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.
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Polished Aluminum by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Polished Aluminum by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 9 x H 14 cm. Materials: Polished aluminum. Available in polished brass, polished aluminum, varnished aluminum, ...
Aluminum
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Butter Glossy Varnished Aluminum by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Butter Glossy Varnished Aluminum by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 9 x H 14 cm. Materials: Varnished aluminum. Available in polished brass, polished aluminum, varn...
Aluminum
RL 05 Mini Candleholder in Silver Plated Brushed Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 05 Mini Candleholder in Silver Plated Brushed Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 9 x H 7 cm. Materials: Silver-plated brushed brass. Available in polished brass, polished aluminum, v...
Silver Plate, Brass
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Silver Plated Brushed Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Silver Plated Brushed Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 9 x H 14 cm. Materials: Silver-plated brushed brass. Available in polished brass, polished aluminum, ...
Silver Plate, Brass
Dark Patina Arbor 4 Piece-Set of Candlesticks by Studio Palatin
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark patina 4 piece-set of candlesticks by Studio Palatin. Handcrafted, limited edition. Dimensions: H 10/15/19/25.5 cm. Materials: Bronze, dark...
Bronze
$21,755 / 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
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
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
Set Of 4 Irregular Rough Form Red Travertine Candle Holders by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 4 Secta Candle Holders by Andres Monnier Unique Pieces. Dimensions: W 20 x D 10 x H 80 cm (Dimensions may vary and can be customized) Materials: Red travertine. Treko Concret...
Travertine
$1,377 / item
Fado Candlestick by Joana Teixeira
Located in Geneve, CH
Fado Candlestick by Joana Teixeira Limited Edition Dimensions: D 19 x W 15 x H 22 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Satin and chrome finishes are available. Customization is available...
Stainless Steel
$10,206 / 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
$10,206 / item
Treasure M Candlestick by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Treasure M Candlestick by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 150 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
$2,884 / item
Crypt Candle Holder by Atelier ACM
Located in Geneve, CH
Crypt Candle Holder by Atelier ACM Dimensions: D 14 x W 14 x H 12 cm. Materials: Bronze, silver nitrate patina. Our collection stands as a reaction against the mass-produced world w...
Bronze
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
$376 / 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
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
Set Of 3 Contemporary Sculpted Dark Grey Ceramic Candlesticks by Niclas Wolf
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 3 Geoprimitive 132 Candlesticks by Niclas Wolf Unique Pieces. Dimensions: Big: Ø 16 x H 70,5 cm. Medium: Ø 15 x H 68,5 cm. Big: Ø 14 x H 64,5 cm. Materials: Ceramic and brass....
Brass
$2,224 / item
Trinity S Candlestick by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Trinity S Candlestick by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Ø 10,5 x H 30 cm. Materials: Black and gold marble. Available in different marble options. Available in thr...
Marble
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
Set of 2 Steel Between Candleholders by Radu Abraham
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 steel between candle holders by Radu Abraham Materials: steel Dimensions: D 6 x H 10 cm 2 Piece candle holder; can be used with multiple types of candles or with standa...
Steel
$2,436 / item
Trinity M Candlestick by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Trinity M Candlestick by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Ø 10,5 x H 42 cm. Materials: Calacatta Carrara marble. Available in different marble options. Available in ...
Marble
$7,334 / set
Set Of 3 Trinity Candlesticks by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 3 Trinity Candlesticks by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Small: Ø 10,5 x H 30 cm. Medium: Ø 10,5 x H 42 cm. Large: Ø 10,5 x H 53 cm. Materials: Calacatta Car...
Marble
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
Large Pin Brass Candlestick by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Large pin brass candlestick by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 12.7 x H 50.8 cm. Materials: polished tarnished brass. Available in polished tarnished brass a...
Brass
Set of 5 Pixie Burnt Bornze Candleholders Contemporary Art by Samuel Costantini
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 Pixie bornze candleholders by Samuel Costantini Dimensions: D 2.5 cm x H 5 cm Material: Bronze Samuel Constantini The ability to create objects lies in the tradition in our hands. In ancient times, they were our only means of realising our thoughts. Artisan is the one with this ability to breathe life into the raw material. Since Samuel Constantin was a young boy has tried to create the objects of his imagination. He has always believed when you make an object you have created yourself it is possible to bequeath...
Bronze
Robert Lee Morris "Horizontal Walking Tree Candle Holders"
Located in Queens, NY
Robert Lee Morris, "Horizontal Walking Tree Candle Holders", 1990's, Brass, Signed
Brass
Steel Candleholder by Radu Abraham, Post-Modern Design from Romania
Located in Geneve, CH
Steel between candleholder by Radu Abraham Materials: Steel Dimensions: D6 x H10cm 2 piece candle holder; can be used with multiple types of candles or with standard candle pill...
Steel
$246 / item
Steel Another Candleholder by Radu Abraham
Located in Geneve, CH
Steel another candleholder by Radu Abraham Materials: Steel Dimensions: D8 x H14cm 3 piece candle holder; can be used with multiple types of candles or with standard candle pill...
Steel
$1,059 / item
Mountain Candle Holder by Astrid Öhman
Located in Geneve, CH
Mountain candle holder by Astrid Öhman Handmade Dimensions: D 23 x W 32 x H 18 cm Materials: Ceramic, stoneware hand modeled, glazed, and fired at high...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$13,408 / set
Set of 3 Sphaerae Candlesticks by Emanuele Colombi
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 3 Sphaerae candlesticks by Emanuele Colombi Limited Edition: 1 out of 12 Dimensions: D 8 x H 8cm / D 9 x H 9 cm / D 10 x H 10 cm Materials: Bronze Emanuele Colombi is an...
Bronze, Other
Small Pin Brass Candlestick by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Pin brass candlestick by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 12.7 x H 30.5 cm Materials: polished tarnished brass Available in polished tarnished brass and d...
Brass
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
Pine Candlestick Holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pine candlestick holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: Pine bark, brass Dimensions: H 45 mm x D 105 mm Colour: Reddish Notes: For dry use Since 2015, product...
Brass
Large Pin Darkened Brass Candlestick by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Pin darkened brass candlestick by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 12.7 x H 50.8 cm Materials: darkened brass Available in polished tarnished brass and dar...
Brass
Oak Candle Holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak candle holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: oak, brass Dimensions: H 55 mm x D 65 mm Colour: dark brown Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product designer ...
Brass
Tree Leaves Candle Holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Tree Leaves candle holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: tree leaves, brass Dimensions: H 55 mm x D 65 mm Colour: green Note...
Brass
Medium Pin Darkened Brass Candlestick by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Pin darkened brass candlestick by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 12.7 x H 40.6 cm Materials: darkened brass Available in polished tarnished brass and darkened brass. Availab...
Brass
$12,949 / set
Set of 2 Primus Big Candlesticks by Emanuele Colombi
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Primus big Candlesticks by Emanuele Colombi. Limited Edition: 1 out of 12. Dimensions: W 10 x D 10 x H 34 cm. Materials: Bronze Emanuele Colombi is an architect, inter...
Bronze, Other
Set of 2 Primus Small Candlesticks by Emanuele Colombi
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Primus small candlesticks by Emanuele Colombi Limited edition: 1 out of 12 Dimensions: W 10 x D 10 x H 31.5 cm Materials: bronze Emanuele Colombi is an architect, int...
Bronze, Other
Set of 2 Primus Small Candlesticks by Emanuele Colombi
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Primus small candlesticks by Emanuele Colombi Limited Edition: 1 out of 12 Dimensions: W 10 x D 10 x H 31.5 cm Materials: Bronze Emanuele Colombi is an architect, int...
Bronze, Other
Medium Pillar Brass Candlestick by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium pillar brass candlestick by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 3.8 x H 16.3 cm Materials: brush raw brass Available in brush raw brass and darkened brass. Available in small, medium...
Brass
Set of 5 Steel Searching for the Light by Radu Abraham
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 steel searching for the light by Radu Abraham. Materials: Steel Dimensions: D 6 x H 12cm Steel looking for the light A series of candle holders made out of raw, solid ...
Steel
$2,695 / item
J D Candle Holder Stainless Steel by Nish Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
J D Candle Holder Stainless Steel by Nish Studio Dimensions: D13 x H 70 cm Materials: polish stainless steel N I S H is a Cape Town based Fashion and Furniture design studio. N I S...
Stainless Steel
Set of 2 Steel Another Candleholders by Radu Abraham
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 steel another candleholders by Radu Abraham Materials: steel Dimensions: D8 x H14cm 3 Piece candle holder; can be used with multiple types of candles or with standard c...
Steel
Medium Pillar Darkened Brass Candlestick by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Pillar darkened brass candlestick by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 3.8 x H 16.3 cm Materials: darkened brass Available in brush raw brass and darkened brass. Available in s...
Brass
Medium Pin Brass Candlestick by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium pin brass candlestick by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 12.7 x H 40.6 cm Materials: polished tarnished brass Available in polished tarnished brass and darkened brass. Available ...
Brass
Small Pillar Darkened Brass Candlestick by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Small pillar darkened brass candlestick by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 3.8 x H 13.8 cm Materials: darkened brass Available in brush raw brass and darken...
Brass
White TOTEM, Candle Holder, Sottsass Style, Lacquered Wood, circa 1980
Located in Firenze, IT
White Totem, lacquered wood Sottsass style circa 1980 36 cm H - 16.5 cm diameter Conditions: very good.
Wood
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
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
$2,142 / item
Lumi Candle Holder IV by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumi Candle Holder IV by Homa. Dimensions: W 21 x D 16 x H 20 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Smoke Mirror. Colour: Smoke. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The a...
Glass, Mirror
$2,919 / item
Lumi Candle Holder XV by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumi Candle Holder XV by Homa. Dimensions: D 25 x H 54 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. Colour: Green Satin. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The a...
Glass, Mirror
$2,919 / item
Lumi Candle Holder XVI by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumi Candle Holder XVI by Homa. Dimensions: D 25 x H 54 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. Colour: Purple Satin. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The...
Glass, Mirror
$2,919 / item
Lumi Candle Holder IX by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumi Candle Holder IX by Homa. Dimensions: W 18 x D 20 x H 50 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. Colour: Gold Satin. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul....
Glass, Mirror
Vintage Boho Artisan Pigmented Plaster Scagliola Dome Candlestick Holders - A Pr
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of Italian artisanal elegance to your tabletop with this charming pair of vintage Scagliola candle holders. Featuring a classic low-dome or "bun" silhouette, these holder...
Metal
Set Of 4 Senses In Play Modular Candle & Incense Holder by Newblue
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 4 Senses In Play Modular Candle & Incense Holder by Newblue Unique Pieces Dimensions: D 11 x W 11 x H 6/27 cm. Materials: Patent-pending Newblue recycled ceramic material,...
Quartz, Other
$2,672 / 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
$10,206 / item
Treasure XL Candlestick by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Treasure XL Candlestick by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Ø 22 x H 158 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
$10,206 / item
Treasure S Candlestick by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Treasure S Candlestick by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 153 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 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