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.
Alessi Girotondo Round Stainless Steel Tray Postmodern in Yellow
By Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
Cut paper dolls motif created by design Duo Stefano Giovannoni and Guido Ventury early production. Beautiful color and condition
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Silver Aluminium Agata Bowl by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Agata Bowl by Henry Wilson Dimensions: D 25 x H 7.3 cm Materials: Aluminum. Influenced by Eastern aesthetics, particularly those of Japanese ceremonial bowls, Agata Bowl is an exerc...
Aluminum
$760Sale Price|20% Off
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
Contemporary Blackened Brass Teardrop Handle by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Blackened Brass Planchart Handle by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 2 x D 8 x H 19 cm Materials: Blackened brass. The Planchart Handle is a bold, unique utilitarian object, created in ho...
Brass
$6,000 / set
Garouste & Boneti Bronze Objects, France 1980's
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in New York, NY
Set of B&G bronze objects for Blome Overall 2-3/4x1-1/4
Bronze
White Stoneware Alavastron Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
White Stoneware Alavastron Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 20 x H 40 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: White, Red, Black, Brown, Blac...
Stoneware
$1,384 / item
Structured By Nature Medium Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Structured By Nature Medium Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 22 x W 22 x H 52 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 8 kg. Finish: Medium-size “branches” production style, green color. “Au...
Glass
$595 / item
Rotation Vase 30 by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Rotation Vase 30 by Zieta Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 30 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. Flower-like vessel The ROTATION VASE is the essence of harmonious repetition. The flower-l...
Stainless Steel
Hand Blown Glass Soliflore Vase Blue and Coral Red
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Elegant hand-blown art glass soliflore featuring a striking two-tone composition with a deep cobalt blue body and an elongated coral red neck. The silhouette combines a generous roun...
Art Glass
Set of 3 Small Dusty Peach Cibele Plant Stand by OK Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Small Dusty Peach Cibele Plant Stand by OK Design Dimensions: D 35 x H 30 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal. Available in small, medium, and large. Available in black, whi...
Metal
Vintage Postmodern Wooden Candleholder, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Wooden Candleholder, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 Additional information: Materials: Metal, Wood Color: Gold Period: 1970s Item Type: Vin...
Metal
Vintage Sommerso Italiano crackled glass vase
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Vintage Italian Sommerso Crackled Glass Vase This vintage Italian Sommerso glass vase features a sturdy, rectangular design. Its distinctive feature is the "crackle" technique on the...
Art Glass
Contemporary Silver Aluminium Gio Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Aluminium Gio Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 7.4 x D 1.5 x H 12 cm Materials: Aluminium The Gio Hook is sand cast in Aluminium. Named after Signor Ponti...
Aluminum
$1,384 / 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
$516 / item
Reef Petri Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Reef 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 OR...
Resin, Plaster
Fulvio Bianconi 'Ritalgi' Vase for Venini, Italy 1998
Located in Hellouw, NL
A playful and expressive example of late 20th-century Murano glassmaking, this 'Ritagli' vase by Fulvio Bianconi was produced by Venini in 1998. Known for his experimental approach t...
Glass
$5,494 / item
Flask by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Flask by Laura Pasquino Limited Edition of 8 Dimensions: D 38 x H 43 cm Material: Soft-paste porcelain, glaze. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ancient Korean ceramics ...
Porcelain
Hydria Hueso Stoneware Vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz
Located in Geneve, CH
Hydria Hueso stoneware vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz Dimensions: D 16 x H 24 cm Materials: Stoneware The N.3 series is the result of a profound analysis of the different ty...
Stoneware
Ettore Sottsass Postmodern Shiva Pink Ceramic Vase for BD Barcelona, Spain 1970s
By BD Barcelona Design, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Postmodern vase model Shiva designed by Ettore Sottsass for BD Barcelona, in pink glazed ceramic, signed under the base. First version, production late 70s
Ceramic
$343 / set
Set of 2 Luna Oak Trays by Applicata
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Luna Oak Trays by Applicata Dimensions: D 28 x W 28 x H 3.7 cm Materials: Smoked oak, black stained oak. Available in oak, smoked oak, and black stained oak finishes. Appl...
Oak
$343 / set
Set of 2 Luna Oak Trays by Applicata
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Luna Oak Trays by Applicata Dimensions: D 28 x W 28 x H 3.7 cm Materials: Oak, black stained oak. Available in oak, smoked oak, and black stained oak finishes. Applicata’s...
Oak
$4,532 / item
Moon Jar in Gloss by Solem Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Moon jar in gloss by Solem Ceramics Dimensions: Ø 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Red stoneware, white slip, glaze. This Jar is also available in Raw and Obsidian finishes. Solem’s wo...
Stoneware
$1,384 / item
Recovered History Shards Large Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Recovered History Shards Large Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 22 x W 22 x H 24 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 6 kg. Recovered history vase, large size, shards style, and various ...
Glass
Hot Desk 2, Berlin, by Russell Bamber, 2018, Colored Laminate on Ply Structure
Located in London, GB
Each plane of Hot Desk 2 is laminated in high pressure laminate. Each surface is a different color, and in perfect condition. Hot Desk 2 is an eye catching centre-piece sculptural unit that can be used as a reception desk. Hot Desk 2-Berlin teeters on the edge of design, painting and architecture; selecting and employing elements freely and playfully to suggest function and familiarity. It is made to invigorate a space, to bring unexpected joy and dynamism to our lives, bringing a new and exciting twist to the space it occupies. Hot Desk 2-Berlin suggests function, and is functional, but its function is also to tease and beguile. The mischievous use of color and surface seduces the viewer into joyful excitement and further blur the boundaries of sculpture and design. Its dimensions are domestic but its forms create a frisson; a frisson that encourages the user to make a decision about their physical journey through a space (much as a kissing gate...
Laminate
Lekytho Stoneware Vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz
Located in Geneve, CH
Lekytho stoneware vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz Dimensions: 24 x 16 cm Materials: Hand sculpted, glazed pottery The pieces are hand built white stoneware with grog, and bru...
Pottery
$1,671 / item
Paper Darkened Brass Bowl III by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper darkened brass bowl III by Gentner Design. Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 25.5 cm. Materials: darkened brass. Available in tarnished brass and darkened brass. The Paper Series em...
Brass
$1,133 / item
Supernova IV Amber Iridescent M Vase by ELOA
Located in Geneve, CH
Supernova IV amber iridescent m vase by ELOA. No UL listed Material: glass Dimensions: D 15 x W 17 x H 36 cm Also available in different colours and dimensions. Supernova is a coll...
Glass
$856 / item
Mint and Grey Saturn Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Mint and grey saturn 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 PIEC...
Resin, Plaster
$1,007 / item
Pink Ombre Venus Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink Ombre venus vase by Elyse Graham Dimensions: W 14 x D 14 x H 38 cm Materials: Plaster, Resin MOLDED, DYED, AND FINISHED BY HAND IN LA. CUSTOMIZATION...
Resin, Plaster
$10,072 / item
Garden Rose Free Standing Sculpture by Elis Monsport
Located in Geneve, CH
Garden Rose Free Standing Sculpture by Elis Monsport Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces. Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 50 cm. Plinth: D 35 x W 35 x H 98...
Concrete, Steel, Other
Vintage Flower Art Glass Egg Paperweight in the Style of Murano of Italy
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Flower Art Glass Egg Paperweight in the Style Murano of Italy, circa 1980s. This heavy vintage art glass egg paperweight, crafted in the ...
Art Glass
$331 / item
Turned Bronze Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Turned Bronze Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: Turned Bronze. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fine Italian arti...
Bronze
$331 / item
Turned Copper Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Turned Copper Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: Turned Copper. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fine Italian arti...
Copper
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
$7,233 / item
Sepia Tray by Homefolks
Located in Geneve, CH
Sepia tray by Homefolks Dimensions: D 31.5 x W 115 x H 3.5 cm Materials: Cremo Delicato marble. A sculptural tray with spectacular dimensions, Sep...
Marble
$629 / item
Brass Bud Vase IV by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Bud vase IV by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 5 x W 5 x H 15.2 cm Materials: dull tarnished brass Each of these delicately, handcrafted Bud Vases i...
Brass
$8,184 / item
Anemone Shape Grey Vase by Emilie Lemardeley
Located in Geneve, CH
Anemone Shape Grey Vase by Emilie Lemardeley Unique Piece Dimensions: D 40 x W 51 x H 40 cm Materials: Hand blown glass. DRYADE Collection All in crystal, these large vases are rais...
Blown Glass
Post-Modern Large Candle Holder by Six Dots Design, Sanded Aluminum
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Candle Holder by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 18 x W 9 x H 2 cm Materials: Sanded raw aluminum. This sand cast aluminium candle holder is expressive, raw and ti...
Aluminum
$3,937 / item
Ivory Clay Sculptural Mirror by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Ivory Clay Sculptural Mirror by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 6 x W 40 x H 53 cm Materials: Ivory clay. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a...
Clay
$5,963 / item
Kastle Violet Large Vase by Purho
Located in Geneve, CH
Kastle Violet Large Vase by Purho Dimensions: D20 x H47cm Materials: Glass Other colours and Dimensions are available. Purho is a new protagonist of made in Italy design, a wor...
Glass
Postmodern Double Decker White Oak & Brass Desk Paper Tray
By Lou Hodges
Located in San Diego, CA
Very nice design with rounded corners and brass rods double decker desk paper tray circa 1980's great condition stalish and versatile solid owhite oak ...
Brass
Contemporary Organic Shape, Rustic Light Blue Ceramic Pot by Willem Van Hooff
Located in Geneve, CH
Anga 3D Pot by Willem Van Hooff Dimensions: Ø 28 x H 42 cm. Materials: Glazed earthenware. This piece is fired twice in the kiln above 1200 degrees to add this glaze glass effect o...
Earthenware
$2,209 / item
Fedora Box II by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Fedora Box II by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 13 x H 8 cm Materials: Wood, horn, brass, gold. Box in glossy ebony. Lid in hand engraved 24K gold plated brass with raised rounded ho...
Gold, Brass
$950 / item
Poured Vessel 06 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Poured Vessel 06 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 15 cm. Materials: Lotus high temperature clay with white oxide. Reproduction is entirely manual, therefore...
Clay
Canadian Ceramic Bowl by Sung Wook Park for Umbra
By Umbra
Located in San Diego, CA
Canadian Ceramic Bowl by Sung Wook Park for Umbra, a rare piece out of production nice white mate porcelain finish.
Ceramic
Mini Oxblood Wave Form Vase by Forma Rosa Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Oxblood 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, Bron...
Ceramic
Mini Mint Blue Wave Form Vase by Forma Rosa Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Mint Blue 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, Br...
Ceramic
Chippensteel 0.5 Chair in Copper 'limited edition' by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Chippensteel 0.5 Chair in Copper 'limited edition' by Zieta Dimensions: D 60 x W 41 x H 78 cm Material: Copper. About A development of the limited edition Chippensteel 0.5 chair a...
Copper
$19,263 / item
Surrounded by Green Vase by Paolo Marcolongo
Located in Geneve, CH
Surrounded by Green Vase by Paolo Marcolongo Dimensions: D 31 x W 16.4 x H 16.2 cm Materials: Murano Glass and Iron. Paolo Marcolongo was born in Padua in 1956, he attended the A...
Iron
$469 / item
Saturnus Small Vase by Atlas Project
Located in Geneve, CH
Saturnus Small Vase by Atlas Project Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 30 cm. Materials: Stainless steel mirror and brushed brass. Available in different sizes. Please contact us. SATUR...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$23,544 / item
Surrounded by Green Vase by Paolo Marcolongo
Located in Geneve, CH
Surrounded by Green Vase by Paolo Marcolongo Dimensions: D 38.3 x W 16.6 x H 15.8 cm Materials: Murano Glass and Iron. Paolo Marcolongo was born in Padua in 1956, he attended the...
Iron
Miniature Mariposa Chair Desk Decoration by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Miniature Mariposa Chair Desk Decoration by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 23 x W 23 x H 23 cm. Materials: Black leather and metal. Finish: Polo leather and...
Metal
British The Eclectic Copycat Brass Stencil Typeface Tool A from Tom Dixon
Located in Hamburg, DE
British The Eclectic Copycat Brass Stencil Typeface Tool A from Tom Dixon, in Flawless conditions. Designed from 2000 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Mat...
Metal
Pine Pedestal Bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pine pedestal bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: pine, brass Dimensions: H 7.5 mm x D 12 mm Colour: reddish Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product designer ...
Brass
$5,087 / item
Peana Model 3 Large Green Vessel by Eter Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Peana Model 3 Large Green Vessel by Eter Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 15.2 x H 56 cm. Materials: Clay. Sustainable - Eco-friendly. Handmade. E...
Clay
X Large Glazed Pink Ceramic Postmodern Canadian Vase by Beauceware
Located in San Diego, CA
Majestic tall pink ceramic postmodern Canadian pottery vase, gorgeous glossy finish by Beauceware Canada gorgeous color from 1980's great Memphis design no chips or cracks very large.
Ceramic
Set of 5 Brass Candle Holder by Oxdenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 Brass Candle Holder by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 4 x H 6 cm Materials: Brass 5 x candle holder 8 x threaded ring 4 x combination stick OX DENMARQ is a Danish design ...
Brass
$1,430 / 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 pink. “The history of a glass factory and it...
Glass
$1,465 / item
Carafe 7 Vase by Anna Karountzou
Located in Geneve, CH
Carafe 7 vase by Anna Karountzou Dimensions: W 15.5 x D 14.5 x H 32 cm Materials: black stoneware clay, clear glaze inside, handmade crater glaze outside, fired at 1220 Born and...
Other
$19,263 / item
Surrounded by Green Vase by Paolo Marcolongo
Located in Geneve, CH
Surrounded by Green Vase by Paolo Marcolongo Dimensions: D 30 x W 16.6 x H 16.2 cm Materials: Murano Glass and Iron. Paolo Marcolongo was born in Padua in 1956, he attended the A...
Iron