Clypea Sconce by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Clypea Sconce by Brent Warr is a refined study in balance and materiality.
Brass
Donut Vessel in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Donut Vessel by Brent Warr is a sculptural study in rhythm and form.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
$9,900 / item
H 55 in W 22 in D 22 in
Caquetoire Lord Chair in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Caquetoire Lord Chair by Brent Warr is a sculptural reimagining of a classic form rooted in 16th and 17th century French design.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Maze Candelabra in Wood & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univer...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Tunnel Candelabra in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Tunnel Candelabra by Brent Warr is an evocative fusion of sculpture and function.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Wave Bench in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Wave Bench by Brent Warr is a bold sculptural statement, merging functional design with artistic form.
Fabric, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Nestle Foot Stool Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Nestle Foot Stool by Brent Warr is a tactile blend of whimsy and sculptural sophistication.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Doodle Lamp in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Doodle Table Lamp by Brent Warr is a sculptural lighting piece that merges playfulness with refined craftsmanship.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
Upholstered Shell Lounge Chair by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The piece is then custom painted and sealed and upholstered in a boucle fabric. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn University’s...
Upholstery, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Nestle Lounge Chair Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Nestle Lounge Chair by Brent Warr merges playful form with sculptural elegance in a striking silhouette that commands attention.
Fabric, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Mohair
Oyster Pendant in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is unique and made to order and is available in either white or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univ...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
Saucer Dining Table in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Saucer Dining Table by Brent Warr features a striking interplay of form and balance.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$8,900 / item
H 54 in W 36 in D 7 in
Collectible Nimbus Mirror in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univer...
Mirror, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$4,400 / item
H 42 in W 20 in D 22 in
Caquetoire Dining Chair in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Caquetoire Dining Chair by Brent Warr offers a refined, modern take on the historic 16th-century French conversation chair.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Saucer Fruit Bowl in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Saucer Fruit Bowl by Brent Warr is a bold sculptural vessel that merges utility with expressive form.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
$1,900 / item
H 14 in W 14 in D 11 in
Small Breakout Vase in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Small Breakout Vase by Brent Warr is a sculptural statement piece that embraces organic form and material experimentation.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
$3,900 / item
H 24 in W 20 in D 17 in
Large Breakout Vase in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Large Breakout Vase by Brent Warr is a sculptural statement piece that embraces organic form and material experimentation.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
$2,900 / item
H 18 in W 16 in D 15 in
Medium Breakout Vase in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Medium Breakout Vase by Brent Warr is a sculptural statement piece that embraces organic form and material experimentation.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
Linda Coffee Table in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univer...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Cirque 4 Drop Swagged Chandelier by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Dramatic yet refined, the Cirque is a testament to material innovation and sculptural lighting design. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied a...
Steel
Z Candle Holder in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univer...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
X Candle Holder in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univer...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Y Candle Holder in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univer...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$4,000 / item
H 19 in W 13 in D 19 in
Glenn Thinking Stool in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univer...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint, Hardwood
$8,600
H 5 in W 28 in D 28 in
Oyster Pendant / Perforated in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is unique and made to order and is available in either white or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univ...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
Lucille Floor Mirror in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univer...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$4,400 / item
H 24 in W 16 in D 16 in
Margaret Side Table in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univers...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$18,900 / item
H 30 in W 42 in D 96 in
96" Glenn Dining Table in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The 96" Glenn Dining Table by Brent Warr is a commanding centerpiece that blends architectural boldness with refined materiality.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$14,400 / item
H 32 in W 34 in D 59 in
Collectible Shell Chaise in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Finally, it is upholstered with custom 1" German mohair fabric. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn University’s college of Archit...
Fabric, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint, Mohair
Katie Table Lamp in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univer...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Paint
$7,900
H 44 in W 44 in D 8 in
"Not Funny" Neon and Fiberglass Wall Sculpture Art by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Not Funny by Brent Warr is a charged exploration of irony and emotional duality, rendered in bold sculptural form.
Glass, Art Glass, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Cirque 2 Drop Double Swagged Chandelier by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Dramatic yet refined, the Cirque is a testament to material innovation and sculptural lighting design. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied a...
Steel
$10,500 / item
H 43 in W 28 in D 34 in
Upholstered Shell Lounge Chair - Low Arms, by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The piece is then custom painted and sealed and upholstered in a boucle fabric. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn University’s...
Upholstery, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Wendon Console Table in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univers...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$2,800 / item
H 28 in W 20 in D 5 in
20x28" Le Stud Mirror in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and can be customized in configuration, color, length, and height. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn...
Glass, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$6,900 / item
H 60 in W 40 in D 5 in
40x60" Le' stud Mirror in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and can be customized in configuration, color, length, and height. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Rachel Floor Lamp in Gypsum and Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order and is available in white, black, cream, or custom colors. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied at Auburn Univers...
Steel
$10,900 / set
H 40 in W 18 in D 14 in
Saucer Dining Chair in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios, Set of 4
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Saucer Dining Chair by Brent Warr balances playful form with sculptural elegance.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Bee Boo Bop Chair in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
After curing, the chair is sanded then a hand applied fiberglass layer coats the entire piece to add to durability and longevity. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$18,400
H 30 in W 48 in D 48 in
Saucer Dining Set, Includes Four Chairs and 48" Table by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Saucer Dining Set by Brent Warr unites sculptural expression with refined functionality.
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$7,900
H 44 in W 44 in D 8 in
"I Don't Know" Neon and Fiberglass Wall Sculpture Art by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
“I Don’t Know” by Brent Warr is a bold wall sculpture that blends language, light, and material into a striking conceptual statement.
Glass, Art Glass, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$1,900 / item
H 20 in W 16 in D 5 in
16 x 20" Le' stud Mirror in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Each piece is made to order, with custom options available for configuration, color, length, and height. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised in Georgia, USA and studied...
Mirror, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$16,500
H 70 in W 28 in D 18 in
Bona Omi - Plaster, Fiberglass, Wood, and Glass Sculpture by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Brent Warr has been featured in Interior Design Magazine, Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Vogue Living to name a few.
Blown Glass, Epoxy Resin, Acrylic, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood
Court Fireplace Surround/Mantle
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
After curing, the table is sanded then a hand applied fiberglass layer coats the entire piece to add to durability and longevity. Brent Warr Studios founder Brent Warr was raised i...
Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Unavailable
H 19 in W 19 in D 13 in
Modern "Glenn Thinking Stool" by Brent Warr Wood White Custom Colors
Located in madrid, ES
* Each piece is unique and made to order and is available in either stark white or custom colors. Brent Warr is a furniture designer/maker specializing in sculptural art, coll...
Plaster, Wood, Paint
Modern "Wendon Console Table" by Brent Warr Wood White
Located in madrid, ES
Each piece is made to order and is available in either stark white or custom colors. Brent Warr is a furniture designer/maker specializing in sculptural art, collectible furniture, ...
Plaster, Wood, Paint
Unavailable
H 70.08 in W 36.23 in D 10.24 in
Contemporary "Lucille Floor Mirror" by Brent Warr Wood White Custom Colors
Located in madrid, ES
* Each piece is made to order and is available in either stark white or custom colors. Brent Warr is a furniture designer/maker specializing in sculptural art, collectible furnit...
Plaster, Wood, Paint
Unavailable
H 16 in W 47 in D 47 in
Modern "Linda Coffee Table" by Brent Warr Wood White Custom Colors
Located in madrid, ES
* Each piece is made to order and is available in either stark white or Custom Colors. Brent Warr is a furniture designer/maker specializing in sculptural art, collectible fu...
Plaster, Wood, Paint
"Oyster Ceiling Pendant" by Brent Warr, USA 2022
By Brent Warr
Located in Miami, FL
Unique and one of a kind "Oyster Ceiling Pendant" Light rendered in wood, pulp, plaster, steel, paint, and sealant, by Artist and Furniture Designer Brent Warr. Made in USA, 2022. ...
Steel
Sold
H 70.08 in W 24.02 in D 12.21 in
Modern "Rachel Floor Lamp" by Brent Warr Wood White Custom Colors
Located in madrid, ES
* Each piece is made to order and is available in either stark white or custom colors. Brent Warr is a furniture designer/maker specializing in sculptural art, collectible furnit...
Plaster, Wood, Paint
$1,650 / item
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Mamun Bedside (Dark Brown/Dusty Blue)
Located in Singapore, SG
Mamun, which translates to trustworthy in Arabic, was designed by Studio Kallang in 2021 as a playful take on both midcentury and brutalist forms. Designer Faezah Shaharuddin intende...
Teak
$2,800 / set
H 14.75 in W 8.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Art Deco Style Murano Glass Demi Lune Wall Sconces, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Art Deco style Murano glass demi lune wall sconces, in stock One LED E26 base socket. Black glass sphere and brass fittings. Textured Murano glass, Wired to the American sta...
Brass
Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces, Art Deco Style, in Stock
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Murano glass wall sconces, in stock Fume color and horizontal striation texture Black opaline finials and brass accents Art Deco inspired design. Gives off warm beams of lig...
Brass
$8,740Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 19.69 in W 70.87 in D 27.56 in
Alexander and Jones Sunday Daybed in Oak & Cream Bouclé Handcrafted to Order
Located in Cirencester, England
The Sunday Daybed is a signature made-to-order piece by Alexander and Jones, handcrafted in our Cotswolds studio, UK, from sculpted solid oak with our signature wave form frame and c...
Bouclé, Oak, Fabric, Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
$3,990 / item
H 15.75 in W 74.81 in D 29.14 in
Mustard Velvet Daybed with V-Shaped Beechwood Base, Model V
By Dusty Deco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
DD V daybed is an exclusive daybed made by hand in Bosnia and Herzegovina by skilled craftsmen with long experience in wood and upholstery. Both frame and the characteristic V-shaped...
Fabric, Beech, Velvet
$1,914 / item
H 5.91 in Dm 4.73 in
Josef Hoffmann Wiener Werkstaette Jugendstil Ceiling Lamp / Flush Pende, Re Edit
By Josef Hoffmann, Woka Lamps, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Vienna, AT
Hanging- lamp from the showrooms of the Wiener Werkstaette used by Hoffmann in several variations. Hammered originally. Works-number M115, pattern-book of the Wiener Werkstaette: WWM...
Crystal, Brass
Patinated Brass Sconces by Robert Stilin
Located in New York City, NY
Priced Individually. Lead time is 6-8 weeks. Patinates beautifully with time. Can be made in nickel, patinated brass, and lacquered brass.
Brass
$9,051 / item
H 35.44 in W 63 in D 27.56 in
Brass and Alabaster Mobile Chandelier by Glustin Luminaires
By Glustin Creation
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Mobile kinetic chandelier made of patinated brass with a round counterweight and two enlighten alabaster globes. Original design by Glustin Luminaires.
Alabaster, Brass
$3,750 / set
H 25 in W 3.5 in D 2.5 in
Murano Glass Sconces, Hand-Blown Smoked Glass on Brass Frame, Italy
Located in Austin, TX
Pair of Murano glass sconces, each crafted with a single curved panel of hand-blown smoked glass on a brass frame. We love the modern style and hand-crafted quality of these sconces....
Brass
Raul Reyes 'Rey 14' Perforated Brass Dome Ceiling Lamp
By Paavo Tynell, Lisa Johansson-Pape
Located in Glendale, CA
Raul Reyes 'Rey 14' Perforated brass dome ceiling lamp. Hand-fabricated in Los Angeles, these highly refined ceiling lamps are reminiscent of the iconic mid-century Finnish designs...
Brass
Milk Glass Cone Sconce, Made in Italy
Located in Culver City, CA
*Please note price is per unit* *Not UL Listed* Milk Glass Cone Sconce Made in Italy With brass hardware. Measures 5"dia x 21"h
Brass
$1,178 / item
H 32.29 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Shell Dining Chair, Linen Schwarzwald Dedar, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile dining seats. They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style. They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs. Chair was designed by Vi...
Bouclé, Velvet, Beech, Linen
$5,414 / item
H 42.01 in W 25.99 in D 1.19 in
Mid century style Ceiling Suspended Mirror with Bronze Patina Frame, Vintage N.4
By Alguacil & Perkoff Ltd.
Located in London, London
Mid-century style Vintage N.4 ceiling suspended mirror with a high quality pure brass full frame with a bronze patina finish. This piece is part of our original and fully customisabl...
Brass, Bronze
LU 3 Ceiling Light
By Lumfardo Luminaires
Located in Los Angeles, CA
LU 3 Ceiling Fixture is an all perforated brass ceiling fixture inspired by classical mid century Italian design. This stunning fixture has 3 beautifully fabricated perforated brass ...
Brass
$13,548 / item
H 49.22 in Dm 70.87 in
Brass and Parchment Paper Chandelier by Diego Mardegan for Glustin Luminaires
By Diego Mardegan
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Impressive chandelier made of white enameled brass arms holding six beautiful parchment paper shades, which can be adjusted thanks to the handle of each socket. Signed by the arti...
Brass
Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s. The characteristics of vintage postmodern furniture and other postmodern objects and decor for the home included loud-patterned, usually plastic surfaces; strange proportions, vibrant colors and weird angles; and a vague-at-best relationship between form and function.
ORIGINS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
VINTAGE POSTMODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
Critics derided postmodern design as a grandstanding bid for attention and nothing of consequence. Decades later, the fact that postmodernism still has the power to provoke thoughts, along with other reactions, proves they were not entirely correct.
Postmodern design began as an architectural critique. Starting in the 1960s, a small cadre of mainly American architects began to argue that modernism, once high-minded and even noble in its goals, had become stale, stagnant and blandly corporate. Later, in Milan, a cohort of creators led by Ettore Sottsass and Alessandro Mendini — a onetime mentor to Sottsass and a key figure in the Italian Radical movement — brought the discussion to bear on design.
Sottsass, an industrial designer, philosopher and provocateur, gathered a core group of young designers into a collective in 1980 they called Memphis. Members of the Memphis Group, which would come to include Martine Bedin, Michael Graves, Marco Zanini, Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi and Matteo Thun, saw design as a means of communication, and they wanted it to shout. That it did: The first Memphis collection appeared in 1981 in Milan and broke all the modernist taboos, embracing irony, kitsch, wild ornamentation and bad taste.
Memphis works remain icons of postmodernism: the Sottsass Casablanca bookcase, with its leopard-print plastic veneer; de Lucchi’s First chair, which has been described as having the look of an electronics component; Martine Bedin’s Super lamp: a pull-toy puppy on a power-cord leash. Even though it preceded the Memphis Group’s formal launch, Sottsass’s iconic Ultrafragola mirror — in its conspicuously curved plastic shell with radical pops of pink neon — proves striking in any space and embodies many of the collective’s postmodern ideals.
After the initial Memphis show caused an uproar, the postmodern movement within furniture and interior design quickly took off in America. (Memphis fell out of fashion when the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990’s minimalism.) The architect Robert Venturi had by then already begun a series of plywood chairs for Knoll Inc., with beefy, exaggerated silhouettes of traditional styles such as Queen Anne and Chippendale. In 1982, the new firm Swid Powell enlisted a group of top American architects, including Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, Stanley Tigerman and Venturi to create postmodern tableware in silver, ceramic and glass.
On 1stDibs, the vintage postmodern furniture collection includes chairs, coffee tables, sofas, decorative objects, table lamps and more.