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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Set of 3 Ceramic Oval Serving 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
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
Full Moon Medium Copper Tray by Elisa Ossino
By Elisa Ossino
Located in Milan, IT
Full Moon is a medium 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 th...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Copper
Modernist Sterling Silver Sauce Boat with Ebony Handle by Allan Adler
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
Hand Painted Ceramic Plate Momotaro Unique Edition
By Fort Makers
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
Large Centerpiece Bowl in Hand-Painted Ceramic Signed Jurg Lanrein
Located in New York, NY
This stunning large scale modernist ceramic serving bowl was realized by the acclaimed artist Jurg Lanrein in Switzerland during the latter half of the 20...
Category
20th Century Swiss Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic
fferrone Contemporary Copper Small Serving Tray Decorative Sculpture Lift, Too
Located in Chicago, IL
Simple, elegant, minimalist, the contemporary copper small serving tray titled lift, to will redefine the landscape of your table setting. Inspired ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Copper
Parure I Small Glass Bowl with Brass Base by Cristina Celstino
Located in Milan, IT
Parure I is a small glass bowl with brass base designed by Cristina Celestino, and it is part of Dolce Vita, a collection that celebrates in a contemp...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Axonometry A4 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
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
Full Moon Large Copper and Gris du Marais Marble Tray by Elisa Ossino
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
Modern Stainless Steel & Lucite Flatware Set for Seven Plus by Lifetime Cutlery
By Rialto
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
New Moon Small Glass Bell with Copper and Carrara Marble Tray by Elisa Ossino
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
Eyes Serving Wood Trays Set of 5
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
The eye has always been a symbol of protection and sheltering
here a set of 5 'EYES' birch wood trays
Size: 15 x 32cm.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Romanian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wood
Solid Oak Serving Tray Set – EDGE
Located in Karabağlar/Izmir, TR
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
Solid Walnut Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in Karabağlar/Izmir, TR
A refined member of the EDGE Series, the Solid Walnut Serving Tray brings together the elegance of natural materials and practical functionality. Crafted from natural walnut wood, th...
Category
2010s Turkish Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Wooden Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in Karabağlar/Izmir, TR
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
Parure II Large Glass Bowl with Brass Base by Cristina Celstino
Located in Milan, IT
Large glass bowl with brass base, available in two colors versions: blue or light blue.
Parure II, designed by Cristina Celestino, is part of Dolce Vita, a collection that celebrates...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass
Ghidini 1961 Omini Salt and Pepper Set in Gold by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Salt and pepper in stainless steel with PVD treatment
Omini is a family of products that plays on the inclusion and the relationship between the human figure with a series of monoli...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian 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
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
Ghidini 1961 Perished Round Tray in Gold-Plated Stainless Steel by Studio Job
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Large bowl in openwork steel. After having visited the Museum of Natural History in New York, Studio Job created a neo-gothic pattern of danc...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel
Phil Oval Tray in Polished Aluminium with a T-Shape Handle Designed, Bijou Jain
By Bijoy 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
Gambino Small Ceramic Riser by Aldo Cibic
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
Phil Circular Tray in Polished Aluminium with a T-Shape Handle by Bijou Jain
By Bijoy 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
Colony Medium Aluminium Tray by Aldo Cibic
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
Gambino Small Platinum Ceramic Riser by Aldo Cibic
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
New Moon Large Glass Bell with Copper and Marble Tray by Elisa Ossino
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
Gambone Large Ceramic Riser by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Gambone is a large ceramic riser designed by Aldo Cibic, available in three color versions (anthracite, red and green). The product is part of Table Joy collection...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Ceramic
Piatto Piano #3, Side Plate, Black by Ivan Colominas
Located in Geneve, CH
Piatto piano #3 - Side plate - Black by Ivan Colominas
Materia e Tavola Collection
Dimensions: 19 x 1.2 cm
Materials: Nero Marquinia
Also available: Bianco Michelangelo / Bianco Carr...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Marble
Ghidini 1961 Double O Ice Bucket in Stainless Steel by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Ice bucket in brass
For the double O champagne cooler Hutten used his iconic loop shape. The O shaped handle give a playful but chique touch to the cooler. James will love it.
Ma...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel
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
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
Bridge Wooden Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
A very unique piece that can be used as a serving tray or a decoratuon piece for your coffee table.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Romanian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Wood
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Small Paper Basket in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Paper basket 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, which creates a ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel
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 Axonometry Large 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
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
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Large Paper Basket in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Large paper basket 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, which crea...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Flat Tray in 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
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 3 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
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
Silver Plated Wine Bottle Holder with Grape
Located in Schöfflisdorf, CH
Silver plated wine bottle holder with grape.
Category
1970s German Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Silver Plate
Large Vintage Modern Stainless Steel Food Dish Serving Dome Cover
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Vintage 15" Round Modern Stainless Steel Food Dish Serving Dome Cover. Item features a large Size, clean modernist lines, very nice vintage item, grea...
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Stainless Steel
Vintage Modern Salad Servers Tongs Red Iron Bark Wood and Brass
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Vintage Modern Salad Servers Tongs Red Iron Bark Wood and Brass
Red Iron Bark
10.5 Long x 2 H x 3 W
Original vintage condition
See all images.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Brass
French modern orange plastic set Orangeade Jean Pierre Vitrac for Bourbon, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
French modern orange plastic set Orangeade Jean Pierre Vitrac for Bourbon, 1970s
Set of glasses and jug mod. Orangeade in fluorescent orange plastic. The six glasses fit into the two...
Category
1970s French Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Plastic
Hand Painted Ceramic Plate Mr J Unique Edition
By Fort Makers
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
Hand Painted Ceramic Plate Come in Unique Edition
By Fort Makers
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
Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Round Trays in Pink by Patricia Urquiola
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A comprehensive line of trays made from colorful and transparent PMMA plastic. The line's individuality is down to the fact that each model presents a different organic pattern that ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Resin, Plastic
fferrone Pair of Contemporary Black Serving Trays Decorative Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Lift and lift, too - set of two
Simple. Elegant. Minimalist. The contemporary black serving trays titled Lift collection will redefine the landscap...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Steel
fferrone Contemporary Abstract Black Small Serving Tray Decorative Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Lift, too small size
Simple. Elegant. Minimalist. The abstract contemporary black small serving tray titled Lift, Too will redefine the landscape o...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Steel
Faux Tortoise Round Tray by Rede Guzzini
By Rede Guzzini
Located in London, GB
Round tray in faux tortoise with silver plate frame by Rede Guzzini, circa 1970.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Silver Plate
Hammock Marble Platter by on Entropy in Brown, Desk Accessory of Platter
By on entropy
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.
...
Category
2010s Greek Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Marble
Contemporary Tea Spoons Golden Plated Set Handcrafted in Italy by Natalia Criado
Located in Milan, IT
Indulge in the artistry of our handcrafted set of two teaspoons, meticulously fashioned from brass and adorned with a luxurious gold plating. With a graceful shape and playful handle...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces
Materials
Gold Plate, 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
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.