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.
Rib 12X Thin Tall Dark Green Cornice Vessel by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Rib 12X Thin Tall Dark Green Cornice Vessel by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 12 x H 40 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels...
Other
Bikuben Money Coin Bank Soholm Ceramics Denmark Anders Anderssen
Located in Den Haag, NL
Soholm Ceramics, Denmark. Bikuben piggy bank annual "Sparemand" from 1980. Anders Andersen. Danish finance minister. Design by Arne Finne. Stoneware. Lim...
Stoneware
Postmodern Sculptural Hand-Made Iridescent Blue Glazed Earthenware Vase, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s - 1970s. It is hand-made in glazed earthenware: fingerprints are still visible on its surface. It features iridescent colors, decorative scratches and irregular...
Earthenware
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
Stunning Double Color White and Pink Etched Murano Glass Vase, Italy, 1980s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This vase is made in etched transparent, white and pink Murano glass. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be consid...
Murano Glass
$771 / item
Bhuva Vessel by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Bhuva Vessel by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 33.02 x H 45.72 cm Materials: Stoneware To craft timeless, luxury furniture and objects that celebrates India’s rich artisanal heritage. Ou...
Stoneware
$1,285 / item
Leda Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Leda Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 33 x H 35 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building techniq...
Stoneware
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
$1,018 / item
Rope Planter by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Rope Planter by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 42.672 x H 76.2 cm Materials: Stoneware To craft timeless, luxury furniture and objects that celebrates India’s rich artisanal heritage. Ou...
Stoneware
$772 / item
Mara Striped Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Mara Striped Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 20.32 x H 25.4 cm Materials: Stoneware Inspired by the wild rhythms of the Mara plains, this sculptural vase features bold hand-painte...
Stoneware
$1,088 / item
Stoneware, Silicone Small Wrinkled by Daniel Elkayam
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware, Silicone Small Wrinkled by Daniel Elkayam Dimensions: D 12 x W 12 x H 14 cm Materials: Stoneware, Silicone. Jerusalem-born Art-designer and Photographer based in Tel-Av...
Stoneware, Silicone
Tall SIGNED French Abstract Ceramic Sculpture in Two Pieces
Located in North Miami, FL
This is a fantastic large scale hand made ceramic sculpture SIGNED to interior top piece (SEE all detail images and video). This ethereal bird-like figure has wonderful coloring and...
Ceramic
Blue Lacquered Ceramic Vase by Lavenia Ascribable to Guido Andlovitz, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This dark blue lacquered ceramic vase ascribable to Guido Andlovitz, produced by Lavenia, Italy, 1970s. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it c...
Ceramic
$210 / item
Lava Stone Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Lava Stone Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: Stone. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fine Italian artisans in 31 ...
Stone
$490 / item
Small Lingara Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Lingara Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 11.684 x H 20.32 cm Materials: Stoneware This stunning piece beautifully blends traditional craftsmanship with modern elegance, makin...
Stoneware
Unique Minimalist Textured Ceramic Vase by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Minimalist Textured Ceramic Vase by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 20.3 x D 20.3 x H 20.3 cm Materials: Stoneware with a glazed finish. Colors:...
Stoneware
Vitrified Lava Stone Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vitrified Lava Stone Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: Stone. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fine Italian artis...
Stone
Coyote Sculpture by Markus Pierson, 1987
Located in Richmond, VA
Vibrant painted wood sculpture of a lounging coyote by artist Markus Pierson. Piece depicts a coyote in a striped suit laying on a teal settee with a beverage in one hand and a phone...
Wood
$5,632 / item
Crust N°2 by RF Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Crust N°2 by RF Studio Dimensions: W 34 x D 34 x H 49 cm Materials: Diverse recycled amazon timber Crust is part of the concept of skin that covers mineral and vegetable organisms a...
Wood
Blackened Bottle Bracket by Henry Wilson, Aluminium & Brass, Australia
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Blackened Bottle Bracket by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 4 x D 7 x H 8 cm Materials: Aluminium, Brass, Black Bronze Bottle Bracket is a solid, hand poured form available in dual or si...
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze
Hand Made Ceramic Yüklü Collection Vase by İpek Afacan
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand Made Ceramic Yüklü Collection Vase by İpek Afacan. Dimensions: W 13 x D 13 x H 22 cm Materials: Hand made ceramic. About: Born in 1995 in Türkiye’s Black Sea region, the artis...
Ceramic
Sibilla Cigar Humidor in Horn, Chromed Brass, Cedar & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Sibilla Cigar Humidor in Horn, Chromed Brass, Cedar & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 24 x W 32 x H 12 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, horn, cedar, and chromed brass. Colours an...
Brass, Other
$303 / item
2 Part Incense Holder by Edie Xu
Located in Geneve, CH
2 Part Incense Holder by Edie Xu Dimensions: W 12 x D 10 x H 8 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Edie Xu, b. in New York and graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 2023. Her work s...
Stoneware
$642 / item
Callisto Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Callisto Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 21 x H 32 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building tec...
Stoneware
Guilloume Perez (1957 - ), "Heart to Heart" Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, CA
Guilloume Perez (1957 - ) is a Columbian-American Artist who currently resides and has his studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This petit abstract sculpture, although small, is quite pow...
Slate, Bronze
$260 / set
1980s Memphis Style Brass Candlesticks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sculptural pair rooted in early 1980s postmodern design. These vintage candlesticks pull from the Memphis Milano playbook, bold geometry, exaggerated scale, and a graphic sense of ...
Brass
$2,033 / item
Elara Vase II in Blown Glass by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Elara Vase II in Blown Glass by Homa. Dimensions: W 22 x D 17 x H 33 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Colour: Orange. The ‘Elara Vase’ embraces contemporary design through its fluid and...
Blown Glass
$2,129 / item
Lumi Candle Holder IV by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumi Candle Holder IV by Homa. Dimensions: W 21 x D 16 x H 20 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Smoke Mirror. Colour: Smoke. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The a...
Glass, Mirror
$1,063 / item
Knight White Vase by Purho
Located in Geneve, CH
Knight white vase by Purho Dimensions: D20 x H30 cm Materials: Glass Other colours and Dimensions are available. Purho is a new protagonist of made in Italy design, a work of s...
Glass
Forest Green Splash Vase by Mana, Recycled Plastic, Post-Modern
Located in Geneve, CH
Forest Green Splash Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 16 x W 12 x H 18.5 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collect...
Plastic
Tall Amber Splash Vase by Mana - Recycled Plastic, Post-Modern Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall Amber Splash Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 16 x W 12 x H 27 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collected a...
Plastic
$175 / item
Tall Transparent Splash Vase by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall Transparent Splash Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 16 x W 12 x H 27 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, colle...
Plastic
Tall Transparent Magma Vase by Mana - Recycled Plastic, Post-Modern
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall Transparent Magma Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 11 x W 11 x H 25 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collec...
Plastic
$175 / item
Large Forest Green Magma Vase by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Forest Green Magma Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 16 x W 14 x H 24.5 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, co...
Plastic
$175 / item
Medium Forest Green Magma Vase by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Forest Green Magma Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 14 x W 11 x H 21 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, col...
Plastic
$175 / item
Medium Transparent Magma Vase by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Transparent Magma Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 14 x W 11 x H 21 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, coll...
Plastic
$1,343 / 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
Large Transparent Magma Vase by Mana - Recycled Plastic, Post-Modern
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Transparet Magma Vase by Mana Dimensions: D 16 x W 14 x H 24.5 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, coll...
Plastic
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
Transparent Finnish glass vase by TAPIO WIRKKALA
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Transparent Finnish Glass Vase by Tapio Wirkkala This Finnish glass vase, designed by Tapio Wirkkala, is a transparent piece with an irregular rectangular shape. Its outer surface fe...
Art Glass
'Sholapur' Sculpture Vase, Michele De Lucchi, Up & Up, Carrara, Italy, 1985
Located in Firenze, IT
'Sholapur' sculpture vase / centerpiece Michele de Lucchi for Up & Up, Carrara Italy, 1985 Postmodern Marble sculpture centerpiece. Composed of several geometric elements resting on a large marble disc, this abstract sculpture is an iconic decorative piece of highest quality and artistic value. Carrara Marble, Portoro Marble, Green Alpi Marble...
Belgian Black Marble, Carrara Marble, Siena Marble
$4,498 / item
Sphere Suar Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor
Located in Geneve, CH
Sphere Suar Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor Dimensions: D 40 x H 36 CM Materials: Suar wood Mary Verspoor, of Indonesian-Dutch descent, is a Bali-based designer and creator. She works cl...
Other
$1,413 / item
Volute Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Volute Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 33 x H 35 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building techn...
Stoneware
White Stoneware Lined, Distressed Form NO.2 by Alexandria Roby
Located in Geneve, CH
White Stoneware Lined, Distressed Form NO.2 by Alexandria Roby Dimensions: D 17.78 x H 10.16 cm Materials: Tan and White Stoneware Lined with Bronze Glaze Colors - Sandstone/Ivory, ...
Stoneware
Totem Sculptures in Acid-treated Ostuni Travertine by Dainelli Studio Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Totem Sculptures in Acid-treated Ostuni Travertine by Dainelli Studio Atelier Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 188 cm Materials: Acid-treated Ostuni Travertine. Sculptures composed of el...
Travertine
$1,544 / item
Ankalia Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Ankalia Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 23 x H 24 cm Materials: Stoneware Part of the winning project “Life in a Box” Deco Days 2025. Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural ...
Stoneware
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
$1,671 / item
Jupiter Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Jupiter Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 31 x H 33 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building tech...
Stoneware
$772 / item
Selene Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Selene Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 34 x H 22 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building techn...
Stoneware
$899 / item
Sospira Di Terra Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Sospira Di Terra Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 30 x H 22 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-buil...
Stoneware
$1,802 / item
Ameline Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Ameline Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 41 x H 28 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building tech...
Stoneware
Forest Green Magma Keyring by Mana, Recycled Plastic, Post-Modern
Located in Geneve, CH
Forest Green Magma Keyring by Mana Dimensions: D 4 x W 4 x H 6 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collected ...
Plastic
$694 / item
Fish Tail Burnt Vase by Daniel Elkayam
Located in Geneve, CH
Fish tail burnt vase by Daniel Elkayam. Edition of 11 pieces. Dimensions: D 10 x W 10 x H 20 cm. Materials: burnt beech wood. Jerusalem-born Art-desi...
Wood
Isa Jewlery Box in Glossy Ebony, 24K Gold-Plated Brass, & Horn by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Isa Jewlery Box in Glossy Ebony, 24K Gold-Plated Brass, & Horn by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 21 x H 8 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, engraved 24K gold-plated brass, and horn. Avail...
Brass, Other
TOWERX16 Architectural Iron Sculpture in Matte Black by Towerland
Located in Geneve, CH
TOWERX16 Architectural Iron Sculpture in Matte Black by Towerland. Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 32 cm. Materials: Iron plate with Matte black brocade finish. The TOWERX1 series compr...
Iron
A Very Unusual Patchwork Collage Ceramic Cheetah
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Very Unusual Patchwork Collage Ceramic Cheetah This charming Cheetah is by La Vie Collage is from the Safari Collection it has a patchwork decoration of jungle animals This rar...
Ceramic
Unique Ocean Flower 005 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Ocean Flower 005 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 20 x D 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Porcelain. About the artist Istanbul based artist, Mina Ka...
Porcelain
Unique Ocean Flower 004 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Ocean Flower 004 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 22 x D 34 x H 34 cm. Materials: Porcelain. About the artist Istanbul based artist, Mina Ka...
Porcelain
Unique Ocean Flower 003 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Ocean Flower 003 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 20 x D 35 x H 34 cm. Materials: Porcelain. About the artist Istanbul based artist, Mina Ka...
Porcelain
$5,141 / item
Coraline Teak Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor
Located in Geneve, CH
Coraline Teak Wood Vase by Mary Verspoor Dimensions: D 42 x W 28 x H 18 CM Materials: Teak wood Mary Verspoor, of Indonesian-Dutch descent, is a Bali-based designer and creator. She...
Other