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.
Thomas porcelain vase by Rosenthal and set of 2 candle holders, 1980’s memphis s
By Rosenthal
Located in Delft, NL
Thomas porcelain vase by Rosenthal and set of 2 candle holders, 1980’s memphis style
Porcelain
1970s Howard Miller zebrawood and chrome wall clock designed by Arthur Umanoff
By Arthur Umanoff, Howard Miller
Located in Phoenix, AZ
1970s Howard Miller wall clock model 616 designed by Arthur Umanoff Associates. “Zebrawood” veneer (described as “Leriex rosewood veneer” in the 1975/1976 catalog), chrome frame and hour marks, and original George Nelson hands. 13.5” round, 2.75” deep. The clock matches the well known Peter Protzman desk...
Chrome
Robert Lee Morris "Cigar Car" Bronze Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
Robert Lee Morris, "Cigar Car" 1980's, Bronze, Signed Verso
Bronze
$486Sale Price|36% Off
Postmodern Set of Three Aquamarine and Brown 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
$907 / item
Pure Crystal Cefalù Vase by Studio Bojola
Located in Geneve, CH
Pure Crystal Cefalù Vase by Studio Bojola Dimensions: D 21 x H 26 cm Materials: Pure crystal. Colour: Amber. Weight: 3 kg. The Cefalù is a combination of two vases, that can servi...
Crystal
American Post-Modern Bronze Figure Sculpture
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
$1,167 / item
Matra Functional Sculpture by Andrei Clontea
Located in Geneve, CH
Matra Functional Sculpture by Andrei Clontea Dimensions: W 13 x D 29 x H 36 cm Materials: Ceramics It’s important to note that due to the hand-building process, each piece may prese...
Ceramic
$256Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Glazed Ceramic Pen Holder by Giovanni Bertoncello for Schiavon
By Giovanni Bertoncello, Schiavon
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Giovanni Bertoncello for Schiavon, 1970s. It is made in brown glazed ceramic. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be cons...
Ceramic
$3,088 / item
Anatolian 2 Vase by Güler Elçi
Located in Geneve, CH
Anatolian 2 Vase by Güler Elçi Dimensions: W 20.3 x D 20.3 x H 30 cm. Materials: Stoneware Ceramic. Güler Elçi is a ceramic artist based in Istanbul. In th...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Postmodern giraffe ceramic centerpiece / vide poche, ND Dolfi Italy, 1990s
By ND Dolfi
Located in Firenze, IT
Postmodern giraffe ceramic centerpiece / vide poche ND Dolfi Ceramiche d'Arte, Montelupo Italy, 1990s 19 cm H x 30 cm diam. Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use. no ...
Ceramic
Donald Laborie cubistic sculpture France 1988
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Wonderful and impressive sized sculpture by Donald Laborie made in his own atelier in France in 1988. This semi figurative sculpture is called ’The Accordionist” and is made from sol...
Hardwood
Set Of 2 Clinio Lighter & Ash Tray in Dark Horn, Brass & Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Clinio Lighter & Ash Tray in Dark Horn, Brass & Wood by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: Lighter: Ø 8 x H 12 cm. Ash Tray: Ø 22 x H 5 cm. Materials: Dark horn, ...
Brass, Other
Set Of 3 Bacco Smoking Lighter & Ash Trays in Horn, Brass & Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 3 Bacco Smoking Lighter & Ash Trays in Horn, Brass & Wood by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: Lighter: D 10 x W 10 x H 9 cm. Cigarette Ash Tray: D 16 x W 16 x H 4...
Brass, Other
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
V21384 Vessel in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
V21384 Vessel in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 23 x W 23 x H 14 cm. Materials: Oak wood. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part of a la...
Oak
Colorwood vase designed by Angelo Mangiarotti for Alpimass 1980ies
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Unique wooden color-wood vase designed by Angelo Mangiarotti, ca. 1981, with creator mark on bottom: „Alpimass“, „A. Mangiarotti“ Exceptionally rare vase from a series that Angelo...
Plywood
Orange & Clear 1990s Murano Glass Bottle with Silver Cork by Cleto Munari
By Cleto Munari
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Decorative bottle in transparent and orange Murano glass. Post modern shape cork in silver metal. Labeled and signatured by manufacturer. Very good condition.
Silver
$3,630 / item
Krystal Form Vase by Malwina Konopacka
Located in Geneve, CH
Krystal form vase by Malwina Konopacka 2020 Signature engraved, signed authenticity certificate provided Edition : Kolektiv Cite Radieuse Materials: Blown crystal Dimensions: H ...
Crystal
$31,120 / item
Atlant Sapiens by Twenty Second Factory
Located in Geneve, CH
Atlant Sapiens by Twenty Second Factory Created by Vladislav Volosenko X Bogdan Kryvosheya Dimensions: D 52 x W 35 x H 60 cm Materials: Bronze. Founded in 2017 by Bogdan Kryvosheya,...
Bronze
$2,051 / item
Zeus Bust Sculpture by Lagu
Located in Geneve, CH
Zeus bust sculpture by Lagu. Designed by Ufuk Ceylan. Dimensions: W 30 x D 40 x H 43 cm. Materials: statuary marble, cast. Zeus is known as the father ...
Cast Stone, Marble
Dorothy Hafner Post Modern Art Pottery Bowl
Located in Highland, IN
This wonderful piece by Dorothy Hafner (b 1952) was hand made by the artist. Though originally trained as a sculptor and painter, Hafner is probably best known for the tableware she ...
Ceramic
$1,626 / set
Set of 3 Folio Candle Holders by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Folio Candle Holders by Mingardo Dimensions: D22.5 x W2.2 x H11 cm Materials: Polished natural copper, Polished natural brass, Polished natural stainless steel. Weight: ...
Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel
Ash Pedestal Bowl by Evelina Kudabaite Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash candle holder by Evelina Kudabaite Studio Handmade Materials: ash, brass Dimensions: H 7.5 x D 12 cm Colour: ochre Notes: for dry use Since 2015, product designer Evelina...
Brass
$4,668 / item
Cored Vessel by Cal Summers
By Cal Summers
Located in Geneve, CH
Cored Vessel by Cal Summers Dimension: D 15.24 x H 11.43 cm Materials: Resin and Sawdust Composite with Steel Inset. Cal Summers is a British designer who makes bespoke handmade fu...
Resin
$2,925 / item
Untitled 40 by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled 40 by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 38 cm x H 38 cm Material: Porcelain. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ancient Korean ceramics as well as...
Porcelain
$30,507 / item
La Mer Chair by Pepe Valenti
Located in Geneve, CH
La Mer Chair by Pepe Valenti collaboration with Antoine Aimé Dimensions: D 80 x W 65 x H 109 cm. Materials: Chrome-plated stainless steel, acrylic. A cha...
Stainless Steel
$392Sale Price|28% Off
Masa Mami Pink Satin Glaze Memphis Style Squiggle Vase
Located in View Park, CA
A monumental pink postmodern Memphis Milano style cylindrical ikebana vase with squiggle collar, late 20th century. Signed by artist Masa Mami. One fla...
Ceramic
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
Limited Edition Lux Æterna Candle Holder in Stainless Steel by sashaxsasha
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition Lux Æterna Candle Holder in Stainless Steel by sashaxsasha Limited Edition of 12 + 2 A.P Dimensions: D 30 x W 55 x H 112 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. sashaxsash...
Stainless Steel
Leandro Lighter in Glossy Horn, Chromed Brass & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Leandro Lighter in Glossy Horn, Chromed Brass & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 11 x W 11 x H 10 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, chromed brass, and Aid...
Brass, Other
$2,200 / item
Camino
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
The transcendent character of decision making and its consequences, which are inflection points in everyday life, are concepts that are through the new collection by Sebastián Ángele...
Brass
$22,149 / item
Cf Te2.1 Terre by Caturegli Formica
Located in Geneve, CH
CF Te2.1 Terre by Caturegli Formica Dimensions: W 45 x H 65 cm Materials: Ceramic Terres, Dakar, Senegal, 1987-1991 TERRES is a series of symbolic ceramics sculpures produce...
Ceramic
Set of 2 Memphis Style ceramic sculptures , 1980s
Located in Delft, NL
Set of 2 Memphis Style ceramic sculptures , 1980s Dimensions: 30cm Height , 8cm Width , 8cm Depth Condition: Good Color: Black Material: Ceramic
Ceramic
Jaca Vase No. 17 in Offwhite Organic Textured Ceramic by Hanna Englund
Located in Geneve, CH
Jaca Vase No. 17 in Offwhite Organic Textured Ceramic by Hanna Englund Dimensions: D 27 x W 28 x H 47,5 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Large vase with an organic textured exterior. This p...
Ceramic
Wing Bronze Wall Piece in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Wing Wall Piece in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 8 + 4AP. Dimensions: D 18 x W 120 x H 130 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless steel...
Stainless Steel
Dorotea Picture Frame in Horn, Ebony Veneer & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Dorotea in Picture Frame in Horn, Ebony Veneer & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 19 x H 24 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, Amara ebony veneer, an...
Other
Dorotea Picture Frame in Horn, Ebony Veneer & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Dorotea Picture Frame in Horn, Ebony Veneer & Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 5 x W 24 x H 30 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, Amara ebony veneer, and A...
Other
Ottavia Box in Glossy Horn, Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Ottavia Box in Glossy Horn, Ebony Veneer & Aida Pebbled Leather by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: D 13 x W 22 x H 8 cm. Materials: Glossy horn, ebony veneer, and Aida ...
Stainless Steel, Other
$1,591 / item
Dogu Lady 20 Vase by Noe Kuremoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Dogu lady 20 vase by Noe Kuremoto Materials: white stoneware sculpture Dimensions: D 15 x W 41 x H 44 cm Dogu ladies My interpretation of the ancient Dogu*. ...
Stoneware
$1,355 / item
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics Unique piece. Dimensions: D 20 x H 55 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Numerated and signed by the artist. All ...
Ceramic
$395Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Red, White and Blue Murano Glass Vase by Carlo Moretti, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. Made in Murano glass. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in excellent original condition and ready to become a ...
Murano Glass
$442Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Old Rose Murano Glass Vase with a Hole, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is an old rose Murano glass vase. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in perfect original condi...
Murano Glass
Set Of 2 Corner Sculptural Vessels by Karin Amdal
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Corner Sculptural Vessels by Karin Amdal One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 12 x W 12 x H 15 cm. Materials: Ceramic/stoneware clay. Pieces are hand-made, one of a kind, and sizes...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$486Sale Price|41% Off
Transparent and Grey Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Hora P with Rhomboid Base
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This vase is made in Sommerso Murano glass and is signed by Hora P. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considere...
Murano Glass, Sommerso
Churba Psychedelic Kinetic Glass Vase
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Churba Kinetic Psychedelic Glass Vase Blown glass vase by Alberto Churba, design from the 1960s. The piece features an elongated cylindrical shape, with a defined base and neck in op...
Art Glass
Space age green ceramic vase, Pietro Arosio, Parravicini Italy ca. 1960
Located in Firenze, IT
Green space age ceramic vase designed by Pietro Arosio Parravicini Italy ca. 1960 Labelled under the base. H 28 cm - 17 × 11 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Ceramic
$4,997 / item
Aegis Vase 450 by Lost Profile Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Aegis Vase 450 by Lost Profile Studio Dimensions: ⌀ 20 x H 45 cm Materials: Brass, White Glass Finishes: Aged Brass (waxed) only Notes: The brass...
Brass
$3,089 / item
Like In Water Wall Sculpture by Dora Stanczel
Located in Geneve, CH
Like In Water Wall Sculpture by Dora Stanczel One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 10 x W 26 x H 43 cm. Materials: Porcelain, metal and gold. I create bespoke and luxurious porcelain pieces...
Metal, Gold
$2,176 / 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
$176 / item
Blob Vase by Siup Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Blob Vase by Siup Studio Dimensions: D12 x W17 x H15cm Materials: Ceramics Siup is a small design studio based in Warsaw. The concept is created by th...
Ceramic
$2,322 / item
Red Glass Planet Sculpture by Dechem Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Red glass planet sculpture by Dechem Studio. Dimensions: D 32 cm. Materials: glass. Available in autumn red and powder pink. The Planets are voluminous sculptures with a tonali...
Glass
Lorenza Bozzoli Arabescato Marble Handmade Bucket Vessel Vase, Editions Milano
By Editions Milano, Lorenza Bozzoli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Lorenza Bozzoli Arabescato Marble Handmade Bucket Vessel Vase, Editions Milano, Italy. Bucket in opaque Arabescato marble with the handle in hand-brushed brass. It recalls the tradit...
Marble, Brass
Sculptural Glass Vase by Richard Meitner, The Netherlands 1989
Located in Utrecht, NL
This vase was made by Richard Meitner and displays an understated elegance and timeless appeal. With an emphasis on balance and harmony, it blends traditional craftsmanship with mode...
Brass
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold chromatic statement with this vibrant vintage studio pottery vase, a striking example of ceramic art that blends Postmodern energy with organic craftsmanship. Standing ne...
Pottery
$1,037 / 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
Chrome Sculptural Candle Holder
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Chrome Candle Holder is the first in a series of pieces that integrate the use of upcycled electroplating rods. These rods, regularly used for submerging metal items into chrome bath...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
Inspired from Earth’s Origins, Organic Form Clay Sculptural Vase by Niclas Wolf
Located in Geneve, CH
Geoprimitive 115 Sculptural Vase by Niclas Wolf Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 45 x H 57 cm. Materials: Ceramic. GEOPRIMITIVE_ is a design series that compares and connects the Precamb...
Ceramic
Large Brass Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Brass Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio Dimensions: D 100 x H 5 cm. Materials: Copper, Brass. Weight: 12 Kg. Aura Carpio® (CDMX). Mexican industrial designer graduat...
Copper, Brass
Anacleto Spazzapan, Design Object, Italy, 21st Century
Located in Greding, DE
Two-doored design object by Anacleto Spazzapan standing on three ball feet with a concave-convex body and flat back. The monogram AS is also on the back. The object stands between art and function, between object and cabinet. It consists of individual, 5mm thick metal rods, welded together by hand. Anacleto Spazzapan (born 1943) sees himself as a designer in the service of modernity. However, antiques always reveal the value of good craftsmanship, an aspect which the designer wants to preserve through his handmade furniture. "I come from the antiques field...
Metal
Bitossi Ceramiche Hand Turned Vase by Marco Zanini
By Marco Zanini, Bitossi
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed by Marco Zanini for Bitossi, this stacked-form vase plays with scale and colour, layering conical and cylindrical shapes in glossy green, cobalt, and deep black for a compos...
Ceramic