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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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

Gambone Large Ceramic Riser 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

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 Small 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

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

Set of 4 Kartell Jellies Round Trays in Green 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

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Small Paper Basket in 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

Loewe Serving Tray in Brass Stainless Steel, Spain 1970 s
By Loewe
Located in New York, NY
Stainless steel and brass tray with solid brass raised details and the Loewe logo. Stamped underneath.
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel

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

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

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

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 Small Copper and Carrara Marble Tray by Elisa Ossino
Located in Milan, IT
Full Moon is a small copper tray with a Carrara marble top and it is part of the Lunar Landscape collection designed by Elisa Ossino, who conceived for Paola C. a tableware collectio...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Carrara Marble, Copper

Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Limousine Tray in Rose Gold by Richard Hutten
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Limousine tray 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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

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

Opa! Marble Platter by on.Entropy in White or Green marble
Located in Athens, GR
Marble platter “Opa!” is a sculptural object designed to awaken the senses and transforms marble offcuts into a refined, lightweight design. Carved from our own marble remnants and s...
Category

2010s Greek Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

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

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 Axonometry Squared Small Tray in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Axonometry squared small tray in brass by Elisa Giovanni. Materials: Brass Net weight: 0.55 kg Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x 2 H cm.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Ghidini 1961 Perished Small Bowl in Gold-Plated Stainless Steel by Studio Job
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Small bowl in openwork steel. After having visited the Museum of Natural History in New York, Studio Job created a neo-Gothic pattern of dancing human and animal skeletons...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

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 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

Ghidini 1961 Omini Serving Tray in Gold by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Serving tray 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 geom...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

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

Ceramic Bowl, Ø 10 cm x H 5 cm 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

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

Ceramic Salad Bowl Ø 30cm x H 14cm, 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

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 Sugar Bowl, 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

Hand Painted Ceramic Smiley Spoon 8 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

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Small 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 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 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 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

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 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

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

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 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

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

Fish Service with 12 Forks and 12 Fish Knives by the Silversmith Christofle.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Fish service with 12 forks and 12 fish knives by the silversmith Christofle in Paris, 1960-1970. Fish service with 12 silver plated forks and 12 fish knives in the original box by C...
Category

20th Century French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

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

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 Smiley Spoon 2 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 Come in 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 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

Hand-Painted Decorative Iron Tray - Flowers
Located in ROCCAVIVARA CB, IT
Add a bold and artistic touch to your decor with our hand-painted iron tray, featuring an intricate flower design. Perfect for display on coffee tables, shelves, or as wall art, this...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Iron

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

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

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

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

Silver-Plate Vintage Sculptural Salad Servers or Serving Pieces Pair Of
Located in North Miami, FL
These amazing and sculptural hallmarked hand wrought silver plate serving pieces or salad utensils are like a work of art. These are perfect for serving...
Category

1980s Canadian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of 4 Kartell Small 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

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

French 19th Century Ribbed Glass Sugar Caddy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
French 19th century modern style sugar caddy in spherical, ribbed glass bowl with polished brass lid and carrying handle. A lovely way to present sweet treats to guests in lieu of a biscuit or candy jar, or elevate a bath or powder room by displaying this fine antique glass vessel...
Category

19th Century French Antique 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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