat" toothpick Holder / shot glass by Chase Co., circa 1940s. The piece is in good condition and measures 2.625"D x 2"H. It is marked "Chase" with company log...
Category

20th Century American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Chrome

'Set of 2' Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Gambino Small Ceramic Riser by Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Gambino is a ceramic riser designed by Aldo Cibic, it is available in two color versions (red and green). The product is part of Table Joy Collection: a...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Handmade Rock Ceramic Cheese Board - Black & White Splatterware
Located in Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, AR
One-of-a-kind handmade ceramic cheese board. Inspired by everyday needs, this ceramic charcuterie board is specially designed to increase and enhance the lovely experience of sharing a dinner with friends or your loved one. Beautiful to look at and highly functional, this cheese board will give your table setting and daily routine a fun and unique artsy touch. Each piece is entirely made by hand and glazed in a matte glaze with hand-painted black splatters that resemble Pollock’s artistic work. Due to the handcrafted nature, each ceramic cheese platter...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Pottery

Bonwit Teller Silver Plate Covered Serving Dish
Located in Astoria, NY
Bonwit Teller Bonwit Teller Silver Plate Covered Serving Dish, with braided rope motif trim and handles, marked "Made in Italy / Bonwit Teller" to ...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

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

2010s Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood, Oak

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Tray Medium in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Tray in openwork steel When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Steel

Phil Circular Tray in Polished Aluminium with a T-Shape Handle by Bijou Jain
Located in Milan, IT
Phil is a family of metallic trays designed by Indian designer Bojou Jain. This model of Phil is conceived in polished aluminium with a circular base. ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Aluminum

Ceramic Bowl, Handmade in 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

Gambino Small Platinum Ceramic Riser by Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Gambino is a small ceramic riser designed by Aldo Cibic. The product has a platinum finishing that gives it a shiny and sophisticated allure. Gambino is part of Table Joy Collection...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 3, Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Copper

New Moon Large Glass Bell with Copper and Marble Tray by Elisa Ossino
Located in Milan, IT
New Moon is a blown glass bell with a tray in Carrara marble and copper. This object is part of the Lunar Landscape collection designed by Elisa Ossino, who created a collection of t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Carrara Marble, Copper

Sterling Silver Vintage Modernist Hallmarked Salad Servers or Serving Pieces
Located in North Miami, FL
This pair of vintage sterling silver hallmarked salad servers or serving pieces are very modernist in design. They were made in Peru ...
Category

1970s Peruvian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Fondue Set by Werkstätte Carl Auböck II
Located in London, GB
Vintage fondue pot and burner by Carl Auböck II, Vienna, circa 1950. The pot and its lid are made out of spun tinned copper, while the burner is spun brass. The pot, its lid and the burner, all have brass handles with ebony grips. The sculptural tripod stand composed of three vertical bars joined in a triangular shape is made of solid brass and stamped 'MADE IN AUSTRIA Auböck...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass, Copper, Tin

Matte Black Lacquer Wood French Oval Moderne Dish
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French carved wood moderne dish in matte black lacquered finish. Beautiful simple form would add some modern shapes and drama to your coffee table.
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

Solid Oak Serving Tray Set – EDGE
Located in Orlando, FL
The EDGE Series Wooden Serving Tray Set brings together natural beauty, functionality, and minimalist design in a refined collection made for both serving and decorating. Crafted wit...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood, Oak

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Office Set in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Copper

Modern Stainless Steel & Lucite Flatware Set for Seven Plus by Lifetime Cutlery
Located in San Diego, CA
Modern stainless steel & lucite flatware set for seven plus (52 pieces total) by Rialto Lifetime Cutlery circa, 1980s. The set includes seven forks and...
Category

20th Century North American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ghidini 1961 Rabbit Salt and Pepper Set in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Salt and pepper in brass with PVD treatment The rabbit is the latest iconic object I have designed. For Ghidini it has turned into a family of precious metal objects: salt and pepp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Murano Art Glass Wine Stopper or Glass Bottle Cork
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Murano Glass Bottle Stopper This charming vintage Murano bottle stopper, crafted from exquisite Murano glass, adds a touch of elegance to your barware collection. The vibran...
Category

20th Century Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Art Glass, Murano Glass

Pair of Saltcellar and Pepperpot, Christofle house, 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
"Pair of Saltcellar and Pepperpot, Christofle house, 20th century" Pair of Christofle silver plated salt and pepper shakers with ...
Category

20th Century French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

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

Modernist Sterling Silver Sauce Boat with Ebony Handle by Allan Adler
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully designed hand wrought Modernist Sterling Silver Sauce Boat with Ebony Handle is made by Allan Adler and originates from the United States circa 1950. Well scaled and...
Category

1950s American Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 6 Snail Forks, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 6 snail forks, 20th century. Set of 6 snail forks, 1980-1990. h: 13.5cm, w: 1cm, d: 1cm
Category

20th Century French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Center Bowl in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Center bowl in stainless steel When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Rectangular Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry rectangular small tray in copper by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Copper Net weight: 0.4 kg Dimensions: W 18 x D 12 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Copper

Ceramic Salad Bowl, Ø 35cm x H 17cm Handmade in 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

Colony Large Aluminium Tray by Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Colony is a polished aluminium tray designed by Aldo Cibic. The square silhouette is Minimalist, but the rounded corners and the sinuous handles give to the object a warm and refined...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Aluminum

Masai XL Tray in Polished Metal by Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Masai is a family of rectangular polished metal trays designed by Aldo Cibic, available in two different sizes: small and large. The high edges and the rounded corner make this tray ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Set of 4 Kartell Large Dune Trays in Chrome by Mario Bellini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The semi-transparent material of these trays with internal sculpting varies in chromatic intensity and luminosity and projects a magical three-dimensional illusion onto the surface holding glasses and cups. Images fluctuate and flow in these trays. Like mountain streams, rivers of lava, fiery flames. Animated images of the caprices of wind and light. Like the waves on the sea, desert dunes or the shimmering reflections of silk. These rainbow-colored trays...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Plastic

fferrone Contemporary Copper Large Serving Tray Decorative Sculpture Lift
Located in Chicago, IL
Simple. Elegant. Minimalist. The contemporary copper large serving tray titled lift will redefine the landscape of your table setting. Inspired by the Pantheon in Rome with its power...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Copper

Arthur Court Monkey Palm Leaf Platter Serving Dish Desk Trinket Tray Catch all
Located in Wayne, NJ
Rare Arthur Court Monkey Palm or possibly banana Leaf Platter Serving Dish Desk Tray Catchall . Would also be great for a key catch. vanity makeup holder...
Category

1990s American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Tableware Set Ceramic, Serving Centerpiece Bowl, Charger Plates, Blue Majolica
Located in Recanati, IT
Exclusive ceramic set for the decoration of the table in blue and white, consisting of a bowl centerpiece with snake-shaped handles and four tablemats painted with the technique of m...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Hand Painted Ceramic Plate Bon Voyage Unique Edition
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For Fortmakers' 2019 Surrealist-inspired show The Dinner Guests, ceramic artist Shino Takeda handcrafted and painted a series of playful, anthropomorphic ...
Category

2010s American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Center Bowl in Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Center bowl in stainless steel When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stretched, which creates a ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set of Four Pieces Pair Silver Plate Water Carafes Coffee Pot and Sugar Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
The modern and timeless style of this set is perfect to serve coffee or tea and to give bright at your home.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Hand Painted Ceramic Plate Momotaro Unique Edition
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For Fortmakers' 2019 Surrealist-inspired show The Dinner Guests, ceramic artist Shino Takeda handcrafted and painted a series of playful, anthropomorphic ...
Category

2010s American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

Full Moon Large Copper Tray by Elisa Ossino
Located in Milan, IT
Full Moon is a large circular copper tray and it is part of the Lunar Landscape collection designed by Elisa Ossino, who conceived for Paola C. a tableware collection, revisiting the...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Copper

Seletti "Hybrid-Raissa" Porcelain Cake-Stand
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

Phil Oval Tray in Polished Aluminium with a T-Shape Handle Designed, Bijou Jain
Located in Milan, IT
Phil is a family of metallic trays designed by Indian designer Bojou Jain. This model of Phil is conceived in polished aluminium with an oval base. At ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Aluminum

Silver Jewish Multi-Tiered Passover Seder Tray
Located in London, GB
Silver Jewish multi-tiered Passover Seder tray Continental, Early 20th Century Height 28cm, diameter 37cm Made for the Jewish religious festival of...
Category

Early 20th Century European Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Squared Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry squared small tray in copper by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Copper Net weight: 0.6 kg Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Large Cube Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Copper

Hand Hammered Silver-Plate Looped Serving Pieces Or Salad Servers With Brass Dot
Located in North Miami, FL
These lovely hand hammered silver plate salad servers or serving pieces have an elongated loop in the back. They have a brass connector dot on the front. From the 90's. Maker is unkn...
Category

1990s American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Full Moon Large Copper and Gris du Marais Marble Tray by Elisa Ossino
Located in Milan, IT
Full Moon is a large copper tray with a Gris du Marais marble top, a variety of grey marble with white and - sometimes- rust veins. The hot tone of copp...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble, Copper

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Large Cube Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Office Set in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Set of 2 Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Trays in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry A4 Tray in Copper by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Copper

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Flat Tray in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Flat tray in openwork steel When you look at the top view of the Tip-Top series, all the triangles have the same size. In 3D these triangles have been stret...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Steel

fferrone Contemporary Serving Tray Charcuterie Board Candelabra Centerpiece
Located in Chicago, IL
Inspired by the Italian notion of the art of being together at the table, Convivio makes contemporary and modern entertaining effortless, designed as both a candelabra and serving bo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Rectangular Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry rectangular small tray in brass by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Brass Net weight: 0.35 kg Dimensions: W 18 x D 12 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Omini Large Bowl in Stainless Steel by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Large bowl in stainless steel Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monolithic objects from geomet...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small Parallelepiped Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
The compositional scheme of this family of small trays is the axonometric isometric projection of two parallelepipeds which creates a three-dimensional optical effect implemented by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

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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