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.
Marble Onyx Soap Dish
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular footed marble and onyx soap dish, Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century. Vessel is rectangular, footed, with an oval 'bowl', with square marble and onyx pat...
Onyx, Marble
$447Sale Price / set|55% Off
Italian “Fuego” Chrome Fire Tool Set of 5 by Umbra, 1980s Post Modern
By Umbra
Located in Toronto, CA
Striking and sculptural, this Italian “Fuego” fire tool set by Umbra embodies postmodern design at its finest. Crafted in cast aluminum with a polished chrome finish, the set include...
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage Brass & Stone Fireplace Surround Mantel & Hearth
By Pierre Cardin, Karl Springer
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning, cultured marble fireplace mantle, and hearth in the manner of Karl Springer. Please look at pictures for overall condition and detail. Feel free to reach out with any quest...
Brass
Artist Tom Torrens Modernist Memphis Sculpture Bird Bath Garden Art
By Tom Torrens
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare, artist Tom Torrens sculpted bird bath. Iron base with attached patinated verdigris copper bowl. Signed "TT" on base. Stands 29-1/2" tall X 17" wide. Perfect size for adding a t...
Copper, Iron
Chrome and Brass Hollywood Regency Fireplace Mantle by Danny Alessandro
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional glamorous chrome and brass fireplace mantle, by Danny Alessandro. The mantle features a half round bright chrome frame, with a geometric brass keystone. Classic 1970/80'...
Brass, Chrome
BLOQUE 3, Pedestal with Ettore Sottsass Veneer by Bonne Choice
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed By Bonne Choice Using Ettore Sottsass Veneer. The veneer created by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s – utilized for the first time in the Memphis collection – now becomes part ...
Wood, Plywood
BLOQUE 6, Pedestal with Ettore Sottsass Veneer by Bonne Choice
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed By Bonne Choice Using Ettore Sottsass Veneer. The veneer created by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s – utilized for the first time in the Memphis collection – now becomes part ...
Wood, Plywood
Vintage Tamiami Garden Patio Poolside Lounge Chair att. to Brown Jordan c 1980s
By Brown Jordan
Located in New York, NY
Stylish lawn, garden, patio, poolside \lounge chair attributed to Brown Jordan, as part of the Classic Tamiami series, circa 1980s. This example is structurally sound and sturdy, it ...
Aluminum
Postmodern Architectural Trompe l'oeil Tessellated Stone Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Architectural Trompe l'oeil Tessellated Stone Pedestal Offered for sale is an elegant vintage postmodern tessellated stone pedestal with trompe l'oeil architectural motif...
Stone, Marble
Karim Rashid Lava Bench for Vondom in Pistachio Green; Spain
By Vondom, Karim Rashid
Located in Round Top, TX
Listing is for one bench; two identical benches are available. We have included Mr. Rashid's conceptual sketches as well as marketing images from the original release. We only have t...
Plastic
1980s Pink Faux Marble Resin Fireplace Mantle
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, two toned faux marble fiteplace you could hope to find. In original and unfinished condition. Outstanding design is ex...
Marble
Paolo Soleri , brutalist bronze wind chime bell sculpture , for Arcosanti .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful verdigris patina in this Paolo Soleri wind chime bell .Marked with the square design .
Bronze
Pr. Vintage Brown Jordan Lounge Chairs c 1970/1980's
By Brown Jordan
Located in New York, NY
Pair of stylish lounge chairs by top quality maker, Brown Jordan. This pair of chic vintage lounge chairs are in very good, clean, ready to use condition, showing only light cosmeti...
Aluminum
PAIR of BARBERA Fermat Cabinet Handle MEDIUM and LARGE Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
This asymmetrical PAIR of Fermat Cabinet Handles are cast from solid bronze. The Fermat range provides a tactile and beautiful addition to interior spaces. Designed to be applied...
Bronze
PAIR of BARBERA Fermat Cabinet Handle SMALL and LARGE Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
This asymmetrical PAIR of Fermat Cabinet Handles is cast from solid bronze. The Fermat range provides a tactile and beautiful addition to interior spaces. Designed to be applied ...
Bronze
$1,382 / item
BARBERA Fermat Entrance Handle SMALL Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The solid bronze Fermat Entrance Handles are bold and beautiful statement pieces designed to grace doors and entranceways. They provide tactile and interesting architectural elemen...
Bronze
Mid-Century Modernist Danny Alessandro Steel Chrome Fireplace Tool Set
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning set of Post-Modern fireplace tools by Danny Alessandro. Bold, elegantly refined minimalist taste, artistic very fine quality cast fire tools with ring handles in chromed nickeled steel, comprising four implements each with a circular "ring" handle that slides over and registers securely into a notch on the integral floor stand. The scarce, exceptionally executed original matching set including a broom, tong, shovel, poker and rack finished in rich, lustrous polished chrome. The tools do not look to have ever been used. American Modernist Alessandro sold his works through William H...
Steel, Chrome
PAIR of BARBERA Fermat Cabinet Handle SMALL and MEDIUM Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
This asymmetrical PAIR of Fermat Cabinet Handles are cast from solid bronze. The Fermat range provides a tactile and beautiful addition to interior spaces. Designed to be applied...
Bronze
BLOQUE 2, Pedestal with Ettore Sottsass Veneer by Bonne Choice
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed By Bonne Choice Using Ettore Sottsass Veneer. The veneer created by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s – utilized for the first time in the Memphis...
Wood, Plywood
$1,882 / item
BARBERA Fermat Entrance Handle LARGE Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The solid bronze Fermat Entrance Handles are bold and beautiful statement pieces designed to grace doors and entranceways. They provide tactile and interesting architectural eleme...
Bronze
Postmodern Pedestals Columns Goatskin Karl Springer Style, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A pair of goatskin pedestals columns, Postmodern design period, in the style of designer Karl Springer, circa late-20th century. Exact origin is unknown; set may be European. Pedesta...
Goatskin
BARBERA Fermat Joinery Pull MEDIUM Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The Fermat Joinery range provides a tactile and beautiful addition to interior spaces. Designed to be applied to cabinets and internal doors, these soft forms are a pleasure to ha...
Bronze
BARBERA Unaipon Mini Cabinet Handle Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The Uniapon Mini Cabinet Handle provides a tactile and beautiful addition to interior spaces. Designed to be applied to cabinets and light interior doors, these considered forms ar...
Bronze
BARBERA Fermat Cabinet Handle LARGE Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The Fermat Cabinet Handle range provides a tactile and beautiful addition to interior spaces. Designed to be applied to cabinets and internal doors, these soft forms are a pleasur...
Bronze
BARBERA Fermat Solid Bronze Shower Door Handle
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The Fermat shower handle has been designed specifically for application on glass shower doors. It can also be applied to cabinets and light interior doors. The fermat range prov...
Bronze
BARBERA Fermat Cabinet Handle SMALL Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The Fermat Cabinet Handle range provides a tactile and beautiful addition to interior spaces. Designed to be applied to cabinets and internal doors, these soft forms are a pleasur...
Bronze
1980s Don-Bar Model 5005 Wall-Mounted Fireplace, Black Enameled Steel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Don-Bar Model 5005 wall-mounted fireplace commands attention with its bold geometric form and dramatic black enameled steel construction. Manufactured in the 1980s, this sculptural p...
Steel
$1,366 / item
Kala Kamal Pot by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Kala Kamal Pot by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 53.34 x D 53.34 x H 45.72 cm Materials: Stoneware Sculpted in a bold black finish with wave-like contours, is more than a pot — it’s a st...
Stoneware
Vintage Boho Carved Coquina Pedestal
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with the raw, organic beauty of this vintage coquina stone pedestal. Masterfully carved, this piece showcases the unique texture of coquina—a natural limestone ...
Stone
Stone and Marble Yara Chimney Fireplace by Kelly Boukobza
Located in Geneve, CH
Stone and Marble Yara Chimney Fireplace by Kelly Boukobza Dimensions: W 160 x D 105 x H 32 cm Materials: Marble and stone. Available Finishes : Marble, Stone. Kelly Boukobza is the...
Marble, Stone
$616 / set
Brutalist Bronze Door Furniture Set
Located in London, GB
A set of bronze door furniture comprising letterbox, bell-push surround and keyhole plate. Second half 20th century, found in Germany. The pieces are made of cast bronze, with the d...
Bronze
Light Red Love Table Lamp by Stefano Giovannoni
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Red Love Table Lamp by Stefano Giovannoni Dimensions: D 27 x W 40 x H 38 cm. Materials: Polyethylene and metal. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This pro...
Other, Metal
$2,152 / set
Pair of English Rose Garden Obelisks
Located in Faversham, GB
A commanding pair of hand forged wrought iron garden obelisk. Cylindrical in form with with the top having a curved outline with a ball finial. This pair was salvaged from the rose...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Vintage Patio Poolside Garden Brown Jordan Reclining Chaise Lounge
By Brown Jordan
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural reclining chaise lounge by top shelf maker, Brown Jordan. This voguish chaise features a reclining back rest allowing you to sit up, or lay down while you sunbath ...
Aluminum
$1,593 / item
BARBERA Fermat Entrance Handle MEDIUM Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The solid bronze Fermat Entrance Handles are bold and beautiful statement pieces designed to grace doors and entranceways. They provide tactile and interesting architectural elemen...
Bronze
Terra Tall Black Planter With Oiled Wood Base by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Terra Tall Black Planter With Oiled Wood Base by Indigenus Designed by Laurie Wiid van Heerden Dimensions: W 60,2 x H 130 cm. Materials: Stone and wood. Weight: 82 kg. Different col...
Stone
$35,605 / item
Branched Crystal Bathtub by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Branched Crystal Bathtub by Dainte Dimensions: D 86.5 x W 198 x H 62.5 cm. Materials: Mixed crystal. Reconnect with the unbridled beauty and power of ...
Crystal
BARBERA Unaipon Medium Cabinet Handle Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The Uniapon Cabinet Handle provides a tactile and beautiful addition to interior spaces. Designed to be applied to cabinets and doors, these considered forms are a pleasure to hand...
Bronze
$4,088 / item
Clay Sink by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Clay sink by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 40 x H 15 cm Materials: clay5 Available in 3 models: round sink, oval sink and sink on structure. Due to the production process every piece is unique in size and form. Studio LoHo is a Belgian design office located in Bruges, Belgium. Founded in the autumn of 2017 by Karel Loontiens and Jo Hoeven, the studio focused from the beginning on high-end bespoke interior projects which forms an ideal matrix for product - and material design that is both innovative and durable. In current times there’s no more room for influx of disposable products, it is our studio’s goal to strive for design that will last and will be cherished for multiple generations. The introduction of the first collection “clay series” fully articulated the DNA of the newborn Studio and led to their international breakthrough. The appreciation of materials reflects their unique view on interior design with a strong and recognizable signature. Soon after, the collection was expanded on request by other architects and designers with new sinks...
Clay
Organic Rough Form Baptiz Black and Gold Marble Bathtub by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Baptiz Black Marble Bathtub by Andres Monnier One of a Kind Dimensions: D 110 x W 190 x H 50 cm. Materials: Black marble, stainless steel. Available in other stones. Andrés Monnier ...
Marble, Stainless Steel
$2,541 / item
Pebble XS Terracotta Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble XS Terracotta Planter by Indigenus Designed by Yabu Pushelberg Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 49 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 25 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Please c...
Stone
$698 / item
Object 016 Towel Rack by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 016 towel rack by NG Design Dimensions: D 77 x W 20 x H 160 cm Materials: Powder coated steel. Also available: All of ob...
Steel
Armida Tissue Box Holder in Dark Horn & Lacquered Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Armida Tissue Box Holder in Dark Horn & Lacquered Wood by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 14 x W 25 x H 7 cm. Materials: Dark horn and lacquered wood. Colours and sh...
Other
Unique Round and Oval Shape Grey Quarry Stone Fire Table by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Prometheo Uno fire table by Andres Monnier Dimensions: D 160 x W 100 x H 40 H cm. Materials: Grey Quarry stone. Prometeo fire table is a piece inspired by ...
Stone
$356Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Post-Modern Octagonal Plaster Pedestal, Late 20th Century
Located in Trenton, NJ
Tall, sculptural, and understated, this vintage modern pedestal makes an immediate impression. Its octagonal body stands with quiet confidence, providing a strong visual anchor in an...
Plaster
BARBERA Cyrus Cabinet Handle Medium Solid Bronze
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The CYRUS Cabinet Handle makes a bold and timeless addition to interior spaces. Sand cast in solid bronze and finished by hand, they are luxurious and enduring. CYRUS Cabinet h...
Bronze
$4,088 / item
Clay Sink by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Clay sink by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 40 x H 15 cm Materials: clay. Available in 3 models: round sink, oval sink and sink on structure. Due to the producti...
Clay
$5,934 / item
Crema Tirreno Roll Ball Sink by Marmi Serafini
Located in Geneve, CH
Crema Tirreno roll ball sink by Marmi Serafini Special Edition Materials: Crema Tirreno marble. Dimensions: D 54.5 x H 14 cm Tap not included. Marm...
Marble
Pair of Large Detroit Studio Modernist Blue Cement Planter Pots or Garden Stools
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of cast cement planter pots or garden stools. Blue dyed and natural toned cement swirl together to create one of a kind garden art . Quite heavy . Priced and selling as a pair .
Cement
David Mazel Tov LifeGuard Chair, Handcrafted Maple Coastal Inspiration Seating
Located in Montreal, Quebec
This chair is named in honor of the famous lifeguard. David Mazel Tov is a design focused on perspectives and it allows two people to co-exist in a spa...
Rattan, Maple
Postmodern Glass Sundial from Royal Leerdam Crystal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Glass Sundial from Royal Leerdam Crystal, in None conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Glass Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage, Antiq...
Glass
$26,184Sale Price / item|20% Off
Giardino di Smeraldo Tub By L’atelier Arman Safavi
Located in New York, NY, NY
Our exclusive custom-made tub, meticulously crafted from exquisite green marble sourced from a private quarry in Persia. This opulent piece showcases the unique veining and rich hu...
Marble, Travertine
BLOQUE 4, Pedestal with Ettore Sottsass Veneer by Bonne Choice
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed By Bonne Choice Using Ettore Sottsass Veneer. The veneer created by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s – utilized for the first time in the Memphis collection – now becomes part ...
Wood, Plywood
$298,028 / item
Branched Iconic Master Bathtub by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Branched Iconic Master Bathtub by Dainte Dimensions: D 140 x W 280 x H 75 cm. Materials: Mixed crystal. Reconnect with the unbridled beauty and power of nature as the Branched Iconi...
Crystal
$66,750 / item
Kora Bathtub by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Kora Bathtub by Kreoo Designed by Enzo Berti Dimensions: D 84 x W 170 x H 74. Materials: Calacatta Carrara marble and black metal. Weight: 305 kg. Kora is available in one size var...
Metal, Bronze
Pr. Spun Fiberglass Planters att. to The Woodard Furniture Company c. 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of spun fiberglass planters made by the Woodard Furniture Company, circa 1960's. Both are in very good, clean original, ready to use condition, showing only light cosmetic wear,...
Fiberglass
BLOQUE 1, Pedestal with Ettore Sottsass Veneer by Bonne Choice
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed By Bonne Choice Using Ettore Sottsass Veneer. The veneer created by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s – utilized for the first time in the Memphis collection – now becomes part ...
Wood, Plywood
Philippe Starck 'Lola Herzburg' Freestanding Sink & Mirror for Raspel, c1985
Located in Renens, CH
Philippe Starck, a French designer born in 1949, is a true icon in the world of contemporary furniture design. Renowned for his bold creativity, imaginative concepts, and ability to ...
Steel
$29,539 / item
Baptiz Black Marble Bath Tub by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Baptiz Black Marble Bath Tub by Andres Monnier Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 190 x W 110 x H 50 cm. Materials: Black marble. Available in white marble, ...
Marble
Set of Four Modernist Metal Garden Patio Dining Chairs in the style of Woodard
By Salterini, Woodard Furniture Co.
Located in New York, NY
Nice clean set of Post Modern outdoor metal dining chairs, in the style of Woodard. The chairs feature tubular metal frames, with flat bar armrests...
Metal