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.
Sheep by Hanns Peter Krafft for Meier, made of genuine sheepskin, as a stool
Located in München, BY
Rare small 'sheep' stool made of genuine sheep's wool by Hanns Peter Krafft, handcrafted by Meier. Made in Germany in the 1980s. This charming sheep has thick, creamy-white wool, lea...
Leather, Wool, Pine
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Salvador Dalí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H. cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from “Femme á la téte rose” 1935 (...
Brass
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
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
Monumental Sergio Bustamante 'Sol Eclipse' Papier Mâché Wall Sculpture, 1997
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Monumental wall-mounted sculpture executed in painted papier-mâché by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante (b. 1949). Titled "Sol Eclipse" (Solar Eclipse), this large-scale composition f...
Paper
Unique Arctic Circle Series Sculpture #1 in Glass and Driftwood by Szkło Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Arctic Circle Series Sculpture #1 in Glass and Driftwood by Szkło Studio. One of a Kind. Dimensions: Available upon request. Materials: Hand-blown glass, driftwood. Coordinat...
Glass, Blown Glass, Driftwood
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
A bronze figurative sculpture after Henry Moore, signed, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A bronze figurative sculpture depicting an abstract female body, upon a pink marble plinth, signed by artist, probably mid to late 20th century. Thi...
Marble, Bronze
$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
Vibrant, Heavy Murano Glass Aquarium Sculpture with Multicolored Millefiori Fish
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Vibrant, Heavy Murano Glass Aquarium Sculpture with Multicolored Millefiori Fish, circa 1980s. A beautifully executed hand-blown Murano glass aquari...
Blown Glass
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 Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
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
Contemporary Abstract Fragmented Male Torso Resin Sculpture, Vitruvian, TMS 2005
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking contemporary abstract fragmented male torso sculpture from the Vitruvian Collection, dated 2005. This sculptural work presents the human form in a deconstructed and spiral...
Resin
$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
$1,027 / 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
Vintage Figurative Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage figurative ceramic sculpture. Beautiful minimalist design of 2 embracing figures. Finished in a matte off-white glaze.
Ceramic
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By Salvador Dalí, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H. cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from ...
Brass
Mid-20th Century Glass "Aquarium with Jellyfish" by Elio Rafaelli
Located in London, GB
A captivating Murano glass aquarium by Elio Rafaelli presents an enchanting underwater tableau, delicately suspended within a crystal-clear form. A graceful jellyfish rises at the ce...
Glass
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
Large Post Modern "Stacked Dice Vase" Art Sculpture by Artist Michael Corney
By Memphis Milano, Peter Shire, Ettore Sottsass
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
$2,388Sale Price|40% Off
1980s Postmodern Lucite/Mixed Media Light Sculpture with Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
Large Postmodern Lucite and Mixed Media Light Sculpture With Pedestal and a Box Acrylic Cover. Circa 1980s. Features an abstract Southwestern...
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
Loet Vanderveen Monkey/Orangutan Lying Down Bronze Sculpture, Signed, Numbered
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Loet Vanderveen was born in Holland and worked in fashion and later living in New York, London ,Zurich worked in the Zoo sculptures using great patinas. This orangutan is signed and ...
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
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
Postmodern Plaster Nude by David Fisher for Austin Productions, circa 1981
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Sleek, glamorous, and graceful Nude by David Fisher for Austin Productions, 1981. Beautiful detail in this postmodern icon. Stand on black plinth base...
Cast Stone
$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
Italian postmodern stylized head sculpture in wood, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern stylized head sculpture in wood, 1990s Sculpture made entirely of wood. The upper part is rounded and resembles a head. The base is squared. It can be used as a ha...
Wood
Sweet Popcorn Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Popcorn Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 28 x D 28 x H 28 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Sweet Popcorn”...
Ceramic
Vintage Crystal Globe on Stand
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage crystal globe on a square stand. Made of clear crystal with contrasting frosted continents. Made in Ireland by Godinger Shannon Crystal, original label attached to the base...
Crystal
$10,385 / 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
$22,800Sale Price|20% Off
Rare 1986 Limited Edition Gufram Multipli Cactus, Signed & Numbered 1257 of 2000
By Gufram Furniture, Guido Drocco and Franco Mello
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and highly collectible limited edition Gufram 'Cactus' coat / hat rack sculpture designed by Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, part of the legendary Italian Radical Design and Po...
Polystyrene
$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
$700 / item
Spike Planter by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Spike Planter by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 35.5 x D 35.5 x H 43.2 cm Materials: Stoneware Sculpted with a raw, textured finish, its organic form and raised spikes give it a sculptur...
Stoneware
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
A monumental bronze female nude sculpture by Somchai, circa 1970
Located in View Park, CA
A monumental nude sculpture of a femme torso in bronze by Hattakitkosol Somchai, signed, circa 1970. A striking rarity of Somchai’s oeuvre, this piece stands at nearly twenty-six inc...
Bronze
Polished Cast Brass Figa Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Figa Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 8 x D 6 x H 13 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Stud...
Metal
$156Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Glass Pedestal Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Impactful piece of glass that brings lines and design to your décor. This postmodern piece consists of two pieces: Blown glass in a purple hue is conjoined and shaped into a V shaped...
Glass
Large Listed Artist Lesley Nolan Glass Wall Sculpture Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
Lesley Nolan Contenporary Florida listed artist , large glass fused sculpture , colorful and unique piece in excellent condition no chips or cracks .
Glass
Large Raku Pottery Cat on Lucite Base by Tony Evans
By Tony Evans
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice large raku pottery sitting cat on lucite base by noted artist Tony Evans, circa 1980s. The piece is signed on the base and extremely well crafted; it has wonderful green ...
Pottery, Lucite
Italy Cast Bronze Figurine Man Sculpture by Aron Demetz Title Ricordo
By Aron Demetz
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense bronze sculpture was made by the well known Italian artist, Aron Demetz, in 2004, Italy. This is a lost wax bronze hand painted. The title is "Ricordo" translated in "Me...
Bronze
Set of 2 Two Head Sculptured Dolls by Studio Mano
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Two Head Sculptured Dolls by Studio Mano. Dimensions: W 11.5 x D 8 x H 13 cm. Materials: Porcelain white clay and clear gloss glaze, Santa Fe clay, or Brown clay. Studio M...
Ceramic
$272Sale Price|53% Off
1980s Postmodern Female Face Ceramic Sculpture in the Austin Productions Style
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Large scale, Postmodern / 1980s Art Deco revival Female Head Ceramic Sculpture in the Austin Productions Style. Circa 1980s Features a flatten female head figure molded on a...
Ceramic
$395 / item
Post Modern Display Mannequin
Located in Riverdale, NY
Post Modern Display Mannequin from a Japanese store formerly located on Madison Ave, NY. Articulated fiberglass mannequin body has screws at join...
Metal
$11,422 / 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
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
$51,384 / item
Brummit Fir Christmas Tree Sculpture by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Brummit Fir Christmas Tree Sculpture by The Peak Antler Dimensions: W 132.08 x D 132.08 x H 396.24 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers Based in, produced and shipped from the US. ...
Antler
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
Mizukage Unique Water Feature in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Mizukage Unique Water Feature in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 50 cm. Materials: Basalt stone. Available in different material optio...
Stone
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
$1,107 / item
Sculpture FUNGHI 20 by Zanellazine Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture FUNGHI 20 by Zanellazine Ceramics Dimensions: W 19 x D 14 x H 23 cm Materials: Red clay, Brown semi-refractorie clay. About: Giovanna Zighetti, ceramist and set designer, ...
Ceramic
Vintage Boho Italian Monumental Glazed Ceramic Snail
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold sculptural statement with this magnificent vintage Italian ceramic snail shell. Rendered on a monumental scale, this piece transforms a simple organic form into a work of...
Ceramic
$1,284 / 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
$344Sale Price|28% Off
1980s Postmodern David Fisher for Austin Productions Faces of Love Sculpture
By Austin Prod
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern David Fisher for Austin Productions Faces of Love Sculpture. Stamped in the back by the manufacturer and Dated 1980. “Face of Love” ceramic s...
Plaster
$1,611 / item
Bronze Lighter by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze lighter by Rick Owens Dimensions: L 11.5 x W 5.5 x H 3 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 0.45 kg Available in Black and Nitrate finish. Rick ...
Bronze
Luigi Barolo for Baleri Italia (1992) Corrugated "Cartoons" Screen
By Luigi Baroli, Baleri Italia
Located in Round Top, TX
This is the "Cartoons" free-standing corrugated cardboard room screen with cast aluminum structural framing with protective rubber capping to the top and bottom of this piece. Desig...
Aluminum
$1,765Sale Price|20% Off
Richard X. Zawitz Large Chrome Tangle Kinetic Sculpture Postmodern Design 1981
Located in Lisboa, PT
Designed by Richard X. Zawitz and patented in 1981, this original large-scale chrome Tangle sculpture represents one of the most compelling intersections...
Chrome
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
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
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