13 Modern Seder Plates for a Stunning Passover Table

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The Jewish holiday of Passover kicks off this year on April 22 with two consecutive nights of seders—family dinners that begin with a retelling of the story of the ancient Israelites’ escape from slavery and follow with a multicourse feast in which matzoh ball soup often plays a starring role. The Passover table is also a celebration of spring—and at the center of the action is the seder plate, which holds ritual foods that express the themes of the holiday.

For the design-conscious host, the seder plate is an opportunity to add a beautiful touch to the celebration, with an heirloom piece inherited from family or a new investment platter to pass down. “It can definitely be a chic moment,” says ELLE DECOR A-List designer Alyssa Kapito, author of Alyssa Kapito: Interiors, out March 19. She herself leans toward Judaica pieces “on the cleaner, modern side.”

Leah Koenig, author of Portico: Cooking and Feasting in Rome’s Jewish Kitchen, explains how the seder plate works: “Every seder plate has five—or sometimes six—different sections that hold foods that are symbolic to the holiday or season. These include things like fresh parsley, a symbol of rebirth; a fruit and nut mixture called charoset that represents the bricks and mortar used by the Israelites when they were enslaved in ancient Egypt; and horseradish (or another bitter herb), which stands for the cruel treatment the slaves faced.”

Koenig’s own seder plate skews fairly traditional. “But we use our discussions during the seder itself to tie Passover’s ancient themes to contemporary issues,” she says. “I also do some of the more modern twists on the seder plate—like including olives in the hopes of finding a path to peace in the Middle East, or an orange, which represents the greater inclusion of women and the LGBTQ community in ritual Jewish life.”

As styles go, seder plates range from classic white porcelain with gold writing to indicate where each ingredient goes to more modern looks in stainless steel. “I even think using a white bone china charger with matching little bowls could be very beautiful in a pinch,” says Kapito, although she admits she is pining for Lella Vignelli sterling silver plate from the Jewish Museum. “I would love it mixed with elegant hem-stitched linen tablecloths and Lobmeyr glassware,” she says.

As for how to make the elements on the seder plate look attractive: “I would argue that an organic egg, a big green leaf, and a lamb shank can be a beautiful centerpiece,” Kapito says. “It’s farm-to-table chic.”

Molten Seder Plate

Michael Aram’s stainless steel “Molten” seder plate has an elongated shape that looks contemporary and suits a long banquet-style table.

Oak Street Seder Plate

Add a dose of spring color to the Passover table with this Kate Spade version in Lenox porcelain.

Judaica Pearled Seder Plate

This stunning silver seder plate is by Beatriz Ball, the Cuban-born designer now based in New Orleans and Mexico City. The design in aluminum alloy has a delicate pearl-edge motif.

Passover Seder Plate

This beautiful earthenware seder plate has whimsical drawings indicating each ingredient—a gorgeous piece at a great price.

Futura Seder Plate

Jonathan Adler says his Futura seder plate is “guaranteed to please even the pickiest hubby.” We think it’s a vibe with any decor that leans midcentury.

Marble Seder Plate Set with Gold Bowls

This eye-catching seder set from Pottery Barn includes six golden bowls on a plate in solid marble.

Seder Plate Set

With its 24-karat gold detailing, this glazed porcelain set is a future heirloom.

Seder Plate

Ceramist Helen Levi’s marbled blue-and-white stoneware seder plate is made to order in her studio in Ridgewood, Queens.

Sarah Seder Plate by Style Union Home

Designer Alyssa Kapito’s Passover table is set with this white ceramic seder set that is handmade in Los Angeles. “It really works with any decor,” she says.

Handmade Seder Plate by RachaelPots

Brooklyn potter Rachael Scharf, who studied ceramics in Italy, creates this stoneware set on her potter’s wheel. The plate and mini bowls are hand-carved with Hebrew lettering.

Scalloped Edge Seder Plate by Yaara

Studio Yaara’s minimalist version has bowls with scalloped edges and words stamped into the creamy white ceramic.

Seder Plate

Via Maris—maker of the bestselling modern menorah—offers this slip-cast stoneware version, with glazed black bowls contrasting with the unglazed platter below.

Seder Plate by Lella Vignelli for the Jewish Museum

The late designer Lella Vignelli designed this seder plate for the Jewish Museum. It is crafted by master silversmiths at San Lorenzo in Milan, and an edition is in the museum’s collection.

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