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.
Drop Unique Wall Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Drop Unique Wall Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 7 x W 11 x H 25 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Available in different finishes and material options. C...
Aluminum
$2,450Sale Price|30% Off
Massive Post-Modern Stacked Art Glass Menorah by Bill Meek Studio
Located in San Diego, CA
Massive post-modern stacked art glass menorah by Bill Meeks Studio, circa 1995. The piece features stacked pieces of free form art glass to form what looks like an ice sculpture. Ab...
Art Glass
Route Candle Holder 02.01 in Cast Aluminium by Sofia Karnukaeva
Located in Geneve, CH
Route Candle Holder 02.01 in Cast Aluminium by Sofia Karnukaeva. Dimensions: W 31 x D 16 x H 44 cm. Materials: Cast aluminium with a natural finish. 'Route' is a series of objects i...
Aluminum
A SCULPTURAL BRUTALIST CANDELABRA CANDLE HOLDER Unique ARTIST Piece, France 1990
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and spectacular candelabra candle holder sculpture, Post-Modernist, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, plant-inspired composition of folded and welded metal rods mounted on a tri...
Gold Plate, Wrought Iron
Meritalia Candelabre / Green by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia, Fish Design
Located in Toronto, ON
"The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizio...
Metal
Candle Holder, Hand-Crafted Recycled Metal & Steel, Sculptural, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Chrome Candle Holder is the first in a series exploring the potential of upcycled electroplating rods—industrial remnants transformed into sculptural artifacts. These rods, used ...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
Gusum Metallslöjden, Candelabra, Brass, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass candelabra designed and produced by Gusum Metallslöjden, c. 1970s. Holds 0.45” diameter candles
Brass
Meritalia Candelabre / Black by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizion...
Steel
Candle Holder, Fisherman Hook Form, Hand-Crafted Recycled Metal, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Fisherman Hook is part of a limited series of unique objects that integrate the use of upcycled electroplating rods. These rods, regularly used for submerging metal items into chrome...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
A SCULPTURAL BRUTALIST CANDELABRA CANDLE HOLDER, ARTIST PIECE, France 1990
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional sculptural candelabra candle holder, Post-Modernist, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, plant-inspired composition of folded and welded metal rods mounted on a tripod base, decor...
Metal, Gold Plate
Meritalia Candelabre / Blue by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
"The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizio...
Steel
Meritalia Candelabre / Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
Located in Toronto, ON
"The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizio...
Steel
Meritalia Candelabre / Orange by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizion...
Steel
$1,097Sale Price / set|20% Off
Dorothy Thorpe. Post-Modern candle holders by Elaine Bscheider, USA, 1970S
By Dorothy Thorpe, Elaine Bscheider
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Post-Modern candle holders designed by Elaine Bscheider, United States, 1970s, United States. Black methacrylate in the shape of a prezel and chrome-plated golden metal candl...
Steel, Chrome
Meritalia Candelabre / Red by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
"The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizio...
Steel
Oxidized bronze Green Blue Metallized Candle 4 Candles by Frederic Texier
Located in Geneve, CH
Oxidized bronze Green Blue Metallized Candle 4 Candles by Frederic Texier Dimensions: W 27 x D 20 x H 34 cm. Materials: Concrete coated with bronze powder and then oxidized, Metal p...
Concrete, Bronze
Swedish Designer, Candelabra, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Fits 0.75” diameter candles
Pine
Postmodern Brass Candle Holders, Memphis Milano Style, Circa 1980s
By Memphis Group, (After) Gio Ponti, Michael Graves (b.1934), Aldo Londi, Memphis Milano
Located in Round Top, TX
This exceptional duo of brass candle holders exemplifies a refined fusion of neoclassical elegance and minimalist form. The sleek, polished brass bases anchor the design, while the a...
Brass
Swedish Designer, Large Candelabra, Pine, Metal, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A large pine and metal storm-light candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Fits 2” diameter candles
Metal
$680Sale Price / set|20% Off
Glass Candle Holders by Kosta Boda Sweden
By Kosta Boda
Located in San Diego, CA
Minimalist and incredibly glamorous pair of Kosta Boda glass candle holders. The pair exhude beautiful lines that can streamline or maximize elegance in your décor. Crystal clear gla...
Glass, Paint
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 11 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 11 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 4 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: P...
Bronze
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Maitland Smith Tesselated Candlestick Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning pair of Maitland Smith tessellated shell vintage candlesticks. Candlesticks / Candelabras are in good vintage condition. We have inclu...
Shell
Postmodern Set of Three Aquamarine and Brown Murano Glass Candleholders, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. They are made in hand blown Murano glass. The bubbles and the difference in their dimensions are due to the handcraft process. These candleholder are vintage,...
Murano Glass
Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell, Robert Venturi
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell, Both stamped RVenturi MADE IN ITALY SILVER PLATED with copyright mark.
Silver Plate
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 32 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 32 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: D 17 x W 14 x H 55 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Mate...
Bronze
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 33 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 33 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: D 15 x W 17 x H 67 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Mate...
Bronze
80s Handmade Vintage Postmodern Memphis Aluminum & Inlaid Abstract Menorah
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Post modern artisan made one of a kind Hanukkah Menorah Measurements 11" W x 8" H x 6" D
Aluminum, Brass, Enamel
$371Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of Chorus Candelabra by Karim Rashid for Umbra Die-Cast Zinc
By Karim Rashid, Umbra
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome pair of die-cast zinc candelabra entitled chorus designed by Karim Rashid for Umbra. The pair are in fabulous pre-owned condition. They...
Chrome, Zinc
Otita Unique Wall-Mounted Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Otita Unique Wall-Mounted Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 4 x W 4 x H 15 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Available in different finishes and material op...
Aluminum
$4,859 / item
Ritus Cuatro Candelabra by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Ritus Cuatro Candelabra by Andres Monnier Unique Piece. Dimensions: W 72 x D 20 x H 40 Materials: White Onyx Treko Concrete is a Mexican studio based in Ensenada, that aims to creat...
Onyx
Eric Ledoux Pair of Solid Cast Bronze Candelabras
Located in Mexico City, MX
A set of 2 solid cast bronze candelabras by French artist Eric Ledoux. The first one features a sun on the front and a crescent moon on the back with a mate finish. The second one sh...
Bronze
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 24 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 24 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 19 x H 25 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: ...
Bronze
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 10 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 10 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 28 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: ...
Bronze
Postmodern Pair of Brown and Aquamarine Murano Glass Candleholders, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. They are made in hand-blown Murano glass. The bubbles and the difference in their dimensions are due to the handcraft process. These candleholder are vintage,...
Murano Glass
Bořek Šípek (Czech Republic 1949-2016) 'Simon' Candleholder for Driade, 1988
Located in New York, NY
Seven-armed candle holder made of silver-plated metal with company stamp “Driade” on the underside. The conical body is surrounded by seven winding arms, each with a spout, in an irr...
Metal, Silver Plate
"Kopka" Post Modern Candelabra In Polished Steel by FXFV
By Franco V
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Named for Alfred Kopka, the first craft master at the Bauhaus school's metal shop, expertly crafted by hand in Brooklyn, NY, the Kopka Candelabra is a sculptural addition to any spac...
Steel
Stoneware Clay, Swan IV Candleholder by Aleksandra Krasnopolska
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Clay, Swan IV Candleholder by Aleksandra Krasnopolska Dimensions: W 21 x D 13.2 x H 13 cm Materials: Stoneware clay, unglazed surface, coated with protective wax. Weight: ...
Clay, Stoneware
Maze Candelabra in Wood & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Maze Candelabra by Brent Warr is a striking fusion of sculpture and function, conceived as a bold architectural gesture for the modern interior. Each piece is built from a wood c...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Eric Ledoux "10-Eyes" Solid Bronze Candelabra For 2 Candles
By Eric Ledoux
Located in Mexico City, MX
A heavy cast bronze sculptural candelabra by French sculptor Eric Ledoux. The candelabra shows a goat head, has 10 eyes around its body and has 2 arms. The bronze shows a nice mate f...
Bronze
Pair of Postmodern Zigzag Candelholders, 70s
Located in Lucija, SI
Pair of Postmodern zigzag candelholders made from aluminium They are made in Italy in early 80s
Aluminum
$5,754 / item
Being Candle Holder by Edie Xu
Located in Geneve, CH
Being Candle Holder by Edie Xu Dimensions: W 60 x D 46 x H 30 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Edie Xu, b. in New York and graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023. Her work sp...
Stoneware
Contemporary High-Polished Bronze Candelholder by Colo Studio, France
Located in London, GB
‘Fambloyant’ Candelabra by Colo Studio Material: Bronze, high-polished Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 60 cm Year: 2025 With the ‘Flamboyant’ Candelabra, Colo Studio deepens his exploration ...
Bronze
$8,637 / item
Ritus Cinco Candelabra by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Ritus Cinco Candelabra by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: W 120 x D 50 x H 160 cm Materials: Black volcanic stone. Treko Concrete is a Mexican studio based in Ensenada, that...
Stone
Trinidad Candelabra by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Trinidad Candelabra by Andres Monnier One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 130 cm Materials: White marble from San Luis Potosí, stainless steel. Designer's biography Treko con...
Marble, Stainless Steel
Jeweled Pewter and Enamel "Tree of Life" Menorah in the Style of Jay Strongwater
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous jeweled pewter and enamel "Tree of Life" Menorah in the style of Jay Strongwater (it may actually be a Strongwater piece, but it is not marked), circa 1990s. The menorah is ...
Rock Crystal, Enamel, Pewter
Eric Ledoux "Sun and Moon" Solid Bronze Candelabra For 2 Candles
By Eric Ledoux
Located in Mexico City, MX
A heavy cast bronze sculptural candelabra by French sculptor Eric Ledoux. The candelabra shows a sun on the front and a crescent moon on the back. The top and the arms are decorated ...
Bronze
$192Sale Price|41% Off
Post Modern Baldelli Porcelain Candle Holder, Made In Italy
By Baldelli
Located in San Carlos, CA
Vintage Baldelli Candle Holder: A Touch of Italian Charm Add a pop of color and European elegance to your home with this stunning vintage candle holder from Baldelli. Crafted in It...
Porcelain
$1,160 / item
Camino Small
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
The transcendent character of decision making and its consequences, which are inflection points in everyday life, are concepts that are through the new collection by Sebastián Ángele...
Brass
Post Modern German Brass "Clear Drops" Oil Lamp Candlestick by Freddie Andersen
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original Freddie Andersen "Clear Drops" oil lamp made in West Germany. This lamp features an elegant brass stem, a handblown glass reservoir, and a sleek black resin base, creating a...
Brass
Stroma Sculptural Candelabra in Forged Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Stroma Sculptural Candelabra in Wrought Iron by Metalmorphosis Studio Dimensions: Ø 45 x H 30 cm. Materials: Forged Steel Stroma is a wrought iron sculptural candelabra that referen...
Steel
A SCULPTURAL BRUTALIST CANDELABRA CANDLE HOLDER Unique ARTIST Piece, France 1950
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional sculptural Chandelier, Candelabra, Candlesticks, Candle holder, Brutalist, Rustic Modern, Shabby-Chic, , superb patinated wrought iron structure with 4 long light ar...
Metal
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 22 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 22 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 22 x W 26 x H 20 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Mate...
Bronze
Post-Modern Lucite and Brass Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful post-modern lucite and brass menorah, circa 1980s. The piece features a etched lucite base and back with brass candle vessels. The menorah is in very good vintage conditio...
Brass
Gusums Metallslöjden, Sizeable Candelabra, Brass, Sweden, 1977
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable brass candelabra designed and produced by Gusums Metallslöjden, Sweden, 1977. Holds 0.70” diameter candles
Brass
Volcanic Stone, Bow Candle Holder by Tenam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Volcanic Stone, Bow Candle Holder by Tenam Studio Dimensions: W 4 x D 11.5 x H 14 cm. Materials: Volcanic stone. Weight: 0.8 kg About: Founded in 2024, Tenam is a contemporary des...
Stone
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 8 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 8 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 7 x W 23 x H 19 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materi...
Bronze
Post Modern Flat Arch Hanukkiyah Menorah By Luigi Del Monte
Located in San Diego, CA
Arched menorah in anodized solid aluminum By Luigi Del Monte. Produced in 1999 in a limited number and part of the permanent collection of Chicago’s Spertus Museum. New York’s Museum...
Aluminum
Swedish Designer, Candlesticks, Teak, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of 3 teak and metal candlesticks. Fits 0.85” diameter candle Shorter candleholder is 7.5” H and the other two are 9.4” H
Teak
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Carmelo De Giorgio for Officina De Giorgio Linea Luce Table Candlestick
By De Giorgio
Located in San Diego, CA
The attention to detail is reflected in the high quality workmanship of this piece, Its been sanded, polished and finished by hand. Beautiful design on this candelabra piece of solid...
Steel, Chrome
$280Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Green Marble Architectural Candle Holders Circa 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully shaped organic Green Marble candle holders Circa 1980s. Candlesticks have a great clean architectural design that is versati...
Marble