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.
Betty Gold Abstract Geometric Metal Sculpture Signed and Numbered
By Betty Gold 1
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stunning geometric metal and red paint sculpture by the well-known American artist Betty Gold. This work is an edition, signed and marked 23/50. Similar work, large size, as shown in...
Metal
Two abstract metal floor sculptures by Tony Almén and Peter Gest for Ikea 1990
By IKEA
Located in München, DE
Pair of original limited abstract metal Ikea floor sculptures from 1990. In good condition. Suitable for all living areas and very decorative. Design by Tony Almén and Peter Gest. Ik...
Metal
$25Sale Price / set|84% Off
1990s Metal Sculpture Candelabra with Faux Ruby Gem Style Pieces
Located in San Gabriel, CA
24” high x 13” wide x 10” deep Interesting industrial abstract metal sculpture. Could hold candles. Red faux gem accents.
Stone, Metal
David Grant Maul Blown Glass Neon Lamp Sculpture, 1983
By Rudi Stern
Located in Miami, FL
Artisan blown glass neon lamp sculpture on black acrylic base by David Grant Maul, 1983. Singed and dated.
Glass, Acrylic
Memphis Milano Carlton Miniature, Limited Edition by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Perfect 1:4 scale reproduction of the Carlton bookcase in a limited edition of 1000 pieces. About Carlton: An absolute icon of Memphis designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Carlton ...
Laminate, Wood
Large Majestic Abstract Post-Modern Lucite Sculpture by Shlomi Haziza
Located in San Diego, CA
Large colorful abstract lucite sculpture by Israeli artist, Shlomi Haziza, circa early 1990s. The piece is in great vintage condition with no chips, cracks; with tones of royal blue ...
Brass
Manolo Blahnik Aluminum Shoe Horn, 2004 Anniversary Edition
Located in Hanover, MA
Manolo Blahnik shoe horn polished cast aluminium 2004, England. Manolo Blahnik`s iconic shoe horn was a collaboration with UK based store Habi...
Aluminum
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
Op Art Acrylic Sphere on Stand Sculpture by Vasa Mihich
Located in San Diego, CA
Op Art acrylic sphere sculpture on lucite base by Vasa Mihich, circa 1990. The optical look is changed by rotating the piece and letting the light refra...
Acrylic, Lucite
Vasa Mihich Acrylic Cube Sculptures Mid Century Post Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a set of six Vasa Mihich acrylic cube sculptures. Each sculpture is crafted from multicolored laminated acrylic, allowing colors to mix and change based on li...
Lucite
Yaacov Agam — Abstract Kinetic Silkscreen on Glass, Signed and Numbered 25/27
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Weesp, NL
Yaacov Agam — Abstract Kinetic Silkscreen on Glass, Signed and Numbered 25/27 Dimensions: W 33 × H 23 × D 4 cm (W 12.99 × H 9.06 × D 1.57 in) This striking kinetic artwork by Yaaco...
Glass, Wood
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Art Wall Sculpture
Located in Hamburg, DE
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Art Wall Sculpture No. 705-91 4/8, 1991
Pottery
$18,702Sale Price|20% Off
The tree of seven possibilities from Elvio Becheroni's Amazonia series
Located in Milano, IT
**The Tree of Seven Possibilities** by Elvio Becheroni is an extraordinary and unique sculpture, part of the renowned series "Amazonia - Disenchanted Forest" created in 1992. This pi...
Wood
PF02 Handmade Sculptural Bust On Wood Plinth by Object Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
PF02 Handmade Sculptural Bust On Wood Plinth by Object Atelier One Of a Kind. Dimensions: D 20 x 20 x H 53.5 cm (Dimensions may vary). Materials: Natural fibers, aggregates, pigments...
Natural Fiber, Wood
$1,200Sale Price|46% Off
1990s Postmodern Abstract Honey Bear Sculpture Large Architectural Form
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful Minimalist bear form, golden speckle textured matte glaze. Over 1 foot high and 15 lbs.
Stoneware
Salvador Dalí Drawers Lamp by BD Barcelona, Pale Limewood, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Salvador Dalí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Drawers lamp designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Carved structure in pale varnished limewood. Lampshade in beige linen. Measures: 30 x 30 x 87 H cm Sculpture-lamp drawers A stan...
Wood
$1,035 / item
Ties Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Ties Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 55 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Ties” intertwines forms that suggest bonds and connectio...
Ceramic
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Curtis Jere Post Modern Table Sculpture of Brass Chrome and Marble c. 1985
By Curtis Jeré, C. Jeré Artisan House
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Curtis Jere table sculpture featuring a chrome ball on a brass ribbon like arm anchored by a strong marble base. This Post Modern Curtis Je...
Marble, Brass, Chrome
Arctic Circle Sculpture #1 in Glass and Driftwood by Aleksandra Zawistowska
Located in Geneve, CH
Arctic Circle Sculpture #1 in Glass and Driftwood by Aleksandra Zawistowska. One of a Kind. Dimensions: Available upon request. Materials: Hand-blown glass, driftwood. Coordinates: ...
Driftwood, Glass, Blown Glass
Ray Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Ray Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 12 x W 35 x x H 50 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 2...
Ceramic, Clay
1980 Italy Post-Modern Cristina Roncati Bronze Abstract Sculpture Cavaliere
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Cristina Roncati. The title "Cavaliere del mistero" Knight of the mistery Cristina Roncati was born in...
Bronze
$10,415 / item
Regeneration 04 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Regeneration 04 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 7.5 x H 30 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbu...
Bronze, Other
$420 / item
Sharp Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Sharp Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 22 x D 22 x H 23 cm. Materials: Ceramic. This piece is available in a wide range of hand-painted ...
Ceramic
Project Materia 2025 I Didn't Do Enough II Vessel in Glass by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Project Materia 2025 I Didn't Do Enough II Vessel in Glass by Project Materia. Designed by Willem Van Hooff. Limited Edition of 14. Dimensions: W 51 x D 27 x H 55.5 cm. Materials: Mo...
Blown Glass
1970s Lucio Del Pezzo Trigon Italian Design Neodada Framart Wood Sculpture
Located in Brescia, IT
Lacquered wood Limited edition of 100 pieces Original wood box Excellent condition.
Wood
Obliqua Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Obliqua Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 12 x W 28 x x H 45 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes fr...
Ceramic, Clay
Christian Thirion Teapot Sculpture, Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Whimsical blown art glass sculpture in shape of a teapot features Memphis style color palette of bright yellow, red, and blue with black and white accents. Graphic geometric forms o...
Art Glass, Sommerso
Postmodern German Yellow Ear Clips, 1980s, Set of 2
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Yellow Ear Clips, 1980s, Set of 2
Plastic
Rare Lucite Table Sculpture in the Style of Vasa Mihich
Located in San Diego, CA
Simple table sculpture, solid 4.25" x 3.5" x 18.75" from thick to thin Lucite, in the style of Vasa Mihich, circa 1980s. A geometric translucent sculpture made of Lucite with a taper...
Lucite
Guilloume Perez (1957 - ), "Heart to Heart" Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, CA
Guilloume Perez (1957 - ) is a Columbian-American Artist who currently resides and has his studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This petit abstract sculpture, although small, is quite pow...
Slate, Bronze
$11,455 / item
Element 02 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Element 02 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 15 x H 30 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbued wit...
Bronze, Other
1970 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Cristiana Isoleri Reperto Fragment
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging bronze artwork was created by the Italian artist Cristiana Isoleri. This is a multiple of 1.000 specimens, numbered and signed. The title is "Reperto" translated in "Fr...
Bronze
Abstract Postmodern Textured Intertwined Loop Sculpture in Stucco, USA, c. 1980s
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing an alluring textured sculpture of two intertwined loops that showcase a fluid, interlocking design that creates a sense of movement and balance. Crafted in a sculptural s...
Plaster
Hagi Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Hagi Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 14 x W 32 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from ...
Ceramic, Clay
Contemporary Art Ceramic Totem Chocolate Piece Number 33/99 by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
The message that Mirabili intends to portay involves well-known artist and designers, selected for their particular gifts and their poetic world, lending an innovative and sensitive ...
Ceramic, Wood
Contemporary Art Armchair - Mademoiselle Valery by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. 19th-century silk velvet poltrock decorated by the author. Rose back in Pontoglio silk velvet. Trimmings
Silk
1985 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Edmondo Cirillo Front Opus
Located in Brescia, IT
This engagind and intense artwork was create in 1985 by the Italian artist Edmondo Cirillo. It was forged in bronze and then silver plated. The title of this piece is "Stele frontal...
Bronze
$4,014 / item
Clay Sink by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Clay sink by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 40 x H 15 cm Materials: clay5 Available in 3 models: round sink, oval sink and sink on structure. Due to the production process every piece is unique in size and form. Studio LoHo is a Belgian design office located in Bruges, Belgium. Founded in the autumn of 2017 by Karel Loontiens and Jo Hoeven, the studio focused from the beginning on high-end bespoke interior projects which forms an ideal matrix for product - and material design that is both innovative and durable. In current times there’s no more room for influx of disposable products, it is our studio’s goal to strive for design that will last and will be cherished for multiple generations. The introduction of the first collection “clay series” fully articulated the DNA of the newborn Studio and led to their international breakthrough. The appreciation of materials reflects their unique view on interior design with a strong and recognizable signature. Soon after, the collection was expanded on request by other architects and designers with new sinks...
Clay
Contemporary Art The Perfect Big Half-Moon Silk Velvet Sofa by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. The silk velvet fabric and the embroideries are made expressly for the artist, Carla Tolomeo.
Silk
$1,294 / item
Athari Functional Sculpture by Andrei Clontea
Located in Geneve, CH
Athari Functional Sculpture by Andrei Clontea Dimensions: W 20 x D 28 x H 29 cm Materials: Ceramics It’s important to note that due to the hand-building process, each piece may pres...
Ceramic
$3,986 / item
Clay Sink by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Clay sink by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 40 x H 15 cm Materials: clay. Available in 3 models: round sink, oval sink and sink on structure. Due to the producti...
Clay
Large Post-Modern Lucite Sculpture by Shlomi Haziza
Located in San Diego, CA
Large colorful abstract lucite sculpture by Israeli artist, Shlomi Haziza, circa early 1990s. The piece is in good vintage condition with no chips, cracks; there is some minor crazin...
Lucite
$3,530 / item
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics Unique piece. Dimensions: D 20 x H 125 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Numerated and signed by the artist. All...
Ceramic
Unusual Folk Art / Pop Art Pepsi Cola Decorative Brief Case, France, 1990's
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Unusual Pop Art Pepsi Cola Decorative Brief Case Artist Unknown, France, 1990's Exterior is lined with French Pepsi Cola Cans Interior is lined with French Cartoons Very Interestin...
Aluminum
$4,383 / item
Light Rocks Stoneware Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Rocks Stoneware Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 32 x H 30 cm Material: White and beige stoneware, glaze. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ...
Stoneware
$1,424 / item
Velvet Realities Blue Wall Sculpture by Sven Jansse
Located in Geneve, CH
Velvet Realities Blue Wall Sculpture by Sven Jansse Collaboration with Studio Somé (Robyne Somé) and Sven Jansse. Dimensions: W 63 x D 1 x H 90 cm Materials: Print on CNC’d Acryllic...
Other
Torsten Treutiger (1932-2019), sculpture "PROFIL II"
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture in steel, "PROFIL II", by Swedish artist Torsten Treutiger. Signed and marked with artist information as well as the price set by the artis...
Stainless Steel
$1,871 / item
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics Unique piece. Dimensions: D 20 x H 75 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Numerated and signed by the artist. All ...
Ceramic
1980 Italy Post-Modern Rodica Tanasescu Bronze Abstract Sculpture Insieme
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Rodica Tanasescu. The title "Insieme" Together Rodica Tanasescu was born in Rumania and now lives in and works in Mestre, (Venezia, It...
Bronze
Scorpion Sculpture, Enrique "Sebastian Carbajal, 1990
By Enrique Sebastian Carbajal
Located in Chicago, IL
Scorpion Sculpture, Enrique "Sebastian Carbajal, 1990's Born Enrique Carbajal Gonzalez, Sebastian adopted his pseudonym after seeing a painting called St. Sebastian by Italian Renais...
Steel
Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Bertrand Créac'h, Frace
Located in London, GB
« Éclosion » by Bertrand Créac'h Material: Bronze, brown patina Dimensions: H 13 x 20 x 14 cm Year: 2023 While claiming an analogical relationship with nature, Bertrand Créach’s sc...
Bronze
$514 / item
Hobnail Tile Wall Piece by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Hobnail tile wall piece by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: steel Hand-formed from a sheet of steel, emphasizing the material’s pliable characteristics expre...
Steel
Midcentury Postmodern Optical Neon Floor Lamp Sculpture after Rudi Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and impressive 1980s neon sculpture designed by Zimmerman Studios and produced by Archigraphics LA in 1987. Comes complete with pedestal as shown. Signed and numbered.
Glass, Acrylic, Wood
$1,437 / item
Fermo Doorstop by Rampinelli Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Fermo Doorstop by Rampinelli Edizioni Designed by Martinelli Venezia Dimensions: D 11.5 x W 30 x H 25.5 cm, Materials: Metal. MARTINELLI VENEZIA Fermo is a metal doorstop, character...
Metal
1950s French Modernist Crucifix in Black Lacquered Metal and Ceramic
By Peter and Denise Orlando, Georges Jouve, Roger Capron
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Black Lacquered Metal Cross with Stylized Enameled Ceramic Christ A rare and sculptural French modernist crucifix from the 1950s, reflecting the postwar renewal of sacred art throug...
Iron
$1,157 / item
Incense Object by Henry D'ath
Located in Geneve, CH
Incense object by Henry D'ath Dimensions:D55 x W20 x H6 cm Materials:Wood, Calligraphy Ink Piece is handmade by artist. Henry d’ath is a new zealand born, hong kong based art...
Wood
David Goldhagen Cosmic Vortex Art Glass Pod on Stand
By David Goldhagen
Located in Savannah, GA
A David Goldhagen art glass pod on stand entitled “Cosmic Vortex”. With dimmable backlight. Etched with signature, number and title. glass piece: 25 inches wide by 10 inches d...
Art Glass
Arnaldo Pomodoro Attributed Abstract Bronze Sculpture of Disc
Located in New York, NY
Abstract sculpture attributed to Arnaldo Pomodoro (1926- ), depicting a fractured disc or wheel, 21 by 19 by 12.5 inches, in bronze with warm brown patina and sphere in polished bron...
Bronze
Vintage Glazed Ceramic Architectural Pottery Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A true testament to mid-century modern artistry, this vintage glazed ceramic sculpture features a bold, architectural form with striking geometric cutouts and dynamic negative space....
Ceramic
Postmodern Glazed Ceramic Decorative Item attr. to Giovanni Bertoncello, Italy
By Giovanni Bertoncello, Schiavon
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy , 1970s. It is made in brown glazed ceramic and it's attributable to Giovanni Bertoncello for its design. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces...
Ceramic
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture Beppe Bonetti with Base
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Beppe Bonetti. Title "Piccolo racconto" translate "Little tale"" Beppe Bonetti was born in 1951 in Brescia, Italy, where he lives and ...
Bronze