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.
Versace & Archimede Seguso Murano Blown Glass Footed Vase
By Gianni Versace, Archimede Seguso
Located in Downingtown, PA
Couture Glass: Gianni Versace by Archimede Seguso Murano Vase, circa 1990 A superb example of late-20th-century design collaboration, this Murano blown glass footed vase embodies th...
Blown Glass
Set of 2 MR & MISS CUT Sculptures in Resin by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 MR & MISS CUT Sculptures in Resin by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON. Dimensions: Approx Ø 35 x H 60 cm. Materials: Resin. Manufactured in France. Biography Christophe Perichon came ...
Resin
Danish Postmodern Wall Calendar, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Postmodern Wall Calendar, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Plastic Style: Postmodern Country of Origin: Germany Color...
Plastic
Le Petit Poisson Beige Sandstone Vase by Lou Thomas
Located in Geneve, CH
Le Petit Poisson Beige Sandstone Vase by Lou Thomas Dimensions: ⌀ 18 x H 14 cm Materials: Beige sandstone "Drawing on her extensive travels to Japan, Mexico, and Morocco, Lou Thomas...
Sandstone
Vintage Black, Red and Yellow Encased Hand-Blown Murano Glass Flower Vase, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. It is made in encased and hand-blown Murano glass. With its original label. This vase is vintage, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be c...
Murano Glass
1980s Multicolor Stacked Desk or Mantel Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With a stunning combination of red, blue, green, and yellow enameled metal, and yellow lucite accents, this postmodern clock is designed with a stacke...
Metal
White Art Glass Vase with Abstract Design Postmodern
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, tall and substantial abstract clear and white opaline art glass vase with a slight iridescence, Postmodern design, circa late-20th century. Center 'ball' area has an abstract design of clear and twisted white art glass. Very good condition as shown in images and video. No chips noted. Dimensions: 4.25" diameter x 15" height. For black and white handkerchief...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
1980's Lucite Cube with suspended Stones Geode & Minerals
Located in San Diego, CA
Lucite Cube Sculptured with suspended quartz , minerals Geodes etc . very cool and unique piece.
Lucite
Postmodern Italian Green Solid Marble Mortar & Pestle
Located in San Diego, CA
Postmodern Vintage solid green marble Mortar and Pestle Hand-Turned Modernist Design, circa 1980s, showcasing the warm grain, sculptural lines, and refined utility characteristic of ...
Marble
$1,017 / item
Unfolding Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Unfolding Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 35 x H 22 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building te...
Stoneware
Large Concave Ceramic "Rock Shaped" Catchall / Vide-Poche, Artist Unknown
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Concave Ceramic "Rock Shaped" Catchall / Vide-Poche Not Marked - Artist Unknown - American (perhaps Japanese) "is it real or is it memorex" "internet says rocks are the hotte...
Ceramic
Movement Phase 2 Sculpture in Black Vulcan Stoneware Clay by Catalin Filip
Located in Geneve, CH
Movement Phase 2 Sculpture in Black Vulcan Stoneware Clay by Catalin Filip. Dimensions: W 40 x D 35 x H 27 cm. Materials: Black Vulcan Stoneware Clay, textured natural ceramic finish...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Vintage Emerald Green and Blue Murano Art Glass Elephant Sculpture Paperweight
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian style handblown art glass sculpture of an elephant. Italian art glass hand blown green and uranium neon green elephant sculpture...
Blown Glass
Pyramid quartz watch by Seiko, Japan, 1980s
By Seiko
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Pyramid Quartz Clock produced in the 1980s by SEIKO, with its pyramidal shape, so unique, gives the object a futuristic character, but with a deeply retro soul. A timeless piece of d...
Plastic, Laminate
Vibrant, Heavy Murano Glass Aquarium Sculpture with Multicolored Millefiori Fish
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Vibrant, Heavy Murano Glass Aquarium Sculpture with Multicolored Millefiori Fish, circa 1980s. A beautifully executed hand-blown Murano glass aquari...
Blown Glass
Tom Dixon-attributed Harley-Davidson motorcycle sculpture for Habitat in rattan
By Habitat International, Tom Dixon
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This extraordinary, almost life-sized motorcycle sculpture made of rattan, wicker, and bamboo is attributed to the British designer Tom Dixon and was probably created in connection w...
Rattan
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
Meritalia Big Surprise 2, Small / Light Blue 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
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Lucite Tissue Box in the Style of Charles Hollis Jones
Located in San Diego, CA
l Beautiful solid lucite tissue box in the style of Charles Hollis Jones, circa the 1980s. The piece is in excellent condition no chips or scratches ...
Lucite
$304Sale Price|25% Off
White, Black and Blue Hand-Painted Ceramic Jug / Vase in the Style of Picasso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in France, 1960s - 1970s. It is made in white hand-painted ceramic with blue and black motifs, that recalls Pablo Picasso's style. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show ...
Ceramic
Set Of 3 "Mr Vénérable Is Dressed" Vases in Oak Wood by Yann Marot
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 3 "Mr Vénérable Is Dressed" Vases in Oak Wood by Yann Marot Dimensions: 1: D 28 x W 28 x H 15 cm 2: D 26 x W 26 x H 17 cm 3: D 31 x W 30 x H 19 cm Materials: Oak Born in Ma...
Wood, Oak
Betty Gold Abstract Geometric Metal Sculpture Signed and Numbered
By Betty Gold 1
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Stunning geometric metal and red paint sculpture by the well-known American artist Betty Gold. This work is an edition, signed and marked 23/50. Similar work, large size, as shown in...
Metal
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Claudia Shuride Postmodern Glass Plate, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern decorative painted glass plate by Claudia Shuride.
Glass
$1,200Sale Price|50% Off
Elsa Fedrigolli Sculptural Glass 1980s Italian Vase
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful 1980s Post Modern blue glass sculptural vase on a bronze vase made by famed Italian designer, Esa Fedrigolli. Rare. Signed.
Bronze
"Toute Petite Étrangeté" Cocoon Vase by Philippe Starck for Daum, France, 1980s
By Philippe Starck, Daum
Located in Lille, FR
"Toute petite étrangeté" cocoon vase by Philippe Starck for Daum, France, 1980s. Signed.
Crystal
Post-Modern Figurative Sculpture in Plaster, Bone-White Finish, USA
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
This striking late 20th-century sculpture captures a quiet moment of introspection through a simplified, figurative form. Rendered in a crisp, bone-white finish, the piece features a...
Plaster
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
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Curtis Jere Post Modern Table Sculpture of Brass Chrome and Marble c. 1985
By Curtis Jeré, C. Jeré Artisan House
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Curtis Jere table sculpture featuring a chrome ball on a brass ribbon like arm anchored by a strong marble base. This Post Modern Curtis Je...
Marble, Brass, Chrome
Post-Modern Glass Vase by Massimo Giacon for Vis-à-vis Collection of Ritzenhoff
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Cheerful glass vase designed by Massimo Giacon for the Vis-à-vis Collection of Ritzenhoff, 1999. The stubble rowdy face looks at us in a somewhat challenging but also friendly man...
Glass
Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian Mixed Woods Valet / Desk Box
Located in San Diego, CA
A finely crafted mid-century modern valet or desktop storage box executed in contrasting mixed hardwoods, likely teak with lighter maple or birch accents. The box features clean Scan...
Wood
Ray Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Ray Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 12 x W 35 x x H 50 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 2...
Ceramic, Clay
$1,017 / item
Ties Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Ties Sculpture in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 55 cm. Materials: Ceramic. “Ties” intertwines forms that suggest bonds and connectio...
Ceramic
Postmodern Plaster Nude by David Fisher for Austin Productions, circa 1981
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Sleek, glamorous, and graceful Nude by David Fisher for Austin Productions, 1981. Beautiful detail in this postmodern icon. Stand on black plinth base...
Cast Stone
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
Small Breakout Vase in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Small Breakout Vase by Brent Warr is a sculptural statement piece that embraces organic form and material experimentation. Hand-shaped from a proprietary blend of gypsum, pulp, a...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
$1,077Sale Price|40% Off
Large Murano Oceanos Abstract Multi-Color Art Glass Vase Signed Vetro Artistico
By Murano 5
Located in Montreal, QC
Beautifully designed large Murano Oceanos Vetro Artistico art glass vase with striking colors featuring glowing threads of blue, green, and amber glass, signed and numbered, measurin...
Art Glass
Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen and Ballpoint Pen Set in 12K Gold Filled Diamond P
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Vintage Sheaffer Fountain Pen and Ballpoint Pen Set in 12K Gold Filled Diamond Pattern, USA, circa 1970 Elegant vintage two-piece writing set by Sheaffer, dating from the late 1960s...
Gold
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
$10,299 / item
Regeneration 04 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Regeneration 04 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 7.5 x H 30 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbu...
Bronze, Other
Italian Travertine Marble Jewelry Box, Postmodern, Fratelli Mannelli, '70s Italy
Located in New York, NY
An Italian rectangular travertine marble box, attributed to designer Fratelli Mannelli, Postmodern design period, circa late‑20th century, (1970s), Italy. The box is crafted in warm ...
Stone, Travertine, Marble
Post-Modern Desk Clock by Michael Graves
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice post-modern desk clock by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s. The clock is in good vintage condition and measures 4"W x 2.5"D x 5.25"H. It is Quartz alarm clock made in Taiwan t...
Metal
Set of Tall Cast Iron Candlestick Holders, Post-Modern Design
Located in Fairfield, CA
A pair of tall cast iron candlestick holders in varying heights. Unique curvy design with tripod bases to create a wonderful sculptural display. ...
Iron
$552Sale Price|20% Off
Joe Colombo Post Modern Italian Steel and Glass Biglia Jewelry Box 1970
By Joe Colombo
Located in Conversano, IT
Designed by Joe Colombo and produced by Arnolfo di Cambio in the early 1970s, the “Biglia” box is a refined example of material experimentation and functional design. The object refl...
Steel
$878 / item
Lehar Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Lehar Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 31.75 x H 44.45 cm Materials: Stoneware The Lehar Vase is a sculptural ceramic piece defined by rhythmic hand-painted lines that flow across ...
Stoneware
$832Sale Price|20% Off
Luigi Barolo for Baleri Italia (1992) Corrugated "Cartoons" Screen
By Baleri Italia, Luigi Baroli
Located in Round Top, TX
This is the "Cartoons" free-standing corrugated cardboard room screen with cast aluminum structural framing with protective rubber capping to the top and bottom of this piece. Desig...
Aluminum
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
Limited Edition Contemporary Ukrainian Bronze "French Boxer" by Oleg Kedria
Located in London, GB
A fabulous early 20th Century patinated bronze study of a standing French boxer with rich brown patina and very fine hand finished detail, raised on intergral base and signed ADDIT...
Bronze
Vintage Murano Red & Opalescent Glass Perfume Bottle with Stopper
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite vintage Murano glass perfume bottle features a striking combination of deep ruby red glass framed by clear ribbed layers, creating a captivating optical depth. Its ele...
Glass, Art Glass
Italian Postmodern Wall Perpetual Calendar by Della Beffa for Ring a Date, 2000s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern Wall perpetual white calendar by Giorgio Della Beffa for Ring A Date, 2000-2010s Wall perpetual calendar in white plastic. The calenda...
Plastic
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
Mid 20th Century Pate de Verre Glass Sculpture entitled "Taureau" by Daum
By Daum
Located in London, GB
Emerging from an ethereal dream, this sculpture evokes the raw power and majesty of nature. Cast in pate de verre glass and crafted using a centuries-old technique, this figure offer...
Glass
1980 Italy Post-Modern Rodica Tanasescu Bronze Abstract Sculpture Insieme
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Rodica Tanasescu. The title "Insieme" Together Rodica Tanasescu was born in Rumania and now lives in and works in Mestre, (Venezia, It...
Bronze
Ettore Sottsass Y29 Vase in Black Enameled Ceramic Yantra Series Poltronova 70s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Cascina, Pisa
This ceramic piece is part of the Yantra series by Ettore Sottsass, a collection of thirty-nine forms including containers, ashtrays, vases and bowls, created between 1969 and 1973 a...
Ceramic
Pair of Ettore Sottsass Silver Candlesticks for Swid Powell and Reed and Barton
By Ettore Sottsass, Swid Powell, Reed & Barton
Located in Kansas City, MO
Striking pair of silver plated candlesticks designed by Ettore Sottsass and made by Swid Powell in collaboration with Reed and Barton, 1980s.
Silver
Handmade Coiled Ceramic Vase I by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Coiled Ceramic Vase I by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Available on request Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artis...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Italian Postmodern Wall Perpetual Calendar by Della Beffa for Ring a Date, 2000s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern wall perpetual yellow calendar by Giorgio Della Beffa for Ring A Date, 2000-2010s Wall perpetual calendar in yellow plastic. The cale...
Plastic
$184Sale Price|20% Off
Ikea Candle Holder
By IKEA
Located in Bern, BE
Set of 3 'Konfetti' Post-Modern candlesticks by Anna Efverlund for IKEA dating from the 1990's. In three varying sizes and colours. Design: Anna Efverlund Produded: IKEA Height: 30cm...
Metal
Postmodern Studio Pottery Vase, Textured Fat Lava Glaze Abstract Memphis Style
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A striking postmodern studio pottery vase featuring a richly textured “fat lava” style glaze ground, overlaid with a dynamic abstract composition in the spirit of the Memphis design ...
Pottery
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
Ceramic Vase by Claudia Frignani, Wunderkammer Studio
By Wunderkammer Studio, Claudia Frignani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ceramic Vase by Claudia Frignani for Wunderkammer Studio's limited Lefka collection. Claudia Frignani is a Milan-based designer, ceramic artist, and creator known for her unique scu...
Ceramic