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.
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Solid Travertine Sphere on Lucite Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful post-modern solid polished travertine sphere on lucite ring base, circa 1980s. The sphere is in very good vintage condition and measures 5....
Travertine
$260Sale Price|20% Off
Petite Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous petite post-modern Italian marble vase, circa 1970s. Striking black and white flecking throughout the dark green background on this piece...
Marble
Italian Murano Whimsical Glass Hat with Lobster Detail by Badiolli
By Badioli
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical unique Italian glass Hat by Badiolli with lobster decor, many peaplo use this piece as a centerpiece of a table and put fruit arround it or jus...
Blown Glass
$2,460Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Marble Sculpture Attributed to Renoir, Circa 1980s
By Maitland Smith, Renoir Designs, Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in Round Top, TX
Postmodern pink and black marble sculpture with a twisty, swirly presentation. Attributed to Renoir production, in the Philippines, this tessellated marble treasure seems to be a rar...
Marble
Ettore Sottsass Alessio Sarri Pottery Centerpiece Italian Postmodern Memphis
Located in Wilton, CT
Vintage Ettore Sottsass ET4 postmodern centerpiece with lopsided walls and garden green glaze produced by Alessio Sarri, circa 1980's. 4 3/4" high, 9 3/4" wide, 9 3/4" deep. Excellen...
Pottery
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 40 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more...
Ceramic
1980s Post Modern Art Copper Table Sculpture signed Organic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a post-modern table art sculpture. Sculpture in copper. Signed "I U Arte". Organic modern form. Dimensions: 13.25" H x 9" W x 10" D Please visit take a l...
Copper
Vintage Art Glass "Monet" Vase by John Fields
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage art glass "Monet" series vase by John Fields circa 2001. The vase is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3.75"D x 10.5"H; it is sign...
Art Glass
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Italian Marble Column Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice post-modern Italian marble column paperweight, circa 1980s. The piece is primarily cream in color with grey and black veining throughout....
Marble
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
$11,939 / item
Incarnato 3 Sculpture by Camille De Prêtre
Located in Geneve, CH
Incarnato 3 Sculpture by Camille De Prêtre Dimensions: W 23 x D 23 x H 120 cm. Materials: Burned pine. About Camille De Prêtre is a Belgian artist and furniture designer based betw...
Wood
Swedish Designer, Candlesticks, Teak, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of 3 teak and metal candlesticks. Fits 0.85” diameter candle Shorter candleholder is 7.5” H and the other two are 9.4” H
Teak
Post Modern Flat Arch Hanukkiyah Menorah By Luigi Del Monte
Located in San Diego, CA
Arched menorah in anodized solid aluminum By Luigi Del Monte. Produced in 1999 in a limited number and part of the permanent collection of Chicago’s Spertus Museum. New York’s Museum...
Aluminum
1970 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Urano Palma Omaggio a Giacometti
By Urano Palma
Located in Brescia, IT
This very intense and engaging artwork was created by Urano Palma that he is a well known Italian artist who starts to create his artworks following the philosophy of Lucio Fontana. ...
Bronze
Abstract Multi-Color Wood Table Sculpture, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Abstract postmodern table sculpture circa 1980s by unknown artist.
Wood
Brigitte Doege for Rosenthal Large Porcelain Flower Vase, 1990s
By Brigette Deoge Rosenthal
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Brigitte Doege for Rosenthal Germany Large Porcelain Flower Vase, 1990s Gorgeous and large flower vase manufactured from Rosenthal Germany in fine porcelain. The design is made by B...
Porcelain
WF Fisher, Sizeable Vase, Ceramic, USA, 1979
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable signed ceramic vase designed and produced by WF Fisher, USA, 1979. Condition: production-related fissures.
Ceramic
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 22 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 22 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 22 x W 26 x H 20 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Mate...
Bronze
Joke Stroes Pair of Luster Glazed Studio Pottery Objects for Mobach 1980s
By Mobach
Located in Meer, VAN
Joke Stroes Pair of Studio Pottery Objects for Mobach, Utrecht, The Netherlands, 1980s. Wonderful post-modern studio pottery objects by renowned studio pottery master Joke Stroes fo...
Pottery
$2,175 / set
Modern Steel and Aluminum Sculptural Bookends
Located in Treadwell, NY
The Mountains: modern steel and aluminum sculptural bookends by Erik Johnson of APD. Solid steel plates and burnished aluminum are combined to form...
Aluminum, Steel
Vintage 1980s Lorenz Action Art Table/Wall Clock
By Lorenz
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Bringing a touch of Space Age design flair to your space, this mid-century clock features a kinetic sphere design, with the clock's hands rotating within the chrome frame. Cleverly designed so that it can both be used on a table as a desk clock and can be hung to be a wall clock. This clock was made or licensed by several companies, including "Jeco", "Yachiyo", and others. This piece is made by Lorenz Action Art...
Metal
1980, Italy Post-Modern Rodica Tanasescu Bronze Abstract Sculpture Maratoneta
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Rodica Tanasescu. The title " Maratoneta" Marathon runner. Rodica Tanasescu was born in Rumania and now...
Bronze
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 11 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 11 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 4 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: P...
Bronze
Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Small post-modern Italian marble vase, circa 1980s. The vase is primarily a dark green in color, but has black and grey veining throughout. The vase is in very good vintage condition...
Marble
1978 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Fanna Roncoroni Labirinto Labyrinth
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging artwork was created in 1978 by the Italian artist Fanna Roncoroni. It is a multiple of 1000 pieces numbered and signed by the author. The title is "Labirinto", translat...
Bronze
Memphis Wall Clock by George Sowden & Nathalie du Pasquier for NEOS Lorenz
By George Sowden, Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Tilburg, NL
Beautiful black and white wall clock by Memphis group founding members George Sowden and Nathalie du Pasquier. The postmodern design of the Memphis Group was very influential in the ...
Plastic
Contemporary Enamel Painted Bronze Sculpture entitled "Frog" by Barry Stein
Located in London, GB
A charming limited edition enamel painted bronze study of an alert frog with excellent rich green colour. The bronze with fabulous colour and hand finished detail. Signed Barry Stein...
Bronze
Postmodern Multicolored Murano Glass Vase by Ottavio Missoni, Italy 1980s
Located in Catania, CT
Multicolored blown Murano glass designed by Ottavio Missoni and produced during the 80s in excellent vintage condition with normal trace of age and use. No cracks or chips.
Murano Glass
Postmodern Wall Clock, 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
This Postmodern clockis part of a unique series of 24 hand made wall and table clocksby the young designer Ernest Hofman from 1980s. Each clock is unique
Wood
Carlo Nason Artistic bottle with Murano glass, signed at the base
By Carlo Nason, Lavorazione Arte Murano
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
Textured Uneven Sculptural Classic Coral Stone Seating by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Fractus sculptural seating by Andres Monnier. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 120 x L 50 x H 50 cm. Materials: Coralina clasica. Stone options availabl...
Stone
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
Vintage Rare 1990s Chanel Baroque Pearl Necklace
By Chanel, Paloma Picasso, Karl Lagerfeld, Thierry Mugler, 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
Arctuaria Totem in Marble, Travertine & Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Arctuaria Totem in Marble, Travertine & Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 40 x W 30 x H 170 cm. Materials: Marble, steel, and travertine. Available in different fin...
Travertine, Marble, Steel
Vintage Signed Oversized Ceramic White Pawn Chess Piece Sculpture
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage Large Signed Ceramic White Pawn Chess Piece Sculpture. The color is white even though some of the pictures look creamy. Signed on underside but we could not decipher.
Ceramic
$200Sale Price|38% Off
Vintage Artist Candle Holder by Tazewell
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful artist candleholder by Tazewell. Handmade piece by artist Tazewell that combines whimsical and highly graphic details. The candleholder is crafted out of a single piece of wood with a variety of images on each side. On one side, a male profile image and as the piece turns, two female representations continue. Tazewell Sidney Morton III or “Tazewell” as he prefers to be known brings graphic elements in this unique piece that fuse color, light and shape. Undeniably, the love for New Orleans is represented in this piece. Shape, color and subject matter bring to mind the big easy...
Wood, Paint
Unique Ocean Flower 002 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Ocean Flower 002 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 28 x D 37 x H 34 cm. Materials: Porcelain. About the artist Istanbul based artist, Mina Ka...
Porcelain
$637Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Biomorphic Vase by Donna Polseno, Glazed Ceramic, 1990s
Located in Round Top, TX
We are pleased to offer a stunning, dreamy Postmodern / Neo Art Deco biomorphic form vase by American artist Donna Polseno, circa the 1990s. The female fa...
Ceramic, Lucite
Italian 50's Decorative Ball By Ettore Sottsass For Rinnovel
Located in London, GB
This is the iconic "Mela" apple-shaped decorative object, designed in 1953 by Ettore Sottsass for Rinnovel, featuring a striking combination of a cobalt blue glass base and a polishe...
Chrome
$522Sale Price|55% Off
Italy Post-Modern Design Murano Glass Light Blue Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
This Post-Modern Murano glass vase has a very elegant and delicate light blue tone. Becouse it’s not industrial production, the vase shows some little irregularities in the form.
Glass
Hand Blown Art Glass Bowl by Andriy Petrovskyi, Late 20th Century
Located in View Park, CA
A handblown art glass bowl by Ukrainian artist Andriy Petrovskyi, signed, late 20th century. Tones of swimming pool blue and frost. Warbling edge and featuring three handles. Wonderf...
Art Glass
Ceramic vase Memphis, “ILIOS” by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, Milan, 1990’s.
Located in Milan, IT
Memphis Milano painted ceramic vase by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, “ILIOS” in pink. Florio was a key member of the Memphis group when he created his series of unique handmade vases. ...
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Dominican Carved Varnished Wooden Hand Sculpture/Cigar Holder
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 20th century dominican hand-carved varnished wooden hand sculpture/cigar holder By: unknown Material: wood Technique: carved, hand-carved, ...
Wood
Chopard sterling silver 925 picture table/desk frame, for Robbe & Berking Luxe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very Luxury sterling silver frame , made by Robbe & Berking and designed by one of the most exquisite brands in the world, Chopard .The picture itself is 6 x4 inches opening.
Sterling Silver
Sven Hofverberg, Small Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A small semi grey-glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Sven Hofverberg, Sweden, c. 1970s. “SH” signature on bottom
Stoneware
$793Sale Price|20% Off
Silver Plated Ice Bucket / Wine Cooler by Ambrogio Pozzi for Padova Argenti
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, circa 1970s. This is a silver plated brass ice bucket or wine cooler by Ambrogio Pozzi for Padova Argenti. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but i...
Silver Plate
Lino Tagliapietra for Effetre Edition abstract large Murano glass charger .
By Lino Tagliapietra, Effetre International Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large charger by the well known artist/designer Lino Tagliapietra , signed and dated 1985. base is 10 inches diameter and high with base is 22.6 inches.
Art Glass
Bitossi ceramic / pottery vase/vessel designed by Cinzia Bitossi .
By Bitossi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a new sample of the amazing works of Bitossi , Italy ceramic/ pottery. This great sample is a creation of Cinzia Bitossi in 2004/2005 . signed.
Ceramic
$466Sale Price|20% Off
Op Art Porcelain Gold Sun Eye Vase by E.A. Sundermann for Fürstenberg
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Op Art Porcelain Vase by E.A. Sundermann for Fürstenberg. Made in Germany 1960's / 70's period. White porcelain with gold sun eye print front and back. This comes in very goo...
Porcelain
Lino Tagliapietra glass egg sculpture/ object, for Effetre International 1983.
By Lino Tagliapietra, Effetre International Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful , larger than normal egg made and designed by The well known Italian artist Lino Tagliapietra , This is a large egg signed and dated .
Murano Glass
$280Sale Price|20% Off
Italian Green Marble Architectural Candle Holders Circa 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully shaped organic Green Marble candle holders Circa 1980s. Candlesticks have a great clean architectural design that is versati...
Marble
Mendini Watch Tower by Alessandro Mendini for Swatch #1358
Located in Miami, FL
Discover an iconic piece of design history with the Mendini Watch Tower, a collaboration between renowned Italian designer Alessandro Mendini and Swatch. Crafted with meticulous atte...
Plastic
S0247 Decorative Object in Fir Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
S0247 Decorative Object in Fir Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 22 x W 42 x H 81 cm. Materials: Fir wood. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part of a...
Fir
Sculpture by Tony Emilson, Sweden
By Tony Emilson
Located in Oslo, NO
Unique sculpture in painted wood by Swedish artist Tony Emilson, (1925-2015). Titled ´Undercover". Measures: Height 25, diameter 16cm. Provenance: From Tony Emilson's personal ...
Wood
One Of a Kind Sur Vessel in Pigmented Cement by Studio Noon
By Noon Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
One Of a Kind Sur Vessel in Pigmented Cement by Studio Noon One Of a Kind Dimensions: W 61 x D 61 x H 61 cm Material: Pigmented cement. Based in, produced and shipped from the US. P...
Cement
Pair of Post-Modern Small Black Marble Cannisters / Boxes
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful pair of post-modern small black marble cannisters / boxes, circa 1970s. The cannisters are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measure 2.875"D x 4...
Marble
Italian Postmodern White Ceramic Catchall or Bowl
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern white ceramic catchall, Italy.
Ceramic
Violet Halo Illuminated Wall Art in Amethyst and Quartz by Sev Art Gallery
Located in Geneve, CH
Violet Halo Illuminated Wall Art in Amethyst and Quartz by Sev Art Gallery. Dimensions: W 60 x D 4 x H 120 cm. Materials: Natural amethyst, natural quartz, high-gloss epoxy resin, ca...
Quartz, Amethyst
Sculpture by Tony Emilson, Sweden, 2012
By Tony Emilson
Located in Oslo, NO
Sculpture in painted wood. Named ´"Det bästa i en taskig situation" or "The best in a shoddy situation". Signed and dated and TE - 12.
Wood
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