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.
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 Italian Metal and Stone Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Metal and Stone Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Material: Metal, Stone Color: Black Styles: Memphis, ...
Stone, Metal
Vintage Brown Stitched Leather Covered Telephone by Contempra 1970s
By Jacques Adnet, Ralph Lauren, Hermès
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Northern Telecom Contempra Stitched Leather clad tone touch Telephone, Desk or Wall Mount.Vintage Northern Telecom Contempra telephone covered in stitched brown leather.Could...
Leather, Bakelite
$920Sale Price|20% Off
Large Organic Sculptural Ceramic Pottery Vessel
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic Post Modern Studio Pottery Vase Vessel. Acquired vessel from an incredible artist estate in Palm Springs, Vase is in excellent vintage condition and believed to be early 1...
Ceramic, Pottery
Pair of Italian Sterling Silver and Enamel Clown Figures by Sorini
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Expressive pair of Italian sterling silver clown figures by Sorini, Arezzo, late 20th century. Crafted in solid sterling silver with vivid polychrome enamel decoration, the composition depicts two highly theatrical circus clowns rendered with exaggerated proportions and animated gestures. One figure balances a miniature unicycle while the second presents a stylized flower connected by an elegant silver wire element, creating a playful interaction between the two sculptures. The figures exemplify the whimsical and technically refined silver production associated with the Tuscan silversmithing tradition of Arezzo during the second half of the 20th century. Their sculptural modeling, bright enamel palette, and humorous character place them within a broader lineage of collectible Italian decorative silver objects that merged craftsmanship with postmodern fantasy aesthetics. Both figures are marked “925” with Italian assay marks and retain engraved Sorini signatures to the reverse. A charming and unusual decorative ensemble, ideal for collectors of Italian silver, circus memorabilia...
Silver, Enamel
Postmodern Italian Green Solid Marble Mortar & Pestle
Located in San Diego, CA
Postmodern Vintage solid green marble Mortar and Pestle Hand-Turned Modernist Design, circa 1980s, showcasing the warm grain, sculptural lines, and refined utility characteristic of ...
Marble
Art Deco Blue Glass Centerpiece Bowl by Rudolf Schrötter, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Poland, 1970s This is a thick and heavy blue glass bowl. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but overall it can be considered as in excellent...
Glass
Manolo Blahnik Aluminum Shoe Horn, 2004 Anniversary Edition
Located in Hanover, MA
Manolo Blahnik shoe horn polished cast aluminium 2004, England. Manolo Blahnik`s iconic shoe horn was a collaboration with UK based store Habi...
Aluminum
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
Op Art Acrylic Sphere on Stand Sculpture by Vasa Mihich
Located in San Diego, CA
Op Art acrylic sphere sculpture on lucite base by Vasa Mihich, circa 1990. The optical look is changed by rotating the piece and letting the light refra...
Acrylic, Lucite
C. Jeré brass and chrome kinetic sculpture wall art
By Artisan House, Curtis Jeré, C. Jeré Artisan House
Located in Phoenix, AZ
C. Jeré uncommon kinetic brass and chrome wall sculpture. It’s made of a brass frame with two separate parts that connect or can be displayed separately. It can also be positioned offset (not pictured). Polished brass and chrome bent diamonds hang on hooks. These can slightly move under a fan or if touched, providing movement and an op art sparkling...
Brass, Chrome
Joel O'Dorisio for Lost Angel Glass Bud Vase, American Studio Art Glass, 2005
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Fused glass vase features complex multilayered colored glass core in dark Bordeau or burgundy red, cream, and sapphire blue colors, encased in clear glass in sommerso technique. Com...
Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso
Shiva Penis Vase, Ceramic Decorative Object, Unique Design, Sottsass Design
By BD Barcelona Design, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ettore Sottsass Shiva Ceramic Flower Vase. Original design dates to the early 70's. This one is probably 10-15 years old?!
Ceramic
Handmade Ceramic Sculptural Tealight Small Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Ceramic Sculptural Tealight Small Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 17.7 x H 20.3 cm Materials: Ceramic, volcanic stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based cera...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Danish Postmodern Wall Calendar, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Postmodern Wall Calendar, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Plastic Style: Postmodern Country of Origin: Germany Color...
Plastic
$520Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Postmodern Italian Marble Vases
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous pair of postmodern Italian marble vases, circa 1970s. Striking tan, brown, white and cream fleck throughout each vase. The pair are in ve...
Marble
$2,153Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Murano glass vase by Ottavio Missoni, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Magnificent multicolored Murano blown glass vase designed by the famous Ottavio Missoni and made in the 1980s, a true masterpiece that embodies the essence of artistic design of the ...
Murano Glass
Pair of “Totem” Candlesticks by Hilton McConnico for Maison Lanvin – 1990s
By Lanvin Paris, Hilton McConnico
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Rare pair of “Totem” candlesticks designed by Hilton McConnico and produced by Maison Lanvin circa 1992. Crafted from a striking mix of gilt bronze, painted wood, resin, leather, car...
Brass
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Orange and Pastel Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Indian Summer" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Orange and Matte Pastel Pink. *All the pieces are hand-made and...
Resin
Pair of 1987 David Fisher “Mysterious I & II” Sculptures for Austin Productions
By Austin Productions, David Fisher
Located in Stafford, TX
Pair of 1987 David Fisher “Mysterious I & II” Sculptures for Austin Productions An iconic pair of Postmodern figurative bust sculptures titled “Mysterious I” and “Mysterious II,...
Acrylic, Plaster, Wood
$327Sale Price|20% Off
Turquoise Glass Amphora Vase by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland, 1980s
Located in Glasgow, GB
This turquoise cased glass amphora vase by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz for Tarnowiec Glassworks was produced in Poland in the early 1980s and reflects a modern interpretation of classical v...
Art Glass
Large Barrett DeBusk Postmodern Iron Sculpture / Valet Stand. Circa 1990s.
Located in Miami, FL
Large Barrett DeBusk Postmodern Iron Sculpture / Valet Stand. Circa 1990s. Signed by the artist. Features a male figure formed with iron wire and painted in black. I good original condition with signs of wear consistent with age and history. There is some oxidation at the base and some minor scratches in the paint in other areas. Please see close up pictures for more details. About the Artist Barrett Debusk (American 1955...
Iron
A SCULPTURAL BLOWN GLASS VASE, by DAVIDE SALVADORE, MURANO, Italy 2000.
Located in PARIS, FR
An enormous sculptural Post-Modernist Blown Glass Vase, from the serie "Porphyre", by Contemporary Murano Glass Artist Davide Salvadore. This is a museum piece of Contemporary Art in...
Murano Glass
Italian Scissors and Letter Opener Leather Case Post-Modern
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of fine Italian brass-plated and stainless-steel scissors, letter opener, and grained leather case, Post-Modern design period//70s Modern, circa late-20th century, It...
Stainless Steel, Brass
Yaacov Agam — Abstract Kinetic Silkscreen on Glass, Signed and Numbered 25/27
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Weesp, NL
Yaacov Agam — Abstract Kinetic Silkscreen on Glass, Signed and Numbered 25/27 Dimensions: W 33 × H 23 × D 4 cm (W 12.99 × H 9.06 × D 1.57 in) This striking kinetic artwork by Yaaco...
Glass, Wood
Murano glass vase, Anthropomorphic (face) vase
Located in London, GB
A whimsical and stylized art glass vase in the shape of an expressive human face. The body is characterized by a vibrant, mottled pattern in shades of teal, deep blue, and black, ach...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Italy Cast Bronze Figurine Man Sculpture by Aron Demetz Title Ricordo
By Aron Demetz
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense bronze sculpture was made by the well known Italian artist, Aron Demetz, in 2004, Italy. This is a lost wax bronze hand painted. The title is "Ricordo" translated in "Me...
Bronze
1980s Postmodern Black & Silver Pendulum Desk Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic postmodern vintage desk, mantel, or shelf clock with a oval base, rounded top case, geometric hands, and a silver pendulum 'ring' above the base of the clock that keeps t...
Plastic
Fiorucci Canister Italy, c. 1980
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is a tall metal canister with a matching lid by Fiorucci, made in Italy circa the 1980s. The image is repeated on both sides.
Steel
Ann Primrose Cristalleria d'Arte Italian Millefiori Murano Glass Vase
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Murano glass vase featuring a distinctive Millefiori pattern with lime green and red swirls By Ann Primrose Italy, Circa 1980s Measures: 7.5"W x 3.25"D x 12.75"...
Murano Glass
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Art Wall Sculpture
Located in Hamburg, DE
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Art Wall Sculpture No. 705-91 4/8, 1991
Pottery
Vintage Black Canetti Camera Clock
By Canetti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic post modern clock by Canetti in the shape of a camera. Clock’s face is set into the camera's lens and body is solid wood with a moving film advance lever. In good vintage...
Wood
$18,728Sale Price|20% Off
The tree of seven possibilities from Elvio Becheroni's Amazonia series
Located in Milano, IT
**The Tree of Seven Possibilities** by Elvio Becheroni is an extraordinary and unique sculpture, part of the renowned series "Amazonia - Disenchanted Forest" created in 1992. This pi...
Wood
Handcrafted Yellow Beige Art Glass Vase Kosta Boda Style, 1980s
By Kosta Boda
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted rectangular beige art glass flower vase in Kosta Boda style. In the style of Designer Bertil Vallien Art glass vase, circa 1980 for Kosta Boda. ...
Glass, Art Glass
Contemporary Abstract Fragmented Male Torso Resin Sculpture, Vitruvian, TMS 2005
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking contemporary abstract fragmented male torso sculpture from the Vitruvian Collection, dated 2005. This sculptural work presents the human form in a deconstructed and spiral...
Resin
Vintage Abstract Postmodern Ikebana Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage Post Modern Sculptural Ikebana vase by Keiko & David Hergesheimer of Catalpa Lane Pottery c.1990’s. Interesting abstract hashtag shape and lovely gradient glaze in pink, peac...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
PF02 Handmade Sculptural Bust On Wood Plinth by Object Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
PF02 Handmade Sculptural Bust On Wood Plinth by Object Atelier One Of a Kind. Dimensions: D 20 x 20 x H 53.5 cm (Dimensions may vary). Materials: Natural fibers, aggregates, pigments...
Natural Fiber, Wood
$395 / item
Post Modern Display Mannequin
Located in Riverdale, NY
Post Modern Display Mannequin from a Japanese store formerly located on Madison Ave, NY. Articulated fiberglass mannequin body has screws at join...
Metal
$184Sale Price|20% Off
Ikea Candle Holder
By IKEA
Located in Bern, BE
Set of 3 'Konfetti' Post-Modern candlesticks by Anna Efverlund for IKEA dating from the 1990's. In three varying sizes and colours. Design: Anna Efverlund Produded: IKEA Height: 30cm...
Metal
Italian Lucite Pen Pencil Desk Holder By Designer Rede Guzzini
By Rede Guzzini
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Lucite pen, pencil, marker and small paper desk organizer/holder, Postmodern period or Modern style, by designer Rede Guzzini, circa 1980s, Italy. A great desk accessory a...
Lucite
Murano Mushroom Toadstool Art Glass Paperweight Orange 1980s
By Fornasa De Murano A L'Insegna Del Moreto
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Murano Style Italian Art Glass Mushroom Toadstool Paperweight Orange with Millefiori and White 1980s. Beautiful vintage Murano style hand made orange with multicolor spots Italian ar...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Drop Unique Wall Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Drop Unique Wall Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 7 x W 11 x H 25 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Available in different finishes and material options. C...
Aluminum
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Lucite Tissue Box in the Style of Charles Hollis Jones
Located in San Diego, CA
l Beautiful solid lucite tissue box in the style of Charles Hollis Jones, circa the 1980s. The piece is in excellent condition no chips or scratches ...
Lucite
Monumental Gail Markiewicz Hand Built Sculptural Ceramic Vessel, Signed
By Markiewicz
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A monumental hand-built ceramic vessel by noted American ceramic artist Gail Markiewicz. Constructed from individually textured and impressed clay sections joined together in the art...
Ceramic, Pottery
Italian Travertine Marble Jewelry Box, Postmodern, Fratelli Mannelli, '70s Italy
Located in New York, NY
An Italian rectangular travertine marble box, attributed to designer Fratelli Mannelli, Postmodern design period, circa late‑20th century, (1970s), Italy. The box is crafted in warm ...
Stone, Travertine, Marble
Amphora Mini Vase in Polished Aluminum by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
Amphora Mini Vase in Polished Aluminum by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 40 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Available in brushed, varnished, or polished aluminum. Available in two different ...
Aluminum
Avedis Baghsarian aluminum “Saturn” vases set of five
By Avedis Baghsarian
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
A unique design by Avedis Baghsarian, this rare set of interlocking vases/candle holders/art objects includes five containers of different shapes and sizes that interlock into multip...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Frosted Flower Glass Block Vase, Post-Modern Design, 1980s
Located in Fairfield, CA
A unique vintage vase made from a glass block. A rounded rectangular opening has been cut into the top for use as a vase. Nice heavy weight, would work well doubling as a bookend. Ha...
Glass
Medusa Vase (Large), Matte Cherry by Gaetano Pesce, Corsi
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Medusa' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Matte Cherry *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Variations ...
Resin
Ettore Sottsass Model 585 Oxblood Red Ceramic Vase, Il Sestante, Italy, 1961
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional example of Ettore Sottsass’ early ceramic production, this striking vase—model 585—was designed in 1960 and realized circa 1961 by the Società Ceramica Toscana di Figl...
Ceramic
Large Glass Postmodern Memphis Milano Wall Clock by Bino, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Large Postmodern Memphis Milano wall clock produce by Bino Italy. Made in glass Unique piece
Glass, Plastic
$89Sale Price|31% Off
Vintage Clear Lucite Fan Shaped Card Holder by Guzzini 1980s Made in Italy
By Guzzini
Located in Amityville, NY
Vintage clear lucite or acrylic post modern fan shaped card holder, sorter or separator made in Italy in the 1980s by Guzzini. Marked "Guzzini Made in Italy" this originally was sold...
Lucite
A bronze figurative sculpture after Henry Moore, signed, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A bronze figurative sculpture depicting an abstract female body, upon a pink marble plinth, signed by artist, probably mid to late 20th century. Thi...
Marble, Bronze
White, Black and Blue Hand-Painted Ceramic Jug / Vase in the Style of Picasso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in France, 1960s - 1970s. It is made in white hand-painted ceramic with blue and black motifs, that recalls Pablo Picasso's style. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show ...
Ceramic
Set of Tall Cast Iron Candlestick Holders, Post-Modern Design
Located in Fairfield, CA
A pair of tall cast iron candlestick holders in varying heights. Unique curvy design with tripod bases to create a wonderful sculptural display. ...
Iron
White Art Glass Vase with Abstract Design Postmodern
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, tall and substantial abstract clear and white opaline art glass vase with a slight iridescence, Postmodern design, circa late-20th century. Center 'ball' area has an abstract design of clear and twisted white art glass. Very good condition as shown in images and video. No chips noted. Dimensions: 4.25" diameter x 15" height. For black and white handkerchief...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
$447Sale Price|50% Off
Fondica Casenove French 1980 Bronze Floral Candle Holder
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural bronze floral French Candle holder designed by Pierre Casenove for Fondica. signed.
Bronze
$1,200Sale Price|46% Off
1990s Postmodern Abstract Honey Bear Sculpture Large Architectural Form
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful Minimalist bear form, golden speckle textured matte glaze. Over 1 foot high and 15 lbs.
Stoneware
AMANO - Vintage Ceramic Vase - Rich Red Glaze - Germany - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
AMANO - Vintage ceramic vase - rich red glaze - bullet shape - signed on the base - impressed model number '629-18' - Germany - late 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - no l...
Ceramic
Handmade Nordic Home Decor Textured Ceramic Small Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Nordic Home Decor Textured Ceramic Small Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 25.4 H 10.1 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio fo...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Don Shepherd Style Iridescent Icescape Lettuce Art Glass Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A spectacular sculptural iridescent art glass centerpiece bowl composed as a dramatically unfurling head of lettuce or cabbage, its deeply modeled overlapping leaves terminating in i...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass