New York-based Swid Powell was founded in 1982 by Nan Swid and Addie Powell, both of whom had worked at Knoll International. Swid Powell was founded with the aim of helping architects realize designs for the home. First they worked with 9 architects including Philip Johnson, Stanley Tigerman, and Richard Meier.
For their first collection, launched in 1984, Swid and Powell turned to some of the most celebrated names in international design, including Arata Isosaki, Ettore Sottsass, Zaha Hadid, George Sowden, Robert Venturi, and Michael Graves. The group of porcelain dinnerware, silverware, and glass sold with great success in six cities. The company was in business until 2001.
The series "Tuxedo" was designed by New York based Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects around 1984.
This design resides in the permanent collection of many design museums of which the Museum of Modern Art and The Cooper Hewitt Collection in New York.
Swid Powell "Tuxedo" Postmodern Memphis Coffee set
Material: porcelain
Design: "Tuxedo" pattern in white porcelain with vitreous glaze and transfer-printed decorations.
Set: 15 Pieces
6 Mokka Cups with saucer
1 Coffee pot with lid
1 creamer
1 sugar bowl with lidStamped manufacturer's mark to underside of each element 'Swid Powell Gwathmey Siegel Tuxedo'.
Condition: All pieces are in pristine condition except for 1 chip on the edge of a saucer (see images)