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.
Tanya Poust Standing Geisha Patinated Bronze, 1964
Located in Astoria, NY
Tanya Poust (American, XX) Standing Geisha Patinated Bronze Sculpture, 1964, signed and dated "Tanya / 1964" near base, atop an octagonal wood plinth. Overall: 21.5" H x 9.5" W x 9....
Bronze
Set of 4 Striped Iridescent Black Ceramic Vessels Contemporary Modern
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 4 striped iridescent ceramic vessels. This beautiful set of vases feature a gorgeous striped finish with glowing iridescent strips throughout. This set features a variety of...
Ceramic
A Very Unusual Patchwork Collage Ceramic Cheetah
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Very Unusual Patchwork Collage Ceramic Cheetah This charming Cheetah is by La Vie Collage is from the Safari Collection it has a patchwork decoration of jungle animals This rar...
Ceramic
Glazed Earthenware Abstract Woman by Ernest Treccani, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy in the 70s by Ernesto Treccani. This is an incredible polished earthenware piece that would fit perfectly in a museum. Measures: height: 140 cm width: 41 cm depth: 22 ...
Earthenware
Postmodern Murano Glass Decanter Bottle by Vincenzo Nason, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This decanter bottle is made in light blue Murano glass and features a hand-modeled glass cap. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of us...
Murano Glass
Postmodern Handmade Beige and Black Glazed Ceramic Vase, Germany
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Germany, 1970s. This handmade vase is made in glazed ceramic. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in very good o...
Ceramic
Set of Three '3' Authentic Signed Gabriella Crespi Brass Vases
Located in North Miami, FL
Trio of almond shaped brass vases in graduating heights signed Gabriella Crespi to the bottom of each. These are full authentic and signed vases. The patina to the brass is warm and ...
Brass
Vintage Boho Italian Murano Cockatoo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your interior with the sleek sophistication of this monumental vintage Murano glass cockatoo sculpture. Masterfully handcrafted in Italy,...
Glass
$6,994 / item
Untitled No. 57 Vase by Marea Hildebrand
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled No. 57 Vase by Marea Hildebrand Handmade Dimensions: D 46 x W 46 x H 52 cm Materials: Stoneware with slip, glaze. Marea Hildebrand (b. 1989) is a Zurich-based ceramic arti...
Stoneware
Hagi Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Hagi Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 14 x W 32 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from ...
Ceramic, Clay
$659 / item
Lace White 65 Pot by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace white 65 pot by MOWEE Dimensions: Ø71 x H76 cm Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 9 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (Lacquered or retroi...
Stainless Steel, Other
Mini Murano Mandruzzato Vase with 925 Silver Inclusions
By Mandruzzato
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Mini Murano Mandruzzato Vase with 925 Silver Inclusions This elegant, geometric mini vase was produced by the prestigious Mandruzzato workshop in Murano, renowned for its mastery of ...
Sterling Silver
Peter Shire Large Table Top Sculpture in Red, Yellow, Purple and Black, Signed
By Peter Shire
Located in Kansas City, MO
Peter Shire Postmodern abstract table sculpture, 1989. Enameled steel and brushed steel. Signed and dated "Peter Shire 1989 15/24" Very good condition. Light wear throughout in the ...
Steel
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 ...
Ceramic
Verner Panton for Menu, Ten Egg Cups in Different Colours, Made of Rubber
Located in København, Copenhagen
Verner Panton for MENU. Ten egg cups in different colours, made of rubber. Late 1900s. Measures H 5.5 cm. x D 4.5 cm. In perfect condition. Marked.
Rubber
Lunae Spot Raku Clay Vibrant Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Lunae Spot Raku Clay Vibrant Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 13 x W 38 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom siz...
Ceramic, Clay
$1,036 / item
Cut Smoked Black High Vase by Studionudo
Located in Geneve, CH
Cut Smoked Black High Vase by Studionudo Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 22 x H 36 cm. Materials: Clay. Different finishes and sizes are available. Prices may vary. Please contact us. ...
Clay
Estremoz Marble Sculpture by Jean-Frédéric Bourdier
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Jean-Frédéric Bourdier Estremoz Marble sculpture Signed and dated France 2007 210 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm
Marble
Unique London Plane Y-Bowl by Matt Kavanagh
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique London Plane Y-Bowl by Matt Kavanagh. Signed by Matt Kavanagh. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 32 x D 31 x H 45 cm. Materials: London Plane, scorch & wax. Unique piece, hand...
Hardwood
Unique Polished Oak Trough 8.5 cm Depth by Matt Kavanagh
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Polished Oak Trough 8.5 cm Depth by Matt Kavanagh. Signed by Matt Kavanagh. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 25 x D 8.5 x H 7.5 cm. Materials: Oak, scorch & oil, polish wax. ...
Hardwood, Oak
Unique Scorched and Waxed Oak Trough by Matt Kavanagh
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Scorched and Waxed Oak Trough by Matt Kavanagh. Signed by Matt Kavanagh. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 28 x D 10 x H 7.5 cm. Materials: Oak, Scorch & wax. Unique piece, ha...
Hardwood, Oak
$329Sale Price|20% Off
Rosenthal Tall Periwinkle, Blue, Lilac Striped 80s Vase
By Thomas Germany, Rosenthal
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Tall cylinder pop art vase with hand-painted watercolor-like diagonal stripes in blue, lilac and burgundy colors on soft periwinkle background. Manufactured in the late 1980s by the ...
Porcelain
$2,202 / item
Unique Sculpted Vase by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Sculpted Vase by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 30.5 x D 30.5 x H 19.7 cm Materials: Stoneware with a glazed finish. Colors: Gray. Custom dimensions and glaze finishes are availab...
Stoneware
Moonbulb White Raku Clay Sandy Glaze Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Moonbulb White Raku Clay Sandy Glaze Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 18 x W 28 x x H 43 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and cu...
Ceramic, Clay
Bottega Vignoli Large Majolica/Ceramic Vase, Signed, Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bottega Vignoli is brand created in Italy in the 1970's and makes unique and limited editions of Byzantine, Roman design ceramics, Majolica, located in Faenza.
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Carved Varnished Wood Decorative Feminine Sculpture, Brazil
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 20th century varnished wood decorative feminine sculpture with carved abdominal void, Brazil By: unknown Material: wood Technique: carved, hand-carved, hand-crafted, varnished ...
Wood
Small Pin Brass Candlestick by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Pin brass candlestick by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 12.7 x H 30.5 cm Materials: polished tarnished brass Available in polished tarnished brass and d...
Brass
Pajaros Cuervo Bronze Finished Clay Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Pajaros Cuervo Bronze Finished Clay Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles Dimensions: D 15 x W 14 x H 24 cm Materials: Clay bronze finish What greater symbol of freedom is there than the a...
Bronze
$240Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Faceted Black Ceramic Bud Vase, 1990s
Located in Miami, FL
Faceted ceramic bud vase circa 1990s. Signed.
Ceramic
$18,122 / item
Itzcali Tlal Marble Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Itzcali Tlal Marble Sculpture by Sebastián Ángeles Dimensions: D 123 x W 100 x H 61 cm Materials: Santo Tomás Marble Conceived as a functional sculpture, TLAL reinterprets the prese...
Marble
Vintage Collectible Casino Monte Carlo Wine Tester in Pewter
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Casino Monte Carlo wine tester in Pewter with the fleur de Lys as a handle and the Monaco flag inside the bowl marked with the Casino Monte Carl...
Pewter
$5,181 / item
Earthenware Inara Sculpture by Munier
Located in Geneve, CH
Earthenware Inara Sculpture by Munier Dimensions: W 23 x D 24 x H 25 cm. Materials: Earthenware. Weight: 3.3 kg. I specialize in the ancient technique of coil building, a traditiona...
Ceramic
$9,844 / item
Stoneware Jemima Sculpture by Munier
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Jemima Sculpture by Munier Dimensions: W 63 x D 69 x H 33 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Weight: 10 kg My work is driven by the desire to infuse homes with harmony, the kind th...
Ceramic
Set Of 2 Eroded Resin Candlesticks by Three One Four Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Eroded Resin Candlesticks by Three One Four Studio Unique Pieces. Dimensions: D 10 x W 14 x H 25 cm. Materials: Resin. THREE ONE FOUR studio was born from the symbiotic rel...
Resin
Abstract "Exit with Light" Artography Credit Card Machine Sculpture by Pasqual B
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Artography Wall Sculpture titled "Exit with Light" Artography Wall Sculpture by Pasqual Bettio. Bio Senior Senator ret. J. Pasqual Bettio F.R.P.S. started his artistic career after g...
Wood
$1,413Sale Price|20% Off
Framework Inspired by the Blockcain Packman by Bomberbax
Located in Milano, IT
Painting created by artist BomberBax Inspired by BlockCain depicting the famous and iconic Packman game where he is allegorically painted eating (as in the game) an American dollar...
Canvas, Paint
Querandi Art Glass Paperweight in Cobalt Blue
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Querandi Art Glass Paperweight in Cobalt Blue This Querandi art glass paperweight features an ovoid shape. Its design is characterized by a pattern of concentric bands in shades of c...
Art Glass
$4,663 / item
Sculpture The root by Touch With Eyes
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture The root by Touch With Eyes Dimensions: W 50 x D 50 x H 50 cm Materials: Wood, Oil and Wax. Weight: 30 Kg. The sculpture was made of root washed out by the sea. The wood...
Wood
Barovier & Toso Vase, Orange, B.A.G. Series, Italy, Late 20th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Sculptural studio vase from the B.A.G. (Barovier Art Glass) series, produced by Barovier & Toso, Murano, Italy, in the late 20th century. Featuring a striking, forward-leaning silhou...
Glass
$2,190 / 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
Murano glass drainer in shades of blue
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Murano Glass Sink in Blue Tones This Murano glass sink, crafted using the sommerso technique in the 1960s, features a vibrant gradation of blues that...
Art Glass
Postmodern Chromed Steel Sculpture in Two Pieces
Located in Astoria, NY
Postmodern Chromed Steel Sculpture in Two Pieces, comprising one of three bottle vase form and one separate corner mould piece fitting into one vase, both pieces marked "JC 8512" to ...
Steel, Chrome
Erwin Eisch "Telefon" Glass/Gold Finish Abstract Sculpture, Signed, Dated
By Erwin Eisch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an edition "Telefon" of the well known, German artist Erwin Eisch, known as the father of the spiritual studio glass movement in Europe. Signed, dated 1997 and number 173/880.
Glass, Art Glass
$142Sale Price / item|20% Off
Crumpled Vase in Military Green 3D-Printed Plant-Based Plastic Large
By É Pedra
Located in São Paulo, BR
3D-printed in bioplastic and hand-shaped, the Crumpled Vase combines digital precision with expressive craftsmanship. Its sculptural form and delicate texture make each piece a one-o...
Plastic
Postmodern Black Murano Glass Decorative Item of a Couple, Italy, 1990s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1990s. This black Murano glass couple with a cyan detail in her ponytail looks like it's floating on a transparent glass ball. It is a vintage piece, therefore it migh...
Murano Glass
$6,064 / item
Materia Colectiva V Resin Vessel by Marcela Cure
Located in Geneve, CH
Materia Colectiva V Vessel by Marcela Cure Limited Edition of 8 Dimensions: W 30 x D 24 x H 40 cm Materials: Hand-pigmented resin. A faceted vessel with a single sculptural "ear," l...
Resin
$14,471 / item
Element 02 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Element 02 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 15 x H 30 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbued wit...
Bronze, Other
$19,429 / item
Large Totem Carbon by Maxence De Bagneux
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Totem Carbon by Maxence De Bagneux Dimensions: D 36 x H 220 cm Materials: Stoneware, burnt laminated wood. Maxence de Bagneux has devoted his free time since childhood to his ...
Stoneware, Wood
$3,626 / item
Keong Teak Wood Patina Black Vase by Mary Verspoor
Located in Geneve, CH
Keong Teak Wood Patina Black Vase by Mary Verspoor Dimensions: D 37 x H 43 CM Materials: Teak wood Mary Verspoor, of Indonesian-Dutch descent, is a Bali-based designer and creator. ...
Other
1980s Post Modern Memphis Style Lacquered Handmade Box by Hollis Fingold, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fantastic postmodern Memphis style handmade, hand-painted wood box with distinctive rounded flat feet and sculpted wavy handle by artist Hollis Fingold. The inside of the box has a...
Wood, Paint, Fabric
$18,357 / item
Perseus Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Perseus Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 30 x H 30 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbued with d...
Bronze, Other
Black ceramic and glass vase Mario Dalla Gassa Nove ceramiche 1980
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Ceramic and black glass vase made by Mario Dalla Gassa for Nove Ceramiche around 1980. The work reflects the material and formal research of the Venetian ceramist, active in enhancin...
Ceramic, Glass
Vintage Boho Artisan Pigmented Plaster Scagliola Dome Candlestick Holders - A Pr
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a touch of Italian artisanal elegance to your tabletop with this charming pair of vintage Scagliola candle holders. Featuring a classic low-dome or "bun" silhouette, these holder...
Metal
$1,230 / item
Unique Ukiyo II Vase by Marthine Spinnangr
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Ukiyo II vase by Marthine Spinnangr One of a Kind Dimensions: D 30 (top) / 14 (bottom) x W 15 x H 45 cm Materials: Stoneware Clay Differe...
Clay, Stoneware
Ettore Sottsass Vases from 27 Woods for a Chinese Artificial Flower
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two large vases by Ettore Sottsass from 27 woods for a Chinese Artificial flower. Edition S (red) is SOLD. Each from the edition of 12. From...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Postmodern Brown and Orange Glazed Ceramic Vase by Giovanni Bertoncello
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Giovanni Bertoncello, 1970s. It is made in brown and orange hand-glazed ceramic. This vase is signed on the bottom. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show s...
Ceramic
White Carrara Marble Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
White Carrara Marble Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: White Carrara Marble. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fin...
Marble
Justin Beal aluminum Cantaloupes abstract sculpture .
By Justin Beal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very interesting sculpture of the imagination of a contemporary great artist Justin Beal. This series of Melons,Cucombers, Cantaloupes is exceptional .
Aluminum
Art Allows Me To Inhabit The World More Comfortably Sculpture by Carri
Located in Geneve, CH
Art Allows Me To Inhabit The World More Comfortably Sculpture by Carri Dimensions: W 40 x D 5 x H 50 cm Materials: Green Cantera. B 1995 Fernanda Carri ́s intimate practice spans p...
Stone
Grace Gold Edition Serving Trolley by Schönbuch
Located in Geneve, CH
Grace Gold Edition Serving Trolley by Schönbuch Design by Sebastian Herkner Dimensions: W 72 x D 46.7 x H 70 cm Materials: Gilded steel frame and wheels (gold leaf copper-zinc alloy)...
Bronze, Steel