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.
Ugo La Pietra, Limited Ed. Modern Decorative Box, Evoca by Morelato, Italy 1990
Located in Firenze, IT
Modern wood Scent Diffuser / decorative box designed by Ugo la Pietra Evoca Morelato Italy 1990s wood, marked on the bottom, numbered 511 H 26 cm 11 cm diam. Conditions: excellen...
Wood
'Pulpo' Vase by Gae Aulenti for Venini, Italy 2006
By Gae Aulenti, Venini
Located in Hellouw, NL
A sculptural glass piece from one of Italy’s most influential postwar designers. The 'Polpo' vase by Gae Aulenti was produced by Venini in a limited edition of 50 in 2006 and carries...
Glass
Contemporary Glass Vase Mini Mountain by Fos, Pink
By FOS
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Moulded and then mouth blown glass. One of a kind. The Mountain vases by FOS embody the surface of the mountain, calibrated to the size of human interiors. FOS explains, “It’s ...
Glass
$4,691 / item
Dove Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Dove Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a Kind Dimensions: W 46 x D 30 x H 30 cm Material: Ceramic Finishing: Textured, Unglazed Artist stamp on the bottom Laura Pasquino Incorpora...
Ceramic
Postmodern Wall Clock by Empire
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A round white 1980s wall clock by Empire. A white frame and white face with dashed red and green lines to show where the clock's numbers would appear. Hands in the shape of pencils a...
Plastic
$1,101 / item
Cut Smoked Black Medium Vase by Studionudo
Located in Geneve, CH
Cut Smoked Black Medium Vase by Studionudo Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 23 x H 30 cm. Materials: Clay. Different finishes and sizes are available. Prices may vary. Please contact us....
Clay
1980s Postmodern Reverse Painted Glass Wall Clock by Empire Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A postmodern Empire Art Products wall clock that looks like it could be straight out of a 1980s Swatch store or Pee Wee's Playhouse. Black and light blu...
Glass
Art Deco Revival LeGarcon Mannequin by Lindsey Balkweill
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Rare English Art Deco Revival Chrome & Resin LeGarcon Mannequin by Lindsey Balkweill This rare English Art Deco Revival Silver and Red Mannequin was created in the 1970s by ...
Resin
$3,150Sale Price|30% Off
New Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case, N
By Franz Hermle, DeART
Located in Germantown, MD
A 21st Century German Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case in new open box condition. Clock made in Germany by the historic, very famous Franz Hermle clock...
Brass, Ormolu
$540Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Art Glass Vase by Jon Oakes
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous post-modern art glass vase by Jon Oakes, circa 1980s. This vase is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 8.25"D x 8.75...
Art Glass
Postmodern Brass Candle Holders, Memphis Milano Style, Circa 1980s
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Aldo Londi, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group, (After) Gio Ponti
Located in Round Top, TX
This exceptional duo of brass candle holders exemplifies a refined fusion of neoclassical elegance and minimalist form. The sleek, polished brass bases anchor the design, while the a...
Brass
Swedish Designer, Candelabra, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Fits 0.75” diameter candles
Pine
Yehia Yemini Silver Plate Candleholder, Bezalel School, Jerusalem Signed
By Yehia Yemini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice candleholder by the very well known silversmith and jeweler Yehia Yemini ( Yihye Yemini, 1896-1983) Bezalel School Jerusalem .This candleholder made in Star of David shape ...
Silver Plate
Orbit Bowl, Hand-Carved White Onyx with Blue Calacite Inlay, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A sculptural centerpiece carved from solid white Onyx, this bowl celebrates the quiet elegance of natural stone. Its soft oval silhouette reveals delicate mineral veining. A subtle b...
Onyx, Steel, Nickel
Italian Postmodern Wall Perpetual Calendar by Della Beffa for Ring a Date, 2000s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern Wall perpetual white calendar by Giorgio Della Beffa for Ring A Date, 2000-2010s Wall perpetual calendar in white plastic. The calenda...
Plastic
1980 Italy Ugo La Pietra Bronze Abstract Sculpture Bellezza Al Bagno
Located in Brescia, IT
This is one of the 30 pieces of this engaging artwork realized in bronze by the well known Internationally artist, Ugo La Pietra, in 1985. This artwork well represents the relations...
Bronze
Large blue Murano vase by Alfredo Barbini, postmodern, label present
Located in Milano, IT
Alfredo Barbini for Murano Submerged Glass Vase with Original Label 1990s A refined Murano glass vase by Alfredo Barbini, dating to the 1990s and retaining its original label, an el...
Murano Glass
Senzafine Square Medium bowl by designed Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Italy 2000
Located in Milano, IT
Senzafine Square Medium bowl, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Italy, 2000. Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking world of Gaetano Pesce with the exquisite "Senzafine" bowl...
Plastic
1980 Italy Bronze Abstract Kinetic Sculpture Bruno Chersicla Alambicco Still
Located in Brescia, IT
This sculpture is a multiple 1 piece of 1000 realized in 1980 by the well known Italian artist Bruno Chersicla. All the pieces are numbered and signed by the artist and completed by...
Bronze
$900Sale Price|20% Off
Venini Murano Italy Blue Glass Bottle Vase Serie “Velati” 1992
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Amazing and fabulous very rare Italian handmade and blown bottle in light blue color glass with stopper, from the “Velati” series designed and produ...
Glass
Postmodern White Lacquered Earthenware Horse Head Decorative Object, Italy 1980s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This large-scale figure of a horse head was produced in Italy and dates to the 80s. The white glaze gives this piece a modern look and captures the elegance and beauty of the horse....
Earthenware
Archimede Seguso Style Murano Glass, Carnival Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Just a beautiful vase in the Carnival style colors murano glass vase.
Murano Glass
Nova Sculpture in Deep Blue Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Nova Sculpture in Deep Blue Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 35 cm. Materials: Bio-based resin. Nova is a unique design where a deep blue hue meets white pattern...
Resin
Michael Schunke for Nine Iron Studio Vase, American Studio Art Glass, 1995
By Michael Schunke
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Large vintage art glass vase features deep, jewel-like color palette and complex sculptural shape. The vase has ovoid silhouette with flattened sides, forming an elongated disk-shap...
Gold
Postmodern Memphis Style Glazed Ceramic Vase by Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic 2 tone vase in postmodern design , by Jonathan Adler no chips or cracks.
Ceramic
Gorgeous Desk Set in Maple Burlwood by Michael Elkan
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous desk set in burlwood maple by American craftsman Michael Elkan, circa 1990s. The set is in very good condition and measures 13.5"W x 4.5"D x 4.5"H. Incredible craftsmanship...
Maple
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
Modder Going Anyway Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Going Anyway Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 13 x H 10 cm Materials: stoneware piece, clay colour, coil-built, unglazed, year 2025 Weight: 0.4 kg. A lovi...
Clay, Stoneware
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
$568 / item
Lace Grey High 50 Pot by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace Grey High 50 pot by MOWEE Dimensions: Ø55 x H112 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 9 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (Lacquered or ...
Stainless Steel, Other
$7,096 / 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
Pedro Friedeberg Snake Bar / Server / Table / Candle Holder / Sculpture, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg Snake bar, Mexico, c. 1970s. Made of carved and gilt wood, antique statuary, and glass. The stretched out hands hold the round removable glass tray and the upper han...
Glass, Wood
$1,101 / item
Terracotta Coiled Moon Jar by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Terracotta Coiled Moon Jar by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 23 x H 27 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware, Earthenware Available finishes: Experimental Glazes, e...
Earthenware, Stoneware
White Stoneware Alavastron Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
White Stoneware Alavastron Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 20 x H 40 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: White, Red, Black, Brown, Blac...
Stoneware
Sven Hofverberg, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A semi-glazed grey brown beige stoneware vase designed and produced by Sven Hofverberg, Sweden c. 1970s.
Stoneware
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
Neos Lorenz du Pasquier & Sowden Postmodern Clock
By George Sowden, Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Chicago, IL
Neos Lorenz du Pasquier & Sowden Postmodern Clock A blue and purple plastic postmodern wall clock with yellow hands and numbers designed by Nathalie du Pasquier and George Sowden for...
Plastic
Italy Post-Modern Abstract Big 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
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Black Enameled Perforated Metal Utensil Pen Desk Top Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
Black enameled perforated metal utensil pen holder circa 1980's small ding on the bottom as shown.
Metal
John Hardy sterling silver and coconut wood desk/table pen holder/paperweight .
By John Hardy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful sterling silver and coconut wood paperweight/ pen holder .
Sterling Silver
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
1990s Pair Postmodern Memphis Industrial R W Stoller Brutalist Candle Holders
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Very rare, likely one of a Kind pair of Hand -Forged Brutalist Post Modern Candler Holders by famed American Sculptor R. W. Stoller. Signed and dated These stunning Matisse lime ab...
Aluminum
Guilloume Perez (1957 - ), "Heart to Heart" Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, CA
Guilloume Perez (1957 - ) is a Columbian-American Artist who currently resides and has his studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This petit abstract sculpture, although small, is quite pow...
Slate, Bronze
Vintage Original Drip Glazed Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning contemporary studio pottery vase is a masterwork of high-contrast glaze and bold sculptural form. Featuring a low-profile, globular silhouette, the vessel is cloaked in...
Pottery
$10,555 / item
Vanguard 02-2 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Vanguard 02-2 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 7.5 x H 40 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbued...
Bronze, Other
$1,409 / item
Large Lingara Planter by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Lingara Planter by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 48.768 x D 48.768 x H 60.96 cm Materials: Stoneware Lingara is an ode to that feeling. To divinity. To rootedness. INSPIRED BY Shi...
Stoneware
$177 / item
Medium Amber Magma Vase by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Amber Magma Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 14 x W 11 x H 21 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collected ...
Plastic
Extra Large Wave Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Extra Large Wave Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio. Dimensions: D 120 x H 5 cm. Materials: Copper. This piece can be produced in customized sizes and finishes upon request...
Copper
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
$295Sale Price|46% Off
Large Michael Lax Polished Aluminum Bowl
By Michael Lax
Located in Chicago, IL
Large Michael Lax polished aluminum bowl Some wear on the interior center area as shown. Would be a good piece to possibly have polished.
Aluminum
Pair of Small Post-Modern Patchwork Italian Marble Vases / Candleholders
Located in San Diego, CA
A small pair of post-modern patchwork Italian marble vases, circa 1970s. Gorgeous tan, brown, white, cream and blue patches of marble throughout each...
Marble
Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell
By Robert Venturi, Swid Powell
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Venturi Post Modern Silver Candleholders for Swid Powell, Both stamped RVenturi MADE IN ITALY SILVER PLATED with copyright mark.
Silver Plate
$11,776 / item
Jomon Contemporary Fertility Vessel 10 by Noe Kuremoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Jomon Contemporary Fertility Vessel 10 by Noe Kuremoto Materials: White stoneware Dimensions: D 28 x W 28 x H 44 cm (Dimensions are approximate). "I want my pot to remember what we ...
Stoneware
$746 / item
Channel Sculptural Vessel by Karin Amdal
Located in Geneve, CH
Chanel Sculptural Vessel by Karin Amdal One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 14 x W 13 x H 15.5 cm. Materials: Ceramic / Grey stoneware clay. Pieces are hand-made, one of a kind, and sizes ...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$10,555 / item
Vanguard 01 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Vanguard 01 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 7.5 x H 27 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbued w...
Bronze, Other
Senape Flower Vase Ettore Sottsass Japanese Urushi Laquer Model A
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Senape flower vase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Marutomi. This model is limited Japanese urushi laquer model. Japanese traditional uru...
Plastic
Italy Post-Modern Mario Buccellati Silver Bowl Leaf
Located in Brescia, IT
This silver bowl of Mario Buccellati has an intense beauty and for this reason we can say that it can be a piece of art. The centerpiece is finely engraved, with details that reproduce the imprint of a leaf. On the back, we can see its feet that are made with the shape of two folded leaf. It is a really masterpiece of high Italian craftsmanship. The piece was made in 1980 but we can say that it is in excellent conditions. It has its original and elegant blu box...
Silver
Postmodern Shosh Paper Mache Sculpture Israel
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Sweet whimsical postmodern paper mache sculpture of a woman or girl in by Artist Shosh in the manner of Patience Brewster for Mackenzie Childs. ...
Paper
$900Sale Price|40% Off
Clear Crystal Tumb Print Bowl Designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful clear crystel tumb print bowl designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Company. The sticker is missing, but the bowl was probably manufactured by Archimede Seguso and made ...
Blown Glass
$2,807 / item
Rope Bowl in Oak Wood by Yann Marot
Located in Geneve, CH
Rope Bowl in Oak Wood by Yann Marot Dimensions: D 40 x W 34 x H 26 cm Materials: Oak Born in Mayenne (France) in 1974. I have always been attracted by wood and all the creative pos...
Wood, Oak