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.
Unique Rock Large Sculpture in Jurassic Natural Rock by NERINEA
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Rock Large Sculpture in Jurassic Natural Rock by NERINEA. Dimensions: W 35 x D 25 x H 15 cm. Materials: Natural Stone (Jurassic Fossil Rock). Collectible sculptural object cur...
Stone
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Michael F. Cox Reverse Carved Lucite Leopard Signed Art Sculpture
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful solid lucite reverse carved lucite leopard art sculpture signed nice clean condition.
Lucite
Sterling silver pair gilded and enamel green guilloche candlesticks marked 925.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful pair of candle holders in sterling silver and gold wash and enamel work.
Sterling Silver
Cariátide Small Sculpture in exclusive Jurassic Fossil Stone by NERINEA
Located in VALENCIA, ES
Cariatide is a modular stone sculpture series designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, available in multiple heights, proportions and materials as Jurassic Fossil Top or Marble. Insp...
Stone
Ed Haugevik “UNION” Monumental Abstract Sculpture, 188
Located in Chicago, IL
Ed Haugevik “UNION” Monumental Abstract Steel Sculpture, 1988. Ed Haugevik has established a career as professional sculptor placing his work at numerous private and public sites thr...
Steel
Vintage Mexican Glass Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This captivating vintage Mexican art glass sculpture is a striking example of modern abstract design and artisanal studio craft. Hand-crafted using sophisticated fused glass techniqu...
Copper
Eólica Small Sculpture in Carrara Marble Stone by NERINEA
Located in VALENCIA, ES
A vertical sculptural totem, Eólica expresses the serene minimalism and architectural precision of Fran Silvestre Arquitectos. The Eólica series is a family of vertical stone sculpt...
Carrara Marble
Terry Balle, Large Studio Acrylic/Resin, Vase/Sculpture/ Optical Planter, Signed
By Terry Balle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great, large optical resin vase /planter for the known artist Terry Balle, signed in bottom Balle as shown.
Resin, Plastic, Acrylic
Italy 1980 Riccardo Dalisi White Painted Metal Amanti
Located in Brescia, IT
This sculpture is a multiple 1 piece of 50 realized in 1980 by the well known international artist Riccardo Dalisi. All the pieces are numbered and signed by the artist and complete...
Metal
Pair of Post-Modern Marble Spheres / Paperweights
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous set of two post-modern marble spheres / paperweights, circa 1980s. The pieces are in very good condition with no chips or cracks and the largest one measures 3"D x 3"H and ...
Marble
Lassù Iconic 1983 Bronze Sculpture by Alessandro Mendini
Located in Weesp, NL
Own a Masterpiece: Alessandro Mendini’s Original 1983 Lassù Step into the world of postmodern artistry with Alessandro Mendini’s Lassù, a rare and iconic bronze sculpture from his o...
Bronze
Puddle Pendulum in Industrial Obsidian, Resin & Wood by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Puddle Pendulum in Industrial Obsidian, Resin & Wood by Panorammma Dimensions: Ø 47,5 x H 44 cm. Materials: Industrial obsidian, resin, and wood. Each edition’s patterns and tone wi...
Other
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Italian Polished Marble Shell Shaped Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
Mid-century Italian polished marble fruit bowl / centerpiece, circa 1980s. The bowl is in very good vintage condition and measures 11.5"W x 10"D x 3"H. It would make a great centerpi...
Marble
Unique Ocean Flower 006 Porcelain and 18k Gold Luster Sculpture by Mina Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Ocean Flower 006 Porcelain and 18k Gold Luster Sculpture by Mina Ceramics. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 15 x D 32 x H 33 cm. Materials: Porcelain with 18k Gold Luster. About...
Gold
Italy 1980 Bronze Abstract Sculpture Walter Valentini Tavole Panels
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
Italy 1990 Post-Modern Orange Murano Glass Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
This Postmodern Murano glass vase has a very glamorous orange tone . Because it' s not industrial production, the vase shows some little irregularities in the form.
Glass
$256 / item
Transparet Mana Bag by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Transparet Mana Bag by Mana Dimensions: D 26 x W 4.5 x H 32 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collected and...
Plastic
1978 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Fanna Roncoroni Lui Lei Him Her
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging artwork was created in 1978 by the Italian artist Fanna Roncoroni. It is a multiple of 1000 pieces numbered and signed by the author. The title is "Lui Lei" translate ...
Bronze
$1,821 / set
Colored plexiglass photo frame, 1980, set of 3
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Colored plexiglass photo frame, 1980, set of 3
Plexiglass
2006 Italy Bronze Sculpture by Ugo Riva Dove Vai
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an intense bronze sculpture created by the Italian artist Ugo Riva, in 2006. Lost wax bronze on iron basement. The title of this artwork is "D...
Bronze
Andrea Casella for Alessi – “Narciso” Sculpture, 1974
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
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
Contemporary Enamel Painted Bronze Sculpture entitled "Frog" by Barry Stein
Located in London, GB
A charming limited edition enamel painted bronze study of an alert frog with excellent rich green colour. The bronze with fabulous colour and hand finished detail. Signed Barry Stein...
Bronze
Hand Hammered Brass Smiley Face Sculpture
Located in Kilmarnock, VA
A super cool and distinctive 1980s postmodern smiley face sculpture, expertly handcrafted from hammered brass sheets brazed together to form a seamless, playful expression. This one-...
Brass
Fisherman Hook Candle Holder in Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Fisherman Hook Candle Holder in Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma Dimensions: D 3,8 x W 20 x H 30 cm. Materials: Steel, copper, nickel, and chrome. Custom pieces availab...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
Post-Modern Bronze Sculpture by Carol Bruns, American Design, 2001
By Carol Bruns
Located in Queens, NY
American Post-Modern Design bronze sculpture of a figure with lowered arms and bent knees on a rectangular base, (signed: CAROL BRUNS, titled "Vogueing" 2001)
Bronze
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
1980s Postmodern Black and Yellow Rexite Zero 980 Wall Clock
By Rexite, Raul Barbieri and Giorgio Marianelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Raul Barbieri and Giorgio Marianelli for Rexite in 1981, this Zero 980 wall clock has a striking yellow and black color combination. Black plastic case, yellow hands, and...
Plastic
1980 Italy Walter Valentini Bronze Abstract Sculpture City of the Sun
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
Postmodern Solid Polished Granite Massive Italian Footed Compote Bowl
Located in San Diego, CA
Massive 1" thick compote polished granite bowl in graphite color unfinished inside, can be used as a mortar circa 1980s Memphis era beautiful solid heavy excellent condition.
Granite
1980s Postmodern Black and Red Rexite Zero 980 Wall Clock
By Barbieri e Marianelli, Rexite
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Raul Barbieri and Giorgio Marianelli for Rexite in 1981, this Zero 980 wall clock has a striking black and red combination. Black plastic case, REd hands, and raised red ...
Plastic
Large Porcelain Bowl by Jens Flemming Sörensen. Royal Copenhagen, Denmark 1980s
By Royal Copenhagen, Jens Flemming Sorensen
Located in Malmö, SE
A huge and rare eggshell shaped porcelain bowl. Designed by the noted Danish artist Jens Flemming Sorensen, for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, in the 1980s. Excellent condition. Stam...
Ceramic, Porcelain
White Patina Stoneware Pithos Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
White Patina Stoneware Pithos Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 19 x H 24 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: Black, White, Brown, Red, W...
Stoneware
Helle Lavender Green Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu
Located in Geneve, CH
Helle Lavender Green Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu Dimensions: D 2.25 x W 5 x H 7 cm Materials: Cast Glass Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Bowen Liu founded her aw...
Other
Eólica Large Sculpture in Jurassic Fossil Stone by NERINEA
Located in Geneve, CH
Eólica Large Sculpture in Jurassic Fossil Stone by NERINEA. Dimensions: W 33 x D 29 x H 178 cm. Materials: Natural Stone (Jurassic Fossil TOP). Designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos...
Stone
Tall and Decorative Murano Glass Vase Italy 1990s
Located in München, BY
Tall and highly decorative Post-Modern Murano Glass vase with lovely colors. Made in Italy, 1990s. Executed in thick, multi-colored Murano-Glass. Dimensions: H 11.82 in. (30 cm) W ...
Murano Glass
$2,954 / item
Ampla 09 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ampla 09 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio Dimensions: Ø 41 x H 37 cm Materials: Stoneware clay, satin glaze. SOIO Studio is a design studio based in Dubai creating sculptural coll...
Clay, Stoneware
$1,833 / item
Ampla 08 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ampla 08 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio Dimensions: Ø 33 x H 28 cm Materials: Stoneware clay, satin glaze. SOIO Studio is a design studio based in Dubai creating sculptural coll...
Clay, Stoneware
$3,596 / item
Ampla 06 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ampla 06 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio Dimensions: Ø 58 x H 30 cm Materials: Stoneware clay, glossy glaze. SOIO Studio is a design studio based in Dubai creating sculptural col...
Clay, Stoneware
$2,884 / item
Ampla 05 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ampla 05 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio Dimensions: Ø 50 x H 20 cm Materials: Stoneware clay, matte glaze. SOIO Studio is a design studio based in Dubai creating sculptural coll...
Clay, Stoneware
$2,732 / item
Ampla 04 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ampla 04 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 47 cm Materials: Stoneware clay, satin glaze. SOIO Studio is a design studio based in Dubai creating sculptural coll...
Clay, Stoneware
$24,407 / item
Orimba Sculptural Column by Kamil Hajji
Located in Geneve, CH
Orimba Sculptural Column by Kamil Hajji Dimensions: W 36 × D 32 × H 210 cm Materials: Wood. Kamil Hajji is a Swiss-Moroccan artist, designer, and researcher. Drawing from a deeply c...
Wood
White Spark Vase by David Gil for Bennington Potters
By David Gil, Bennington Potters
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A white "Spark" vase (model 1998) designed in the 1960s by David Gil for Bennington Potters of Bennington, VT. Produced in several sizes and ...
Ceramic
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
RL 02 Mini Candleholder in Caspal Brushed Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 02 Mini Candleholder in Caspal Brushed Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 14,5 cm. Materials: Brushed brass. Available in brushed brass or silver-plated brushed brass. Availabl...
Brass
RL 02 Maxi Candleholder in Caspal Brushed Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 02 Maxi Candleholder in Caspal Brushed Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 24,5 cm. Materials: Brushed brass. Available in brushed brass or silver-plated brushed brass. Availabl...
Brass
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Polished Aluminum by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Polished Aluminum by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 9 x H 14 cm. Materials: Polished aluminum. Available in polished brass, polished aluminum, varnished aluminum, ...
Aluminum
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Butter Glossy Varnished Aluminum by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Butter Glossy Varnished Aluminum by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 9 x H 14 cm. Materials: Varnished aluminum. Available in polished brass, polished aluminum, varn...
Aluminum
RL 05 Mini Candleholder in Silver Plated Brushed Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 05 Mini Candleholder in Silver Plated Brushed Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 9 x H 7 cm. Materials: Silver-plated brushed brass. Available in polished brass, polished aluminum, v...
Silver Plate, Brass
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Silver Plated Brushed Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
RL 05 Maxi Candleholder in Silver Plated Brushed Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 9 x H 14 cm. Materials: Silver-plated brushed brass. Available in polished brass, polished aluminum, ...
Silver Plate, Brass
Set of 2 Gres Ceramic Vase and Bowl by Hiao Chin for Atelier Franco Pozzi, 1970s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Painted ceramics (vase and centerpiece) by Hiao Chin for Atelier/Gresline Franco Pozzi. Produced between the 70s and the 80s. Very good condition. signatures of the Manufacture und...
Ceramic
Italy 1980 Riccardo Dalisi White Painted Metal Sculpture Pulcinino
Located in Brescia, IT
This sculpture is a multiple 1 piece of 50 realized in 1980 by the well known international artist Riccardo Dalisi. All the pieces are numbered and signed by the artist and complete...
Metal
$1,693 / set
Bronze Vase and Pocket Emptier, Italy, 1980
Located in Weesp, NL
Stylish, classy and rare bronze pocket emptier designed by Esa Fedrigolli and made in Italy in the 1980s. This beautiful piece comes in it's original gi...
Bronze
1986 Italy Bronze Abstract Sculpture Patrizia Guerresi Donnasole Sun Woman
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 1000 specimen on a green painted wooden base. The title o...
Bronze
Miguel Berrocal "Torso Marzotto" Bronze Sculpture Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Miguel Berrocal, master of the puzzle sculptures, made this Torso, titled Marzotto signed and number 240/1500, made of parts as shown in pictures.
Bronze
Mirage Candle Lamp in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts
Located in Geneve, CH
Mirage Candle Lamp in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts. Dimensions: W 19 x D 17 x H 50 cm. Materials: Black Patinated Bronze and Glass Dome. This candleholder stands out wi...
Bronze
Creature Sculpture in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Creature Sculpture in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 3 + 2AP. Dimensions: D 65 x W 65 x H 165 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless ste...
Stainless Steel
Italy Bronze Cast Figurine Sculpture by Aron Demetz Verso te
By Aron Demetz
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense bronze sculpture was made by the well known Italian artist, Aron Demetz, in 2004, Italy. This is a lost wax bronze hand painted. The title is "Verso te" translated in "T...
Bronze
$6,423 / item
Flint X Sculpture by Pol Quadens
Located in Geneve, CH
Flint X Sculpture by Pol Quadens Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 110 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. Dimensions may vary. Please contact us. Pol Quadens was born in Br...
Stainless Steel
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