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.
$14,777 / 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
Veletta Tissue Box Holder in Horn, Chromed Brass & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Veletta Tissue Box Holder in Horn, Chromed Brass & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 14 x W 26 x H 7 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, horn, and chromed brass. Available in three fi...
Brass, Other
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Large "Jungle" Porcelain Cover Plate / Dish
Located in København, Copenhagen
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal. Large "Jungle" porcelain cover plate / dish with gold decoration and green leaves. Late 20th century. In perfect condition. Measures: 38 x 2.8 cm. ...
Porcelain
Contemporary Art The Butterfly Sofa in Silk Velvet by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. The silk velvet fabric and the embroideries are made expressly for the artist, Carla Tolomeo.
Silk
Contemporary Art Pouf - Saudade by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. Semi-circular pouff designed by Gabriel. Vintage chenille Pontoglio cotton velvets, silk and cotton trimmings, designer decorations
Cotton, Silk
Hank Murta Adams cast glass and wire abstract sculpture " Cake" signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful sample of the work " Cake" from the well known artist Hank M Adams , this work is signed and dated 1998. Cast Glass and wire.
Art Glass
Polished Cast Brass Figa Dupla Door Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Figa Dupla Door Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 13 x D 8 x H 6 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Stud...
Metal
Judith Stiles Postmodern Vase, New York Art Studio Pottery, 1980s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Playful vintage vase features hand painted abstract graphic designs in Postmodern style on ombre mauve pink background with turquoise rim and accent band on the bottom of the vase. The vase is hand signed by the artist on the bottom. Judith Stiles studied ceramic glazes under Susan Parks...
Ceramic, Pottery
TOWERX23 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland
Located in Geneve, CH
TOWERX23 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland. Dimensions: W 12.5 x D 12.5 x H 26 cm. Materials: Elm Wood with Dark Finish. The TOWERX2 series is a solid woo...
Wood
Krupp & Giuliana Gramigna vide poche steel and attb Fontana Arte glass
By Arthur Krupp, Fontana Arte, Giuliana Gramigna
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice collaboration design in this low bowl / vide -poche for Arthur Krupp and Gillian Gramigna , the crystal insert is attributed to Fontana Arte .No Chips or cracks in glass .
Stainless Steel
$5,158 / item
August Porcelain Sculpture by Stacy Solodkin
Located in Geneve, CH
August Porcelain Sculpture by Stacy Solodkin Dimensions: D 27.94 x W 48.26 x H 39.37 cm Materials: porcelain, clay, fiber Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Stacy is an ab...
Other
Gioele Tray in Matte Amara Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Gioele Tray in Matte Amara Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 41 x W 66 x H 5 cm. Materials: Amara ebony veneer and Aida pebbled l...
Stainless Steel
Val Saint Lambert cut crystal vase from the 1960s
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Val Saint Lambert cut crystal vase from the 1960s This Val Saint Lambert Aberdeen crystal vase is a vintage piece from the 1960s that sta...
Crystal
Signal-Low, On Base Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage
Located in Geneve, CH
Signal-Low, On Base Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage Unique Piece Dimensions: D 20 x W 22 x H 33 cm. Materials: Fibre-cement and burnished plaster. Shapes for...
Cement, Other
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
1980s Fiorucci Heart-Shaped Porcelain Dish in Italian Pop Art Style
By Ettore Sottsass, Jeff Koons, Keith Haring, Peter Max, Andy Warhol
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage 1980s Fiorucci "New Wave" Italian porcelain heart-shaped trinket dish, ashtray or vide poche. This rare authentic post-modern piece is glazed porcelain with the traditional 1...
Paint, Porcelain
Signed crystal glass vase by Louis Leloup. Made by Val Saint Lambert, Belgium
Located in München, BY
Beautiful crystal glass table vase by Val Saint Lambert. Designed by Louis Leloup. With original label and signed base. Stunning design in black and clear...
Crystal
Medea Picture Frame in Dark Horn & Lacquered Wood with Black Gloss by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Medea Picture Frame in Dark Horn & Lacquered Wood with Black Gloss by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 16 x H 21 cm. Materials: Dark horn and lacquered wood. ...
Other
Vintage Emerald Green and Blue Murano Art Glass Elephant Sculpture Paperweight
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian style handblown art glass sculpture of an elephant. Italian art glass hand blown green and uranium neon green elephant sculpture...
Blown Glass
$873 / item
Dust Mercury Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Dust Mercury vase by Elyse Graham Dimensions: W 14 x D 14 x H 25.5cm Materials: Plaster, Resin Molded, dyed, and finished by hand in LA. Customization Available. All pieces are ...
Resin, Plaster
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Baccarat Crystal Glass Zodiac Dragon
By Baccarat
Located in Mérida, YU
Baccarat Crystal Glass Ornament Zodiac Dragon. 2012. Perfect condition. Marked.
Crystal
$5,172 / item
Charlotte Porcelain Sculpture by Stacy Solodkin
Located in Geneve, CH
August Porcelain Sculpture by Stacy Solodkin Dimensions: D 20.32 x W 36.58 x H 21.59 cm Materials: porcelain, clay, fiber Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Stacy is an ab...
Other
Medea Picture Frame in Horn & Lacquered Wood with Ivory Gloss by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Medea Picture Frame in Horn & Lacquered Wood with Ivory Gloss by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 19 x H 24 cm. Materials: Horn and lacquered wood. Ava...
Other
Contemporary Art Green TOTEM Moon Mannequin in Silk Velvet by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. The silk velvet fabric and velvet embroidery are made expressly for the artist, Carla Tolomeo.
Silk
1/2 Ltr Forms Gold Blown Glass Unique Decorative Object by Vogel Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
1/2 Ltr Forms Gold Blown Glass Unique Decorative Object by Vogel Studio One Of A Kind Dimensions: Ø 13 x H 13 cm. Materials: Hand-blown glass. Every glass object is blown, deformed,...
Blown Glass
Postmodern Yellow Opaline Hand Blown Glass Jug with Murrines and Silver Flakes
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. It is made in yellow opaline handblown glass with murrines and silver flakes in two different shades. This jug features a ribbed handle. It is a vintage item, ...
Silver Leaf
Betty Gold Abstract Geometric Metal Sculpture Signed and Numbered
By Betty Gold 1
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stunning geometric metal and red paint sculpture by the well-known American artist Betty Gold. This work is an edition, signed and marked 23/50. Similar work, large size, as shown in...
Metal
Unique Norwegian Maple Long Bowl by Matt Kavanagh
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Norwegian Maple Long Bowl by Matt Kavanagh. Signed by Matt Kavanagh. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 54.5 x D 17.5 x H 17 cm. Materials: Norwegian Maple, scorch & wax. Uniqu...
Hardwood, Maple
$2,513 / item
Burung Teak Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor
Located in Geneve, CH
Burung Teak Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor Dimensions: D 41 x W 35 x H 36 CM Materials: Teak wood Mary Verspoor, of Indonesian-Dutch descent, is a Bali-based designer and creator. She w...
Other
New Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case, N
By DeART, Franz Hermle
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
Bruce Niemi Bronze Sculpture Signed, 2003
Located in Chicago, IL
Bruce Niemi Bronze Sculpture Signed, 2003. Base is made out of brushed steel.
Bronze
Agneta Box I in Aida Pebbled Leather, Horn, Brass, & Ebony Veneer by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Agneta Box I in Aida Pebbled Leather, Horn, Brass, & Ebony Veneer by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 13 x H 17 cm. Materials: Leather, wood, brass, and horn. Round box in Aida pebbled leathe...
Brass
Agneta Box II in Aida Pebbled Leather, Horn, Brass, & Ebony Veneer by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Agneta Box II in Aida Pebbled Leather, Horn, Brass, & Ebony Veneer by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 13 cm. Materials: Leather, wood, brass, and horn. Round box in Aida pebbled leath...
Brass
Agneta Box III in Aida Pebbled Leather, Horn, Brass, & Ebony Veneer by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Agneta Box III in Aida Pebbled Leather, Horn, Brass, & Ebony Veneer by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 16 cm. Materials: Leather, wood, brass, and horn. Round box in Aida pebbled leat...
Brass
$7,205 / 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
Gioele Tray in Matte Amara Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Gioele Tray in Matte Amara Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 34 x W 56 x H 5 cm. Materials: Amara ebony veneer and Aida pebbled l...
Stainless Steel
Otto Hammered Copper Wall Sculpture IV with Acid Patina by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Otto Hammered Copper Wall Sculpture IV with Acid Patina by Aura Carpio. Dimensions: W 142 x D 8 x H 150 cm. Materials: Copper, Acid Patina. This piece can be produced in customized ...
Copper
Push Me Pull You Crawl Glaze Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Push Me Pull You Crawl Glaze Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 10 x W 37 x x H 45 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and ...
Ceramic, Clay
TOWERX21 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland
Located in Geneve, CH
TOWERX21 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland. Dimensions: W 13.8 x D 13.8 x H 26.5 cm. Materials: Elm Wood with Dark Finish. The TOWERX2 series is a solid w...
Wood
New Large Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Marquetry and Ormolu Case
By DeART, Franz Hermle
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
TOWERX22 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland
Located in Geneve, CH
TOWERX22 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland. Dimensions: W 8.5 x D 10.5 x H 43.5 cm. Materials: Elm Wood with Dark Finish. The TOWERX2 series is a solid wo...
Wood
Polished Cast Brass Argola Wall Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Argola Wall Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 15 x D 3 x H 15 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Studio...
Metal
Midcentury Postmodern Steel and Wood Coat Stand in the Shape of a Man
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This playful Postmodern coat stand is not only a smart space saver in a hallway, pantry or dressing room, it is also a pleasant and cheerful interior e...
Steel
$2,799Sale Price|33% Off
Abstract aluminum Sculpture artwork by Lino Tiné
By Lino Tine
Located in Milano, IT
Here is an uncommon artwork by a lesser known Italian artist named Lino Tiné. Crafted from three sheets of steel, each decorated with a different pattern, it has a nice materic appea...
Steel
Collection of Five Turned Wood Artisan-Created, Hand-Carved, Wood Boxes, Japan
Located in Round Top, TX
A collection of five (5) wood boxes: Two are by studio artist L.W. Joy and were all created in the early 2000's and are turned from two exotic hardwood species. They are the two sma...
Felt, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Y23 Vase in White Enameled Ceramic Yantra Series Poltronova 70s
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Cascina, Pisa
This ceramic piece is part of the Yantra series by Ettore Sottsass, a collection of thirty-nine forms including containers, ashtrays, vases and bowls, created between 1969 and 1973 a...
Ceramic
Hagi Spot Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Hagi Spot Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 14 x W 32 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 2...
Ceramic, Clay
Asmara Lotus Teak Wood Patina Black Sculpture by Mary Verspoor
Located in Geneve, CH
Asmara Lotus Teak Wood Patina Black Sculpture by Mary Verspoor Dimensions: D 64 x W 47 x H 22 CM Materials: Teak wood Mary Verspoor, of Indonesian-Dutch descent, is a Bali-based des...
Other
Contemporary Art Table PROSPETTICA Marble & Metal by Paolo Portoghesi
Located in Pistoia, IT
Round table with golden metal base and marble top - Signed Copies
Marble, Bronze
Polished Cast Brass Galhos Wall Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Galhos Wall Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 12 x D 8-12 x H 2.5 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Stu...
Metal
Polished Cast Brass Femur Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Femur Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 35 x D 8 x H 5 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Stu...
Metal
Large Scandinavian Brass Candle Chandelier by Gusum, Sweden, 1980
Located in Stockholm, SE
Large and heavy brass chandelier that makes a bold statement with its substantial scale and presence. Crafted from solid brass in 1980 by designer Bernt Karlsson for Gusum — a Swedis...
Brass
Sommerso Vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Murano, Italy, 1970s
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Sommerso Vase by Flavio Poli for Seguso, Murano, Italy, 1970s This vase features a Sommerso design, characterized by its encapsulated layers of glass. Its shape is prismatic and elon...
Art Glass
Shell II Table Centerpiece by Sophie Parachey
Located in Geneve, CH
Shell II table centerpiece by Sophie Parachey Dimensions: W 33 x D 43 x H 4.5 cm Materials: Sand stoneware, shiny camel glaze, Inspired by exten...
Stoneware
$3,968 / item
Moon Vase by Martina Guandalini
Located in Geneve, CH
Moon Vase by Martina Guandalini Dimensions: W 22 x D 8 x H 21 cm. Materials: Scagliola and polished resin.. Custom colors and size available, please contact us. Martina Guandalini ...
Resin, Scagliola
$4,605 / item
Platinum Luster Niva Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Platinum Luster Celis Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 32 x H 39 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: 24 Kt Gold Luster / Platinum Luster. A sculptural vase crafted from red clay sourced i...
Ceramic
Symbiosis Vase in Wheel-Thrown Glazed Stoneware by Robin Kerr
Located in Geneve, CH
Symbiosis Vase in Wheel-Thrown Glazed Stoneware by Robin Kerr Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 21 x W 21 x H 50 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Robin Kerr is a Swiss ceramic artist living and ...
Stoneware
Postmodern Set of Three Aquamarine and Brown Murano Glass Candleholders, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. They are made in hand blown Murano glass. The bubbles and the difference in their dimensions are due to the handcraft process. These candleholder are vintage,...
Murano Glass
Tristan Govignon "Lotus VII" Abstract Bronze Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Tristan Govignon, "Lotus VII" Cast bronze on a marble base
Marble, Bronze
$4,400Sale Price / item|20% Off
Rare 1979 Donovan Leisure NYC Cia Law Firm 50th Anniversary Brass Paperweight
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Extremely rare New York City historical relic. A fiftieth anniversary brass cubic monolith commemorative desk sculpture. Issued to monogram; AWS. Approx. 45-60 members of firm a that time, only a handful were issued this paperweight in solid Brass weighing 8 lbs. 4.2 oz. Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine was an American white-shoe law firm, located in New York. It was founded in 1929 by General William "Wild Bill...
Brass