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.
French Art Deco Photograph Frame, Chrome-Plated Steel & Glass, 1930s
By Marcel Breuer, Robert Mallet-Stevens, (after) Jean Michel Frank, Jacques Adnet
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A striking French Art Deco modernist photograph frame dating from the 1930s, combining elegant geometry with refined industrial materials typical of the period. The frame is compose...
Steel
Gilt Bronze Mathias Signed Picture Frame for Fondica, circa 1990, France.
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare and beautiful picture frame by Mathias for Fondica, circa 1990, France. Stamped Mathias on the back. Leaves decor gilt bronze, glass. Dimensions: 30 cm H, 26 cm W, 18 cm D. All ...
Bronze
Salimbeni Luxe sterling silver, gilt and Malachite picture frame Italy .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful luxury picture frame in malachite and gold wash sterling silver. The picture window measure 3x2 inches. Marked in bottom as shown ,Made in Italy and (star) 391 FI , as Fir...
Sterling Silver
Crater Spaces Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell
Located in Geneve, CH
Crater Spaces Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell Dimensions: W 17.78 x D 5.08 x H 22.86 cm Materials: Glazed ceramic, oak frame Based in, produced and shipped f...
Other
Noon Dome Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell
Located in Geneve, CH
Noon Dome Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell Dimensions: W 17.78 x D 7.62 x H 22.86 cm Materials: Glazed ceramic, oak frame Based in, produced and shipped from ...
Other
Set of 2 1980s Ashtrays & Picture Frame in Cut Glass
By Gallotti & Radice, Fontana Arte
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This set is composed by 2 glass ashtrays and 1 glass picture frame. Very good condition. Picture frame: cm 13 H x 10 W x 2,6 D Ashtray: cm 3 H x 9 W x 9 D.
Cut Glass
French Art Deco Chrome and Rosewood Double Glass Photo Frame - 1930s
By Jacques Adnet, (after) Jean Michel Frank, Marcel Breuer, Robert Mallet-Stevens
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A refined French Art Deco modernist photograph frame dating from the 1930s, combining elegant geometry with noble materials characteristic of the period. The frame features a minima...
Steel
Medea Picture Frame in Dark Horn & Lacquered Wood with Black Gloss by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Medea Picture Frame in Dark Horn & Lacquered Wood with Black Gloss by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 16 x H 21 cm. Materials: Dark horn and lacquered wood. ...
Other
Medea Picture Frame in Horn & Lacquered Wood with Ivory Gloss by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Medea Picture Frame in Horn & Lacquered Wood with Ivory Gloss by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 19 x H 24 cm. Materials: Horn and lacquered wood. Ava...
Other
Fold Gestures Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell
Located in Geneve, CH
Fold Gestures Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell Dimensions: W 17.78 x D 7.62 x H 22.86 cm Materials: Glazed ceramic, oak frame Based in, produced and shipped f...
Other
Void Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell
Located in Geneve, CH
Void Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell Dimensions: W 17.78 x D 5.08 x H 22.86 cm Materials: Glazed ceramic, oak frame Based in, produced and shipped from the U...
Other
Sway Gestures Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell
Located in Geneve, CH
Sway Gestures Dark Chrome Glazed Ceramic Wall Frame by Cindy Hsu Zell Dimensions: W 17.78 x D 6.35 x H 22.86 cm Materials: Glazed ceramic, oak frame Based in, produced and shipped f...
Other
Unique Hand-Painted Screen with Sculptural Brass by Jan Garncarek
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Hand-Painted Screen with Sculptural Brass by Jan Garncarek and Ewelina Makosa Each screen is unique and signed by Jan Garncarek and Ewelina Makosa Full brass frame. Hand painted on both sides of the screen. Dimensions: 180 x 5 x 200cm Weight:20 kg Hand painted cloth...
Brass
Set Of 2 Dafne Picture Frames in Dark Horn & Lacquered Black Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Dafne Picture Frames in Dark Horn & Lacquered Black Wood by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: Large: D 5 x W 23 x H 29 cm. Small: D 5 x W 17 x H 23 cm. Materials...
Brass, Other
Italian Multicolored Leather, Velvet & Glass 1980-1990s Picture Frames, Set of 2
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Pair of brown velvet and multicolored suede picture frames produced in Italy around the 1980-1990s. Very good condition: just very small defects of the leather on the big frame. Measures: Small picture frame: cm 28.5 H x 24 W x 11.5 D Big picture frame...
Suede, Velvet, Glass
$1,856 / set
Colored plexiglass photo frame, 1980, set of 3
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Colored plexiglass photo frame, 1980, set of 3
Plexiglass
Chopard sterling silver 925 picture table/desk frame, for Robbe & Berking Luxe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very Luxury sterling silver frame , made by Robbe & Berking and designed by one of the most exquisite brands in the world, Chopard .The picture itself is 6 x4 inches opening.
Sterling Silver
Marble and Brass Picture Frame by Designer Maitland Smith, 1980s
By Maitland Smith, Artisan Collection LTD
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful '80s marble and brass picture frame by designer Maitland-Smith, circa late-20th century, 1980s. Frame is rectangular/octagonal in shape, with marble in shades of light sa...
Stone, Marble, Brass
Postmodern Sculptural Resin Photo Frame with Wave Form
By Anish Kapoor
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking Postmodern photo frame featuring a sculptural, wave-like form rendered in smooth white resin. The frame’s faceted, undulating surface creates a sense of movement, giving t...
Resin, Epoxy Resin
Postmodern Vintage Photo Frame in Birch & Stainless Steel by Michael Graves
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly stylish postmodern picture frame by Architect Michael Graves in solid Birch wood and steel edges retains label. High design with aesthetics and style YSL, YVES SAINT LAUR...
Steel
Dalila Picture Frame in Horn Inlays & 24K Gold-Plated Brass by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Dalila Picture Frame in Horn Inlays & 24K Gold-Plated Brass by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 25 x H 30 cm. Materials: Glossy horn and 24K gold-plated brass. ...
Gold Plate, Brass, Other
$1,427Sale Price|20% Off
Framework Inspired by the Blockcain Packman by Bomberbax
Located in Milano, IT
Painting created by artist BomberBax Inspired by BlockCain depicting the famous and iconic Packman game where he is allegorically painted eating (as in the game) an American dollar...
Canvas, Paint
Dorotea Picture Frame in Horn, Ebony Veneer & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Dorotea in Picture Frame in Horn, Ebony Veneer & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 19 x H 24 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, Amara ebony veneer, an...
Other
$1,213 / set
Set Of 2 Vivid Spiral Wall Art by WANAS
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Vivid Spiral Wall Art by WANAS Dimensions: D 3 x W 46 x H 46 cm. Materials: Paper. The size is customisable on request. Please contact us. It’s an invitation to explore, f...
Paper
Dalila Picture Frame in Horn Inlays & 24K Gold-Plated Brass by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Dalila Picture Frame in Horn Inlays & 24K Gold-Plated Brass by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 30 x H 36 cm. Materials: Glossy horn and 24K gold-plated brass. ...
Other, Gold Plate, Brass
Dorotea Picture Frame in Horn, Ebony Veneer & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Dorotea Picture Frame in Horn, Ebony Veneer & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 24 x H 30 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, Amara ebony veneer, and A...
Other
$1,594 / set
Set Of 2 Soft Slumber Wall Art by WANAS
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Soft Slumber Wall Art by WANAS Dimensions: D 3 x W 47 x H 42 cm. Materials: Paper. The size is customisable on request. Please contact us. It’s an invitation to explore, f...
Paper
$1,844 / set
Set Of 2 Shibui Dialogue Wall Art by WANAS
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Shibui Dialogue Wall Art by WANAS Dimensions: D 3 x W 47 x H 47 cm. Materials: Paper. The size is customisable on request. Please contact us. It’s an invitation to explore...
Paper
Unique Hand-Painted Screen with Sculptural Brass Frame by Jan Garncarek
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Hand-Painted Screen with Sculptural Brass Frame by Jan Garncarek and Ewelina Makosa Each screen is unique and signed by Jan Garncarek and Ewelina Makosa Full brass frame. Hand painted on both sides of the screen. Dimensions: 180 x 5 x 200 cm Weight:20 kg Hand painted cloth...
Brass
Postmodern Contemporary Lacquer Picture Frame Made in Italy
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Stunning Lacquer Picture Frame made in Italy. Lavender lacquer offset with inlay brass piping and bone corner detail. Offset window makes this unique frame more intriguing. Matching...
Brass