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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
Sculpture by Tony Emilson, Sweden
Sculpture by Tony Emilson, Sweden

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 ...

Category

2010s Swedish Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Omnia Vanitas Vanité 30 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 30 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon

Omnia Vanitas Vanité 30 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon

By William Guillon

Located in Geneve, CH

Omnia Vanitas Vanité 30 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: D 10 x W 52 x H 15 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Mate...

Category

2010s French Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Danish Designer, Floor Vases, Stoneware, Denmark, 1973
Danish Designer, Floor Vases, Stoneware, Denmark, 1973

Danish Designer, Floor Vases, Stoneware, Denmark, 1973

Located in High Point, NC

A pair of beige and brown-glazed stoneware vases designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1940s.

Category

1970s Danish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Pair of Sculptural Porcelain Hands by Rosenthal Technik, Germany, circa 1980
Pair of Sculptural Porcelain Hands by Rosenthal Technik, Germany, circa 1980

Pair of Sculptural Porcelain Hands by Rosenthal Technik, Germany, circa 1980

By Rosenthal

Located in BARCELONA, ES

Striking pair of sculptural hands produced by Rosenthal Technik, the experimental and industrial design division of the renowned German manufacturer. Executed in white porcelain wit...

Category

Late 20th Century German Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Rare 1979 Donovan Leisure NYC Cia Law Firm 50th Anniversary Brass Paperweight
Rare 1979 Donovan Leisure NYC Cia Law Firm 50th Anniversary Brass Paperweight

Rare 1979 Donovan Leisure NYC Cia Law Firm 50th Anniversary Brass Paperweight

Located in Hyattsville, MD

Extremely rare New York City historical relic. A fiftieth anniversary brass cubic monolith commemorative desk sculpture. Issued to monogram; AWS. Approx. 45-60 members of firm a that time, only a handful were issued this paperweight in solid Brass weighing 8 lbs. 4.2 oz. Donovan, Leisure, Newton & Irvine was an American white-shoe law firm, located in New York. It was founded in 1929 by General William "Wild Bill...

Category

1970s American Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Neos Lorenz du Pasquier & Sowden Postmodern Clock
Neos Lorenz du Pasquier & Sowden Postmodern Clock

Neos Lorenz du Pasquier & Sowden Postmodern Clock

By George Sowden, Nathalie du Pasquier

Located in Chicago, IL

A bright, multicolored postmodern wall clock with blue and green hands designed by Nathalie du Pasquier and George Sowden for Neos of Lorenz in the late 1980s. Co-founders of the Mem...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Plastic

1980 Italy Kinetic Wooden Abstract  Sculpture by Bruno Chersicla
1980 Italy Kinetic Wooden Abstract  Sculpture by Bruno Chersicla

1980 Italy Kinetic Wooden Abstract Sculpture by Bruno Chersicla

Located in Brescia, IT

This sculpture is one of a kind piece, no other one exists and it was realized in 1980 by the well known Italian artist Bruno Chersicla. This is a kinetic abstract sculpture, most o...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Sculpture by Tony Emilson, Sweden, 2012
Sculpture by Tony Emilson, Sweden, 2012

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.

Category

2010s Swedish Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Square Base Candlestick - Cast and Polished Solid Bronze Candlesticks
Square Base Candlestick - Cast and Polished Solid Bronze Candlesticks

Square Base Candlestick - Cast and Polished Solid Bronze Candlesticks

By Mark Dineen

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A study in contrasts, these candlesticks maintain a complex profile while exhibiting smooth, polished surfaces. Each candlestick is a unique design originally captured in polystyrene...

Category

2010s North American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

1970’s turquoise and green Murano Centerpiece Bowl
1970’s turquoise and green Murano Centerpiece Bowl

1970’s turquoise and green Murano Centerpiece Bowl

By Venini

Located in Charleston, SC

Blue speckled with green cased in white with a white base. This works great on the dining table as a centerpiece Kitchen counter, entryway console for your keys. 1980’s, Italy. A 19...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Murano Glass

Ceramic vase Memphis, “MITODEA” by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, Milan, 1990’s.
Ceramic vase Memphis, “MITODEA” by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, Milan, 1990’s.

Ceramic vase Memphis, “MITODEA” by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, Milan, 1990’s.

By Luciano Florio Paccagnella

Located in Milan, IT

Memphis Milano painted ceramic vase by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, “MITODEA”” in yellow. Florio was a key member of the Memphis group when he created his series of unique handmade va...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Italian 1980s Post Modern Centrepiece in Alabaster
Italian 1980s Post Modern Centrepiece in Alabaster

Italian 1980s Post Modern Centrepiece in Alabaster

By Alessandro Mendini

Located in Milan, IT

Italian 1980s Post-Modern Centrepiece in Alabaster Attributed to Alessandro Mendini Italy 1980s Carries the original Consorzio Difesa e Valorizzazione Alabastro di Volterra label

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Alabaster

Post Modern Table Clock, 1980s
Post Modern Table Clock, 1980s

Post Modern Table Clock, 1980s

Located in Čelinac, BA

This post modern clock is part of a unique series of 24 hand made wall and table clocks by the youngdesigner Ernest Hofman from 1980.Each clock is unique and its only one maded.

Category

1980s Serbian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Vintage Bitossi Flavia Pottery Vase Londi Italian Turquoise Monochrome 10"
Vintage Bitossi Flavia Pottery Vase Londi Italian Turquoise Monochrome 10"

Vintage Bitossi Flavia Pottery Vase Londi Italian Turquoise Monochrome 10"

By Bitossi

Located in Wilton, CT

Bitossi Flavia vase in rouleau form with deep turquoise monochrome glaze. Hand turned. Circa 1980's (the Flavia name was used from about the mid seventies to the late nineties). 10 1...

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

1960s Czech Bohemia Frosted Art Glass Vase
1960s Czech Bohemia Frosted Art Glass Vase

1960s Czech Bohemia Frosted Art Glass Vase

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a vintage Czech bohemia glass vase. Frosted and clear glass. Sculptural totem vase. Stamp present from the maker. Dim...

Category

1980s Czech Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Ceramic penguin sculpture, Italy 1980
Ceramic penguin sculpture, Italy 1980

Ceramic penguin sculpture, Italy 1980

Located in Firenze, IT

Ceramic penguin sculpture Italy 1980 33H x 24 x 17 cm Conditions: perfect conditions

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Swarovski Crystal Candle Holders Set of 3 Circa 1980
Vintage Swarovski Crystal Candle Holders Set of 3 Circa 1980

Vintage Swarovski Crystal Candle Holders Set of 3 Circa 1980

By Swarovski

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Vintage Swarovski Crystal Candlestick Holders Set of 3, 2 large 1 medium. Gorgeous sparkling faceted crystal ball column with pin European style candle holder with square base. Dimen...

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

2 of 4 Metal Candlesticks in Zigzag Shape, Italy, 1990s
2 of 4 Metal Candlesticks in Zigzag Shape, Italy, 1990s

2 of 4 Metal Candlesticks in Zigzag Shape, Italy, 1990s

Located in Montecalvoli, IT

2 of 4 metal candlesticks - zigzag shape 90s look - postmodern memphis style - Italy 1990s Now free shipping worldwide! This set of two candlesticks impresses with its zigzag design...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Kirsten Günther, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1972
Kirsten Günther, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1972

Kirsten Günther, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1972

By Knabstrup

Located in High Point, NC

A brown-glazed stoneware vase designed by Kirsten Günther and produced by Knabstrup, Denmark, 1972. “KNABSTRUP 3617818 — Made in Denmark” on bottom

Category

1970s Danish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Swedish Designer, Vase, Fossil Stone, Sweden, 1970s
Swedish Designer, Vase, Fossil Stone, Sweden, 1970s

Swedish Designer, Vase, Fossil Stone, Sweden, 1970s

Located in High Point, NC

A fossil stone vase designed and produced in Gotland, Sweden, c. 1970s.

Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

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

Massive Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase

Located in San Diego, CA

Massive post-modern Italian black marble vase, circa 1980s. The vase has a black background with tan, white and grey veining throughout. The vase is in very good vintage condition w...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Pair of Dolbi Cashier Art Deco Revival Gunmetal Metal Vases, Korea, 1980s
Pair of Dolbi Cashier Art Deco Revival Gunmetal Metal Vases, Korea, 1980s

Pair of Dolbi Cashier Art Deco Revival Gunmetal Metal Vases, Korea, 1980s

By Dolbi Cashier

Located in W Allenhurst, NJ

A striking pair of Art Deco Revival vases by Dolbi Cashier, crafted in cast metal with a highly polished gunmetal finish. The sculptural flask-form silhouettes are adorned with raise...

Category

Late 20th Century Korean Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Natalie Du Pasquier Vase Bitossi Ceramic
Natalie Du Pasquier Vase Bitossi Ceramic

Natalie Du Pasquier Vase Bitossi Ceramic

By Nathalie du Pasquier, Bitossi

Located in San Diego, CA

Capturing the unique post-modernist style of Nathalie du Pasquier, this sculpture is defined by bold geometric elements in different colors stacked in an abstract shape. Turned on a ...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Boho 1980s Quilted Fabric Palm Tree With Parrot
Vintage Boho 1980s Quilted Fabric Palm Tree With Parrot

Vintage Boho 1980s Quilted Fabric Palm Tree With Parrot

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Transport your interior to a playful, sun-drenched paradise with this spectacular vintage soft sculpture palm tree. A quintessential example of 1980s Postmodern and Pop Art design, t...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Wood

Glass basket from Bleikristall, Germany
Glass basket from Bleikristall, Germany

Glass basket from Bleikristall, Germany

By Bleikristall

Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA

Bleikristall Crystal Basket, Germany This Bleikristall crystal basket from Germany features a striking, vibrant green color, enhanced by its distinctive, deep-cut pattern. The design...

Category

20th Century German Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Helle Lavender Green Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu
Helle Lavender Green Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu

Helle Lavender Green Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu

Located in Geneve, CH

Helle Lavender Green Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu Dimensions: D 2.25 x W 5 x H 7 cm Materials: Cast Glass Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Bowen Liu founded her aw...

Category

2010s American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

1980s Grey & Black Stacked Desk or Mantel Clock
1980s Grey & Black Stacked Desk or Mantel Clock

1980s Grey & Black Stacked Desk or Mantel Clock

Located in Brooklyn, NY

With a stunning combination of spotted gray and black enameled metal, black lucite accents, and primary colored hands, this postmodern clock is design...

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Set of Three Post-Modern "Greentime" Garden Tools by Guzzini, New Old Stock
Set of Three Post-Modern "Greentime" Garden Tools by Guzzini, New Old Stock

Set of Three Post-Modern "Greentime" Garden Tools by Guzzini, New Old Stock

By Guzzini

Located in San Diego, CA

A brand new set of three post-modern "Greentime" garden tools by Guzzini, circa 1990s. The set is new old stock in original box and packaging. The set is in unused condition and each...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Lucite

Moon Jar in Raw by Solem Ceramics
Moon Jar in Raw by Solem Ceramics

Moon Jar in Raw by Solem Ceramics

Located in Geneve, CH

Moon Jar in Raw by Solem Ceramics Dimensions: Ø 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Red stoneware, white slip, glaze This Jar is also available in Gloss and Obsidian finish. Please contact us. ...

Category

2010s Canadian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

1985 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Urano Palma Trono Bronzo Bronze Throne
1985 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Urano Palma Trono Bronzo Bronze Throne

1985 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Urano Palma Trono Bronzo Bronze Throne

By Urano Palma

Located in Brescia, IT

This very intense and engaging artwork was created by Urano Palma that is a well known Italian artist who starts to create his artworks following the philosophy of Lucio Fontana. He ...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

1990s John Bergen Studio Postmodern Black and White Ceramic Amorphous Vase
1990s John Bergen Studio Postmodern Black and White Ceramic Amorphous Vase

1990s John Bergen Studio Postmodern Black and White Ceramic Amorphous Vase

Located in Farmington Hills, MI

We are very pleased to offer a stunning, ceramic vase by designer John Bergen, circa the 1990s. This ceramic vase embodies postmodern attributes with its ...

Category

1990s Canadian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Stoneware, Silicone Small Wrinkled by Daniel Elkayam
Stoneware, Silicone Small Wrinkled by Daniel Elkayam

Stoneware, Silicone Small Wrinkled by Daniel Elkayam

Located in Geneve, CH

Stoneware, Silicone Small Wrinkled by Daniel Elkayam Dimensions: D 12 x W 12 x H 14 cm Materials: Stoneware, Silicone. Jerusalem-born Art-designer and Photographer based in Tel-Av...

Category

2010s Israeli Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware, Silicone

1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture Beppe Bonetti Piccolo Racconto
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture Beppe Bonetti Piccolo Racconto

1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture Beppe Bonetti Piccolo Racconto

Located in Brescia, IT

This artwork was created by the Italian artist Beppe Bonetti. Title "Piccolo racconto" translate "Little tale"" Beppe Bonetti was born in 1951 in Brescia, Italy, where he lives an...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Swedish Designer, Candlesticks, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Swedish Designer, Candlesticks, Pine, Sweden, 1970s

Swedish Designer, Candlesticks, Pine, Sweden, 1970s

Located in High Point, NC

A pair of turned pine candlesticks designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.

Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century / Postmodern Ikebana Style Ceramic Vase
Mid-Century / Postmodern Ikebana Style Ceramic Vase

Mid-Century / Postmodern Ikebana Style Ceramic Vase

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful ceramic vase with motifs, circa 1980s signed at the bottom no chips or cracks.

Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Geometric Enameled Iron Wall Mounted Postmodern  Indoor/Outdoor Sculpture
Geometric Enameled Iron Wall Mounted Postmodern  Indoor/Outdoor Sculpture

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.

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Black Nun Ritual Font, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch
Black Nun Ritual Font, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch

Black Nun Ritual Font, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch

Located in Geneve, CH

Black Nun Ritual Font, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 110 cm. Materials: MDF, PETG, stainless steel, Dark Matter. Weight: 21 kg. Thi...

Category

2010s French Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Stainless Steel

Postmodern White Lacquered Earthenware Horse Head Decorative Object, Italy 1980s
Postmodern White Lacquered Earthenware Horse Head Decorative Object, Italy 1980s

Postmodern White Lacquered Earthenware Horse Head Decorative Object, Italy 1980s

Located in Bresso, Lombardy

This large-scale figure of a horse head was produced in Italy and dates to the 80s. The white glaze gives this piece a modern look and captures the elegance and beauty of the horse....

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

White Kaen Candle by Monics+Vieira
White Kaen Candle by Monics+Vieira

White Kaen Candle by Monics+Vieira

Located in Geneve, CH

White Kaen Candle by Monics+Vieira Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 12 cm. Materials: Wax Milan and Dubai based design duo MONICS+VIEIRA presents KAEN: Design Rituals, a new collectible ...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Ceramiche Daedalus Vietri Majolica Bud Vase, Italy Postmodern
Ceramiche Daedalus Vietri Majolica Bud Vase, Italy Postmodern

Ceramiche Daedalus Vietri Majolica Bud Vase, Italy Postmodern

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Playful bud vase is hand painted with bright and cheerful decor of houses, fruits, and flowers that wraps around the vase and creates a surrealistic landscape. The rim is defined wi...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica, Pottery

1980s Smoked Glass and Mirror Clock by John Gilmore for Accessories Art
1980s Smoked Glass and Mirror Clock by John Gilmore for Accessories Art

1980s Smoked Glass and Mirror Clock by John Gilmore for Accessories Art

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A stunning postmodern smoked glass and mirror table or mantle clock. Triangular mirrored base with beveled edges and a mirrored face with a smoked glass border featuring rounded edg...

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Mirror

1980 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Vanni Viviani Star with Apples
1980 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Vanni Viviani Star with Apples

1980 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Vanni Viviani Star with Apples

Located in Brescia, IT

This is an engaging and intense artwork signed by the author Vanni Viviani, a well known artist of years 80' in Italy. This artwork was made in 1980 but it can be considered as new ...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Postmodern / Memphis Era Art Glass Wall Clock by M.J. Bailey
Postmodern / Memphis Era Art Glass Wall Clock by M.J. Bailey

Postmodern / Memphis Era Art Glass Wall Clock by M.J. Bailey

Located in San Diego, CA

A very cool postmodern / Memphis era art glass wall clock by M.J. Bailey, circa 1980s. The clock has the colorful look of a downtown sklyline and was made in the USA. The piece is in...

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

American Designer, Abstract Sculpture, Ceramic, USA, 1970s
American Designer, Abstract Sculpture, Ceramic, USA, 1970s

American Designer, Abstract Sculpture, Ceramic, USA, 1970s

Located in High Point, NC

An abstract ceramic sculpture, designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s.

Category

1970s American Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Decorative Bowl with Interesting Decoration made from a Coconut
Decorative Bowl with Interesting Decoration made from a Coconut

Decorative Bowl with Interesting Decoration made from a Coconut

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Decorative Bowl Interesting Decoration Made from a Coconut "in nice as found conditions" "unusual"

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Coconut

Vintage Postmodern American Studio Ceramic Vase, Signed 1992
Vintage Postmodern American Studio Ceramic Vase, Signed 1992

Vintage Postmodern American Studio Ceramic Vase, Signed 1992

Located in Delray Beach, FL

A sculptural postmodern studio ceramic vessel with a soft, atmospheric palette. Finished in a pastel blue glaze layered with painterly swatches of light grey and white, creating a s...

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Swedish Designer, Large Candelabra, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Swedish Designer, Large Candelabra, Pine, Sweden, 1970s

Swedish Designer, Large Candelabra, Pine, Sweden, 1970s

Located in High Point, NC

A large pine candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Fits 0.80” diameter candles

Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Ulf Nordfjell, Sculpture, Ceramic, Sweden, 1987
Ulf Nordfjell, Sculpture, Ceramic, Sweden, 1987

Ulf Nordfjell, Sculpture, Ceramic, Sweden, 1987

Located in High Point, NC

A white-glazed stoneware sculpture designed and produced by Ulf Nordfjell, Sweden, 1987.

Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Artist-made vintage onyx / agate & walnut lidded vessel box, signed & dated 1984
Artist-made vintage onyx / agate & walnut lidded vessel box, signed & dated 1984

Artist-made vintage onyx / agate & walnut lidded vessel box, signed & dated 1984

Located in Hastings, GB

This beautifully tactile sculptural onyx lidded box is a unique artist-made piece...unfortunately I've been unable to identify the maker's mark. We sourced it in Phoenix, Arizona, al...

Category

1980s American Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Onyx

An early fine art ceramic by Robert Milnes, late 20th century
An early fine art ceramic by Robert Milnes, late 20th century

An early fine art ceramic by Robert Milnes, late 20th century

Located in View Park, CA

« Cenote », an early fine art ceramic by Robert Milnes (b. 1948). Late 20th century. A museum piece in tones of turquoise, brick, blue, and moss, and certainly taking cues from the I...

Category

1980s American Vintage Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 3 Post Modern Abstract Ceramic Bowl Scultpures by Kaiser Suidan 1990s
Set of 3 Post Modern Abstract Ceramic Bowl Scultpures by Kaiser Suidan 1990s

Set of 3 Post Modern Abstract Ceramic Bowl Scultpures by Kaiser Suidan 1990s

Located in Troy, MI

A grouping of three modular ceramic bowl sculptures by Michigan artist Kaiser Suidan 1992 Unique footed bowls in a conjoined puzzle like configuration with various designs and glaze...

Category

1990s Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Postmodern Figurative "Pants" Vase, American Studio Art Glass
Postmodern Figurative "Pants" Vase, American Studio Art Glass

Postmodern Figurative "Pants" Vase, American Studio Art Glass

Located in Clifton Springs, NY

Unusual, playful art glass vase was created in shape of lower body with pants in mottled blue with dark red stripes descending down on light blue shoes...

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso

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.