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Post-Modern Decorative Objects

POSTMODERN STYLE

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

  • Emerges during the 1960s; popularity explodes during the ’80s
  • A reaction to prevailing conventions of modernism by mainly American architects
  • Architect Robert Venturi critiques modern architecture in his Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (1966)
  • Theorist Charles Jencks, who championed architecture filled with allusions and cultural references, writes The Language of Post-Modern Architecture (1977)
  • Italian design collective the Memphis Group, also known as Memphis Milano, meets for the first time (1980) 
  • Memphis collective debuts more than 50 objects and furnishings at Salone del Milano (1981)
  • Interest in style declines, minimalism gains steam

CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

  • Dizzying graphic patterns and an emphasis on loud, off-the-wall colors
  • Use of plastic and laminates, glass, metal and marble; lacquered and painted wood 
  • Unconventional proportions and abundant ornamentation
  • Playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art

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 Mendinia 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.

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Style: Post-Modern
Carlo Nason yellow artistic bottle in Murano glass, with original box
Carlo Nason yellow artistic bottle in Murano glass, with original box

Carlo Nason yellow artistic bottle in Murano glass, with original box

By Carlo Nason

Located in Milano, IT

∑Carlo Nason for Murano Glassworks Artistic Bottle / Small Decanter, 1980s Murano glass with original label and original box A refined artistic bottle, or small decanter, designed b...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Geometrical Rose Ceramic Vase by Evangeline, Quebec 1970s – Postmodern Memphis
Geometrical Rose Ceramic Vase by Evangeline, Quebec 1970s – Postmodern Memphis

Geometrical Rose Ceramic Vase by Evangeline, Quebec 1970s – Postmodern Memphis

Located in Toronto, CA

Striking and sculptural, this rose-toned pink ceramic vase was handcrafted by Evangeline Ceramic Accessories Inc. in Labelle, Quebec, circa 1970s. Produced in small studio batches, e...

Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Post-Modern Lidded Marble Trinket Box
Post-Modern Lidded Marble Trinket Box

Post-Modern Lidded Marble Trinket Box

Located in San Diego, CA

Post-modern lidded marble trinket box, circa 1980s. The box has well cut lines and is well constructed The piece is in very good condition and measures 5"W x 4"D x 2"H. Cool little ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Brass

"EARLY PRIMARY" Wall Clock by Kim Mullis as Wilderness Bodies
"EARLY PRIMARY" Wall Clock by Kim Mullis as Wilderness Bodies

"EARLY PRIMARY" Wall Clock by Kim Mullis as Wilderness Bodies

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A stunning contemporary wall clock that brings bold artistic flair to any space, this "Early Primary" piece by Kim Mullis as Wilderness Bodies showcases a captivating array of geomet...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Corian

1970s Post-Modern Humaniod Bust by Kahn Ceramics
1970s Post-Modern Humaniod Bust by Kahn Ceramics

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.

Category

1970s American Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Gunnar Andersson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1970s
Gunnar Andersson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1970s

Gunnar Andersson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1970s

By Höganäs Keramik

Located in High Point, NC

A brown and beige and green-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Andersson and produced by Höganäs Keramik, Sweden, c. 1970s.

Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

1990s Signed Master Craftsman Hand Turned Cocobolo Studio Wood Trinket Box Lid
1990s Signed Master Craftsman Hand Turned Cocobolo Studio Wood Trinket Box Lid

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.

Category

20th Century Costa Rican Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Cocobolo

Jon Kuhn Early Sculptural Op-Art Vase, American Art Studio Glass, 1982
Jon Kuhn Early Sculptural Op-Art Vase, American Art Studio Glass, 1982

Jon Kuhn Early Sculptural Op-Art Vase, American Art Studio Glass, 1982

By Jon Kuhn

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Triangular faceted vase features a graphic pattern of ruby red, white, and dichroic glass encased in clear glass layers in sommerso technique. The body of the vase is cut and polished in triangular shape, exposing complex, colorful core; the subtle sheen of dichroic glass adds complexity and visual interest to a reserved color scheme. The vase is signed and dated by the artist in etching on the bottom; this rare, hard to find example of American studio glass would make a great gift to any studio glass, art collector, or modern design enthusiast. Jon Kuhn is one of the foremost glass artists in his field, creating highly intricate architectural glass art sculpture that has won world-wide acclaim. He received BFA from Washburn University in 1974, MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1978, and Honorary DFA from Washburn University in 2006. Jon Kuhn early work was done in molten glass, but currently he works in cold glass that is cut, polished, and fused, resulting in sculptures that take in surrounding light, then reflects and refracts it back; they appear to change color and radiance when viewed from different angles and lighting. Kuhn creates cold glass art in a variety of shapes and forms, but he is perhaps best known for his glass cubes which contain a colorful glass interior cased in clear glass. Kuhn’s work stands out for its complexity, its geometric forms, and for its mesmerizing presence. Jon Kuhn glass...

Category

1980s American Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Sommerso

Unique Cherry Red Art Glass Vase by Mikael Axenbrant, Sweden 1990
Unique Cherry Red Art Glass Vase by Mikael Axenbrant, Sweden 1990

Unique Cherry Red Art Glass Vase by Mikael Axenbrant, Sweden 1990

By Strombergshyttan

Located in Grythyttan, SE

This heavy and elegant art glass vase bursting in color, is made by the glass master Mikael Axenbrant in 1990. Glossy red like a delicate cherry with blue, white, and black strokes a...

Category

1990s Swedish Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Art Glass Sculptural Table Lamp by William Olivier for Antiques Mc, France, 2009
Art Glass Sculptural Table Lamp by William Olivier for Antiques Mc, France, 2009

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...

Category

Early 2000s French Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Etched Glass Sculpture with Two Walruses by Mats Jonasson for Kosta Boda, Sweden
Etched Glass Sculpture with Two Walruses by Mats Jonasson for Kosta Boda, Sweden

Etched Glass Sculpture with Two Walruses by Mats Jonasson for Kosta Boda, Sweden

By Mats Jonasson, Kosta Boda

Located in Bresso, Lombardy

Made in Sweden by Mats Jonasson for Kosta Boda, 1970s. This is a heavy and thick glass piece with a part that has been carved and etched and that represents two realistic walruses. ...

Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Unique Sculptural Ceramic Composition No. 3 by Austin Coudriet
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Composition No. 3 by Austin Coudriet

Unique Sculptural Ceramic Composition No. 3 by Austin Coudriet

Located in Geneve, CH

Unique Sculptural Ceramic Composition No. 3 by Austin Coudriet. One of a kind. Dimensions: W 66 x D 51 x H 117 cm. Materials: Ceramic (stoneware), underglaze. About Austin Coudriet...

Category

2010s American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Michael Lax Design Grainware METAAL Vase, circa 1992
Michael Lax Design Grainware METAAL Vase, circa 1992

Michael Lax Design Grainware METAAL Vase, circa 1992

By Michael Lax

Located in Cathedral City, CA

Measures 12-3/4” high, 7-1/2” wide at the mouth, 2-7/8” wide at the base. Stamped on base METAAL Grainware c 1992 Michael Lax Design ML-4012 There are some light scuffs and scratches especially toward the base, patina to finish. See images for detail. Michael Lax (1929–1999) was an American industrial designer who created household products for companies such as Copco, Lightolier, Dansk, Salton, Metaal, Mikasa, Tupperware, and American Cyanamid. Several of his best-known products, including the Lytegem lamp by Lightolier and the Copco enamel...

Category

1990s American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Aluminum

Postmodern Wall Clock, 1980s
Postmodern Wall Clock, 1980s

Postmodern Wall Clock, 1980s

Located in Čelinac, BA

This postmodern clock is part of a unique series of24 hand made wall and table clocks bz the young designer ERNEST hofman from 1980. Each clock is unique.

Category

1980s Serbian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Trípodes Deka Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Trípodes Deka Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre

Trípodes Deka Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre

Located in Geneve, CH

Trípodes Deka Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 36 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more arch...

Category

2010s Brazilian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Queen Lace Cut Crystal Ashtray Trinket Dish with Etched Wild Geese, circa 1970s
Queen Lace Cut Crystal Ashtray Trinket Dish with Etched Wild Geese, circa 1970s

Queen Lace Cut Crystal Ashtray Trinket Dish with Etched Wild Geese, circa 1970s

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Queen Lace Cut Crystal Ashtray Trinket Dish with Etched Wild Geese, circa 1970s A refined vintage crystal ashtray by Queen Lace, crafted in heavy clear cut glass with a bold square ...

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Large Postmodern Abstract Freeform Lucite / Acrylic Table Sculpture Signed
Large Postmodern Abstract Freeform Lucite / Acrylic Table Sculpture Signed

Large Postmodern Abstract Freeform Lucite / Acrylic Table Sculpture Signed

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A beautiful and impressive Lucite table sculpture in yellow and red colored acrylic. The table sculpture features two abstract forms on a thick base. Large substantial piece. Signed ...

Category

1980s American Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite

Ken and Ingrid Hansen Art Glass Vase
Ken and Ingrid Hansen Art Glass Vase

Ken and Ingrid Hansen Art Glass Vase

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Ken And Ingrid Hansen Art Glass Vase ,.

Category

1990s American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Ettore Sottsass Shiva Limited Edition Black 74/100
Ettore Sottsass Shiva Limited Edition Black 74/100

Ettore Sottsass Shiva Limited Edition Black 74/100

By Ettore Sottsass, BD Barcelona Design

Located in Barcelona, ES

Black Shiva ceramic vase designed by Ettore Sottsass circa 1973, edited by BD in Barcelona. This piece has been produced as a limited edition with a total of only 100 units. This is...

Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

No One's Garden Statue in Mild Steel & Clay by Metalmorphosis Studio
No One's Garden Statue in Mild Steel & Clay by Metalmorphosis Studio

No One's Garden Statue in Mild Steel & Clay by Metalmorphosis Studio

Located in Geneve, CH

No One's Garden Statue in Mild Steel & Clay by Metalmorphosis Studio Dimensions: D 140 x W 200 x H 90 cm. Materials: Mild steel and clay. This piece emerges as a reinterpretation of...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Limited Edition Contemporary Ukrainian Bronze "French Boxer" by Oleg Kedria
Limited Edition Contemporary Ukrainian Bronze "French Boxer" by Oleg Kedria

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Postmodern Tusca Vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal, 1980s
Postmodern Tusca Vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal, 1980s

Postmodern Tusca Vase by Lino Sabattini for Rosenthal, 1980s

By Lino Sabattini

Located in Uppsala, SE

This is the smallest model of the Tusca vase series, designed by Lino Sabattini and produced by Rosenthal in the 1980s. The white porcelain vase features a silver coloured motif and ...

Category

1980s German Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Postmodern Modern Marble and Brass Ashtray Box, circa 1970s
Postmodern Modern Marble and Brass Ashtray Box, circa 1970s

Postmodern Modern Marble and Brass Ashtray Box, circa 1970s

Located in New York, NY

A chic Postmodern marble and brass sphere ball ashtray box, circa 1970s. Piece makes a great decorative object box as well as an ashtray (three indents ar...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Brass

Vintage 1990s Postmodern Desk Clock by Brian Prothro for Zipadeedoodah Designs
Vintage 1990s Postmodern Desk Clock by Brian Prothro for Zipadeedoodah Designs

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...

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Lucite

Femme Hermes Bronze Sculpture
Femme Hermes Bronze Sculpture

Femme Hermes Bronze Sculpture

Located in Houston, TX

A contemporary post modern patinated bronze "Femme Hermes" sculpture, unsigned.

Category

20th Century North American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Ceramic Postmodern Vase
Ceramic Postmodern Vase

Ceramic Postmodern Vase

$316Sale Price|20% Off

Ceramic Postmodern Vase

By Patrick Nordstrom

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Ceramic Postmodern bud vase or weed pot, signed.

Category

1980s Scandinavian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Monumental Lucite Abstract Sculpture with Brilliant Reverse Painting
Monumental Lucite Abstract Sculpture with Brilliant Reverse Painting

Monumental Lucite Abstract Sculpture with Brilliant Reverse Painting

Located in Houston, TX

Monumental Lucite abstract sculpture with brilliant reverse painting. Outstanding colorful three-piece abstract sculpture of Lucite or acrylic or plexiglass with hand blown bubbles....

Category

1980s North American Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Acrylic, Lucite, Plexiglass, Wood

Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Reclining Beauty by Alice Riordan
Patinated Bronze Sculpture of Reclining Beauty by Alice Riordan

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...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Sleek Modern Tulip Chrome Polished Metal Bowl Post Modern
Sleek Modern Tulip Chrome Polished Metal Bowl Post Modern

Sleek Modern Tulip Chrome Polished Metal Bowl Post Modern

By Alessi

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a large, highly-reflective, chrome or polished metal bowl.It is likely a decorative art piece or serving bowl designed to be a striking centerpiece in a cont...

Category

1980s Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase
Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase

Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase

$260Sale Price|20% Off

Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase

Located in San Diego, CA

Gorgeous post-modern Italian marble vase, circa 1970s. Striking tan, brown and cream fleck throughout the vase. The piece is in very good vintage...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Pure Crystal Nuvola Vase by Studio Bojola
Pure Crystal Nuvola Vase by Studio Bojola

Pure Crystal Nuvola Vase by Studio Bojola

Located in Geneve, CH

Pure Crystal Nuvola Vase by Studio Bojola Dimensions: D 18 x H 18 cm Materials: Pure crystal. Colour: Clear. Weight: 1 kg. The Nuvola piece can serve both as a sculptural crystal ...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Small Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase
Small Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase

Small Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase

Located in San Diego, CA

Small post-modern Italian marble vase, circa 1970s. The vase is primarily a dark tan in color, but has cream, black and red veining throughout. Th...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Unique Art Glass Vase by Anna Ehrer for Kosta Boda Sweden 1992 Signed
Unique Art Glass Vase by Anna Ehrer for Kosta Boda Sweden 1992 Signed

Unique Art Glass Vase by Anna Ehrer for Kosta Boda Sweden 1992 Signed

By Kosta Boda, Anna Ehrner

Located in München, BY

Unique, tall, elegant and highly decorative art glass vase. Designed by Anna Ehrner for Kosta Boda Sweden, 1992. Signed at the bottom: Anna Ehrner. 8385.621. Kosta Boda. Unique. 92 ...

Category

1990s Swedish Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

1980 Italy Bronze and Brass Abstract Sculpture by Nevio De Luca
1980 Italy Bronze and Brass Abstract Sculpture by Nevio De Luca

1980 Italy Bronze and Brass Abstract Sculpture by Nevio De Luca

Located in Brescia, IT

This Italian artist follow his soul and imagines the scenes story telling the life. This is the Francesco Petrarca story, one the most important Italian poet of the beginning of Huma...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Lucite Jewelry Vanity Box
Lucite Jewelry Vanity Box

Lucite Jewelry Vanity Box

Located in New York, NY

A square Lucite jewelry or trinket box, Postmodern design, circa late-20th century, 1990s. Great to hold jewelry or other small items on a vanity, des...

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Lucite

Beranek Large Abstract Paperweight or Glass Sculpture, Signed
Beranek Large Abstract Paperweight or Glass Sculpture, Signed

Beranek Large Abstract Paperweight or Glass Sculpture, Signed

By Beranek Glass 1

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Large art glass paperweight or sculpture features an abstract design in sapphire blue with green accents, enclosed in clear glass in sommerso technique. The piece is marked with the...

Category

1980s Czech Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso

Set of Three Post-Modern Geometric Ceramic Vases by James Johnston
Set of Three Post-Modern Geometric Ceramic Vases by James Johnston

Set of Three Post-Modern Geometric Ceramic Vases by James Johnston

By James Johnston

Located in San Diego, CA

Hard to find set of three post-modern geometric ceramic vases by James Johnston, circa 1980s. The vases have a mat green glazed stoneware finish with sharp geometric lines and are s...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Esa Fedrigolli Sculptural Bronze 1980s Italian Box
Esa Fedrigolli Sculptural Bronze 1980s Italian Box

Esa Fedrigolli Sculptural Bronze 1980s Italian Box

By Esa Fedrigolli

Located in New York, NY

A sculptural decorative lidded bronze Italian box designed by Esa Fedrigolli for Esart. Signed

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Marble and Brass Picture Frame by Designer Maitland Smith, 1980s
Marble and Brass Picture Frame by Designer Maitland Smith, 1980s

Marble and Brass Picture Frame by Designer Maitland Smith, 1980s

By Artisan Collection LTD, Maitland Smith

Located in New York, NY

A beautiful '80s marble and brass picture frame by designer Maitland-Smith, circa late-20th century, 1980s. Frame is rectangular/octagonal in shape, with marble in shades of light sa...

Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone, Marble, Brass

Hand-Built Plaster Sculpture, Post-Modern Female Form, USA, 1992
Hand-Built Plaster Sculpture, Post-Modern Female Form, USA, 1992

Hand-Built Plaster Sculpture, Post-Modern Female Form, USA, 1992

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

An expressive and tactile hand-built plaster sculpture depicting a stylized female form. This piece celebrates the "divine feminine" through a raw, organic lens, featuring robust pro...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plaster

1980's Postmodern Frosted Lucite Block Kinetic Radiometer Rare Sculpture
1980's Postmodern Frosted Lucite Block Kinetic Radiometer Rare Sculpture

1980's Postmodern Frosted Lucite Block Kinetic Radiometer Rare Sculpture

By Shiro Kuramata

Located in San Diego, CA

Rare kinetic Sculpture a radiometer encased lucite cube with a frosted finish , inside holds a blue glass radiometer that when light or sun goes thru start spining a beautiful and un...

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Lucite

A large smoked glass and chrome sculpture by Runstadler Studios, signed, 1990
A large smoked glass and chrome sculpture by Runstadler Studios, signed, 1990

A large smoked glass and chrome sculpture by Runstadler Studios, signed, 1990

By Runstadler Studios

Located in View Park, CA

A stunning smoked glass and metal sculpture by Runstadler Studios, signed, 1990. Edition 20/30, this rare piece depicts periods a large wing fanning out, emerging from a chrome plint...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Chrome, Steel

Large Porcelain Bowl by Jens Flemming Sörensen. Royal Copenhagen, Denmark 1980s
Large Porcelain Bowl by Jens Flemming Sörensen. Royal Copenhagen, Denmark 1980s

Large Porcelain Bowl by Jens Flemming Sörensen. Royal Copenhagen, Denmark 1980s

By Royal Copenhagen, Jens Flemming Sorensen

Located in Malmö, SE

A huge and rare eggshell shaped porcelain bowl. Designed by the noted Danish artist Jens Flemming Sorensen, for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, in the 1980s. Excellent condition. Stam...

Category

1980s Danish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Porcelain

Set of Three Post-Modern Memphis Art Glass Flower Vases by Rony Plesl
Set of Three Post-Modern Memphis Art Glass Flower Vases by Rony Plesl

Set of Three Post-Modern Memphis Art Glass Flower Vases by Rony Plesl

Located in San Diego, CA

A very cool set of three post-modern Memphis style art glass flower vases by Czech artist Rony Plesl, circa 1990s. The vases are in very good vintage condition with no chips or crac...

Category

Late 20th Century Czech Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

William Ludwig Bronze Figural Sculpture of a Warrior Dated 1987
William Ludwig Bronze Figural Sculpture of a Warrior Dated 1987

William Ludwig Bronze Figural Sculpture of a Warrior Dated 1987

By William Ludwig

Located in Peabody, MA

A 1980s bronze sculpture of a helmeted figure on a solid walnut base by Louisiana artist William Ludwig (1935-2011).. Although New England born in Hartford, CT., he was known as a so...

Category

1980s American Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Carmelo De Giorgio for Officina De Giorgio  Linea Luce Table Candlestick
Carmelo De Giorgio for Officina De Giorgio  Linea Luce Table Candlestick

Carmelo De Giorgio for Officina De Giorgio Linea Luce Table Candlestick

By De Giorgio

Located in San Diego, CA

The attention to detail is reflected in the high quality workmanship of this piece, Its been sanded, polished and finished by hand. Beautiful design on this candelabra piece of solid...

Category

Late 20th Century Swiss Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel, Chrome

Post-modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Post-Modern decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Post-Modern decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Tom von Kaenel, Reflections Copenhagen, Christopher Gentner, and Ettore Sottsass. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $33 and tops out at $216,361 while the average work can sell for $1,098.