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.
$18,672 / item
Analogic Sci-Fi Grey Vase by Mut Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Analogic Sci-Fi Grey Vase by Mut Design Limited Edition Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 45 cm. Materials: Glass colored. Inspired by computer motherboards and the flamboyant spacecraft...
Glass
Vintage Eldon Stacking Paper Trays - Set of 2
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 2 vintage stacking paper trays made out of clear gray acrylic. Modular design, can be used separately or stacked. Can hold 8.5" x 11" size paper. Made by Eldon, marked on th...
Acrylic
Vase 1 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou
Located in Geneve, CH
Vase 1 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou One of a kind, 2022 Dimensions: H 9.5 x W 11 cm. Materials: Stoneware, handmade glaze. Colors: blue, pink, ivory. Angeliki St...
Stoneware
$3,890 / item
Handmade Sphere of Colors by Le Meduse
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Sphere Of Colors by Le Meduse Unique piece Dimensions: W 30, D 30, H 30 cm Materials: Painted wood. Each model is unique because it is handmade, it can be reproduced i...
Other
$176 / item
Strawberry Vase by Siup Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Strawberry Vase by Siup Studio Dimensions: D11 x H20cm Materials: Ceramics Siup is a small design studio based in Warsaw. The concept is created b...
Ceramic
Glass basket from Bleikristall, Germany
By Bleikristall
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Bleikristall Crystal Basket, Germany This Bleikristall crystal basket from Germany features a striking, vibrant green color, enhanced by its distinctive, deep-cut pattern. The design...
Art Glass
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
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 Candlestick Holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pine candlestick holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: Pine bark, brass Dimensions: H 45 mm x D 105 mm Colour: Reddish Notes: For dry use Since 2015, product...
Brass
$531 / item
Ice Petri Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Ice 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 ord...
Resin, Plaster
$2,133 / item
Kastle Pink Small Bowl by Purho
Located in Geneve, CH
Kastle Pink small bowl by Purho Dimensions: D24 x W16 x H10cm Materials: Glass other colours and Dimensions are available. Purho is a new protagonist of made in Italy design , a w...
Glass
$1,202 / item
Sympoiesis No 103 Vessel by Studio Viv Lee
Located in Geneve, CH
Sympoiesis no 103 vessel by Studio Viv Lee Unique and Signed Dimensions: W 20.5 x D 11.5 x H 31.5 cm Materials: terracotta, glaze All vessels are coil bu...
Terracotta
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
$1,225 / item
Small Glowing Vase Table Lamp by Dechem Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Small glowing vase table lamp by Dechem Studio. Dimensions: D 25.5 x H 23.5 cm. Materials: glass. Available in 2 sizes: H 23.5, H 38.5 cm. Something between vase and lamp, Glow...
Glass
$22,149 / item
Cf Te2.1 Terre by Caturegli Formica
Located in Geneve, CH
CF Te2.1 Terre by Caturegli Formica Dimensions: W 45 x H 65 cm Materials: Ceramic Terres, Dakar, Senegal, 1987-1991 TERRES is a series of symbolic ceramics sculpures produce...
Ceramic
Queens Crystal T-Light Holder, Handsculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Queens crystal T-light holder, handsculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Handsculpted in crystal Measures: W 9, H 13.8, D 4 cm Art Deco is a distinctive architectural s...
Crystal
German Postmodern Terrazzo Style Candleholder from Räder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern Terrazzo Style Candleholder from Räder, 1980s
Metal
Set of 4 Twirling Birds Sculputes by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 twirling birds sculputes by Warm Nordic Dimensions: Small: D8,5 x W2,5 x H3,6 cm Medium: D9 x W4,5 x H4 cm Large: D15 x W3,7 x H4,3 cm X-la...
Oak, Teak, Walnut
Large Post-Modern Ovoid Marble Vase or Decorative Vessel, 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
A substantial post-modern marble vase or decorative vessel, crafted from a richly figured natural stone displaying dramatic swirls and veining in shades of charcoal, taupe, brown, an...
Marble
Futurist Cryogenic Freezing Chamber Tube Sculpture Hero Prop, 1997 Austin Powers
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Large 12-foot tall Futurist cryogenic freezing chamber tube sculpture for the 1997 smash comedy "Austin Powers" starring Mike Myers. This large sculpture is made of a wood frame and ...
Resin, Plaster, Wood
Blob Vase by Siup Studio, Ceramic, Post-Modern Design, Poland, 2023
Located in Geneve, CH
Blob Vase by Siup Studio Dimensions: D12 x W17 x H15cm Materials: Ceramics Siup is a small design studio based in Warsaw. The concept is created by th...
Ceramic
Yellow-Yellow Cochlea Della Liberazione Soils Edition Vase by Coki Barbieri
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow-yellow Cochlea Della Liberazione Soils edition vase by Coki Barbieri Dimensions: W 14 x D 14 x H 30 cm. Materials: Handcrafted stone made with Matera stone fragments, sedime...
Stone
'Ascent of Lavender' Outdoor Sculpture by Peter Shire, 2013
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Large Outdoor Sculpture by Peter Shire, 2013. Steel, Stainless Steel, and Two Part Polyurethane Paint. Approximate measures: 76" high x 48" wide Peter Shire: Peter Shire is an...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Memphis Crystal T-Light Holder, Handsculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Memphis crystal T-light holder, handsculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Handsculpted in crystal Measures: W 6 H 26.5 D 6 cm The Memphis crystal T-Light holder introdu...
Crystal
Chicago Azure Crystal T-Light Holder, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Chicago Azure crystal T-light holder, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Hand-sculpted in crystal Measures: W 10, H 13, D 10 cm. The Reflections Copenhagen Chic...
Crystal
Nashville Crystal T-Light Holder, Handsculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Nashville crystal T-light holder, handsculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Handsculpted in crystal Measures: W 8, H 18, D 8 cm The Nashville crystal T-Light holder rad...
Crystal
Guy Dill Large Welded Mid Century Post Modern Abstract Steel Table Sculpture
By Guy Dill
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and impressive steel sculpture by world renowned artist Guy Dill. It consists of black welded steel circa 1990's. Welded signature.
Cut Steel
Ophelia Purple Crystal T-Light Holder, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Ophelia purple crystal T-light holder, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal Decorative vase Handsculpted in crystal Measures: W 9, H 7.8, D 9 cm The Ophelia purple crystal T-Ligh...
Crystal
Unique Warm Brown Ceramic Big Vase with Body Large Opening by Willem Van Hooff
Located in Geneve, CH
Tuja Big Vase by Willem Van Hooff. Dimensions: W 48 x D 10 x H 50 cm (Dimensions may vary as pieces are hand-made and might present slight variations in sizes) Material: Glazed Ceram...
Ceramic
$813 / item
Brass Eleven Candleholder by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Eleven candleholder by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 7.6 x H 2 cm Materials: polished brass Also available in darkened brass. Milled from a solid piece of brass, the cande...
Brass
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
Hand Sculpted Burnt Brass POD Contemporary Art Bowl by Samuel Costantini
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass hand sculpted POD bowl by Samuel Costantini Entirely handmade by the artist Edition 18 + 2 AP Measures: D 12 x H 6 cm Materials: Brass Samuel Costantini The ability to create objects lies in the tradition in our hands. In ancient times, they were our only means of realising our thoughts. Artisan is the one with this ability to breathe life into the raw material. Since Samuel Constantin was a young boy has tried to create the objects of his imagination. He has always believed when you make an object you have created yourself it is possible to bequeath...
Brass
Lacquered Metal Brutante A Sculpture by Sofia Alvarado
Located in Geneve, CH
Lacquered Metal Brutante A Sculpture by Sofia Alvarado Dimensions: D 40 x W 35 x H 48 cm Materials: Lacquered metal. These objects can be customized according to the proposed colors ...
Metal
$933 / item
Ganges Round Hydro Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Ganges round hydro 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 PIECE...
Resin, Plaster
Organic Form, Warm Brown Ceramic Tall Vase with Body Opening by Willem Van Hooff
Located in Geneve, CH
Taju Large Vase by Willem Van Hooff Dimensions: W 42 x D 10 x H 63 cm (Dimensions may vary as pieces are hand-made and might present slight variations in sizes) Material: Glazed Cera...
Ceramic
Sienna with Blue Drip Mercury Vase by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Sienna with blue drip mercury vase by Elyse Graham Dimensions: W 14 x D 14 x H 25.5cm Materials: Plaster, Resin Molded, dyed, and finished by hand in LA. Customization. Available...
Resin, Plaster
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
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
Postmodern Glass Candleholder from Rosenthal Studio Line, 1980s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Glass Candleholder from Rosenthal Studio Line, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials...
Glass
Baccarat Clear Crystal Porcupine Hedgehog Figurine Paper Weight Post-Modern
By Baccarat
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Baccarat clear crystal porcupine or hedgehog figurine, which is often used as a paperweight.It is crafted from heavy, polished French crystal and features s...
Crystal
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Solid Travertine Sphere on Lucite Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful post-modern solid polished travertine sphere on lucite ring base, circa 1980s. The sphere is in very good vintage condition and measures 5....
Travertine
1980s White Postmodern Wall Clock by Shohei Mihara for Wakita
By Wakita, Shohei Mihara
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly elegant and sophisticated 1980s wall clock designed by Shohei Mihara for Wakita. Postmodern, Memphis Group-influenced design at its finest! White with red, green, and yel...
Glass, Plastic
Gillo Tray in Dark Hornwood with Lacquered Black Gloss Finish by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Gillo Tray in Dark Hornwood with Lacquered Black Gloss Finish by Arcahorn Dimensions: Large: Ø 50 x H 5 cm. Small: D 35 x W 50 x H 8 cm. Materials: Dark horn and wood with lacquered ...
Other
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
Gioele Tray in Matte Amara Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Gioele Tray in Matte Amara Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 34 x W 56 x H 5 cm. Materials: Amara ebony veneer and Aida pebbled l...
Stainless Steel
Tiffany & Co. Atlas Crystal Candlestick Holder Vintage Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Tiffany & Co. Atlas crystal candlestick holder, known for its heavy, architectural vertical ribbing design. Heavy, clear cut crystal. Tapered columnar shape...
Crystal
Lino Sabattini Cormorana Silver Plate Sculptural Modernist Vase / Candle Holder
Located in North Miami, FL
A curved silver-plated vase by Lino Sabattini. Stamped "Sabattini Made in Italy" with the logo on the bottom. Lino Sabattini (born in 1925) is an Italian designer best known for his...
Silver Plate
Large Vintage Glass Vase by Hysteria, Orange, Postmodern Style, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Vintage Glass Vase from Hysteria, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Glass Color: Ora...
Glass
Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture Vanni Viviani Monumentalmente Vostro
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Vanni Viviani, a well known artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbered edition of 1000 pieces; we ca...
Bronze
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
TOWERX25 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland
Located in Geneve, CH
TOWERX25 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland. Dimensions: W 12.5 x D 10 x H 57 cm. Materials: Elm Wood with Dark Finish. The TOWERX2 series is a solid wood ...
Wood
William Sklaroff for Smith Metal Arts Plastic Pen Holder
By William Sklaroff, Smith Metal Arts
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Aluminum enameled pen holder from the hugely successful Radius One line of desk accessories. Designed by William Sklaroff in the 1960s and produced by Smith Metal Arts. This piece pr...
Plastic
Large Abstract Pink Ceramic Planter
Located in Fairfield, CA
A large vintage postmodern ceramic planter. Unique organic abstract shape. Glossy pale blush finish to the ceramic.
Ceramic
Postmodern Small Pedestal Marble For Display Sculptures
Located in San Diego, CA
Great piece of .5" walls with beveled edges, in Italian Carrara marble perfect for display sculptures, etc.
Marble
Ettore Sottsass Shiva Limited Edition Black Prototype 2/8
By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Black Shiva ceramic vase designed by Ettore Sottsass circa 1973, edited by BD in Barcelona. This piece has been produced as a limited edition with a total of only 100 units. This is...
Ceramic
Lynn Chase “Jaguar Jungle” Porcelain Plates Set of 2 Animal Border with 24K Rim
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Lynn Chase “Jaguar Jungle” Porcelain Salad / Dessert Plates, Set of 2, Animal Border with 24K Gold Rim, Circa 1988 A striking and highly colle...
Porcelain
Ceramic vase Memphis, “HSING” by Ettore Sottsass blue star, Milan, late 1980s.
Located in Milan, IT
Memphis Milano painted ceramic vase, “HSING”by Ettore Sottsass, blue star-shaped color. Alessio Sarri ceramiche. Memphis Group, an Italian design and architecture collective founded ...
Ceramic
Cisco Jiménez Hermaphrodite Demon Bronze Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, MX
A rare hermaphrodite demon cast bronze sculpture by Mexican artista Cisco Jiménez. This bronze demon is signed and serialized 3 / 5. This sculpture includes a certificate signed by...
Bronze
BeoCom 6000 Desktop Telephone in Navy Blue by Martin Iseli for Bang & Olufsen
Located in San Diego, CA
BeoCom 6000 cordless handset and table charger by Martin Iseli for Bang & Olufsen, circa 1990s. The phone is navy blue and grey and has a black cradle / table charger; it is in very...
Plastic
Renaat Ramon Postmodern Lacquered Steel Sculpture, Belgium, 1989
Located in Antwerp, BE
Designed by Belgian artist and architect Renaat Ramon, this abstract postmodern sculpture in lacquered steel was created in the 1990s as a functional yet artistic object. Its central...
Steel