Postmodern Memphis Design Writing Desk, Germany, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
This striking postmodern writing desk exemplifies the bold aesthetics of the Memphis design
Metal
1980s Memphis Style Red Triangle Base Desk Clock
By Memphis Milano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly designed 1980s Memphis Milano-inspired desk clock with a black triangular base, red
Plastic
1980's Postmodern Memphis Design George Matsumoto Magic Cube Hidden Office
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Ingenious, Memphis Era, Postmodern "Magic Cube" with hidden compartments filled with desk/office
Plastic
$250Sale Price|50% Off
H 13.78 in W 6.3 in D 2.76 in
Glass Pendulum Clock Takashi Kato Postmodern, 1980s Japanese Design
By Memphis Milano, Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
. Takashi Kato designed a lot of clocks in the 1980s-1990s. Some of clock collections were released from
Glass, Plastic
1980's Postmodern Memphis era Table desk Lamp
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool enameled metal desk table lamp great condition circa 1980's a classic postmodern design
Metal
$5,950 / set
H 29 in W 44 in D 27 in
1990s Memphis Style Postmodern Abstract Art Console Desk and Mirror
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
This one of a kind desk or console table is packed with personality! Outstanding design is
Glass, Wood, Paint
Unavailable
H 29.53 in W 100.4 in D 78.75 in
Postmodern Memphis Design Interlubke Writing Desk, Home Office, Germany 1980s
By Interlübke
Located in Zagreb, HR
Stunning Memphis design style postmodern desk manufactured in the 1980s in Germany by a high-end
Metal
Memphis desk Sophia design Aldo Cibic 1985
By Aldo Cibic, Memphis Milano
Located in Parma, IT
Sophia desk design Aldo Cibic for Memphis Milano 1985. In solid wood, briar and laminate with metal
Metal
Sold
H 33.47 in W 22.84 in D 22.84 in
1980s Memphis Design Style Postmodern Colourful Adjustable Desk Chair by Impac
Located in Zagreb, HR
Postmodern Memphis style adjustable office chair or kids chair by the German manufacturer Impac
Metal
Sold
H 30 in W 60.25 in D 24 in
Ettore Sottsass Memphis Desk in "Spugnatto" Red Laminate from Grace Designs 1985
By Michele de Lucchi, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dallas, TX
Excellent Post-Modern desk that was purchased through the only licensed Memphis Milano dealer in
Laminate, Wood
Sold
H 29.25 in W 78 in D 37 in
Memphis Glass Desk Custom Made by Architect Robert Mangurian for Grace Designs
Located in Dallas, TX
the founder of the Ettore Sottsass-designed Memphis Showroom, Grace Designs. She used it in her
Glass
Table Clock2 Takashi Kato Postmodern, 1980s Japanese Design
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Memphis Milano
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Wall clock by Sessa. Takashi Kato designed a lot of clocks in the 1980s-1990s. Some of clock
Steel
Sold
H 16 in W 13.5 in D 6.5 in
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Memphis Style Post Modern Bankers Desk Lamp
By Memphis Milano, George Kovacs, Memphis Group, Robert Sonneman
Located in Decatur, GA
Rare bankers lamp form, Post Modern - Memphis Milano style, desk lamp designed by Robert Sonneman
Metal
Space Age Desk Lamp Postmodernes Memphis Design Made In Italy, 70s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Space Age Desk Lamp Postmodernes Memphis Design Made in Italy, 70s Exceptionally minimalist, Space
Metal
Donau Secretaire by Ettore Sottsass Memphis Design
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ettore Sottsass; secretaire; cabinet; Italian design; Memphis design; A "Donau" writing desk, c
Metal
Sold
H 24 in W 14.5 in D 9.75 in
Rare Postmodern Memphis Era Desk Lamp in Chrome Enamel Metal and Glass
By Robert Sonneman
Located in San Diego, CA
**Unique 1980s Desk/Table Lamp with Memphis Postmodern Flair** Discover a truly unique desk/table
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 30 in W 48 in D 30 in
Custom Black and Pink Brutalist Postmodern Memphis Style Oak Desk by Reeves
By Reeves Design + Art
Located in Houston, TX
This black and light pink desk is custom made in the Postmodern Memphis style. The natural oak legs
Oak
Memphis Clock Lamp Projector Timebeam by Design
By Timebeam
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Clock timebeam by design limited with a copy of instructions. Post modern style in the way of
Metal
Sold
H 3.15 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in
Iconic telephone "BeoCom 2000" from the 1980s by BANG & OLUFSEN, Memphis Design
By Bang & Olufsen
Located in Hamburg, DE
Memphis Design analog telephone "BeoCom 2000" from the 1980s by BANG & OLUFSEN. Danish design
Plastic
Sold
H 7.5 in W 9 in D 3 in
Rare Ceramic Clock Designed by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal Signed Memphis Era
By Lino Sabattini, Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible hard to find piece design by Lino Sabattini, circa 1980s in black mate porcelain finish
Ceramic
Table Clock2 Takashi Kato Postmodern, 1980s Japanese Design
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Memphis Milano
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Wall clock by Sessa. Takashi Kato designed a lot of clocks in the 1980s-1990s. Some of clock
Steel
George Sowden Memphis Milano Objet D'art Clock, 1983
By George Sowden
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Architectural whimsy design. Fun colors. Form + function. Enameled steel, wood and glass
Steel
Postmodern Memphis Era Table/Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in San Diego, CA
1987 designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs table desk lamp, with dimmer switch freshly
Brass, Chrome
Postmodern Memphis Era Table/Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in San Diego, CA
1987 Designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs table desk lamp, with dimmer switch freshly
Brass, Chrome
Sold
H 16 in W 13.5 in D 6.5 in
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Memphis Style Desk Table Bankers Lamp C. 1990
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
Rare bankers lamp form, Post Modern, Memphis School, desk lamp designed by Robert Sonneman for
Metal
A Memphis ''Don'' Desk Lamp designed by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Macclesfield, Cheshire
A Memphis ''Don'' Desk Lamp designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1977 for Stilnovo. Applied label
Wood, Laminate, Plastic
Memphis Style Desk Lamp, 1980s
Located in MIJDRECHT, NL
Dutch Design Memphis Group style desk lamp, 1980s Memphis Group style typically combines circles
Metal
Sold
H 29.53 in W 23.63 in D 7.88 in
Memphis Milano Oceanic desk lamp by Michele de Lucchi for Artemide, Italy
By Michele de Lucchi, Artimide
Located in RHEEZERVEEN, Overijssel
The Oceanic lamp is a very good example of Memphis design in its first year, when a group of young
Metal
$1,250
H 14 in W 8.25 in D 14 in
Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare "Olympus" table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. The circular red clock face is upheld by a green pyramid base. Slight signs of wear an...
Aluminum
Art Deco Chandelier
By Sofar
Located in Rebais, FR
Art Deco chandelier with nickel finish and curved glass rod.
Brass
$6,629
H 75 in Dm 12 in
Rare Pop Art Tulip Floor Lamp in Green & Red Painted Metal by Peter Bliss 1980s
By Bliss
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and very cool British Pop Art floor lamp by Peter Bliss. For the collectors, design lovers and enthousiasts of pop art, we are offering this very rare and stylized tulip floo...
Metal
$1,840
H 29 in W 48 in D 14 in
Post Modern 1980's Laminated Turquoise Waterfall Console Table by Jeffrey Craig
By Karl Springer
Located in Toronto, CA
This 1980s turquoise laminated waterfall console table is a striking example of postmodern design by Jeffrey Craig, a distinguished Canadian designer known for his craftsmanship and ...
Laminate, Wood
Art Deco Chandelier
By Sofar
Located in Rebais, FR
Art Deco chandelier with nickel finish bronze.
Bronze
Space Age Leather Cantilever Lounge Chair, 1960's
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
This 1960's lounge chair embodies the sleek, futuristic aesthetics of space-age design. Upholstered in premium grey eco-leather, it features a sculptural, ergonomic form that offers ...
Metal
Postmodern Pyramid Desk or Table Clock by Makiko Taniguchi, Japan, 1980s
By Memphis Milano
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful post-modern black and red triangle desk / table / mantel clock from the 1980s. Designed by Makiko Taniguchi, Japan. Made of metal and plastic, the stacked triangular desi...
Metal
$5,400
H 64.97 in W 63 in D 16.54 in
Luigi Saccardo 'Topline' Wall Unit in Vibrant Green and Black Color
By Luigi Saccardo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Saccardo, 'Beehive' bookcase from the 'Topline' series, lacquered laminated wood, metal, Italy, circa 1976 Back in the seventies, Topline was a newly introduced collection by ...
Metal
Postmodern Philips Table Lamp 1980s
By Philips
Located in Čelinac, BA
Philips Postmodern Table Lamp Germany 1980s
Plastic
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Staiger, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Staiger, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Plast...
Plastic
$1,250
H 20 in W 8.25 in D 1.75 in
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
Art Deco Stylish Walnut Mantle Clock, English, c1930
Located in Devon, England
For your consideration is this super stylish Art Deco Wood and Glass Ferranti Synchronous Mantle Clock With Working Original Movement, dating to 1938. A rare example of it's type, t...
Chrome
Art Deco Mantel Clock Not Functioning
Located in MAASTRICHT, LI
Product description: This mantel clock in art deco style has probably been produced in Germany. Its 190.66 cm mechanism appears in Kienzle, and Haller clocks. The clock has a minimal...
Wood
Postmodern Table desk Clock in Uranium White Milk Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and unique uranium glass postmodern table desk clock, circa 1980's.
Glass
Vintage Teak Weather Station by Barigo, Germany, 1960s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish and sleek wall or table weather station with thermometer, barometer and hygrometer. Designed and made in Germany during the 1960'erne by Barigo. Measurements: W: 17.5 cm,...
Acrylic, Teak
$750
H 7.88 in W 11.82 in D 1.58 in
Brutalist Wall / Table Clock by Franco Bastianelli for Studio Cellini, Italy, 60
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Enamelled brutalist copper clock by Franco Bastianelli for Studio Cellini, Laurana Rame D'Arte in Pesaro, Italy 1960s. Handcrafted on a copper base, enameled on fire with striking c...
Copper, Enamel
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.