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.
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Curtis Jere Post Modern Table Sculpture of Brass Chrome and Marble c. 1985
By Curtis Jeré, C. Jeré Artisan House
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Curtis Jere table sculpture featuring a chrome ball on a brass ribbon like arm anchored by a strong marble base. This Post Modern Curtis Je...
Marble, Brass, Chrome
$5,927 / item
Cosmo Bunny Sweet Fuchsia Sculpture by Aki Kuroda
Located in Geneve, CH
Cosmo Bunny Sweet Fuchsia Sculpture by Aki Kuroda Dimensions: D 65 x W 88 x H 185 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 15 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. ...
Other
$1,884 / item
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics Unique piece. Dimensions: D 20 x H 75 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Numerated and signed by the artist. All ...
Ceramic
$22,800Sale Price|20% Off
Rare 1986 Limited Edition Gufram Multipli Cactus, Signed & Numbered 1257 of 2000
By Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, Gufram Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and highly collectible limited edition Gufram 'Cactus' coat / hat rack sculpture designed by Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, part of the legendary Italian Radical Design and Po...
Polystyrene
Large Vintage Postmodern German Floral Floor Vase from Steuler
By Steuler
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Vintage Postmodern German Floral Floor Vase from Steuler, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material: ...
Ceramic
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
$3,580 / item
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics Unique piece. Dimensions: D 20 x H 125 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Numerated and signed by the artist. All...
Ceramic
$483Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Style Ceramic Vase Atzeco by Florio Keramia
Located in Debrecen, HU
Crafted by the esteemed Florio Keramia, this Memphis Style ceramic vase named Atzeco is a true embodiment of postmodern artistry. Its abstract design is complemented by a vibrant yel...
Ceramic
Rare Lucite Table Sculpture in the Style of Vasa Mihich
Located in San Diego, CA
Simple table sculpture, solid 4.25" x 3.5" x 18.75" from thick to thin Lucite, in the style of Vasa Mihich, circa 1980s. A geometric translucent sculpture made of Lucite with a taper...
Lucite
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
Silver Panther Paperweight on a Black Marble Ball by Mary Jurek Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A Silver Panther Paperweight on a Black Marble Ball By: Mary Jurek Design Inc. Mary Jurek Panther Paperweight Marble Ball and Chrome. Designed as a p...
Marble, Metal
Stoneware Clay, Unglazed Ceramic Ethereal Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Clay, Unglazed Ceramic Ethereal Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska Dimensions: W 25.5 x D 19 x H 35 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Unglazed ceramic sulface. Weight: 5,6 k...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Box
Located in Houston, TX
Late 20th Century Postmodern tessellated travertine and black marble box with brass inlay and brown cloth interior lining.
Stone, Travertine, Marble
Italian Unique Prototype Vase Veronese in Murano Glass by Cleto Munari, 2002
By Cleto Munari
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Post-modern Unique prototype vase Veronese in Murano glass by Cleto Munari, 2002 Vase mod. Veronese in black Murano glass, unique piece as a prototype of the vase that later...
Murano Glass
$686Sale Price / set|22% Off
Collection 3 Porcelain Decanters LeRoy Neiman Decorative Sports Memorabilia
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful porcelain decorative decanter by Leroy Neiman, Circa 1979. This liquor decanter with its baseball memorabilia, intense colors and clean condition makes a great addition t...
Porcelain
1970s Iron Modernist Sculpture
Located in Sarasota, FL
A modernist sculpture in iron. Depicts a round face with simple raised and pierced features, decorated in a vibrant color palette. Artist is unknown.
Iron
Black Stoneware Sfondyli Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Stoneware Sfondyli Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 27 x H 23 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: Black, White, Brown, Red, White ...
Stoneware
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...
Plastic
Vintage "Ocean" Scene Art Glass Egg Paperweight in the Style of Murano of Italy
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage "Ocean" Scene Art Glass Egg Paperweight in the Style Murano of Italy, circa 1980s. This piece is heavy, is in good vintage condition with no chips or scratches, and measures ...
Art Glass
$213 / item
Brass Counter Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Counter Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 6 x D 4 x H 5 cm Materials: Brass Designed for hanging bags and coats under bar counters. Each ...
Brass
$97Sale Price|60% Off
Miniature Murano Glass Vase with Bullicante, Gold Leaf, 1980s, Italy
Located in Glasgow, GB
A miniature Murano glass vase in vivid emerald green, attributed to Archimede Seguso and crafted in Italy circa 1980s. This small Italian art glass vase exemplifies the technical fin...
Gold Leaf
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
Modern Mirrored Planter Cachepot Jardinière, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A substantial square mirrored planter cachepot jardinière, '70s Modern/Postmodern period, circa 1970s. Entire piece is mirror with a graduated design. A great piece for a plant or fl...
Mirror, Wood
Jaeger-LeCoultre - Mémovox mechanical travel watch from the 1970s
By Jaeger & Co.
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
This watch is a vintage classic from the renowned Jaeger-LeCoultre brand, specifically the Mémovox model, an iconic mechanical travel watch from the 1970s. The watch has a square or ...
Bronze, Enamel
Scorpion Sculpture, Enrique "Sebastian Carbajal, 1990
By Enrique Sebastian Carbajal
Located in Chicago, IL
Scorpion Sculpture, Enrique "Sebastian Carbajal, 1990's Born Enrique Carbajal Gonzalez, Sebastian adopted his pseudonym after seeing a painting called St. Sebastian by Italian Renais...
Steel
Space Age Kinetic Desk Clock
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. This cloc...
Metal
IBEX Glass Studio Post-Modern Memphis-Style Art Glass Pedestal Bowl, 1989
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking post-modern art glass bowl by Ibex Studio, executed in a bold Memphis-inspired palette. The wide conical bowl is rendered in translucent turquoise glass, edged with a contrasting magenta rim, and raised on a deep cobalt blue pedestal foot. The saturated color blocking, playful geometry, and sculptural silhouette exemplify the exuberant design language of the 1980s post-modern movement. Hand-blown and signed to the underside, this bowl functions equally well as a centerpiece, console accent, or standalone sculptural object. A strong example of American studio glass that bridges decorative arts and design history. #5147 Details: Maker: Ibex Studio Origin: United States Date: Circa 1989 Material: Hand-blown art glass Color: Turquoise bowl with magenta rim, cobalt blue foot Signature: Etched signature and date to underside Dimensions: 12.5” diameter x 8.25” height Condition: Very good vintage condition with light surface wear to base consistent with age IBEX Glass Studio was founded in 1985 by Dimitri Michaelides, Sam Stang...
Art Glass
$521 / item
Acies Circum Bowl by Justus Knut Schomann
Located in Geneve, CH
Acies Circum Bowl by Justus Knut Schomann Dimensions: W 40 x D 30 x H 3 cm Materials: Casted Arcylic, Diamond polished. Weight: 2.4 Kg. Justus K...
Acrylic
$142 / item
Brass Ribbon Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Ribbon Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 2 x D 8 x H 12 cm Materials: Brass The Ribbon Hook is sand cast in solid brass. Ribbon hook has two protruding blocks to allow you to...
Brass
$2,043Sale Price / item|25% Off
John Miller Blue Plate Special Fries 2008 Hand Blown Pop Art Glass Sculptures
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
1980 Italy Bronze Abstract Kinetic Sculpture Franco Zazzeri Sfera Stratificata
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging abstract bronze sculpture was created by the Italian artist Franco Zazzeri. The title is "Sfera Stratificata" translated in " Stratified S...
Bronze
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Solid Patinated Bronze Post-Modern Abstract Sculpture by Bob Bennett
By Bob Bennett
Located in San Diego, CA
Solid patinated bronze post-modern abstract sculpture on black marble base by listed artist Bob Bennett, circa 1990. The piece has a great look and beautiful finish and patina; it m...
Marble, Bronze
Set of 2 Tray and Letter Opener by Steve McGugan for Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Danish Wave Series Desk Tray and Letter Opener by Steve McGugan for Royal Copenhagen, 1980s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. This piece has an at...
Metal
Jean Paul Gaultier Wire Dress Form Mannequin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An iconic and collectible wirework dress form mannequin by legendary French designer Jean Paul Gaultier, created in the 1990s. This sculptural piece exemplifies Gaultier’s bold, avan...
Steel
$6,105 / item
Scents of Spring Heritage Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Scents of Spring Heritage Vase by deBlona Dimensions: W 38 x D 25 x H 63 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Deruta blue, copper green, yellow, orange, vanadium, purple, carmine red. T...
Ceramic
Postmodern Memphis Style Glazed Ceramic Vase by Jonathan Adler
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic 2 tone vase in postmodern design , by Jonathan Adler no chips or cracks.
Ceramic
$2,738 / 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
Rene Magritte ceramic decorative plate , marked edition with original box .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful decorative plate made by Adage et Flammarion , for the Magritte Collection .edition 330/1000 Box measures 9.5 x 9.5 x 1 high . shows light ware and scratches in cardboard .
Ceramic
Yehia Yemini Silver Plate Candleholder, Bezalel School, Jerusalem Signed
By Yehia Yemini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice candleholder by the very well known silversmith and jeweler Yehia Yemini ( Yihye Yemini, 1896-1983) Bezalel School Jerusalem .This candleholder made in Star of David shape ...
Silver Plate
$588Sale Price / set|28% Off
Two Gold Blue Post-Modern Vases by Allan Hytholm, Denmark 1980s
Located in Hannover, DE
Exceptional, postmodern in an excellent color combination, gorgeous turquoise blue and gold characterize this wonderful pair of vases. The slightly larger vase has a height of 29cm a...
Ceramic, Pottery
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By Salvador Dalí, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H.cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from “Femme á la téte rose” 1935 (W...
Brass
$1,007 / item
Black Stoneware Chytra Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Stoneware Chytra Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 27 x H 18 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes:...
Stoneware
$740Sale Price|50% Off
Post-Modern Murano Art Glass Vase by Cose Belle, Italy, 1980s Design
By Cose Belle Cose Rare
Located in Valencia, VC
Post-Modern Murano Art Glass Vase, Italy, circa 1980s A strong example of Post-Modern Murano glass from the 1980s, defined by scale, weight, and assertive use of color. The vase fea...
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Studio Wood Jewelry Box
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful, hand-crafted studio wood jewelry or trinket box, Modern Brutalist style, Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century, USA.
Wood
$336Sale Price|30% Off
AMANO - Vintage Ceramic Vase - Rich Red Glaze - Germany - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
AMANO - Vintage ceramic vase - rich red glaze - bullet shape - signed on the base - impressed model number '629-18' - Germany - late 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - no l...
Ceramic
Val Saint Lambert green carved crystal vase.
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Val Saint Lambert green cut crystal vase. Green cut crystal vase. It features a cylindrical shape that widens slightly toward the top. The design features deep carving that creates a...
Art Glass
Post-Modern Double Letter Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-modern polished chrome double letter tray, circa 1980s. The tray is in good vintage condition in heavy duty black plastic Made in The USA.
Plastic
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture Ottorino Tonelli Adamo
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Ottorino Tonelli. Title "Adamo" translated "Adam" Ottorino Tonelli was born in 1948 in Carrara, where h...
Bronze
Paper Darkened Brass Bowl I by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper darkened brass bowl I by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 25.4 x W 25.4 x H 12.7 cm Materials: darkened brass Available in tarnished brass and darkened brass. The Paper Series emb...
Brass
Jaeger LeCoultre 8-Day Desk Clock with Date
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Jaeger LeCoultre 8-Day Desk Clock with Date This Jaeger-LeCoultre desk clock is a classic piece of Swiss watchmaking, known for its hand-wound 8-day movement. Its design evokes the a...
Brass
$995 / item
Cut Smoked Black Small Vase by Studionudo
Located in Geneve, CH
Cut Smoked Black Small Vase by Studionudo Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 26 x H 24 cm. Materials: Clay. Different finishes and sizes are available. Prices may vary. Please contact us. ...
Clay
Postmodern Box with Slate Lid, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Box with Slate Lid, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Color: Black Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owne...
Glass
Set of Two Salvador Dali Surrealist Fine Gold Leaf Bracelli Lamp Sculpture
By Salvador Dalí, BD Furniture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Braceli lamps designed by Salvador Dali manufactured by BD furniture in Barcelona. Bracelli Panel structure covered with silver plated polyester painting (Fine gold leaf)...
Cotton
Ward Bennett for Sasaki Japan - Crystal Vase Sengai's Picture of the Universe
By Ward Bennett
Located in St. Louis, MO
A post-modern Ward Bennett design for Sasaki Japan, Black leaded crystal vase with etched circle-triangle-square pattern with thick rim. The circle-triangle-square is Sengai's pictu...
Crystal
$853 / item
Polypore Small Bowl by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Polypore Small Bowl by David Valner Dimensions: D 22 x W 27 x H 13 cm. Materials: Hand-crafted glass. Weight: 2 kg. Finish: Small size, dark green and beige, and matte surface. In t...
Glass
Bruce Houston instant Sculptures Collection, Signed Dated, Set of Four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Just a fine and great collection of sculptures by the well known artist Bruce Houston. All pieces dated , and signed and some dedicated. Can be sold individually by request , the si...
Other
Pompitu II Vase (Large), Clear Red and Matte Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
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
$540Sale Price|20% Off
Montgomery Smith 1983 Figural Whitewater Canoers Covered Vessel
Located in New Windsor, NY
An outstanding hand built terracotta covered vessel by Montgomery Smith, Circa 1983. Signed on the bottom, M. Smith, ' 83. The lid depicts two whitewater canoers clearly concentratin...
Ceramic, Terracotta
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
XL PostModern Memphis Ettore Sottsass Ip Murano Blown Glass Sculpture Vase Italy
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Exceptional, Stunning and Monumental, post modern, Memphis Era, Ettore Sottsass inspired sculptural vase, Circa 1980, Italy Striking, bold, glass sculptural centerpiece in primary ...
Blown Glass