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.
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
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
$889Sale 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 for Dorothy Thorpe Inc., USA, 1970s. Prezel-shaped body in transparent methacrylate/acrylic with chrome-plated golden ...
Metal, Chrome
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
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
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
Pair of “Totem” Candlesticks by Hilton McConnico for Maison Lanvin – 1990s
By Lanvin Paris, Hilton McConnico
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Rare pair of “Totem” candlesticks designed by Hilton McConnico and produced by Maison Lanvin circa 1992. Crafted from a striking mix of gilt bronze, painted wood, resin, leather, car...
Brass
Pair of Ettore Sottsass Silver Candlesticks for Swid Powell and Reed and Barton
By Reed & Barton, Ettore Sottsass, Swid Powell
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
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
$184Sale Price|20% Off
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
$307Sale 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
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
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
Phillipe Starck Postmodern Officina Candle Holder for Alessi France
Located in San Diego, CA
Candle holder aluminum vase designed by Phillipe Starck for Alessi circa 1980's .
Aluminum
Vintage Swarovski Crystal Candle Holders Set of 3 Circa 1980
By Swarovski
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Swarovski Crystal Candlestick Holders Set of 3, 2 large 1 medium. Gorgeous sparkling faceted crystal ball column with pin European style candle holder with square base. Dimen...
Crystal
$423Sale 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
Vegas Crystal T-Light Holder, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Vegas crystal T-light holder, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal. Decorative vase Hand-sculpted in crystal Measures: W 8, H 29, D 8 cm. The Vegas cr...
Crystal
Pair of Post-Modern Tessellated Stone Candlesticks by Marquis of Beverly Hills
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in San Diego, CA
A large pair of striking post-modern tessellated stone candlesticks by Marquis of Beverly Hills, circa 1980s. The black and white geometric sculptures resemble a post-modern abstract...
Stone
Curtis Norton Minimalist Sculptural Stainless Steel Candlesticks, Pair
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A striking pair of minimalist stainless steel candlesticks by American artist and designer Curtis Norton, individually fabricated, welded, hand-finished and signed by the artist. Th...
Stainless Steel
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
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
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
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
$169Sale Price / set|26% Off
Vintage Pair of Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal Flash Candlestick Holders
Located in Amityville, NY
Vintage pair of Dorothy Hafner of "Flash" ceramic candlestick holders by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal Studio Line. Originally sold as part of a larger set of dinnerware and tableware...
Ceramic
Sculptural Post Modern Hammered Copper Candleholders (Pair)
By Dirk Van Erp, Heintz Art Metal Shop
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
$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
Vintage Adjustable Sculptural Metal Candlesticks, Set of Twelve
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A collection of twelve vintage sculptural metal candlesticks featuring elongated adjustable stems, tapered cone tops, and weighted organic bases. Each stem bends and reshapes by han...
Metal, Pewter
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
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
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
Racine Candleholder in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts
Located in Geneve, CH
Racine Candleholder in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts. Dimensions: W 18 x D 18 x H 10 cm. Materials: Black Patinated Bronze. This black-patinated bronze candleholder was ...
Bronze
Chrome Candle Holder in Recycled Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Chrome Candle Holder in Recycled Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma Dimensions: D 17 x W 17 x H 6,5 cm. Materials: Steel, copper, nickel, and chrome. Suggested for interi...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
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
Set of 5 Brass Candle Holder by Oxdenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 Brass Candle Holder by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 4 x H 6 cm Materials: Brass 5 x candle holder 8 x threaded ring 4 x combination stick OX DENMARQ is a Danish design ...
Brass
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
XL Knotted Candlestick in Solid Aluminum, Italy, 1980
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Exquisite large 'Knot' candlestick, masterfully designed and crafted in Italy during the 1980s. This stunning piece showcases exceptional metalwork, artfully shaped into an elegant k...
Aluminum
Set of 3 J D Candle Holders Timber by Nish Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 J D Candle Holders Timber by Nish Studio Dimensions: D12 x H 79/ 98.7 /118 cm Materials: Ash, Timber satined natural light, chocolate + grey N I S H is a Cape Town based ...
Wood
Chicago Azure Crystal T-Light Holder, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Chicago Azure crystal T-light holder, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Hand-sculpted in crystal Measures: W 10, H 13, D 10 cm. The Reflections Copenhagen Chic...
Crystal
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
$818 / item
Brass Eleven Candleholder by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Eleven candleholder by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 7.6 x H 2 cm Materials: polished brass Also available in darkened brass. Milled from a solid piece of brass, the cande...
Brass
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
$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
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
Tiffany & Co. Atlas Crystal Candlestick Holder Vintage Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Tiffany & Co. Atlas crystal candlestick holder, known for its heavy, architectural vertical ribbing design. Heavy, clear cut crystal. Tapered columnar shape...
Crystal
Set Of 2 Eroded Resin Candlesticks by Three One Four Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Eroded Resin Candlesticks by Three One Four Studio Unique Pieces. Dimensions: D 10 x W 14 x H 25 cm. Materials: Resin. THREE ONE FOUR studio was born from the symbiotic rel...
Resin
Ash Pedestal Bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash candle holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: ash, brass Dimensions: H 7.5 x D 12 cm Colour: ochre Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product designer Evelina...
Brass
Set of 4 Brass Candle Holder by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Brass Candle Holder by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 4 x H 6 cm Materials: Brass 4 x candle holder 8 x threaded ring 4 x combination stick OX DENMARQ is a Danish design ...
Brass
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
Pine Pedestal Bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pine pedestal bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: pine, brass Dimensions: H 7.5 mm x D 12 mm Colour: reddish Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product designer ...
Brass
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
Queens Crystal T-Light Holder, Handsculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Queens crystal T-light holder, handsculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Handsculpted in crystal Measures: W 9, H 13.8, D 4 cm Art Deco is a distinctive architectural s...
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
Nashville Crystal T-Light Holder, Handsculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Nashville crystal T-light holder, handsculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Handsculpted in crystal Measures: W 8, H 18, D 8 cm The Nashville crystal T-Light holder rad...
Crystal
Ophelia Purple Crystal T-Light Holder, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Ophelia purple crystal T-light holder, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Handsculpted in crystal Measures: W 9, H 7.8, D 9 cm The Ophelia purple crystal T-Ligh...
Crystal
Postmodern Danish Metal Candleholder from Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Danish Metal Candleholder from Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Metal
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
Pair of Tall Crystal Candlesticks by William Yeoward Crystal, London, UK
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Tall Crystal Candlesticks by William Yeoward Crystal London, England etched label on bottom "out of production" "old world charm with new world design" "Founded in 1995, W...
Crystal
German Postmodern Terrazzo Style Candleholder from Räder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern Terrazzo Style Candleholder from Räder, 1980s
Metal
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