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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Ghidini 1961 Tip Top Tall Tray 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 Tip Top Limousine Tray in 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 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 Tip Top Tall Tray in 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 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 Tip Top Large Paper Basket in 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 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 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 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 Perished Medium Bowl in Gold Plated Stainless Steel by Studio Job
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Medium 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

Ghidini 1961 Axonometry Large Parallelepiped 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 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

fferrone Contemporary Minimal Decorative Dark St. Steel Serving Tray Centerpiece
Located in Chicago, IL
With strong minimal architectural forms emphasizing the tension between positive and negative space, the contemporary Maison collection is comprised of a serving tray, medium bowl, and tall bowl. Perfect as centerpieces or as home accessories each one is handcrafted of stainless steel and darkened giving the finish its depth of color. Modern and minimal in it's rigorous lines which make the Maison collection very architectural. The Maison Tray is perfect for a living on a table or ottoman. Designed by: Felicia Ferrone, 2016 Handcrafted: USA material • hand darkened stainless steel type • tray...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Stainless Steel

Modernist Nutcracker by Jacques Adnet
Located in Brussels, BE
Modernist Nutcracker by Jacques Adnet Jacques Adnet (1900-1984) was a French architect, decorator and designer. He began his career working for the Compagnie des Arts Français, a co...
Category

1940s French Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Hand Painted Ceramic Smiley Spoon 4 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 Smiley Spoon 7 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 Smiley Spoon 6 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 Smiley Spoon 5 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 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 Smiley Spoon 1 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 Planets of Face 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

Hand Painted Ceramic Plate Pirate Freckle Sprinkle 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

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

Bread Knife in Silver Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Silver plated bronze bread knife 35/42 microns Length: 348 mm, weight: 200 gr This knife is the work of French designer Richard Lauret. These pieces ...
Category

2010s French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Jacques Adnet, Modernist Mirrored Tray, Maison Adnet, France, 1940-1950
Located in Firenze, IT
Modernist mirrored tray Jacques Adnet, Paris, France 1940s-1950s Metal, glass Measures: H 10 cm 26 x 41 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Category

1940s French Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Metal

Vintage Silver Plated Serving Tray Scenic Motif
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant vintage metal serving tray features a refined scenic motif beautifully engraved in gold tone at its center. The design depicts a serene landscape, with a sun or moon ris...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver Plate

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

Walnut Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in Orlando, FL
The EDGE Series Walnut Serving Tray is thoughtfully designed to offer a natural and elegant presentation experience. Featuring solid walnut wood side panels and a top-quality MDF bas...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood, Walnut

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

"A" Marble Tray, Morfosi
Located in Geneve, CH
"A" marble tray - Morfosi Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 cm Materials: White Carrara marble. Available in custom dimensions and materials. The Morfosi brand has as its guideline the s...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

HEDERA Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
HEDERA Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns It is possible to order all...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Solid Oak Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in Orlando, FL
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

RUBAN Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
RUBAN Set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns It is possible to order ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

OCEAN Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece Table spoon Table fork Table knife/meat knife...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Solid Oak Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in Orlando, FL
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

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

Round Rotating Wooden Serving Tray
Located in Orlando, FL
Crafted from natural solid oak, the Rotating Oak Serving Stand is a beautifully hand-finished piece that offers both elegance and practicality to your table. Featuring a smooth 360° ...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood, Oak

Solid Oak Serving Tray – EDGE
Located in Orlando, FL
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

SONIA Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns It is possible to order all produc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Oryx Set of 2 Pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
ORYX set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze. Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns. It is possible to order...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

METROPOLIS Set of 2 pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
METROPOLIS set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece Table spoon Table fork Table knife/meat knife...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Stratus Set of 2 Pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece Table spoon Table fork Table knife/meat knife...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Olivier Set of 2 Pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Olivier set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece Table spoon Table fork Table knife/meat knife...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Jardins De Giverny Set of 2 Pieces in Silver Bronze or Gold Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
JARDINS DE GIVERNY Set of 2 pieces in silver bronze or gold bronze Set of 2 pieces (table forks/fish, table knife or meat/fish knife) in silver bronze 35/42 microns It is possible to order all products separately or set of 4 piece Table spoon Table fork Table knife/meat knife...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Bronze

Hammock Marble Platter by On.Entropy in White, Desk Accessory of Platter
Located in Athens, GR
Hammock is a platter conceived as a seamless, homogeneous volume, carved entirely from a single block of marble without joints or seams. Its design invites the senses to engage with ...
Category

2010s Greek Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Salad Bowl Gold Hand Painted Plate Porcelain Tableware
Located in Roma, RM
Hand painted in Italy from the finest porcelain, this Dafne salad bowl has a narrow pink and blue dotted rim surrounding a broad, delicate golden decor of stylised flowers; subtle li...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 2 Pisara Spoons by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 pisara spoons by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Walnut, maple, natural oil wax Dimensions: W 7-10 cm Also available in three sizes and a variety of woods This range o...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Maple

Large Pisara Spoon by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Pisara spoon by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Walnut, maple, natural oil wax Dimensions: W 7-10 cm Also available in three sizes and a variety of woods This range of small sp...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Maple

Wood Marble Serving Tray Set – EDGE
Located in Orlando, FL
Crafted from 100% natural travertine marble and solid oak, the EDGE Series Serving Tray Set perfectly balances aesthetic elegance with everyday functionality. The combination of natu...
Category

2010s Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Marble

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

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

Seletti "Hybrid-Armilla" Porcelain Spoon, Three Pieces
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

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

Alfredo Sciarrotta Sterling Silver Ladle Twisted Handle
Located in Toledo, OH
Sterling silver ladle by Alfredo Sciarrotta. Twisted design in handle with a round ball design. No monogram. Light usual scratches. Dimensions: 3...
Category

20th Century North American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Silver

Handmade Solid Oak Wood Charcuterie and Cheese Board Set
Located in Orlando, FL
Introducing the Duo, a stunning piece that adds a touch of elegance to your service and presentations. Meticulously crafted from Anatolian Oak, this exquisite creation combines pract...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood, Oak

Modern "Prism Inlay Charcuterie Board" by Alex Drew No One, 2024
Located in Detroit, MI
The Modern "Prism 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 work ...
Category

2010s American Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Brass

Kupu Spoon by Antrei Hartikainen
Located in Geneve, CH
Kupu spoon by Antrei Hartikainen Materials: Walnut, maple, natural oil wax Dimensions: W 10 cm Also available in a variety of woods The unusual proportions of the kupu spoons give ...
Category

2010s Finnish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Maple

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

Border, Solid Oak Wood Rectangular Kitchen Board
Located in Orlando, FL
Suitable for the use of two people, serving board. It is produced from the solid oak tree. It collects the juices of food on the canals of its edges. Each tree is different in patter...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Serving Pieces

Materials

Wood, Oak

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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