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.
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
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
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
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
Shiro Kuramata flower vase pale pink acrylic Japanese minimalist style
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminium tube put into acrylic block. It's great work of Japanese minimalist style. Transparent body makes complex light reflections around. ...
Aluminum
Shiro Kuramata flower vase violet acrylic Japanese minimalist style
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminium tube put into acrylic block. It's great work of Japanese minimalist style. Transparent body makes complex light reflections around. ...
Aluminum
Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular wood box, Postmodern design period, circa late-20h century. Box has three wood hues, velvet lined, easy open/close lid. Very good condition as shown.
Velvet, Wood
Dorothy Thorpe. Post-Modern candle holders by Elaine Bscheider, USA, 1970s
By Elaine Bscheider, Dorothy Thorpe
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
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
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
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
1980s Postmodern Canetti Wall Clock
By Wakita
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vibrant postmodern wall clock from Canetti's Moderntime Collection, showcasing the playful geometric abstraction of perfect 1980s design. Featuring a light gray face encased in a m...
Metal
British The Eclectic Copycat Brass Stencil Typeface Tool A from Tom Dixon
Located in Hamburg, DE
British The Eclectic Copycat Brass Stencil Typeface Tool A from Tom Dixon, in Flawless conditions. Designed from 2000 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Mat...
Metal
Large Postmodern Haeger Lovers Sculpture - 1990
By Haeger
Located in Fairfield, CA
A large postmodern figurative ceramic sculpture by Haeger. Beautiful deco stylized detailing to the embracing couple, finished in a high gloss white finish. Sticker on the base, made...
Ceramic
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
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
A Rare 1980s Minimalist Silver Plated Round Design Vase by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
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
HOLIDAY GIFT - Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol, Rosenthal Studio Line, 1990s
By (after) Andy Warhol, Rosenthal
Located in Bochum, NRW
Andy Warhol, Marilyn Monroe, Rosenthal Studio Line Limited Edition Plate. This glass tray is both a practical accessory and a captivating piece of contemporary art. Squared in shape...
Glass
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
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 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
Vasa Velizar Mihich Rectangular Acrylic Sculpture
Located in Sharon, CT
Beautiful laminated colored plexiglas, creating different and surprising color effects with viewing and lighting. Vasa's creations are an important contribution to minimalist sculpt...
Acrylic
Postmodern Round Pop Art Desk or Table Clock, Memphis Milano Style, Italy, 1990s
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Memphis Milano, George Sowden
Located in Vienna, AT
An eye-catching post-modern Pop-Art Italian desk or table clock from the early 1990s. Outstanding design, the housing is made of black rubber, it has a clear see-trough clocks face, ...
Plastic, Plexiglass, Rubber
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
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
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
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
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
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
Jon Price Large Blue Crystalline Glaze Vase, California Art Pottery
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Rare, sculptural vase was made of pure, high-fire porcelain and glazed both on the inside and the outside. Blue and pink highly detailed crystals on crackled blue background were gr...
Ceramic
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Postmodern Fossil stone “ruins” clock by Renoir Designs, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage postmodern table clock in faux travertine - fossil stone or soapstone - with “Roman ruins” detail, late 20th century. Made in the Philippines, this item exudes neoclassical...
Soapstone
Luigi Barolo for Baleri Italia (1992) Corrugated "Cartoons" Screen
By Baleri Italia, Luigi Baroli
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
1980s Postmodern Memphis Era Wall Clock by Howard Miller
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design and rare piece circa 1980s glass face with a brass ring frame, and a black plastic frame with a withe plastic accent edge line, Classic design from the Memphis era nice ...
Aluminum
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
1980s Postmodern Memphis Style Wall Clock by Milano Series
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nailing the iconic energy of the 1980s, this vibrant Memphis style wall clock by Milano Series features bold geometric shapes and bright primary colors and all the playful and irrev...
Glass, Plastic
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
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Memphis, Postmodern Period: 1980s Color: Blue Item Typ...
Metal
Iridescent "Northern Lights" Art Glass Fan Vase by M.J. Bailey
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning iridescent footed art glass vase by M.J. Bailey, circa 1990s. The vase is in very good vintage condition and measures 14.5"W x 8"D x 7"H. it has a wonderful yuellow / gree...
Art Glass
Alessandro Mendini x Luigi Ontani 100% Make-Up Limited Lidded Vase, Alessi, 1992
By Alessi, Luigi Ontani, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Vienna, AT
A postmodern limited-edition porcelain vase with lid from the first edition of the “100% Make-Up” series by Alessi Tendentse, Italy, released in 1992. The vase’s shape was designed b...
Porcelain
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Perthshire Art Glass Paperweight Twists and Millefiori
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Perthshire paperweight features large central P cane (signature cane), surrounded by 3 rings of highly detailed millefiori can...
Art Glass, Glass, Sommerso
1970s Michael Harvey Trompe-l’Oeil Paper Bag Ceramic Vase for Harvey Craft, Queb
By Michel Harvey
Located in Toronto, CA
A rare and highly collectible trompe-l’œil ceramic sculpture by Canadian artist Michael Harvey, produced in Quebec during the 1970s. Realistically modeled after a crumpled paper bag,...
Clay, Ceramic
Post Modern German Brass "Clear Drops" Oil Lamp Candlestick by Freddie Andersen
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original Freddie Andersen "Clear Drops" oil lamp made in West Germany. This lamp features an elegant brass stem, a handblown glass reservoir, and a sleek black resin base, creating a...
Brass
Lovers Murano Art Glass Abstract Sculpture by Sandro Frattin, Signed
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Abstract Murano glass sculpture of two lovers embracing is made in green, purple, and clear glass with gold flakes inclusions, encased in clear glass in sommerso technique. The two figures are supported by a figurative base, done in clear glass with gold inclusions. Sandro Frattin opened his studio, La Vetreria Artistica TFZ Internazionale, in 1980s; he is renowned for his exceptional technical skills and creative use of ancient techniques in modern art objects. The sculpture is 14.35" high; it has the etched signature by artist on the bottom: Art 8/99 126/500 S Frattin.
Gold