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.
Ceramic vase Memphis, “MITODEA” by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, Milan, 1990’s.
Located in Milan, IT
Memphis Milano painted ceramic vase by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, “MITODEA”” in yellow. Florio was a key member of the Memphis group when he created his series of unique handmade va...
Ceramic
Lino Tagliapietra for Effetre Edition abstract large Murano glass charger .
By Lino Tagliapietra, Effetre International Company
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large charger by the well known artist/designer Lino Tagliapietra , signed and dated 1985. base is 10 inches diameter and high with base is 22.6 inches.
Art Glass
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
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
S1 Functional Sculpture in Brushed Aluminium by Giotto Pagani
Located in Geneve, CH
S1 Functional Sculpture in Brushed Aluminium by Giotto Pagani Dimensions: W 110 x D 110 x H 120 cm Materials: Non directional brushed finish aluminium. Giotto Pagani is an Italian a...
Aluminum
Hand-Painted Earthenware Figural Donkey Table Salt Cellar and Pepper Mill, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Deruta (Perugia), Italy 1983. This is a hand-painted earthenware donkey that can be used as a table salt cellar or just as a decorative object. It is a vintage piece, therefore it m...
Earthenware
$2,620Sale Price|44% Off
Italy Mid-Century Modern Orange Terracotta Abstract Sculpture F Sartori Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a very interesting piece hand made in terracotta by the Italian artist Franz Sartori. This orange disk is an abstract artwork that was handmade in terracotta in 1972 by the a...
Terracotta
Vintage Italian Rectangular Onyx and Brass Jewelry Box with Hinged Lid, 1970s
Located in Conversano, IT
Overview An elegant rectangular jewelry box made in Italy during the 1970s, crafted from polished onyx and finished with brass-toned metal details. The stone’s translucent pale-green...
Onyx
$1,347 / item
Mirage Contenitore Alto by Studio Intervallo
Located in Geneve, CH
Mirage Contenitore Alto by Studio Intervallo Dimensions: D 30 x H 6.2 cm Materials: green Guatemala marble. Available in other stones. The Mirage collection comes from the mono...
Marble
Decorative plate made of artistic glass by designer Alberto Churba
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Decorative art glass plate by designer Alberto Churba Decorative art glass plate designed by Alberto Churba. It features a circular shape with a slightly recessed center and a flat e...
Art 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
$2,493 / item
Burung Teak Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor
Located in Geneve, CH
Burung Teak Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor Dimensions: D 41 x W 35 x H 36 CM Materials: Teak wood Mary Verspoor, of Indonesian-Dutch descent, is a Bali-based designer and creator. She w...
Other
$2,358 / item
Raw Stone XL Vase by Milena Kling
Located in Geneve, CH
Raw Stone XL Vase by Milena Kling Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 26 x H 55 cm. Materials: Mouth-blown crystal glass. Each RAW Vase is one of a kind and personally signed by Milena Kli...
Glass
Post Modern Flash Vases by Margareta Hennix for Gustavsberg, Sweden
By Margareta Hennix, Gustavsberg
Located in Stockholm, SE
Post Modern flash vases by Margaretha Hennix for Gustavsberg, Sweden, shaped as trees. Margareta Hennix is a Swedish ceramicist, glass artist and designer. During her long career as...
Porcelain, Stoneware
Trípodes Deka Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Trípodes Deka Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 36 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more arch...
Ceramic
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
Anodised Aluminium Planter / Vessel Multi-Coloured from Cosmos collection
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Cosmos extends the exploration into manually anodised aluminium pieces. Building on the success of Grow-UP planters for MCQ in 2021, the collection showcases abstract anodising dye p...
Aluminum
Handcrafted Floriform Blue and Clear Cased Murano Style Art Glass Paperweight
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful handcrafted controlled bubble floriform clear cased art glass vase or votive or paperweight. Beautiful Bohemian blue blown glass small vase or candle holder made in heavy thick art glass in a ruffled tulip shape. This large votive or vase has a beautiful blend of blues with a clear glass outer and bottom. Decorative art glass hand blown with controlled bubble paperweight...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Borek Sipek sculpture glass bowl centerpiece signed
By B. Sipek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Borek Sipek master Czech glass blower , artist of high end glass work . This one is known as Trinite”. Signed
Glass
John Miller Blue Plate Special Hamburger 2008 Blown Pop Art Glass Sculpture
By John Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by Americana, Miller's work stands to bring new light and perspective to the often overlooked but ubiquitous cultural artifacts that form the American visual lexicon and lived experience. Maybe as impressive as the work itself, is the magnitude of which his creations come to life. At such an impressive scale, his process is truly spectacle to witness. Pieces from his famed ‘Blue Plate Special...
Blown Glass
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
Raw & Rainbow Bruto Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Raw & Rainbow Bruto Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Limited Edition Of 10 Pieces. Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 65 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Bruto in the name ...
Aluminum
Hexagonal Black Basalt Columns Decorative Object by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Pyrus Rock Installation by Andres Monnier One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 300 x D 300 x H 300 cm Materials: Basalt, Stainless Steel Stone options available: Grey, black and white marble...
Stone, Stainless Steel
Very Large Mactan Stone or Fossil Stone Planter, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Beautiful and very large vase, fabricated in Italy in the 80's. This very rare vase is made of rough edged brick motif Mactan stone or Fossil Stone. Made with stunning craftsmanshi...
Travertine
Arthur Court rare pair of brass/ lucite holders with specimens .
By Arthur Court
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice pair of brass and lucite specimens holders , marked Arthur Court
Brass
Festa Mobile Pots Jar in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Festa Mobile Pots Jar in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: Ø 24 x H 45 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Available in different shapes and colors. Dimensions and...
Aluminum, Other
Signed Tessa Fuchs Vintage British Art Studio Pottery Bowl or Dish, circa 1980s
By Tessa Fuchs
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
British art Studio Pottery by artist and sculptor Tessa Fuchs (1936-2012), produced circa 1982. Tess Fuchs was born in Chesire and studied at the Sa...
Ceramic, Clay
$3,500
Modern Brass Vessel
By Argosy Designs, Erik Johnson
Located in Treadwell, NY
VESSEL (COMET ENCKE) Various brass alloys Dimensions: 9” L x 4” W x 8.125” H Weight: 6lbs 1 of 1
Brass
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
Set Of 2 Acantha Candle Holders in Black Brazilian Stone by Otavio Motta
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Acantha Candle Holders in Black Brazilian Stone by Otavio Motta Signed, limited edition Dimensions: D 65 x W 15 x H 30 cm. Stone base: approx. 12–15 cm Weight: approx. 5 kg ...
Stone, Tourmaline, Brass
Postmodern Art Deco Style Glazed Black Ceramic Sculptural Fan Vase by Lulu, 1989
Located in Beirut, LB
A striking Postmodern sculptural ceramic fan vase executed in a deep, high-gloss black glaze, signed and dated Lulu, 1989 on the underside. Exhibiting a strong Art Deco revival infl...
Ceramic
Abstract Figure Sculpture in White by Vicki Arthur
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White sculpted clay abstract figure. Signed - Vicki Arthur '99 Additional information Material: Clay Creator: Vicki Arthur Item type: Vintage Dimensions: 10 W x 7 D x 2.5 H in Condi...
Clay
Black and White Polka Dot Glass Cone Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Postmodern milk glass cone vase with black polka dots throughout. Signed by the artist on the bottom. Additional information Material: Milk Glass Style: Post Modern Item type: Vinta...
Milk Glass
Postmodern Plaster Catchall Lidded Box
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Unique postmodern textural plaster lidded box. Nice low tapering profile. Lid accentuated with a rope detail and petite finial. Interior with a nicely curved bowl.
Plaster
Unique Desde La Tierra I Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Soledad Christie
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Desde La Tierra I Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Soledad Christie. One Of a Kind. Dimensions: W 15 x D 11 x H 29 cm. Materials: Low-temperature, burnished earthenware ceramic...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$3,673 / item
Moon Jar in Raw by Solem Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Moon Jar in Raw by Solem Ceramics Dimensions: Ø 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Red stoneware, white slip, glaze This Jar is also available in Gloss and Obsidian finish. Please contact us. ...
Stoneware
$2,382Sale Price / item|20% Off
Iron Sculpture by Aldo Guarnieri
Located in Milano, IT
This modern sculpture by Aldo Guarnieri commands attention with its austerity and visual complexity. Crafted with a mixed technique, the piece consists of two overlapping square pane...
Metal, Iron
Set Of 2 Almas Caviar Bowl & Spoon in Horn & Crystal by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Almas Caviar Bowl & Spoon in Horn & Crystal by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 24 x H 7 cm. Materials: Horn and crystal. Colours and shades of horn processed by Arcahorn are unique ...
Crystal, Other
Vase #1 by Shiro Kuramata, circa 1980, Japan.
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Vase #1 by Shiro Kuramata, 1980, manufactured by Ishimaru Co., Ltd., Japan. This iconic vase by Shiro Kuramata perfectly illustrates his unique approach to design, blending minimali...
Aluminum
David Gilhooly, Title "Burrito Frog " Ceramic/Pottery Sculpture Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice piece of the well known artist David Gilhooly creator of the Funk movement, This is a Burrito frog title work.
Ceramic
Abstract diabas sculpture by Robert Neuhauser, Switzerland, circa 1985
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Diabase sculpture by Robert Neuhauser, created in Switzerland, circa 1985. Carved from a monolithic block of diabase, a dense black volcanic stone, the sculpture combines rough-hewn...
Stone
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
No One's Garden Statue in Mild Steel & Clay by Metalmorphosis Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
No One's Garden Statue in Mild Steel & Clay by Metalmorphosis Studio Dimensions: D 140 x W 200 x H 90 cm. Materials: Mild steel and clay. This piece emerges as a reinterpretation of...
Stainless Steel
Salviati Murano Glass, Candle Holder /Centerpiece , Marked
By Salviati
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful glass holder made by Salviati, marked and dated 1998.
Glass
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Trípodes Sentinela Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 40 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more...
Ceramic
Contemporary Geometric Bust Sculpture in Matte White Composite, Faceted Cubist
Located in San Diego, CA
A bold contemporary sculptural bust rendered in a striking faceted geometric style. Crafted from a matte white composite with a lightly textured surface, the piece reinterprets the h...
Resin, Composite
$12,202 / item
Incarnato 3 Sculpture by Camille De Prêtre
Located in Geneve, CH
Incarnato 3 Sculpture by Camille De Prêtre Dimensions: W 23 x D 23 x H 120 cm. Materials: Burned pine. About Camille De Prêtre is a Belgian artist and furniture designer based betw...
Wood
$3,232 / item
Mandala Totem by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Mandala Totem by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 30.48 x D 30.48 x H 198.12 cm Materials: Engineered wood This totem starts with a single block of high-quality solid wood, chosen for its ...
Wood
Pair of Swan Candle Holders in Aluminum by Matthew Hilton for SCP England, 1987
By Matthew Hilton, SCP
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Postmodernist candlestick holders designed by Matthew Hilton in 1983 and manufactured by SCP England in 1987. They ...
Aluminum
Set of 2 1980s Ashtrays & Picture Frame in Cut Glass
By Gallotti & Radice, Fontana Arte
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This set is composed by 2 glass ashtrays and 1 glass picture frame. Very good condition. Picture frame: cm 13 H x 10 W x 2,6 D Ashtray: cm 3 H x 9 W x 9 D.
Cut Glass
Small Gravity Bowl in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Gravity Bowl in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 15 x H 10 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: Patinated cast w...
Bronze
$14,295Sale Price|20% Off
Born Again from Amazonia Disenchanted Forest series by Elvio Becheroni
Located in Milano, IT
The work **Being Born Again** by Elvio Becheroni is a unique and extraordinary sculpture, part of the "Amazonia - Disenchanted Forest" series. This piece captures the essence of the ...
Wood
$1,834 / item
Emerge Teak Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor
Located in Geneve, CH
Emerge Teak Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor Dimensions: D 22 x H 40 CM Materials: Teak wood Mary Verspoor, of Indonesian-Dutch descent, is a Bali-based designer and creator. She works cl...
Other
Karl Springer Design Murano Italy Scavo Art Glass Candle Pillar Set, Signed
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare set of 3 Murano Italy Scavo art glass candlestick pillars designed by Karl Springer. Shortest is signed/etched "Karl Springer" on base, circa 1980...
Art Glass
White and Clear "Mezza Filigrana" Murano Glass Plate by Barovier & Toso, 1980s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Murano glass centerpiece /decorative plate handmade in "mezza filigrana" technique. Perfect condition.
Murano Glass
Postmodern Italian Green Solid Marble Mortar & Pestle
Located in San Diego, CA
Postmodern Vintage solid green marble Mortar and Pestle Hand-Turned Modernist Design, circa 1980s, showcasing the warm grain, sculptural lines, and refined utility characteristic of ...
Marble
$2,168 / item
Unique Brown Ceramic Vase by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Brown Ceramic Vase by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 20.3 x D 20.3 x H 21.6 cm Materials: Stoneware with a glazed finish. Colors: Brown. Custom dimensions and glaze finishes are a...
Stoneware
Postmodern Sculptural Resin Photo Frame with Wave Form
By Anish Kapoor
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking Postmodern photo frame featuring a sculptural, wave-like form rendered in smooth white resin. The frame’s faceted, undulating surface creates a sense of movement, giving t...
Resin, Epoxy Resin
L'empilement Des Grâces Sculpture in Felted Wool & Metal by Tina Tictone
Located in Geneve, CH
L'empilement Des Grâces Sculpture in Felted Wool & Metal by Tina Tictone. Dimensions: W 27 x D 30 x H 96 cm. Materials: Felted wool, metal plinth. Dimensions may vary. Please contac...
Metal, Other
Anatomie De L'envol Sculpture in Felted Wool & Metal by Tina Tictone
Located in Geneve, CH
Anatomie De L'envol Sculpture in Felted Wool & Metal by Tina Tictone. Dimensions: W 24 x D 20 x H 107 cm. Materials: Felted wool, metal plinth. Dimensions may vary. Please contact u...
Other, Metal