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.
1990s Signed Master Craftsman Hand Turned Cocobolo Studio Wood Trinket Box Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite hand turned signed and dated solid cocobolo lidded trinket box. Beautiful sculptural form. Perfect for jewelry or loose leaf tea. One of a kind piece.
Cocobolo
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
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
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
$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
$540Sale Price|20% Off
Montgomery Smith 1983 Figural Whitewater Canoers Covered Vessel
Located in New Windsor, NY
An outstanding hand built terracotta covered vessel by Montgomery Smith, Circa 1983. Signed on the bottom, M. Smith, ' 83. The lid depicts two whitewater canoers clearly concentratin...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Postmodern Ceramic Box by Rita Duvall (1987)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful handmade Postmodern ceramic trinket or jewelry box by Rita Duvall, similar in style to the work of Peter Shire and Michael Duvall. Glazed i...
Ceramic
Sibilla Cigar Humidor in Horn, Chromed Brass, Cedar & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Sibilla Cigar Humidor in Horn, Chromed Brass, Cedar & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 24 x W 32 x H 12 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, horn, cedar, and chromed brass. Colours an...
Brass, Other
Pair of Post-Modern Small Black Marble Cannisters / Boxes
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful pair of post-modern small black marble cannisters / boxes, circa 1970s. The cannisters are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measure 2.875"D x 4...
Marble
$300Sale Price|20% Off
1980's, Postmodern Ceramic Box with Lid Signed SB
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic box with lid circa 1980's great graphics and colors with awesome glaze, no chips or cracks signed at the bottom SB.
Ceramic
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
Dorothy Hafner Rare Prototype Box Uniquely Hand Painted
Located in Sharon, CT
Beautiful hand painted ceramic box.
Ceramic
Postmodern Plaster Catchall Lidded Box
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Unique postmodern textural plaster lidded box. Nice low tapering profile. Lid accentuated with a rope detail and petite finial. Interior with a nicely curved bowl.
Plaster
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
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
John Glick ceramic /stoneware box / jewelry / table box , signed
By John Glick
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful box / jewelry / table desk box. made for the well known artist / potter , John Glick , for Plum Tree Potters .
Stoneware
Postmodern Granite Stand with Teak Box, Ettore Sottsass Style, 1980s
By Sottsass Associati, Michael Graves (b.1934), Ettore Sottsass
Located in Round Top, TX
Postmodern artisan-made sculptural, carved granite & aluminum stand displayed with handmade, studio craft, teak trinket box. Such a beautiful and unique pairing of objects. We'v...
Granite, Aluminum
$259 / item
Transparet Mana Bag by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Transparet Mana Bag by Mana Dimensions: D 26 x W 4.5 x H 32 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collected and...
Plastic
Italian Gilt and Blue Ceramic 1970s-1980s Box with Pois and Strap
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This vintage box is made from hand painted and gilt ceramic with a pois and strap relief decoration. it was designed and manufactured in Italy between the 1970s and the 1980s. The bo...
Ceramic
Fasano Torino Luxury Desk Box in 18kt Yellow Gold with Rare Blue Hawk Eye Quartz
By Francesco Fasano
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional desk box designed by Fasano. A beautiful and one-of-a-kind piece, created in Torino Italy by the master esteemed jeweler, Genesio Fasano. This rare luxury desk box was carefully crafted in solid yellow gold of 18 karats and is completely embellished with inlaid of rare blue hawk's eye. Weight: 1,534.83 Grams, (983.53 Dwt). Measurements: 175 mm by 175 mm by 37.5 mm (7.10 x 7.10 x 1.5 inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the Italian gold assay mark and signed ".750 *26AL FASANO" Note: This can be used for cigar humidor, letters or just as a decorative desk item...
Multi-gemstone, Gold
Vintage Original Mixed Media Jenga Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This compelling original mixed media sculpture is a provocative blend of classical iconography and contemporary conceptualism. Centered on a substantial wooden box, the piece feature...
Wood
Set of 5, 1 Plizé Box & 2 Beebee Jars, 2 Merry Side Tables by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5, 1 Plizé boxes & 2 beebee jars, 2 Merry side table by Made by Choice with Hanna Anonen Dimensions: W 17 x D17 x H 15.5 cm (M - Blue) ( Plizé Box) D 18 x H 30 cm (L- Green)...
Birch, Plywood
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
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Gabriella Crespi Acrylic & Bronze Box
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Acrylic box by Gabrielle Crespi, 1970s The box features a rectangular design with rounded corners, combining the transparency of acrylic with a patinated bronze band that surrounds i...
Bronze
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
Fedora Jewlery Box in Glossy Ebony, 24K Gold-Plated Brass, & Horn by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Fedora Jewlery Box in Glossy Ebony, 24K Gold-Plated Brass, & Horn by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 13 x H 8 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, engraved 24K gold-plated brass, and horn. Av...
Brass, Other
Spirit of Art No. 2 box 192/750 by Keith Haring for Villeroy & Boch, 1992
By Villeroy & Boch, (after) Keith Haring
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Limited porcelain box by Keith Haring (1958-1990)/ under licensed by his estate in 1992 and produced in cooperation with the German porcelain manufacturer Villeroy & Boch in a limite...
Porcelain
$909 / item
Decorative Box 02 by Ruda Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Decorative Box 02 by Ruda Studio Dimensions: D 12 x W 12 x H 9,5 cm. Materials: MDF, painted rye straw and brass. Weight: 2 kg. Available in individuals colors. Please contact us. ...
Brass, Other
Isa Jewlery Box in Glossy Ebony, 24K Gold-Plated Brass, & Horn by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Isa Jewlery Box in Glossy Ebony, 24K Gold-Plated Brass, & Horn by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 21 x H 8 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, engraved 24K gold-plated brass, and horn. Avail...
Brass, Other
Italy 1980 Abstract Sculpture Sphere in Brass Natural Wood and Metal Chrome
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a unique piece and prototype of this interesting artwork of Filippo Panseca, an Italian artist that it is considered, together with Laurence Gartel, the father of the Computer Art. Friend of Renato Guttuso, later he created the Biodegradable Art. His artworks were shown at Art Basel and the Biennale of Art in Venice. In this piece we can see the investigation of the artist of the Cosmic world and Cinetic art...
Metal, Brass
$2,100 / set
Hedwig Bollhagen Biscuit Box Group of Three
Located in Litchfield, CT
By Hedwig Bollhagen, Germany, circa 1960-1970s. These canisters are brilliantly Deco and fabulously Post Modern. Their colorful geometry is perfect fo...
Ceramic
$2,114 / item
Capricia Box IV by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Capricia Box IV by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 20 x W 28 x H 14 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn. Box in Aida pebbled leather, Ice-cream color with handmade dark brown stitching. Lid in...
Horn, Leather, Wood
$4,914 / item
Candy Box by Vetralia
Located in Geneve, CH
Candy Box by Vetralia Designed by Leo De Carlo Dimensions: W 16 x D 17 x H 19 cm Materials: Crystal, gold coated brass VETRALIA Functional Art based in Venice Active in the collect...
Crystal
Post Modern 1980s Handmade Lacquered Box by Hollis Fingold, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fantastic postmodern Memphis style handmade, hand-painted wood box with distinctive triangular feet with a black and white checkerboard and linear patterns and sculpted wavy handle...
Fabric, Plastic, Wood, Paint
Rotonda Large Box in Vegetable Tanned Leather & Steel by UNIQKA
Located in Geneve, CH
Rotonda Large Box in Vegetable Tanned Leather & Copper by UNIQKA Designed by CARA \ DAVIDE Dimensions: D 32 x W 32 x H 15 cm. Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather and anodized alumin...
Steel
$1,701 / item
Capricia Box I by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Capricia Box I by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 13 x H 15 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn. Box in Aida pebbled leather, Onyx color with handmade ivory stitching. Lid in matte Amar...
Horn, Leather, Wood
$2,114 / item
Capricia Box IV by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Capricia Box IV by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 20 x W 28 x H 14 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn. Box in Aida pebbled leather, Onyx color with handmade ivory stitching. Lid in matte Ama...
Horn, Leather, Wood
$1,901 / item
Capricia Box II by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Capricia Box II by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 18 x W 18 x H 13 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn. Box in Aida pebbled leather, Onyx color with handmade ivory stitching. Lid in matte Ama...
Horn, Leather, Wood
Vintage Boho Tessellated Stone and Reed Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your décor with this vintage Boho tessellated stone and reed box. Handcrafted with a mosaic of natural stone and woven reed, it exudes organic elegance and earthy texture. Pe...
Stone
$1,890 / item
Capricia Box III by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Capricia Box III by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 22 x H 12 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn. Box in Aida pebbled leather, Onyx color with handmade ivory stitching. Lid in matte Am...
Horn, Leather, Wood
$614 / item
Medium, Blue Plizé Box by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium, blue plizé box by Made By Choice with Hanna Anonen (blue base, yellow, orange top) Dimensions: W17 x D17 x H15.5 cm Materials: birch plywood Also available: white, blue, green, small & large. 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...
Plywood
$13,163 / set
Set of 2 Casulo Cubes #2 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Casulo cubes #2 by Mameluca Material: electrostatic sluminum paint, recycled rubber blanket. Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 90 cm Opening a cube and transforming it into a...
Aluminum
$1,405 / item
Selene Box by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Selene Box by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 20 x W 28 x H 6 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn, brass. Rectangular box in dark horn and wood with lacquered black gloss finish. Lid in wood w...
Brass
New Haven Crystal Bonbonniere, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
New haven crystal bonbonniere, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Hand-sculpted in crystal Measures: W 13, H 12, D 13 cm The new haven crystal bonbonniere is th...
Crystal
$1,500 / item
Agneta Box I by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Agneta Box I by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x H 17 cm Materials: Leather, wood, brass, horn. Round box in Aida pebbled leather, Onyx colour with handmade ivory stitching. Lid in matte...
Brass
$1,405 / item
Selene Box by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Selene Box by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 20 x W 28 x H 6 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn, brass. Rectangular box in horn and wood with lacquered ivory gloss finish. Lid in wood with l...
Brass
$1,145 / 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 horn and wood with lacquered ivory gloss finish. Lid in wood ...
Brass
$3,189 / item
Fedora Box I by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Fedora Box I by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 21 x H 8 cm Materials: Wood, horn, brass, gold. Box in glossy ebony. Lid in hand engraved 24K gold plated brass with raised rounded hor...
Brass, Gold
$1,701 / item
Capricia Box I by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Capricia Box I by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 13 x H 15 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn. Box in Aida pebbled leather, Ice-cream color with handmade dark brown stitching. Lid in ...
Horn, Leather, Wood
$2,338 / 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
$1,582 / item
Fine Handcut Crystal Grand Hamilton Perfume Flacon
Located in Geneve, CH
Fine handcut crystal grand Hamilton perfume flacon. Materials: Fine handcut crystal. Dimensions: D 8 x W 21 x H 26.5 cm. Weight: 3.68 kg. Reflect...
Crystal
$1,169 / item
Decorative Box 01 by Ruda Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Decorative Box 01 by Ruda Studio Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 10,5 cm. Materials: MDF, painted rye straw and brass. Weight: 3 kg. Available in individuals colors. Please contact us. ...
Brass, Other
Set of 4, Plizé Boxes, 2l White, 2M Blue by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4, Plizé boxes, 2L white - 2M blue by Made by Choice Dimensions: W17 x D17 x H22 cm (L), W17 x D17 x H15.5 cm (M) Materials: birch plywood Also available: blue, white, gr...
Birch, Plywood
Memphis Post Modern Lidded Ice Bucket for Taste Seller by Sigma
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lidded post modern Memphis ice bucket for Taste Seller, c.1980s, Japan. The bucket features and geometric black red and teal pattern with cream outlining. The black lid has three tiers and is finished with a teal globe pull...
Plastic
$1,890 / item
Capricia Box III by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Capricia Box III by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 22 x H 12 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn. Box in Aida pebbled leather, Ice-cream color with handmade dark brown stitching. Lid i...
Horn, Leather, Wood
$1,901 / item
Capricia Box II by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Capricia Box II by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 18 x W 18 x H 13 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn. Box in Aida pebbled leather, Ice-cream color with handmade dark brown stitching. Lid in...
Horn, Leather, Wood
$2,067 / item
Agneta Box III by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Agneta Box III by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 25 x H 16 cm Materials: Leather, wood, brass, horn. Round box in Aida pebbled leather, Onyx colour with handmade ivory stitching. Lid in mat...
Brass
$1,724 / item
Agneta Box II by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Agneta Box II by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 20 x H 13 cm Materials: Leather, wood, brass, horn. Round box in Aida pebbled leather, Onyx colour with handmade ivory stitching. Lid in matt...
Brass
$6,925 / item
Casulo Cube #2 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Casulo Cube #2 by Mameluca Material: Electrostatic Aluminum paint, recycled rubber blanket. Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 90 cm Also available in different dimensions. Opening a ...
Aluminum
$6,925 / item
Casulo Cube #3 by Mameluca
Located in Geneve, CH
Casulo cube #3 by Mameluca Material: Electrostatic Aluminum paint, recycled rubber blanket. Dimensions: D45 x W90 x H45 cm Also available in different dimensions. Opening a cub...
Aluminum