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.
$2,320 / 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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
Meritalia Candelabre / Orange by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia, 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 Edizion...
Steel
Trinidad Candelabra by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Trinidad Candelabra by Andres Monnier One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 130 cm Materials: White marble from San Luis Potosí, stainless steel. Designer's biography Treko con...
Marble, Stainless Steel
Meritalia Candelabre / Red by Gaetano Pesce
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...
Steel
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
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
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
Post Modern Memphis Milano Studio Pottery Candlesticks, Signed Mueller '97 Pai
Located in Miami, FL
Post Modern Memphis Milano studio pottery Candlesticks Offered for sale is a pair of post-modern studio pottery candlesticks created in the Memphis Memphis Milano style. Each candl...
Clay, Pottery
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
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
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
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
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
Eric Ledoux Pair of Solid Cast Bronze Candelabras
Located in Mexico City, MX
A set of 2 solid cast bronze candelabras by French artist Eric Ledoux. The first one features a sun on the front and a crescent moon on the back with a mate finish. The second one sh...
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
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
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
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
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
Postmodern German Studio Pottery Abstract Candleholder and Aroma Lamp, 1980s
By Studio Pottery
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Studio Pottery Abstract Candleholder and Aroma Lamp, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Blue S...
Ceramic
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
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
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 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 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
$2,578 / 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
$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
$808 / 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
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
Ritus Dos Unique Candelabra & Censer in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Ritus Dos Unique Candelabra & Censer in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 40 x W 30 x H 130 cm. Materials: Basalt stone. Available in different finish...
Stone
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Vintage Italian Postmodern Candleholder in Metal, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Italian Postmodern Candleholder in Metal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Brown Styles: Postmodern Cou...
Metal
$562Sale 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
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
Set of 3 Postmodern German Candleholders from SKS, West Germany, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Three coloured candlesticks of different heights by sks, west-germany. a design in postmodern formal language. Besides basic colours like red, blue, yellow and green, simple basic s...
Metal
Postmodern Danish Metal Candleholder from Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Danish Metal Candleholder from Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Metal
$440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Thick Lucite and Brass Candle Holders by Josh Lazar Mid-Century Modern
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern heavy thick lucite candles holders with brass tops. Signed Josh Lazar 1986 on the bottom. Good vintage condition, crystal clear with a few scratches and we...
Brass
Postmodern Italian Milano Series Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Milano Series Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Pl...
Metal
$967Sale 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
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
Vintage Postmodern Metal Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Metal Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal Styles: Postmodern Period: 1980s Item Type: Vi...
Metal
German Postmodern Terrazzo Style Candleholder from Räder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern Terrazzo Style Candleholder from Räder, 1980s
Metal
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, 1980s
Metal
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