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.
$13,274 / 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
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
$2,358 / 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
$1,596 / 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
$1,179 / 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
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
$1,906 / 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
$1,918 / 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
$1,715 / 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
$2,084 / 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
$1,739 / 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
$6,984 / 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
$6,984 / 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
$458 / set
Oro Bianco, Hand-Sculpted Containers
Located in Geneve, CH
Materials Container / White Travertine marble, natural open pores or plastered in blue. Accessorie and base / 0,15 cm of thickness polished sheet of steel galvanized in light gold. Measures Long / H3 x 27,5 x 12 cm Dot / H3 x ø 10 cm TECHNICAL INFO Please note that each Oro Bianco...
Marble
Set of 5, 2 Plizé Boxes & 2 Beebee Jars, 1 Merry Side Table by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5, 2 Plizé boxes & 2 beebee jars, 1 merry side table 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 b...
Birch, Plywood
$714 / item
Large, White Plizé Box by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Large, white Plizé box by Made by Choice ( White base, red, white top) Dimensions: W 17 x D 17 x H 22 cm Materials: Birch plywood Also available: Blue, green, small & medium. ...
Birch, Plywood
Set of 2, White Plizé Boxes, Large by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, white Plizé boxes, large by Made by Choice ( White base, red, white top) Dimensions: W 17 x D 17 x H 22 cm Materials: Birch plywood Also available: Blue, green, small ...
Birch, Plywood
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
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
$1,155 / item
Fine Handcut Crystal Grand New Haven Basin
Located in Geneve, CH
Fine handcut crystal grand new haven basin Materials: Fine handcut crystal Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 16.8 cm Weight: 5 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
Hamptons Crystal Bonbonniere, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Hamptons Crystal Bonbonniere, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Hand-sculpted in crystal Measures: W 19 H 20 D 19 cm The Hampto...
Crystal
$1,596 / item
Fine Handcut Crystal Grand Belleville Perfume Flacon
Located in Geneve, CH
Fine handcut crystal grand Belleville perfume flacon. Materials: Fine handcut crystal. Dimensions: D 12.8 x W 12.8 x H 27 cm. Weight: 2.94 kg. Re...
Crystal
$1,798 / item
Fine Handcut Crystal Grand Rochester Perfume Flacon
Located in Geneve, CH
Fine handcut crystal grand rochester perfume flacon. Materials: Fine handcut crystal. Dimensions: D 9 x W 27.8 x H32 cm. Weight: 3.68 kg. Reflec...
Crystal
$1,131 / item
Ashes Box with Cover by Studio Lievito
Located in Geneve, CH
Ashes box with cover by Studio Lievito Dimensions: D20 x W20 X H7 cm Materials: Bianco carrara marble, nero marquina marble. Weight: 3 kg. An oppositio...
Marble
Comequandofuoripiove Case + 2 Decks of Cards by Studio Lievito
Located in Geneve, CH
Comequandofuoripiove case + 2 decks of cards by Studio Lievito Dimensions: D15 x W17 X H6 cm Materials: bianco carrara marble, mohogany wood. Weight: 2.6 kg A reference to one of the most characteristic uses of marble and to the territory of origin of Studio Lievito, this package recalls the box where the lard is stored during its seasoning. Ashioned of white carrara marble with a sliding mahogany drawer, this elegant case comes with two decks of 54 poker cards designed by Studio Lievito. The whimsical name of this piece derives from the catchy phrase (“like when it’s raining outside” in English) used to easily remember the value order in the deck of French cards...
Marble
$1,286 / set
Set of 3 Sunrise Décor Boxes by Formaminima
By Formaminima
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Sunrise Décor boxes by Formaminima Limited edition Dimensions: box 1: H 5 x L 10.5 x D 5 cm. Box 2: H 5 x L 5 x D 5 cm. Box 3: H 15 x L 5 x D 5 ...
Glass
$1,512 / set
Set of 3 Dazzle Décor Boxes by Formaminima
By Formaminima
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Dazzle Décor boxes by Formaminima One of a kind. Dimensions: Box 1: H 5 x L 10.5 x D 5 cm. Box 2: H 5 x L 5 x D 5 cm. Box 3: H 15 x L 5 x D 5 cm. Plate: H 0.3 x L 21 x D 21 cm. Materials: Handcrafted pink crystal glass...
Glass
$1,655 / set
Set of 3 Zenith Décor Boxes by Formaminima
By Formaminima
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Zenith Décor Boxes by Formaminima Dimensions: Box 1: H 5 x L 10.5 x D 5 cm. Box 2: H 5 x L 5 x D 5 cm. Box 3: H 15 x L 5 x D 5 cm. Plate: H 0.3 ...
Glass