The New York City–based tableware company Swid Powell produced some of the most distinctive china and silver of the 1980s in collaboration with international architects and designers. It enjoyed renewed attention in 2007, when the Yale University Art Gallery mounted the exhibition “The Architect’s Table: Swid Powell and Postmodern Design,” celebrating the donation to its collection of the company’s papers.
Swid Powell was established in 1982 by Nan Swid and Addie Powell, who met while working at the modernist furniture company Knoll. Their idea was to translate the aesthetics of postmodern design from the skyscraper to the dining table, and they brought into their preliminary discussions nine prominent architects. Among these were Philip Johnson, Stanley Tigerman and Richard Meier, all of whom expressed enthusiasm about making their designs accessible beyond the small group with the funds to commission buildings from them.
The first Swid Powell collection was launched in 1984, accompanied by a bold, graphic print campaign in keeping with the era’s advertising trends. The company’s best-known collaboration was with Robert Venturi’s Philadelphia-based firm, Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, whose patterns — particularly the floral design Grandmother inspired by a tablecloth Venturi saw at the home of a colleague's grandmother — adorned Swid Powell porcelain as well as furniture and clothing.
The firm also partnered with architect Richard Meier, whose geometric designs were inspired in part by those of Josef Hoffmann and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Swid Powell also worked with Arata Isosaki, Ettore Sottsass, Zaha Hadid and George Sowden, creating products that incorporated the bright, saturated colors and popular and historical references, like Classical columns, that animated postmodern design in the 1980s. The Chicago Blue china pattern designed for Swid Powell by the firm Gwathmey Siegel references the distinctive patterns of Frank Lloyd Wright’s leaded glass windows. As you will see in the examples below, Swid Powell continued to produce fine, fashionable homewares throughout the decade and beyond.
$1,480 / set
Swid Powell Postmodern Serving Spoon Set
By Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934), Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
A Postmodern set of sterling silver-plate salad serving spoons by architect and designer Michael Graves for Swid Powell Co., 1990. Each spoon bears the following on back as shown in ...
Silver Plate
Swid Powell Postmodern Serving Spoons Neoclassical Column by Robert Venturi
By Swid Powell, Robert Venturi, Reed & Barton
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, chic, substantial, and iconic set of designer Postmodern sterling silver-plate serving, salad or platter spoons, with Neoclassical column handle design, designed by architect Robert Venturi for Swid Powell, circa 1990s. Each measure: 14.25" long. Pieces were manufactured by Reed & Barton for Swid Powell. All piece's bare designer and makers' mark's on back of spoon(s) as shown in close-up images #9 and 10. A great set for summer, holiday, home entertaining...
Silver Plate
Robert AM Stern Rare Salt Shaker for Swid Powel Silver Plated Italy
By Swid Powell
Located in San Diego, CA
The Modern Traditionalist architect, Robert A.M. Stern, is well known for his muscular take on classic American architectural idioms. Think steroidal new “pre-war” towers for billion...
Silver Plate
Salt and Pepper Shakers from Denmark, 1960s
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An unusual and finely crafted pair of salt and pepper shakers of tapering rectangular form attached to solid teak tapered squared handles.
Teak
Art Deco Silver-Plated Salt and Pepper Shakers with Cobalt Blue Glass
Located in San Francisco, US
These Art Deco salt and pepper shakers combine silver-plated metalwork with cobalt blue glass inserts in a design that's both function...
Silver Plate
Large Late 19th Century Blue Willow Serving Platter Staffordshire
By J.H. Warranted Staffordshire 1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and in excellent condition. No cracks or chips, a few scratches on the underside but nothing deep or threatening the integrity. Great blue and very functional as it's a deep...
Clay, Porcelain
Vintage Italian Silver Plate Salt Shaker and Peppermill
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style to your dining table with these vintage Italian salt shaker and matching pepper grinder are silver plate with wood liners to prevent corrosion. ...
Silver Plate
$110 / set
H 5 in W 2 in D 1.75 in
Vintage Wallace Baroque Ornate Silver Plated Salt & Pepper Shakers - a Pair
By Wallace Silversmiths
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Wallace Baroque Ornate Silver Plated Salt & Pepper Shakers - a Pair. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 5" H x 2" W x 1.75" D.
Silver Plate
Richard Meier for Swid Powell Silver Plated Peppermill
By Richard Meier, Swid Powell
Located in Hanover, MA
Hefty and well constructed pepper mill designed by uber architect Richard Meier for Swid Powell and produced in Italy, circa 1985. Ref...
Silver Plate, Brass
Gio Ponti by Calderoni Italian Design Alpacca Metal Serving Coffee Set
By Gio Ponti, Calderoni
Located in Brescia, IT
Gio Ponti "Parco Dei Principi Hotel" series by Calderoni, 1940s. Silver alpacca metal excellent condiction. Measures: H 15, H 13, H 12.
Metal
Villeroy & Boch Avant Garde Stainless Steel One Flatware Set Vintage
By Villeroy & Boch
Located in North Miami, FL
This modernist and avant garden Villeroy & Boch service for one stainless steel flatware set was made in West Germany in 1971 It is hallmarked on the back of each piece. It was part of a collection that was designed by the duality of Helen Von Both and Frederico Fabbrini and was part of the La Bomba...
Stainless Steel
$448 / item
H 3.35 in W 1.58 in D 2.76 in
Ghidini 1961 Rabbit Salt and Pepper Set in Brass by Stefano Giovannoni
By Stefano Giovannoni, Ghidini 1961
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...
Brass
Nine Vintage Hotel Silver Plate Seafood Forks by Oneida
By Oneida
Located in Sheffield, MA
The nine vintage hotel silver plate seafood forks are decorated with leaves and are marked "Oneida Ltd. Silversmiths." See other matching patterns.
Silver Plate
$1,125
H 12 in W 19.5 in D 16 in
Antique Serving Silver Plated Meat Food Turkey Dome Cover Victorian Cloche Large
By Sheffield Mfg. Co 1
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful silver plated extra large antique serving meat food turkey dome / cover, in the Victorian style, finished with a wonderful fleur de lis crest o...
Silver Plate
$273Sale Price|20% Off
H 2.37 in W 9.06 in D 2.37 in
Vintage Silver Pepper & Salt Shaker, A Set of Salt Shakers Crystal With Tray
Located in Wembley, GB
Vintage valuable silver salt and pepper shaker or Decorative tableware pressed, cast and chased. Oval, domed body on short, curve All-encompassing C-curves in relief. A set of 3 sal...
Silver Leaf, Sterling Silver, Silver Plate, Silver
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 8.755 in W 10.5 in D 7 in
1987 Big Dripper Ceramic Coffee Set Michael Graves for Swid Powell
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Swid Powell
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1987 Postmodern Big Dripper Coffee Set by Michael Graves for Swid Powell High gloss white glaze large pot, filter holder, and lid with gold decoration and brick red base. Large Coffe...
Ceramic
$562Sale Price|25% Off
H 3 in W 7 in D 3 in
Vintage Mother of Pearl Organic Sculptural Serving Spoon, Twisted Design, 1980's
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely twisted vintage spiral organic shaped mother of pearl sculptural serving spoon is so versatile. It makes a great addition to any elegant tabletop and dining. Perfect now ...
Mother-of-Pearl
$900 / set
H 1.5 in W 2.13 in D 9.5 in
Victorian Silver Plate Berry Serving Spoons, Leather Case, U.K., 1878
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique - Victorian silver plate berry serving spoons - gold wash to each finely detailed and tooled bowl - contained in their original silk and ve...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 10.75 in W 3 in D 0.05 in
Silver Salad Tongs by Micheal Graves for Swid Powell and Reed & Barton
By Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Oakland, CA
Memphis style silver plate salad tongs designed by architect, industrial designer and educator Micheal Graves (1934-2015) for Swid Powell and Reed & Barton. Embossed leaf patterns o...
Britannia Standard Silver, Silver Plate
Sold
H 3.5 in W 3.5 in D 5.75 in
Dripper Ceramic Creamer and Sugar Pot by Michael Graves for Swid Powell
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Swid Powell
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perhaps Michael Graves' (1934-2015) most well-known design for Swid Powell, the Dripper series (1986) produced two sizes of a coffee pot born from Graves' preference for drip coffee ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 3.5 in W 3.5 in D 5.75 in
Dripper Ceramic Creamer and Sugar Pot by Michael Graves for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Perhaps Michael Graves' (1934-2015) most well-known design for Swid Powell, the Dripper series (1986) produced two sizes of a coffee pot born from Graves' preference for drip coffee and a lack of available drip coffee makers that met his aesthetic standards. This set is the sugar pot...
Ceramic
Sold
H 14.25 in W 2 in D 1 in
Robert Venturi Swid Powell Postmodern Serving Spoons Neoclassical Column, Set
By Reed & Barton, Robert Venturi, Swid Powell
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, chic and substantial set of designer Postmodern sterling silver-plate serving, salad or platter spoons with a Neoclassical pillar column handle design, designed by Rober...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 0.5 in W 10 in D 1.85 in
Silver-Plate Modern Fork and Spoon Richard Meier for Swid Powell Serving Pieces
By Richard Meier, Reed & Barton, Swid Powell
Located in North Miami, FL
These pair of hallmarked Reed and Barton by Richard Meier for Swid Powell skyscraper sculptural silver plate serving pieces have great weight to them. They are fantastic salad server...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 9 in W 4 in D 4 in
Swid Powell for Calvin Klein Silver Plate Three-Piece Coffee Service Vintage
By Swid Powell, Calvin Klein
Located in North Miami, FL
This modernist silver- plate coffee service by Swid Powell for Calvin Klein is timeless. It has been all polished. Signed on the bottom. It is from the 1980s. It has a coffee pot and...
Silver Plate
Richard Meier for Swid Powell Post-Modern Cream & Sugar
By Richard Meier, Swid Powell
Located in Chicago, IL
Silver plate Cream Sugar and Tray. designed by the Post-Modern Architect Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Tray is 10.5" X 5.5", Cream & Sugar 3" high, with 2.5" diameters. Sugar is gla...
Silver Plate
Silver Plate Tray by Richard Meier for Swid Powell
By Richard Meier, Swid Powell
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A beautiful and rare silver plated tray from Richard Meier's collection for Swid Powell.
Silver Plate