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.
Danish Designer, Floor Vases, Stoneware, Denmark, 1973
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of beige and brown-glazed stoneware vases designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1940s.
Stoneware
Bertil Andersson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1978
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable brown and beige-glazed stoneware vase designed and produced by Bertil Andersson, Höganäs, 1978.
Stoneware
Swedish Designer, Candlestick, Pine, Brass, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A freeform pine candlestick designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Holds 0.75” candle
Brass
Danish Designer, Vase, Stoneware, Denmark, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A semi-glazed brown and green stoneware vase designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1970s.
Stoneware
$3,115 / item
Medusa Vase by Casa Alfarera
Located in Geneve, CH
Medusa vase by Casa Alfarera Dimensions: D45.7 x H48.3 cm Materials: Matte Black glaze The Medusa Vase is a large flower pot or decorative piece that ta...
Glass
Sven Bohlin, Unique Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and white sizeable unique stoneware vase designed and produced by Sven Bohlin, Höganäs, Sweden, c. 1960s.
Stoneware
Amazonia Vase (Lrg), Clear Orange & Blue with Pastel Blue Feet by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, CA
Amazonia Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Clear Orange and Blue with Pastel Blue Feet. *All the pieces are handmade and therefore uni...
Resin
$5,901 / item
Cosmo Bunny Lime Green Sculpture by Aki Kuroda
Located in Geneve, CH
Cosmo Bunny Lime Green 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. Thi...
Other
$4,898 / item
Princess S Vase by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Princess S Vase by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: Ø 33 x H 19 cm. Materials: Artik Green marble. Available in different marble and travertine options. Available in...
Marble
Postmodern Plaster Face Sculpture on Stand
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Unique postmodern plaster face sculpture with stand. Mayan or Buddha design. Great period piece and colors.
Plaster
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
Tall Black Bandaska Matte Vase by Dechem Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall black bandaska matte vase by Dechem Studio. Dimensions: D 9 x H 31 cm. Materials: glass. Available in 4 sizes: D15 x H25/ D18 x H24/ D9 x W31/ D22 x H33 cm. Available in bla...
Glass
Meritalia Papavero Vase / Black and Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Ray Geary Contemporary \ Resin and Pill Sculpture Titled "White Pill Circle"
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary abstract resin sculpture titled, "White Pill Portal," a rectangular white resin piece with a translucent central circle in which various colorful pills are suspended. (R...
Resin
$2,077 / item
Vaso Crosta 04 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vaso Crosta 04 Sculpture by Domingos Tótora Estúdio Dimensions: W 24 x D 24 x H 80 cm Materials: Recycled cardboard. Domingos Tótora born and raised in Maria da Fé, a city in the mo...
Wood
Swedish Designer, Vase, Ceramic, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A beige-glazed ceramic vase, designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s.
Ceramic
Postmodern Black Murano Glass Lemon with Gold and Silver Flakes, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This lemon is made in black Murano glass with silver and gold flakes and then covered in transparent Murano glass. It might show slight traces of use since it's...
Gold Leaf, Silver Leaf
Resin and Steel Sawfish Shaped Sculpture
By Viktor Mtz 1
Located in Mexico City, MX
An unusual dark resin sculpture in the shape of a sawfish rostrum by Mexican artist Viktor Martínez. The piece is mounted on an Industrial style steel ...
Steel
$309Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Purple and White Murano Glass Vase “Wave” by Carlo Moretti, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This vase is made in Murano glass. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in perfect original condition. It features...
Murano Glass
$309Sale Price|41% Off
Postmodern Gold Flecked Murano Glass Bowl / Vide-Poche, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This bowl or vide-poche is made in Murano glass and features gold fleck inclusion. It may show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considere...
Gold Leaf
Stoneware Clay, Ceramic Seeking Rhythm Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Clay, Ceramic Seeking Rhythm Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska Dimensions: W 28 x D 15 x H 11 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Unglazed ceramic sulface. Weight: 2,2 kg. C...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Wing Small Wall Piece in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Wing Small Wall Piece in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 8 + 4AP. Dimensions: D 12 x W 81 x H 87 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless s...
Stainless Steel
Polished Cast Brass Buzio G Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Buzio G Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 22 x D 14 x H 13 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum About: ...
Metal
Boho Artisan Pigmented Plaster Scagliola Low Dome Candlestick Holders - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring a touch of serene elegance to your home with this pair of vintage Scagliola candle holders. Modeled in a classic low-dome or "bun" silhouette, these pieces feature a hand-craft...
Plaster
21st Century Limited Art Glass "Star Vase" by Julien Macdonald
Located in London, GB
A stunning modern art glass vase of elongated teardrop shape with smooth, polished contours. The interior features rich, vibrant colors transitioning from deep blue at the base to a ...
Glass
White TOTEM, Candle Holder, Sottsass Style, Lacquered Wood, circa 1980
Located in Firenze, IT
White Totem, lacquered wood Sottsass style circa 1980 36 cm H - 16.5 cm diameter Conditions: very good.
Wood
$4,400Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century Abstract Modernist Stone Sculpture of Three Faces in Profile
Located in South Salem, NY
Elegant contemporary art sculpture in an Art Deco revival style, signed by artist C. Marinse. Carved from beautiful green stone, three sensual faces with eyes closed are shown profil...
Stone
Contemporary Aluminum Reversible Watch Tray by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Aluminum Reversible Watch Tray by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 26 x D 11 x H 3 cm Materials: Aluminum. Available in aluminum and bronze. Watch tray designed in collaboration with Jaeger-LeCoultre, in celebration of the Swiss company’s Reverso watch, first released in 1931. Like the classic timepiece, it features two sides: one is for a single watch laid flat, the other accommodates two watches with straps fastened. The three layers represent the three gaudrons of the Reverso...
Aluminum
Rosso Levanto Terrazzo Heptagonal Narcissus 2017 Vase by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Rosso Levanto Terrazzo Heptagonal Narcissus 2017 vase by Tino Seubert Dimensions: Ø18 x H 40 cm. Materials: Rosso Levanto terrazzo marble, polished stainless steel. Also available...
Marble, Stainless Steel
$354Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Handmade Orange, Red 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
$531Sale Price|33% Off
Postmodern Orange Yellow Glazed Ceramic Vase, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This orange yellow vase is made in glazed ceramic. This is a vintage set, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they can be considered as in excel...
Ceramic
Tristan Govignon Abstract Bronze Plinth Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
"Alliance" one of a kind bronze, Tristan Govignon Base is white, not black as pictured.
Bronze
Gail Folwell Abstract Bronze Sculpture, Signed, Numbered, "Synaptic Gap"
By Gail Folwell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great abstraction sculpture for the well known Colorado artist Gail Folwell, all measures are including marble base. This Piece is numbered 4/9 and signed.Title Synaptic Gap
Bronze
$1,557 / item
Onda Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Onda Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 38 x H 27 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building techniq...
Stoneware
$2,077 / item
Echo Of The Spine Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Echo Of The Spine Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 55 x H 35 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-bui...
Stoneware
$259 / item
Chocolate Chandelier by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate Chandelier by Moldra Dimensions: D 15 x H 13 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-build...
Stoneware
$1,557 / item
Ankalia Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Ankalia Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 23 x H 24 cm Materials: Stoneware Part of the winning project “Life in a Box” Deco Days 2025. Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural ...
Stoneware
$778 / item
Ganymede Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Ganymede Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 25 x H 27 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building tec...
Stoneware
$649 / item
Callisto Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Callisto Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 21 x H 32 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building tec...
Stoneware
$1,038 / item
Atheris Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Atheris Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 34 x H 22 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building tech...
Stoneware
$1,038 / item
Earth's Crust Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Earth's Crust Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 25 x H 30 cm Materials: Stoneware, clay Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-b...
Stoneware, Clay
$1,428 / item
Volute Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Volute 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 techn...
Stoneware
$7,482 / item
Amphora Shape Red Vase by Emilie Lemardeley
Located in Geneve, CH
Amphora Shape Red Vase by Emilie Lemardeley Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 42 x H 65 cm Materials: Hand blown glass. DRYADE Collection All in crystal, these large vases are raised and b...
Blown Glass
Steninge Keramik AB, Vase, Blue-Glazed Earthenware, Sweden, C. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue, glazed earthenware vase designed and produced by Steninge Keramik AB, Märsta, Sweden, c. 1970s.
Earthenware
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
$3,375 / item
MG404 Marble Vase 45 by Malte Gormsen
Located in Geneve, CH
MG404 Marble Vase 45 by Malte Gormsen Dimensions: D 18 x H 45 cm. Materials: Brown Line stone. Available in different stones. Available in 3 different dimensions. Please contact us....
Marble
Large Origins Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Origins Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio Dimensions: D 100 x H 5 cm. Materials: Copper. Weight: 12 Kg. Aura Carpio® (CDMX). Mexican industrial designer graduated an...
Copper
$619Sale Price|41% Off
Blue Lacquered Ceramic Vase by Lavenia Ascribable to Guido Andlovitz, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This dark blue lacquered ceramic vase ascribable to Guido Andlovitz, produced by Lavenia, Italy, 1970s. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it c...
Ceramic
Post-Modern Glass Vase by Massimo Giacon for Vis-à-vis Collection of Ritzenhoff
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Cheerful glass vase designed by Massimo Giacon for the Vis-à-vis Collection of Ritzenhoff, 1999. The stubble rowdy face looks at us in a somewhat challenging but also friendly man...
Glass
$106Sale Price|25% Off
Black and Yellow Ceramic Vide-Poche or Box attr. to Roberta Di Camerino, Italy
By Roberta Di Camerino
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This trinket bowl / vide-poche is made in black and yellow glazed ceramic, a combination of colors that is typical of Roberta Camerino's design. Produced and ...
Ceramic
$675 / item
Terracotta Vase by Marta Bonilla
Located in Geneve, CH
Terracota vase by Marta Bonilla Dimensions: D20 x H33 Materials: Terracotta, clay. Terracota vase: Low temperature hand modeled piece. Enameled inside. Outside it keeps the natu...
Terracotta
Sibilla Cigar Humidor in Horn, Chromed Brass, Cedar & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Sibilla Cigar Humidor in Horn, Chromed Brass, Cedar & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 24 x W 32 x H 12 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, horn, cedar, and chromed brass. Colours an...
Brass, Other
Set Of 2 Patino Lighter & Ash Tray in Horn, Brass & Gloss Ebony by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Patino Lighter & Ash Tray in Horn, Brass & Gloss Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: Lighter: D 8 x W 8 x H 9 cm. Ash Tray: D 16 x W 20 x H 5 cm. Materials: Horn, chromed brass, a...
Brass, Other
Recovered History Molten Colored Rods Large Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Recovered History Molten Colored Rods Large Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 13 x W 12 x H 26 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 5,5 kg. Recovered history vase, large size, cylinder sh...
Glass
American Post-War Bentley Terra-Cotta Vase
Located in Queens, NY
American Post-War Design terra cotta and black trimmed vase with 4 profiles of faces in relief. (by ROBERT BENTLEY)
Terracotta
Contemporary Hand-sculpted Black Steel TOTEM with Organic Stone by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Jangseung TOTEM by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 36 x D 36 x H 200 cm Materials: Raw steel, natural stone Each piece is made to order and uses natural stones, so ...
Stone, Steel
$708Sale Price|39% Off
Postmodern Lino Sabattini Silver-Plated Brass Shell Vide-Poche, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is a great silver plated brass vide-poche in the shape of a shell. Its simple design was created by Lino Sabattini. This is a vintage piece, therefore it ...
Silver Plate, Brass
$9,088 / item
LCN 402 Sculpture by Tommaso Le Rose
Located in Geneve, CH
LCN 402 Sculpture by Tommaso Le Rose Dimensions: W 52 x D 9 x H 216 cm. Materials: Iron, Nickel. Lichene is a new experimental design project by designer Tommaso Le Rose. Lichene de...
Iron, Nickel
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
$309Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Pair of Brown and Aquamarine Murano Glass Candleholders, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. They are made in hand-blown Murano glass. The bubbles and the difference in their dimensions are due to the handcraft process. These candleholder are vintage,...
Murano Glass