Black Tree Console Shelf by Elisabeth Hertzfeld
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige tree console shelf by Elisabeth Hertzfeld Materials: Fenix Laminate Dimensions: D 35 x W 53 x H 6.5 cm The founders, Mia and Torben Koed, decided to put their 30 years of...
Laminate
Carlton 30th Anniversary Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Design
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Ravenna, IT
Carlton is the most famous and iconic of all the objects designed for Memphis Milano. The piece was designed by Ettore Sottsass and first presented at the historic Memphis exhibition...
Laminate, Wood
Ettore Sottsass "Carlton" Room Divider, MDF & Plastic, Italy, 1981
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The totemic CARLTON room divider is a Memphis icon. The piece calls into question conventional furniture forms by combining a space divider, bookcase, and chest of drawers. Intended ...
Laminate, Wood
Bone Air Chair by Memphis Milano Designer Peter Shire
By Peter Shire
Located in Kansas City, MO
Peter Shire bone chair designed and made in the Studio of Peter Shire, 1983. Only two of these chairs were ever made. The other reside in a private collection in Germany. Very large ...
Upholstery, Laminate, Wood
Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Leitner Donau Collection Bed and Nightstand
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini, Memphis Group
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and iconic Italian post-modern Donau Collection bed and matching nightstand designed by master architect and furniture designer Ettore Sottsass (Austria/Italy, 1917-2007) in c...
Laminate, Wood
Beverly Sideboard by Ettore Sottsass, 1981 Postmodern Design
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Ettore Sottsass considered the Beverly sideboard a pivotal piece for the first MEMPHIS collection. The diagonal upright support fabricated of birds-eye maple was meant to infer the p...
Chrome
Price Upon Request
'Side Table 10' Side Table by Peter Shire, 1984
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage side table by Peter Shire, 1984. Birch solid core plywood and Laminate. Exact dimensions available upon request. Other models available Peter Shire: Peter Shire is an ...
Laminate, Plywood
Price Upon Request
'Side Table 9' Side Table by Peter Shire, 1984
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage side table by Peter Shire, 1984. Birch solid core plywood and laminate. Exact dimensions avail. Upon request. *other models available Peter Shire: Peter Shire is an LA...
Laminate, Plywood
Ettore Sottsass Cantone Corner Shelves, Italy, 1981
By Ettore Sottsass, Zanotta
Located in Dronten, NL
Striking “Cantone” corner cabinet designed by Ettore Sottsass, an iconic example of the Italian postmodern master’s sculptural and architectural approach to furniture. This piece emb...
Silver
Gracieux Accueil Lidded Box by Nathalie Du Pasquier, 1983
By Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Around the time that MEMPHIS had become a world-wide phenomenon, several Italian manufacturers approached the various MEMPHIS designers to execute similar work but on different produ...
Chrome
Pyramid quartz watch by Seiko, Japan, 1980s
By Seiko
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Pyramid Quartz Clock produced in the 1980s by SEIKO, with its pyramidal shape, so unique, gives the object a futuristic character, but with a deeply retro soul. A timeless piece of d...
Plastic, Laminate
Paul Evans for Directional Rare 'Cityscape' 'Steel Hinged' Sideboard in Chrome
By Paul Evans, Directional
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, Paul Evans Studio for Directional, 'Cityscape' or 'Steel Hinged' cabinet, mirrored glass, chrome-plated steel, lacquered High Pressure Laminate, United States, 1970s Thi...
Steel, Chrome
Memphis 'Lido' Sofa by Michele De Lucchi, Colorful Design, 1982
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1982, this superb object of functional decor will offer a comfortable seat to an eclectic interior, while also being a magnificent colorful accent to...
Steel
Set of 3 Day Bench, Pillow & Headrest by Bicci De Medici
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 day bench, pillow & headrest by Bicci de Medici Dimensions: 147 x 33 x H 33.7 cm Materials: Natural wood. Oiled. Mat finished. Linen pillow and headrest. Technique: Carve...
Linen, Wood
$7,769 / item
Circus Sideboard by Studio Roso
Located in Geneve, CH
Circus Sideboard by Studio Roso Dimensions: D177 x W75 x H47 cm Material: Wood, glass, steel Weight: 46 kg Studio Roso is a partnership between Sophie Nielsen and Rolf Knudsen...
Steel
Ettore Sottsass Memphis Milano Diva Vintage Wall Mirror, Italy, 1984
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in Vienna, AT
A post-modern wall-mounted mirror, Model „Diva" designed in 1984 by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy.
Glass, Mirror, Laminate, Wood
Rare Smoked Glass and Chrome Cabinet or Vitrine by Pierre Cardin
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large smoked glass and chrome cabinet or vitrine by Pierre Cardin. Three doors and six compartments. Can be backlighted (optional). A spectacular piece in any room.
Chrome
Italian Postmodern Sculptural Wall Shelf by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta 1980
By Ettore Sottsass, Zanotta
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Alfiere étagère by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta, 1980 This rare Italian postmodern sculptural wall shelf was designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1980 for Zanotta. Known as the Alfiere éta...
Marble, Chrome
Memphis Milano Tahiti Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Tahiti, a masterpiece by Ettore Sottsass, is an ironic lamp with a zoomorphic shape that recalls childhood games: a lamp is hidden in the head, ideal for lighting a table. The base w...
Metal
1980s Waterfall Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
This vintage 1980s waterfall console table features a continuous curved form that exemplifies late-20th-century postmodern design. Constructed of stainless steel with a striped lamin...
Stainless Steel
Rare Smoked Glass and Chrome Cabinet or Vitrine by Pierre Cardin
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large smoked glass and chrome cabinet or vitrine by Pierre Cardin. Three doors and six compartments. Can be backlighted (optional). A spectacular piece in any room.
Chrome
$2,875Sale Price / set|50% Off
"Big-Superbig" Desk Suite by Guido Faleschini for Mariani Via Pace Collection
By Guido Faleschini, Pace Collection, i4 Mariani
Located in Hanover, MA
***SALE*** Stylish and high quality executive office ensemble produced in 1976 by i4Mariani Italy, designed by architect Guido Faleschini and retailed in the USA through Pace Collec...
Chrome
Trolley / cart by Bieffeplast Padova 1970s
By Bieffeplast
Located in Athens, Attiki
Italian drinks and serving trolley by Bieffeplast Padova. Upper and lower removable and interchangeable tray sections as well as bottle storage.
Metal
Superstudio for Zanotta Quaderna 710 Console Black silkscreen print on white
By Superstudio, Zanotta
Located in London, GB
Superstudio for Zanotta Quaderna 710 Console Black silkscreen print on white plastic laminate H84 x L180 x D42 cm Contemporary production An iconic design from Italy’s Radical Design...
Plastic, Laminate
"Terminus" Floor Lamp by Martine Bedin, Memphis Design, 1981
By Martine Bedin
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
You will NEVER find a Pop Art Lamp more anthropomorphic than this one!!!! TERMINUS, designed by Martine Bedin for Memphis Milano, is a floor lamp made with a fire-painted metal stru...
Metal
Malabar Bookshop by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milan
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Ravenna, IT
Malabar is a cabinet-bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano in 1982 and purchased in 2000. Production number 21. Sold with certificate of Authenticity. Featuring she...
Metal
Contemporary Art Ceramic Totem Chocolate Piece Number 33/99 by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Mirabili
Located in Pistoia, IT
The message that Mirabili intends to portay involves well-known artist and designers, selected for their particular gifts and their poetic world, lending an innovative and sensitive ...
Ceramic, Wood
Contemporary Art TOTEM Clair De Lune Light Blue White N/Edit. by Ettore Sottsass
By Mirabili, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited edition of 29 pieces. From Primitive clay magma, by playing with shapes, Sottsass makes the “philosophy” of a state of mind visible and concrete: as if in the musical atmosph...
Ceramic, Wood
1980s Postmodern Marbleized Formica Wall Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
Large Vintage Postmodern marbleized wall mirror. Circa 1980s Features a minimalist fully faux stone / marbleized pattern laminated frame with an arched top mirror. In excellent ne...
Formica
$2,388Sale Price|40% Off
1980s Postmodern Lucite/Mixed Media Light Sculpture with Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
Large Postmodern Lucite and Mixed Media Light Sculpture With Pedestal and a Box Acrylic Cover. Circa 1980s. Features an abstract Southwestern inspired mixed-media appliqué on pastel...
Brass
Ettore Sottsass for Alchimia “Capodanno” No. 71 Table Lamp, 1979
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Weesp, NL
Step into a landmark moment in postmodern design with this Capodanno table lamp—an object that marks Ettore Sottsass’s decisive break from the austere functionalism of his Rationalis...
Brass
'Rocket' Bookshelf by Peter Shire, 1986-1987
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage bookshelf by Peter Shire, 1986-1987. Birch solid core plywood and Abet Laminati Laminate, metal with paint. Approximate: 58" high x 10" wide (front to back) Peter Shire:...
Metal
$776 / item
Timeless Glow Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Timeless Glow Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 12 x W 12 x H 25 cm. Materials: Laminated glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA ...
Glass
$776 / item
Euphoria Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Euphoria Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 12 x W 12 x H 25 cm. Materials: Laminated glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it wi...
Glass
$1,718 / item
Scarlet Sunset Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Scarlet Sunset Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 35 cm. Materials: Laminated glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA...
Glass
$1,718 / item
Mermaid Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Mermaid Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 35 cm. Materials: Laminated glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it wil...
Glass
Irregular Mirror with Polished, Beveled Edge
Located in York, CA
The Concord mirror is part of our exploration into decorative objects. The unique shape features a bevelled edge and is available in custom dimensions as well as finishes.
Aluminum, Steel
Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 3
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare postmodern brown and cream checkerboard table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. Slight signs of wear and light scratches. Clock has not ...
Aluminum
Postmodern Waterfall Console, 1980s, USA
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Custom postmodern waterfall console table in mauve laminate. Good condition with minor scratches and scuffing.
Laminate, Wood
Air Conditioning Collection Lamp by Johanna Grawunder for Design Gallery Milano
By Design Gallery Milano, Johanna Grawunder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic limited edition table lamp by Johanna Grawunder for her 1995 Air Conditioning Collection for Design Gallery Milano. A rectangular wood form covered in anthracite-colored ...
Glass, Laminate, Wood
Multicolor Quilted Paper and Thread Wall Tapestry by Kelly Kozma
By Kelly Kozma
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Magma & Reef" is a one-of-a-kind wall-hanging statement piece as part of Kelly Kozma's newest collection "Watch Me Backflip". This large crafted piece is hand-sewn by the artist in ...
Textile, Tapestry, Thread, Paper
Vintage Postmodern Faux Coral Console Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Unleash the bold, architectural spirit of Postmodern design with this extraordinary vintage console table. A masterful study in texture and form, this piece features a sleek, black t...
Glass, Resin, Laminate, Wood
$9,661 / item
Plato Pouf No 1 by Yasemin Toygar
Located in Geneve, CH
Plato Pouf No 1 by Yasemin Toygar Dimensions: D 40 x H 46 cm Materials: Satin Brass, Marble, White Boucle Fabric Plato Collection Inspired by the geometric still life, Plat...
Marble, Brass
$11,485 / item
Plato Pouf No 2 by Yasemin Toygar
Located in Geneve, CH
Plato pouf no 2 by Yasemin Toygar Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 46 cm Materials: satin brass, marble and onyx, blue velvet fabric Plato Collection Inspired by the geometric s...
Marble, Onyx, Brass
$12,619 / item
Plato Pouf No 3 by Yasemin Toygar
Located in Geneve, CH
Plato Pouf No 3 by Yasemin Toygar. Dimensions: W 92 x D 40 x H 46 cm Materials: Satin Brass, marble and onyx, orange velvet fabric. Plato Collection Inspired by the geometr...
Onyx, Marble, 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.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.
Aided by photos taken of the maestro in his Milan studio, we honor the influential design talent who died last month at 87.
Adam Charlap Hyman and Andre Herrero, rising young design talents, are debuting a new, eclectic line of textiles.