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.
$585
Vide-Poche
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Vide-poche in the format of a can cap, blue enameled porcelain, 20th century. Measures: D 27 cm, H 7 cm. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Porcelain
Maitland Smith Post Modern White Tessellated Hexagonal Stone Box 1980's
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Post Modern 1980s Maitland Smith Marble Covered Box with hinged lid and a round polished brass pull on top. Vintage Postmodern geometric design decorative box white tessellated stone...
Stone
Rimini Blue Ceramic Pitcher Vase by A. Londi and F. Montelupo for Bitossi
By Flavia Montelupo, Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This is a Rimini blue vase from the 1970s. Made in Italy. It was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by Flavia Montelupo, also known as Bitossi. Bitos...
Ceramic
Postmodern Memphis Style Glass Bowl from Montana, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Memphis Style Glass Bowl from Montana, 1980s
Glass, Plastic
One Of a Kind Fiele Vessel in Pigmented Cement by Studio Noon
By Noon Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
One Of a Kind Fiele Vessel in Pigmented Cement by Studio Noon One Of a Kind Dimensions: W 22,9 x D 22,9 x H 25,4 cm Material: Pigmented cement. Based in, produced and shipped from t...
Cement
Contemporary Art En Claire De Lune Mannequin in Silk Velvet
Located in Pistoia, IT
Unique piece hand made by the artist. The silk velvet fabric and velvet embroidery are made expressly for the artist, Carla Tolomeo.
Silk
Contemporary Abstract Bronze Sculpture by Bertrand Créach
Located in London, GB
" Famille I " Bronze sculpture by Bertrand Creach, 2021. Limited edition 1/8, hand-crafted adorned in a black patina. ______ Dimension: H 35 x 15.5 x ...
Bronze
Coral Tropical Wood Patina Black Vase by Mary Verspoor
Located in Geneve, CH
Coral Tropical Wood Patina Black Vase by Mary Verspoor Dimensions: D 39 x H 40 CM Materials: Tropical wood Mary Verspoor, of Indonesian-Dutch descent, is a Bali-based designer and c...
Other
Vintage Hand-Blown Art Glass Parrot Sculpture, Late 20th Century
Located in Fairfield, CA
A large, vibrantly colored blown art glass parrot.
Blown 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
Meritalia Papavero Vase / Black and Blue 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
Trinidad Candelabra by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Trinidad Candelabra by Andres Monnier One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 130 cm Materials: White marble from San Luis Potosí, stainless steel. Designer's biography Treko con...
Marble, Stainless Steel
Vintage Pop Art Candleholder by Verner Panton, 1980s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Scandinavian pop-art candleholder for tea lights called 'Lightning Stairs'. It is rather rare and it was designed by Verner Panton in 1973. This example is from the 80s and it was ma...
Steel
Large Stone Bathtub by Studio Loho, Post-Modern Design, Belgium, 175cm
Located in Geneve, CH
Large stone bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 85 x W 175 x H 57 cm Materials: stone Other stone types are possible upon request. Available in 2 si...
Stone
Extra Large Stone Bathtub by Studio Loho, Post-Modern Design, Belgium
Located in Geneve, CH
Extra large stone bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 85 x W 190 x H 57 cm Materials: stone Other stone types are possible upon request. Available i...
Stone
$4,200
Sergio Asti Vase
By Sergio Asti
Located in Chicago, IL
Sergio Asti Jaipur vase from the Toky collection, Superego Editions This example is number 11 from the edition of 50. Glazed signature and edition to underside: [Jaipur N. 11/50]. Si...
Ceramic
Vintage Postmodern Tessellated Stone Abalone Shell Decorative Box, 1970s
By Karl Springer, Maitland Smith
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A striking vintage postmodern decorative box showcasing the luxurious craftsmanship associated with late 20th century tessellated stone furniture and accessories. Hand clad in richly...
Marble, Brass
Cresta Modell 100 Pop-Art Telephone, Two-Tone Design, Dutch, 1980s
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Reach out and touch the 1980s with this Dutch Cresta Modell 100 Pop-Art Handtelefoon. This Dali-esque, surreal design brings new meaning to the term "handset" telefoon. A true gem fo...
Wire
Set of Three Colorful Stylized Plexiglass Vases by Villeroy & Boch
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This cheerful trio of vases were produced by Villeroy & Boch. They each consist of three colors. There is a combination of red, white and green and there are two combinations of red,...
Plexiglass
Danish Designer, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A semi-glazed brown and green stoneware vase designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1970s.
Stoneware
Postmodern Vase Senape by Ettore Sottsass for Marutomi 1997
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Object: Vase Manufacturer: Marutomi Designer: Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007) Model: Senape Date: 1997 Period: Postmodern Material: Plastic Origin: Japan Height: 14 cm Diameter: 16.5 cm ...
Plastic
Postmodern White Glazed Porcelain Glove Mold by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This mold is made in glazed porcelain. It was inspired by those ones designed by Gio Ponti for Ginori. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight t...
Porcelain
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
$7,734 / item
Bronze Oni Mask #2 by Splady Art Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Oni Mask #2 by Splady Art Studios Design by Alexander Yoshikawa Dimensions: W 10 x D 20 x H 27 cm. Materials: Bronze. "Oni Mask #2" is inspired by the...
Bronze
Set of 4 Brass Coasters by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Brass Coasters by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 12 x W 9.5 cm Materials: dull, tarnished brass. Hand-formed from a sheet of brass, each piece emphasizes the material’s pliab...
Brass
Festa Mobile Jar in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Festa Mobile Jar in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 40 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Available in different shapes and colors. Dimensions and pric...
Aluminum, Other
Medusa Vase (Large), Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Matte White 'Medusa' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations in the dimensions...
Resin
Vintage Hermès Paris Cigarette Case with Equestrian Design and Horse Finial
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Vintage Hermès Paris Cigarette Case with Equestrian Design and Horse Finial An elegant vintage Hermès Paris cigarette case, crafted in silver-plated metal and topped with a sculptura...
Metal
'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
One Of a Kind Omen Vessel in Pigmented Cement by Studio Noon
By Noon Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
One Of a Kind Omen Vessel in Pigmented Cement by Studio Noon One Of a Kind Dimensions: W 15,2 x D 15,2 x H 12,7 cm Material: Pigmented cement. Based in, produced and shipped from th...
Cement
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
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
$1,542 / item
Onda Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Onda Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 38 x H 27 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building techniq...
Stoneware
Set of 2 Memphis Style ceramic sculptures , 1980s
Located in Delft, NL
Set of 2 Memphis Style ceramic sculptures , 1980s Dimensions: 30cm Height , 8cm Width , 8cm Depth Condition: Good Color: Black Material: Ceramic
Ceramic
$4,477 / 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
Postmodern Dutch Fruit on Wheels Design Bowl by Arnout Visser Droog Designum 90s
Located in Hamburg, DE
A dynamic fruit bowl based on a design by Dutch designer Arnout Visser (Droog) from the early 1990s. “Fruit on Wheels”—the name says it all. A fruit bowl on wheels. A playful design...
Metal
Nathalie du Pasquier Sculpture Badger by Sarri 1990s
By Alessio Sarri Ceramiche, Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Terracotta sculpture representing a badger realized by Nathalie du Pasquier and produced by Alessio Sarri in the 1990s. The lion sculpture is part of Gli Animali che Fanno La Parte ...
Terracotta
$2,894 / item
Keong Teak Wood Patina Black Vase by Mary Verspoor
Located in Geneve, CH
Keong Teak Wood Patina Black Vase by Mary Verspoor Dimensions: D 37 x H 43 CM Materials: Teak wood Mary Verspoor, of Indonesian-Dutch descent, is a Bali-based designer and creator. ...
Other
Ivory Earthenware Hand Coiled Organic Sculptural Tamani Sculpture By Munier
Located in Geneve, CH
Earthenware Tamani Sculpture by Munier Dimensions: W 25 x D 25 x H 25 cm. Materials: Earthenware. Weight: 1.5 kg. I specialize in the ancient technique of coil building, a tradition...
Ceramic
$843 / item
Polypore Small Bowl by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Polypore Small Bowl by David Valner Dimensions: D 22 x W 27 x H 13 cm. Materials: Hand-crafted glass. Weight: 2 kg. Finish: Small size, dark green and beige, and matte surface. In t...
Glass
Unique Painting #04 Hand Blown Glass Sculpture by Aleksandra Zawistowska
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Painting #04 Hand Blown Glass Sculpture by Aleksandra Zawistowska. One of a Kind. Dimensions: Approx. W 15 x D 15 x H 32 cm. Materials: Hand-blown glass. About the Studio Sz...
Glass, Blown Glass
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Trace by Austin Coudriet
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Trace by Austin Coudriet. One of a kind. Dimensions: W 46 x D 23 x H 76 cm. Materials: Ceramic (stoneware), glaze. About Austin Coudriet is a ceramic arti...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Unique Memorias Del Agua I Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Soledad Christie
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Memorias Del Agua I Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Soledad Christie. One Of a Kind. Dimensions: W 13 x D 13 x H 29 cm. Materials: Low-temperature, burnished earthenware ceram...
Ceramic, Earthenware
1st Edition 'Shiva' Vase by Ettore Sottsass for B.D Barcelona, Spain, c.1973
By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design
Located in London, GB
Designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1973, the Shiva vase is a striking and sculptural piece that captures his bold approach to form and colour. Its clean lines and stacked form give it a ...
Ceramic
$1,546 / item
Dug Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Dug Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 45 x D 45 x H 46 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Dug” evokes the essence of excavated earth, from which cl...
Ceramic
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
Meritalia Candelabre / Orange by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizion...
Steel
Krupp & Giuliana Gramigna vide poche steel and attb Fontana Arte glass
By Giuliana Gramigna, Arthur Krupp, Fontana Arte
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
$25,000 / item
Anton Smit - "Faith Mask" Resin and Iron Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Anton Smit is a profoundly influential South African sculptor recognized for his monumental works that evoke deep themes of suffering, reconciliation, glory, and sublimation. He is c...
Iron
Pajaros Halcón Bronze Finished Clay Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Pajaros Halcón Bronze Finished Clay Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles Dimensions: D 8 x W 6 x H 24 cm Materials: Clay bronze finish What greater symbol of freedom is there than the act...
Bronze
Dorothy Hafner Post Modern Art Pottery Bowl
Located in Highland, IN
This wonderful piece by Dorothy Hafner (b 1952) was hand made by the artist. Though originally trained as a sculptor and painter, Hafner is probably best known for the tableware she ...
Ceramic
Mizukage Unique Water Feature in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Mizukage Unique Water Feature in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 50 cm. Materials: Basalt stone. Available in different material optio...
Stone
Postmodern Pink Scavo Glass Decorative Fish Figure, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This fish is made in scavo glass. It is vintage, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent original condition. Mea...
Murano Glass
$1,933 / item
Rupture Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Rupture Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 39 x D 39 x H 50 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Rupture” explores the beauty of breakage and reinvent...
Ceramic
"MULTI-COLOR" Corian Wall Clock by Kim Mullis as Wilderness Bodies
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A captivating contemporary wall clock, "Multi-Color" by Kim Mullis as Wilderness Bodies demonstrates masterful geometric composition through bold angular forms. It combines precision...
Corian
$21,601 / item
Écon Mural in Basalt Granite & Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Écon Mural in Basalt Granite & Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 15 x W 180 x H 150 cm. Materials: Steel and basalt granite. Available in different finishes and mat...
Onyx, Other
Mini Green Wave Form Vase by Forma Rosa Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Green Wave Form Vase by Forma Rosa Studio Dimensions: D 8.9 x W 8.9 x H 17.8 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Available in Crystal Cream, Mint Blue, Bronze...
Ceramic
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 40 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more...
Ceramic
Multicolored & Opaline Murano Glass bowl by Carlo Moretti, 2002
By Carlo Moretti, Moretti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Large collectible chalice or cup in opaline Murano glass with colored inserts. signature and date engraved on the base. a visible chip on the edge as shown in the photo.
Murano Glass