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.
$1,409 / item
Le Tetraodon Beige Sandstone Vase by Lou Thomas
Located in Geneve, CH
Le Tetraodon Beige Sandstone Vase by Lou Thomas Dimensions: ⌀ 30 x H 30 cm Materials: Beige sandstone "Drawing on her extensive travels to Japan, Mexico, and Morocco, Lou Thomas is ...
Sandstone
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Poncho Green Art Glass Catwalk Sculpture by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice poncho green art glass "Catwalk" sculpture / figurine by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cra...
Art Glass
Set of 2 Bohemian Hand-Painted Cased Glass Modernist Vases, 1970s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Bohemian cased glass vases feature abstract Mid-century Modern style decor, hand painted in white, chocolate brown, and yellow palette on blue background. The bottom parts o...
Enamel
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
Studio Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, hand-crafted studio wood jewelry or trinket box, Modern Brutalist style, Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century, USA.
Wood
$7,265 / item
Gold Ceramic Petalouda Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Ceramic Petalouda Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 44 x H 32 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: 24 Kt Gold, black, blue, light blue, green, white. The ‘Petalouda Gold’ majolica vase...
Ceramic
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
$2,842 / item
Lumi Candle Holder XV by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumi Candle Holder XV by Homa. Dimensions: D 25 x H 54 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. Colour: Green Satin. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The a...
Glass, Mirror
"STEP BY STEP" Desk Clock by Kim Mullis as Wilderness Bodies
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning architectural desk clock that channels Memphis Milano at its best, "Step By Step" by Kim Mullis as Wilderness Bodies showcases the artist's mastery of geometric form and p...
Corian
Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Reclining Beauty by Alice Riordan
Located in New York, NY
Lovely patinated bronze sculpture of a reclining female beauty mounted on black marble plinth by the American sculptor and painter, Alice Riordan. 10 1/2 in tall, 17 3/4 in wide and...
Bronze
Debra Sachs Split Pyramid III Two-Part Sculpture in Sand and Copper over Wood
Located in Downingtown, PA
Debra Sachs Split Pyramid III Two-Part Sculpture in Sand and Copper over Wood American, 1989 “Split Pyramid III” is a two-part sculpture by the New Jersey sculptor Debra Sachs, made...
Copper
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
Postmodern Cat Design Bottle, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Cat Design Bottle, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Material: Glass, Wood Color: Yellow Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintag...
Glass, Wood
Peter Shire x Vistosi Murano Postmodern Bone Sculpture with Cobalt Blue Base
By Vistosi, Peter Shire
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exceptional upright murano art glass sculpture by Peter Shire in collaboration with Vistosi Murano. Signed at bottom. Most likely one of kind. Upright bone floats above a cobalt blue...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
Brown Stoneware Hand Coiled Organic Sculptural Inara Sculpture By Munier
Located in Geneve, CH
Earthenware Inara Sculpture by Munier Dimensions: W 23 x D 24 x H 25 cm. Materials: Earthenware. Weight: 3.3 kg. I specialize in the ancient technique of coil building, a traditiona...
Ceramic
'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
Huge Cenedese Pink Scavo Spherical or Globe Shaped Murano Glass Vase
By Cenedese
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wonderfully large, spherical Murano glass vase in pink with brown highlights. The vase has an incredible 1980s Memphis School or Miami appeal. It is a bold and impressive piece of ...
Murano Glass
Post-Modern Cucumber Vase by Martine Bedin, Memphis Milano, Italy
By Martine Bedin, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Cucumber is an eccentric ceramic vase designed by Martine Bedin in 1985. The chubby, asymmetrical and dynamic form is enhanced by the lively combination of colors and the original de...
Ceramic, Paint
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
Large Postmodern German Studio Pottery Vase by JLK Keramik, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Postmodern German Studio Pottery Vase by Jakob Leopold Knödgen for JLK Keramik, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Addit...
Ceramic
Large Vintage Post-Modern Travertine Lidded Box
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage large post-modern travertine lidded box, circa 1980s. The box is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 12"W x 8"D x 4"H. Super cool and very wel...
Travertine
Postmodern German Ceramic Vase from Amano, Germany
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Ceramic Vase from Amano, Germany, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Col...
Ceramic
Bertil Vallien Spherical Tornado Vase in Art Glass for Kosta Boda
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A hand-signed Tornado vase by Bertil Vallien. Each one in this series with unique playful modernist decor. Made at Kosta Boda in Sweden during the early 1...
Art Glass
Morbelli 24k Gold and White Porcelain Wall Plate "Planisfero Celeste", Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Morbelli, 1970s. It is made in white porcelain, which is decorated with 24k gold inlaid lamina. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of u...
Gold
Mackenzie-Childs Black and White Plate or Dish, 1993
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful authentic designer plate or dish by designers' MacKenzie-Childs, circa 1990s, New York. A rare piece, hand-painted plate with a black and wh...
Art Glass
Postmodern Black Decorative Object, Metal, Acrylic and Steel
Located in New York, NY
A black metal and clear acrylic with steel nails decorative object, Postmodern period, circa late-20th century. Piece is rectangular in shape, comprised of three pieces acrylic (black and clear), black metal screws and thin metal nails, approximately 1000 of them, making this an interesting Postmodern decorative...
Metal
$192Sale Price|41% Off
Post Modern Baldelli Porcelain Candle Holder, Made In Italy
By Baldelli
Located in San Carlos, CA
Vintage Baldelli Candle Holder: A Touch of Italian Charm Add a pop of color and European elegance to your home with this stunning vintage candle holder from Baldelli. Crafted in It...
Porcelain
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
Mayemba Rare Bronze African Women Sculpture, Congo, 2002
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Striking bronze sculpture by Congolese artist Mayemba, created in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2002 and depicting two African women carrying trays. The composition presen...
Bronze
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
TOWERX23 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland
Located in Geneve, CH
TOWERX23 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland. Dimensions: W 12.5 x D 12.5 x H 26 cm. Materials: Elm Wood with Dark Finish. The TOWERX2 series is a solid woo...
Wood
Modern Steel and Brass Vessel
By Erik Johnson, Argosy Designs
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
$7,920Sale Price|30% 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
Black Art Glass Sphere Paperweight Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Modern/Postmodern black and neutral flesh-tone art glass sphere decorative object or paperweight with an organic modern design, circa 1970s. This handmade art glass color...
Blown Glass, Art Glass
Debra Sachs Split Pyramid II Two-Part Sculpture in Sand and Copper over Wood
Located in Downingtown, PA
Debra Sachs Split Pyramid II Two-Part Sculpture in Sand and Copper over Wood American, 1989 “Split Pyramid II” is a two-part sculpture by the New Jersey sculptor Debra Sachs, made i...
Wood
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Contemporary Pine Needle Angled Decorative Basket with Silver Plated Edge
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful elegant pin needle angled basket, nicely worn we have polished the edge looks lightly worn due to age.
Metal
Vintage Italian Lobster Pottery Bowl Sculpture, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Italian Lobster Pottery Bowl Sculpture, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Styles: Post-Modern Color: Green Country o...
Ceramic
Postmodern Decorative Ceramic "Totem" Lidded Jar, USA, 1980's
By Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, Memphis Group
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Postmodern Decorative Ceramic "Totem" Lidded Jar, USA, 1980's In the style of Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Alessandro Mendini, etc. Great color and subject mattter. In good as fo...
Pottery
Vasa Velizar Mihich Acrylic Sphere Sculpture, Post-Modern Design, 1989
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Signed and dated spherical acrylic sculpture by Vasa Mihich, circa 1990. The 5 1/2" diameter piece displays evolving optical effects from the blue, green, and orange acrylics when ro...
Acrylic
$495
Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular wood box, Postmodern design period, circa late-20h century. Box has three wood hues, velvet lined, easy open/close lid. Very good condition as shown.
Velvet, Wood
Unique London Plane Long Bowl by Matt Kavanagh
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique London Plane Long Bowl by Matt Kavanagh. Signed by Matt Kavanagh. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 56 x D 19 x H 22 cm. Materials: London Plane, scorch & wax. Unique piece, h...
Hardwood
James Alloway Paperweight with Controlled Bubbles, American Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The piece measures 3.25" high and 2.25" wide at the center. It is signed by the artist near the base. James Alloway (b. 1957) is a renowned American glass artist. James had a fasci...
Art Glass, Glass
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
Ward Bennett for Sasaki Japan - Crystal Vase Sengai's Picture of the Universe
By Ward Bennett
Located in St. Louis, MO
A post-modern Ward Bennett design for Sasaki Japan, Black leaded crystal vase with etched circle-triangle-square pattern with thick rim. The circle-triangle-square is Sengai's pictu...
Crystal
Lunae Celeste White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Lunae Celeste White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 15 x W 20 x x H 35 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom si...
Ceramic, Clay
Lunae Spot Raku Clay Vibrant Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Lunae Spot Raku Clay Vibrant Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 13 x W 38 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom siz...
Ceramic, Clay
American Mouthblown Gass Vase Signed & Dated by Laurie Thal
Located in San Diego, CA
Laurie Thal Signed and Dated 1988 Mouth-Blown Glass Vase in Blue and Purple Striking and sculptural, this exceptional mouth-blown glass vase by American artist Laurie Thal is signed ...
Blown Glass
Lunae White Raku Clay Vibrant Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Lunae White Raku Clay Vibrant Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 8 x W 27 x x H 35 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom siz...
Ceramic, Clay
Swedish Designer, Candelabra, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Fits 0.75” diameter candles
Pine
$203Sale 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
American Designer, Abstract Sculpture, Ceramic, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
An abstract ceramic sculpture, designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s.
Ceramic
$724Sale Price|20% Off
Handmade Ceramic Poodle Sculpture by Maker Bassano, Italy, 1980s
By Bassano
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Ceramic poodle figure from Bassano, Italy, 1980s. White glazed ceramic with golden details. Totally timeless piece. Very much in the style of the Spanish ceramic creations of Manises...
Ceramic
Large Breakout Vase in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Large 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
1980 Lucio Del Pezzo Metalart Sculpture Italian Neodada Postmodern Design
Located in Brescia, IT
Metal sculpture Excellent condition.
Metal
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
Italy 1980 Post-Modern Abstract Red Laquered Bronze Sculpture Prospero Rasulo
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Prospero Rasulo Title "Fossile " translate "Fossil". It is made in bronze and laquered in red. It is also available in black. Prospe...
Bronze
Geometric Enameled Iron Wall Mounted Postmodern Indoor/Outdoor Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Black enameled iron indoor / outdoor wall relief sculpture, circa 1980's easy to mount cool design that blends well with mid Century contemporary Boho home decor.
Iron
Blue Murano vase by Alfredo Barbini, postmodern, label present
Located in Milano, IT
Alfredo Barbini for Vetrerie Murano Murano Glass Vase with Original Label 1990s A striking Murano glass vase by Alfredo Barbini for Vetrerie Murano, dating to the 1990s, and retaini...
Murano Glass
Kathy Erteman, b.1952, Studio Artist Ceramic Vase Vessel, Postmodern, 1991
By Kathy Erteman
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Striking, early example of Kathy Erteman’s work, dating to 1991.
Ceramic
1980s American Sculptural Memphis Style Studio Ceramic Raised Vessel
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A striking handcrafted American studio ceramic vessel dating to the late 1980s or early 1990s, embracing the playful geometry and bold color palette of the Memphis design movement. B...
Ceramic