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.
Gaetano Pesce Half Ball Vase with Big Surprise Base, Meritalia, 2010
Located in Las Vegas, NV
1st edition Gaetano Pesce half ball vase for Meritalia with the big surprise base. Fantastic and rare example of Pesce’s exquisite ability with resin. The wo...
Resin, Plastic
$360Sale Price|50% Off
Handblown Murano Glass Vase in Female Torso Form, White & Brown, 1980s
Located in Toronto, CA
A sculptural handblown glass vase in the form of a female torso, crafted in Murano, Italy, circa 1980s. The piece features an elegant marbled pattern in crisp white with flowing dark...
Murano Glass
Michael Graves Postmodern Chess and Checkers Set Game Maple Wood Restored 1999
Located in North Miami, FL
This original Postmodern Michael Graves chess set with checkers pieces has been fully restored with the wood which is 2 variants of maple. The wood was redone and new felt was put on the bottom. The resin players are a composition. It has velvet storage compartments inside for the players when you wish to use the checkers game part. Michael Graves was a Memphis Group designer and a member of the New York Five...
Velvet, Wood
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
1980 Italy Post Modern Abstract Bronze Sculpture Archictectures
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Edmondo Cirillo, a talented artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbe...
Bronze
$487Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Style Ceramic Vase Atzeco by Florio Keramia
Located in Debrecen, HU
Crafted by the esteemed Florio Keramia, this Memphis Style ceramic vase named Atzeco is a true embodiment of postmodern artistry. Its abstract design is complemented by a vibrant yel...
Ceramic
Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe Glass Plate by Rosenthal, Germany
By Rosenthal, (after) Andy Warhol
Located in Bochum, NRW
Andy Warhol × Rosenthal Studio Line — Marilyn Monroe Limited Edition Plate, 1990s Striking limited‑edition Rosenthal Studio Line pla...
Glass
$500Sale Price|20% Off
Marble Box with Jewish Star of David Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful modern style or Postmodern period marble and brass box with Jewish Star of David design, circa late-20th century, 1980s, 90s. Box, att...
Stone, Marble, Brass
$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
1989 Tall Memphis Milano Style Studio Pottery Bud Vase
Located in Miami, FL
1989 Tall Memphis Milano Style Studio Pottery Bud Vase Offered for sale is a tall black bud vase created in the Memphis Milano style. The studio...
Pottery
Ritratto Blue Wall Hanging Flower Vase Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Marutomi, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"Ritratto" flower vase for the wall designed by Alessandro Mendini for Marutomi. Designed in the late 90s and start production in 2000. No longer production. New old stock in box. W...
Plastic
Pedro Friedeberg Snake Bar / Server / Table / Candle Holder / Sculpture, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg Snake bar, Mexico, c. 1970s. Made of carved and gilt wood, antique statuary, and glass. The stretched out hands hold the round removable glass tray and the upper han...
Glass, Wood
$117Sale Price|55% Off
Mdina Glass Bud Vase, Pink Mottled Glass, Handcrafted in Malta, 1980s
By Mdina
Located in Glasgow, GB
A tall stemmed bud vase, handcrafted in the late 1980s by Mdina Glass, Malta. Crafted from pink opaque glass perfectly mottled and encased in a sheath of crystal clear glass. The...
Art Glass
Vittorio Mazzuconni Firenze Bowl Silver-Plated Vide Poche Vase Post-Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Vittorio Mazzucconi silverplate modernist bowl (also referred to as a vide poche or vase). Designed and signed by Vitto...
Silver Plate
$5,050 / item
Large Vanilla Ceramic Vase BonBon by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Vanilla Ceramic Vase BonBon by deBlona Dimensions: D 34 x H 42 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Matt pastel color, 24 kt gold luster. This exquisite large ceramic vase feature...
Ceramic
Vintage Boho Italian Monumental Glazed Ceramic Snail
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold sculptural statement with this magnificent vintage Italian ceramic snail shell. Rendered on a monumental scale, this piece transforms a simple organic form into a work of...
Ceramic
Rare 1986 Limited Edition Gufram Multipli Cactus, Signed & Numbered 1257 of 2000
By Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, Gufram Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and highly collectible limited edition Gufram 'Cactus' coat / hat rack sculpture designed by Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, part of the legendary Italian Radical Design and Po...
Polystyrene
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Thierry Mugler Angel Etoile Collection Factice with Box
By Thierry Mugler
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful Thierry Mugler 2.6 fluid ounce “Etoile Collection” Eau de Parfum factice-dummy in mint condition. This piece comes in the factory box with molded stand. The piece has color...
Glass, Plastic
Alessandro Mendini & Lapo Binazzi for Alessi, Vase '100% Make Up', Italy 1992
By Alessandro Mendini, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Alessi
Located in Malmö, SE
A postmodern limited-edition porcelain vase with lid from the first edition of the “100% Make-Up” series by Alessi Tendentse, Italy, released in 1992. The vase’s shape was designed...
Ceramic
Post-Modern Teak and Frosted Glass Double Letter Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool and high quality set of post-modern teak and frosted glass double letter trays, circa 1990s. There are two sets of 2 trays available so you could acquire a four height ...
Glass, Teak
Large Post-Modern Lucite Sculpture by Shlomi Haziza
Located in San Diego, CA
Large colorful abstract lucite sculpture by Israeli artist, Shlomi Haziza, circa early 1990s. The piece is in good vintage condition with no chips, cracks; there is some minor crazin...
Lucite
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Staiger, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Staiger, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Plast...
Plastic
Cadere Vase in Wheel-Thrown Glazed Stoneware by Robin Kerr
Located in Geneve, CH
Cadere Vase in Wheel-Thrown Glazed Stoneware by Robin Kerr Unique Piece Dimensions: D 33 x W 37 x H 40 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Robin Kerr is a Swiss ceramic artist living and work...
Stoneware
$686Sale Price / set|22% Off
Collection 3 Porcelain Decanters LeRoy Neiman Decorative Sports Memorabilia
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful porcelain decorative decanter by Leroy Neiman, Circa 1979. This liquor decanter with its baseball memorabilia, intense colors and clean condition makes a great addition t...
Porcelain
$2,364 / item
Platinum Luster Viel Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Platinum Luster Viel Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 22 x H 31 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: 24 Kt Gold Luster / Platinum Luster. A sculptural vase crafted from red clay sourced in...
Ceramic
Italian Postmodern Wall Perpetual Calendar by Della Beffa for Ring a Date, 2000s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern wall perpetual green calendar by Giorgio Della Beffa for Ring A Date, 2000-2010s Wall perpetual calendar in green plastic. The calend...
Plastic
Alessandro Mendini x Luigi Ontani 100% Make-Up Limited Lidded Vase, Alessi, 1992
By Alessandro Mendini, Luigi Ontani, Alessi
Located in Vienna, AT
A postmodern limited-edition porcelain vase with lid from the first edition of the “100% Make-Up” series by Alessi Tendentse, Italy, released in 1992. The vase’s shape was designed b...
Porcelain
Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda – ‘CanCan’ Art Glass Bowl, Model 59145, Sweden, 1990
Located in Bochum, NRW
A vibrant and collectible art glass bowl from the *“CanCan”* series, designed by esteemed Swedish glass artist **Kjell Engman** for **Kosta Boda** in the early 1990s. This hand-blown...
Glass
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, 1980s
Metal
Yaacov Agam, “Image-Magic” – Illuminated Plexiglass Light Sculpture Signed
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Weesp, NL
Yaacov Agam, “Image-Magic” – Illuminated Plexiglass Light Sculpture (Signed & Numbered) Artist: Yaacov Agam Title: Image-Magic Medium: Illuminated Plexiglass Sculpture Editio...
Acrylic, Plexiglass
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
$775 / item
Mocap 'Discodip' Illusionistic Wall Clock
Located in Maastricht, NL
Mocap 'Discodip' illusionistic wall clock design: JAN PAUL “Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also the ...
Metal
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear and Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Size Large Clear and Matte White 'Indian Summer' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. ...
Resin
Vintage "Ocean" Scene Art Glass Egg Paperweight in the Style of Murano of Italy
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage "Ocean" Scene Art Glass Egg Paperweight in the Style Murano of Italy, circa 1980s. This piece is heavy, is in good vintage condition with no chips or scratches, and measures ...
Art Glass
Meritalia Flower Vase / Orange and Green by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Jaeger “Rue de la Paix” desk clock, France, ca. 1960
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Jaeger “Rue de la Paix” Desk Clock, France, ca. 1960 Original decorative clock in the shape of a Parisian lantern, made of dark green enameled metal w...
Bronze, Enamel
Postmodern White Glazed Porcelain Glove Mold by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This mold is made in glazed porcelain. It was inspired by those ones designed by Gio Ponti for Ginori. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight t...
Porcelain
$6,149 / item
Scents of Spring Heritage Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Scents of Spring Heritage Vase by deBlona Dimensions: W 38 x D 25 x H 63 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Deruta blue, copper green, yellow, orange, vanadium, purple, carmine red. T...
Ceramic
$430Sale Price|37% Off
1980s Postmodern Cased Glass Amphora Vase by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland
Located in Glasgow, GB
A bold and sculptural cased glass vase designed by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz and produced by Tarnowiec Glassworks, Poland, during the 1980s. This piece reflects a distinctly postmodern re...
Art Glass
Pajaros Halcón Bronze Finished Clay Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Pajaros Halcón Bronze Finished Clay Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles Dimensions: D 8 x W 6 x H 24 cm Materials: Clay bronze finish What greater symbol of freedom is there than the act...
Bronze
Colin Reid glass studio early perfume bottle/vessel 1987.
By Colin Reid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful early perfume bottle in cast glass with red and blue integrated fused and frosted surfaces Pyramid shape and glass stopper . Signed and dated 1987 plus R248 numbers .
Glass
Vasa Velizar Mihich acrylic abstract sculpture triangle multicolor signed.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and sweet multicolored triangle by the well known artist Vasa .
Acrylic
IBEX Glass Studio Post-Modern Memphis-Style Art Glass Pedestal Bowl, 1989
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking post-modern art glass bowl by Ibex Studio, executed in a bold Memphis-inspired palette. The wide conical bowl is rendered in translucent turquoise glass, edged with a contrasting magenta rim, and raised on a deep cobalt blue pedestal foot. The saturated color blocking, playful geometry, and sculptural silhouette exemplify the exuberant design language of the 1980s post-modern movement. Hand-blown and signed to the underside, this bowl functions equally well as a centerpiece, console accent, or standalone sculptural object. A strong example of American studio glass that bridges decorative arts and design history. #5147 Details: Maker: Ibex Studio Origin: United States Date: Circa 1989 Material: Hand-blown art glass Color: Turquoise bowl with magenta rim, cobalt blue foot Signature: Etched signature and date to underside Dimensions: 12.5” diameter x 8.25” height Condition: Very good vintage condition with light surface wear to base consistent with age IBEX Glass Studio was founded in 1985 by Dimitri Michaelides, Sam Stang...
Art Glass
Oxidized bronze Green Blue Metallized Candle 4 Candles by Frederic Texier
Located in Geneve, CH
Oxidized bronze Green Blue Metallized Candle 4 Candles by Frederic Texier Dimensions: W 27 x D 20 x H 34 cm. Materials: Concrete coated with bronze powder and then oxidized, Metal p...
Concrete, Bronze
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Style Postmodern Mixed Wood Jewelry Box with Drawer
Located in San Diego, CA
Memphis style Postmodern mixed wood jewelry box with drawer, circa 1998. The box measures 9"W x 9"D x 7.25"H and is made of a variety of hard woods including ash, walnut and maple. T...
Ash, Maple, Walnut
Vintage Postmodern Black and White Studio Pottery Vase from EH, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Black and White Studio Pottery Vase from EH, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Black Styles...
Ceramic
Neos Lorenz du Pasquier & Sowden Postmodern Clock
By Nathalie du Pasquier, George Sowden
Located in Chicago, IL
A bright, multicolored postmodern wall clock with blue and green hands designed by Nathalie du Pasquier and George Sowden for Neos of Lorenz in the late 1980s. Co-founders of the Mem...
Plastic
Paper Bag Ceramic Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
A fantastic ceramic vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, which is truly an iconic piece of Finnish design. It was designed in 1970s and probably produced in the 90s. The internal p...
Ceramic
MEMPHIS-style GRACIEUX ACCUEIL Lidded Box (1983) / Nathalie Du Pasquier (France)
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Around the time that MEMPHIS had become a world-wide phenomenon, several Italian manufacturers approached the various MEMPHIS designers to execute similar work but on different produ...
Chrome
Pair of Gilt Bronze Candleholders by Pierre Casenove for Fondica
Located in North Miami, FL
Extremely heavy gilt bronze, these French candlesticks are highly collectible. These are quite rare and signed.
Bronze
Large Raku Pottery Cat on Lucite Base by Tony Evans
By Tony Evans
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice large raku pottery sitting cat on lucite base by noted artist Tony Evans, circa 1980s. The piece is signed on the base and extremely well crafted; it has wonderful green ...
Pottery, Lucite
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture Ottorino Tonelli Adamo
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Ottorino Tonelli. Title "Adamo" translated "Adam" Ottorino Tonelli was born in 1948 in Carrara, where h...
Bronze
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Style Postmodern Mixed Wood Jewelry Box with Drawer
Located in San Diego, CA
Memphis style Postmodern mixed wood jewelry box with drawer, circa 1998. The box measures: 9" W x 9" D x 7.25" H and is made of a variety of hard woods including ash, walnut and mapl...
Ash, Maple, Walnut
whimsical Mini Patinated Brass Postmodern Gift Sculpture Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical brass gift sculpture , nice patina it will make a great gift,
Brass
Large Crumpled Vase in Dark Blue 3D Printed Plant Based Plastic - Smooth Edition
By É Pedra
Located in São Paulo, BR
3D-printed in bioplastic and hand-shaped, the Crumpled Vase combines digital precision with expressive craftsmanship. Its sculptural form and delicate texture make each piece a one-o...
Plastic
$1,134 / item
Sculpture FUNGHI 20 by Zanellazine Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture FUNGHI 20 by Zanellazine Ceramics Dimensions: W 19 x D 14 x H 23 cm Materials: Red clay, Brown semi-refractorie clay. About: Giovanna Zighetti, ceramist and set designer, ...
Ceramic
$272Sale Price|53% Off
1980s Postmodern Female Face Ceramic Sculpture in the Austin Productions Style
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Large scale, Postmodern / 1980s Art Deco revival Female Head Ceramic Sculpture in the Austin Productions Style. Circa 1980s Features a flatten female head figure molded on a...
Ceramic
Massimo Iosa Ghini "Twergi" for Alessi Postmodern Wooden Bowl Memphis Style
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Massimo Iosa Ghini Twergi for Alessi Postmodern Wooden Bowl Memphis Style Vintage - decoration - Italy Measures : 14cmx11.5cm H:9cm Material : Wood Wear consistent with age and use.
Wood
$4,468 / item
Earthenware Tamani Sculpture by Munier
Located in Geneve, CH
Earthenware Tamani Sculpture by Munier Dimensions: W 25 x D 25 x H 25 cm. Materials: Earthenware. Weight: 1.5 kg. I specialize in the ancient technique of coil building, a tradition...
Ceramic
Midcentury Postmodern Optical Neon Floor Lamp Sculpture after Rudi Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and impressive 1980s neon sculpture designed by Zimmerman Studios and produced by Archigraphics LA in 1987. Comes complete with pedestal as shown. Signed and numbered.
Glass, Acrylic, Wood