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.
Dorothy Thorpe. Post-Modern candle holders by Elaine Bscheider, USA, 1970s
By Elaine Bscheider, Dorothy Thorpe
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Post-Modern candle holders designed by Elaine Bscheider for Dorothy Thorpe Inc., USA, 1970s. Prezel-shaped body in transparent methacrylate/acrylic with chrome-plated golden ...
Metal, Chrome
Steven Holl Patinated Bronze Candlestick for Swid Powell rare Postmodern Memphis
Located in San Diego, CA
patinated bronze candlestick designed by American architect Steven Holl for Swid Powell c.1980's , very rare tall candlestick hard to find very collectible in a verdigris finish stamped at the bottom, with some scuff marks due to age solid piece great for postmodern , Memphis mid century home decor.
Bronze
Postmodern solid wood yellow green red Monokel candleholder from Ikea, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern solid wood yellow green red Monokel candleholder from Ikea, 1980s
Metal
Memphis Style 1980s Metal Stick Person Candle Holders
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage 1980s memphis style stick person black metal candle holder. The stick person holds a wine glass in one hand and there is a candle holder in the other hand. Quirky wavy hair...
Metal
$208Sale Price / set|35% Off
Pair of Sculptural Brass and Black Ring Candle Holders, Postmodern, 1980s
Located in Toronto, CA
Strikingly architectural and refined, this pair of Postmodern candleholders exemplifies the sculptural sophistication of 1980s European design. Each piece features a bold black circu...
Metal, Brass
Brutalist Glass Menorah by Joel & Candace Bless Wave Shape
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful brutalist thick rough glass sculpture Menorah by Joel & Candace Bless, circa 1990s remanence of an antique wave wall with .5" diameter holes for display candles, no chi...
Blown Glass
Postmodern Candelholder Designed by Pucci De Rossi, 2009
Located in Lucija, SI
Postmodern candelholder attributed to Pucci De Rossi
Aluminum
Pair of Gilt Bronze Candleholders by Pierre Casenove for Fondica
Located in North Miami, FL
Extremely heavy gilt bronze, these French candlesticks are highly collectible. These are quite rare and signed.
Bronze
$447Sale Price|50% Off
Fondica Casenove French 1980 Bronze Floral Candle Holder
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural bronze floral French Candle holder designed by Pierre Casenove for Fondica. signed.
Bronze
Tall Cast Iron Candlestick Holders - Set of 2
Located in Fairfield, CA
A pair of tall cast iron candlestick holders in varying heights. Unique curvy design with tripod bases to create a wonderful sculptural display. ...
Iron
Vintage Pop Art Candleholder by Verner Panton, 1980s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Scandinavian pop-art candleholder for tea lights called 'Lightning Stairs'. It is rather rare and it was designed by Verner Panton in 1973. This example is from the 80s and it was ma...
Steel
Sterling silver pair gilded and enamel green guilloche candlesticks marked 925.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of candle holders in sterling silver and gold wash and enamel work.
Sterling Silver
Post-Modern wrought iron candlesticks, Sweden, 1980s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Post-Modern wrought iron and oak candle holders, Sweden, 70s. Made of hand-worked wrought iron and chrome-plated, and stained oak wood. Of a certain brutalist style mixed with Memphi...
Chrome, Wrought Iron
Leaves Pedestal Bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Leaves pedestal bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: tree leaves, brass Dimensions: H 7.5 x D 12 cm Colour: green/khaki Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product...
Brass
Tiered Structure Burnt Iroko Wood Bunker Candleholder by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Bunker candle holder by Arno Declercq Materials: Burned and waxed Oak. Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 50 cm. Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespoke objects wi...
Oak
1998 Oscar Tusquets Blanca Driade Surrealistic Design Bronze 2 Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
"Salvador" Candleholders Oscar Tusquets Blanca Driade-Follies Italy, 1998 Rare Pair of CandleHolder Green Patina on Bronze Original 1998 Excellent condiction
Metal
Yehia Yemini Silver Plate Candleholder, Bezalel School, Jerusalem Signed
By Yehia Yemini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice candleholder by the very well known silversmith and jeweler Yehia Yemini ( Yihye Yemini, 1896-1983) Bezalel School Jerusalem .This candleholder made in Star of David shape ...
Silver Plate
Pair of Ettore Sottsass Silver Candlesticks for Swid Powell and Reed and Barton
By Ettore Sottsass, Swid Powell, Reed & Barton
Located in Kansas City, MO
Striking pair of silver plated candlesticks designed by Ettore Sottsass and made by Swid Powell in collaboration with Reed and Barton, 1980s.
Silver
Sculptural Post Modern Hammered Copper Candleholders (Pair)
By Heintz Art Metal Shop, Dirk Van Erp
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and sculptural pair of hammered copper candleholders. This pair is fully realized in quality copper that enhances the beauty and form of each candleholder. The simple lin...
Copper
Pr. Postmodern Silverplate Candlesticks by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Incredible pair of post modern silver plate candlesticks, by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Very hard to find, especially in pairs, this impre...
Silver Plate
Murano Candleholder Postmodern Memphis Milano Design, 1980s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Murano candleholder Postmodern Memphis Milano Design, 1980s Vintage Murano glass candlestick made in Italy! Ettore Sottsass would be proud of this...
Murano Glass
$431 / item
Drape Candle Holder by Jennifer Midoz
By Mydriaz
Located in Geneve, CH
Drape candle holder by Mydriaz Dimensions: D 26 x W 21 x H 16 cm Materials: Fir green glazed porcelain. Also available in different colors. Our products are handmade in our workshop...
Porcelain
Candlestick to Illuminate the Ruins of Time in Steel by Frederic Gaillard
Located in Geneve, CH
Candlestick to Illuminate the Ruins of Time in Steel by Frederic Gaillard. Dimensions: W 13 x D 13 x H 36 cm. Materials: Solid steel with rusted or black finish. About the Artist: ...
Steel
Landskrona Mässing, Candlestick, Brass, Sweden, 1978
Located in High Point, NC
A brass candlestick designed and produced by Landskrona Mässing, Sweden, 1978. Fits 0.8” diameter candles
Brass
$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
Michael Lax Design Grainware Metaal Post Modern Candlesticks c.1990
By Michael Lax
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A pair of rock-shaped candlesticks designed by Michael Lax Design Grainware circa 1990. These post-modern candle holders are made of polished aluminum. The bottom of each candle hold...
Aluminum
Postmodern Danish Metal Candleholder from Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Danish Metal Candleholder from Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Metal
Pair of Chorus Candelabra by Karim Rashid for Umbra Die-Cast Zinc
By Umbra, Karim Rashid
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
1990s Pair Postmodern Memphis Industrial R W Stoller Brutalist Candle Holders
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Very rare, likely one of a Kind pair of Hand -Forged Brutalist Post Modern Candler Holders by famed American Sculptor R. W. Stoller. Signed and dated These stunning Matisse lime ab...
Aluminum
Set of 2 Blooming Cuts Candle Holder by Ebba Lindgren
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Blooming Cuts Candle Holder by Ebba Lindgren Dimensions: D 14 x W 14 x H 20 cm. Materials: Recycled textile fiberboard (“really board”), metal. Ebba Lindgren Is an interna...
Metal
Set of 3 Post-Modern Memphis Candle Sticks by Markus Borgens, 1980s
Located in Delft, NL
Set of 3 Post-Modern Memphis candle sticks by Markus Borgens, 1980s.
Metal
Lumières du Paradis Twisted Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumières du Paradis Twisted Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï. Dimensions: D 17 x H 30 cm. Materials: Reclaimed Venetian briccole wood, amber Murano glass. This captivating set, hand...
Murano Glass, Wood
Post Modern Memphis Milano Studio Pottery Candlesticks, Signed Mueller '97 Pai
Located in Miami, FL
Post Modern Memphis Milano studio pottery Candlesticks Offered for sale is a pair of post-modern studio pottery candlesticks created in the Memphis Memphis Milano style. Each candl...
Clay, Pottery
Lumières du Paradis Tall Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumières du Paradis Tall Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï. Dimensions: D 17 x H 30 cm. Materials: Reclaimed Venetian briccole wood, amber Murano glass. This captivating set, hand-cr...
Murano Glass, Wood
Karl Springer Design Murano Italy Scavo Art Glass Candle Pillar Set, Signed
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare set of 3 Murano Italy Scavo art glass candlestick pillars designed by Karl Springer. Shortest is signed/etched "Karl Springer" on base, circa 1980...
Art Glass
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
Lumières du Paradis Low Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumières du Paradis Low Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï. Dimensions: D 17 x H 20 cm. Materials: Reclaimed Venetian briccole wood, amber Murano glass. This captivating set, hand-cra...
Wood, Murano Glass
1980s Rita Duvall Postmodern Polka Dots Geometric Taper Candle Holders – a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of eye-catching candle holders by Rita Duvall, circa the 1980s, her work showcases her talent for combining form, color, and function in a unique ...
Ceramic
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
Vintage Memphis Style Adjustable Candleholders, Atomic Design, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of vintage Danish postmodern or Memphis style candlestick holders in string metal. Adjustable in height up to 28 cm. They are reminiscent in style to similar design from Marku...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Swan Candle Holders in Aluminum by Matthew Hilton for SCP England, 1987
By SCP, Matthew Hilton
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Postmodernist candlestick holders designed by Matthew Hilton in 1983 and manufactured by SCP England in 1987. They ...
Aluminum
$230 / item
Ikea Candle Holder
By IKEA
Located in Bern, CH
Set of 3 'Konfetti' Post-Modern candlesticks by Anna Efverlund for IKEA dating from the 1990's. In three varying sizes and colours. Design: Anna Efverlund Produded: IKEA Height: 30cm...
Metal
Rare Pair Danish Post Modern Memphis Adjustable Candle Holders
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Very rare pair of Tall, Minimalist, Post Modern Adjustable Height, Candle Holders. Made in the Netherlands Beautiful lines and clever design. The disk that the candles rest upo...
Metal, Chrome
$599 / item
Large Candle Stick by Michael Gittings
Located in Geneve, CH
Large candle stick by Michael Gittings Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 35 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Michael Gittings Michael Gittings imagines with his hands. Since establishing h...
Stainless Steel
Set of 3 Maïa Candleholders in Solid Brass & Aluminum by Studio Marine Breynaert
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Maïa Candleholders in Solid Brass & Aluminum by Studio Marine Breynaert. Dimensions: Ø 10 x H 51.5 cm (Large), Ø 10 x H 36 cm (Medium), Ø 10 x H 18 cm (Small). Materials: So...
Aluminum, Brass
Venetian Knot Murano Glass Candleholder, Various Colors by Aina Kari
Located in Geneve, CH
Venetian Knot Murano Glass Candleholder by Aina Kari One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 13 x H 45 cm. Materials: Murano glass. Aina Kari pays tribute to the Venetian Lagoon city, where t...
Murano Glass
$10,362 / item
Treasure L Candlestick by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Treasure L Candlestick by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 154 cm. Materials: Arabescato, Breccia Medicea, and Rosso Lepanto marbles. Available in different marble options. Available in four different sizes. Please contact us. Treasure is a composition of shapes and colors. The collection comprises four slender candlesticks that alternate elegantly sculpted portions and are molded in marble according to different designs, creating an iridescent and precious furnishing item. Imagined as a freestanding complement, approximately 150 cm high, they are meant to be placed in living and bedroom spaces, as well as in wellness areas or outdoor settings, where candles warm...
Marble
Set of 12 Bronze Sculptural Contemporary Art Candleholders by Samuel Costantini
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 12 bronze candleholders by Samuel Costantini One of a Kind Dimensions: D 3.5 x H 5 cm (each). Materials: Bronze with white patine. Samuel Costantini The ability to create obj...
Bronze
Duo Wavy Murano Glass and Marble Candleholder, Various Colors by Aina Kari
Located in Geneve, CH
The Hug Of Artisans Murano Glass and Marble Candleholder by Aina Kari One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 19 x H 68 cm. Materials: Murano glass, Palissandro marble. The living room' decor...
Marble
Richard Meier Postmodern Silverplate Candlestick for Italian Swid Powell, 1980's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Silver-plated candlestick designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, Italy. This striking postmodern design exemplifies Meier’s sculptural, architectural approach, bringing bold pres...
Silver Plate
Pair of Extra Large Cast Aluminum Candlestick Holders
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of extra large postmodern candlestick holders done in cast aluminum. Made in West Germany in 1980s. Very good vintage condition with some signs ...
Aluminum
$383 / item
Taut Candle Holder by Rampinelli Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Taut Candle Holder by Rampinelli Edizioni Designed by Odoardo Fioravanti Dimensions: D 8.8 x W 11.5 x H 3 cm Materials: Metal. ODOARDO FIORAVANTI Taut represents a synthesis of the ...
Metal
Ash Candlestick Holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash candlestick holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: Ash, brass Dimensions: H 45 mm x D 105 mm Colour: Yellow/light brown Notes: For dry use Since 2015, pro...
Brass
Pr. Art Glass Candlesticks made in Romania by Ion Tamaian c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional pair of art glass candlesticks, made by the noted Romanian craftsman, Ion Tamain. Both candlesticks are signed, both are in excellent condition, free of damage or repairs.
Art Glass
Set Of 2 Personitas Candleholders by Essesi
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Personitas Candleholders by Essesi Dimensions: D 6,2 x W 6,2 x H 12,8 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished aluminum. Essesi is a growing collection that celebrates each object ...
Aluminum
Miami Crystal T-Light Holder, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Miami crystal T-Light holder, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative Vase Handsculpted in crystal Measures: W 8 H 19.8 D 8 cm The Miami crystal T-Light holder creates a ...
Crystal
Memphis Crystal T-Light Holder, Handsculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Memphis crystal T-light holder, handsculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Handsculpted in crystal Measures: W 6 H 26.5 D 6 cm The Memphis crystal T-Light holder introdu...
Crystal
Ash Candle Holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash candle holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: ash, brass Dimensions: H 55 mm x D 65 mm Colour: yellow/light brown Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product d...
Brass
$467 / item
Small Candle Stick 2 by Michael Gittings
Located in Geneve, CH
Small candle stick 2 by Michael Gittings Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 25 cm Materials: stainless steel. Michael Gittings Michael Gittings imagines with his hands. Since establ...
Stainless Steel
$428Sale Price / set|35% Off
Candle holder Murano gold glass set , Italy
By Seguso
Located in La xara, VC
Superb set of Candle holder murano in gold finish , this hand made . rare to find two size ! 21 and 23 cm
Murano Glass