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 Box Dark Green Jewelry Desk
Located in New York, NY
A round marble box, Postmodern period, circa late-20th century. Marble is a dark moss green with white veining. A great piece to hold items on a desk or jewelry (demonstrated.) Lid i...
Marble
$2,293 / 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
$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
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
$1,414 / 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Art Deco Lidded Footed Wenge Wood & Copper Skyscraper Centerpiece Box Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
Excellent Art Deco lidded box. Beautiful stepped sculptural bowl with circular copper foil laminate feet and metal inlay to the lid.
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
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
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
1980s Post Modern Memphis Style Lacquered Handmade Box by Hollis Fingold, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fantastic postmodern Memphis style handmade, hand-painted wood box with distinctive rounded flat feet and sculpted wavy handle by artist Hollis Fingold. The inside of the box has a...
Wood, Paint, Fabric
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
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
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
$495
Nose Box
By Halcyon Days, (after) Salvador Dali
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
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
Dorothy Hafner Rare Prototype Box Uniquely Hand Painted
Located in Sharon, CT
Beautiful hand painted ceramic box.
Ceramic
$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
$9,065Sale Price|30% Off
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
Lam Lee Art Deco and Memphis Style Pyramid Shaped Jewelry Chest
By Lam Lee Group, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Art Deco meets Memphis style with in this boldly designed jewelry chest by Lam Lee. The pyramid shaped chest looks like a small (17″ high) version of their full sized dressers. This ...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
$261 / 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Spirit of Art No. 2 box 192/750 by Keith Haring for Villeroy & Boch, 1992
By (after) Keith Haring, Villeroy & Boch
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
$1,592 / 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
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
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
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
$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
$2,127 / 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
$1,152 / 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
$1,711 / 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
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
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
$13,243 / 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
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
$1,901 / 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
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
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
$1,414 / 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
$3,209 / 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
$1,711 / 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
$1,509 / 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
$1,735 / 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
Fine Handcut Crystal Riverside Perfume Flacon
Located in Geneve, CH
Fine handcut crystal riverside perfume flacon Materials: fine handcut crystal Dimensions: D 5.7 x W 16 x H 16 cm Weight: 1.05 kg Reflections Copenhagen, a collection of handmade decorative mirrors and crystal pieces, finely balanced to Challenge the traditional styles and shapes of todays’ homes by adding new dimensions and possibilities to interior decorating. Julie Hugau and Andrea Larsson, inspired by the graphic expression of Art Deco, the vast contrasts of the 1980s and the opportunity to explore the delicate materials that the mirrors are made of, combined their visions and the start of Reflections was a fact. The collection sums up their perspectives of how to provide new expressions through strength and form, the mirrors are designed with a strong visual structure to create a contrast of light and reflections through non-traditional mirror...
Crystal
$915 / 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
Long Island Crystal Flacon, Handsculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Long Island crystal flacon, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Hand-sculpted in crystal Measures: W 8, H 19, D 8 cm. The Reflections Copenhagen Boudoir collecti...
Crystal