Postmodern Serving Platters in Steel and Veneered Plywood, 1980s, Set of 2

Details

Description

Pair of elegant and highly decorative postmodern serving platters produced between the late 1970s and early 1980s by Studio Inox, … Read more Pair of elegant and highly decorative postmodern serving platters produced between the late 1970s and early 1980s by Studio Inox, as confirmed by the original adhesive label still present. These serving platters feature an unusual shape whose flowing curves and use of burl-like veneer recall the Art Deco style, which experienced a revival in the 1980s and went on to inspire postmodern design.

Crafted from durable and functional 18/10 stainless steel, they display a three-dimensional decorative motif concentrated on the handles. Perfectly integrated into the monobloc structure and without cutouts, the handles are “carved” in a manner reminiscent of marquetry and filled with two veneered plywood shapes, each topped with four small turned solid-wood cones resembling studs. The veneer used is a pre-composed wood veneer—an “imaginary burl”—as it does not originate from a single wood species but is created through an industrial process that deconstructs and reconstructs natural wood. This technique allows for decorative sheets with uniform grain patterns and colors that can be customized by the designer. This type of veneer was widely used by Ettore Sottsass, who developed it for ALPI in the 1980s.

A striking contrast is created by the thin raised rim of gold-plated steel that runs along the entire perimeter of the serving platters. Both platters are used but in good condition: the wooden elements are in excellent condition, while the stainless-steel surfaces show signs of wear such as small scratches, visible in the photos. Within our selection, a tray from the same collection as these serving platters is also available. This piece is designed in the style of the selected designer and/or manufacturer See less