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.
$504 / item
Small Lingara Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Lingara Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 11.684 x H 20.32 cm Materials: Stoneware This stunning piece beautifully blends traditional craftsmanship with modern elegance, makin...
Stoneware
The great Force of Nature in Elvio Becheroni's Amazonia series
Located in Milano, IT
"The Great Force of Nature" by Elvio Becheroni is a majestic sculpture, part of the series "Amazonia - Disenchanted Forest," embodying the artist's deep respect for nature and, at th...
Wood
$2,233 / item
Xaloc Bronze Planter by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Xaloc Bronze Planter by MOWEE Dimensions: D90 x W45 x H45 cm Material: Aluminium Weight: 11 kg Also Available in different colours and finishes. Xaloc synthesizes the lines ...
Aluminum
$937Sale Price|25% Off
Ambrogio Pozzi for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Austria, White Porcelain Vase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ambrogio Pozzi for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Austria, white porcelain vase.
Ceramic, Porcelain
Pair of Vintage Candlestick holders done in Memphis Style, Italy 1990s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of vintage candlestick holders. They feature striking design resembling a lot Memphis style. The candlestick holders are made of cermic or plaste...
Plaster
$148Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 2 Aluminum Bolt Style Postmodern Candle Holders
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish set of 2 postmodern aluminum candle holders. This pair has clean lines and a luminous aluminum finish. The bolt like design makes this ...
Aluminum
Polished Cast Brass Buzio P Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Buzio P Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 12 x D 7 x H 7 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: S...
Metal
$760Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Post-Modern Wood Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool and unique vintage post-modern wood sculpture, circa 1967. The industrial looking piece is in good vintage condition and measures ...
Wood
David Gil large 12" ceramic vase " Spark " black rare by Bennington Pottery
By David Gil, Bennington Potters
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and one of the largest samples of the vase title " Spark" in black pottery glaze matt color.
Ceramic
1986 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture Patrizia Guerresi Girasole Sunflower
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an engaging bronze sculpture created by the Italian artist Patrizia Guerresi, in 1986. The piece is a multiple of 1000 specimens on a green-painted wooden base. The title is ...
Bronze
1986 Italy Abstract Bronze Sculpture Patrizia Guerresi Afrodite Aphrodite
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an engaging bronze sculpture create by the Italian artist Patrizia Guerresi, in the 1986. The piece is a multiple of 5000 specimen on a green painted wooden base. The title of this artwork is " Afrodite" translate in Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty...
Bronze
Rib 16X Thin Tall Burgundy Cornice Vessel by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Rib 16X Thin Tall Burgundy Cornice Vessel by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 12 x H 40 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels b...
Other
Two Rare Signed Hand Blown Glass Sculptures by John Bingham
By John Bingham
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of two clear art glass orb sculptures by John Bingham, circa 1980. Signed (engraved) "John Bingham" the base of the rims. Dimensions listed are for the larger of the two. S...
Art Glass
Laminated Acrylic Ospiti Collection Sculpture by A. Anastasio for Design Gallery
By Andrea Anastasio 1, Andrea Anastasio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An extremely limited edition acrylic sculpture designed by Andrea Anastasio in 1999 for his Ospiti Collection for Design Gallery of Milan, Italy. Sometimes called “Passato” and constructed of florescent red acrylic laminated between clear acrylic, this piece is a clever formulation of a two dimensional fruit bowl that possesses a depth resulting from the shifting colors and reflections caused by the fluorescent laminated acrylic...
Acrylic
$796Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Sculpture by Floyd Gompf
By Floyd Gompf
Located in Winnetka, IL
Post Modern Biomorphic sculpture in metal by Floyd Gompf. There are inserted nails on the underside that support the whole.
Metal
$5,283 / item
Trophy Mother of Pearl Sculpture by Henry Baumann
Located in Geneve, CH
Trophy Mother of Pearl Sculpture by Henry Baumann Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 49 cm. Materials: Resin and brass. Satin matt finish. Unique ...
Brass
Italy 1980 Bronze Abstract Sculpture Walter Valentini Tracce Tracks
Located in Brescia, IT
Walter Valentini was born in 1928 in South Italy. A painter and engraver, he lives and works in Milan. He is Holder of the chair for engraving at the ...
Bronze
A Swedish Crystal Elephant, Circa 1970's
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A water clear crystal elephant circa 1970's, made in Sweden. The sculpture is marked Eneryda on the underside.
Crystal
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Set of 3 Japanese Lacquerware Serving Trays with Handles
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare set of 3 lacquerware serving trays, excellent condition never used in gray finish top with black bottom with wrapping handles, made in Japan.
Lacquer
Set of 3 Decorative Containers by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti '1974'
By Progetti, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very cool and extremely versatile set of decorative objects designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti in 1974. With melamine (hard plastic) bowls and vulancized rubber tops, the...
Plastic, Rubber
$360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Crystal Candle Holders by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
Minimalist pair of crystal candle holders by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda, circa 1990s. The pair are in great vintage condition with no c...
Crystal
2000s Organic Modern Movable Hand-Carved Sicilian Wood Sculpture by Sciacca
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This sculpture is a contemporary, hand-carved wooden artwork from the 2000s. It features a series of intricately shaped wood blocks and organic forms stacked in a vertical arrangemen...
Iron
Italy 1980 Bronze Abstract Sculpture Piero Perin Testina Little Head
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Piero Perin. Piero Perin was born in 1924, in Cervarese , near Padua Italy. He lived and worked in Padova where he teached at the Scho...
Bronze
Italy 1980 Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Graziano Pompili
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense abstract bronze sculpture, it is a multiple in limited edition not numbered. The title "Paesaggio con ombra", translated in Landscape with shadow. These bronze sculpture...
Bronze
1975 Bronze Abstract Sculpture Roberto Vecchione Scultura Spezzata
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense and engaging abstract bronze sculpture was created by the Italian artist Roberto vecchione. The title " Scultura Spezzata" translated in "Broken Sculpture...
Bronze
Bitossi Ceramiche Vaso Rocchetto by Ettore Sottsass
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed by Ettore Sottsass for Bitossi in 1958, this cylindrical vase from his black-and-white collection wears a façade of squares and grids, a stark geometry that feels equal part...
Ceramic
Post Modern Fused Art Glass Bowl Handcrafted in Aqua and Royal Blue 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Post Modern Fused Art Glass Bowl Handcrafted in Aqua and Royal Blue Colors. One of a kind fused Art Glass footed bowl made in the classic Modernist style in a royal blue, aqu...
Art Glass
1980 Italy Post-Modern Cristina Roncati Bronze Abstract Sculpture Cavaliere
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Cristina Roncati. The title "Cavaliere del mistero" Knight of the mistery Cristina Roncati was born in...
Bronze
Post-Modern Art Glass Paperweight / Sculpture by Svoboda Karlov
By Svoboda
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Gorgeous post-modern art glass paperweight / sculpture by Svoboda Karlov circa 1980s. Great period design with floating red, white, and blue triangles in the manner of Alexander Cald...
Art Glass
1980 Italy Post Modern Abstract Kinetic Bronze Sculpture The Dove Colomba
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Bruno Chersicla, a well known artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbered edition of 500 pieces; we c...
Bronze
$140Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Rosenthal Art Glass Bowl by Eric J Roush
By Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and graphic oval glass art bowl by Rosenthal. This beautiful piece from the late 90s is graphic and detailed. It shares yellow and amber tones along with a smoke purple ton...
Glass
Rib 12X Thin Tall Dark Green Cornice Vessel by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Rib 12X Thin Tall Dark Green Cornice Vessel by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 12 x H 40 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels...
Other
Dorothy Hafner Rare Prototype Box Uniquely Hand Painted
Located in Sharon, CT
Beautiful hand painted ceramic box.
Ceramic
Set Of 2 Sterlet Caviar Bowls in Horn, Lacquered Wood & Crystal by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Sterlet Caviar Bowls in Horn, Lacquered Wood & Crystal by Arcahorn Dimensions: Small: D 14 x W 14 x H 9 cm. Large: D 20 x W 20 x H 11 cm. Materials: Horn, lacquered wood, an...
Crystal, Other
Italy Late 20th Century Bronze Abstract Sculpture Walter Valentini Tracce Tracks
Located in Brescia, IT
Walter Valentini was born in 1928 in South Italy. A painter and engraver, he lives and works in Milan. He is Holder of the chair for engraving at the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in...
Bronze
$1,044 / item
Rope Planter by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Rope Planter by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 42.672 x H 76.2 cm Materials: Stoneware To craft timeless, luxury furniture and objects that celebrates India’s rich artisanal heritage. Ou...
Stoneware
$792 / item
Mara Striped Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Mara Striped Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 20.32 x H 25.4 cm Materials: Stoneware Inspired by the wild rhythms of the Mara plains, this sculptural vase features bold hand-painte...
Stoneware
$936 / item
Repose Vessel by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Repose Vessel by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 29.464 x H 45.72 cm Materials: Stoneware Standing version also available. The Repose Vessel captures a quiet moment of stillness. Designe...
Stoneware
Lilac and Black Iridescent Murano Glass Vase by Sergio Costantini, Italy 1990s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Sergio Costantini, 1990s This vase is made is etched hand-blown Murano glass with a light pulegoso effect. It also features a transparent and black iridescent lattic...
Murano Glass
Postmodern Wall Clock by Empire
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A round white 1980s wall clock by Empire. A white frame and white face with dashed red and green lines to show where the clock's numbers would appear. Hands in the shape of pencils a...
Plastic
Andrea Casella for Alessi – “Narciso” Sculpture, 1974
By Alessi D'Après
Located in Weesp, NL
Andrea Casella for Alessi – “Narciso” Sculpture, 1974 From the “D’Après” Collection – Alessi Arte Designer: Andrea Casella Title: Narciso Manufacturer: Alessi Series: D’Après, 1...
Stainless Steel
Postmodern Vase Senape by Ettore Sottsass for Marutomi 1997
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Object: Vase Manufacturer: Marutomi Designer: Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007) Model: Senape Date: 1997 Period: Postmodern Material: Plastic Origin: Japan Height: 14 cm Diameter: 16.5 cm ...
Plastic
1980 Italy Post-Modern Sculpture by Ugo La Pietra Pink Lacquered Aluminum
Located in Brescia, IT
Ugo La Pietra is an Italian artist, architect, designer and philosophy. Since 1960 he created the fundamental of European artistic tendancy as founder of various art groups such as Global Tool, Radical Design...
Aluminum
Huge 16" 40cm Signed Art Studio Pottery Bowl by Angelika Jansen-Meints 2005
By Angelika Jansen-Meints
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Huge 16" / 41cm wide signed minimalist / modernist studio art pottery bowl by German ceramic artist Angelika Jansen-Meints. The proportions of this bowl are spectacular and most defi...
Ceramic, Clay
1980 Italy Abstract Bronze Sculpture Ottorino Tonelli Giulietta Juliet
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Ottorino Tonelli. Ottorino Tonelli was born in 1948 in Carrara, where he lives and works. After having ...
Bronze, Aluminum
$1,320 / item
Leda Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Leda Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 33 x H 35 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building techniq...
Stoneware
Continuous Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage
Located in Geneve, CH
Continuous Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage Unique Piece Dimensions: D 37 x W 3 x H 58 cm. Materials: Fibre-cement and burnished plaster. Shapes for Spaces A...
Cement, Other
1985 Italy Post Modern Abstract Bronze Sculpture by Annie Lambert
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Annie Lambert, a talented young artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbe...
Bronze
$300Sale Price|20% Off
1980's, Postmodern Ceramic Box with Lid Signed SB
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic box with lid circa 1980's great graphics and colors with awesome glaze, no chips or cracks signed at the bottom SB.
Ceramic
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Woven Rope Basket / Magazine Holder by Gunther Lambert
Located in San Diego, CA
A super nice hand woven rope basket / magazine holder by Gunther Lambert, circa 1980s. The piece is signed on the side, is in very good vintage conditi...
Rope
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Bespoke Wire Sculptural Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique and rare, this beautiful piece is sculptural as it is figural. Wire has been modeled to create waves that shape the vessel. Lightness conforms the piece as the edges solidify ...
Wire
Murano Orange Handblown Flower
By Murano 5
Located in Pasadena, TX
This flower is handblown. It was crafted in Murano, Italy. It is an orange swirl with 3 petals. Makes for a great gift.
Art Glass
$1,981 / item
Unique Organic Sculptural Vase by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Organic Sculptural Vase by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 30.5 x D 30.5 x H 21.6 cm Materials: Stoneware with a glazed finish. Colors: Beige. Custom dimensions and glaze finishes ...
Stoneware
1980 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture Walter Valentini Città del sole
Located in Brescia, IT
Walter Valentini was born in 1928 in South Italy. A painter and engraver, he lives and works in Milan. He is Holder of the chair for engraving at the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in...
Bronze
Large Studio Pottery Vase by Marlene Jack
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
This commanding studio pottery vase is the work of Virginia artist Marlene Jack, a nationally recognized ceramicist whose practice merges Eastern aesthetic philosophy with American s...
Stoneware
1980 Italy Post-Modern Alessandro Guerriero Abstract Sculpture Portabuono Quo
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Alessandro Guierriero, it is a multiple of a serie of specimens made in limited edition not numbered. The set is forged in aluminum and...
Aluminum
1970 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture Eli Riva Sun Moon
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense abstract bronze sculpture was created by the Italian artist Eli Riva in the Late 20th Century. The artwork is a multiple numbered and signed of 5...
Bronze
$260 / set
1980s Memphis Style Brass Candlesticks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural pair rooted in early 1980s postmodern design. These vintage candlesticks pull from the Memphis Milano playbook, bold geometry, exaggerated scale, and a graphic sense of ...
Brass
$300Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Solid Polished Rosewood Pair of Candleholders Arch
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and beautiful solid polished rosewood pair of handcrafted candle holders with 1.5" mouth opening for tea candles or candles with beautiful craft...
Rosewood
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...
Bronze