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.
Gianfranco Fini for New Lamp 'Programma' Wall Light in Stainless Steel
By New Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Fini for New Lamp, 'Programma' lamp, stainless steel, circa 1970 Expressive wall light by Italian designer Gianfranco Fini designed in circa 1970. Fini, who is known for...
Stainless Steel
Brass Floor lamp model 'Magica' by Vincenzo Missanelli for Ladue, made in Italy.
By Vincenzo Massanelli
Located in Toronto, ON
Brass Floor lamp model 'Magica' by Vincenzo Missanelli for Ladue, made in Italy. This distinctive and aesthetically pleasing floor lamp showcases a minimalist yet sophisticated desig...
Brass
Habitat Orange Mushroom Floor Lamp Acrylic Steel Space Age Postmodern Glow
Located in Lisboa, PT
This Habitat orange mushroom floor lamp is a striking example of postmodern design influenced by the iconic space age lighting aesthetics of the late 20th century. Combining sculptur...
Steel, Chrome
Francesco Buzzi Ceriani 'Cuffia' Table Lamp in Black Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Francesco Buzzi Ceriani 'Cuffia' table lamp, aluminum, steel, chrome, Italy, design 1960s The Cuffia table lamp, designed by Francesco Buzzi Ceriani in 1960s Italy, is a refined exa...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Vico Magistretti for O-Luce 'Atollo' First Edition '233' Table Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for O-Luce, 'Atollo' lamp, first edition model '233', aluminum, Italy, 1977 The Atollo lighting object, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977, stands as one of his m...
Aluminum
Guillerme & Chambron Pair of Wall Lights in Oak and Glass
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, pair of wall lights, oak, glass, 1970s Charming wall lights, designed by designers Guillerme and Chambron in the 1970s. The shape and materia...
Glass, Oak
1970s Glamorous Guido Polloni Chandelier in Colored Glass (50cm/19.6in)
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Polloni chandelier, glass, Italy, 1970s This exquisite chandelier by glass artist Guido Polloni is crafted in Italy in the 1970s. This light embodies the extreme glamour and b...
Glass
Andreé Putman, Compass Dans L’Oeil table lamp for Baldinger & Sons, 1980
By Andree Putman, Louis Baldinger & Sons
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
The “Compass Dans L ́Oeil” lighting range is built on a design of great clarity, where simple geometric forms combine with balanced precision. Brushed stainless steel, satin brass a...
Metal, Brass, Steel
Postmodern Banana Floor Lamp by Heico, Plastic, Germany, 1980s Design
By Heico
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp in the shape of a banana. An object in style of postmodern design and art movements like memphis. A unique object and rare eye-catcher. This lamp is shaped lik...
Plastic
$1,201 / item
Postmodern Modern Black Round Chandelier Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of postmodernism and experience pure elegance with our breathtaking black chandelier decorated with crystals. This work of art of lighting m...
Crystal, Metal
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric 3 Modules Wall Lamp for Cassina
Italian Post-Modern Adjustable Floor Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bosi, Martini and Bertotti for Fratelli Martini, 'Art. 225/1' floor lamp, cast iron, lacquered aluminum, Italy, ca. 1974-1975 This Italian post-modern floor lamp stands as a light s...
Aluminum, Iron
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova 'Cometa' Floor Lamp
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass, Design Centre
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova, 'Cometa' floor lamp, model 'L026', acrylic, lacquered metal, chrome, Italy, design 1970 A funky and irresistibly charming floor lamp d...
Metal, Chrome
Pipe Dream Table Lamp, Multicolor sculptural postmodern functional art, light
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rough and tumble yet inherently sculptural, the Pipe Dream Series reveals the raw beauty of industrial materials. Composed of aluminum pipes and fittings, each piece exposes its stru...
Aluminum
Chainmail Cobweb Sculptural Chandelier
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A fusion of medieval craftsmanship and modern gothic elegance, the Chainmail Cobweb Chandelier evokes the ethereal beauty of a spider’s web. Meticulously handcrafted from interwoven ...
Steel
Giancarlo Mattioli for Sirrah 'MT' Floor or Table Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giancarlo Mattioli for Sirrah, 'MT' floor or table lamp, lacquered aluminum, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1969 The versatile Italian designer, architect, and urban planner Giancarlo...
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage Organic Modern Ceramic Table Lamp, USA, c1980s
Located in Oakland, CA
Gorgeous matte white organic modern vintage ceramic table lamp c1980s by unknown Bay Area artist. From the estate of ceramist, Pat Hill. Signed on bottom. **measurements are withou...
Ceramic
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric Floor Lamp for Cassina
$728Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern German Lumibär Bear Floor Lamp by Klein & Leidig for Flötotto, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Lumibär is a design classic from Flötotto. The bright bear. Not just something for the children's room. The design is so simple that it also fits wonderfully as a light object...
Plastic
Vintage Italian Postmodern Glass Floor Lamp from Lucente, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant glass floor lamp by the Italian manufacturer Lucente. The striking glass diffuser is overlaid in matt blue and sits at the end of a slender shaft. The upper part of the shaf...
Metal
Postmodern German Vela Sail Floor Lamp A. Engbert Franz Ringelhan for Rolf Benz
By Rolf Benz
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp by Rolf Benz based on a design by A. Engbert and F. Ringelhan from 1990. The design clearly shows its maritime inspiration. An abstract sailboat with an exagg...
Aluminum
Ico Parisi Palpebra Aluminium Table Lamp by Cassina
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ico Parisi Palpebra Matt Black Table Lamp by Cassina The creative flair of Ico Parisi in a playful invention of mimicry. This artistic lamp is engineered to open and close, mimicki...
Aluminum
Postmodern Italian Geco 2 Indoor and Outdoor Wall Lamp Sconce, 1990s
By Arteluce
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Geco 2 Indoor and Outdoor Wall Lamp Sconce by Luciano Pagani and Angelo Perversi for Arteluce, 1990s Wall or ceiling lights from the italian manufacturer arteluce...
Metal
$2,981Sale Price / set|25% Off
Post-Modern hand-crafted Cocoon resin table lamps, Italy, 70s
By Tobia Scarpa, Achille Castiglioni, Flos
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of sculptural hand-crafted cocoon table lamps, Italy, 1970s. Formed by several varnished pine wood elements of different shapes and sizes, creating two curious columns of a cert...
Resin, Wood, Pine
Beautiful Table Lamp in Dark and White Alabaster 1980s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Beautiful Table Lamp in Dark and White Alabaster 1980s A wonderful table lamp in both dark and white alabaster. Great slender and sophisticated post-modern design with a base in dar...
Alabaster
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova ‘Bruco’ Wall Lights
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass, Design Centre
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova, ‘Bruco’ wall light from the Mobili Grigi series, chrome-plated brass, methacrylate (translucent Perspex), enameled aluminum, Italy, 1970 This ‘Bruco’ wall light is created by Ettore Sottsass as part of the Mobili Grigi collection for Poltronova and produced by Design Centre in 1970. The advancements in lamp technology have influenced the design of lighting fixtures. The Bruco light was created as a result of the use of breakthrough materials and technologies of the seventies. Designer...
Brass, Chrome
Vintage Space Age Papillona Floor Lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp by the Italian manufacturer Flos after a design by Afra & Tobia Scarpa from the 70s. This design convinces with its imposing height of almost 2m. The filigree ...
Metal
Guillerme & Chambron Wall Light in Oak and Glass
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, wall light, oak, glass, 1970s Charming wall light, designed by designers Guillerme and Chambron in the 1970s. The shape and materials used fo...
Glass, Oak
Italian Postmodern Zeta Terra Floor Lamp by Giuseppe Linardi for Lumina, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The standing lamp from the Zeta series from the Italian lighting manufacturer Lumina according to a design by Giuseppe Linardi from the early 90s. The Zeta Terra is a classic ceilin...
Metal
$559Sale Price|53% Off
Wall lighting Flower Glass Murano with chrome Structure , Italy 1980s
By Venini
Located in La xara, VC
Exceptional Murano glass floral pendant chandelier attributed to Venini . Exceptional piece for its design and quality. Piece in good condition. Also available with a wall light, s...
Chrome
$3,300 / item
Mariyo Yagi for Sirrah 'Garbo' Chandeliers in Nylon
By Sirrah, Mariyo Yagi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mariyo Yagi and Studio Simon for Sirrah, 'Garbo' chandeliers, metal, nylon, Italy, 1976. Enchanting 'Garbo' fringe chandeliers designed by Japanese designer...
Metal
An ART-DECO NEOCLASSICAL TABLE LAMP by PHILIPPE BARBIER, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant table lamp, Post-Modernist, NeoClassical, Shabby-Chic, a nickeled metal cubical base and an ovoïd body with a final cylindrical lampshade, by Philippe Barbier, France 1970...
Metal
Vintage Wrought Iron Chandelier Candleholder by Ehlén Johansson for Ikea, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Wrought Iron Chandelier Candleholder by Ehlén Johansson for Ikea, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 I have ...
Wrought Iron
Gae Aulenti for Francesconi ‘Singa’ Lamp
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Francesconi, ‘Singa’ lamp, plastic, steel, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1975 This rare ‘Singa’ lamp is designed by Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti for Ita...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Postmodern Olympia Floor Lamp by Jorge Pensi for B.Lux, 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant floor lamp from the Spanish manufacturer B.Lux after a design by Jorge Pensi from the 80s. This floor lamp convinces with it's slender design language and the special materi...
Metal
Post Modern 1980s Italian Relco Torchère Tapered Column Floor Lamp - Marble Base
By Relco Milano, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in St. Louis, MO
Post Modern 1980s Italian Relco torchère or floor lamp with frosted glass shade, tapered off white aluminum fluted column on round marble base. This is an early example of Italian modern lighting design, as it uses standard incandescent bulbs, rather than the later produced halogen bulb lamps. Has floor on / off dimmer. All original in working condition. Actual lamp shown in photo # 4 of interior, Seen in the doorway, left of fireplace. It shared the room with a Giacometti chair...
Marble, Aluminum
Italian Postmodern Warrior Wall Lamp by Emanuele Ricci for Sidecar Artemide
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare warrior wall lamp from the italian manufacturer sidecar (artemide) based on a design by emanuele ricci from the early 90s. the name is reflected in the appearance of this lamp,...
Metal
Mariyo Yagi for Sirrah 'Garbo' Chandelier in Nylon
By Mariyo Yagi, Sirrah
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mariyo Yagi and Studio Simon for Sirrah, 'Garbo' chandelier, metal, nylon, Italy, 1976. Enchanting 'Garbo' fringe chandelier designed by Japanese designer...
Metal
$1,587Sale Price|20% Off
Seguso Vetri d’Arte. Post-Modern Murano glass pendant lamp, Italy, 1980s
By AVMazzega, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Post-Modern Murano glass pendant lamp by Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Italy, 1980s. Formed by a large piece of murano glass in the shape of a transparent bell with raspberry red glass border...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Single-Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier 80 cm, brass finish
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web in a brass finish hugs the lamp’s canopy; as the knit becomes tighter, th...
Steel
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
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide First Edition 'Sintesi' Red Clamp Light
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, multi-way clamp lamp, model 'Sintesi Faretto Morsetto', first edition, coated iron, coated steel, aluminum, rubber, plastic, Italy, design 1976 The fo...
Metal, Iron
A Pair Of Travertine and Brass Floor Lamps By Michael Taylor
Located in London, GB
A Pair of floor lamps from the post modern era by American designer Michael Taylor, with travertine bases supporting a tapering stem with travertine sphere decorated with brass accen...
Travertine, Brass, Iron
Mario Botta for Artemide ‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Artemide, 'Shogun' floor lamp, aluminum, steel, Italy, 1986 Mario Botta referred to lamps as “people”. He said: "Shogun is a person. He has a head, body and feet, ...
Aluminum, Steel
A Radical MURANO Glass TABLE LAMP by FRANCO RAGGI, by FONTANA ARTE, Italy 1970
By Fontana Arte
Located in PARIS, FR
A large and airy table lamp, Post-Modernist, Shabby-Chic, Memphis, circular base in cast aluminum with integrated dimmer, 2 axes supporting 2 sheets of glass with white diffusing dec...
Metal, Chrome
Dan Chelsea and Rudi Stern Neon Torchiere Floor Lamp for George Kovacs, 1980s
By George Kovacs, Rudi Stern and Don Chelsea
Located in Miami, FL
Rare post modern neon floor lamp with torchiere uplight designed by Dan Chelsea and Rudi Stern for George Kovacs, 1980s. The neon lamp is diffused by a thick piece of original PVC f...
Metal
White Post Modern Torchieres Floor Lamps by Fredrick Ramond
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1987 White Post Modern Torchieres Floor Lamps by Fredrick Ramond. Constructed of aluminum painted with white acrylic paint with a texture finish. Wired for US with a full range dim...
Metal
Hero Lamp Stainless Steel, Brass Plated Finish, Stone Ball, Sculptural Lamp
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Hero Lamp is a sculptural floor lamp virtuously crafted in stainless steel with a brass plated finish which holds a stone globe that gives off a warm candle-like light. This unique...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Torpedo Chandelier by Nason for AV Mazzega, Murano, Italy
By AVMazzega
Located in Rijssen, NL
Torpedo chandelier by ldo Nason for AV Mazzega. Manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (at the end of 1960s and beginning of 1970s). Handmade and high quality piece. 3 hand blown Mur...
Crystal, Chrome, Iron
1970s Glamorous Guido Polloni Chandelier in Colored Glass (80cm/31.5in)
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Polloni chandelier, glass, Italy, 1970s This exquisite chandelier by glass artist Guido Polloni is crafted in Italy in the 1970s. This light embodies the extreme glamour and b...
Glass
Italian Postmodern Model Pao T2 Table Lamp by Matteo Thun for Arteluce, 1990s
By Matteo Thun
Located in Hamburg, DE
The large T2 table lamp version from the Pao lamp series by Matteo Thun. Here in a rare version with a shaft made of light beech wood. The Pao lights impress with their characterist...
Glass, Wood
Ennio Lucini for Harvey Guzzini Dh 'Cespuglio' Table Lamp
By Ennio Lucini, Harvey Guzzini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ennio Lucini for Harvey Guzzini DH (Design House), 'Cespuglio' table lamp, aluminum, acrylic, Italy, 1968 This provocative 'Cespuglio' table lamp (1968) is designed by Ennio Lucini ...
Aluminum
French Ceramic Sconce Depicting Muscular Arm with Dumbbell by J.C. Peiré, 1980s
By JC Peire
Located in Lille, FR
Table Lamp or Sconce by Jean-Claude Peiré, 1980s Matt black ceramic. Good condition.
Ceramic
Postmodern Danish Light Blue Perforated Metal Pendant from Abo Randers, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Wall lamp by Danish manufacturer Abo Randers from the 1980s. The lamp body consists of a metal sheet bent into a large radius and painted blue. The front part is designed as a shade...
Metal
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric Table Lamp for Cassina
Italian Postmodern Elle 55 Floor Lamp by Tommaso Cimini for Lumina, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp from the Italian manufacturer Lumina according to a design by Tommaso Cimini from the 80s. Here is a rare version with a special version. An impressive yet fil...
Metal
Ron Rezek Table Lamp Orbit by for Bieffeplast, circa 1980
By Ron Rezek, Bieffeplast
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful Minimalist black metal desk lamp by American designer Ron Rezek for Bieffeplast, Italy. The counter balance arm allows to pivot and mov...
Brass
Holtkotter Saucer Top Table Lamp Model 6233 c. 1980's
By Holtkoetter
Located in New York, NY
Chic dome top desk, or table lamp by Holtkotter Leuchen model 6233, circa 1980's. The lamp is in very good, original, clean and working condition, showing only inconsequential cosme...
Brass
$2,103 / item
Wireless Cala Table Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Wireless Cala Table Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 22 x H 20 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Mat...
Alabaster, Copper
Spire Fiberglass Ceiling Light by Enrico Botta for Diner, Italy, 1970s
By DINER Production, Enrico Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Post -Modern 'Spire' (spirals) ceiling light by Enrico Botta for Diner, Italy, 1970. Made of curved and intertwined fiberglass sheets which are held together by a smart metal plu...
Fiberglass