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.
Gaetano Pesce Candelabra by Meritalia, Green Resin & Metal, Italy
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
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 Edizio...
Metal
Mini Candelabra in Aluminium by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Candelabra in Aluminium by Six Dots Design. Unique Piece. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 21 cm. Materials: Raw aluminum. Our mini candelabra is a pint sized version of our best se...
Aluminum
Textured Black Sculptural Ceramic Small Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Textured Black Sculptural Ceramic Small Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 24 x H 20 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Textured Black Sculptural Ceramic Medium Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Textured Black Sculptural Ceramic Medium Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 24 x H 25.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic stu...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Contemporary High-Polished Bronze Candelholder by Colo Studio, France
Located in London, GB
‘Fambloyant’ Candelabra by Colo Studio Material: Bronze, high-polished Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 60 cm Year: 2025 With the ‘Flamboyant’ Candelabra, Colo Studio deepens his exploration ...
Bronze
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in Beige Natural Wax by Monics+Vieira
Located in Geneve, CH
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in Beige Natural Wax by Monics+Vieira. Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 12 cm. Materials: Natural wax blend, Cotton wick, Premium fragrance oils. Free from para...
Other
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
Mid Century Astrolite Lucite Wave Candelabra Pair Attributed to Herb Ritts
By Herb Ritts, Astrolite
Located in Westfield, NJ
Vintage circa 1970s Astrolite candelabra pair attributed to Herb Ritts. Lucite squiggle wave design with chrome candle holders and a matching pair. Each candelabra holds 3 standard s...
Chrome
Post-Modern Small Candle Holder by Six Dots Design, Sanded Aluminum
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Candle Holder by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 6 x W 5 x H 2 cm Materials: Sanded and oiled aluminum. This sand cast aluminium candle holder is expressive, raw a...
Aluminum
Otita Unique Wall-Mounted Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Otita Unique Wall-Mounted Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 4 x W 4 x H 15 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Available in different finishes and material op...
Aluminum
$2,255 / item
Large Candle Holder Sculpture by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Candle Holder Sculpture by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 28 x H 38.1 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artist Asl...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
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
Eric Ledoux "10-Eyes" Solid Bronze Candelabra For 2 Candles
By Eric Ledoux
Located in Mexico City, MX
A heavy cast bronze sculptural candelabra by French sculptor Eric Ledoux. The candelabra shows a goat head, has 10 eyes around its body and has 2 arms. The bronze shows a nice mate f...
Bronze
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
Pair of Vintage Burgundy Candlestick holders done in Memphis Style, Italy 1990s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of vintage candlestick holders. They feature striking design resembling a lot Memphis style. The candlestick holders are made of cermic or plaste...
Plaster
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
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in Brown Natural Wax by Monics+Vieira
Located in Geneve, CH
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in Brown Natural Wax by Monics+Vieira. Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 12 cm. Materials: Natural wax blend, Cotton wick, Premium fragrance oils. Free from para...
Other
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in White Natural Wax by Monics+Vieira
Located in Geneve, CH
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in White Natural Wax by Monics+Vieira. Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 12 cm. Materials: Natural wax blend, Cotton wick, Premium fragrance oils. Free from para...
Other
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
Balancing Act Candle Holder in Steel by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Balancing Act Candle Holder in Steel by Six Dots Design. Unique Piece. Dimensions: W 16 x D 35 x H 27 cm. Materials: Welded steel. A welded Steel Candle holder. Balancing Act is a c...
Steel
Medium Candle Holder by Six Dots Design in Sanded Aluminum, UK
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Candle Holder by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 11 x W 8 x H 2 cm Materials: Sanded raw aluminum. This sand cast aluminium candle holder is expressive, raw and t...
Aluminum
$2,519 / item
Temis Candle Holder by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Temis Candle Holder by Federico Stefanovich Dimensions: D 12 x W 40 x H 32 cm Material: Bronze Temis is a re-edited piece sand casted in solid bronze. It is then welded, ground and ...
Bronze
Ritus Uno Unique Candelabra & Censer in Carved White Marble by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Ritus Uno Unique Candelabra & Censer in Carved White Marble by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 20 x W 12 x H 20 cm. Materials: White marble. Available in different finishe...
Marble
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
$2,847 / set
Heinz Witthoeft rare set of 6 candlesticks
Located in TOURS, FR
Heinz Witthoeft rare set of 6 candlesticks
Metal
Set of 2 Matek Stria Candleholders in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Matek Stria Candleholders in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Sophie Dries. Dimensions: Ø 17 x H 24,5 cm (each). Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. Lat...
Composite
Postmodern Metal Wood Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Metal Wood Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Wood Color: Black Styles: Postmodern Item Type: ...
Metal
Vintage Postmodern Wooden Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Wooden Candleholder, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 Additional information: Materials: Metal, Wood Color: Gold Period: 1970s Item Type: Vin...
Metal
Eric Ledoux "Sun and Moon" Solid Bronze Candelabra For 2 Candles
By Eric Ledoux
Located in Mexico City, MX
A heavy cast bronze sculptural candelabra by French sculptor Eric Ledoux. The candelabra shows a sun on the front and a crescent moon on the back. The top and the arms are decorated ...
Bronze
1980's Post-Modern Silverplate Candlestick by David Palterer for Swid Powell
By Swid Powell, David Palterer
Located in Rochester, NY
Vintage 1980's architectural Post-Modern sword hilt form silver plate candlestick ( double bowl - one smooth / one hammered - atop a tapered column ) designed by David Palterer for ...
Silver Plate
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
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
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
Midcentury Extra Large Hotel Candle Holder in Bronze Silverplated by WMF Germany
By WMF Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Midcentury Extra Large Hotel Candle Holder in Bronze Silverplated by WMF Germany Beautiful candle holder or candlestick Made in Germany by WMF, brand imprinted from the manufacturer in the 1970s. The candle holder is of very big dimension, made for the Hotel environment. It has a solid and heavy base of bronze ( 7,5 KG or 17 lbs !) and is silver plated outside. It takes total 9 candle...
Silver Plate, Bronze
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
Salar Candle Holder in Polished Bronze & Volcanic Stone by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Salar Candle Holder in Polished Bronze & Volcanic Stone by Estudio Andean Dimensions: D 23 x W 23 x H 26,5 cm. Materials: Bronze and volcanic stone. SALAR is a sculptural candl...
Stone, Bronze
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
80s Post Modern Fired Brass Candlestick Holder Tabletop Set Vintage Mid-Century
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Post Modern Fired Brass Candlestick Holder Tabletop Set. Prop candles are not included. Double L 13 1/2 x D 6.25 x H 4.25 in Single L 9 x D 9 x H 6.75 in
Brass
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
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
$1,122 / item
Geology Candle Holder by Atelier V&F
Located in Geneve, CH
Geology Candle Holder by Atelier V&F Dimensions: D 10 x W 80 x H 43 cm. Materials: Cast aluminum. The collection of「 GEOLOGY 」is our reflection and exploration of the synchrony of ...
Aluminum
German Postmodern Terrazzo Style Candleholder from Räder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern Terrazzo Style Candleholder from Räder, 1980s
Metal
$2,938 / item
Dark Crystals Overgrown Candelabra, Mark Sturkenboom
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Crystals overgrown candelabra, Mark Sturkenboom Hand-sculpted unique design artwork by Mark Sturkenboom Dimensions: 42 x 32 x 8 cm Material: aluminium candleholder, natural g...
Crystal, Aluminum
$382Sale 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
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
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
Postmodern Arclumis Series Swan Aluminum Candleholder by Matthew Hilton, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Arclumis Series Swan Aluminum Candleholder by Matthew Hilton for SCP England, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 official proof of authenticity such as ...
Aluminum
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
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
$940Sale Price / set|30% Off
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, United States, 1970s, United States. Black methacrylate in the shape of a prezel and chrome-plated golden metal candl...
Steel, Chrome
$785 / 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
Sera Clamp Candle Lamp in Matte Burnished Iron Polished Brass by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Sera Clamp Candle Lamp in Matte Burnished Iron Polished Brass by Mingardo Dimensions: D27.5 x W22 x H26 cm. Materials: Matte burnished iron structure and lampshade with a RAL 9010 w...
Brass, Iron
Post-Modern Large Candle Holder by Six Dots Design, Sanded Aluminum
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Candle Holder by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 18 x W 9 x H 2 cm Materials: Sanded raw aluminum. This sand cast aluminium candle holder is expressive, raw and ti...
Aluminum
Postmodern Candleholder by Markus Börgens for D-Tec, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Candleholder by Markus Börgens for D-Tec, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Official proof of authenticity such as vinta...
Metal
Jay Musler Art Glass Ring Chains Candlestick, 2005
Located in Astoria, NY
Jay Musler (American, b. 1949) Colored Art Glass Candlestick Holder, 2005, with hanging ring chains, signed and dated to underside. 9.5" H x 4.25" Diameter. Provenance: From an U...
Art Glass
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
Modern Candelabra Chorus by Karim Rashid for Umbra Die-Cast Zinc, a Pair
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
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
Set of 4 Italian Postmodern Milano Series Candleholders, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Milano Series Candleholders, 1980s, Set of 4, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material:...
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