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.
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Five Candle Holder in White Enamel by Conrian Design
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid five candle holder in white enamel by Conrian Design, 1980s. The piece has a nice post modern look with 3/4" candle openings. #1846.
Enamel, Steel
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Carmelo De Giorgio for Officina De Giorgio Linea Luce Table Candlestick
By De Giorgio
Located in San Diego, CA
The attention to detail is reflected in the high quality workmanship of this piece, Its been sanded, polished and finished by hand. Beautiful design on this candelabra piece of solid...
Steel, Chrome
$300Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Solid Polished Rosewood Pair of Candleholders Arch
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and beautiful solid polished rosewood pair of handcrafted candle holders with 1.5" mouth opening for tea candles or candles with beautiful craft...
Rosewood
Small Candelabra in Aluminium by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Candelabra in Aluminium by Six Dots Design. Unique Piece. Dimensions: W 34 x D 34 x H 40 cm. Materials: Raw aluminum. A table top version of our original large candelabra. Eac...
Aluminum
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
$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
Handmade Ceramic Sculptural Tealight Large Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Ceramic Sculptural Tealight Large Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 20.3 x H 30.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, volcanic stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based cera...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Elan Polished Bronze Candelabras by Pierre Salagnac, France
Located in London, GB
Elan Candelabras by Pierre Salagnac Material: high polished bronze Dimensions: 32 x 27 cm -- H 63 cm Type: limited edition, numbered and signed A pair of sculptural, polished bronze...
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
2 of 4 Metal Candlesticks in Zigzag Shape, Italy, 1990s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
2 of 4 metal candlesticks - zigzag shape 90s look - postmodern memphis style - Italy 1990s Now free shipping worldwide! This set of two candlesticks impresses with its zigzag design...
Metal
Set of Three Memphis Style Bronze Candlesticks by Christian de Beaumont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Title Set of Three Memphis Style Bronze Candlesticks by Christian de Beaumont, France, 1980s Description A sculptural set of three bronze candlesticks by Christian de Beaumont, pr...
Bronze
Pair of Swan Candle Holders in Aluminum by Matthew Hilton for SCP England, 1987
By SCP, Matthew Hilton
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
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
Robert Lee Morris "Exploding Flower Candle Holder" Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Robert Lee Morris, "Exploding Flower Candle Holder", 1990's, Green patina oxidized brass, Signed
Brass
Volcanic Stone, Bow Candle Holder by Tenam Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Volcanic Stone, Bow Candle Holder by Tenam Studio Dimensions: W 4 x D 11.5 x H 14 cm. Materials: Volcanic stone. Weight: 0.8 kg About: Founded in 2024, Tenam is a contemporary des...
Stone
$331Sale Price / item|35% Off
"Kopka" Post Modern Candelabra In Polished Steel by FXFV
By Franco V
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Named for Alfred Kopka, the first craft master at the Bauhaus school's metal shop, expertly crafted by hand in Brooklyn, NY, the Kopka Candelabra is a sculptural addition to any spac...
Steel
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
Stroma Sculptural Candelabra in Forged Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Stroma Sculptural Candelabra in Wrought Iron by Metalmorphosis Studio Dimensions: Ø 45 x H 30 cm. Materials: Forged Steel Stroma is a wrought iron sculptural candelabra that referen...
Steel
Silver Plated Metal Candleholder by M. De Lucchi for Produzione Privata, 90s
By Michele de Lucchi, Produzione Privata
Located in Varese, Lombardia
A rare candle stick design by Michele de Lucchi in the 1996 and produced in a limited edition by Produzione Privata (3/30). This version is called "candeliere 4" and it's made of sil...
Silver, Brass
Postmodern Brass Candle Holders, Memphis Milano Style, Circa 1980s
By (After) Gio Ponti, Memphis Group, Michael Graves (b.1934), Aldo Londi, Memphis Milano
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
$2,130 / 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
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
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
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
Brass High Perch Candle Holder by Tête Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass High Perch Candle Holder by Tête Studio Dimensions: W 6.35 x L 6.35 x H 17.78 cm Materials: Polished Brass. THE PERCH HOLDER is inspired by the organic shapes of Noguchi scu...
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
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
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
$7,598 / item
Ritus Tres Candelabra by Andres Monnier.
Located in Geneve, CH
Ritus Tres Candelabra by Andres Monnier. One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 100 x W 160 x H 70 cm Materials: Black marble. Designer's biography Treko concrete is a Mexican studio...
Marble
Arclumis candleholder by Matthew Hilton
Located in PARIS, FR
This very sculpture candle holder is a unique piece to display as a center piece on a dining table or on a console. The 1980s were a very dynamic and creative time for table ware, a ...
Aluminum
Swedish Designer, Large Candelabra, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A large pine candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Fits 0.80” diameter candles
Pine
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
Swedish Designer, Candelabra, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable pine candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Fits 0.8” diameter candles
Pine
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
Lele Unique Candelabra & Censer in Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Lele Unique Candelabra & Censer in Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 90 cm. Materials: Steel. Available in different finishes and material options. Ca...
Steel
Stainless Steel Set (3) of Post Modern Candelabras Large Floor Circa 1990s
By Ettore Sottsass, Alessi, Maria Pergay, Andrea Branzi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Unique set of 3 modern architectural floor candlesticks executed in matte stainless steel with a refined minimalist aesthetic and strong sculptural presence. Purchased in Italy, the ...
Stainless Steel
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
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
Brass Standing Tree Candle Holders by Robert Lee Morris, 1990s
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Robert Lee Morris "Pair of Standing Tree Candle Holders", 1990's Green patina oxidized brass, Signed
Brass
$304 / item
2 Part Incense Holder by Edie Xu
Located in Geneve, CH
2 Part Incense Holder by Edie Xu Dimensions: W 12 x D 10 x H 8 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Edie Xu, b. in New York and graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023. Her work s...
Stoneware
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
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
$5,456 / item
Camino Wall Candle Holder by Sebastián Angeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Camino Wall Candle Holder by Sebastián Angeles Material: Brass Dimensions: W 18 x D 21 x H 55 cm Also Available: Steel version available. The transcendence of decisionmaking and its...
Brass
$12,879 / item
Lumen In Umbra Floor Candelabra by Lucile Gracile
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumen In Umbra Floor Candelabra by Lucile Gracile Dimensions: Ø 41 x H 125 Materials: Glazed ceramic. Born in 1988, lives and works in Paris. Ceramic artist using traditional plate...
Ceramic
Sekichū Unique Floor Candelabra in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Sekichū Unique Floor Candelabra 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 finishes an...
Stone
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
Kirkja Unique Floor Candelabra in Stainless Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Kirkja Unique Floor Candelabra in Stainless Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 18 x W 20 x H 115 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Available in different finishes and ...
Stainless Steel
$2,318 / 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...
Mirror, Blown Glass
$6,509 / item
Ritus Uno Candelabra by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Ritus Uno Candelabra by Andres Monnier One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 30 x D 40 x H 140 cm Materials: Black marble. Designer's biography Treko concrete is a Mexican studio...
Marble
Existencia Unique Candelabra & Censer in Gray Quarry Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Existencia Unique Candelabra & Censer in Gray Quarry Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 90 x W 90 x H 60 cm. Materials: Gray quarry stone. Available in different fin...
Stone
Set Of 2 Ceboia Floor Candelabras in Carved Black Marble by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Ceboia Floor Candelabras in Carved Black Marble by Andres Monnier Unique Pieces Dimensions: Small: D 30 x W 30 x H 50 cm. Tall: D 30 x W 30 x H 100 cm. Materials: Black marb...
Marble
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
$1,276 / set
Set of 3 Lumi Candles by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Lumi Candles by Homa Dimensions: Big: W 25 x D 25 x H 25 cm, Medium: W 18 x D 18 x H 12 cm, Small: W 15 x D 15 x H 12 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. HOMA is a ...
Glass, Mirror
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