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
Postmodern Italian Metal and Stone Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Metal and Stone Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Material: Metal, Stone Color: Black Styles: Memphis, ...
Stone, Metal
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
Postmodern Ceramic Candleholder by Gallo Design for Villeroy & Boch, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Ceramic Candleholder by Gallo Design for Villeroy & Boch, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information...
Ceramic
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
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Chorus Candelabra in Die-Cast Zinc by Karim Rashid for Umbra
By Karim Rashid, Umbra
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking "Chorus" candelabra in die-cast zinc with a matte chrome plating by Karim Rashid for Umbra, circa 2000s. Described by their designer, K...
Chrome, Zinc
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
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
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
Postmodern Candelholder Designed by Pucci De Rossi, 2009
Located in Lucija, SI
Postmodern candelholder attributed to Pucci De Rossi
Aluminum
Fisherman Hook, Sculptural Candle Holder
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
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, 1980s
Metal
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
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
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
Postmodern Blue Glass Candleholder, Vintage Design, 1990s, 8.66" Tall
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Blue Glass Candleholder, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999. Additional information: Materials: Glass Color: Blue Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage...
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
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
1980s Vintage Memphis Style Blue Postmodern Metal Candleholder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Memphis, Postmodern Period: 1980s Color: Blue Item Typ...
Metal
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
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
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
Set of 2 Postmodern Italian Metal Candleholders, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Metal Candleholders, 1980s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Wood Color: Black Country of Origi...
Metal
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
$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
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
$1,125Sale 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
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
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
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
$13,147 / set
Set of 5 Unique Roots Candles by Jeremy Descamps
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 unique roots candles by Jeremy Descamps. Unique pieces. Materials: candles in solid oak from the country burned in flam, inserts in brass, support of candles in brass. Di...
Brass
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
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
Postmodern Brass Candle Holders, Memphis Milano Style, Circa 1980s
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Aldo Londi, Memphis Milano, (After) Gio Ponti, Memphis Group
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
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
$3,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell
By Robert Venturi, Swid Powell
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
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
Biblichor Sculpture with Candle by Marcela Cure
Located in Geneve, CH
Biblichor sculpture with candle by Marcela Cure Dimensions: W 19 x D 14 x H 6 cm Materials: Resin and Stone Composite Also Available: Sandalwood and Tobacco colours available. No...
Stone
$3,444 / item
Camino Wall Candle Holder by Sebastián Angeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Camino Wall Candle Holder by Sebastián Angeles Material: Brass Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 169 cm Also Available: Steel version available. The transcendence of decisionmaking and it...
Brass
Chrome Sculptural Candle Holder
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
$430 / 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
Kosta Boda Royal Blue Crystal Candle Holder by Anna Ehrner, 1990's
By Anna Ehrner
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Kosta Boda royal cobalt blue "Atoll" votive Tealight candle holder designed by Anna Ehrner, 1990s. With characteristic craftsmanship and good design, and an ongoing commitme...
Blown Glass
Lars Bergsten Postmodern Candelabra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Candelabra by Lars Bergsten, Gusum Metallslöjden, Sweden. A Modernist solid brass candelabra - clean lines, architectural - works well in any environment, from contemporary to more t...
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
$4,981 / 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
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
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
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
Postmodern Danish Metal Candleholder from Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Danish Metal Candleholder from Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Metal
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
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