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.
Black Alongside Out Hand Crafted Sculpture by Rachael Heritage
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Alongside Out Hand Crafted Sculpture by Rachael Heritage Each Piece is Unique Dimensions: D 28 x W 24 x H 24 cm Materials: recycled card, fibre-cement, black burnished plaster....
Other
Postmodern Cat Design Bottle, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Cat Design Bottle, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Material: Glass, Wood Color: Yellow Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintag...
Glass, Wood
$6,602 / item
Ritus Uno Candelabra by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Ritus Uno Candelabra by Andres Monnier One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 30 x D 40 x H 140 cm Materials: Black marble. Designer's biography Treko concrete is a Mexican studio...
Marble
$1,431 / 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
Lumières du Paradis Low Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumières du Paradis Low Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï. Dimensions: D 17 x H 20 cm. Materials: Reclaimed Venetian briccole wood, amber Murano glass. This captivating set, hand-cra...
Wood, Murano Glass
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
$5,877 / item
Being Candle Holder by Edie Xu
Located in Geneve, CH
Being Candle Holder by Edie Xu Dimensions: W 60 x D 46 x H 30 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Edie Xu, b. in New York and graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023. Her work sp...
Stoneware
Postmodern Italian Milano Series Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Milano Series Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Pl...
Metal
$497 / item
DYKA Centerpiece Bowl by ZEMNA
Located in Geneve, CH
DYKA Centerpiece Bowl by ZEMNA Designed by Tetiana Krasutska. Dimensions: D 17 x W 25 x H 14 cm. Materials: Clay. Each object in the DYKA collection is unique because it is sculpte...
Clay
$1,822 / item
Appuntito Vase Large by Project 213A
Located in Geneve, CH
Appuntito Vase Large by Project 213A Dimensions: W25 x D34 x H24cm Materials: Ceramic Each its own individual, the touch of hand from the ceramists, the blaze from the kiln, the div...
Ceramic
$1,656
Caleido Bowl
Located in Milano, MI
The progressive extinction of some traditional craft techniques brings with it a difficult availability of some materials: this is the case of some types of glass used for stained gl...
Stained Glass
Sunburst Moll 1.0 Sculptural Tray in Hand Molded Resin by Szymon Keller
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunburst Moll 1.0 Sculptural Tray in Hand Molded Resin by Szymon Keller. Dimensions: W 46 x D 36 x H 5 cm. Materials: Hand molded resin. Available colors include Transparent, Sand M...
Resin
$437 / item
Small Coral Vase by Dzovag Kotchian
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Coral Vase by Dzovag Kotchian Dimensions: W 12 x D 12 x H 30 cm Materials: Stabilized Raw Clay, Metal. Dzovag Kotchian's work develops through theoretical reflection and arti...
Metal
Lucido Costello Original Hand Made Iron Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely hand made iron sculpture is part of a set (male and female) - completely original by Lucido Costello, a well renowned heavy iron sculpture artist in Barcelona, Spain. Co...
Metal
Memphis Milano Style Handmade Ceramic Vase Made by Wilma Van Der P
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This ceramic vase is actually composed of two vases riveted together, having each their own shape, color and style. One is triangular matte black and handleless and only glazed on th...
Ceramic
$1,455 / item
Recovered Large Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Recovered Large Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 23 x W 23 x H 24 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 9,5 kg. Finish: Large size, purple and yellow. “The history of a glass factory and ...
Glass
$1,041 / item
Gaia Vase by Arturo Erbsman
Located in Geneve, CH
Gaia vase by Arturo Erbsman The name GAIA expresses its origin - 'from the earth' and is inspired by the earliest form of Japanese Ikebana style called Tatehana, or “standing flowers”. GAIA is a contemporary shallow vase designed to receive one or several single stem flowers in a unique arrangement. Carefully sculpted in a capsule shape from a single block of soft pink onyx, it is also available in Carrara marble. The vase comes with eleven holes that differ in diameter and has superficial chambers for each stem. Focusing on shape and line, simplicity and nature GAIA is an exquisite centerpiece for your everyday rituals. Due to their natural origin (onyx and marble), variations may exist and are to be embraced, making each vase truly one of a kind. Materials: Pink onyx. Also available in Carrara marble Dimensions: W36 x D10 x H4 cm Arturo Erbsman is a French designer whose works reflect different points of intersection between manufactured objects and the four elements of nature. He focuses on showing the delicacy of distinct aspects of water like ice, snow, stalactites, condensation and vapor in his handmade lighting objects. He derives his source of inspiration from his faraway travels and from closely observing natural phenomena of everyday life. Arturo Erbsman 2017 Salone Satellite 20 years of creativity - Milan Design Week 2016 Château de Maisons-Laffitte, France 2016 Design Stars / IFFS - Singapore design week 2015 Nature(s) Galerie Glassbox / Mains d’Oeuvre - COP21 Paris 2015 Now le Off - Paris design week 2015 Salone Satellite 2015 - Milan design week 2015 Maison&Objet, Parcours d'inspiration Nature Made - Paris 2015 Equations design at Cité des sciences et de l'industrie - Paris 2014 I designer del futuro at La Rinascente - Milan 2014 Biennale Interieur - Kortrijk, Belgium 2014 Experience/s at Bastille Design Center for the Designer's days - Paris 2014 Salone Satellite 2014 – Milan design week 2014 Formes at Cité des sciences et de l’industrie – Paris 2013 Salone Satellite 2013 – Milan Design Week 2013 Ambiente 2013 – Frankfurt 2013 Ecobat 2013 – Paris 2013 DMY International Design Festival – Berlin...
Onyx, Marble
$4,532 / item
Gold Luster Large Kósmos Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Luster Large Kósmos Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 39 x H 42 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Matte finishing dark olive green, gold 24Kt luster. The ‘Kósmos’ vase exudes elegan...
Ceramic
Renaat Ramon Postmodern Lacquered Steel Sculpture, Belgium, 1989
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Belgian architect and artist Renaat Ramon, this abstract postmodern sculpture in lacquered steel was created in the 1990s as a functional yet artistic object. Its central...
Steel
$1,644 / item
OTOMA_02 Vase by Emmanuelle Roule
Located in Geneve, CH
OTOMA_02 Vase by Emmanuelle Roule Unique piece. Dimensions: Ø 16 x H 31 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Vase made of white stoneware with glaze. Not w...
Stoneware
Decorative Bowl in Solid Brass by STOFF Nagel
Located in Geneve, CH
Decorative Bowl in Solid Brass by STOFF Nagel Dimensions: Ø 13,8 x H 5,6 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in different finish options: brushed brass, brushed chrome, or black. Price...
Brass
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
$48,946 / item
Alabaster Screen by Andrea Giomi
Located in Geneve, CH
Alabaster Screen by Andrea Giomi Dimensions: D 210 x W 100 x H 190 cm Materials: Alabaster Volterra. Also available in another marble version. One of a kind inspired by the Basilica...
Alabaster
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 Vase from Stepped Series in Enameled Ceramic by Bitossi
Located in Cascina, Pisa
A vase from the stepped series in hand-turned in white clay enameled with two-tone matt gray and light green glaze, manufactured in the 1990s by Bitossi and designed by Ettore Sottsa...
Ceramic
$346Sale Price|34% Off
German Multicolored Ceramic Vase by Walther Zander
Located in Hamburg, DE
This beautiful multicolored glazed vase is one of Walther Zanders very thin-walled turned bowls with foot. Walther Zander was a ceramist from Hamburg who worked together with his...
Ceramic
$769
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
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
Hermès Paris decorative box in leather and bronze.
By Hermès
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Hermès Paris decorative box in leather and bronze. This Hermès Paris decorative box features a cylindrical design covered in textured black leather on the exterior. The top and botto...
Bronze
Polished Cast Brass Calice Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Calice Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 12 x D 12 x H 18 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: ...
Metal
Contemporary Organic Form, Dark Grey Ceramic Sculptural Vase by Niclas Wolf
Located in Geneve, CH
Geoprimitive 079 Sculptural Vase by Niclas Wolf Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 35 x H 59,5 cm. Materials: Ceramic. GEOPRIMITIVE_ is a design series that compares and connects the Preca...
Ceramic
$10,804 / item
Mini Side Object by Studio Lugo
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Side Object by Studio Lugo Dimensions: W 60 x D 44.5 x H 50 cm Materials: Roupala Tree/Lacewood Veneer. Finishing: Matt Varnish. Weight: 8 kg. Studio Lugo in Istanbul, Turkey c...
Stainless Steel
$885 / item
Glacier Hesse Pasteur Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Glacier Hesse Pasteur vase by Elyse Graham. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 23 cm. Materials: plaster, resin. Molded, dyed, and finished by hand in LA. Customization available. All ...
Resin, Plaster
$8,461 / item
Basket Shape Green Vase by Emilie Lemardeley
Located in Geneve, CH
Basket Shape Green Vase by Emilie Lemardeley Unique Piece Dimensions: ⌀ 48 x H 38 cm Materials: Hand blown glass. DRYADE Collection All in crystal, these large vases are raised and ...
Blown Glass
Tiered Structure Burnt Iroko Wood Bunker Candleholder by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Bunker candle holder by Arno Declercq Materials: Burned and waxed Oak. Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 50 cm. Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespoke objects wi...
Oak
$3,905 / item
Ceramic Petalouda Small Gold Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Ceramic Petalouda Small Gold Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 34 x H 42 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: 24Kt Gold Luster, black, blue, light blue, green, white. The ‘Petalouda Small G...
Ceramic
$2,970 / item
Ceramic Petalouda Small Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Ceramic Petalouda Small Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 34 x H 42 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Matt pastel color, 24 kt gold luster. This exquisite large ceramic vase features a s...
Ceramic
$7,502 / item
Gold Ceramic Petalouda Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Ceramic Petalouda Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 44 x H 32 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: 24 Kt Gold, black, blue, light blue, green, white. The ‘Petalouda Gold’ majolica vase...
Ceramic
Artifacts of Disharmony Clear Buoy Sculpture by Tero Kuitunen
Located in Geneve, CH
Artifacts of Disharmony Clear Buoy sculpture by Tero Kuitunen Material: Hand sculpted glass and ceramic. Dimensions: D48 x W 20 x H10cm Unique piec...
Ceramic, Glass
Large Origins Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Origins Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio Dimensions: D 100 x H 5 cm. Materials: Copper. Weight: 12 Kg. Aura Carpio® (CDMX). Mexican industrial designer graduated an...
Copper
Vintage Classic "MoMA" Glass Ribbon Tall Vase by Peter Hewitt, 1996
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Glass Ribbon Vase by Peter Hewitt, 1996 A "Museum of Modern Art" Design Store Classic " A ribbon of anodized aluminum metal is securely sandwiched between 3/8" plate glass walls to ...
Aluminum
Polished Cast Brass Principe Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Principe Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 11 x D 7 x H 24 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum. About:...
Metal
Polished Cast Brass Mino P Towel Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Mino P Towel Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 36 x D 8 x H 5 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Studio ...
Metal
Vintage Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Nut Leaf Shaped Dish With Ball Feet
Located in Doraville, GA
Vintage sterling silver bowl as a stylized leaf with a raised central ridge, topped with an open circular scroll stem and smaller leaves, raised on two circular feet. The leaf is mar...
Sterling Silver
$177 / item
Blue Vase by Siup Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Vase by Siup Studio Dimensions: D15 x H28 cm Materials: Ceramics Siup is a small design studio based in Warsaw. The concept is created by three f...
Ceramic
$10,260 / item
Treasure M Candlestick by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Treasure M Candlestick by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 150 cm. Materials: Arabescato, Breccia Medicea, and Rosso Lepanto marbles. Available in different marble options. Available in four different sizes. Please contact us. Treasure is a composition of shapes and colors. The collection comprises four slender candlesticks that alternate elegantly sculpted portions and are molded in marble according to different designs, creating an iridescent and precious furnishing item. Imagined as a freestanding complement, approximately 150 cm high, they are meant to be placed in living and bedroom spaces, as well as in wellness areas or outdoor settings, where candles warm...
Marble
$108Sale Price / item|63% Off
Postmodern Abstract Triple Column Pillar Vase
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful postmodern vase with 3 columns and abstract blue & pink design. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Color: Blue, Pink, White Style: Abstract, Postmodern, Vintag...
Ceramic
Meritalia Candelabre / Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
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 Edizio...
Steel
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
Postmodern Geometrically Shaped Pair of Vases Designed by Dorothé Van Agthoven
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Pair of geometrically shaped ceramic vases with 'built-in' handle. Very easy on the eye. The vases have been designed by Dorothé van Agthoven for...
Ceramic
Hand Made Ceramic Yüklü Collection Vase by İpek Afacan
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand Made Ceramic Yüklü Collection Vase by İpek Afacan. Dimensions: W 19 x D 16 x H 24 cm Materials: Hand made ceramic. About: Born in 1995 in Türkiye’s Black Sea region, the artis...
Ceramic
Postmodern Marble Sculpture Attributed to Renoir, Circa 1980s
By Renoir Designs, Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1, Maitland Smith
Located in Round Top, TX
Postmodern pink and black marble sculpture with a twisty, swirly presentation. Attributed to Renoir production, in the Philippines, this tessellated marble treasure seems to be a rar...
Marble
$4,923 / item
Candy Box by Vetralia
Located in Geneve, CH
Candy Box by Vetralia Designed by Leo De Carlo Dimensions: W 16 x D 17 x H 19 cm Materials: Crystal, gold coated brass VETRALIA Functional Art based in Venice Active in the collect...
Crystal
Post-Modern Kombi Vases by Margareta Hennix for Gustavsberg, 1980s, Set of 7
By Gustavsberg, Margareta Hennix
Located in Bochum, NRW
Collection of Seven Post-Modern "Kombi" Vases, Margareta Hennix for Gustavsberg. Six vases in white glazed stoneware and one in black satin glaze, made by the Swedish artist Margare...
Ceramic
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
Meritalia Candelabre / Blue 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 Edizio...
Steel
$8,982 / item
So Be Lonely Sculpture by Carri
Located in Geneve, CH
So Be Lonely Sculpture by Carri Dimensions: W 52 x D 5 x H 75 cm Materials: Green Cantera. B 1995 Fernanda Carri ́s intimate practice spans painting, sculpture, ceramics, and texti...
Stone
$1,147 / item
Harlem Vase, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Harlem vase, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative bowl Hand-sculpted in crystal Measures: L 21.3 x H 17.8 x D 10 cm Art Deco is a distinctive architectural style that ...
Crystal
$1,301 / item
Pink Vase by Markus Friedrich Staab
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink Vase by Markus Friedrich Staab One of a Kind Dimensions: D 18 x H 31 cm. Materials: Wood, paint, brass, paper mache. Indian Vase out of paper mache with brass inlay for your fl...
Brass
Set of 4 Darkened Brass Coasters by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 darkened brass coasters by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 12 x W 9.5 cm Materials: darkened brass Hand-formed from a sheet of brass, emphasizing ...
Brass