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.
$108Sale Price|33% Off
Orange and Green Art Glass Vase by Mdina c. 1980s
By Mdina, Michael Harris
Located in Glasgow, GB
An evocative example of 1980s art glass, this cylindrical vase was produced by Mdina Glass in Malta under the direction of Michael Harris—a pivotal figure in the development of Briti...
Art Glass
$596 / item
Monkey Amphora by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Monkey Amphora by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 25.4 x D 25.4 x H 30.48 cm Materials: Stoneware and Metal Crafted with timeless elegance each piece transforms a space, like the rounded ...
Metal
$14,487 / item
Regeneration 04 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Regeneration 04 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 7.5 x H 30 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbu...
Bronze, Other
$365 / item
Lira Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Lira Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 15.24 x H 22.86 cm Materials: Stoneware A handcrafted DeeTee Home ceramic pot that balances raw texture with subtle sculptural lines, making i...
Stoneware
1980's Postmodern Memphis Design George Matsumoto Magic Cube Hidden Office
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Ingenious, Memphis Era, Postmodern "Magic Cube" with hidden compartments filled with desk/office supplies. Designed by renowned Japanese-American, modernist architect, George Matsum...
Plastic
Memphis Style 1980s Metal Stick Person Candle Holders
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage 1980s memphis style stick person black metal candle holder. The stick person holds a wine glass in one hand and there is a candle holder in the other hand. Quirky wavy hair...
Metal
Italian Postmodern Wall Perpetual Calendar by Della Beffa for Ring a Date, 2000s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern Wall perpetual white calendar by Giorgio Della Beffa for Ring A Date, 2000-2010s Wall perpetual calendar in white plastic. The calenda...
Plastic
Lumières du Paradis Low Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumières du Paradis Low Candleholder by Katia Luna Benaï. Dimensions: D 17 x H 20 cm. Materials: Reclaimed Venetian briccole wood, amber Murano glass. This captivating set, hand-cra...
Wood, Murano Glass
$395 / item
Post Modern Display Mannequin
Located in Riverdale, NY
Post Modern Display Mannequin from a Japanese store formerly located on Madison Ave, NY. Articulated fiberglass mannequin body has screws at join...
Metal
$1,287 / item
Athari Functional Sculpture by Andrei Clontea
Located in Geneve, CH
Athari Functional Sculpture by Andrei Clontea Dimensions: W 20 x D 28 x H 29 cm Materials: Ceramics It’s important to note that due to the hand-building process, each piece may pres...
Ceramic
Rare Frosted Glass Low Dish Catch it All by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano NIB
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful minimalist frosted glass low bowl designed by Enzo Mari , for Danese circa 1980's New in an original box comes with brochure model 3119B Delos, a very rare find
Art Glass
John Miller Blue Plate Special Hamburger 2008 Blown Pop Art Glass Sculpture
By John Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by Americana, Miller's work stands to bring new light and perspective to the often overlooked but ubiquitous cultural artifacts that form the American visual lexicon and lived experience. Maybe as impressive as the work itself, is the magnitude of which his creations come to life. At such an impressive scale, his process is truly spectacle to witness. Pieces from his famed ‘Blue Plate Special...
Blown Glass
A monumental caged art glass vase by Vanessa Mitrani, signed, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A large art glass bulbous caged vase by Vanessa Mitrani, late 20th century. In a brilliant persimmon hue and caged in metal, this piece is at once statement and sophisticated. Signed...
Metal
Postmodern Black Art Glass Vase by Hans Jürgen Richartz, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Black Art Glass Vase by Hans Jürgen Richartz for Richartz Art Collection, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additi...
Glass
Postmodern Eternity Calendar by Mette Kiellerup for Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Perpetual Eternity Calendar by Mette Kiellerup for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. This piece has an attribution mark. A...
Metal
Neos Wall Clock 2 George Sowden Nathalie du Pasquier Postmodern
By Nathalie du Pasquier, George Sowden, Lorenz, Memphis Milano
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Neos clock designed by George Sowden and Nathalie du Pasquier in the 80s. Neos is the brand run by Lorenz clock company in Italy. They were designed a lot o...
Plastic
1980's Postmodern Desk top Apple Envelope Holder
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical 1980's Wood lacquered apple , envelope desk top holder great condition.
Wood
Postmodern Murano glass vase by Ottavio Missoni, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Magnificent multicolored Murano blown glass vase designed by the famous Ottavio Missoni and made in the 1980s, a true masterpiece that embodies the essence of artistic design of the ...
Murano Glass
Shiro Kuramata flower vase blue acrylic Japanese minimalist style
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminium tube put into acrylic block. It's great work of Japanese minimalist style. Transparent body makes complex light reflections around. ...
Aluminum
Artefacto Chan Maák Cab Decorative Object by Lørdag & Søndag
Located in Geneve, CH
Artefacto Chan Maák Cab Decorative Object by Lørdag & Søndag Dimensions: D 18 x W 50 x H 55 cm. Materials: Wicker. Lørdag & Søndag is a design studio founded in 2011 by Salv...
Wicker
Drab Hanger in Gold Stainless Steel, Heat Collection, Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Drab Hanger in Flamed Gold stainless steel, Heat Collection, Zieta Dimensions: D 5 cm x W 46 cm x H 188 cm Material: Stainless steel. About the heat collection: The heat uses hig...
Stainless Steel
$2,500 / item
Shiro Kuramata Pink Vase
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Small model. Acrylic block which pink is inside and glass tube.
Glass, Acrylic
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Thierry Mugler Angel Etoile Collection Factice with Box
By Thierry Mugler
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful Thierry Mugler 2.6 fluid ounce “Etoile Collection” Eau de Parfum factice-dummy in mint condition. This piece comes in the factory box with molded stand. The piece has color...
Glass, Plastic
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Black Marble Desk Pen Pencil Holder, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A '90s Postmodern black and brown polished marble stone desk pen pencil holder, circa 1990s. Dimensions: 2.5" square x 4.19" height. Matching...
Stone, Marble
$585 / item
Small Artefacto 03 by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Artefacto 03 by Federico Stefanovich Dimensions: D 10 x W 26 x H 20 cm. Material: Brass. Available in a larger size: D 19 x W 47 x H 36 cm. Federico Stefanovich presents himse...
Brass
Post Modern Abstract Sculpture Ceramic Wick Oil Diffuser
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A stunning example of post-modern ceramic sculpture. The piece has a beautiful splattered glaze with blue, pink, and purple hues. There are two wick oil diffusers with ceramic tops (...
Ceramic
Medusa Vase (Large), Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Matte White 'Medusa' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations in the dimensions...
Resin
A Pair of POST-MODERN PLANTERS by GUY LEFEVRE for MAISON JANSEN, France 1970
By Guy Lefevre
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and rigorous pair of large square planters or planters, Art-Deco, Modernist, Shabby-Chic, solid metal structures, wood veneered with mirrors, square plexiglass glides, by ...
Metal, Brass
Contemporary F.ACE Golden Finish Aluminium Wall Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
F.ACE Aluminium Wall Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 6 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Aluminium The F.ACE Hook is a riff on our popular compass Hook. It is sand cast in solid Alumin...
Aluminum
$41,599 / item
Aceleración Screen by Joel Escalona
Located in Geneve, CH
Aceleración screen by Joel Escalona Limited edition of 9 Dimensions: D 230 x W 40 x H 187 cm Materials: oak wood. Natural white oak screen. J...
Oak
1980s Postmodern Memphis Style Wall Clock by Milano Series
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nailing the iconic energy of the 1980s, this vibrant Memphis style wall clock by Milano Series features bold geometric shapes and bright primary colors and all the playful and irrev...
Glass, Plastic
$2,723 / item
Frosted Green Frooot Bowl by Maha Alavi Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Frosted Green Frooot Bowl by Maha Alavi Studio Dimensions: D 30 x H 33 cm Materials: Resin. Maha Alavi is a Tokyo-based Canadian industrial designer...
Resin
$8,404 / item
Mobile Kinetic Sculpture by Max Lipsey
Located in Geneve, CH
Mobile Kinetic Sculpture by Max Lipsey Dimensions: D 350 x W 350 x H 350 cm. Materials: Steel and lacquer. The mobile is available in different colors and sizes on request. Please c...
Steel
$58,706 / item
Large Stone Bathtub by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Large stone bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 85 x W 175 x H 57 cm Materials: stone Other stone types are possible upon request. Available in 2 si...
Stone
Pompitu II Vase (Large), Clear Red and Matte Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations in the dimensions, hues and colours’ d...
Resin
Leaves Pedestal Bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Leaves pedestal bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: tree leaves, brass Dimensions: H 7.5 x D 12 cm Colour: green/khaki Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product...
Brass
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
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Dugena, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Dugena, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Plast...
Plastic
Postmodern “LEGO” Telephone Phone by Tyco
By Memphis Group, Tycos, Lego
Located in Rome, IT
1990s telephone made of LEGO by Tyco.
Plastic
Leather Box with "H" Hardware by Hermès Paris, France, ca. 1970s
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Leather Box with "H" Hardware by Hermès Paris, France, ca. 1970s A sophisticated leather box made by Hermès Paris, France, circa 1970s. The piece features a restrained and timeless ...
Bronze
Rare Extra Large Art Glass Pedestal Bowl by Guenther & Luna, 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning and quite rare extra large art glass pedestal bowl by Robert Guenther and George Luna circa 1980s. The bowl is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and me...
Art Glass
S1271 Decorative Object in Olive Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
S1271 Decorative Object in Olive Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 23 x W 27 x H 15 cm. Materials: Olive wood. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part ...
Olive
1980 Italy Post-Modern Rodica Tanasescu Bronze Abstract Sculpture Muse
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Rodica Tanasescu. The title " Musa" Muse. Rodica Tanasescu was born in Rumania and now lives in and works in Mestre, (Venezia, Italy)....
Bronze
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Tapio Wirkaala "Porcelaine Noire" Centerpiece for Rosenthal Studio Linie, 1970s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Centerpiece, fruit bowl, plate in black porcelain, vintage modernism, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Linie “Porcelaine Noire” serie...
Porcelain
Art Deco Black Ceramic Vase by Claude Dumas, Remix Edition, Circa 1980
By Claude Dumas
Located in COLMAR, FR
Art Deco black ceramic vase by French designer Claude Dumas – early 2000s Remix Gallery edition, made from the original mould, sourced in France, in very good vintage condition This...
Clay
$235 / set
Set of Green Vintage Candle Holders
Located in Saint Petersburg, FL
A sculptural trio of candle holders crafted in polished green marble. with layered glass discs for a refined, architectural silhouette. Designed to hold standard taper candles.
Marble
Medium Brass Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Brass Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio Dimensions: D 70 x H 5 cm. Materials: Copper, Brass. Weight: 7 Kg. Aura Carpio® (CDMX). Mexican industrial designer graduate...
Copper, Brass
1980 Italy Black Laquered Pewter Abstract Sculpture Roberto Vecchione Il Mondo
Located in Brescia, IT
This interesting piece is an artwork made by the Italian artist Roberto Vecchione.This is a multiple of 1000 specimen, signed by the artist and numbered made in the 80' and stocked ...
Pewter
$530 / item
Kaya Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Kaya Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 25.4 x H 33.02 cm Materials: Stoneware The Kaya Vase celebrates form and movement through bold hand-drawn patterns that flow across its sculpt...
Stoneware
$612 / item
Deficiency 9 Vase by Rezzo Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Deficiency 9 Vase by Rezzo Ceramics Dimensions: W 18 x D 17 x H 26 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Finish: Unglazed. Suitable for dry flowers Esra Misirli Kubilay is a...
Stoneware
Rock Vase (Large), Black and Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations in the dimensions, hues and colours’ d...
Resin
$280Sale Price|20% Off
David Garcia, Postmodern American Studio Art Glass Sculpture, 1991
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-crafted art glass sculpture features triangular form with multiple layers of brightly colored, applied fused glass elements on clear glass base. Predominantly green and...
Glass, Art Glass
$2,121Sale Price|25% Off
Gilt Bronze Mathias Signed Picture Frame for Fondica, circa 1990, France.
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare and beautiful picture frame by Mathias for Fondica, circa 1990, France. Stamped Mathias on the back. Leaves decor gilt bronze, glass. Dimensions: 30 cm H, 26 cm W, 18 cm D. All ...
Bronze
$252Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Calacatta Marble Pedestal Vase Made in Italy Around 1980s
Located in Rümmingen, BW
"shipping note: If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options please contact us directly" Striking Italian pedestal vase sculpted from Calacatta marble, dating ...
Ceramic, Clay
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Wall Clock in Mondrian Complementary Colors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautiful artist made wall clock from the 1990s. Will work well with Sottsass and Memphis Italian post modern design. Signed by artist.
Metal
$907 / item
Fungus Medium Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Fungus Medium Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 16 x W 17 x H 35 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 3,5 kg. Finish: Medium size, mint and grey, and matte surface. “The mystery of myceli...
Glass
$3,920 / item
Light 33 Porcelain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Light 33 Porcelain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 32 x H 31 cm Material: White porcelain, glaze. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ancient Korea...
Porcelain
Spaghetti Vase (Large), Clear Blue and Matte Lime by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, CA
Clear Blue and Matte Lime 'Spaghetti' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore unique. Variations...
Resin
$237Sale Price|32% Off
Paper Bag Ceramic Vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
A fantastic ceramic vase by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal, which is truly an iconic piece of Finnish design. It was designed in 1970s and probably produced in the 90s. The internal p...
Ceramic
Art Deco Speckled Ceramic Vase
Located in Rümmingen, BW
"shipping note: If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options please contact us directly" This unique ceramic vase is crafted in the style of the celebrated Fre...
Ceramic, Clay