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.
Modder Inner Peace Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Inner Peace Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 47 x H 27 cm Materials: earthenware, 2023, off white Weight: 5 kg. I case you could use some inner peace, wat...
Gold
Modder In The Moment Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder In The Moment Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 23 x H 17 cm Materials: stoneware 2023, dark orange/brown, gold Weight: 1,5 kg. A loving reminder to be ful...
Gold
$1,572 / item
Specimen Vessel Aluminium Vase by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
Specimen Vessel Aluminium Vase by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition, numbered & signed. Dimensions: W 8 x D 8 x H 22 cm. Materials: Aluminium. Specimen Vessel is assembled without ...
Aluminum
Modder Holding It Together Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Holding It Together Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 37 x H 16 cm Materials: stoneware 2023, dark orange/brown, gold Weight: 3 kg. A loving reminder to ho...
Gold
$3,013 / item
Modder Growth Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Growth Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 54 x H 30 cm Materials: earthenware 2023, off white Weight: 7 kg. The best way to take good care of yourself is to...
Clay, Earthenware
Modder Grounding Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Grounding Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 17 cm Materials: stoneware piece, black, coil-built, unglazed, year 2025 Weight: 1.8 kg. A loving remind...
Clay, Stoneware
Modder Emotional Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Emotional Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 45 x H 20 cm Materials: earthenware, 2022, off white Weight: 4 kg. Being emotional makes you a feeling person, ...
Clay, Earthenware
Hidden Secret Two-Piece Decorative Object in Glazed Ceramic by BERTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Hidden Secret Two-Piece Decorative Object in Glazed Ceramic by BERTO Unique Piece Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 48 cm. Materials: Glazed ceramics. At MUT Design, for over a decade, I ...
Ceramic
Tea 1750 Collection Surf Board Replica by AMBER x IÑIGO CALLEJA
Located in Geneve, CH
Tea 1750 Collection Surf Board Replica by AMBER x IÑIGO CALLEJA Dimensions: W 180 x D 50 x H 10 cm. Materials: Old Beams and nails, epoxy case. Polished thoroughly. Iñigo Calleja i...
Epoxy Resin
$1,310 / item
Modder Care Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Care Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: W 29 x 33 cm Materials: earthenware, coilbuilt, unglazed dish, off white, Amsterdam, 2021 Weight: 5.5 kg. You care, so...
Gold
Modder Breaking Patterns Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Breaking Patterns Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: W 32 x 30 cm Materials: earthenware, 2023, off white, gold Weight: 4 kg. A Modder with two shapes instead...
Gold
$1,310 / item
Modder Beauty Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Beauty Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: W 16 x 27 cm Materials: stoneware, 2022, black, gold Weight: 3 kg. Modder Beauty stands for the greatest beauty in l...
Clay
Modder Allowing Herself Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Allowing Herself Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: W 19 x 10 cm Materials: stoneware piece, black, coil-built, unglazed, year 2025 Weight: 0.9 kg. A loving r...
Clay
Handmade Abstract Sculptural White Ceramic Large Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Abstract Sculptural White Ceramic Large Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: H 38.1 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio foun...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Abstract Sculptural White Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Abstract Sculptural White Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: H 30.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio fou...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Postmodern Beige Earthenware Pitcher / Vase by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. It was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by Bitossi. Bitossi was founded in 1921 in Montelupo, a city near Florence, and it is one of the most known Italian ...
Earthenware
$2,800Sale Price|35% Off
Stanley Landsman Infinity Mirror Sculpture with Gilt Bronze Base
Located in Astoria, NY
Stanley Landsman (American, 1930-1984) Infinity Mirror Sculpture, circular glass mounted on gilt bronze base. 15.25" H x 12.25" W x 3" D. Provenance: From the Estate of American Fa...
Bronze
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 13 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 13 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 13 x H 29 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: ...
Bronze
Architettura Domestica Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Architettura Domestica Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Limited Edition Of 10 Pieces. Dimensions: D 18 x W 41 x H 65 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. A jewel ...
Aluminum
Alessandro Mendini Murano glass bowl/centerpiece for Venini . Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great post modern bowl in bright red color , by the well known artist / designer Alessandro Mendini .signed Venini 94.
Glass
Large Gravity Bowl in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Large dium Gravity Bowl in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 15 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: Patinated c...
Bronze
$2,751 / item
Frosted Beige Frooot Bowl by Maha Alavi Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Frosted Beige Frooot Bowl by Maha Alavi Studio Dimensions: D 30 x H 33 cm Materials: Resin. Maha Alavi is a Tokyo-based Canadian industrial designer...
Resin
$2,380Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Modern Marquis Collection Of Beverly Hill Tessellated Stone Sculpture
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in Stafford, TX
Beautiful sculpture of 2 lovers made of tessellated stone! Great overall condition as seen!
Stone
Hank Murta Adams cast glass and wire abstract sculpture " Cake" signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful sample of the work " Cake" from the well known artist Hank M Adams , this work is signed and dated 1998. Cast Glass and wire.
Art Glass
Murano Beige Handblown Flower 5.5"
By Murano 5
Located in Pasadena, TX
This flower is handblown. It was crafted in Murano, Italy. It is a beige color with brownish accents on the the petals. Makes for a great gift.
Art Glass
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in White Natural Wax by Monics+Vieira
Located in Geneve, CH
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in White Natural Wax by Monics+Vieira. Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 12 cm. Materials: Natural wax blend, Cotton wick, Premium fragrance oils. Free from para...
Other
Medium Gravity Bowl in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Gravity Bowl in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 12 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: Patinated cast ...
Bronze
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 23 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 23 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 10 x W 19 x H 15 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Mate...
Bronze
Handmade Abstract Sculptural White Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Abstract Sculptural White Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: H 30.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio fou...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Abstract Sculptural White Ceramic Large Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Abstract Sculptural White Ceramic Large Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: H 38.1 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio foun...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Metal Heart Candleholder in Patinated Solid Brass by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Metal Heart Candleholder in Patinated Solid Brass by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 3,5-4 x H 5-6 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: Solid ...
Brass
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 29 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 29 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: D 8 x W 18 x H 36 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Mater...
Bronze
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 37 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 37 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 12 x H 30 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: ...
Bronze
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Composition No.1 in Blue by Austin Coudriet
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Composition No.1 in Blue by Austin Coudriet. One of a kind. Dimensions: W 53 x D 46 x H 58 cm. Materials: Ceramic (stoneware), underglaze. About Austin Co...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Vintage Venetian Murano Bright Orange Italian Art Glass Covered Bowl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage venetian murano bright orange Italian hand blown Art glass covered bowl. Hand blown art glass candy dish shade in orange, red, and clear color....
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Postmodern Pair of Glass Vases by Tamara Aladin for Riihimaen Lasi Oy, Finland
By Riihimäen Lasi Oy, Tamara Aladin
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
Stainless Steel Set (3) of Post Modern Candelabras Large Floor Circa 1990s
By Alessi, Maria Pergay, Andrea Branzi, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Unique set of 3 modern architectural floor candlesticks executed in matte stainless steel with a refined minimalist aesthetic and strong sculptural presence. Purchased in Italy, the ...
Stainless Steel
Black Nun Ritual Font, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Nun Ritual Font, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch Dimensions: W 32 x D 32 x H 110 cm. Materials: MDF, PETG, stainless steel, Dark Matter. Weight: 21 kg. Thi...
Stainless Steel
A Mad Man Sculptural Statue in Stainless Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
A Mad Man Sculptural Statue in Stainless Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio Dimensions: D 40 x W 50 x H 160 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Rage_ A_Mad_Man_ is the first sculptural proj...
Stainless Steel
Laura De Santillana Murano motted red glass vase etched Tropical Fruit signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and elegant dark red motted Murano glass vase in the style of Tropical "Papaya" fruit , signed and label
Glass
$12,317 / item
Incarnato 1 Sculpture by Camille De Prêtre
Located in Geneve, CH
Incarnato 1 Sculpture by Camille De Prêtre Dimensions: W 24 x D 24 x H 138 cm. Materials: Burned pine. About Camille De Prêtre is a Belgian artist and furniture designer based betw...
Wood
Post Modern Curved Lucite Table Sculpture Van Teal Style
By Van Teal
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
This is a post-modern lucite table sculpture in the style of Van Teal. The entire piece is crafted from lucite, including the base and the arms that extend from the top. The sculptur...
Lucite
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
Transparent and Murano Glass Pitcher Vase by La Murrina with Gold Leaf, Italy
By La Murrina
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This pitcher vase is made in transparent Murano glass and features gold leaf flakes. It is slightly ribbed. This is a vintage item, therefore it might show sl...
Gold Leaf
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
Silver Plated Metal Candleholder by M. De Lucchi for Produzione Privata, 90s
By Produzione Privata, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Varese, Lombardia
A rare candle stick design by Michele de Lucchi in the 1996 and produced in a limited edition by Produzione Privata (3/30). This version is called "candeliere 4" and it's made of sil...
Silver, Brass
David Erevantzi ( 1940-Armenia ) : "Maternity", Original Sculpture C. 1980-85
By David Erevantzi
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
David Erevantzi (1940-): "Maternity" Original bronze sculpture with a bronze patina representing a mother and her child on a stone base from Yerevan (Armenia) Signed: "David Erevan...
Stone, Bronze
$1,048 / item
Matte Black Ceramic Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Matte Black Ceramic Candle Holder by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: W 24 x H 20 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artist A...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$1,846 / item
Fide Bottle by Paola Paronetto
Located in Geneve, CH
Fide Bottle by Paola Paronetto Dimensions: D 20 x H 60 cm Materials: Paper clay. Also available in different dimensions. Please contact us. The world of reference is the consolidat...
Paper, Clay
$1,310 / item
Medium Candle Holder Sculpture by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Candle Holder Sculpture by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 22.8 x H 30.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artist ...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Abstract Home Decor Black Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Abstract Home Decor Black Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: H 25.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Coiled Ceramic Vase III by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Coiled Ceramic Vase III by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 12.2 x H 25.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artis...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Coiled Ceramic Vase II by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Coiled Ceramic Vase II by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Available on request Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by arti...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Textured Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Textured Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: W 24,3 x H 20,3 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artist ...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Wabi Sabi Sculptural Textured Black Small Stoneware Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Wabi Sabi Sculptural Textured Black Small Stoneware Vase by Maku Ceramic Unique piece Dimensions: Ø 25.4 x H 15.2 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Ceramic Flower Shape Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Ceramic Flower Shape Vase by Maku Ceramic Unique piece Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 31.7 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio foun...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Scandi Decor Natural Color Ceramic Cat Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Scandi Decor Natural Color Ceramic Cat Vase by Maku Ceramic Unique piece Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 19 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ce...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Sculptural Scandinavian Design Black Large Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Sculptural Scandinavian Design Black Large Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 17.7 x H 30.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Handmade Sculptural Scandinavian Design Black Small Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Sculptural Scandinavian Design Black Small Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 15.2 x H 25 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based c...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Textured Handmade Ceramic Hygge Decorative Bowl by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Textured Handmade Ceramic Hygge Decorative Bowl by Maku Ceramic Unique piece Dimensions: Ø 25.4 x H 20.3 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay “Unity Vase” – Handmade Sculptural Ce...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware