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.
Corpus Mechanica Vase in Wheel-Thrown Glazed Stoneware by Robin Kerr
Located in Geneve, CH
Corpus Mechanica Vase in Wheel-Thrown Glazed Stoneware by Robin Kerr Unique Piece Dimensions: D 14 x W 25 x H 35 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Robin Kerr is a Swiss ceramic artist livin...
Stoneware
Eye of Perception Bronze Sculpture by Splady Art Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Eye of Perception Bronze Sculpture by Splady Art Studios Design by Tori Hermes Dimensions: W 20 x D 28 x H 34 cm. Materials: Steel. ‘Eye of Perception’ explores the intersection of ...
Steel
Steel Easel of Enlightenment Abstract Sculpture by Splady Art Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Steel Easel of Enlightenment Abstract Sculpture by Splady Art Studios Design by Charles Splady Dimensions: W 46 x D 61 x H 190.5 cm. Materials: Steel. Easel of Enlightenment is a fr...
Steel
Bohemian Transparent and Red Crystal Decanter Bottle by Dresden Crystal, Germany
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Dresden, Germany, in 1960s - 1970s. This decanter is made in fine Bohemia crystal. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent original condition and ready to become a piece in a home. Labeled Dresden Crystal...
Crystal
1970’s turquoise and green Murano Centerpiece Bowl
By Venini
Located in Charleston, SC
Blue speckled with green cased in white with a white base. This works great on the dining table as a centerpiece Kitchen counter, entryway console for your keys. 1980’s, Italy. A 19...
Murano Glass
Mindscape 01 Large Travertine Sculpture by Jeroen Broux
Located in Geneve, CH
Mindscape 01 Large Travertine Sculpture by Jeroen Broux Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 30 cm Materials: Travertine Also Available: Black marble This modular sculpture, comprised of six...
Travertine
Serenity Pendant Lamp in Neutral Beige Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Serenity Pendant Lamp in Neutral Beige Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO Dimensions: Ø 35 x H 35 cm. Materials: Bio-based resin. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. ...
Resin
$9,185 / item
Mindscape 01 XL Travertine Sculpture by Jeroen Broux
Located in Geneve, CH
Mindscape 01 XL Travertine Sculpture by Jeroen Broux Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 30 cm Materials: Travertine Also Available: Black marble This modular sculpture, comprised of six in...
Travertine
V21194 Vessel in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
V21194 Vessel in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 30 x W 39 x H 21 cm. Materials: Oak wood. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part of a la...
Oak
Pair of Transparent Murano Glass Flutes with Colored Details, Italy, 1980s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. These flutes are made in very thin Murano glass. They can also be use as flower vases. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but the...
Murano Glass
Black and Brown Hand-Painted Ceramic Piece by Franco Bucci, Italy
By Franco Bucci, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This model is particularly interesting because it is strongly influenced by Sottsass' style. It is even possible that the design is by Sottsass. We are cautio...
Ceramic
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
Play With Me: Abstract Interactive Ceramic Sculpture by Helena Starcevic
Located in New York, NY
This series was conceived as a way for the Collector to really interact with a work of art. Titled "Play With Me, No Really" it refutes the idea that "Art" must sit alone on a pedes...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$850 / set
Vintage Jaru Geometrical Orbs
By Jaru
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Unique geometric orbs by JARU. 2 multifaceted orbs which capture the attention. White glazed ceramic with JARU copyright and date. Larger 8.25 x 7.5 Smaller 5.75 x 5
Ceramic
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
Unique Untitled 1 Hand Carved White Porcelain Vessel by Lee Jong Min
By Lee Jong Min
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Untitled 1 Hand Carved White Porcelain Vessel by Lee Jong Min. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 25 x D 25 x H 43.5 cm. Materials: Hand-carved white porcelain. "Untitled 1" is a ...
Porcelain
Spirit of Art No. 2 box 192/750 by Keith Haring for Villeroy & Boch, 1992
By Villeroy & Boch, (after) Keith Haring
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Limited porcelain box by Keith Haring (1958-1990)/ under licensed by his estate in 1992 and produced in cooperation with the German porcelain manufacturer Villeroy & Boch in a limite...
Porcelain
$2,551 / item
Unique Rustic Beige Vase by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Rustic Beige Vase by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 35.6 x D 35.6 x H 21.6 cm Materials: Stoneware with a glazed finish. Colors: Gray. Custom dimensions and glaze finishes are ava...
Stoneware
Postmodern Pink Scavo Glass Decorative Fish Figure, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This fish is made in scavo glass. It is vintage, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent original condition. Mea...
Murano Glass
Large Post-Modern Abstract Glazed Studio Pottery Urn, Vase, Signed
Located in Miami, FL
Large Post-Modern Abstract Glazed Studio Pottery Urn, Vase Offered for sale is a large post-modern studio pottery urn or vase finished in a matte glaze in faint and graded colors of...
Ceramic, Pottery
$2,528 / item
M Ceramic Vase in White Matte by Mathilde Martin
Located in Geneve, CH
M Ceramic Vase by Mathilde Martin One Of A Kind. Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 30 cm. Opening: 14,5 cm. Foot: 6 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Handmade. Dimensions may vary. Please contact us. D...
Ceramic
$800 / item
Kala Pathar Pot by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Kala Pathar Pot by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 18.288 x H 34.29 cm Materials: Stoneware To craft timeless, luxury furniture and objects that celebrates India’s rich artisanal heritage...
Stoneware
Bespoke Italian Post Modern Rose Pink Murano Glass Geometric Couture Table Lamp
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Located in New York, NY
A fun modernist table / desk lamp, a contemporary organic creation entirely hand made in Italy, the geometric shape inspired by a fashion tailored suit design, the waisted middle par...
Brass
$15,007 / item
Gold Luster Oris Large Sculpture by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Luster Oris Large Sculpture by deBlona Dimensions: W 75 x D 20 x H 117-137 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: 24 Kt Gold Luster. A large sculpture crafted from red clay sourced i...
Ceramic
$650Sale Price / set|23% Off
Louis Mendez Ceramic Art Pottery Female Figures, 2
By Louis Mendez
Located in Astoria, NY
Louis Mendez (American, 1929-2012) Two Ceramic Art Pottery Female Figures, comprising: figure with metallic copper glaze and a figure as a candlestick, one signed. Taller: 12" H x ...
Ceramic, Pottery
$324 / item
Beige Kaen Candle by Monics+Vieira
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige Kaen Candle by Monics+Vieira Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 12 cm. Materials: Wax Milan and Dubai based design duo MONICS+VIEIRA presents KAEN: Design Rituals, a new collectible ...
Other
L'Heure Bleue Vase II in Deep Midnight Blue Glazed Ceramic by Gazar Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
L'Heure Bleue Vase II in Deep Midnight Blue Glazed Ceramic by Gazar Studio Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 15 x H 23,5 cm. Materials: Clay with deep burgundy glaze. Dimensions may vary....
Clay
Rough Organic Form, Dark Grey Sculptural Contemporary Vase by Niclas Wolf
Located in Geneve, CH
Geoprimitive 081 Sculptural Vase by Niclas Wolf Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 28 x W 64 x H 58,5 cm. Materials: Ceramic. GEOPRIMITIVE_ is a design series that compares and connects th...
Ceramic
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
$3,546 / item
Tazón Bajo Galeana Bowl by Jorge Diego Etienne
Located in Geneve, CH
Tazón Bajo Galeana bowl by Jorge Diego Etienne Limited Edition of 10 + 1 AP Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 9 cm Material: alabaster Galeana is a collection of 6 objects designed b...
Alabaster
$1,472 / item
Wave Planter by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Planter by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 45.72 x H 41.91 cm Materials: Stoneware To craft timeless, luxury furniture and objects that celebrates India’s rich artisanal heritage. Ou...
Stoneware
White Stoneware Lined, Distressed Form NO.3 by Alexandria Roby
Located in Geneve, CH
White Stoneware Lined, Distressed Form NO.3 by Alexandria Roby Dimensions: D 17.78 x H 10.16 cm Materials: Black and White Stoneware Lined with Bronze Glaze Colors - Sandstone/Ivory...
Stoneware
Glass basket from Bleikristall, Germany
By Bleikristall
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Bleikristall Crystal Basket, Germany This Bleikristall crystal basket from Germany features a striking, vibrant green color, enhanced by its distinctive, deep-cut pattern. The design...
Art Glass
Pair of Transparent Crystal Decanter Bottles by Bleikristall, Germany
By Bleikristall
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Germany, in 1970s. These decanters are made in hand-polished crystal. These are vintage pieces, therefore they might show traces of use ( on one cap there's a slight flaw)...
Crystal
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
$2,760 / item
Damask Heritage Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Damask Heritage Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 26 x H 51 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Black, golden yellow, cerium oxide. The “Damask” vase, crafted in exquisite majolica, featur...
Ceramic
Uovo Bowl Sculptural Centerpiece in Carved White Onyx by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Uovo Bowl Sculptural Centerpiece in Carved White Onyx by Panorammma Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 6,5 cm. Materials: White onyx. Each edition’s patterns and tone will naturally vary. Please ...
Onyx
Orbit Bowl Sculptural Centerpiece in Carved White Onyx by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbit Bowl Sculptural Centerpiece in Carved White Onyx by Panorammma Dimensions: D 15 x W 30 x H 10 cm. Materials: White onyx. Each edition’s patterns and tone will naturally vary. ...
Onyx
Aura Sculpture in Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Aura Sculpture in Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 35 cm. Materials: Bio-based resin. Aura is designed to evoke a sense of tranquility and curiosity, inviting th...
Resin
Lucite blue and gold candle stick , 1970s
Located in Delft, NL
Lucite blue and gold candle stick , 1970s
Lucite
Lotuso Sea Ceramic Decorative Bowl by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Lotuso Sea Ceramic Decorative Bowl by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 31 x W 31 x H 8 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Different marble and ceramic options available. Custom options available on request. Please contact us. Our mission is to encourage people to make their home the best place to be, to get inspired and to receive friends and family. Designed and manufactured by ourselves, we offer lightings to help people creating distinctive living spaces. Enhancing the authenticity of natural and organic materials using associations and contrasts. Extreme quality behind a facade of ultra-minimalism. We find our materials to the source to ensure we give the best value...
Ceramic
Set of 2 1980s Ashtrays & Picture Frame in Cut Glass
By Fontana Arte, Gallotti & Radice
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
Erwin Eisch "Telefon" Glass/Gold Finish Abstract Sculpture, Signed, Dated
By Erwin Eisch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an edition "Telefon" of the well known, German artist Erwin Eisch, known as the father of the spiritual studio glass movement in Europe. Signed, dated 1997 and number 173/880.
Glass, Art Glass
$1,959 / item
La Table Mer Beige Sandstone Vase by Lou Thomas
Located in Geneve, CH
La Table Mer Beige Sandstone Vase by Lou Thomas Dimensions: ⌀ 31 x H 30 cm Materials: Beige sandstone "Drawing on her extensive travels to Japan, Mexico, and Morocco, Lou Thomas is ...
Sandstone
Postmodern Vase Senape by Ettore Sottsass for Marutomi 1997
Located in Kelkheim (Taunus), HE
Object: Vase Manufacturer: Marutomi Designer: Ettore Sottsass (1917–2007) Model: Senape Date: 1997 Period: Postmodern Material: Plastic Origin: Japan Height: 14 cm Diameter: 16.5 cm ...
Plastic
Lagoon' Tears Gradient Medium Amber Glass Vase with Marble Base by Aina Kari
Located in Geneve, CH
Lagoon' Tears Murano Glass Vase by Aina Kari One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 18 x H 30 cm. Materials: Murano glass, marble. Aina Kari After working for different world-renowned brands...
Marble
Art Deco Revival LeGarcon Mannequin by Lindsey Balkweill
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Rare English Art Deco Revival Chrome & Resin LeGarcon Mannequin by Lindsey Balkweill This rare English Art Deco Revival Silver and Red Mannequin was created in the 1970s by ...
Resin
$16,074 / item
Sunrise Wall Piece by Pepe Valenti
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunrise Wall Piece by Pepe Valenti Dimensions: D 7 x W 70 x H 150 cm. Materials: Brass-plated stainless steel. Inspired by the immersive experience of th...
Stainless Steel, Brass
Serenity Sculpture in Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Serenity Sculpture in Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 35 cm. Materials: Bio-based resin. Serenity refers to a quiet presence that invites stillness and reflecti...
Resin
$793Sale Price|40% Off
Three Dimensional "Yom Kippur" Etched Acrylic Block Art by Dekel
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Hand-etched three-dimensional acrylic block art featuring a scene of a Jewish man practicing the ceremony of Kapparah on the holiday of Yom Kippur. The 3...
Acrylic
$24,840Sale Price|40% Off
Abstract "Exit with Light" Artography Credit Card Machine Sculpture by Pasqual B
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Artography Wall Sculpture titled "Exit with Light" Artography Wall Sculpture by Pasqual Bettio. Bio Senior Senator ret. J. Pasqual Bettio F.R.P.S. started his artistic career after g...
Wood
Tecton Vase in Red Alabaster Limited Edition by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980
Located in Geneve, CH
Tecton Vase in Red Alabaster Limited Edition by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980. Limited Edition of 2 Pieces. Dimensions: W 16 x D 16 x H 21 cm. Materials: Alabaster. An extraordin...
Alabaster
Sven Åke Ekberg, Organic Candelabra, Iron, Sweden, 1987
Located in High Point, NC
A black painted organic candelabra designed and produced by Sven Åke Ekberg, Sweden, 1987 Fits 0.80” diameter candles
Iron
Stoneware and Bronze, Distressed Vessel NO.1 by Alexandria Roby
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware and Bronze, Distressed Vessel NO.1 by Alexandria Roby Dimensions: D 17.78 x H 13.97 cm Materials: Black and White Stoneware Lined with Bronze Glaze Colors - Sandstone/Ivory...
Stoneware
Chrome Candle Holder in Recycled Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Chrome Candle Holder in Recycled Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma Dimensions: D 17 x W 17 x H 6,5 cm. Materials: Steel, copper, nickel, and chrome. Suggested for interi...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
Postmodern Pair of Glass Vases by Tamara Aladin for Riihimaen Lasi Oy, Finland
By Tamara Aladin, Riihimäen Lasi Oy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Finland, 1970s. Designed by Tamara Aladin and manufactured by Riihimaen Lasi Oy. Made in plum purple glass. They are rare and highly collecti...
Glass
$2,760 / item
Memories Heritage Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Memories Heritage Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 34 x H 53 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Copper green, purple, antique blue, antiqued finishing. The “Memories” vase, crafted in ex...
Ceramic
Post Modern Black and White Ceramic Vase by Mik Bečka
Located in Weesp, NL
Beautiful black and white post modern signed ceramic vase by Mik Becka. Mik Becka has a series of iconic buildings to his name at the age of 80. H...
Ceramic
$2,435 / item
White Lace Heritage Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
White Lace Heritage Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 34 x H 63 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Cerium oxide on white stone background. The potiche vase presents an essential shape and...
Ceramic
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