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.
$530Sale Price|55% Off
Italy Post-Modern Design Murano Glass Light Blue Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
This Post-Modern Murano glass vase has a very elegant and delicate light blue tone. Becouse it’s not industrial production, the vase shows some little irregularities in the form.
Glass
Wabi Sabi Sculptural Textured Black Small Stoneware Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Wabi Sabi Sculptural Textured Black Small Stoneware Vase by Maku Ceramic Unique piece Dimensions: Ø 25.4 x H 15.2 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Pair of Black & Yellow Glass Handkerchief Vases by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
By Kosta Boda, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of "handkerchief" style vases by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien for Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1980s. Whimsical graffiti style hand-painted pattern on mouth-blown art glass. Marked UHV at bottom.
Art Glass
Abstract Organic Mod Century Post Modern Handmade Pottery Sculpture Vase 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Unusual organic hand made pottery art objet dart, having a textured surface, with a high glaze finish, of tonal brows. The piece is in excellent original co...
Pottery
$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
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...
Pottery
Rare Pair Danish Post Modern Memphis Adjustable Candle Holders
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Very rare pair of Tall, Minimalist, Post Modern Adjustable Height, Candle Holders. Made in the Netherlands Beautiful lines and clever design. The disk that the candles rest upo...
Metal, Chrome
Tall Black Handmade Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall Black Handmade Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 13.9 x H 45.7 cm Materials: Ceramic, stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artist Aslı Özen. W...
Ceramic, Stoneware
1980s Triangular Black Splatter Paint Desk Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning postmodern desk clock with dark gray rectangular base, round light gray supports, and dark gray triangular body with white hands. The bold colors were then splattered wit...
Wood
Minimalist Sculptural Stoneware Decor Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Minimalist Sculptural Stoneware Decor Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 12.7 x H 25.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studi...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Minimalist Natural Boho Decor Ceramic Sculpture by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Minimalist Natural Boho Decor Ceramic Sculpture by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: On request Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by arti...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ettore Sottsass Vase from Stepped Series in Enameled Ceramic by Bitossi
Located in Cascina, Pisa
A vase from the stepped series in hand-turned in white clay enameled with two-tone matt gray and light green glaze, manufactured in the 1990s by Bitossi and designed by Ettore Sottsa...
Ceramic
Hand-Painted Female Form with Birds Modern Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Painted Female Form with Birds Modern Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 12.7 x H 27.1 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay “Freedom Ritual” – Hand-painted Ceramic Va...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay
Organic Sand Form Ceramic Sculpture by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Organic Sand Form Ceramic Sculpture by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 12.7 x H 25.4 cm Materials: Ceramic Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artist Aslı Özen. W...
Ceramic
Unique Glass Sculpture by Monica Backström for Kosta Boda Sweden 1990s
By Kosta Boda, Monica Backström
Located in Barcelona, ES
Unique glass sculpture made by Monica Backström for Kosta Boda in the 1990s. Consists of two cylinder shaped glass vessels stacked on each other, both...
Art Glass
Late 20th Century Inclamo bowl, model “Palladia” by E.Sottsass for Vistosi
Located in Milano, IT
Decorative piece - Made in Italy - model “Palladia”, designed by Ettore Sottsass - 1977 Sourced by Spinzi Milano, this is a rare and highly decorative "Palladia" bowl designed by Et...
Art Glass
$6,575 / item
Oak Bark Tabletop Sculpture by Lionel Hamon
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Bark Tabletop Sculpture by Lionel Hamon Dimensions: Ø 35 x H 60 cm. Materials: Brass. Finish: Light patina. Available in three finishes: black patina, light patina, and gold pl...
Brass
Wabi Sabi Black Modern Minimalist Ceramic Small Vessel by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Wabi Sabi Black Modern Minimalist Ceramic Small Vessel by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: H 20.3 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded b...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Postmodern Crackled Glaze Studio Pottery Vase with Colorful Design, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Crackled glaze studio pottery vase with artistic design from the 1980s. Signed by artist.
Clay
Handmade Ceramic Sculptural Tealight Large Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Ceramic Sculptural Tealight Large Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 20.3 x H 30.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, volcanic stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based cera...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Ottavio Missoni Eos Murano Glass Vase for Arte Vetro Murano, Italy, 1980s
Located in Dublin, IE
Details Eos Vase by Ottavio Missoni Arte Vetro Murano Model Eos Polychrome Murano glass Hand-blown glass Original signature / maker's stamp to base, partially faded Engraved to b...
Murano Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
1985 Italy Cast Iron Abstract Sculpture by Urano Palma Cast Iron 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 ...
Iron
Alessandro Diaz de Santillana Murano glass vase , signed 91 " Scozzesi"
By Venini, Alessandro Diaz de Santillana
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice Scozzesi work in this Venini murano glass designed by the well know artist Alessandro Diaz de Santillana.
Murano Glass
Tea 1750 Collection Surf Board Replica by AMBER x IÑIGO CALLEJA
Located in Geneve, CH
Tea 1750 Collection Surf Board Replica by AMBER x IÑIGO CALLEJA Dimensions: W 180 x D 50 x H 10 cm. Materials: Old Beams and nails, epoxy case. Polished thoroughly. Iñigo Calleja i...
Epoxy Resin
Postmodern Glass and Steel Ice Bucket / Bowl by Roberto Sambonet, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s-1980s. This ice bucket / bowl by Roberto Sambonet is made in glass and steel and features a mirrored top with a palm design. It might show slight traces of use s...
Steel
Abstract ceramic buste by Dieter Eichelmann, Germany 1980s
Located in ECHT, NL
Hand crafted ceramic buste. Made by Dieter Eichelmann in the 1980s. Made in the style of Picasso and Karel Appel. The abstract figure has a different look from all angles. The piece ...
Clay, Paint
Hidden Secret Three-Piece Decorative Object in Glazed Ceramic by BERTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Hidden Secret Three-Piece Decorative Object in Glazed Ceramic by BERTO Unique Piece Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 72 cm. Materials: Glazed ceramics. At MUT Design, for over a decade, ...
Ceramic
1980s French Postmodern Mantle Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A sculptural French postmodern mantel clock with blue and splatter painted supports, gray face and accents, and black numbers and hands. A fantastically contrasting low triangular s...
Wood
$22,841 / item
Extra Large Clay Bathtub by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Large High clay bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 85 x W 160 x H 54 cm Materials: Clay Other colors and raw or smooth exterior available. Available in 4 sizes: W 130 (Small High),...
Clay
Vase Tapio Wirkkala & Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal Studio, New Wave Series 1980s
Located in Bastogne, BE
Vintage vase for flowers in textured glazed porcelain by Rosenthal, Century New Wave Series, c.1980s. This work of Postmodern design captures collaboration of American and Finnish ...
Porcelain
Contemporary Art Bronze Sculpture Marinaio by Giampaolo Talani
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited Edition of 8 Pieces.
Bronze
Mario Enke Terracotta Studio Pottery Vase and Bowl Trio, Germany, 1980s
By Mario Enke
Located in Berlin, DE
Studio ceramic trio by Mario Enke, comprising one rounded vase and two related bowls. Each piece is hand-thrown in terracotta and finished with a matte reduction glaze in warm ochre ...
Ceramic
$500Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Glass and Cut Steel Abstract Sculpture by Karen Dugan
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool post-modern glass and cut steel abstract sculpture by Karen Dugan, circa 2005. The sculptural piece is made of dark cut steel with a lined opaq...
Cut Steel
Vintage Round Post Modern Green Marble Ashtray 1970 Made in Italy
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage carrara marble stone green Italian ashtray or catchall. Post Modern stylish post modern round green onyx marble stone ashtray with three indents...
Marble
1980s Post Modern Art Copper Table Sculpture signed Organic Mid-Century Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a post-modern table art sculpture. Sculpture in copper. Signed "I U Arte". Organic modern form. Dimensions: 13.25" H x 9" W x 10" D Please visit take a l...
Copper
Unique Arctic Circle Sculpture #3 in Glass and Stone by Aleksandra Zawistowska
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Arctic Circle Sculpture #3 in Glass and Stone by Aleksandra Zawistowska. One of a Kind. Dimensions: Available upon request. Materials: Hand-blown glass, stone. Coordinates: 7...
Stone
Transparent Murano Glass Vase by Carlo Moretti, Signed and Labeled, Italy 1990s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. Made in hand-blown and hand-polished Murano glass. It is signed and labeled by Carlo Moretti. This vase might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but...
Murano Glass
$1,695Sale Price|26% Off
Postmodern Abstract Welded Steel and Enameled Sculpture, circa 1980s
Located in Peabody, MA
Postmodern welded steel and enameled sculpture in the manner of the Memphis School designs of the 1980s.
Steel
Javier Mariscal Leones Four Porcelain Vases for Rosenthal, 1990s
Located in Berlin, DE
Complete set of four “Leones” porcelain vases designed by Javier Mariscal for Rosenthal Studio-Line. Their stepped forms become individual characters through painted faces, profiles,...
Porcelain
Rosenthal Debut Porcelain Vase Pair by Boehm and Nairac, 1990s
By Rosemonde Nairac, Michael Boehm, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Pair of Rosenthal Studio-Line “Debut” porcelain vases combining Michael Boehm’s flattened forms with geometric decoration by Rosemonde Nairac. Produced in 1991 and 1993, their stagge...
Porcelain
$4,160Sale Price|20% Off
Murano Blue Art Glass Vase in the Manner of Paolo Venini
By Paolo Venini
Located in Miami, FL
A fine hand-crafted Murano art glass vase, signed Marcello Furlou. This high quality Murano art glass vase is hand blown. It is designed in the manner of some Paolo Venini vases, m...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Italy Post Modern Jiro Sugawara Aluminium Multiple Abstrac Sculpture
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the artist Jiro Sugawara, the title is "Circle" Jiro Sugawara is a post-war artist and he was born in Japon in 1941. He studi...
Aluminum
tessellated Black Marble Stone Desk Tray
By Renoir Designs, Maitland Smith
Located in San Diego, CA
elegant beautiful black tessellated marble by Renoir designs , catch it all ,desk tray , circa 1970's elegant and versatile ,
Marble
Postmodern Ceramic Carafe Vase by JS for Mobach
By Mobach
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Ceramic Carafe Vase by JS for Mobach, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Black Styles: Postmodern Item Type:...
Ceramic
Vintage Postmodern Pottery Candle Holder by Renate and Hans Heckmann, 1980s
By Renate & Hans Heckmann
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern German Studio Pottery Candle Holder by Renate and Hans Heckmann, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additio...
Ceramic
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Chrome Tripod Bowl in Metal and Plastic
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Chrome Tripod Metal Bowl, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Material: Metal, Plastic Color: Black Styles: Postmodern Item Typ...
Metal
Set of 2 Vintage Postmodern Wooden Candleholders, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Wooden Candleholders, 1960s, Set of 2, in Worn conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979. Additional information: Materials: Wood Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage, A...
Wood
Postmodern Swiss Granite Candleholder from Crea, Ticino, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Swiss Granite Candleholder from Crea, Ticino, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials:...
Granite
Vintage Postmodern German Fossilia Vase by Uta Feyl for Rosenthal, 1980s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern German Fossilia Vase by Uta Feyl for Rosenthal, 1980s, in Flawless conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: M...
Ceramic
Set of 3 Postmodern German Candleholders from SKS, West Germany, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Three coloured candlesticks of different heights by sks, west-germany. a design in postmodern formal language. Besides basic colours like red, blue, yellow and green, simple basic s...
Metal
Set of 2 Small Vintage German Postmodern Cult Metropolitan Vases, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Small Vintage German Postmodern Cult Metropolitan Vases by Dieter Sieger for Arzberg, 1980s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution ma...
Porcelain
Set of 2 Italian Postmodern Minimalist Vases from Bel Mondo, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Minimalist Vases from Bel Mondo, 1980s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Mater...
Ceramic
Postmodern German Studio Pottery Abstract Candleholder and Aroma Lamp, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Studio Pottery Abstract Candleholder and Aroma Lamp, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Blue ...
Ceramic
Gino Cenedese Large Murano Vase, Glass, Scavo Finish, Signed
By Antonio da Ros, Gino Cenedese
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice and large signed Cenedese Murano vase in Scavo finish, also dated 1983. Some of these pieces are attributed to Antonio da Ros or Martinuzzi. This kind of work was normally ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Michael Arntz Ceramic/Pottery Bowl /Centerpiece, Signed Dated
By Michael Arntz
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great sample of the later work of the very well known ceramist/ potter artist Michael Arntz. Similar geometric design are in Museums now.
Ceramic
Abstract Industrial Found Object Metal Table Sculpture, Post Modern Sottsass Era
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A great Industrial material sculpture including a huge crescent wrench among other various mechanical parts. Extremely heavy and well made. Made by a local Philadelphia artist, unsig...
Steel
Eberhard Bank Carving, Sculpture of Two Dolomite Seals, on Black Obsidian Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This an amazing carving by the German certified artist Eberhard Bank. This sculpture is of two seals in white dolomite on snowflake black obsidian , seals are marked with monogram EB...
Stone
Y·M·D Vases by Takenobu Igarashi for Takenaka Works Co., Ltd., Pair
By Takenobu Igarashi
Located in Saint Paul, MN
Y·M·D vases in die cast iron by Takenobu Igarashi for Takenaka Works Co., Ltd. circa 1992. “I wanted to create a flower vase that suggests a flower even in its absence.” - Igaras...
Iron
Ted Arnold High Society Solid Fake Gold Cast Fast Food Emporium Fried Egg
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Ted Arnold High Society solid fake gold cast fast food emporium says the original carton box. According to the same box the series contained th...
Metal
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...
Glass, Mirror