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International Style Tableware

INTERNATIONAL STYLE

The International Style, a modernist movement within architecture and furniture design that was given its name by American architect Philip Johnson and historian Henry-Russell Hitchcock, was born during the 1920s and ’30s. It gained steam initially in Europe and then in the United States as a response to the first World War. Building projects associated with the movement, as well as vintage International Style chairs, tables and other furnishings, are minimal and pared back. 

Pioneers of the International Style — architect Walter Gropius and his Bauhaus colleagues Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Marcel Breuer, De Stijl advocate and Dutch architect J.J.P. Oud and visionary designer Le Corbusier — stripped away decorative elements and placed considerable value on functionality and clean lines, integrating the use of industrial materials like steel, concrete and large sheets of glass in their work. Quite aptly, this mode of design and architectural style coincided with an era now known as the Machine Age and became a global symbol of modernism. The primary motive of its practitioners was to address the changing needs of a rapidly industrializing society, especially the demand for office complexes and apartments in large cities, through economical, technologically advanced, yet aesthetically pleasing designs for furniture and buildings. 

“Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep,” said Le Corbusier of the philosophy behind his practical modernist architecture

The International Style’s designers and architects were inspired by the advantages afforded them by the era’s new technology and industrial machinery as well as state-of-the-art materials. Le Corbusier was fond of framing his buildings in steel but reinforced concrete made far more economic sense. He is probably most admired for the iconic private homes and commercial buildings that he designed or codesigned with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, which are spread across the world, from New York City to Paris to Chandigarh, India. Today, Breuer’s Wassily Lounge chair; the elegant LC series created by Le Corbusier, Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand; and Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair, crafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich, are emblems of progressive modernist design and all make prominent use of tubular steel. Vintage originals are the prized cornerstone of collections.

“The International Style is probably the first fundamentally original and widely distributed style since the Gothic,” posited Johnson in the book that accompanied “Modern Architecture: International Exhibition,” an architectural show he cocurated with Hitchcock that featured the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, Richard Neutra and others. While the term “International Style” had previously been circulating in Europe, when the show opened at the Museum of Modern Art in 1932, it yielded a much broader application of this important style of design. 

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Style: International Style
Vintage Cassetti "Lighthouse" pepper shaker, 1950
Vintage Cassetti "Lighthouse" pepper shaker, 1950

Vintage Cassetti "Lighthouse" pepper shaker, 1950

Located in Vienna, AT

Vintage lighthouse-shaped pepper shaker by Cassetti, Italy, crafted in rich ebony and chrome-plated brass. This exquisite mid-century design, dating from circa 1950–1970, exemplifies...

Category

1950s Italian Vintage International Style Tableware

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Era Northern Italian Faïence Majolica Fish Service, Set of 7
Mid-Century Modern Era Northern Italian Faïence Majolica Fish Service, Set of 7

Mid-Century Modern Era Northern Italian Faïence Majolica Fish Service, Set of 7

By Nove, Italy

Located in Philadelphia, PA

From the Barrettoni già Antonibon pottery in Nove, Northern Italy, a Mid-Century Modern Era earthenware fish service consisting of a large serving platter and six individual plates. ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian International Style Tableware

Materials

Earthenware

Antler cutlery set 1960 Blackforest
Antler cutlery set 1960 Blackforest

Antler cutlery set 1960 Blackforest

Located in Vienna, AT

Description: Mid-20th-century cutlery set dating to around 1960, featuring knife blades made of stainless steel with an etched stag motif. The handles are crafted from antler, giving...

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19th Century Austrian Antique International Style Tableware

Materials

Stainless Steel

Spode Fleur de Lys Red & Gold Bone China Fluted Chelsea Coffee Pot
Spode Fleur de Lys Red & Gold Bone China Fluted Chelsea Coffee Pot

Spode Fleur de Lys Red & Gold Bone China Fluted Chelsea Coffee Pot

By Spode

Located in Philadelphia, PA

From Spode, England, a Fleur De Lys-Red Coffee Pot in the fluted Chelsea shape. The Fleur de Lys pattern was introduced in 1961 and remained active until 1994, now discontinued. A bone china coffee...

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20th Century English International Style Tableware

Materials

Ceramic

Spode Fleur de Lys Red & Gold Bone China Fluted Chelsea Tea Pot
Spode Fleur de Lys Red & Gold Bone China Fluted Chelsea Tea Pot

Spode Fleur de Lys Red & Gold Bone China Fluted Chelsea Tea Pot

By Spode

Located in Philadelphia, PA

From Spode, England, a Fleur De Lys-Red Tea Pot in the fluted Chelsea shape. The Fleur de Lys pattern was introduced in 1961 and remained active until 1994, now discontinued. A bone china tea pot...

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20th Century English International Style Tableware

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Ceramic

Antique Silver Judaica Spice Container with Vermeil Flag
Antique Silver Judaica Spice Container with Vermeil Flag

Antique Silver Judaica Spice Container with Vermeil Flag

Located in New York, NY

This exquisite silver Judaica spice container, crafted in 19th-century Prague, is a superb representation of artistry and cultural significance. Designe...

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19th Century Czech Antique International Style Tableware

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Silver

Georg Jansen Butterknife Sterling Silver from 1904
Georg Jansen Butterknife Sterling Silver from 1904

Georg Jansen Butterknife Sterling Silver from 1904

By Georg Jensen

Located in Vienna, AT

A finely crafted sterling silver butter knife designed by Georg Jensen in 1904. Exemplifying Jensen’s early mastery of functional elegance, the piece combines simple, flowing lines w...

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Early 20th Century Scandinavian International Style Tableware

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Sterling Silver

Hand embroidered linen napkins from the SoShiro Ainu collection
Hand embroidered linen napkins from the SoShiro Ainu collection

Hand embroidered linen napkins from the SoShiro Ainu collection

By SoShiro

Located in London, GB

This set of two hand-embroidered linen napkins from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, is made with the softest linen and features playful pockets for a creative place setting of cutlery. These highly ornate and decorative napkins enrich any table setting. The Blakiston’s fish owl...

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2010s Japanese International Style Tableware

Materials

Linen, Natural Fiber

Sheffield English Stag Antler Handled, Sterling Silver Capped Table Servers, S/3
Sheffield English Stag Antler Handled, Sterling Silver Capped Table Servers, S/3

Sheffield English Stag Antler Handled, Sterling Silver Capped Table Servers, S/3

By Sheffield

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A three piece serving set with Stag Antler handles and Sterling Silver ferrules and end caps, Sheffield, England, circa mid 20th Century. Impressively sized, the set consists of a scalloped bowl spoon, and a spoon and fork of a similar pattern, perfect for salads. A beautifully made set, heavy and substantial. The naturally shed antler handles are securely attached to the Stainless Steel spoons and fork with ornate Sterling ferrules and end caps. The end caps are 1.5 in. in Diameter – Stamped 925 for Sterling Silver Scalloped spoon...

Category

Mid-20th Century English International Style Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel

Sheffield English Stag Antler Handled, Sterling Silver Capped Pasta Servers, S/2
Sheffield English Stag Antler Handled, Sterling Silver Capped Pasta Servers, S/2

Sheffield English Stag Antler Handled, Sterling Silver Capped Pasta Servers, S/2

By Sheffield

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A two piece pasta serving set with Stag Antler handles and Sterling Silver ferrules and end caps, Sheffield, England, circa mid 20th Century. Impressively sized, the set consists ...

Category

Mid-20th Century English International Style Tableware

Materials

Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel

Wooden Salt mill in beech wood from the SoShiro Pok collection
Wooden Salt mill in beech wood from the SoShiro Pok collection

Wooden Salt mill in beech wood from the SoShiro Pok collection

By SoShiro

Located in London, GB

The SoShiro Pok collection salt mill is crafted from beech wood, embedded with glass pearl beads, and fitted with all-ceramic, non-oxidizing or corroding gri...

Category

2010s Kenyan International Style Tableware

Materials

Hardwood, Beech, Beads

Circular place mat C066 cast Brass (gold colour) and Aluminium ( silver colour)
Circular place mat C066 cast Brass (gold colour) and Aluminium ( silver colour)

Circular place mat C066 cast Brass (gold colour) and Aluminium ( silver colour)

By David Marshall

Located in Benahavis, AN

The decorative Place Mat was created by David Marshall , the item is made in Sand Cast solid brass and aluminium . Handmade mounted and finished in our foundry and workshop in Spain ...

Category

2010s Spanish International Style Tableware

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Wooden pepper grinder in walnut wood from the SoShiro Pok collection
Wooden pepper grinder in walnut wood from the SoShiro Pok collection

Wooden pepper grinder in walnut wood from the SoShiro Pok collection

By SoShiro

Located in London, GB

The SoShiro Pok collection pepper grinder is crafted from walnut wood, embedded with glass pearl beads, and fitted with all-ceramic, non-oxidizing or corroding grinding mechanisms of...

Category

2010s Kenyan International Style Tableware

Materials

Ceramic, Hardwood, Walnut, Beads

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International Style tableware for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique International Style tableware 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 tableware created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used International Style tableware made in a specific country, there are Europe, England, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original tableware, popular names associated with this style include SoShiro, Sheffield, Samuel Peace, and Spode. 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 tableware differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $225 and tops out at $4,860 while the average work can sell for $603.