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.
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
$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
$2,946 / 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
$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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
$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
$353Sale Price|33% Off
Postmodern Blue Glass and Metal Ice Bucket in the Style of Mauro Manetti, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, circa 1970s. A highly decorative royal blue glass and metal plated ice bucket or wine cooler or bowl in the manner of Mauro Manetti. It might show slight traces of us...
Metal
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
Set of Large White Burnt Vase and Large Burnt Vase by Daniel Elkayam
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of large white burnt vase and large burnt vase by Daniel Elkayam Dimensions: D 12 x W 12 x H 30 cm Materials: Beech Wood Daniel Elkayam — Designer Jerusalem-born Art-designer a...
Beech
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
Corsi Spaghetti Vase (Large), Clear Pink and Matte Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Spaghetti' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Pink and Matte Yellow. *All the pieces are handmade therefore uniqu...
Resin
Spaghetti Special Vase (Large), Clear Blue and Matte Lime by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
"Spaghetti" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. colour: Clear Blue and Matte Lime. *All the pieces are handmade therefore unique and th...
Resin
Twins C Vase (Large), Matte Pastel Pink and Coral Red by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Twins C' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Matte Pastel Pink and Coral Red. *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique...
Resin
Amazonia Vase Extra Colour (Large), Dark Salmon, Pink, Bronze, Red, Aubergine
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Amazonia" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Dark Salmon, Pink, Bronze, Red, Aubergine *All the pieces are hand-made and theref...
Resin
Ted Arnold High Society Solid Fake Gold Cast Fast Food Emporium Slice of Pizza
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Ted Arnold High Society solid fake gold cast fast food emporium says the original carton box. According to the same box the series contained th...
Metal
Postmodern Style Pair of Murano Glass Bulls with Checkered Pattern
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Eye-catching pair of bulls in fighting position. They are made of Murano glass and carry a checkered black and white pattern. This pair of bulls has different dimensions: the small ...
Murano Glass
$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
Meritalia Candelabre / Blue by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
"The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizio...
Steel
$5,033 / 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
$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
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
$3,112 / 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
John Miller Blue Plate Special Curly Fries 2008 Blown Pop Art Glass Sculptures
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
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
$1,202 / set
Set Of 2 Vivid Spiral Wall Art by WANAS
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Vivid Spiral Wall Art by WANAS Dimensions: D 3 x W 46 x H 46 cm. Materials: Paper. The size is customisable on request. Please contact us. It’s an invitation to explore, f...
Paper
Pawn Sculpture in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Pawn Sculpture in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 5 + 2AP. Dimensions: D 60 x W 60 x H 198 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless steel. ...
Stainless Steel
Meritalia Tall Vase / Blue and Red 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
Ugo La Pietra, "La Bagnante" Sculpture 25/29, Superego Editions, Italy, 1990
By Ugo La Pietra, Superego Editions
Located in Firenze, IT
“Bagnante” postmodern sculpture Ugo La Pietra, Superego editions Italy, 1990 Large ceramic female bust modelled by casting. Polychrome craque...
Ceramic
Motionless Light Double Candelabrum in Brass Resin by Atelier Ellery
Located in Geneve, CH
Motionless Light Double Candelabrum in Brass Resin by Atelier Ellery Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 12 x W 35 x H 42 cm. Materials: Brass resin. Available in different f...
Brass
Flight, On Base Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage
Located in Geneve, CH
Flight, On Base Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage Unique Piece Dimensions: D 30 x W 32 x H 49 cm. Materials: Fibre-cement and burnished plaster. Shapes for Spa...
Cement, Other
Signal-Tall, On Base Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage
Located in Geneve, CH
Signal-Tall, On Base Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage Unique Piece Dimensions: D 19 x W 23 x H 45 cm. Materials: Fibre-cement and burnished plaster. Shapes fo...
Cement, Other
Grow-Tall, On Base Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage
Located in Geneve, CH
Grow-Tall, On Base Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage Unique Piece Dimensions: D 24 x W 24 x H 41 cm. Materials: Fibre-cement and burnished plaster. Shapes for ...
Cement, Other
Grow Hand-Crafted Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage
Located in Geneve, CH
Grow Hand-Crafted Sculpture in Fibre Cement & Plaster by Rachael Heritage Unique Piece Dimensions: D 22 x W 23 x H 32 cm Materials: Fibre-cement and burnished plaster. Each piece is...
Cement, Other
Meritalia Candelabre / Orange by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizion...
Steel
Homage to Newton Figurative Sculptures by Salvador Dalí 1981
Located in Madrid, ES
This sculpture, Homage to Newton, was cast by the Perseo Foundry in Mendrisio, Switzerland, using the lost-wax casting method from a mold made from Salvador Dalí's original work, cre...
Bronze
Unique Tara 01 Vessel - Contemporary Sculpted in Black Wood by Megarisiotis
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Tara 01 Vessel - Contemporary Sculpted in Black Wood by Megarisiotis Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 24 cm. Materials: Turned, brushed, and burned pine. The Kamandalu is considered a sy...
Pine
Postmodern Bust of a Seductive Josephine Baker with Eccentric Decoration
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This black bust most probably depicts Josephine Baker, the great French American-born performer. This woman seems to have just stepped out of the Folies Be...
Resin
$1,909 / item
Perspectiva Space Divider by Colección Estudio
Located in Geneve, CH
Perspectiva space divider by Colección Estudio Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 163 cm Materials: oak wood, grey wool felt Also available in ebonized o...
Felt, Oak
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
Postmodern Black Ceramic Ibex Sculpture by Haeger
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your decor with the Haeger Ibex Ceramic Sculpture. Crafted in deep black ceramic, this piece captures the majesty of the Ibex with a contemporary twist. Haeger's meticulous c...
Ceramic
George J. Sowden, Bitossi Ceramiche Handmade Limited Edition Clay Triangle Vase
By Bitossi, George Sowden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
George J. Sowden, Bitossi Ceramiche Handmade Limited Edition Clay Triangle Vase. Numbered 057/299. George J. Sowden is a designer with experience in ...
Ceramic
$33,713 / item
Stainless Steel and Horse Hair Totem by Studio Lugo
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel and Horse Hair Totem by Studio Lugo Dimensions: W 94.5 x D 35 x H 220-400 cm Materials: Roupala Tree/Brazilian Lacewood Veneer, Stainless Steel, Horse Hair. Finishing...
Stainless Steel
Stoneware Clay, Ceramic Tides of Serenity Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Clay, Ceramic Tides of Serenity Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska Dimensions: W 43 x D 20 x H 14 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Unglazed ceramic sulface. Weight: 2,6 kg....
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$1,426 / item
Seaweed 02 Sculpture by Eglė Šimkus
Located in Geneve, CH
Seaweed 02 Sculpture by Eglė Šimkus Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 36 x H 37 cm. Materials: Clay. My name is Eglė Šimkus, and I was born in Lithuania in 1990...
Clay
$2,295 / item
Small Sukhasana II Bowl by Marcela Cure
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Sukhasana II bowl by Marcela Cure Dimensions: W 22.5 x D 30 x H 12.5 cm Materials: Resin and Stone Composite Our Sukhasana II is our bowl version of our Sukhasana sculptur...
Stone
Cognac Leather and Steel Maggiz Magazine Rack by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Cognac leather and steel Maggiz magazine rack by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 24 x W 47 x H 43 cm Materials: Steel, Leather Also Available: Different leather and frame colors available...
Steel
Post-modern cast aluminium vase by Pascal Mourgue, signed
Located in London, GB
Brutalist cast aluminium vessel by the late French designer Pascal Mourgue (1943–2014). Featuring Mourgue’s signature blend of raw texture, modern geometry, and sculptural presence, ...
Aluminum
$4,668 / item
Sculpture The root by Touch With Eyes
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture The root by Touch With Eyes Dimensions: W 50 x D 50 x H 50 cm Materials: Wood, Oil and Wax. Weight: 30 Kg. The sculpture was made of root washed out by the sea. The wood...
Wood
$1,167 / item
Door Handle by Atelier Thomas Serruys
Located in Geneve, CH
Door handle by Atelier Thomas Serruys. Dimensions: D 4 x H 5.3 cm Materials: Brass. Solid brass door handle, hand-turned with square peg. Perfec...
Brass
Monumental Afzelia wood sculpture by Begga d’Haese, Belgium, c. 1985
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
This powerful vertical work embodies the sculptural language of Begga d'Haese, whose practice is defined by restrained abstraction, material integrity, and a strong spatial presence....
Stone
$40,196 / item
Rainbow Sculpture by Christian Friedl
Located in Geneve, CH
Rainbow Sculpture by Christian Friedl Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 50 x H 82 cm. Materials: Steel, rock crystal. Rainbow tells his story... My rainbo...
Rock Crystal, Steel