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.
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Mixed Woods Valet / Desk Box
Located in San Diego, CA
A finely crafted mid-century modern valet or desktop storage box executed in contrasting mixed hardwoods, likely teak with lighter maple or birch accents. The box features clean Scan...
Wood
Maitland Smith Mother Of Pearl Box
By Maitland Smith, Robert Marcius, Karl Springer, Casa Bique
Located in Houston, TX
Maitland Smith Mother Of Pearl Box. Offered is a very large decorative box of tessellated mother of pearl in the geometric Art Deco styl...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Decorative Marble Box circa 1980
By Sergio Asti, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Postmodern Decorative Marble Box circa 1980.
Marble
Leather Box with "H" Hardware by Hermès Paris, France, ca. 1970s
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Leather Box with "H" Hardware by Hermès Paris, France, ca. 1970s A sophisticated leather box made by Hermès Paris, France, circa 1970s. The piece features a restrained and timeless ...
Bronze
Pink Marble Miniature Cylindrical Carved Trinket Box Handmade Postmodern 1980s
By Maitland Smith, Renoir Designs
Located in Round Top, TX
A diminutive carved pink marble Postmodern cylindrical trinket box. The perfect size for gifting a piece of jewelry or as a gift in itself for a box collector. In excellent condition...
Marble
Vintage Postmodern Tessellated Stone Abalone Shell Decorative Box, 1970s
By Maitland Smith, Karl Springer
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A striking vintage postmodern decorative box showcasing the luxurious craftsmanship associated with late 20th century tessellated stone furniture and accessories. Hand clad in richly...
Marble, Brass
Ugo La Pietra, Limited Ed. Modern Decorative Box, Evoca by Morelato, Italy 1990
Located in Firenze, IT
Modern wood Scent Diffuser / decorative box designed by Ugo la Pietra Evoca Morelato Italy 1990s wood, marked on the bottom, numbered 511 H 26 cm 11 cm diam. Conditions: excellen...
Wood
Two Lucie Kaas, Etc. Postmodern Box and Bud Vase Table Articles
Located in Astoria, NY
Two Postmodern Table Articles, comprising: a Lucie Kaas blue painted metal and composite sculptural bud vase with glass liner, and a covered box illegibly signed and dated "2017" to ...
Metal
$280Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Decorative Marble Box circa 1980
By Sergio Asti, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Postmodern Decorative Marble Box circa 1980.
Marble
Memphis Style Triangular Mixed Wood Trinket Box by Russ Keil
By Russ Keil
Located in San Diego, CA
Memphis style mixed wood triangular trinket box by Russ Keil, circa 1990s. The box measures 4.5"W x 4.5"D x 5.75"H and is made of a padouk and sugar maple hardwood . There is a small...
Maple, Padouk
$500Sale Price|20% Off
Marble Box with Jewish Star of David Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful modern style or Postmodern period marble and brass box with Jewish Star of David design, circa late-20th century, 1980s, 90s. Box, att...
Stone, Marble, Brass
$328Sale Price|20% Off
Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone & Brass Square Box Postmodern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage box attributed to Maitland Smith (no label present). Tessellated Stone & Brass Square Box. Postmodern era. Dominant colors: off-white, green and go...
Stone, Brass
Maria Pergay Silver-Plated Bamboo Box, France, circa 1970
By Maria Pergay
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Maria Pergay Silver-Plated Bamboo Box, France, circa 1970 Elegant vintage decorative box attributed to Maria Pergay, France, circa 1970. The rectangular box is crafted in silver-pla...
Metal
1970's Alessandro Albrizzi Lucite Decorative Box Whit Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful lucite 2 tone decorative box circa 1970's , beautiful elegant and unique.
Lucite
1980's Tessellated Stone & Brass Lidded Box by Desia
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Felt-lined lidded box all handcrafted from natural stones Indigenous to the Philippines.
Stone
Vintage Tessellated Stone Trinket Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This precision-crafted vintage trinket box features a sophisticated geometric design composed of intricately arranged stone tiles in muted grey tones, bordered by a contrasting light...
Stone
Vintage Asian Octagonal Lacquer Box with Turtle Closure
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Asian Octagonal Lacquer Box With Turtle Closure. Lovely 20th century Asian lacquer box with Greek key design and a metal turtle closure. Th...
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
Alessandro Albrizzi Italian White Perspex Boxes 1990s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian perspex plexiglass jewelry or storage boxes designed by Franco Albrizzi, with engraved mark under base, Italy 1990s. Please note that ...
Plexiglass
Vintage Italian Pink And Gold Alabaster Round Pill Box 1970
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage timeless elegance handcrafted Italian pink alabaster pill box trimmed in gold tone metal. Featuring a hinged lid and gilt brass metal trim,the lid is decorated with a rose, i...
Alabaster
Post-Modern Lidded Marble Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-modern lidded marble trinket box, circa 1980s. The box has well cut lines and is well constructed The piece is in very good condition and measures 5"W x 4"D x 2"H. Cool little ...
Marble, Brass
Set of 5 Ritualistic Cast Brass Forms, Thalamos Collection by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 Ritualistic Cast Brass Forms, Thalamos Collection by Christopher Boots Dimensions: Censer Ø 8 x 3.5 cm Ember Ø 15 x 3 cm Bloom Ø 13 x 7 cm Keepsake Ø 14.5 x 8 cm Altar Ø 29...
Brass
Italian Faux Marble Lacquered Box
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Faux Marble Lacquered Box. Offered is a stunning well executed Italian decorative box with several varieties of specimen marble in a geometric pattern. This box is the perfec...
Wood
Michael Graves Enameled Rolled Steel Mailbox, Postmodern Design, 1990
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
MICHAEL GRAVES (AMERICAN, 1934-2015), ENAMELED ROLLED STEEL MAILBOX, C.1990, H 14", L 23 3/4":An enameled and rolled steel mailbox. By Michael Graves and the Markuse Corporation. The...
Aluminum, Enamel, Steel
Post Modern Snake Skin and Parchment Box by R & Y Augousti Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Open topped box wrapped in parchment and with a lid having an arched top and continuing down the short sides wrapped in snakeskin with conforming bone edges. Marked on the bottom R&Y...
Animal Skin, Wood
$1,105 / item
Small Selene Box by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Selene Box by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 15 x W 22 x H 4 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn, brass. Rectangular box in dark horn and wood with lacquered black gloss finish. Lid in ...
Brass
Postmodern Contemporary Lacquer Dresser Box Made in Italy
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Stunning Lacquer Lidded Box made in Italy. Lavender lacquer offset with Brass Piping and Bone corner detail. Wood lined with a tight fit. Matching picture frame...
Brass
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Style Postmodern Mixed Wood Jewelry Box with Drawer
Located in San Diego, CA
Memphis style Postmodern mixed wood jewelry box with drawer, circa 1998. The box measures 9"W x 9"D x 7.25"H and is made of a variety of hard woods including ash, walnut and maple. T...
Ash, Maple, Walnut
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Style Postmodern Mixed Wood Jewelry Box with Drawer
Located in San Diego, CA
Memphis style Postmodern mixed wood jewelry box with drawer, circa 1998. The box measures: 9" W x 9" D x 7.25" H and is made of a variety of hard woods including ash, walnut and mapl...
Ash, Maple, Walnut
Vintage Venetian Murano Bright Orange Italian Art Glass Covered Bowl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage venetian murano bright orange Italian hand blown Art glass covered bowl. Hand blown art glass candy dish shade in orange, red, and clear color....
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Gracieux Accueil Lidded Box by Nathalie Du Pasquier, 1983
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
Set of 2, Plizé Boxes, L White - M Blue by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, plizé boxes, L white - M blue by Made by Choice with Hanna Anonen Dimensions: W17 x D17 x H22 cm (L), W17 x D17 x H15.5 cm (M) Materials: Birch Plywood Also available:...
Birch, Plywood
Alessandro Albrizzi Red and Clear Lucite Decorative Box, Italy, circa 1970
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking Italian Modern red and clear Lucite decorative box designed by Alessandro Albrizzi, circa 1970. #5737 The box features a vivid translucent red Lucite body surmounted by ...
Lucite
R Romanelli semi-precious stones , rare box / jewelry trinket, exquisite work.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing and exquisite lapidary work. A mix of many hard stones carefully crafted . Many semi-precious stones .Paper label in back , R Romanelli .
Marble
Maitland Smith Post Modern White Tessellated Hexagonal Stone Box 1980's
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Post Modern 1980s Maitland Smith Marble Covered Box with hinged lid and a round polished brass pull on top. Vintage Postmodern geometric design decorative box white tessellated stone...
Stone
Set Of 2 Almas Caviar Bowl & Spoon in Horn & Crystal by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Almas Caviar Bowl & Spoon in Horn & Crystal by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 24 x H 7 cm. Materials: Horn and crystal. Colours and shades of horn processed by Arcahorn are unique ...
Crystal, Other
Set Of 2 Sterlet Caviar Bowls in Horn, Lacquered Wood & Crystal by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Sterlet Caviar Bowls in Horn, Lacquered Wood & Crystal by Arcahorn Dimensions: Small: D 14 x W 14 x H 9 cm. Large: D 20 x W 20 x H 11 cm. Materials: Horn, lacquered wood, an...
Crystal, Other
Priora Box in Horn, Chromed Brass & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Priora Box in Horn, Chromed Brass & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 18 x W 18 x H 10 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, horn, and chromed brass. Available in three sizes and th...
Brass, Other
Karl Springer Lacquered Snakeskin Decorative Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A scrupulously-crafted, decorative trinket or jewelry box by Karl Springer comprising a rectangular body with a domed, hinged lid and a suede-lined interior. The outside is wrapped e...
Suede, Animal Skin
Set of 4, 2 Plizé Boxes & 2 Beebee Jars by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4, 2 plizé boxes & 2 beebee jars by Made by Choice with Hanna Anonen Dimensions: W17 x D17 x H22 cm (L - white), W17 x D17 x H15.5 cm (M - blue) ( Plizé boxes) D18 x H30 cm (L- green), D15.5 x H24 cm (S - orange) Beebee jars Materials: birch plywood Also available: different colors & sizes. The Plizé box – Serrated surface balanced with a spherical knob is an eye-catcher like no other. Irresistible color combinations make this box a centerpiece of any space. About Made by Choice: Nordic Happiness. Nordic Happiness is our grand theme and guiding star. Studies show that Nordic people are among the happiest on Earth. Nordic happiness is composed of authentic values and sustainable choices. The vision of Choice is based on the added value of collective creation while promoting sustainable Nordic values through authentic design. Rooted in the traditions of Finnish woodworks, Made by Choice is a creative powerhouse of collaborative thinkers, believers and makers, establishing a global brand for the 21st century. Committed to producing durable, bold and innovative designs, we combine contemporary woodworking methods and modern technology. Halikko is home to our 4000 square metre campus where we turn abstract concepts into tangible objects. Our team in our office in Helsinki coordinates all operations and installations. Made by Choice's agile, purpose driven approach means all new products are developed on demand, for a specific project and need, and carries the authentic story of it's reason of existence. Our products are developed and manufactured at our own factory in south-western Finland by some of the best craftsmen in the world. Choice is inspired by heritage and Nordic urban...
Birch, Plywood
Chessboard Bois Déchiré Art Edition by Meubles Thouret
Located in Geneve, CH
Chessboard Bois Déchiré Art Edition by Meubles Thouret. Numbered and signed by the artists. Delivered with a Certificate of Authenticity. Dimensions: W 48 x D 48 x H 5 cm. Materials:...
Resin, Wood
Ottavia Box in Glossy Horn, Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Ottavia Box in Glossy Horn, Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 13 x W 22 x H 8 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, ebony veneer, and Aida ...
Stainless Steel, Other
$2,256 / item
Decorative Tray 60s by Ruda Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Decorative Tray 60s by Ruda Studio Dimensions: D 33 x W 45 x H 3,5 cm. Materials: MDF, painted rye straw and brass. Weight: 3 kg. Available in individuals colors. Please contact us....
Brass, Other
Tall Blue and Black Postmodern Ceramic Lidded Box with Confetti Decor, 1980s
Located in Camblanes et Meynac, FR
Tall blue and black postmodern ceramic lidded box, painted with a scattered confetti decor, made in the 1980s. The form is a slender cylinder closed by a conical lid, a shape that be...
Ceramic
Priora Box in Horn, Brass & Lacquered Wood with Ivory Gloss Finish by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Priora Box in Horn, Brass & Lacquered Wood with Ivory Gloss Finish by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 20 x W 28 x H 11 cm. Materials: Wood with lacquered ivory gloss finish, horn, and chromed...
Brass, Other
Brazilian Wood and Agate Trinket Boxes, Postmodern, Late 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A set of three (3) Brazilian agate and wood boxes, Postmodern design period, circa late 20th century, Brazil. Each box features a polished circular agate lid set into a rounded hardw...
Agate
$260Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Post-Modern Travertine Lidded Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage post-modern travertine lidded trinket box, circa 1980s. The box is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 4.75"W x ...
Travertine
$2,199 / item
Fedora Box II by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Fedora Box II by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 13 x H 8 cm Materials: Wood, horn, brass, gold. Box in glossy ebony. Lid in hand engraved 24K gold plated brass with raised rounded ho...
Gold, Brass
Memphis Style Postmodern Mixed Wood Jewelry Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Memphis style Postmodern mixed wood jewelry box with drawer, circa 1998. The box is made of a variety of hard woods including ash, cherry Mahogany walnut and maple. The top lifts up ...
Ash, Maple, Walnut
Hermès Paris decorative box in leather and bronze.
By Hermès
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Hermès Paris decorative box in leather and bronze. This Hermès Paris decorative box features a cylindrical design covered in textured black leather on the exterior. The top and botto...
Bronze
Post-Modern American Studio Raku Ceramic Covered Vessel or Box, circa 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
Expressive American studio raku ceramic covered vessel dating to the late 20th century. This sculptural postmodern form features a hand-built matte charcoal-black body raised on four...
Pottery
$512 / item
Trinket Box in Aluminium by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Trinket Box in Aluminium by Six Dots Design. Unique Piece. Dimensions: W 20 x D 13 x H 9 cm. Materials: Raw aluminum. This box is designed to store all of your favourite and most pr...
Aluminum
Esa Fedrigolli Sculptural Bronze 1980s Italian Box
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural decorative lidded bronze Italian box designed by Esa Fedrigolli for Esart. Signed
Bronze
Collection of Five Turned Wood Artisan-Created, Hand-Carved, Wood Boxes, Japan
Located in Round Top, TX
A collection of five (5) wood boxes: Two are by studio artist L.W. Joy and were all created in the early 2000's and are turned from two exotic hardwood species. They are the two sma...
Felt, Wood
Postmodern Modern Marble and Brass Ashtray Box, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A chic Postmodern marble and brass sphere ball ashtray box, circa 1970s. Piece makes a great decorative object box as well as an ashtray (three indents ar...
Marble, Brass
Vintage Mixed Wood Inlaid Box / Humidor Style Storage Case
Located in San Diego, CA
A handsome vintage mixed wood inlaid presentation box featuring striking geometric banded inlay across the hinged lid. Crafted with warm-toned exotic and domestic woods, the top show...
Wood
Large Vintage Post-Modern Travertine Lidded Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage large post-modern travertine lidded box, circa 1980s. The box is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 12"W x 8"D x 4"H. Super cool and very wel...
Travertine
Artist-made vintage onyx / agate & walnut lidded vessel box, signed & dated 1984
Located in Hastings, GB
This beautifully tactile sculptural onyx lidded box is a unique artist-made piece...unfortunately I've been unable to identify the maker's mark. We sourced it in Phoenix, Arizona, al...
Onyx
Lucite Jewelry Vanity Box
Located in New York, NY
A square Lucite jewelry or trinket box, Postmodern design, circa late-20th century, 1990s. Great to hold jewelry or other small items on a vanity, des...
Lucite
Postmodern Box with Slate Lid, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Box with Slate Lid, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Color: Black Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owne...
Glass
Vintage Postmodern German Porcelain Box with Lid from KPM Royal Porzellan, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern German Porcelain Box with Lid from KPM Royal Porzellan, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional infor...
Porcelain