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.
$6,372 / item
Morning Bed Clock by The Cult
Located in Geneve, CH
Morning Bed Clock by The Cult Dimensions: W 45 x D 30 x H 190 cm Materials: Metal Sheet folded, Automatice Paint The Cult STUDIO Generates Emotional Solutions And Experiences In Dif...
Metal
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
Postmodern Arclumis Series Swan Aluminum Candleholder by Matthew Hilton, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Arclumis Series Swan Aluminum Candleholder by Matthew Hilton for SCP England, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 official proof of authenticity such as ...
Aluminum
$1,144 / item
Italicus by Rampinelli Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Italicus by Rampinelli Edizioni Designed by Claudio Larcher Dimensions: D 10 x W 20 x H 18.5 cm, D 8 x W 16.5 x H 18.5 cm. Materials: Metal. CLAUDIO LARCHER Small cast iron objects ...
Metal
Contemporary Art TOTEM Clair De Lune Light Blue White N/Edit. by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited edition of 29 pieces. From Primitive clay magma, by playing with shapes, Sottsass makes the “philosophy” of a state of mind visible and concrete: as if in the musical atmosph...
Ceramic, Wood
$2,891 / item
Light 50 Stoneware Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Light 50 Stoneware Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 25 x H 25 cm Material: White and beige stoneware, glaze. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from anci...
Stoneware
Angela Reichert Mixed-Media Wall Art Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
Modern wall sculpture using paper-mâché, wood dowels and paint on canvas by Angela Reichert. Signed on canvas, 20th century.
Canvas, Wood, Paper
Organic Shape, Plain Terracotta Ceramic Large Vase by Willem Van Hooff
Located in Geneve, CH
Lata Vase by Willem Van Hooff Core Vessel Series Dimensions: W 58 x D 10 x H 26 cm (Dimensions may vary as pieces are hand-made and might present slight variations in sizes) Material...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$188 / item
Beechwood Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Beechwood Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: Beechwood. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fine Italian artisans in ...
Beech
Set of 3 Contemporary F.ACE Aluminium Wall Hooks by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 F.ACE Aluminium Wall Hooks by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 6 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Aluminium The F.ACE Hook is a riff on our popular compass Hook. It is sand cast in so...
Aluminum
Jomon Contemporary Fertility Vessel 11 by Noe Kuremoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Jomon Contemporary Fertility Vessel 11 by Noe Kuremoto Materials: White stoneware Dimensions: D 24 x W 28 x H 45 cm I’m a middle-aged woman who had babies late—too late, some might...
Stoneware
$1,191 / item
Hand Carved Marble Vessel by Tom Von Kaenel
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand carved marble vessel by Tom Von Kaenel. Dimensions: D 19 x W 25 x H 10 cm. Materials: Marble Tom von Kaenel, sculptor and painter, was born in Switzerland in 1961. Already ...
Marble
Flint II Abstract Sculpture by Pol Quadens in Polished Stainless Steel
Located in Geneve, CH
Flint II Sculpture by Pol Quadens Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 90 x W 140 x H 450 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. Pol Quadens was born in Brussel...
Stainless Steel
$986 / item
Set of 3 Mn Vases by Josefina Munoz
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Mn vases by Josefina Munoz Mn collection Dimensions:H12 X ?7,5, H18 X ?11, H25 X ?13,5cm Material: ceramics (black sandstone and transparent enamel) Available in: sol...
Ceramic
$247 / item
Crystal Pen Tray by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Crystal Pen Tray by Dainte Dimensions: D 11 x W 28 x H 3 cm. Materials: Crystal and brass. A stylish desk tray uniquely combines clear crystal with brass metallic accents. Minimalist yet distinctive, the beautiful design will showcase your elevated taste. Universal grooves fit any sized pen, and an extendable brass tray slides out to hold even more desktop essentials. This modern crystal and brass pen tray...
Crystal, Brass
$342 / item
Turned Brass Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Turned Brass Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: Turned Brass. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fine Italian artisa...
Brass
Mocap "white/yellow" Illusionistic Wall Clock
By Jan Paul
Located in Maastricht, NL
“Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also the same looking time-indication by numbers or stripes. “MOCAP” steps away from the basic. It’s appeara...
Steel
$1,427 / item
Velvet Realities Green Wall Sculpture by Sven Jansse
Located in Geneve, CH
Velvet Realities Green Wall Sculpture by Sven Jansse Collaboration with Studio Somé (Robyne Somé) and Sven Jansse. Dimensions: W 44 x D 1 x H 97 ...
Other
$532 / item
Olive Petri Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Olive Petri vase by Elyse Graham Dimensions: W 13 x H 14 cm Materials: Plaster, Resin Molded, dyed, and finished by hand in LA. Customization Available. All pieces are made to o...
Resin, Plaster
$1,097 / item
Terracotta Moon Jar No 10 by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Terracotta Moon Jar No 10 by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 14 x H 18.5 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Local Terracotta Clay from the Island of Crete Growing up in Gr...
Clay
Sterling silver desk / table ornament , Easel with abstract painting miniature.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful sterling silver 925 ornament miniature easel for desk or table , with an abstract painting motif . Also marker 840 AR , like we think is the city of Arezzo.
Sterling Silver
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
$2,725 / item
Untitled No. 46 Vase by Marea Hildebrand
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled No. 46 Vase by Marea Hildebrand Handmade Dimensions: D 28 x W 28 x H 28 cm Materials: Stoneware with slip, glaze. Marea Hildebrand (b. 1989) is a Zurich-based ceramic arti...
Stoneware
$40,241 / item
Rainbow Sculpture by Christian Friedl
Located in Geneve, CH
Rainbow Sculpture by Christian Friedl Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 50 x H 82 cm. Materials: Steel, rock crystal. Rainbow tells his story... My rainbo...
Rock Crystal, Steel
$2,336 / item
Sleeping Stone I by Terre Brute
Located in Geneve, CH
Sleeping Stone I by Terre Brute Dimensions: 43 x 30 x 25 cm Materials: Unglazed white stoneware. "Throughout my work, I try to embrace the fluidity and organic forms found in nature...
Stoneware
$22,751 / item
Large High Clay Bathtub by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Large High clay bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 85 x W 160 x H 54 cm Materials: Clay Other colors and raw or smooth exteriors available. Available in 4 sizes: W 130 (Small High), W 145 (Medium High), W 160 (Large High), and W 178 (X-Large High). The baths are entirely made of clay and are available in a wide range of colors or can be produced bespoke. The exterior of the clay can be raw or smooth according to preference, the interior of the baths is finished with a layer of smooth, silky lime plaster for maximum comfort. Due to the production process every piece is unique in size and form. Studio LoHo is a Belgian design office located in Bruges, Belgium. Founded in the autumn of 2017 by Karel Loontiens and Jo Hoeven, the studio focused from the beginning on high-end bespoke interior projects which forms an ideal matrix for product - and material design that is both innovative and durable. In current times there’s no more room for influx of disposable products, it is our studio’s goal to strive for design that will last and will be cherished for multiple generations. The introduction of the first collection “clay series” fully articulated the DNA of the newborn Studio and led to their international breakthrough. The appreciation of materials reflects their unique view on interior design with a strong and recognizable signature. Soon after, the collection was expanded on request by other architects and designers with new sinks...
Clay
Brass Accented Crystal Tabletop Decoration by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Accented Crystal Tabletop Decoration by Dainte Dimensions: D 11.5 x W 11.5 x H 18 cm. Materials: Crystal and brass. The illustrious and luxurious crystal and brass tabletop de...
Crystal, Brass
Contemporary Abstract Stoneware Sculptures by Valéry Maillot
Located in London, GB
Contemporary abstract stoneware sculptures by Valéry Maillot, 2015. Uniques Pieces, La Borne, France. _______ Dimensions : (1) H 80 cm – (2) (3) H 11...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$1,800Sale Price|28% Off
Desk Component
By Argosy Designs, Erik Johnson
Located in Treadwell, NY
DESK COMPONENT (MONOLITH) APD00070 Hot rolled steel plate, bronze and mirror-polished brass 9.75” L 4.5” W 5.25” H 16.5lbs 1 of 1
Brass, Bronze, Steel
Yuri Zatarain Floor Vase "Sketchbook" Series
Located in Chicago, IL
Yuri Zatarain Floor Vase "Sketchbook" Series. Monumental ceramic bottle vase in a matte white colored glaze. Vase has graphite drawings of diagrams and geometric sketches from Yuri ...
Porcelain
"Toute Petite Étrangeté" Cocoon Vase by Philippe Starck for Daum, France, 1980s
By Daum, Philippe Starck
Located in Lille, FR
"Toute petite étrangeté" cocoon vase by Philippe Starck for Daum, France, 1980s. Signed.
Crystal
$3,976 / item
AT-MN 3 Vessel by Cristina Vallejo
Located in Geneve, CH
AT-MN 3 Vessel by Cristina Vallejo Dimensions: W 27 x D 14 x H 25 cm Materials: 100 % Cotton cord and polyester thread. Weight: 0.65 Kg ELSUR is a furniture and product publisher, e...
Cotton
$5,015 / item
Coexist Sky Decorative Object by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Coexist Sky Decorative Object by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 30 Pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Gio Tirotto. Dimensions: D 30 x W 32 x H 38 cm. Materials: Handblown glass and br...
Brass
Set of 2 Blooming Cuts Candle Holder by Ebba Lindgren
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Blooming Cuts Candle Holder by Ebba Lindgren Dimensions: D 14 x W 14 x H 20 cm. Materials: Recycled textile fiberboard (“really board”), metal. Ebba Lindgren Is an interna...
Metal
Postmodern American Mid Century Modernist Ceramic Sculpture by Jaru Califirnia
By Jaru
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic sculpture Lovers by Jaru of California , in a beautiful copper glossy glaze excellent condition no chips or cracks. Signed and dated on the bottom this piece would ...
Ceramic
Eric Ledoux "10-Eyes" Solid Bronze Candelabra For 2 Candles
By Eric Ledoux
Located in Mexico City, MX
A heavy cast bronze sculptural candelabra by French sculptor Eric Ledoux. The candelabra shows a goat head, has 10 eyes around its body and has 2 arms. The bronze shows a nice mate f...
Bronze
Modern Abstract Ceramic Sculpture by Andree & Michel Hirlet, France
Located in London, GB
Sculpture 'Borne' by Andrée & Michel Hirlet 2000Material: Glazed stoneware Dimensions: H 66 x 55 x 15 cm Year: 2010 Type: Unique Working outside of any wider artistic community or ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Tristan Govignon "Lotus VII" Abstract Bronze Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Tristan Govignon, "Lotus VII" Cast bronze on a marble base
Marble, Bronze
2006 Italy Bronze Sculpture by Ugo Riva Dove Vai
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an intense bronze sculpture created by the Italian artist Ugo Riva, in 2006. Lost wax bronze on iron basement. The title of this artwork is "D...
Bronze
Black XIV Décima Cuarta Mobile Sculpture by Joel Escalona
Located in Geneve, CH
Black XIV Décima Cuarta mobile sculpture by Joel Escalona Dimensions: D 120 x H 185 cm Materials: oak wood. Mobile made of natural white oak with burnt finish and stainless stee...
Oak
Postmodern Glass Footed Art Centerpiece Bowl With Cobalt Swirl Applied
By Blenko Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Postmodern Glass Footed Art Centerpiece Bowl With Cobalt Swirl Applied ,excellent condition.
Blown Glass
Ash Candlestick Holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash candlestick holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: Ash, brass Dimensions: H 45 mm x D 105 mm Colour: Yellow/light brown Notes: For dry use Since 2015, pro...
Brass
Set Of 2 Eroded Resin Candlesticks by Three One Four Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Eroded Resin Candlesticks by Three One Four Studio Unique Pieces. Dimensions: D 10 x W 14 x H 25 cm. Materials: Resin. THREE ONE FOUR studio was born from the symbiotic rel...
Resin
$1,427 / item
Meeting Vase by Sophie Vaidie
Located in Geneve, CH
Meeting Vase by Sophie Vaidie One Of A Kind. Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 39 cm. Materials: Beige stoneware with beige glaze. In the beginning, there was a nee...
Stoneware
Inflated Form 02 Miniature Sculpture by Kris Lamba Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Inflated Form 02 Miniature Sculpture by Kris Lamba Studio Dimensions: W 12 x D 10 x H 17 cm Materials: Polished bronze with patina. Weight: 3 Kg. Kris Lamba was born in London in 19...
Bronze
$3,481 / item
Artificial Formations Concrete Bowl by Davide Ronco
Located in Geneve, CH
Artificial Formations Concrete Bowl by Davide Ronco One of a Kind Dimensions: D 100 x H 50 cm. Materials: Concrete. Concrete, the most widely used material in the world after water...
Concrete
$830 / item
Hand Carved Marble Vessel by Tom Von Kaenel
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand carved marble vessel by Tom Von Kaenel. Materials: marble. Dimensions: W 17 x D 17 x H 28 cm. Tom von Kaenel, sculptor and painter, was born in Switzerland in 1961. Already...
Marble
$460 / item
Brass Accented Crystal Prism Tray by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Accented Crystal Prism Tray by Dainte Dimensions: D 26 x W 28 x H 4 cm. Materials: Crystal and brass. The decorative prism tray is designed to fascinate and delight. Creating ...
Crystal, Brass
David Marshall, large decorative urn / vase, Brutalist-style, late 20th Century.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large urn / vase in brass and aluminium, with monogram DM. Designed by David Marshall, Post-modern. Beautiful decorative and functional. In good condition, normal signs of age and...
Aluminum, Brass
$1,345 / item
Amber Marsala Cap and Vase by Studio Bojola
Located in Geneve, CH
Amber Marsala Cap and Vase by Studio Bojola Dimensions: D 22 x H 58 cm Materials: Pure crystal. Colour: Amber. Weight: 8 kg. The Ustica is a combination of two vases, serving as b...
Crystal
Set of 4, 2 Plizé Boxes & 2 Beebee Jars by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4, 2 plizé boxes & 2 beebee jars by Made by Choice with Hanna Anonen Dimensions: W17 x D17 x H22 cm (L - white), W17 x D17 x H15.5 cm (M - blue) ( Plizé boxes) D18 x H30 cm (L- green), D15.5 x H24 cm (S - orange) Beebee jars Materials: birch plywood Also available: different colors & sizes. The Plizé box – Serrated surface balanced with a spherical knob is an eye-catcher like no other. Irresistible color combinations make this box a centerpiece of any space. About Made by Choice: Nordic Happiness. Nordic Happiness is our grand theme and guiding star. Studies show that Nordic people are among the happiest on Earth. Nordic happiness is composed of authentic values and sustainable choices. The vision of Choice is based on the added value of collective creation while promoting sustainable Nordic values through authentic design. Rooted in the traditions of Finnish woodworks, Made by Choice is a creative powerhouse of collaborative thinkers, believers and makers, establishing a global brand for the 21st century. Committed to producing durable, bold and innovative designs, we combine contemporary woodworking methods and modern technology. Halikko is home to our 4000 square metre campus where we turn abstract concepts into tangible objects. Our team in our office in Helsinki coordinates all operations and installations. Made by Choice's agile, purpose driven approach means all new products are developed on demand, for a specific project and need, and carries the authentic story of it's reason of existence. Our products are developed and manufactured at our own factory in south-western Finland by some of the best craftsmen in the world. Choice is inspired by heritage and Nordic urban...
Birch, Plywood
Vintage Murano Star Flower Shape Art Glass Dish, Italy
By Compagnia Di Venezia E Murano (C.V.M.)
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage hand crafted Murano star flower Art glass dish Italy. Stunning petaled flower or 6 pointed star-shaped hand blown glass dish in clear and pink, bl...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$2,950 / item
Untitled 40 by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled 40 by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 38 cm x H 38 cm Material: Porcelain. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ancient Korean ceramics as well as...
Porcelain
$22,550 / item
Calacatta Marble Monolithic Font by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Calacatta marble Monolithic font by Tino Seubert. Dimensions: D 100.5 x W 61 x H 62.1 cm. Materials: Calacatta marble. Tino Seubert When he first made his now signature wicker ...
Marble
Vintage Italian Postmodern Candleholder in Metal, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Italian Postmodern Candleholder in Metal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Brown Styles: Postmodern Cou...
Metal
Small Stella 3D Printed Vase by Jimena Montemayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Stella 3D Printed Vase by Jimena Montemayor Dimensions: D 23 x H 20 cm. Materials: 3D printed polylactic and aluminum filament. Available in l...
Other
$3,115 / item
Oriental Flowers Heritage Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Oriental Flowers Heritage Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 33 x H 54 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Empire red or aquamarine, black, golden yellow, cerium oxide. The “Oriental Flower...
Ceramic
French Art Deco Chrome and Rosewood Double Glass Photo Frame - 1930s
By Robert Mallet-Stevens, Jacques Adnet, (after) Jean Michel Frank, Marcel Breuer
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A refined French Art Deco modernist photograph frame dating from the 1930s, combining elegant geometry with noble materials characteristic of the period. The frame features a minima...
Steel
Blue Ceramic Vase by Siup Studio, Post-Modern Design, 15cm Diameter
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
Contemporary Art Pouf - Rose of Saint Petersbourg by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. Vintage rectangular ottoman decorated by the Author. Pontoglio silk and cotton velvets- Trimmings
Silk, Cotton