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.
Murano Glass "Lisboa" Vase
Located in NICE, FR
This Murano glass vase is a refined expression of light, color, and exceptional craftsmanship. Its sculptural surface is articulated with vibrant, jewel-like glass spheres that creat...
Gold
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
A rare silver box / pop art sculpture by Fratelli Cacchione, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
An extraordinarily rare silver « cigarette » box / pop art sculpture by Fratelli Cacchionr, 20th century. This amazing silver box was created to resemble several boxes of cigarettes ...
Silver
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 “Femme á la téte rose” 1935 (...
Brass
Dorothy Thorpe. Post-Modern candle holders by Elaine Bscheider, USA, 1970s
By Dorothy Thorpe, Elaine Bscheider
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Post-Modern candle holders designed by Elaine Bscheider for Dorothy Thorpe Inc., USA, 1970s. Prezel-shaped body in transparent methacrylate/acrylic with chrome-plated golden ...
Metal, Chrome
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark.
Plastic
Massive Tessellated Stone Floor Vase in the Style of Marquis of Beverly Hills
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in San Diego, CA
Massive Tessellated Stone Floor Vase in the Style of Marquis of Beverly Hills, circa 1980s. This impressive, tessellated stone floor vase, in the style of Marquis of Beverly Hills an...
Stone
Postmodern Italian Mantel Clock by Michael Graves for Alessi, 1980s
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Alessi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare table clock of the Italian manufacturer Alessi after a design by Michael Graves from 1986. A special and rare collector's object of Postmoderne. The coat Clock is a miniature a...
Metal
Vittorio Mazzuconni Firenze Bowl Silver-Plated Vide Poche Vase Post-Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Vittorio Mazzucconi silverplate modernist bowl (also referred to as a vide poche or vase). Designed and signed by Vitto...
Silver Plate
Danish Postmodern Wall Calendar, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Postmodern Wall Calendar, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Plastic Style: Postmodern Country of Origin: Germany Color...
Plastic
French Art Deco Photograph Frame, Chrome-Plated Steel & Glass, 1930s
By Robert Mallet-Stevens, (after) Jean Michel Frank, Jacques Adnet, Marcel Breuer
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
Vintage German Postmodern Alta Mira Series Ceramic Vase by Gilbert Portanier
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Alta Mira Series Ceramic Vase by Gilbert Portanier for Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. ...
Ceramic
$89Sale Price|31% Off
Vintage Clear Lucite Fan Shaped Card Holder by Guzzini 1980s Made in Italy
By Guzzini
Located in Amityville, NY
Vintage clear lucite or acrylic post modern fan shaped card holder, sorter or separator made in Italy in the 1980s by Guzzini. Marked "Guzzini Made in Italy" this originally was sold...
Lucite
Vintage Murano Red & Opalescent Glass Perfume Bottle with Stopper
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite vintage Murano glass perfume bottle features a striking combination of deep ruby red glass framed by clear ribbed layers, creating a captivating optical depth. Its ele...
Glass, Art Glass
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Box
Located in Houston, TX
Late 20th Century Postmodern tessellated travertine and black marble box with brass inlay and brown cloth interior lining.
Stone, Travertine, Marble
$766 / item
Mocap 'Discodip' Illusionistic Wall Clock
Located in Maastricht, NL
Mocap 'Discodip' illusionistic wall clock design: JAN PAUL “Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also the ...
Metal
A Rare 1980s Minimalist Silver Plated Round Design Vase by Lino Sabattini
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This post-modern vase designed by Lino Sabattini exemplifies the clean, sleek aesthetic typical of Sabattini's work and the minimalist movement of the era. This vase features a perfe...
Silver Plate
Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini Italian Silver-Plated "Musk" Sculpture 1970s
By Sabattini Argenteria, Gio Ponti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian sculpture ‘Cuckolded Mask” in silver-plated metal designed by Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini with the manufacturer’s mark engraved, Italy 1970s Please note that the item...
Silver Plate
Pair of Art Glass "Catwalk" Sculptures by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair art glass "Catwalk" sculptures / figurines by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden, circa 1980s. The pieces is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks a...
Art Glass
A SCULPTURAL BRUTALIST CANDELABRA CANDLE HOLDER, ARTIST PIECE, France 1990
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional sculptural candelabra candle holder, Post-Modernist, Brutalist, Shabby-Chic, plant-inspired composition of folded and welded metal rods mounted on a tripod base, decor...
Metal, Gold Plate
Italian Lucite Pen Pencil Desk Holder By Designer Rede Guzzini
By Rede Guzzini
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Lucite pen, pencil, marker and small paper desk organizer/holder, Postmodern period or Modern style, by designer Rede Guzzini, circa 1980s, Italy. A great desk accessory a...
Lucite
AMANO - Vintage Ceramic Vase - Rich Red Glaze - Germany - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
AMANO - Vintage ceramic vase - rich red glaze - bullet shape - signed on the base - impressed model number '629-18' - Germany - late 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - no l...
Ceramic
Cartier Desk Clock with Original Case
By Cartier
Located in Amersham, GB
A Cartier Les Must Desk Clock in an oval gold plated frame, with cabochon jewelled setting nuts, resting on a strut back with the distinctive Cartier ‘C’ forming the feet. This Swis...
Gold Plate, Brass
Post-Modern Desk Clock by Michael Graves
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice post-modern desk clock by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s. The clock is in good vintage condition and measures 4"W x 2.5"D x 5.25"H. It is Quartz alarm clock made in Taiwan t...
Metal
Brazilian Agate Onyx and Wood Round Jewelry Trinket Box, Brazil, 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A round Brazilian agate onyx and wood trinket or jewelry box, in the Modern style Post-Modern period, circa-late 20th century, 1980s early 1990s, Brazil. Box has a rich brown wood wi...
Onyx, Agate
$131Sale Price|20% Off
Small Postmodern, Green Murano Glass, Bottle Vase by Nason, 1980's, Italy
Located in Glasgow, GB
Small Postmodern style Murano Glass bottle vase by Nason. Handcrafted from mint green Murano glass in the form of a double gourd shape. The exterior is detailed with smooth linear s...
Murano Glass
Large Morphos clock by Kurt B. Delbanco for Acerbis, 1980s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Kloks Morphos Italy Kurt B.Del banco design, large clock '80s Production of Acerbis International (Memphis era) large size 32 inches 82 cm for the side, painted on a framed Lucite pa...
Plastic
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
James Alloway Paperweight with Controlled Bubbles, American Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The piece measures 3.25" high and 2.25" wide at the center. It is signed by the artist near the base. James Alloway (b. 1957) is a renowned American glass artist. James had a fasci...
Art Glass, Glass
1980s Postmodern Chrome Rocking Desk Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic postmodern vintage desk, mantel, or shelf clock in the style of Shohei Mihara’s designs for Wakita. With a black face, red, white and yellow hands, and chrome rocking b...
Metal, Chrome
Memphis Style Triangular Mixed Wood Trinket Box by Russ Keil
By Russ Keil
Located in San Diego, CA
Memphis style mixed wood triangular trinket box by Russ Keil, circa 1990s. The box measures 4.5"W x 4.5"D x 5.75"H and is made of a padouk, walnut and sugar maple hardwood . There is...
Maple, Padouk
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
$455Sale Price / set|30% Off
Set of Three Gino Cenedese & Co. Murano Signed Art Glass Candlesticks
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a nice set of three Murano glass candlesticks by Gino Cenedese & Co. Each candlestick has an etched 'Cenedese' signature to the underside. Dimensions listed are for the l...
Art Glass
$590Sale Price|60% Off
Post-Modern Murano Art Glass Vase by Cose Belle, Italy, 1980s
By Cose Belle Cose Rare
Located in Valencia, VC
Post-Modern Murano Art Glass Vase, Italy, circa 1980s A strong example of Post-Modern Murano glass from the 1980s, defined by scale, weight, and assertive use of color. The vase fea...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Haeger Rounded Edge Mauve Pink Postmodern Vide Poche
By Royal Haeger
Located in New York, NY
Postmodern Haeger vide poche catchall. Bold rounded edges make this a standout piece, mauve color is versatile and pairs nicely with many other colors. Perfect for a coffee table, dr...
Ceramic
Memphis Style 1980s Metal Stick Person Candle Holders
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage 1980s memphis style stick person black metal candle holder. The stick person holds a wine glass in one hand and there is a candle holder in the other hand. Quirky wavy hair...
Metal
$88Sale Price|20% Off
Decorative geode and black glass jewelry box by Don Drumm, late 20th century
By Don Drumm
Located in View Park, CA
A very unique decorative jewelry box hand-crafted of black glass, mirror, iron, and geode by Don Drumm, late 20th century. The geode boasts a bevy of brilliant blues, from cerulean t...
Rock Crystal, Iron
$250Sale Price|50% Off
Glass Pendulum Clock Takashi Kato Postmodern, 1980s Japanese Design
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Memphis Milano
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Glass pendulum clock by Sessa. It can be used as both standing on the table and hanging on the wall. Takashi Kato designed a lot of clocks in the 1980s-19...
Glass, Plastic
BeoCom 6000 Desktop Telephone in Royal Blue by Martin Iseli for Bang & Olufsen
Located in San Diego, CA
BeoCom 6000 cordless handset and table charger by Martin Iseli for Bang & Olufsen, circa 1990s. The phone is royal blue and grey and has a grey cradle / table charger; it is in very...
Plastic
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Chorus Candelabra in Die-Cast Zinc by Karim Rashid for Umbra
By Karim Rashid, Umbra
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking "Chorus" candelabra in die-cast zinc with a matte chrome plating by Karim Rashid for Umbra, circa 2000s. Described by their designer, K...
Chrome, Zinc
Elsa Peretti "Thumbprint" blue glass bowl for Tiffany Co .
By Elsa Peretti, Tiffany & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful deep blue glass bowl designed by Elsa Peretti, and made for Tiffany Co. signed
Glass
Vintage Fused Glass Footed Vase, Hand Blown Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Sculptural vintage vase is decorated with free-flowing fused red and yellow glass designs on mottled pink glass background; colored glass encases clear glass core, with clear glass ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Large Vintage Postmodern German Floral Floor Vase from Steuler
By Steuler
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Vintage Postmodern German Floral Floor Vase from Steuler, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material: ...
Ceramic
Space Age Kinetic Desk Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bringing a touch of Space Age design flair to your space, this mid-century clock features a kinetic sphere design, with the clock's hands rotating within the chrome frame. This cloc...
Metal
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Kienzle, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Kienzle, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Acryl...
Acrylic
Steven Holl Patinated Bronze Candlestick for Swid Powell rare Postmodern Memphis
Located in San Diego, CA
patinated bronze candlestick designed by American architect Steven Holl for Swid Powell c.1980's , very rare tall candlestick hard to find very collectible in a verdigris finish stamped at the bottom, with some scuff marks due to age solid piece great for postmodern , Memphis mid century home decor.
Bronze
Sculptural Organic Modern Marble Bookends
Located in San Diego, CA
A pair of stunning organic modern bookends crafted out of pink natural marble featuring a beautiful design making them a perfect addition to a home or office space. Ettore Sottsass a...
Marble
1980's Postmodern Geometric Bud Vase in Stainless Steel
By Paul Evans
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice geometric design brushed stainless mix with polished stainless bud vase, circa 1980's , nice clean lines for mid-century, Danish Modern Decor.
Stainless Steel
Brutalist Glass Menorah by Joel & Candace Bless Wave Shape
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful brutalist thick rough glass sculpture Menorah by Joel & Candace Bless, circa 1990s remanence of an antique wave wall with .5" diameter holes for display candles, no chi...
Blown Glass
Large Italian Tortoise Murano Art Glass Bowl 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
This impressive vintage Murano art glass bowl showcases a striking 14-inch tortoise or leopard pattern, exuding timeless elegance. Ideal for serving or display, this Italian blown art glass piece dates back to the 1970s or early 1980s and likely originates from Empoli, near Florence, known for its modern...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Ajeto Glass Vase by Borek Sipek for Driade Gold Plated Metal 1989 Czechoslovakia
Colorless, transparent cobalt non-lead glasses, metallic gold; blown with hot applications, hand forged and gilded metal, adhered. Tall blown vessel consisting of two equal conical ...
Metal, Gold Leaf
A Set of 5 Architectural RADICAL & POSTMODERN Metal VASES, by KAPPA, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and spectacular set of 5 geometric vases, Post-Modern, Radical, 5 different sizes stainless steel rectangular structures, forming together a kind of "Cityscape" set of...
Metal
Wall Clock by Piero Fornasetti
Located in Vienna, AT
Piero Fornasetti wall clock created in 1990s. Glass clock face with printed woman face and digits with quartz clockwork. Measures: Ø 37 cm.
Glass
Thomas Bastide x Baccarat "Oceanie" Glass Vase
Located in Astoria, NY
Thomas Bastide (French, b. 1954) for Baccarat "Oceanie" Red and Clear Glass Vase, with clear glass and millefleur removable central rod, with ...
Glass, Art Glass
Rosenthal Signed Faceted Crystal Heart Paperweight in Original Box
By Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
Rosenthal Signed Faceted Crystal Heart Paperweight in Original Box, circa 1980s. A beautifully crafted faceted crystal heart paperweight signed by the renowned German porcelain and g...
Crystal
Miniature Murano Glass Vase with Bullicante, Gold Leaf, 1980s, Italy
Located in Glasgow, GB
A miniature Murano glass vase in vivid emerald green, attributed to Archimede Seguso and crafted in Italy circa 1980s. This small Italian art glass vase exemplifies the technical fin...
Gold Leaf
Black Ceramic Perpetual Face Vase in the Style of Piero Fornasetti by TMS 2005
By TMS, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Troy, MI
Multi face ceramic vase in black by TMS Inc Vitruvian Collection 2005 Perpetual face design in the style of Piero Fornasetti Signed and dated to lower edge 8 inch diameter 9.5 inc...
Ceramic
Large Post Modern "Stacked Dice Vase" Art Sculpture by Artist Michael Corney
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Peter Shire
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
Post Modern Sculptural Clock in the Style of Sosstass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Really cool sculptural clock in the memphis style powered by a battery.
Stainless Steel