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.
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
Brutalist Glass Menorah by Joel & Candace Bless Wave Shape
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful brutalist thick rough glass sculpture Menorah by Joel & Candace Bless, circa 1990s remanence of an antique wave wall with .5" diameter holes for display candles, no chi...
Blown Glass
Claudia Shuride Postmodern Glass Plate, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern decorative painted glass plate by Claudia Shuride.
Glass
Vintage Murano Star Flower Shape Art Glass Dish, Italy
By Compagnia Di Venezia E Murano (C.V.M.)
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage hand crafted Murano star flower Art glass dish Italy. Stunning petaled flower or 6 pointed star-shaped hand blown glass dish in clear and pink, bl...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Heino Large pottery / ceramic vase , rare Chinese Yellow Celadon glaze
By Otto Heino
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing studio pottery vase by the well known potter Otto Heino . This vase has the rare Yellow Celadon glaze , that the formula was lost for the Chinese artists and Otto created it ...
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
1990s Signed Master Craftsman Hand Turned Cocobolo Studio Wood Trinket Box Lid
Located in San Diego, CA
Exquisite hand turned signed and dated solid cocobolo lidded trinket box. Beautiful sculptural form. Perfect for jewelry or loose leaf tea. One of a kind piece.
Cocobolo
Set of Two Salvador Dali Surrealist Fine Gold Leaf Bracelli Lamp Sculpture
By Salvador Dalí, BD Furniture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Braceli lamps designed by Salvador Dali manufactured by BD furniture in Barcelona. Bracelli Panel structure covered with silver plated polyester painting (Fine gold leaf)...
Cotton
Lauren Lesko 'Coifed' Mongolian Lambskin Chaise Lounge On Silk Jacquard Cushion
Located in Dayton, OH
Lauren Lesko 'Coifed', 1993 Psychoanalyst's couch covered in Mongolian lambs skin and clipped by a professional dog groomer into a royal dutch cut. Sits on a silk jacquard cushion....
Lambskin, Silk, Hardwood
$7,295 / set
Bruno Gambone Italian Stoneware Vases Set 1970s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian stoneware vases set of three designed and produced by italian artist Bruno Gambone with natural colors, signed under the base “Gambone Italy”, 1970s Italy production Dimensi...
Stoneware
$22,110 / item
CF Te1.12 Terre by Caturegli Formica
Located in Geneve, CH
CF Te1.12 Terre by Caturegli Formica Dimensions: W 45 x H 64 cm Materials: Ceramic Terres, Dakar, Senegal, 1987-1991 TERRES is a series of symbolic ceramics sculpures produc...
Ceramic
Richard Meier for Swid Powell Stainless Steel Bowl/Centerpiece
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful post modern design by the well known architect Richard Meier. Measure: 10 inches.
Stainless Steel
Unqiue Plain Beige Ceramic Big Vase with Body Round Opening by Willem Van Hooff
Located in Geneve, CH
Tatu Flat Vessel by Willem Van Hooff Dimensions: Ø 38 x H 48 cm. Materials: Glazed earthenware. This piece is fired twice in the kiln above 1200 degrees to add this glaze glass eff...
Earthenware
Unique Organic Shape, Plain Mute Blue Ceramic Large Vase by Willem Van Hooff
Located in Geneve, CH
Kapu Flat Vessel by Willem Van Hooff Dimensions: Ø 38 x H 43 cm. Materials: Glazed earthenware. This piece is fired twice in the kiln above 1200 degrees to add this glaze glass eff...
Earthenware
$480Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Paolo Marioni Sculptural Face Vase Made In Italy Post Modern
Located in Lake Worth, FL
This Paolo Marioni sculptural face vase is a unique addition to any collection. Made in Italy during the post-modern era, this vase showcases intricate details that make it a true wo...
Ceramic
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
Yellow Atoll Art Glass Dish by Anna Ehrner for Kosta Boda, 1980s
By Anna Ehrner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Thick, heavy and lemon-colored small art glass bowl from Kosta Boda in Sweden. It was designed by Anna Ehrner in the mid 1980s. The bowl is called Atoll and it features swirl-work in...
Glass
Raw Rosalin L Light Pink Mouth Blown Crystal Glass Vase Vessel by Milena Kling
Located in Geneve, CH
Raw Rosalin L Vase by Milena Kling Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 16 x H 40 cm. Materials: Mouth-blown crystal glass. Each RAW Vase is one of a kind and personally signed by Milena Kl...
Glass
Set of Two Ceramic Vases by SIC, Italy, 1970s
By Sicart
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1970s ceramic vases by SIC. Bi-colored pieces with typical 1970s shapes.
Ceramic
Modernist Wastepaper Basket, Solid Beech, France, Circa 1930
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
This sculptural object exemplifies the rigorous formal language that emerged in France during the interwar years, as designers began moving beyond decorative Art Deco toward a more s...
Beech
Italian Abstract Expressionist Ceramic Sculpture by Enrico Stropparo, 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to present this ceramic sculptural opera by Italian artist Enrico Stropparo, created between the 1980s and 1990s and strongly influenced by Abstract Expressionism. We ...
Clay, Earthenware
Vintage 1990s Postmodern Desk Clock by Brian Prothro for Zipadeedoodah Designs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A unique desk or mantle clock is a fantastic example of late 1980s or early 1990s postmodern design, created by Brian Prothro for Zipadeedoodah Designs. It features a striking combin...
Lucite
Postmodern Italian Wooden Bowl by Pietro Manzoni, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare multi-colored wooden bowl by Pietro Manzoni. This large bowl follows postmodern forms and colors. M Branding on the bottom. This piece has an attribution mark. Additional infor...
Wood
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
$1,850
Black Sculpture Vase
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial Postmodern black charcoal sculpture vase, circa late-20th century. Piece is clay pottery with a black charcoal matte finish and a round, cylindrical, asymmetric design. Designers mark...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
Ugo La Pietra, Porcelain "Archeologo" Vase, 2013
By Ugo La Pietra, Ugo Lapietra
Located in Milan, IT
Ugo La Pietra, "Archeologo" Handmade Glazed Porcelain Head Shaped Vase, 2013. Produced by Artisan Nicolo' Morales - Caltagirone. Signed and Dated by A...
Ceramic
Postmodern Alarm Clock from Marco, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Alarm Clock from Marco, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Plastic Color:...
Metal
Carlo Nason Artistic bottle with Murano glass, signed at the base
By Lavorazione Arte Murano, Carlo Nason
Located in Milano, IT
Carlo Nason for Murano Glassworks Artistic Bottle / Small Decanter, 1980s Murano Glass, original label A highly refined artistic bottle, or small decanter, designed by Carlo Nason f...
Murano Glass
Postmodern Artec Table Clock by Nicolai Canetti, Metal, USA, 1980s
By Canetti
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rare Postmodern Constructivist Geometric Artec Collector's Collection Clock by Canetti, USA, 1980s. Postmodern Clock, ArTime Collection, by Canetti, Inc, 1980s This clock has a uniqu...
Metal
Vintage German Porcelain Candleholder from Kaiser, 1980s
By Kaiser
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Porcelain Candleholder from Kaiser, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark, Official proof of authenticity such as vi...
Porcelain
Phillipe Starck Postmodern Officina Candle Holder for Alessi France
Located in San Diego, CA
Candle holder aluminum vase designed by Phillipe Starck for Alessi circa 1980's .
Aluminum
A POP inflatable "NANA" SCULPTURE by NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A large inflatable sculpture of "Nana", Pop, Post-Modernist, New Realist, in black plastic with a jersey with brightly colored pictorial motifs, marked on the thigh: Niki de Saint Ph...
Plastic
Set of 2 Postmodern Athena Bowl by M. Peppercorn & Sieger Design for Ritzenhoff
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Athena Bowl by M. Peppercorn & Sieger Design for Ritzenhoff, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional infor...
Ceramic
1950s French Modernist Crucifix in Black Lacquered Metal and Ceramic
By Roger Capron, Georges Jouve, Peter and Denise Orlando
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Black Lacquered Metal Cross with Stylized Enameled Ceramic Christ A rare and sculptural French modernist crucifix from the 1950s, reflecting the postwar renewal of sacred art throug...
Iron
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
$1,180Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Abstract Scupture by Curtis Jere Signed & Dated Marble & Steel
By Curtis Jeré
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice and rare sculpture by Curtis Jere, circa 1990 signed and dated, solid raw steel with original patina and oxidation, sitting on solid marble cylinder base.
Belgian Black Marble, Steel
Postmodern Flash One Series Candleholder by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very rare Postmodern Flash One series candleholder from Rosenthal. This piece has an attribution mark, I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any ...
Porcelain
$23,299 / item
Space Ship Free Standing Sculpture by Elis Monsport
Located in Geneve, CH
Space Ship Free Standing Sculpture by Elis Monsport Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces. Dimensions: D 60 x W 60 x H 130 cm. Materials: Cast aluminum. ...
Aluminum
$22,687 / item
Extra Large Clay Bathtub by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Large High clay bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 85 x W 160 x H 54 cm Materials: Clay Other colors and raw or smooth exterior available. Available in 4 sizes: W 130 (Small High),...
Clay
$588 / item
Artemisa Vase by Cuit Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Artemisa Vase by Cuit Studio One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 26 x W 38 x H 45 cm. Materials: Brown textured stoneware. Sculptural flower vase. Brown textured stoneware with white matt ...
Stoneware
Postmodern Glass blown tall Vase in Amethyst With Frosted Edge
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking brutalist postmodern glass blown vase , circa 1990's incredible piece of art , with frosted edge. excellent condition no chips or cracks.
Blown Glass
Large Postmodern Glass Block Vase from Rosenthal, 1980s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Postmodern Glass Block Vase from Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Glass ...
Glass
$706 / item
Raw Berlin Blue S Vase by Milena Kling
Located in Geneve, CH
Raw Berlin Blue S Vase by Milena Kling Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 19 x H 20 cm. Materials: Mouth-blown crystal glass. Each RAW Vase is one of a kind and personally signed by Milen...
Glass
Postmodern Italian Milano Series Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Milano Series Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Metal, Pl...
Metal
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
Set of 3 Pigeon Blue Cibele Plant Stands by OK Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Pigeon Blue Cibele Plant Stands by OK Design Dimensions: D 35 x H 30 cm, D 35 x H 45 cm, D 35 x H 54 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal. Available in small, medium, and lar...
Metal
$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
Postmodern Lucite “Golden Egg” Paperweight, “For a Good Egg” circa 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Postmodern Lucite “Golden Egg” Paperweight, “For a Good Egg,” circa 1970s A playful and iconic vintage paperweight, featuring a metallic gold egg encapsulated within a clear Lucite c...
Lucite
Vintage Rare 1990s Chanel Baroque Pearl Necklace
By Paloma Picasso, Karl Lagerfeld, Thierry Mugler, Chanel, Christian Dior
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredibly chic necklace from the Autumn-Winter 1996 Chanel collection. This beautiful goldtone chain with six faux baroque pearls in white and grey is simply irresistible. This nec...
Metal
Senape Flower Vase Ettore Sottsass Japanese Urushi Laquer Model B
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Senape flower vase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Marutomi. This model is limited Japanese urushi lacquer model. Japanese traditional ur...
Plastic
Vintage Postmodern Porcelain Plate with Subvention Decor by René Fehr, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Porcelain Plate with Subvention Decor by René Fehr for Lengsfeld Porzellan, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mar...
Porcelain
Brass Sculpture on Marble Base After Rodin's "The Thinker" - SIGNED
Located in North Miami, FL
Signed V. Martin, this wonderful version of Rodin's renowned sculpture, The Thinker, is made of patinated brass and sits atop a black marble base. Pedestal shown is sold separately ...
Marble, Brass
David Gil large 12" ceramic vase " Spark " black rare by Bennington Pottery
By David Gil, Bennington Potters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and one of the largest samples of the vase title " Spark" in black pottery glaze matt color.
Ceramic
$3,965 / item
AT-MN 2 Vessel by Cristina Vallejo
Located in Geneve, CH
AT-MN 2 Vessel by Cristina Vallejo Dimensions: D 15 x H 18 cm Materials: 100 % Cotton cord and polyester thread. Weight: 0.29 Kg ELSUR is a furniture and product publisher, establis...
Cotton
Postmodern German Studio Pottery Art Vase Sculpture, 1982
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Studio Pottery Art Vase Sculpture, 1982, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Beige Styles: Postmodern...
Ceramic
Vintage Postmodern German Studio Pottery Vase, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern German Studio Pottery Vase, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Material: Ceramic Color: Blue Styles: Postmodern Country of Or...
Ceramic
1970s Post-Modern Humaniod Bust by Kahn Ceramics
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful heavy glazed ceramic bust from late female Washington D.C. area artist, Kahn. About 8.5 inches high.
Ceramic
Postmodern Catch it all Steer Head Bowl By Nambe
By Nambe
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and rare bulls head bowl designed by Nambe circa 2000 , nice polished finish .
Aluminum
Vintage Sculptural Postmodern Ikebana Studio Pottery Vase Pair
Located in Lutz, FL
A Pair of Vintage Post Modern Sculptural Ikebana vases by Keiko & David Hergesheimer of Catalpa Lane Pottery c.1990’s. Interesting abstract arched shape and lovely gradient glaze in ...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
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