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.
1990s Modernist Gilded Bronze and Marble Sculpture by Gaudio
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This stunning vintage sculpture, created in the 1990s, is a beautiful example of abstract expression. The piece is crafted from gilded bronze with a striking green patina on some of ...
Marble, Bronze
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
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
$1,036 / 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
$423 / 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
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
$1,424 / item
Sun Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Sun Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 48 x D 48 x H 42 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Sun” is a unique ceramic piece that captures the essence ...
Ceramic
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
$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
Large Post Modern "Stacked Dice Vase" Art Sculpture by Artist Michael Corney
By Peter Shire, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Contemporary Large Post Modern Art Sculpture Vase "Dysfunctional" Stacked Dice Vase" Artist Michael Corney / signed Miguel Corney "Michael Corney grew up in the greater Los Angel...
Clay, Paint
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
Late 20th Century Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Eli Riva Sole Luna Sun Moon
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense abstract bronze sculpture was created by the Italian artist Eli Riva in the Late 20th Century. The artwork is a multiple numbered and signed of 5...
Bronze
$1,424 / item
Rhythm Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Rhythm Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 56 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Rhythm” pulsates with movement and cadence, a ceramic ...
Ceramic
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
Shafaq Malik Postmodern Memphis Group-Style Glass Sculpture
By Ettore Sottsass, Aldo Londi, Memphis Milano, Michael Graves (b.1934), Memphis Group
Located in Round Top, TX
Studio glass sculpture by Shafaq Malik. It has applied orange and green finials with a floating navy and yellow cane bubble at the bottom. It is in excellent, original condition with...
Art Glass
$10,492 / 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
$10,492 / item
Regeneration 03-1 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Regeneration 03-1 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 9 x H 25 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbu...
Bronze, Other
1986 Italy Bronze Sculpture Patrizia Guerresi Melograno Pomegranate
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an engaging bronze sculpture created by the Italian artist Patrizia Guerresi, in 1986. The piece is a multiple of 1000 specimens on a green-painted wooden base. This artwork ...
Bronze
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
$11,540 / 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
Useless Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Useless Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 23 x D 23 x H 44 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Useless” inspired by the “Dadaism” trend, challenges ...
Ceramic
$1,554 / item
Dug Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Dug Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 45 x D 45 x H 46 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Dug” evokes the essence of excavated earth, from which cl...
Ceramic
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
Majestic Controlled Bubble Bullicante Cobalt Blue Art Glass Large Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Majestic Controlled Bubble Bullicante Cobalt Blue Art Glass Large Paperweight, beautiful excellent condition rich color nice and heavy art piece sculpture.
Blown 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
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
$3,556 / 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
Pol Quadens 16 Stones Sculpture in Polished Stainless Steel, Belgium
Located in Geneve, CH
16 Stones Sculpture by Pol Quadens Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 80 x W 80 x H 450 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. The production time for this piece...
Stainless Steel
$3,432 / item
Il Corpo Bookends by Marcela Cure
Located in Geneve, CH
Il Corpo Bookends by Marcela Cure Dimensions: Upper W 19 x D 16.5 x H 31 cm / Lower W 22 x D 18 x H 31 cm Materials: Resin and Stone Composite Our Il Corpo sculpture is a set of...
Stone
$3,945 / item
Light 33 Porcelain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Light 33 Porcelain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 32 x H 31 cm Material: White porcelain, glaze. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ancient Korea...
Porcelain
$4,015 / 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
$4,416 / 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
David Goldhagen Cosmic Vortex Art Glass Pod on Stand
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
Vasa Velizar Mihich acrylic abstract sculpture triangle multicolor signed.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and sweet multicolored triangle by the well known artist Vasa .
Acrylic
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental studio pottery sculpture by artist KT Blacklock, dated 1978, is a vibrant and commanding example of late-century Postmodern expressionism. The piece features a dynami...
Pottery
$1,295 / 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
$600 / item
An3 Sculpture by Eglė Šimkus
Located in Geneve, CH
An3 Sculpture by Eglė Šimkus Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 13 x H 23 cm. Materials: Clay. My name is Eglė Šimkus, and I was born in Lithuania in 1990 to a R...
Clay
$18,053 / item
Extra Large High Clay Bathtub by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Extra large high clay bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 90 x W 190 x H 53 cm Materials: clay Other colors and raw or smooth exterior available. Available in 4 sizes: W 160 x H 42(large), W 160 x H 53(large high), W 180 x H 42(x-large), W 190 x H 53(x-large high) The baths are entirely made of clay and are available in a wide range of colours or can be produced bespoke. The exterior of the clay can be raw or smooth according to preference, the interior of the baths is finished with a layer of smooth, silky lime plaster for maximum comfort. 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
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
$3,238 / item
Grain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Grain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a Kind Dimensions: D 37 cm x H 38 cm Material: Ceramic Finishing: Textured, Unglazed Artist stamp on the bottom Laura Pasquino Incorporatin...
Ceramic
$1,872 / 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
Drab Hanger in Gold Stainless Steel, Heat Collection, Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Drab Hanger in Flamed Gold stainless steel, Heat Collection, Zieta Dimensions: D 5 cm x W 46 cm x H 188 cm Material: Stainless steel. About the heat collection: The heat uses hig...
Stainless Steel
$1,907 / item
Perspectiva Space Divider by Colección Estudio
Located in Geneve, CH
Perspectiva space divider by Colección Estudio Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 163 cm Materials: oak wood, grey wool felt Also available in ebonized o...
Felt, Oak
Jeff Koons Cracked Egg box/sculpture aluminum .Red 2008
By Jeff Koons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Cracked Egg in aluminum sculpture / box for the LACMA in 2008 . artist Jeff Koons
Aluminum
Salvador Dalí Drawers Lamp by BD Barcelona, Pale Limewood, Spain
By Salvador Dalí, BD Barcelona Design
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
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Curtis Jere Post Modern Table Sculpture of Brass Chrome and Marble c. 1985
By C. Jeré Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
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
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
$1,943 / item
Artefacto 03 by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Artefacto 03 by Federico Stefanovich Dimensions: D 19 x W 47 x H 36 cm. Material: Brass. Available in a smaller size: D 10 x W 26 x H 20 cm. Federico Stefanovich presents himself as...
Brass
$41,558 / item
Aceleración Screen by Joel Escalona
Located in Geneve, CH
Aceleración screen by Joel Escalona Limited edition of 9 Dimensions: D 230 x W 40 x H 187 cm Materials: oak wood. Natural white oak screen. J...
Oak
David Garcia, Postmodern American Studio Art Glass Sculpture, 1991
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-crafted art glass sculpture features triangular form with multiple layers of brightly colored, applied fused glass elements on clear glass base. Predominantly green and...
Glass, Art Glass
$10,492 / item
Regeneration 03-2 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Regeneration 03-2 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 9 x H 30 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbu...
Bronze, Other
XL PostModern Memphis Ettore Sottsass Ip Murano Blown Glass Sculpture Vase Italy
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Exceptional, Stunning and Monumental, post modern, Memphis Era, Ettore Sottsass inspired sculptural vase, Circa 1980, Italy Striking, bold, glass sculptural centerpiece in primary ...
Blown Glass
Abstract Post Modern Ceramic & Glass Wall or Table Sculpture by Kaiser Suidan
Located in Troy, MI
Large abstract mixed media ceramic sculpture by Kaiser Suidan Studio 2001 Post Modern Memphis style design of mixed elements and colorful glazes with a rare incorporation of sculpte...
Metal
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Alfredo Cifani Title Eos
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Alfredo Cifani. Title "EOS" Alfredo Cifani was born in 1939 in Fermo, the Southern part of Italy, lives and works in Milan. He is a pai...
Bronze
Contemporary Art Armchair - Sillon De Borges by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. 19th century armchair revisited by the author. Cotton velvet appliqué by the author with cuttings from authentic Japanese OBJ 1800-....
Cotton, Wood
'Love Knot' Murano Sculpture by Renato Anatrà, Signed, Italy, 1980's
Located in Doylestown, PA
Elegant 'Love Knot' abstract sculpture by Renato Anatrà, signed, Italy. Representing eternal love, this graceful sculpture is beautifully hand crafted of clear...
Murano Glass
Italy 1998 the Skyscrapers Brass Abstract Sculpture
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an artwork of Roberto Vecchione, an Italian artist friend of Giovanni Campus and Bruno Munari. Its work is a form of ‘mind architecture’ and this two pieces are representativ...
Brass
1985 Italy Post Modern Abstract Bronze Sculpture the Moon
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Maurizio Bonora, a talented artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbe...
Bronze
$1,850
Black Sculpture Vase
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial Postmodern black charcoal sculpture vase, circa late-20th century. Piece is clay pottery with a black charcoal matte finish and a round, cylindrical, asymmetric design. Designers mark...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
TOWERX27 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland
Located in Geneve, CH
TOWERX27 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland. Dimensions: W 7.5 x D 13 x H 30.5 cm. Materials: Elm Wood with Dark Finish. The TOWERX2 series is a solid wood...
Wood