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.
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
Modern Candelabra Chorus by Karim Rashid for Umbra Die-Cast Zinc, a Pair
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
$547Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
$383Sale Price / set|40% Off
Memphis Style Pair of Candleholders, 1980s Italian-Inspired Design
Located in Herentals, BE
A sculptural pair of Memphis-style candleholders, embodying the bold creativity of 1980s postmodern design. The matte dark red/burgundy ceramic elements contrast elegantly with the c...
Metal, Chrome
Postmodern Studio Ceramic Tall Candlestick by Michael Duvall
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning and unique 1980s Michael Duvall (1950-2004) studio pottery candlestick. This piece features a striking sculptural form, showcasing vibrant colors, patterns and textures, w...
Ceramic
Set of 2 Set Candleholders Postmodern Memphis Style Made of Metal, 80s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Set of 2 Set candleholders Postmodern Memphis Style made of metal, 80s Postmodern vintage candle holder from Ikea from the 80s/90s. This set made of 2 candle holders in round shape ...
Metal
Pair of Postmodern Sculptural Candlesticks by Matthew Hilton, England 1980s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a striking pair of sculptural candlesticks by British designer Matthew Hilton, distinguished by their fluid, almost anthropomorphic silhouettes. Each pi...
Aluminum
Majestic Postmodern Brutalist Glass & Stainless Steel Pair of Candle Holders
By Danny Lane, Philippe Starck
Located in San Diego, CA
Majestic unique pair of candle holders with a brutalist glass finish and polished stainless frames incredible design circa 1980's.
Stainless Steel
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
Swedish Designer, Candlesticks, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine candlesticks designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Fits 0.85” diameter candles
Pine
$209Sale Price / set|58% Off
Set of Three 1980s Blue Green Ceramic Vases / Candle Sticks
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of three handmade Danish ceramic vases / candle sticks with graphic decor using the raw ceramic as part of a straight lined pattern resembling a landscape or a sunset. Same stylized decoration in blues and aqua green on all three vases. A small handmade ridge on the inside of each item makes for perfect placement of tea lights. A 80s ceramic...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
$476Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Italian Postmodern Metal Candlesticks, Memphis Style, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Italian postmodern candlesticks from the 1980s, executed in metal with a graphic, architectural composition characteristic of Memphis-inspired design. Each piece is constr...
Stone, Metal
$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
1980s Peter Maly for Wilkens Stainless Steel Two-Light Candelabrum
By Peter Maly
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer this striking two-light candelabrum designed by celebrated German designer Peter Maly for Wilkens, circa 1980s–1990s. Executed in polished 18/10 stainles...
Stainless Steel
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
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
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
Swedish Designer, Candlesticks, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of turned pine candlesticks designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Pine
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
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Postmodern Style Candleholders Designed by Kate Spade for Lenox
By Kate Spade, Lenox's Ceramic Art Company
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of porcelain postmodern style candle holders, beautiful colors with silver edge accent by Kate Spade for Lenox.
Porcelain
Circle Candlestick Attributed to Matthew Hilton, England, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A sculptural candlestick attributed to British designer Matthew Hilton, produced in England during the 1980s. Known as the “Circle” candlestick, the design is defined by its geometri...
Aluminum
$260 / set
1980s Memphis Style Brass Candlesticks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural pair rooted in early 1980s postmodern design. These vintage candlesticks pull from the Memphis Milano playbook, bold geometry, exaggerated scale, and a graphic sense of ...
Brass
Pair of Vintage Christofle Two-Light Candelabra
By Christofle
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Pair of Vintage Christofle Two-Light Candelabra An elegant pair of vintage Christofle two-light candelabra, crafted from metal and featuring finely fluted column-style shafts, stepp...
Metal
Square Base Candlestick - Cast and Polished Solid Bronze Candlesticks
By Mark Dineen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A study in contrasts, these candlesticks maintain a complex profile while exhibiting smooth, polished surfaces. Each candlestick is a unique design originally captured in polystyrene...
Bronze
Set of Three Ceramic Candle holders
Located in Denton, TX
Set of three ceramic candle holders with multi colored glaze. 1980s There is a signature on them but cant read please see pictures
Pottery
Pair of “Capriole” Crystal Candleholders by Sidse Werner for Holmegaard, 1987
By Royal Copenhagen, Sidse Werner
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a sculptural pair of crystal candleholders from the Capriole series, designed by Danish designer Sidse Werner in 1987 for Holmegaard and marketed under ...
Crystal
1980s Avant-Garde Black and Green Marble Stone Brass Cones Candlesticks - a Pair
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a pair of avant-garde candlesticks, circa the 1980s. The foundation of each piece is a robust cone which then transitions into an inverted cone at the t...
Marble, Metal, Brass
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
Swedish Designer, Candlestick, Pine, Brass, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A freeform pine candlestick designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Holds 0.75” candle
Brass
Swedish Designer, Candlesticks, Pine, Brass, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine and brass candlesticks designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Holds 0.75” candles
Brass
Robert Lee Morris "Green Leaves Candle Holder" Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Robert Lee Morris, "Green Leaves Candle Holder", 1990's, Green patina oxidized brass, Signed
Brass
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
Pair of Swan Candle Holders in Aluminum by Matthew Hilton for SCP England, 1987
By Matthew Hilton, SCP
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
Oak Candlestick Holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak candlestick holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: oak, brass Dimensions: H 45 mm x D 105 mm Colour: dark brown Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product des...
Brass
Beech, Bougeoir 8 Candlestick by Romain des Bois
Located in Geneve, CH
Beech, Bougeoir 8 Candlestick by Romain des Bois Dimensions: D 21 x H 9 cm. Materials: Beech. About: Romain des Bois is, above all, rooted in a deep love for the countryside — esp...
Wood
Beech and Cumaru, Bougeoir 2 Candlestick by Romain des Bois
Located in Geneve, CH
Beech and Cumaru, Bougeoir 2 Candlestick by Romain des Bois Dimensions: D 10 x H 27 cm. Materials: Beech and Cumaru. About: Romain des Bois is, above all, rooted in a deep love fo...
Wood
Beech, Bougeoir 1 Candlestick by Romain des Bois
Located in Geneve, CH
Beech, Bougeoir 1 Candlestick by Romain des Bois Dimensions: D 8.5 x H 17 cm. Materials: Beech. About: Romain des Bois is, above all, rooted in a deep love for the countryside — e...
Wood
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
RL 02 Maxi Candleholder in Caspal Brushed Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 02 Maxi Candleholder in Caspal Brushed Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 24,5 cm. Materials: Brushed brass. Available in brushed brass or silver-plated brushed brass. Availabl...
Brass
RL 02 Mini Candleholder in Caspal Brushed Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 02 Mini Candleholder in Caspal Brushed Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 14,5 cm. Materials: Brushed brass. Available in brushed brass or silver-plated brushed brass. Availabl...
Brass
RL 02 Mini Candleholder in Silver-Plated Polished Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 02 Mini Candleholder in Silver-Plated Polished Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 14,5 cm. Materials: Silver-plated polished brass. Available in brushed brass or silver-plated ...
Silver Plate, Brass
RL 02 Maxi Candleholder in Silver-Plated Polished Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 02 Maxi Candleholder in Silver-Plated Polished Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 24,5 cm. Materials: Silver-plated polished brass. Available in brushed brass or silver-plated ...
Brass, Silver Plate
Viewpoint Floor Candleholder in Stainless Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Viewpoint Floor Candleholder in Stainless Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio Dimensions: D 30 x 30 x H 180 cm. Base: 50cm Materials: Stainless Steel A study in spatial perception and ge...
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
Set Of 2 O Britanny Clouds Low Candlesticks by Alina Alamorean
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 O Britanny Clouds Low Candlesticks by Alina Alamorean One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 15 x W 30 x H 21 cm. Materials: Steel and cloud stone. Born into a family of avant-garde...
Stone, Steel, Iron
Fisherman Hook Candle Holder in Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Fisherman Hook Candle Holder in Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma Dimensions: D 3,8 x W 20 x H 30 cm. Materials: Steel, copper, nickel, and chrome. Custom pieces availab...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
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
Boho Artisan Pigmented Plaster Scagliola Low Dome Candlestick Holders - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring a touch of serene elegance to your home with this pair of vintage Scagliola candle holders. Modeled in a classic low-dome or "bun" silhouette, these pieces feature a hand-craft...
Plaster
Pine Candle Holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pine candle holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: pine, brass Dimensions: H 55 mm x D 65 mm Colour: reddish Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product designer E...
Brass
Lucite blue and gold candle stick , 1970s
Located in Delft, NL
Lucite blue and gold candle stick , 1970s
Lucite
$2,906 / item
Lumi Candle Holder V by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumi Candle Holder V by Homa. Dimensions: W 21 x D 17 x H 18 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. Colour: Silver. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The ...
Glass, Mirror
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
Candlestick for a Private Talk with the Spirits in Steel by Frederic Gaillard
Located in Geneve, CH
Candlestick for a Private Talk with the Spirits in Steel by Frederic Gaillard. Limited Edition of 8 pieces. Dimensions: W 27 x D 10 x H 38 cm. Materials: Rusted steel and brushed pa...
Steel
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
$3,168 / item
Lumos Sculptural Candle Holder by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumos Sculptural Candle Holder by Homa Dimensions: W 22 x D 17 x H 45 cm Materials: Blown Glass. Silver or Smoke Mirror. Colour: Silver or Smoke. Please note that the Lumos Candle H...
Blown Glass, Mirror
Matek Stria Candleholder Variant 1 in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Matek Stria Candleholder Variant 1 in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Sophie Dries. Dimensions: Ø 17 x H 24,5 cm. Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. Lathe-turn...
Composite
Matek Stria Candleholder Variant 2 in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Matek Stria Candleholder Variant 2 in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Sophie Dries. Dimensions: Ø 17 x H 24,5 cm. Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. Lathe-turn...
Composite
$2,587 / item
Trinity L Candlestick by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Trinity L Candlestick by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Ø 10,5 x H 53 cm. Materials: Black and gold marble. Available in different marble options. Available in thr...
Marble
Set Of 2 Highway To Heaven Candlesticks by Alina Alamorean
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Highway To Heaven Candlesticks by Alina Alamorean One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 150 cm. Materials: Steel. Born into a family of avant-garde architects in 1968...
Steel, Iron
$21,065 / item
Ray Of Light Menorah Candleholder by Alina Alamorean
Located in Geneve, CH
Ray Of Light Menorah Candleholder by Alina Alamorean One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 15 x W 30 x H 19 cm. Materials: Steel and silver. Also available in bronze. Please contact us. Bo...
Steel, Silver