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.
Postmodern Italian Opaline Murano Art Glass Chalice, Abstract Decoration, 1980s
Located in Valencia, VC
Postmodern Italian Opaline Murano Art Glass Chalice, Abstract Polychrome Decoration, 1980s Strikingly beautiful in the hand, this sculptural Italian art glass vessel is an elegant e...
Opal
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
Hollywood Regency Faux Tusk Sculpture Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of vintage Hollywood Regency style faux tusk sculpture. It is part of a matching decorative pair crafted from tessellated stone or marble with a polish...
Stone, Brass
Nugget Vase (Large), Clear Black by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Nugget" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. colour: Clear Black *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations in...
Resin
Postmodern Black and White Abstract Figurative Ceramic Sculpture by Jack Charney
Located in Troy, MI
Unique ceramic sculpture by Jack Charney Santa Fe New Mexico circa 1990 Abstract ceramic figure with elongated limbs in a dynamic contorted form Finished with a hand-painted black s...
Ceramic, Pottery
Ziro Postmodern Wall Clock, Metal & Wood, Memphis Style, 1980s UK
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern English Wall Clock from Ziro, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Wood Col...
Metal
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
Vintage 1980s Swatch Maxi Giant Oversized Pop Art Wall Clock - Memphis Design
By Swatch
Located in St. Louis, MO
This iconic, colossal 1980s Swatch "Maxi" giant wall clock is the ultimate artifact of late 20th-century pop art culture and Memphis-style postmodern design. Originally engineered as high-impact promotional storefront displays for Swatch boutiques before becoming a holy grail for collectors, this functional giant wall clock measures an impressive 82 inches (nearly 7 feet) in length. As vibrantly documented in photos, this specific model features a quintessential '80s New Wave colorway, pairing a bold bubblegum pink strap with a rich teal-green watch head and bezel. The clock face showcases a minimalist, pixelated pink and mint-green geometric block design with stark white hands, completely capturing the digital-age aesthetic of the era. Crafted in Switzerland out of durable molded matte polymer, the clock cleverly replicates every charming detail of a classic wrist-worn Swatch watch blown up to a monumental scale—complete with the signature ribbed strap, traditional buckle, and sizing holes. The clock is fully operational, running on a reliable quartz movement that transforms a massive wall space into a bold, nostalgic conversation piece. Perfect for an eclectic living room, a design studio, or a retro-inspired lounge, this rare working Maxi Swatch...
Plastic
1980s Acrylic Organizer - SRW Minidex 78 Floppy Disk Holder
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage "SRW Minidex/78" acrylic organizer. Features a tinted hinged lid and black base with colorful divided compartments inside. Originally designed to hold floppy disks but coul...
Acrylic
$895Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
Vintage Memphis Style Adjustable Candleholders, Atomic Design, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A pair of vintage Danish postmodern or Memphis style candlestick holders in string metal. Adjustable in height up to 28 cm. They are reminiscent in style to similar design from Marku...
Steel, Chrome
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
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
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
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
Pompitu II Vase (Large), Clear Red and Matte Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Pompitu II" Vase in Soft Resin, designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design Collection. Colour: Clear Red and Matte Red *All the pieces are handmade and therefore uniq...
Resin
Black Ceramic Perpetual Face Vase in the Style of Piero Fornasetti by TMS 2005
By Piero Fornasetti, TMS
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
Posmodern Mantel Clock by Michael Graves for Alessi, 1980s
By Alessi, Michael Graves (b.1934), Memphis Milano
Located in Lille, FR
Michael Graves, the renowned American architect and one of the leading figures of Postmodernism, created for Alessi a series of objects that translated his architectural language int...
Plastic, Wood
Post-Modern Murano Glass Vide-Poche Dish, Italy, 1990s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Beautiful Murano art glass square shaped vide-poche plate in deep red, cream white and black colors. Original label on both sides: "Chromia Glass. Hand made. Vetro di Murano". An ey...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Postmodern Ceramic Candleholder by Gallo Design for Villeroy & Boch, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Ceramic Candleholder by Gallo Design for Villeroy & Boch, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information...
Ceramic
Handmade Ceramic Sculptural Tealight Small Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Ceramic Sculptural Tealight Small Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 17.7 x H 20.3 cm Materials: Ceramic, volcanic stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based cera...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Murano Glass Vase by Sergio Costantini, Picasso-Inspired, circa the 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
**Murano Glass Vase by Sergio Costantini, Picasso-Inspired, circa 1990s** A sculptural and highly expressive Murano glass vase by **Sergio Costantini**, dating from approximately th...
Murano Glass
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
"Tutti Frutti" Gaetano Pesce Fish Design Green Resin Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
Tutti Frutti basket Green soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. With original box Excellent condiction.
Resin
John Nygren Blue Ridge Landscape #1681 Post Modern Glass Vase 1970s Vintage
Located in Hyattsville, MD
This stunning piece is a handblown art glass "Blue Ridge" landscape bottle without stopper, crafted by the renowned American studio glass artist John Nygren. Based in Walnut Cove, No...
Art Glass
Vintage Classic "MoMA" Glass Ribbon Tall Vase by Peter Hewitt, 1996
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Glass Ribbon Vase by Peter Hewitt, 1996 A "Museum of Modern Art" Design Store Classic " A ribbon of anodized aluminum metal is securely sandwiched between 3/8" plate glass walls to ...
Aluminum
$500Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Postmodern Centerpiece Bowl by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, 1990s
By Kosta Boda, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Postmodern Swedish art glass centerpiece bowl by artist and designer Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, circa 1990s, for Kosta Boda, Sweden. Centerpiece ...
Glass
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
Crystalline Glaze Ceramic Vase, Red and Beige, American Art Studio Pottery
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The monumental studio pottery ceramic vase is decorated with crystalline glaze in striking, dark red and beige palette. The vase was hand thrown on a wheel; beige color crystals on ombre colored base, shifting from purplish tones on top to deep, dark red on the bottom, were grown in a kiln during a very long, controlled firing. Each crystalline piece is unique due to the nature of the glaze. The vase was allowed to develop an abundance of distinct, graphic crystals, creating a free-flowing abstract pattern and adding rich texture to the minimally shaped piece. The vase was made by Wizards of Clay...
Ceramic, Pottery
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
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
Modern Mirrored Planter Cachepot Jardinière, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A substantial square mirrored planter cachepot jardinière, '70s Modern/Postmodern period, circa 1970s. Entire piece is mirror with a graduated design. A great piece for a plant or fl...
Mirror, Wood
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
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Mixed Woods Valet / Desk Box
Located in San Diego, CA
A finely crafted mid-century modern valet or desktop storage box executed in contrasting mixed hardwoods, likely teak with lighter maple or birch accents. The box features clean Scan...
Wood
$333Sale Price|20% Off
Turquoise Glass Amphora Vase by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland, 1980s
Located in Glasgow, GB
This turquoise cased glass amphora vase by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz for Tarnowiec Glassworks was produced in Poland in the early 1980s and reflects a modern interpretation of classical v...
Art Glass
Pop Art Andy Warhol Self Portrait Square Glass Tray, Rosenthal, 1990s
By Rosenthal, (after) Andy Warhol
Located in Bochum, NRW
Self-portrait Curved Glass Tray, designed by the iconic artist Andy Warhol, edited by Rosenthal Studio Line. This glass tray is both a practical accessory and a captivating piece of ...
Glass
Italian Travertine Marble Jewelry Box, Postmodern, Fratelli Mannelli, '70s Italy
Located in New York, NY
An Italian rectangular travertine marble box, attributed to designer Fratelli Mannelli, Postmodern design period, circa late‑20th century, (1970s), Italy. The box is crafted in warm ...
Stone, Travertine, Marble
Italian 1980s Perforated Yellow Metal Waste Basket
By Rexite
Located in Milan, IT
A vibrant and graphic 1980s waste basket crafted in perforated lacquered metal, finished in a bold mustard yellow. The cylindrical form is defined by a rhythmic pattern of evenly spa...
Metal
Murano Candleholder Postmodern Memphis Milano Design, 1980s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Murano candleholder Postmodern Memphis Milano Design, 1980s Vintage Murano glass candlestick made in Italy! Ettore Sottsass would be proud of this...
Murano Glass
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
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
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
Meritalia Tall Vase / Blue and Red by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
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
Handblown Murano Glass Vase in Female Torso Form, White & Brown, 1980s
Located in Toronto, CA
A sculptural handblown glass vase in the form of a female torso, crafted in Murano, Italy, circa 1980s. The piece features an elegant marbled pattern in crisp white with flowing dark...
Murano Glass
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. Additional information: Materials: Pla...
Plastic
$446Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Bonbon Dish, English, Art Glass, Ornamental Bowl, Post Modern, C.1980
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage bonbon dish. An English, art glass ornamental bowl in post-modern taste, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Fascinating, unusual form catches the eye Di...
Art Glass
Postmodern solid wood yellow green red Monokel candleholder from Ikea, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern solid wood yellow green red Monokel candleholder from Ikea, 1980s
Metal
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
Joel O'Dorisio for Lost Angel Glass Bud Vase, American Studio Art Glass, 2005
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Fused glass vase features complex multilayered colored glass core in dark Bordeau or burgundy red, cream, and sapphire blue colors, encased in clear glass in sommerso technique. Com...
Glass, Sommerso, Art Glass
1980's Postmodern Advertising Wall Clock by RADO of Switzerland
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Rado wall clock advertizing for store owners double tone silver and black beautiful condition the face is made of polished acrylic and aluminium back , battery operated clock ci...
Aluminum
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
Postmodern Gray Ceramic Braided Woven Abstract Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Stunning woven braided ceramic centerpiece bowl glazed in a wonderful shade of gray with some blue tones. Great size for a coffee table or entryway. Very unusual abstract shape, plea...
Ceramic
$1,320Sale Price|20% Off
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
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 30.4 x H 15.2 cm Materials: Ceramic, stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Crystal Dog Head Paperweight by JG Durand, France
By J.G. Durand
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage crystal dog head paperweight by J G Durand, France. Original sticker still attached. Measures 3.25"W x 2.25"D x 3.25"H
Crystal
$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
Postmodern Italian Metal and Stone Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Metal and Stone Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Material: Metal, Stone Color: Black Styles: Memphis, ...
Stone, Metal
Shauna Watkins Op-Art Paperweight, American Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage art glass paperweight features Op-Art design with dark, almost black Burgundy red glass circular structure, surrounded by striped glass ribbon in blue, white, and burnt oran...
Art Glass, Sommerso
Medusa Vase (Large), Matte Cherry by Gaetano Pesce, Corsi
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Medusa' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Matte Cherry *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Variations ...
Resin