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.
$495
Nose Box
By (after) Salvador Dali, Halcyon Days
Located in Hanover, MA
Dali-esque gilt metal snuff box bejeweled with light blue rhinestones and shaped like a surrealist human nose and lips . Magnetic closure. Yellow enameled interior. Amusing containe...
Multi-gemstone, Metal
Leandro Ash Tray in Glossy Horn, Chromed Brass & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Leandro Ash Tray in Glossy Horn, Chromed Brass & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 6 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, chromed brass, and Aid...
Brass, Other
Set Of 2 Patino Lighter & Ash Tray in Horn, Brass & Gloss Ebony by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Patino Lighter & Ash Tray in Horn, Brass & Gloss Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: Lighter: D 8 x W 8 x H 9 cm. Ash Tray: D 16 x W 20 x H 5 cm. Materials: Horn, chromed brass, a...
Brass, Other
Set Of 2 Clinio Lighter & Ash Tray in Dark Horn, Brass & Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Clinio Lighter & Ash Tray in Dark Horn, Brass & Wood by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: Lighter: Ø 8 x H 12 cm. Ash Tray: Ø 22 x H 5 cm. Materials: Dark horn, ...
Brass, Other
Set Of 3 Bacco Smoking Lighter & Ash Trays in Horn, Brass & Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 3 Bacco Smoking Lighter & Ash Trays in Horn, Brass & Wood by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: Lighter: D 10 x W 10 x H 9 cm. Cigarette Ash Tray: D 16 x W 16 x H 4...
Brass, Other
Leandro Lighter in Glossy Horn, Chromed Brass & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Leandro Lighter in Glossy Horn, Chromed Brass & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 11 x W 11 x H 10 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, chromed brass, and Aid...
Brass, Other
Tessellated Horn and Cedar Wood Box
Located in San Diego, CA
A very well crafted tessellated Horn cedar wood box, circa 1980s. The piece is very heavy and solid and measures 6.375"W x 4.5"D x 3.5"H. #3772
Horn, Cedar
Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular wood box, Postmodern design period, circa late-20h century. Box has three wood hues, velvet lined, easy open/close lid. Very good condition as shown.
Velvet, Wood
$125
H 1.25 in Dm 1.75 in
Halcyon Days Fine Enamel British Pillbox National History Museum of Los Angeles
By Halcyon Days
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stunning little porcelain box by Halcyon Days Enamels. The inside lid is inscribed "National History Museum of Los Angeles County 1913-1988." The bottom o...
Porcelain
$2,995 / item
H 6 in W 18.5 in D 10.2 in
Traveling Jewelry Case in Cream Shagreen Brass W/Leather Handles by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. As an ode to vintage steamer trunks...
Brass
$1,584 / item
H 5.52 in W 11.03 in D 7.88 in
Capricia Box in Pebbled Leather with Handle in Corno Italiano, Mod. 4473
By Arcahorn Srl., Filippo Dini
Located in Recanati, Macerata
Befitting of all decor, the Capricia rectangular box will be a unique addition to your vanity station or to any other place in your home and office. Cla...
Leather, Wood
$1,250 / set
H 2.25 in W 8.75 in D 8.75 in
Set of 2 Boxes in Grey Shagreen with Bronze Patina Brass by R&Y Augousti
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The “Peacock Box” set by R&Y Augousti is a true masterpiece of modern luxury, where organic form meets exceptional craftsmanship. The distinctive, fluid shapes of these boxes create ...
Brass
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Box
Located in Houston, TX
Late 20th Century Postmodern tessellated travertine and black marble box with brass inlay and brown cloth interior lining.
Stone, Travertine, Marble
$180
H 2.5 in W 1.38 in D 0.63 in
1930s Art Deco Coty Perfume Bottle in Original Brass Lighter Style Case
Located in Red Lion, PA
Rare 1930s Art Deco Coty Perfume in Cigarette Lighter-Style Brass and Bakelite Case This exquisite Art Deco Coty perfume presentation from the 1930s is a rare and collectible exampl...
Metal
$600 / set
H 1.5 in W 2 in D 2 in
Set of Four Golf-Themed Enamel Boxes – Halcyon Days & Limoges Collectibles
By Halcyon Days
Located in Morristown, NJ
Set of Four Golf-Themed Enamel Boxes – Halcyon Days & Limoges Collectibles This charming set of four golf-themed enamel boxes includes three English Halcyon Days pieces and one Limoges, France box, making it a perfect collection for golf enthusiasts and collectors of fine enamelware. Each piece is crafted with exquisite detailing and hand-painted designs celebrating golf's rich history and playful spirit. 1. Halcyon Days "William Innes & Blackheath Golf Club" Enamel Box Design: Features William Innes, a Member of Parliament and Captain of the Society of Golfers in 1778 at the Royal Blackheath Golf Club. Interior: The inside lid bears the inscription, referencing a painting by Lemuel Francis Abbot, along with a note about King James I introducing golf to England from Scotland in 1608. Exterior: Decorated with vintage golf illustrations, bordered by green and gold accents. Base: Marked Halcyon Days Enamels, England. Original box retained. 2. Halcyon Days "The Old Course, St. Andrews" Enamel Box Design: Features an elegant map of the Old Course at St. Andrews, the world’s most famous golf course. Interior: Inscribed with historical details about St. Andrews, including its role in the Open Championship and the founding of The Royal and Ancient Club House in 1854. Base: Marked Halcyon Days Enamels, England. Original box retained. 3. Halcyon Days "Golfing Teddy Bears" Enamel Box Design: A whimsical hand-painted scene of two teddy bears playing golf, one in a striped referee shirt and the other in red golf attire. Interior: Features a black-and-white illustration of a teddy bear holding a golf club. Base: Marked Halcyon Days Enamels, England. 4. Limoges "Lady Golfer" Hand-Painted Enamel Box Design: Features a female golfer in a classic plaid skirt and yellow sweater, preparing for a swing while her caddie watches nearby. Interior: Painted with a small golf ball on a tee. Backstamp: Marked "Limoges France - Peint Main" (Hand-Painted) with a golf club illustration. Set Features: ✔ Hand-Painted & Hand-Decorated ✔ Fine English & French Enamelware ✔ Historical & Whimsical Golf Themes ✔ Perfect for Collectors & Golf Lovers ✔ Excellent Condition – Includes Original Box for St. Andrews Piece This set celebrates the tradition, history, and charm of golf, making it a fantastic addition to any golf memorabilia collection or fine enamelware display. Dimensions: 2"dia x 1.25"h (Two larger Halcyon Days Boxes...
Metal, Enamel
$2,995 / item
H 6 in W 18.5 in D 10.2 in
Traveling Jewelry Case in Shagreen Brass w/Leather Handles by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by skilled artisans, ultimately making each piece unique, designed in Paris and produced in the Philippines. As an ode to vintage steamer trunks...
Brass
1800s Snuff Box of Ram's Horn and Wood
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
c.1800s snuff box, ram's horn with wood inset bottom. Base edge faults in the horn-top edge also. With a tag: "You God Father Eckhadt (?) snuff box" and description. 2 3/8" x 1 3/8 x...
Wood
Halcyon Days English Bilston Enamel Floral Egg Trinket Box
By Halcyon Days
Located in Philadelphia, PA
From Halcyon Days, a Bilston enamel trinket box shaped as an egg, Stoke-on-Trent, England, circa 1970-1980s. Established in the 1950s, Halcyon Days Ltd ...
Copper
Walnut and Silver Pipe Box by Ottaviani Italy
By Ottaviani
Located in Weesp, NL
Ottaviani silver and walnut pipe box made in Italy in 1976. This stylish piece is marked Ottaviani 76, 22g and 925 which stands for Sterling silver, an alloy of silver containing 92....
Silver
Unique Box Square 12 by Matthew Fisher
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique box square 12 by Matthew Fisher Unique piece Dimensions: 29.8 W x 21.6 D x 11 H Materials: Moonstone Onix Resting upon a recessed carved base a...
Onyx
Arthur Court Brass and Wood Bird Stash Box
By Arthur Court
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Arthur Court brass and wood bird stash box - the head tilts back to reveal a box to store private items and/or 420. A lovely box and great addition ...
Brass