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.
Unique Memorias Del Agua I Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Soledad Christie
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Memorias Del Agua I Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Soledad Christie. One Of a Kind. Dimensions: W 13 x D 13 x H 29 cm. Materials: Low-temperature, burnished earthenware ceram...
Ceramic, Earthenware
Extra Large Stone Bathtub by Studio Loho, Post-Modern Design, Belgium
Located in Geneve, CH
Extra large stone bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 85 x W 190 x H 57 cm Materials: stone Other stone types are possible upon request. Available i...
Stone
Sometimes, I Have Coffee With My Own Demons Sculpture by Carri
Located in Geneve, CH
Sometimes, I Have Coffee With My Own Demons Sculpture by Carri Dimensions: W 50 x D 5 x H 50 cm Materials: Volcanic rock. B 1995 Fernanda Carri ́s int...
Stone
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Trace by Austin Coudriet
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Trace by Austin Coudriet. One of a kind. Dimensions: W 46 x D 23 x H 76 cm. Materials: Ceramic (stoneware), glaze. About Austin Coudriet is a ceramic arti...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Avantgarde Sculpture, hand-painted, signed - Jankov, 1983
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a stunning avantgarde hand-painted sculpture in plaster. The sculpture depicts a child with the hollow chest, which is painted in the manner of Frida Ka...
Plaster, Paint
$1,311 / item
Brass Bottle Stand by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass bottle stand by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 18 x W 25.4 x H 7.6 cm Materials: brass This Brass Bottle Stand can display up to 4 bottles beautifully. Gentner Design Ro...
Brass
Duramen Stainless Steel Top and Solid Walnut Sculptural Object by Jules Lobgeois
Located in Geneve, CH
Duramen Stainless Steel Top and Solid Walnut Sculptural Object by Jules Lobgeois Unique Piece Dimensions: D 35 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid walnut, stainless steel. The heartwood is ...
Stainless Steel
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 40 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more...
Ceramic
$27,046 / item
Rito Rock Installation Sculpture by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Rito Rock Installation Sculpture by Andres Monnier Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 78 x W 78 x H 200 cm. Materials: Travertine. Treko Concrete is a...
Marble
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
$1,931 / item
Rupture Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Rupture Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 39 x D 39 x H 50 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Rupture” explores the beauty of breakage and reinvent...
Ceramic
Raw & Rainbow Dalla Terra Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Raw & Rainbow Dalla Terra Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Limited Edition Of 10 Pieces. Dimensions: Ø 22 x H 40 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Elegant and ...
Aluminum
Medium Wave Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Wave Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio Dimensions: D 70 x H 5 cm. Materials: Copper. Weight: 7 Kg. Aura Carpio® (CDMX). Mexican indust...
Copper
Raw & Rainbow Giostra Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Raw & Rainbow Giostra Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Limited Edition Of 10 Pieces. Dimensions: Ø 41 x H 30 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. A whirlwind of c...
Aluminum
$21,637 / item
Écon Mural in Basalt Granite & Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Écon Mural in Basalt Granite & Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 15 x W 180 x H 150 cm. Materials: Steel and basalt granite. Available in different finishes and mat...
Onyx, Other
Postmodern Brown Murano Glass Fish Decorative Figure by Vincenzo Nason, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Vincenzo Nason & C. Murano, Italy, 1970s. This fish is made in Murano glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in exce...
Murano Glass
Midcentury Postmodern Steel and Wood Coat Stand in the Shape of a Man
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This playful Postmodern coat stand is not only a smart space saver in a hallway, pantry or dressing room, it is also a pleasant and cheerful interior e...
Steel
Pajaros Halcón Bronze Finished Clay Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Pajaros Halcón Bronze Finished Clay Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles Dimensions: D 8 x W 6 x H 24 cm Materials: Clay bronze finish What greater symbol of freedom is there than the act...
Bronze
Contemporary Art Pouf - Saudade by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. Semi-circular pouff designed by Gabriel. Vintage chenille Pontoglio cotton velvets, silk and cotton trimmings, designer decorations
Cotton, Silk
$3,266 / item
Star Petal Gourd III by Julie Nelson
Located in Geneve, CH
Star petal gourd III by Julie Nelson One Of A Kind Dimensions: D 22 x H 26.5 cm Materials: Ceramic stoneware and porcelain Artist Julie Nelson uses ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$25,000 / item
Anton Smit - "Faith Mask" Resin and Iron Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Anton Smit is a profoundly influential South African sculptor recognized for his monumental works that evoke deep themes of suffering, reconciliation, glory, and sublimation. He is c...
Iron
Stoneware Clay, Ceramic Unbound Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Clay, Ceramic Unbound Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska Dimensions: W 32 x D 13.8 x H 17.5 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Unglazed ceramic sulface. Weight: 1,9 kg. Al...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$11,439 / item
Pedregal Hammered Copper Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pedregal Hammered Copper Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio. Dimensions: W 60 x D 4 x H 120 cm. Materials: Copper. This piece can be produced in customized sizes and finishes upon reque...
Copper
$10,432 / item
Last Light Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Last Light 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 imbued wi...
Other, Bronze
$1,674 / item
XXL Popcorn Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
XXL Popcorn Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 47 x D 47 x H 55 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “XXL Popcorn” tak...
Ceramic
$1,006 / item
XL Popcorn Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
XL Popcorn Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 39 x D 39 x H 44 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “XL Popcorn” ampli...
Ceramic
$1,416 / 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
Bigger Sculptural Vase in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Bigger Sculptural Vase in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 33 x D 33 x H 55 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Bigger” takes the concept of scale to the extrem...
Ceramic
$12,235 / item
Incarnato 2 Sculpture by Camille De Prêtre
Located in Geneve, CH
Incarnato 2 Sculpture by Camille De Prêtre Dimensions: W 24 x D 24 x H 156 cm. Materials: Burned pine. About Camille De Prêtre is a Belgian artist and furniture designer based betw...
Wood
Postmodern small glass sculpture by Impy Pilapil, signed, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A small postmodern art glass sculpture by Impy Pilapil, signed, Philippines late 20th century.
Art Glass
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
Murano Orange with Black incluisions Handblown Flower
By Murano 5
Located in Pasadena, TX
This flower is handblown. It was crafted in Murano, Italy. It has a beautiful orange with black color. Makes for a great gift.
Art Glass
Raw & Rainbow Gallo Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Raw & Rainbow Gallo Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Limited Edition Of 10 Pieces. Dimensions: Ø 67 x H 67 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. As a hymn to joy, ...
Aluminum
Bomb by Clive Barker 4/8 1998
By Clive Barker
Located in Oxford, GB
Clive Barker, British, b 1940 is a British Pop Artist. The bomb is one of my favourite pieces he has done. Its witty as if taken from a Popeye cartoon yet shiny and beautiful refle...
Aluminum, Brass
TOWERX15 Architectural Iron Sculpture in Matte Black by Towerland
Located in Geneve, CH
TOWERX15 Architectural Iron Sculpture in Matte Black by Towerland. Dimensions: W 35 x D 15 x H 140 cm. Materials: Iron plate with Matte black brocade finish. The TOWERX1 series comp...
Iron
Stabile No. 100, Hand-Blown Glass and Brass Light by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Stabile no. 100 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 21 x W 30 x H 90 cm Materials: Hand-blown glass, handcrafted brass. Milla Vaahtera "My method emerged from a desire to bring more int...
Brass
Coralina Abyss Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Coralina Abyss Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 30 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Abyss translates the silent gesture of the mushroom coral attach...
Ceramic
Pisces Crackle Glaze Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Pisces Crackle Glaze Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D8 x W 27 x x H 30 cm Materials: Ceramic Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 20cm tall - 5...
Ceramic
Postmodern Hand Carved and Burnished Stone Egg and Holster Set, Memphis Inspired
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Carefully curated set of semi-precious stone and glass eggs in vibrant colors with corresponding Lucite platform bases for display. Set is comprised o...
Quartz, Alabaster, Granite, Marble
Abbott Pattison Bronze Sculpture on Marble Base 'Signed'
Located in North Miami, FL
Bronze with slight green patina on original rectangular marble base. This abstract figural sculpture is extremely detailed. Mr. Pattison was educated at the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago, Yale and the Yale School of Fine Arts. (B. 1916 - 1999) In 1939, he was granted Yale's first traveling fellowship, enabling him to study and work in China and Japan for 12 months. Mr. Pattison's many other prestigious prizes included the Logan, Eisendrath, and Pauline Palmer Awards from the Art Institute of Chicago. The Logan prize, awarded in 1942, was for a bronze titled "Kneeling Women." In 1951 Mr. Pattison placed first in the Metropolitan Museum's contemporary American sculpture show. Between 1940 and 1970 alone, Mr. Pattison had 10 one-man shows in Chicago. His work is on display in some of the world's most renowned museums, including the Art Institute; the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City; the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.; and the Israeli State Museum in Jerusalem. His public commissions include installations for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.; the U.S. State Department; Stanford University Medical Center; the Johnson Wax...
Marble, Bronze
Mindscape 02 Medium Travertine Sculpture by Jeroen Broux
Located in Geneve, CH
Mindscape 02 Medium Travertine Sculpture by Jeroen Broux Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 22,5 cm Materials: Travertine This modular sculpture, comprised of six individual stones, invite...
Travertine
20th Century Abstract Modernist Stone Sculpture of Three Faces in Profile
Located in New York, NY
Elegant contemporary art sculpture in an Art Deco revival style, signed by artist C. Marinse. Carved from beautiful green stone, three sensual faces with eyes closed are shown profil...
Stone
$14,296 / item
Andromeda Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Andromeda Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 30 x H 30 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbued with...
Bronze, Other
Sculpture Centerpiece in Jurassic Fossil Stone by NERINEA
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture Centerpiece in Jurassic Fossil Stone by NERINEA. Dimensions: W 50 x D 15 x H 15 cm. Materials: Natural Stone (Jurassic Fossil TOP). Designed by Paco Camús. The Sculpture C...
Stone
Pedro Friedeberg Philosopher's Stone Gilded And Multicolor Resin Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, MX
A 21st Century multicolor and golden resin sculpture "Philosopher's Stone" sculpture by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The sculpture is signed by the artist on one of the foot's so...
Resin
Large Origins Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Origins Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio Dimensions: D 100 x H 5 cm. Materials: Copper. Weight: 12 Kg. Aura Carpio® (CDMX). Mexican industrial designer graduated an...
Copper
Obliqua White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Obliqua White 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
Leuca Sculpture in Horn, Lacquered Wood & Stainless Steel by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Leuca Sculpture in Horn, Lacquered Wood & Stainless Steel by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 16 x W 16 x H 80/90 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, horn, and lacquered w...
Stainless Steel, Other
Stoneware Clay, Unglazed Ceramic Ethereal Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Clay, Unglazed Ceramic Ethereal Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska Dimensions: W 25.5 x D 19 x H 35 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Unglazed ceramic sulface. Weight: 5,6 k...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Postmodern Porcelain Elephant Figurine and Penny Bank by Luigi Colani, 1980s
By Luigi Colani
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Porcelain Elephant Figurine and Penny Bank by Luigi Colani for Höchst, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additiona...
Porcelain
Popcorn Jug Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Popcorn Jug Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 24 x D 24 x H 28 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The “Popcorn Jug” from the Popcorn series captures...
Ceramic
Ray White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Ray White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 11 x W 35 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 2...
Ceramic, Clay
PF01 Handmade Sculptural Bust On Wood Plinth by Object Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
PF01 Handmade Sculptural Bust On Wood Plinth by Object Atelier One Of a Kind. Dimensions: D 20 x 20 x H 42 cm (Dimensions may vary). Materials: Natural fibers, aggregates, pigments, ...
Natural Fiber, Wood
Fragment Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Fragment Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 24 x D 24 x H 32 cm. Materials: Ceramic. This piece is available in a wide range of hand-paint...
Ceramic
$11,591 / item
Organic Form White Stoneware Tamala Sculpture by Munier
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Tamala Sculpture by Munier Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 35 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Weight: 3 kg. I specialize in the ancient technique of coil building, a traditional han...
Ceramic
Pop art "Risk" pink ceramic tank figure, Stefano Puzzo Italy ca. 2000s
Located in Firenze, IT
Pop art Risk pink ceramic tank figure Stefano Puzzo Italy ca. 2000s Signed under the base H 11.5 cm - 26.5 × 11 cm Conditions: excellent, no defects
Ceramic
$421 / item
Minty Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Minty Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 24 x D 24 x H 29 cm. Materials: Ceramic. This piece is available in a wide range of hand-painted ...
Ceramic
$11,427 / item
São Paulo 01 Totem by Gabriela Campos
Located in Geneve, CH
São Paulo 01 Totem by Gabriela Campos Dimensions: W 36 x D 36 x H 120 cm. Materials: American Oak, Freijó. ESTÚDIO MAIS ALMA moves toward the authentic and the unique, whether in ...
Oak
Contemporary Art TOTEM Clair De Lune Light Blue White N/Edit. by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited edition of 29 pieces. From Primitive clay magma, by playing with shapes, Sottsass makes the “philosophy” of a state of mind visible and concrete: as if in the musical atmosph...
Ceramic, Wood
American Mid Century Brutalist Wire Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Sculpture made of wire, pipe, with blue acrylic paint in portions. The signature is not clear, the best we can make of the signature is by E. Rizzuto. dated 1999 whimsical unique piece.
Metal