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.
$5,413 / item
Compact Totem De Luz Sculpture by Kutarq Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Compact Totem De Luz Sculpture by Kutarq Studio Materials: Onyx diffuser. Dimensions: D 34 x W 38 x H 120 cm Compact version also available. All our lamps can be wired according to ...
Onyx, Other
$644 / item
Brass Bud Vase III by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass bud vase III by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 5 x W 5 x H 10 cm Materials: dull tarnished brass Each of these delicately, handcrafted Bud Vase...
Brass
Handmade Coiled Pottery Decor Brown Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Coiled Pottery Decor Brown Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 18.8 x H 22.8 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio ...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
1980 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Lino Tiné Albero Città City Tree
Handmade Abstract Home Decor Black Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Abstract Home Decor Black Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: H 25.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
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
Italy 1980 Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Ugo Carà
By Ugo Cara
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a joyful bronze sculpture multiple art work signed by the well known in Italy and abroad, artist Ugo Carà. Title The Dancer This is a multiple of a numbered edition of 1.000 pieces. The pieces were made in 1980 but they can be considered as new cause remained since then stored and packed in the Editor warehouse. Every bronze sculpture is completed with the Editor Certificate, with the number assigned to the piece and the original signature of the author. Ugo Carà was born in Trieste Italy...
Bronze
$1,546 / item
Untitled No. 52 Vase by Marea Hildebrand
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled No. 52 Vase by Marea Hildebrand Handmade Dimensions: D 24 x W 24 x H 19 cm Materials: Stoneware with slip. Marea Hildebrand (b. 1989) is a Zurich-based ceramic artist with...
Stoneware
$11,647 / 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
Priora Box in Horn, Chromed Brass & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Priora Box in Horn, Chromed Brass & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 18 x W 18 x H 10 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, horn, and chromed brass. Available in three sizes and th...
Brass, Other
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
Scandinavian Modern Decor Handmade Textured Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Scandinavian Modern Decor Handmade Textured Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: W 30.4 x H 30.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studi...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Post-War Green Marble Torso Sculpture, American Design, 20th Century
Located in Queens, NY
American Post-War Design carved green marble stylized torso of a figure resting on a rectangular black base
Marble
X Large Glazed Pink Ceramic Postmodern Canadian Vase by Beauceware
Located in San Diego, CA
Majestic tall pink ceramic postmodern Canadian pottery vase, gorgeous glossy finish by Beauceware Canada gorgeous color from 1980's great Memphis design no chips or cracks very large.
Ceramic
Modern Gray Sculptural Handmade Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Modern Gray Sculptural Handmade Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Unique piece Dimensions: Ø 20.3 x H 42 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic ...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$140Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Rosenthal Art Glass Bowl by Eric J Roush
By Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and graphic oval glass art bowl by Rosenthal. This beautiful piece from the late 90s is graphic and detailed. It shares yellow and amber tones along with a smoke purple ton...
Glass
$2,320 / item
Raiz Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Raiz Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 15 x D 15 x H 30 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Between folds that recall bark, roots, and layers of memory, this piece gu...
Ceramic
Contemporary Art Bronze Sculpture Partenze by Giampaolo Talani
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited Edition of 8 Pieces.
Bronze
$175 / item
Tall Transparent Splash Vase by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall Transparent Splash Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 16 x W 12 x H 27 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, colle...
Plastic
Italy 1998 the Skyscrapers Brass Abstract Sculpture
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an artwork of Roberto Vecchione, an Italian artist friend of Giovanni Campus and Bruno Munari. Its work is a form of ‘mind architecture’ and this two pieces are representativ...
Brass
$6,738 / item
Untitled 19 Stoneware Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled 19 Stoneware Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 50 x H 49 cm Material: White and beige stoneware, glaze. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ...
Stoneware
Green, Blue, Bronze and Clear Murano Glass Vase by Irene Paolo, Italy 1990s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1990s. This tulip vase is made with three-colored Murano hand-blown glass canes. It can also be used as a candleholder. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might sho...
Murano Glass
$33,197 / item
Horizon Sculpture by The GoodMan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Horizon Sculpture by The GoodMan Studio Dimensions: W 153 x D 41 x H 153 cm Materials: Glass Made to order. Hanging installatiom Customizable in an...
Glass
1980 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture Jiro Sugawara Orizzonte Maschile
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the artist Jiro Sugawara, the title is "Male horizon" Jiro Sugawara is a post-war artist and he was born in Japon in 1941. He...
Bronze
$2,320 / item
Large Candle Holder Sculpture by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Candle Holder Sculpture by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 28 x H 38.1 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artist Asl...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture Beppe Bonetti Piccolo Racconto
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Beppe Bonetti. Title "Piccolo racconto" translate "Little tale"" Beppe Bonetti was born in 1951 in Brescia, Italy, where he lives an...
Bronze
Textured Black Sculptural Ceramic Medium Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Textured Black Sculptural Ceramic Medium Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 24 x H 25.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic stu...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
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
Alessi Girotondo Round Stainless Steel Tray Postmodern in Yellow
By Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
Cut paper dolls motif created by design Duo Stefano Giovannoni and Guido Ventury early production. Beautiful color and condition
Stainless Steel
Italy 1980 Ugo La Pietra Abstract Bronze Sculpture Four Dance Steps
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a unique piece (n.6 of eight realized) of this charming artwork in bronze by Ugo La Pietra. The ironic title is part of the artist philosophy. La Pietra is a genial architect...
Bronze
1980 Italy Post Modern Abstract Bronze Sculpture Little Universe on Earth
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Vanni Viviani, a well known artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbered ...
Bronze
$761
Nebula Beta
Located in Milano, MI
Serena Confalonieri continues her research in the field of self-production and craftsmanship. The subject, once again, is hand-blown borosilicate glass. After her Calypso floral glasses collection and Arabesque vases...
Blown Glass
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Chromed Abstract Sculpture
By Urano Palma
Located in Brescia, IT
Urano Palma is an Italian artist who starts to create his artworks following the philosophy of Lucio Fontana. He specially worked to the sculptured furniture...
Bronze
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
'The Patch' Hanging Sculpture by Peter Shire, 2015
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Aluminum and stainless steel hanging sculpture by Peter Shire, 2015. Approx: 48" diameter x 48" high Peter Shire: Peter Shire is an LA-based artist whose work eludes all attempt...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Vintage Blown Art Glass Paperweight Blue and White Flower
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage beautiful and colorful vintage Murano hand blown blue and white Italian art glass paperweight. Gorgeous vintage studio hand blown crystal art glass paperweight with a cobalt blue base and a white cascading flower or frost. The inside of the paperweight has a large flower and is filled a large controlled bubble in the centre with multiple small controlled bubbles. Vintage Crystal Ball...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Set of 2 Matek Stria Candleholders in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Matek Stria Candleholders in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Sophie Dries. Dimensions: Ø 17 x H 24,5 cm (each). Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. Lat...
Composite
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
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
Gracieux Accueil Lidded Box by Nathalie Du Pasquier, 1983
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Around the time that MEMPHIS had become a world-wide phenomenon, several Italian manufacturers approached the various MEMPHIS designers to execute similar work but on different produ...
Chrome
$13,125Sale Price / set|25% Off
VENINI Alessandro Mendini 8/50 Limited Edition Art Glass Simirone Amphora Vase
Located in Miami, FL
A amphora vase designed by Alessandro Mendini (1931–2019) for Venini. This is a very rare art-glass vase designed by the architect Alessandro Mendini for the Venini company, back in...
Art Glass
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Woven Rope Basket / Magazine Holder by Gunther Lambert
Located in San Diego, CA
A super nice hand woven rope basket / magazine holder by Gunther Lambert, circa 1980s. The piece is signed on the side, is in very good vintage conditi...
Rope
Monumental skyhook Sculpture by Peter Shire, late 1980s. Indoors or Outdoors
By Peter Shire
Located in Kansas City, MO
Large, over 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide, sculpture by artist Peter Shire. One of the original designers/artists in the Memphis Milan Group started by Ettore Sottsass, this is from S...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$3,726 / item
Ovalie Vase in Fig Tree Wood by Yann Marot
Located in Geneve, CH
Ovalie Vase in Fig Tree Wood by Yann Marot Dimensions: D 33 x W 22 x H 24 cm Materials: Fig tree Born in Mayenne (France) in 1974. I have always been attracted by wood and all the c...
Wood
$8,202 / item
Handmade Ceramic Alidoro Peach Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Ceramic Alidoro Peach Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 40 x H 45 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Peach, 24 kt gold luster Alidoro’ is a handmade ceramic vase, finished with a...
Ceramic
$11,601 / item
Matte Black Finish Néra Sculpture by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Matte Black Finish Néra Sculpture by deBlona Dimensions: W 78 x D 20 x H 87-97 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Matte black finish. A sculptural representation of an imposing and en...
Ceramic
Postmodern Decorative Ceramic "Totem" Lidded Jar, USA, 1980's
By Alessandro Mendini, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Postmodern Decorative Ceramic "Totem" Lidded Jar, USA, 1980's In the style of Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, etc. Great color and subject mattter. In good as fo...
Pottery
$2,777 / 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
Vintage Turned + Veneered Bowl Signed Unknown Asian Artist 1997
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful small bowl, seems turned and also veneered.
Wood
$224Sale Price / set|20% Off
1980s Transparent Art Glass Flower Bud Vase by Royal Art Glass, Set of 10
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Set of 10 small 6" tall transparent art glass flower bud vases with square bottoms and a Royal Art Glass decal along the front. These handblown vases are elegant but simple making th...
Glass
'Cairo' Chair by Peter Shire, 2018
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Upholstered armchair by Peter Shire, 2018 Upholstered with Kvadrat Divina Fabric, Aluminum, Wood & Paint. Approximate measures: 60 1/4" high x 40" wide x 39" deep Peter Shire: ...
Aluminum
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
$5,624 / item
Jug by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Jug by Laura Pasquino Limited Edition of 8 Dimensions: D 23 x H 33 cm Material: Soft-paste porcelain, glaze. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ancient Korean ceramics as...
Porcelain
Atelier Prototype Porcelain Vase – Laura Fiume for Rosenthal, 1990
By Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Rare artist’s prototype vase in glazed porcelain by Italian designer Laura Fiume for Rosenthal Studio Line, with a hexagonal body, bold zigzag side elements and hand-painted postmode...
Porcelain
$1,933 / item
Handemade Object #3 by Henry D'ath
Located in Geneve, CH
Handemade object #3 by Henry D'ath Dimensions: D 15 x H 60 cm Materials: wood, calligraphy Ink Piece is handmade by artist. Henry d’ath is a new zealand born, hong kong based...
Wood
$17,284 / item
Urn by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Urn by Rick Owens 2007 Dimensions: L 34 x W 34 x H 57 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 37 kg Available in Black finish or Nitrate (Dark Brown) finish. ...
Bronze
Peter Shire Anchorage Teapot for Memphis, 1982
By Peter Shire, Rossi & Arcandi
Located in Kansas City, MO
This is a rare "Anchorage Teapot" by designer and artist Peter Shire. Rossi e Arcandi for Memphis, Milano, 1982. The teapot is completely original and shows signs of wear to be expec...
Silver Plate, Brass
Anodised Aluminium Planter / Vessel Multi-Coloured from Cosmos collection
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
This particular planter has been sold. It can be reproduced in the same colours and a similar pattern. Otherwise other planters in the same style are available. Cosmos extends the e...
Aluminum
$738 / 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
Mario Pinzoni Seguso Vetri d'Arte Murano Glass Vessel Vase, Italy c.1980s
By Flavio Poli, Seguso, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in London, GB
An elegant and scarce Mario Pinzoni Murano Glass Vase (or Vessel) for Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Venice, Italy, circa the 1980s. This impressive, transparent blown glass vase is undamaged...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass