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.
Sterling Silver Sculptural Vessel by Marco Zanini for Pampaloni, Italy
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A striking example of postmodern design, this sculptural sterling silver vessel was created by Marco Zanini and expertly fabricated by the esteemed Italian silversmith Pampaloni. Des...
Sterling Silver
Postmodern Box with Slate Lid, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Box with Slate Lid, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Color: Black Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owne...
Glass
Steven Klinsky Ceramic Vase, 1990's
By Steve Chase
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Steven Klinsky Ceramic Vase, 1990's. Steven Klinsky has worked with designer Steven Chase.
Ceramic
$23,427 / item
Surrounded by Sky Vase by Paolo Marcolongo
Located in Geneve, CH
Surrounded by Sky Vase by Paolo Marcolongo Dimensions: D 42.2 x W 16.2 x H 16.2 cm Materials: Murano Glass and Iron. Paolo Marcolongo was born in Padua ...
Iron
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
White Woven Wicker Pottery Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
A chic round off-white/antique white 'woven' 'wicker' pottery centerpiece bowl with soft edge, circa late-20th century to the early aughts. Beautiful as a standalone piece or fill wi...
Ceramic, Pottery
Postmodern Blue Glass Candleholder, Vintage Design, 1990s, 8.66" Tall
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Blue Glass Candleholder, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999. Additional information: Materials: Glass Color: Blue Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage...
Glass
Lino Sabattini Silverplated Bowls 1996
Located in Čelinac, BA
Silverplated Bowls by Lino Sabattini 1996.
Silver Plate
Shiny Camel Lali Small Vide Poche by Sophie Parachey
Located in Geneve, CH
Shiny Camel Lali Small Vide Poche by Sophie Parachey Dimensions: W 28 x D 24 x H 3.5 cm Materials: Stoneware. Inspired by extended stays in Central America, Sophie Parachey’s wo...
Stoneware
Set of 2 Lanco Yellow Ceramic Candleholders by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Lanco Yellow Ceramic Candleholders by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Short: Ø 11 x H 31 cm. Tall: Ø 11 x H 41 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Different ceramic options available. Cust...
Ceramic
Sidney Cash Optical Glass Vases for the Museum of Modern Art NY MOMA
Located in Sharon, CT
Designed by Sydney Cash, very thin printed lines on very thin glass. two optical vases published in 2000 by The Museum of Modern Art NY, MOMA. Sidney Cash is an important contempora...
Glass
$501 / item
Soft Vide Poche by Sophie Parachey
Located in Geneve, CH
Soft vide poche by Sophie Parachey Dimensions: W 26 x D 12 x H 3.5 cm Materials: Sand stoneware, shiny camel glaze. Inspired by extended stays in ...
Stoneware
$19,168 / item
Surrounded by Green Vase by Paolo Marcolongo
Located in Geneve, CH
Surrounded by Green Vase by Paolo Marcolongo Dimensions: D 30 x W 16.6 x H 16.2 cm Materials: Murano Glass and Iron. Paolo Marcolongo was born in Padua in 1956, he attended the A...
Iron
Monumental Seguso Cobalto Corroso Scavo Glass Vase, c. 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Monumental Seguso cobalto corroso hour glass double sided vase. Hand crafted in the ancient technique of scavo glass. Italy, 1980's.
Art Glass
Lot of 3 Art Glass vases att. to Seguso c. 1980's
By Seguso
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional collection of three art glass vases, made in Italy, circa 1980's - attributed to Seguso. The vases feature a black glass bodies, with pink glass threading wrapped around ...
Art Glass
Lucite Abstract Art Sculpture 20th Century
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is a unique lucite art sculpture with a post-modern design. Three yellow circles are trapped within a 1 1/4” thick transparent lucite mold. Unsigned.
Lucite
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
Miniature Mid-Century Ceramic High Glaze Bottle Neck Vase Studio Pot by Sari
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Fine miniature hand-thrown, high-glaze ceramic pot signed Sari. The piece is in excellent condition, with no chips or repairs. It has a natural firing crack on the bottom.
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,750Sale Price|30% Off
Post Modern White Marble Ram Sheep Sculpture by Masatoyo Kishi Kuki 32/200
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Solid white marble modernist elephant sculpture by Japanese Artist Masatoyo Kishi, circa 1970s. Impressive hand-carved sculpture by the listed artist and sculptor who goes by the nam...
Marble
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern German Studio Pottery Column Art Sculpture No. 247 78
Located in Hamburg, DE
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern Brutalist German Studio Pottery Column Art Sculpture No. 247 78, 1978
Pottery
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern German Studio Pottery Art Column Vase Sculpture
Located in Hamburg, DE
Klaus Lehmann, Postmodern German Studio Pottery Column Art Vase Sculpture, 1981
Pottery
Art Glass Sculptural Table Lamp by William Olivier for Antiques Mc, France, 2009
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
The creator is William Olivier, a lover of glass, wood and steel. These piece has been made in 2009. This is a beautiful Art glass work that could be, as the same time a sculpture a...
Stainless Steel
Yuri Zatarain Floor Vase "Sketchbook" Series
Located in Chicago, IL
Yuri Zatarain Floor Vase "Sketchbook" Series. Monumental ceramic bottle vase in a matte white colored glaze. Vase has graphite drawings of diagrams and geometric sketches from Yuri ...
Porcelain
Large Post-Modern Raku Pottery Vase by Amadio Smith
By Amadio Smith
Located in San Diego, CA
Large post-modern raku pottery vase by Amadio Smith, circa 1980s. The piece measures 11.75"D x 10"H and is signed and dated on the underside. The vase is in good vintage condition an...
Pottery
Large Jan Van Der Vaart Porcelain Taurus Vase for Rosenthal Studio Line
By Rosenthal, Jan van der Vaart
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Striking large and colorful porcelain vase designed by influential ceramist Jan Van Der Vaart for Rosenthal and manufactured in Germany. This vase is in the Taurus pattern that has a curved shape with folded sides. The stylized decoration of a calla lily and leaves is by German artist and designer Brigitte Doege. Signed on the side and bottom. From Wikipedia: Johannes Jacobus (Jan) van der Vaart (The Hague, 17 October 1931 – Leiden, 8 November 2000) was an influential Dutch ceramist from the 20th century, known as founder of the abstract-geometric ceramics...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Postmodern Perforated Metal Desk Utensilo Organizer, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Perforated Metal Desk Utensilo Organizer, 1980s
Metal
Postmodern Hilton Series Plate from Rosenthal, 1980s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Hilton Series Plate from Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic S...
Ceramic
Set of 7 German Postmodern Flying Objects Series Soup Plates, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern Flying Objects Series Soup Plates by David Palterer and Sieger Design for Arzberg, 1990s, Set of 7, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an...
Ceramic
Terracotta Moon Jar No 9 by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Terracotta Moon Jar No 9 by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 14 x H 18 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Local Terracotta Clay from the Island of Crete Growing up in Greec...
Clay
Paul Hoff for Gustavsberg — Limited Edition Stoneware Pumpkin, 1989
By Gustavberg, Paul Hoff
Located in Bochum, NRW
A rare and beautifully crafted stoneware pumpkin by renowned Swedish designer Paul Hoff, produced by Gustavsberg in 1989. This striking piece comes from a limited edition of only 15...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$587 / set
Set of 6 Postmodern Glass Bowls from Joy
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Glass Bowls from Joy, Set of 3, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Glass Color: Red Styles: Postmodern Period: 1980s Item ...
Glass
Vintage Postmodern German Porcelain Box with Lid from KPM Royal Porzellan, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern German Porcelain Box with Lid from KPM Royal Porzellan, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional infor...
Porcelain
Postmodern West German Pottery Vase from Steuler, 1980s
By Steuler
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern West German Pottery Vase from Steuler, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material: Ceramic...
Ceramic
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
Postmodern Ceramic Vase with Organic Shape from Asa, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Ceramic Vase with Organic Shape from Asa, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Cer...
Ceramic
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
$440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Thick Lucite and Brass Candle Holders by Josh Lazar Mid-Century Modern
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern heavy thick lucite candles holders with brass tops. Signed Josh Lazar 1986 on the bottom. Good vintage condition, crystal clear with a few scratches and we...
Brass
$5,956 / item
Three Spike Light by Henry D'ath
Located in Geneve, CH
Three Spike Light by Henry D'ath Dimensions: D 110 x W 20 x H 190 cm Materials: Wood. The piece is available in natural, cream lacquer, or black calligraphy ink finish. Piece is han...
Wood
$2,129 / item
Lamium Vase by Cosmin Florea
Located in Geneve, CH
Lamium vase by Cosmin Florea. Unique piece. Dimensions: W 33 x D 30 x H 50 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Inspired by my love for pristine nature, this sculptural vase channels the ...
Stoneware
$325 / item
Cohiki Vetus Vase iii by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Cohiki Vetus vase III by Studio Cúze Dimensions: W 20 x H 25.5 cm Materials: ceramic This rustic vase with its shape and contours is a perfect addition to your garden or balcony...
Ceramic
Blown iridescent glass vase by Pascal Guyot & Bernard Aconito, Biot 1993
By Biot
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Beautiful blown glass vase with oxide application, by Pascal Guyot and Bernard Aconito, both master glass artists in Biot, France. Bears the signatur...
Art Glass
1980s Postmodern Chrome Rocking Desk Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic postmodern vintage desk, mantel, or shelf clock in the style of Shohei Mihara’s designs for Wakita. With a black face, red, white and yellow hands, and chrome rocking b...
Metal, Chrome
$18,040 / 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
Pr. Postmodern Silverplate Candlesticks by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Incredible pair of post modern silver plate candlesticks, by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Very hard to find, especially in pairs, this impre...
Silver Plate
$3,645 / item
Large Atacama Vase by Josefina Munoz
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Atacama vase by Josefina Munoz Dimensions: D20 x H25 cm Material: Ceramic Available in: Small and Large sizes this project is the result of the experimentation with a part...
Ceramic
Post-Modern Oblong Vase by Royal Haeger, Glazed Ceramic, USA, 1980s
By Royal Haeger
Located in New York, NY
A stunning abstract Haeger beige/ ecru vase, medium size. In great condition, no crazing, chips or cracks. This piece coordinates with four other matching vases, listed separately, s...
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,829 / item
Medium Atacama Vase by Josefina Munoz
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Atacama vase by Josefina Munoz Dimensions: D20 x H25 cm Material: Ceramic Available in: Small and Large sizes this project is the result of the experimentation with a part...
Ceramic
$939 / item
Unique Ukiyo III Vase by Marthine Spinnangr
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Ukiyo III vase by Marthine Spinnangr One of a Kind Dimensions: D 30 (top) / 14 (bottom) x W 12 x H 40 cm Materials: Stoneware Clay Differ...
Clay, Stoneware
$325 / item
Cohiki Vetus Vase i by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Cohiki Vetus vase I by Studio Cúze Dimensions: W 23 x H 26 cm Materials: ceramic With its handles and rustic appearance, this vase exudes an antique flair. Pottery and high-qual...
Ceramic
$300 / item
Nomad Jar Pebble Tower by Gilles & Cecilie
Located in Geneve, CH
Nomad jar pebble tower by Gilles & Cecilie. Unique. Dimensions: H 8 x W 6 cm. Material: terracotta with iron. Gilles and Cecilie studio created the Nomad Jar Family to explore ...
Iron
$6,001 / set
Set of 5 Barbican Vases by a Space
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 5 Barbican Vases by A Space Dimensions: D22,86 x W20,32 x H30,48 cm D20,32 x W20,32 x H20,32 cm D12,7 x W15,24 x H12,7 cm D10,16x W10,16x H22,86 cm D15,875 x W13,97 x H...
Other
$170 / 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
Papaya Vase by Siup Studio - Ceramic Post-Modern Design, 21cm
Located in Geneve, CH
Papaya vase by Siup Studio Dimensions: D13 x H21cm Materials: Ceramics Siup is a small design studio based in Warsaw. The concept is created by three ...
Ceramic
$2,380 / item
Stomata 12 Vase by Anna Karountzou
Located in Geneve, CH
Stomata 12 vase by Anna Karountzou Dimensions: W 25 x D 23 x H 36 cm Materials: Black stoneware clay, clear glaze inside, decorated outside with volcano rock...
Other
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
$170 / item
Furry Doggo Sculpture by Siup Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Furry doggo sculpture by Siup Studio. Dimensions: D5 x W17 x H15 cm. Materials: Ceramics. Siup is a small design studio based in Warsaw. The concept is created by three friends ...
Ceramic
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
Unique Arq 011 Blanco, Hueso Vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Arq 011 Blanco, Hueso vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz Dimensions: Ø 11.5 x 24 cm Materials: hand-sculpted glazed stoneware. The Arq series emerged from our own past pr...
Stoneware
Unique Cálpide Blanco, Hueso Vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Cálpide Blanco, hueso vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz Dimensions: Ø 16 x 16 cm Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed stoneware. The Arq series emerged from our own past prod...
Stoneware