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.
Unique Elementa Fruit Holder in Satin Brass by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Elementa Fruit Holder in Satin Brass by Mingardo Dimensions: D16.5 x H8.5 cm Materials:Natural satin brass and natural varnished iron Weight: 5 kg...
Brass, Iron
$879 / item
Ice Blue Pluto Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Ice blue pluto vase by Elyse Graham Dimensions: W 13 x D 13 x H 14 cm Materials: Plaster, Resin Molded, dyed, and finished by hand in LA. Customization available. All pieces are...
Resin, Plaster
Unique Elementa Trivet in Satin Brass by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Elementa Trivet/ Fruit Holder/ Paper Roll Holder in Brass by Mingardo Dimensions: D9 x H2.5 cm Materials: natural satin brass and natural varnished iron Weight: 2 kg Also av...
Brass, Iron
Modern Brass and Copper Vessel
By Argosy Designs, Erik Johnson
Located in Treadwell, NY
SHADOW VESSEL (9:28 AM 9.14.23) Brass and copper Dimensions: 13” L x 2” W x 7.375” H Weight: 4.5lbs 1 of 1
Brass, Copper
1950s French Modernist Crucifix in Black Lacquered Metal and Ceramic
By Peter and Denise Orlando, Georges Jouve, Roger Capron
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Black Lacquered Metal Cross with Stylized Enameled Ceramic Christ A rare and sculptural French modernist crucifix from the 1950s, reflecting the postwar renewal of sacred art throug...
Iron
Large Listed Artist Lesley Nolan Glass Wall Sculpture Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
Lesley Nolan Contenporary Florida listed artist , large glass fused sculpture , colorful and unique piece in excellent condition no chips or cracks .
Glass
Post-Modern American Studio Raku Ceramic Covered Vessel or Box, circa 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
Expressive American studio raku ceramic covered vessel dating to the late 20th century. This sculptural postmodern form features a hand-built matte charcoal-black body raised on four...
Pottery
Polished Cast Brass Mino G Towel Hanger by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Mino G Towel Hanger by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 66 x D 8 x H 5 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: Studio ...
Metal
Vintage Leather Stitched Padfolio Bond Street Italy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan leather burgundy leather padfolio. Vintage Bond Street Leather Portfolio Italy Burgundy. Gorgeous Burgundy Pebbled Leather Portfolio B...
Leather
Large Modernist Raku Fired Abstract Pottery Vase by Tony Evans
By Tony Evans
Located in Miami, FL
Large abstract form raku fired ceramic vase on lucite base by renowned master ceramicist Tony Evans (1942-2009). Evans developed a very distinctive style after studying ancient potte...
Ceramic, Pottery
Polished Cast Brass Cos II Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Cos II Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 30 x D 16 x H 6 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: S...
Metal
Postmodern Ceramic Bowl, ca. 1980s
By Haeger
Located in New York, NY
A Modern style or Postmodern period stone white round ceramic bowl, circa 1980s, USA. Maker's mark on bottom as shown in image #15. Dimensions: 7" diameter. Black acrylic waterfall table...
Ceramic
Pair Post-Modern Marble Interlocking Rings / Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of post-modern marble interlocking rings / paperweight, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 5"W x 3.5"D x 3"H. Beautiful brown ...
Marble
Black Nun Ritual Font, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Nun Ritual Font, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 110 cm. Materials: MDF, PETG, stainless steel, Dark Matter. Weight: 21 kg. Thi...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Alessi Big Ovo Glass Biscuit Jar Designed by Joanna Lyle Italy
By Alessi
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Alessi Big Ovo Glass Biscuit Jar Designed by Joanna Lyle. Large Post Modern Big Ovo Jar designed by Joanna Lyle and manufactured by Alessi in It...
Glass, Plastic
Toots Zinsky Chiacchiera Venini Vase Incamiciato Glass, Italy, 1990
By Toots Zynsky, Venini
Located in Vienna, AT
Toots Zinsky Chiacchiera Venini vase, Italy, 1990. Incamiciato glass with applied threading Incised signature to underside: Zinsky x Venini 90. Signed wit...
Glass
$295Sale Price|46% Off
Large Michael Lax Polished Aluminum Bowl
By Michael Lax
Located in Chicago, IL
Large Michael Lax polished aluminum bowl Some wear on the interior center area as shown. Would be a good piece to possibly have polished.
Aluminum
Brass Sculpture on Marble Base After Rodin's "The Thinker" - SIGNED
Located in North Miami, FL
Signed V. Martin, this wonderful version of Rodin's renowned sculpture, The Thinker, is made of patinated brass and sits atop a black marble base. Pedestal shown is sold separately ...
Marble, Brass
Small Postmodern Piggy Penny Bank by Ambrogio Pozzi & Sieger Design
Located in Hamburg, DE
Small Postmodern Piggy Penny Bank by Ambrogio Pozzi & Sieger Design for Ritzenhoff, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional inf...
Ceramic
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
New Franz Hermle Mantel Clock in DeArt Italian Fine Marquetry and Ormolu Case
By Franz Hermle, DeART
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
Post-modern Art Glass Vase by Odd Ingar Karlengen for Hallingglass Norway
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Almost every color imaginable appears in the palette of this studio art glass vase by Norwegian Glass Designer Odd Ingar Karlengen. It is signed by hand and its a piece unique made a...
Art Glass
$204Sale Price|50% Off
Decorative Rhino Sculpture, Platinum Toned Metallic Finish c 1980s
By Dimitri Omasar
Located in Glasgow, GB
A large rhinoceros sculpture crafted around the late 1980s, in England, This sculptural piece of animalia, showcases a more simplified and stylized form of the rhinoceros, with a s...
Plaster
Terry Balle Resin Aqua Sculpture Vase
By Terry Balle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking Post Modern resin vase by Terry Balle is a sculptural masterpiece that challenges traditional design norms. Cast in a translucent seafoam green hue, its asymmetrical fo...
Resin
Radius One by William Sklaroff for Smith Metal Arts Rose Gold Desk Pen Holder
By Smith Metal Arts, William Sklaroff
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and elegant rosegold finish double pen holder from the Radius One Metal Collection designed by William Sklaroff for Smith Metal Arts, USA circa late 1980's. Sleek, modern a...
Metal
Unique Rock Large Sculpture in Jurassic Natural Rock by NERINEA
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Rock Large Sculpture in Jurassic Natural Rock by NERINEA. Dimensions: W 35 x D 25 x H 15 cm. Materials: Natural Stone (Jurassic Fossil Rock). Collectible sculptural object cur...
Stone
Postmodern Metal Wood Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Metal Wood Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Wood Color: Black Styles: Postmodern Item Type: ...
Metal
Rare Pair Danish Post Modern Memphis Adjustable Candle Holders
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Very rare pair of Tall, Minimalist, Post Modern Adjustable Height, Candle Holders. Made in the Netherlands Beautiful lines and clever design. The disk that the candles rest upo...
Metal, Chrome
$217Sale Price|54% Off
Postmodern Art Glass Vase by Colin Terris for Caithness, 1990
Located in Glasgow, GB
This Postmodern art glass vase by Colin Terris for Caithness Glass, titled Xanadu and produced in Scotland circa 1990, reflects the designer’s contribution to late 20th-century Briti...
Art Glass
1980's Postmodern Advertising Wall Clock by RADO of Switzerland
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Rado wall clock advertizing for store owners double tone silver and black beautiful condition the face is made of polished acrylic and aluminium back , battery operated clock ci...
Aluminum
$1,057Sale Price / set|25% Off
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
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
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
Salar Candle Holder in Polished Bronze & Volcanic Stone by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Salar Candle Holder in Polished Bronze & Volcanic Stone by Estudio Andean Dimensions: D 23 x W 23 x H 26,5 cm. Materials: Bronze and volcanic stone. SALAR is a sculptural candle ho...
Stone, Bronze
Postmodern Art Glass Vase by Hans Jürgen Richartz for Richartz Art Collection
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Art Glass Vase by Hans Jürgen Richartz for Richartz Art Collection, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional i...
Glass
$1,200 / item
Aluminum Desk Block and Tray Accessory Set
Located in Treadwell, NY
Collection I: Desk set This high polished aluminum desk set, comprised of a desk tray and desk block, adds style and sophistication to your work surface Measures: Desk block 3...
Aluminum
Modern Steel and Brass Vessel
By Argosy Designs, Erik Johnson
Located in Treadwell, NY
DUAL VESSEL NO.1 Hot-rolled steel plate, various brass alloys Dimensions: 10” L x 6.25” W x 10.75” H Weight: 15lbs 1 of 1
Brass, Steel
$893Sale Price|20% Off
Venini Murano Italy Blue Glass Bottle Vase Serie “Velati” 1992
By Paolo Venini, Venini
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Amazing and fabulous very rare Italian handmade and blown bottle in light blue color glass with stopper, from the “Velati” series designed and produ...
Glass
Contemporary Bronze Sculptures Louanges I & II by Bertrand Créac'h
Located in London, GB
Louanges I & II by Bertrand Créac'h Material: Bonze, black patina Dimensions: H 109 x 19 x 14 cm / H 114 x 17 x 16 cm Year: 2021 Type: Limited edition 3/8 + 4 AP, signed These sculp...
Bronze
$260Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Post-Modern Travertine Lidded Trinket Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage post-modern travertine lidded trinket box, circa 1980s. The box is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 4.75"W x ...
Travertine
1980s Lucite Mantel Clock
By Shlomi Haziza, Hivo Van Teal, Felice Antonio Botta
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A simple and sophisticated lucite mantle or table clock with a rectangular base, tall diamond shaped body, textured light gray face, brass marks for numbers, and brass hands. It is ...
Lucite
$204Sale Price|50% Off
Blue and Green Aurora Borealis Style Glass Teardrop Vase
Located in Glasgow, GB
A vintage art glass teardrop shaped vase attributed to Lars Sestervik for Lindshammar, Sweden c1990 This colourful glass vase showcases a striking blend of blue, green, and clear gl...
Glass, Art Glass
Bitossi Ceramiche Hand Turned Vase by Marco Zanini
By Bitossi, Marco Zanini
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed by Marco Zanini for Bitossi, this stacked-form vase plays with scale and colour, layering conical and cylindrical shapes in glossy green, cobalt, and deep black for a compos...
Ceramic
German Postmodern Studio Line Vase by Werner Schreib for Rosenthal, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern Porcelain Studio Line Vase by Werner Schreib for Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark, Official proof...
Porcelain
Post-Modern Ceramic Vases by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, 1986
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Post-modern ceramic vases by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, known as "Dealbata". We like the richness of the shapes, counterbalanced by the sobriety of the white enamelled porcela...
Ceramic
Large Old Rose Glass Vase "Cartoccio" in the style of Fontana Arte, 1980s, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
The design is of the 30s, but this vase is made in the 1980s. This handmade vase is in the style of Fontana Arte. It is made in old rose and has a very nice ‘Cartoccio’ (paper bag) s...
Murano Glass
Andrew Galvin Footed Tray, American Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage footed art glass tray features colorful Op-art fused glass design with purple, marigold yellow, forest green, and teal blue colored glass elements seamlessly fused in rectan...
Glass, Art Glass
Original Surrealist Painted Mannequin Torso Sculpture Mona Lisa Portrait 1970s
Located in Troy, MI
Unique artist-made painted mannequin sculpture circa 1970s Torso of a vintage female mannequin serves as a three dimensional canvas, hand-painted with a surreal reinterpretation of ...
Fiberglass, Paint
Pair of Post Modern Faux Tusks on Tessellated Marble & Brass Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Designer: Marquis Collection Manufacturer: Marquis Collection Materials: Tessellated Marble, Black Marble, Brass Trim Striking and sculptural...
Marble, Brass
$7,920Sale Price|31% Off
Postmodern Rare Standing Mirror in the Style of Gaetano Pesce, Italy, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
A striking postmodern standing mirror, attributed to Gaetano Pesce, crafted for the iconic Annabella luxury shop in Pavia, Italy, during the 1970s. Its sculptural form is bathed in a...
Mirror, Resin
Sterling Silver Sculptural Vessel by Marco Zanini for Pampaloni, Italy
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A striking example of postmodern design, this sculptural sterling silver vessel was created by Marco Zanini and expertly fabricated by the esteemed Italian silversmith Pampaloni. Des...
Sterling Silver
Danish Designer, Vase, Ceramic, Denmark, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown-glazed budded ceramic vase, designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1970s.
Ceramic
Set of 4 Italian Postmodern Milano Series Candleholders, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Milano Series Candleholders, 1980s, Set of 4, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material:...
Metal
Post-Modern Glass Vase by Marco Susani for HWC Egizia by Sottsass Associati
By Marco Susani
Located in Doornspijk, NL
The black lines on this frosted glass vase are so playful that one could think that a black ribbon was wrapped randomly around the object. The shape of the vase lends itself very well to arrange a high and stylish bouquet in. Underneath the lowest black line the vase is marked subtly: Marco Susani for hwc Egizia...
Glass
1970s Style Erotic Chromed Bronze Kneeling Nude Statue
Located in Van Nuys, CA
1970s style erotic bronze re-cast of a kneeling nude woman with one hand resting against her wind blown hair, one hand on her leg. Kneeling on a black mirror-finished marble square b...
Marble, Bronze, Chrome
Memphis Milano style table clock in painted metal, 1980s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
1980s table clock made of painted sheet metal and plastic, Memphis Milano inspired design, in the style of Ettore Sottsass. In mint condition, taken out of its box for the photo, i...
Metal
Functional Sculpture 'Praying Mantis' by Salvino Marsura, Italy, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Functional sculpture by Italian artist Salvino Marsura, crafted in the 1950s. Hand-forged from steel and finished with vibrant powder pigments, the piece embodies Marsura’s deep resp...
Steel
Postmodern Porcelain Elephant Figurine and Penny Bank by Luigi Colani, 1980s
By Luigi Colani
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Porcelain Elephant Figurine and Penny Bank by Luigi Colani for Höchst, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additiona...
Porcelain
Marcelo Morandín Foundation of Tenochtitlan Eagle With Snake Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, MX
A plated bronze eagle sculpture by Argentine-born Mexican sculptor Marcelo Morandín. The ethereal sculpture depicts Mexico's national symbol and coat of arms, an eagle devouring a ra...
Stone, Bronze
Vintage Postmodern Porcelain Plate with Subvention Decor by René Fehr, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Porcelain Plate with Subvention Decor by René Fehr for Lengsfeld Porzellan, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mar...
Porcelain
Postmodern Round Pop Art Desk or Table Clock, Memphis Milano Style, Italy, 1990s
By Nathalie du Pasquier, George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Vienna, AT
An eye-catching post-modern Pop-Art Italian desk or table clock from the early 1990s. Outstanding design, the housing is made of black rubber, it has a clear see-trough clocks face, ...
Plastic, Plexiglass, Rubber