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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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

Colony Medium 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

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

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

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 Decorative Iron Tray - Yellow Palm
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Add a tropical touch to your decor with our hand-painted iron tray, featuring a palm tree leaves on a bold yellow background. Perfect for coffee tables, shelves, or wall displays, th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Iron

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

Vintage Modern Christmas Santa Claus Silver Plated Salad Serving Fork & Spoon
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Modern Christmas Santa Claus Silver Plated Salad Serving Fork & Spoon. Circa Late 20th Century. Measurements: Spoon: 1.5" H x 13" W x 2.5" D. F...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Knives and Forks for Service, 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Knives and Forks for Service, 20th Century. Knives and Forks by Letang&Remy, Paris, stainless steel, 1980, new condition, in box.   H: 2,5cm, W: 35,5cm, D: 7cm
Category

20th Century French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Vintage Brass Signed Hand Wrought Sculptural Serving Pieces Barware
Located in North Miami, FL
These beautiful, vintage 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 initi...
Category

1880s American Antique Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

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

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

Eye Wooden Lacquered Golden Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Wonderful golden wood lacqered tray the eye is a symbol of protection and sheltering and this tray will make your table look contemporary and unique.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

Modern "Abstract Inlay Charcuterie Board" by Alex Drew & No One, 2024
Located in Detroit, MI
The Modern "Abstract Inlay Charcuterie Board" is from the 2024 collection of Alex Drew & No One. Inspired by traditional craftsmanship while incorporating a modern edge, AD & NO's wo...
Category

2010s American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Hand Painted Ceramic Smiley Spoon 3 Unique Edition
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Part of the surrealist-inspired show the dinner guests, each ceramic Smiley Spoon is hand painted with anthropomorphic shapes and playful, brightly-colored patterns. 1 of 9. Handm...
Category

2010s American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

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

Hand Painted Ceramic Plate Mr J 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

White Marble Elipse Cheese Boards Set
Located in Mexico City, MX
Carved Veneciano white marble cheese boards. Handmade in México by local craftsmen. Dimensions: Small: 34 D x 18 W x 2 H cm Large: 42 D x 22 W x 2 H cm. Production time: 6-8 week...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Daniela Poletti Vetrofuso Murano Glass Sushi Plates, Silver Leaf Set of 6
Located in Miami, FL
Daniela Poletti Vetrofuso Murano Glass Sushi Plates, Silver Leaf Infused Offered for sale is a set of six (6) Italian Murano glass silver leaf infused sushi plates designed by Danie...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Leaf

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

1970s German Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Mid-Century Horseshoe-Shaped Brush Hanger
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Horseshoe-shaped brush hanger. A rustic and functional piece, ideal for vintage or country environments. It has a horseshoe-shaped base made of varnished wood, which gives it a decor...
Category

Mid-20th Century Portuguese Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Silver Plated Trivet by Christofle, 1980.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Silver plated trivet by Christofle, 1980. Silver plated trivet from the Maison Christofle in its original case and box, very good condition, 1980....
Category

20th Century French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Tent 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

Rare K.E.M. Weber 'Attributed' Pewter Pepper Shaker for Porter Blanchard
Located in Sharon, CT
In the Moderne style developed for the Pewterer Porter Blanchard by the important modernist K.E.M. Weber.
Category

1920s American Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Pewter

MId Century Modern Silver Plate Tray With Diego Rivera Style Rectangle 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

Wooden Decorative Board
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
Hand-made Wooden board This long 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 decorati...
Category

2010s European Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Oak

Butterfly Golden Wood Lacquered Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
This is a very unique and special piece this Butterfly Golden lacquered tray is the perfect item to lighten up your space elegant with a 40s vibe but at the same time very contemp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

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

Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Round Trays in Light Blue 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

New Modern Dish in White Michelangelo Marble Creator Ivan Colominas Stock
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

Solid Oak Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in İzmir, İzmir
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

Leopard spot, Junoth's pattern ceramic mug, hand made in South Africa
By Senzo Duma
Located in North Miami, FL
Sculptor: George Manyathela Painter: Junoth Ncube Dimensions: H 4 in. x L 4 in. x W 4 in. Designed in South Africa in 2024, the Leopard Spot - Junoth's Pattern Mug is a vibrant cele...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic

New modern Chopping Board in White Carrara Marble creator Studioformart Stock
Located in Milan, IT
The history of marble carving is lost in time; in one breath, it takes us back to the IV century BC, to ancient Greece where decorations and sculptures were created from the shimmering stone. Andrea and Simone Dell’Amico, the souls of Studioformat, are young designers from Carrara who live and breathe marble in the nearby quarries, challenging the material’s strength. Total Marble is a collection that introduces curved and rectangular trays, place mats and mise en place that suggest fleetingness in a material, the divine aspects of which, have been transformed into objects for everyday use. A little bit board and a little bit tray...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

New Modern Bread Basket in Black Marble Creator Cristoforo Trapani Stock
Located in Milan, IT
Acclaimed by critics, rewarded and beloved by customers, the bread basket has made a comeback as the hero of the table, for good reason. Forget about precooked loaves or packaged breadsticks, bread is the pride of Italian gastronomic tradition, which is why it deserves the right presentation. Michelin Star...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

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

Hammock Marble Platter by on Entropy in Brown, Desk Accessory of Platter
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

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

Cheese Shaker 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

New Modern Serving Tray in Nero and White Marble, creator Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Serving tray in black Marquinia and White Michelangelo Marble. Size: 40.7 x 30 x 3 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Danese, Homage Collection by the Italian designer Matteo C...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

New Modern Small Tray in White and Black, creator Matteo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Small tray/plate in White Michelangelo and Black Marquinia Marble. Size: 22.5 x 15 x 2 cm, smooth finishing. Commercial name: Carlo, Homage Collection by the Italian designer Matteo...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

White Round Perforated Metal Tray by Mathieu Mategot, France, c. 1950
Located in New York City, NY
Exquisite white round perforated metal tray by Mathieu Matégot, France, circa 1950s.
Category

20th Century French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Italian modern glass and metal ice bucket with pliers by Zani & Zani, 1980s
By Zani
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern glass and metal ice bucket with pliers by Zani & Zani, 1980s Ice bucket with pliers in metal and glass. The bucket is made up of a cylindrical basket made of thick gla...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

New Modern Dish in White Michelangelo 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 Michelangelo 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

Ice Box by Bruno Munari
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage Italian ice box by Bruno Munari showcases a sleek modernist design with a black body and silver metal accents. Both sculptural and functional, it’s a bold statement piec...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Esa Fedrigolli Design Sculpture Center Bronze Enaneled by Esart, Italy Years 1970
Located in Biella, IT
Esa Fedrigolli design vintage sculpture center bronze pocket emptier enameled in refined green, red and bleu by Esart Italy production in years 1970, signe...
Category

1870s Italian Antique Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Hammock Marble Platter by On.Entropy in White, Desk Accessory of Platter
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. H...
Category

2010s Greek Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Butterfly Golden Wood Lacquered Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
There are many trays but very few are as beautiful as this golden lacquered tray elegant with a 40s vibe but at the same time modern and contemporary A unique piece for your table ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

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

Flowers Golden Wood Lacquered Tray
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
There are many trays but very few are as beautiful as this golden lacquered tray elegant with a 40s vibe but at the same time modern and contemporary A unique piece for your table ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood

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

Solid Oak Serving Tray Set – EDGE
Located in İzmir, İzmir
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

Io Marble Platter by On.Entropy in Green, 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. ...
Category

2010s Greek Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Italian modern metal oval serving bowl or container by La Rinascente, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern metal oval serving bowl or container by La Rinascente, 1990s. Oval-shaped metal serving bowl or container, ideal for serving appetizers and aperitifs. Produced by La R...
Category

1990s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

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

Dinner Plates Set Four Charger Plate Table Serving Majolica Ceramic Blue Pink
Located in Recanati, IT
This colorful set of 4 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 is composed by a halo of blue foliage that resembles four groups of wings surrounding light pink backgrounds: 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 6 or 12 charger...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Charger Plate Set Six Dinner Plates Table Serving Majolica Ceramic Blue Pink
Located in Recanati, IT
This colorful set of 6 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 is composed by a halo of blue foliage that resembles four groups of wings surrounding light pink backgrounds: 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 or 12 charger...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

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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