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.
Vintage Murano Decorative Blown Glass Wrapped Blue Hard Candy Paper
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage large Murano decorative blown glass wrapped blue hard candy paperweight. Vintage oversized Murano blue blown glass candy sculpture of candy wr...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Sculptural Post Modern Hammered Copper Candleholders (Pair)
By Heintz Art Metal Shop, Dirk Van Erp
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and sculptural pair of hammered copper candleholders. This pair is fully realized in quality copper that enhances the beauty and form of each candleholder. The simple lin...
Copper
Burl Wood Box Organic Modern Postmodern
Located in New York, NY
A studio elder burl wood box, hand-crafted and signed by artist, Organic Modern style Post-Modern period, circa late-20th century. A beautiful hand-made blond elder burl wood box wit...
Burl
White Stoneware Sfondyli Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
White Stoneware Sfondyli Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 27 x H 23 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: Black, White, Brown, Red, White ...
Stoneware
Jeweled Pewter and Enamel "Tree of Life" Menorah in the Style of Jay Strongwater
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous jeweled pewter and enamel "Tree of Life" Menorah in the style of Jay Strongwater (it may actually be a Strongwater piece, but it is not marked), circa 1990s. The menorah is ...
Rock Crystal, Enamel, Pewter
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
Late 20th Century Postmodern Blue Glazed Stoneware Pottery Flattened Vase
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Late 20th Century Modern to Postmodern glazed stoneware pottery flattened vase dark blue with center stripe. Signed but we cannot read signature. Beautiful condition, keepin...
Stoneware
Ettore Sottsass Shiva Capsule Limited Edition Blue Vase 137/999
By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Blue Shiva ceramic vase designed by Ettore Sottsass, circa 1973, edited by BD in Barcelona. This piece has been produced as a limited edition with a total of only 999 units. This is...
Ceramic
Rare Postmodern Resin Abstract Sculpture Signed With OM Symbol
Located in San Diego, CA
Abstract thick lucite resin sculpture circa 1990's depicting OM yoga symbol, nice colors and very unique also signed in the lower back as shown , has a small hole in the bottom for f...
Resin
1969 Italy Abstract Bronze Sculpture Andrea Picini Bintou
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an intense bronze abstract sculpture and it was created by the Italian artist Andrea Picini. This artwork is a multiple of 70 specimen and thi...
Bronze
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
Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Bertrand Créac'h, Frace
Located in London, GB
« Éclosion » by Bertrand Créac'h Material: Bronze, brown patina Dimensions: H 13 x 20 x 14 cm Year: 2023 While claiming an analogical relationship with nature, Bertrand Créach’s sc...
Bronze
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
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
Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone & Brass Square Box Postmodern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage box attributed to Maitland Smith (no label present). Tessellated Stone & Brass Square Box. Postmodern era. Dominant colors: off-white, green and go...
Stone, Brass
$2,144Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Murano glass vase by Ottavio Missoni, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Magnificent multicolored Murano blown glass vase designed by the famous Ottavio Missoni and made in the 1980s, a true masterpiece that embodies the essence of artistic design of the ...
Murano Glass
1980 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture Piero Perin Testa Head
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Piero Perin. Piero Perin was born in 1924, in Cervarese, near Padua Italy. He lived and worked in Padova where he teached at the School...
Bronze
$10,385 / item
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
Mahogany Tray with Antique Brass Handles
Located in Treadwell, NY
Individually stamped and numbered, these one of a kind presentation trays feature patinated brass handles with a satin finish lacquer top coat. Each wooden slab is has its own unique...
Brass
Etruscan Style Patinated Bronze Horse by Wayne Salge
Located in New York, NY
Stylized Etruscan style horse metal sculpture with verdigris patina attributed to the American artist, Wayne Salge (1941- ), entitled Madrone. Apparently...
Bronze
$114Sale Price|40% Off
Post-Modern Polish Art Glass Double Bubble Ball Bud Vase by Studio Nova
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautiful post-modern double orb bowl bud vase from Studio Nova Poland in heavy gleaming lead crystal. The mouth is cut on a blunt edge, which gives this curvy piece some seriou...
Crystal
Large Vintage Post-Modern Travertine Lidded Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage large post-modern travertine lidded box, circa 1980s. The box is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 12"W x 8"D x 4"H. Super cool and very wel...
Travertine
$1,410 / item
Rhythm Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Rhythm Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 56 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Rhythm” pulsates with movement and cadence, a ceramic ...
Ceramic
1980's Postmodern Salem Cigarettes Advertising Wall Plastic Decorative Clock
Located in San Diego, CA
A very collectible classic wall plastic clock with Neon Graphics, by Salem cigarretes nice original condition clock has Japanese battery movement , no cracks on the case just some l...
Plastic
1998 Oscar Tusquets Blanca Driade Surrealistic Design Bronze 2 Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
"Salvador" Candleholders Oscar Tusquets Blanca Driade-Follies Italy, 1998 Rare Pair of CandleHolder Green Patina on Bronze Original 1998 Excellent condiction
Metal
Ettore Sottsass Vase Mediterraneo Green Gilt Waves Lavori in Corso Signed Dated
Located in Wilton, CT
Ettore Sottsass Mediterreneo large vase or urn with gilt waves on a green glazed ground. From an edition of 15, dated 2000. Original Lavori in Corso label. Measures: 9" high, 9 3/4"...
Pottery
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Alfredo Cifani Title Eos
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Alfredo Cifani. Title "EOS" Alfredo Cifani was born in 1939 in Fermo, the Southern part of Italy, lives and works in Milan. He is a pai...
Bronze
Amazonia Vase Extra Colour (Large), Dark Salmon, Pink, Bronze, Red, Aubergine
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Amazonia" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Dark Salmon, Pink, Bronze, Red, Aubergine *All the pieces are hand-made and theref...
Resin
Pr. Postmodern Silverplate Candlesticks by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Incredible pair of post modern silver plate candlesticks, by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Very hard to find, especially in pairs, this impre...
Silver Plate
Jeff Koons Cracked Egg box/sculpture aluminum .Red 2008
By Jeff Koons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Cracked Egg in aluminum sculpture / box for the LACMA in 2008 . artist Jeff Koons
Aluminum
Massive Mactan and Natural Stone Floor Vase or Urn
Located in Southampton, NJ
A Classic example of 1980s Postmodern Design in the style of Maitland Smith and Magnussen Ponte. Vase, or Urn, features a striking contrast between raw and refined textures. Divided ...
Stone
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Orange and Pastel Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
"Indian Summer" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Handmade in Italy by Corsi Design. *Due to the handmade nature of the piece, variati...
Resin
$4,359 / item
Untitled No. 53 Vase by Marea Hildebrand
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled No. 53 Vase by Marea Hildebrand Handmade Dimensions: D 39 x W 39 x H 38 cm Materials: Stoneware with slip. Marea Hildebrand (b. 1989) is a Zurich-based ceramic artist with...
Stoneware
Vintage Original Studio Pottery Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This monumental studio pottery sculpture by artist KT Blacklock, dated 1978, is a vibrant and commanding example of late-century Postmodern expressionism. The piece features a dynami...
Pottery
Joel O'Dorisio for Lost Angel Rounded Glass Vase, American Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Fused glass vase features complex multilayered colored glass core in ruby red, beige, cream, and deep cobalt blue colors, encased in clear glass in sommerso technique. Rounded form o...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso
Archimede Seguso Style Italian Murano Glass Scalloped Edge Centerpiece Bowl
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Murano glass centerpiece bowl or fruit bowl In the manner Archimede Seguso Italy, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 14.63"W x 8.5"D x 4.75"H. Very good origina...
Murano Glass
Abstract Post Modern Ceramic & Glass Wall or Table Sculpture by Kaiser Suidan
Located in Troy, MI
Large abstract mixed media ceramic sculpture by Kaiser Suidan Studio 2001 Post Modern Memphis style design of mixed elements and colorful glazes with a rare incorporation of sculpte...
Metal
Rare Extra Large Art Glass Pedestal Bowl by Guenther & Luna, 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning and quite rare extra large art glass pedestal bowl by Robert Guenther and George Luna circa 1980s. The bowl is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and me...
Art Glass
Postmodern Black Handcrafted Blown Glass Bowl, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Black glass centerpiece piece or bowl circa 1980s.
Glass
Set of 3 Aurora Geode Triptych Wall Art Panels by Sev Art Gallery
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Aurora Geode Triptych Wall Art Panels by Sev Art Gallery. Dimensions: Each panel W 100 x D 4 x H 180 cm. Materials: Natural quartz stone, citrine stone, epoxy resin, canvas...
Stone, Quartz
$582 / item
Incense Column by Nick Sugihara
Located in Geneve, CH
Incense Column by Nick Sugihara Dimensions: D 12.7 x W 12.7 x H 43.18 cm. Materials: VG Douglas Fir. Sugihara Fine Furniture is a small furniture and interior studio based in San D...
Fir
Set of Two Salvador Dali Surrealist Fine Gold Leaf Bracelli Lamp Sculpture
By Salvador Dalí, BD Furniture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Braceli lamps designed by Salvador Dali manufactured by BD furniture in Barcelona. Bracelli Panel structure covered with silver plated polyester painting (Fine gold leaf)...
Cotton
Mida Tray in Amara Ebony Veneer, Horn & 24K Gold Plated Brass by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Mida Tray in Amara Ebony Veneer, Horn & 24K Gold Plated Brass by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 40 x W 60 x H 5 cm. Materials: Horn, ebony veneer, and 24K gold-plated brass. Colours and sha...
Other, Gold Plate, Brass
Brass and Polished Aluminum Figurative Sculpture attributed Jean Arp, 1970
By Jean Arp
Located in Chicago, IL
Large Brass and Polished Aluminum Figurative Sculpture attributed to Jean Arp, 1970's Polished aluminum base with clear lacquer. Brass has some patina.
Aluminum, Brass
1980s Black Postmodern Wall Clock by Chass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With a vibrant 1980s touch of class, this 'Chass' Postmodern Wall Clock features a black case and face, pastel numbers, geometric accents, and an asymmetrical hand arrangement. Remin...
Plastic
Postmodern Starck Coffee Table Book, First Edition, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
“STARCK,” a collectible hard‑cover coffee table book on French designer Philippe Starck, Postmodernism, published in 1996 as the First Edition by Taschen, Cologne, Germany. Printed i...
Paper
Ingrid Herrlin B.1932, Ceramic Sculpture, "Leash Il", Sweden, Post-Modern
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ingrid Herrlin b.1932, swedish sculptur. Herrlin mainly works works with ceramic and creates figurative art works in fruit, berries and other realistic shapes. This ceramic wall r...
Ceramic
$6,981 / item
XIV Décima Cuarta Mobile Sculpture by Joel Escalona
Located in Geneve, CH
XIV Décima Cuarta mobile sculpture by Joel Escalona Dimensions: D 120 x H 185 cm Materials: oak wood. Also available with burnt finish. Mobile made of natural white oak or natu...
Oak
Post Modern Memphis Milano Studio Pottery Candlesticks, Signed Mueller '97 Pai
Located in Miami, FL
Post Modern Memphis Milano studio pottery Candlesticks Offered for sale is a pair of post-modern studio pottery candlesticks created in the Memphis Memphis Milano style. Each candl...
Clay, Pottery
'Love Knot' Murano Sculpture by Renato Anatrà, Signed, Italy, 1980's
Located in Doylestown, PA
Elegant 'Love Knot' abstract sculpture by Renato Anatrà, signed, Italy. Representing eternal love, this graceful sculpture is beautifully hand crafted of clear...
Murano Glass
1985 Italy Post Modern Abstract Bronze Sculpture the Moon
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Maurizio Bonora, a talented artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbe...
Bronze
Ambrogio Pozzi Enigma Geometric Porcelain Vase for Arte Ceramica Romana, 1987
Located in Berlin, DE
Ambrogio Pozzi “Enigma” geometric ceramic vase for Arte Ceramica Romana, Italy, 1987. This postmodern vase is a strong example of late 1980s Italian design, combining architectural f...
Ceramic
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
Bořek Šípek (Czech Republic 1949-2016) 'Simon' Candleholder for Driade, 1988
Located in New York, NY
Seven-armed candle holder made of silver-plated metal with company stamp “Driade” on the underside. The conical body is surrounded by seven winding arms, each with a spout, in an irr...
Metal, Silver Plate
Large Post-Modern Raku Pottery Vase by Amadio Smith
By Amadio Smith
Located in San Diego, CA
Large post-modern raku pottery vase by Amadio Smith, circa 1980s. The piece measures 11.75"D x 10"H and is signed and dated on the underside. The vase is in good vintage condition an...
Pottery
Ceramic vase Memphis, “HSING” by Ettore Sottsass blue star, Milan, late 1980s.
Located in Milan, IT
Memphis Milano painted ceramic vase, “HSING”by Ettore Sottsass, blue star-shaped color. Alessio Sarri ceramiche. Memphis Group, an Italian design and architecture collective founded ...
Ceramic
1992 Set of 4 Canetti Postmodern Post Modern Memphis Phone Telephone Collection
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Set of 4 Vintage 1992 Post Modern Geometric Layered Foam CanettiTelephones. New old stock in original box. Incredible complete set of FOUR 1992 PostModern Canetti Telephone Collec...
Foam
1980 Italy Post Modern Abstract Bronze Sculpture Archictectures
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Edmondo Cirillo, a talented artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbe...
Bronze
Steven Klinsky Ceramic Vase, 1990's
By Steve Chase
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Steven Klinsky Ceramic Vase, 1990's. Steven Klinsky has worked with designer Steven Chase.
Ceramic
Italy 1980 Post-Modern Abstract Small Pewter Sculpture Walter Valentini
Located in Brescia, IT
Walter Valentini was born in 1928 in South Italy. A painter and engraver, he lives and works in Milan. He is Holder of the chair for engraving at the ...
Pewter