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.
Italian Unique Prototype Vase Veronese in Murano Glass by Cleto Munari, 2002
By Cleto Munari
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Post-modern Unique prototype vase Veronese in Murano glass by Cleto Munari, 2002 Vase mod. Veronese in black Murano glass, unique piece as a prototype of the vase that later...
Murano Glass
$4,457 / item
Earthenware Tamani Sculpture by Munier
Located in Geneve, CH
Earthenware Tamani Sculpture by Munier Dimensions: W 25 x D 25 x H 25 cm. Materials: Earthenware. Weight: 1.5 kg. I specialize in the ancient technique of coil building, a tradition...
Ceramic
Colin Reid glass studio early perfume bottle/vessel 1987.
By Colin Reid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful early perfume bottle in cast glass with red and blue integrated fused and frosted surfaces Pyramid shape and glass stopper . Signed and dated 1987 plus R248 numbers .
Glass
$900Sale Price|40% Off
Clear Crystal Tumb Print Bowl Designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful clear crystel tumb print bowl designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Company. The sticker is missing, but the bowl was probably manufactured by Archimede Seguso and made ...
Blown Glass
Oiva Toikka glass bird sculpture for Nuutajarvi Notsjo "Redstart"
By Nuutajärvi Notsjõ, Oiva Toikka
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful glass work bird, by the well known designer Oiva Toikka title Mountain Redstart , Littala label.
Glass
Post-Modern Teak and Frosted Glass Double Letter Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool and high quality set of post-modern teak and frosted glass double letter trays, circa 1990s. There are two sets of 2 trays available so you could acquire a four height ...
Glass, Teak
'Love Knot' Murano Sculpture by Renato Anatrà, Signed, Italy, 1980's
Located in Doylestown, PA
Elegant 'Love Knot' abstract sculpture by Renato Anatrà, signed, Italy. Representing eternal love, this graceful sculpture is beautifully hand crafted of clear...
Murano Glass
$1,156 / item
Small Selene Box by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Selene Box by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 15 x W 22 x H 4 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn, brass. Rectangular box in dark horn and wood with lacquered black gloss finish. Lid in ...
Brass
Drab Hanger in Gold Stainless Steel, Heat Collection, Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Drab Hanger in Flamed Gold stainless steel, Heat Collection, Zieta Dimensions: D 5 cm x W 46 cm x H 188 cm Material: Stainless steel. About the heat collection: The heat uses hig...
Stainless Steel
Salimbeni Luxe sterling silver, gilt and Malachite picture frame Italy .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful luxury picture frame in malachite and gold wash sterling silver. The picture window measure 3x2 inches. Marked in bottom as shown ,Made in Italy and (star) 391 FI , as Fir...
Sterling Silver
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Style Postmodern Mixed Wood Jewelry Box with Drawer
Located in San Diego, CA
Memphis style Postmodern mixed wood jewelry box with drawer, circa 1998. The box measures 9"W x 9"D x 7.25"H and is made of a variety of hard woods including ash, walnut and maple. T...
Ash, Maple, Walnut
$540Sale Price|20% Off
Montgomery Smith 1983 Figural Whitewater Canoers Covered Vessel
Located in New Windsor, NY
An outstanding hand built terracotta covered vessel by Montgomery Smith, Circa 1983. Signed on the bottom, M. Smith, ' 83. The lid depicts two whitewater canoers clearly concentratin...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Large Vintage Postmodern German Floral Floor Vase from Steuler
By Steuler
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Vintage Postmodern German Floral Floor Vase from Steuler, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Material: ...
Ceramic
Black Stoneware Sfondyli Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Stoneware Sfondyli Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 27 x H 23 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: Black, White, Brown, Red, White ...
Stoneware
$190 / item
Aluminium Brute Handle by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Aluminium Brute Handle by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 3 x D 2 x H 10 cm Materials: Aluminum This versatile handle can be used for cabinetry, sliding doors and sash windows. Each pie...
Aluminum
$2,359 / item
Platinum Luster Viel Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Platinum Luster Viel Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 22 x H 31 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: 24 Kt Gold Luster / Platinum Luster. A sculptural vase crafted from red clay sourced in...
Ceramic
$619 / item
Deficiency 9 Vase by Rezzo Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Deficiency 9 Vase by Rezzo Ceramics Dimensions: W 18 x D 17 x H 26 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Finish: Unglazed. Suitable for dry flowers Esra Misirli Kubilay is a...
Stoneware
whimsical Mini Patinated Brass Postmodern Gift Sculpture Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical brass gift sculpture , nice patina it will make a great gift,
Brass
$18,269 / item
Extra Large High Clay Bathtub by Studio Loho
Located in Geneve, CH
Extra large high clay bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 90 x W 190 x H 53 cm Materials: clay Other colors and raw or smooth exterior available. Available in 4 sizes: W 160 x H 42(large), W 160 x H 53(large high), W 180 x H 42(x-large), W 190 x H 53(x-large high) The baths are entirely made of clay and are available in a wide range of colours or can be produced bespoke. The exterior of the clay can be raw or smooth according to preference, the interior of the baths is finished with a layer of smooth, silky lime plaster for maximum comfort. Due to the production process every piece is unique in size and form. Studio LoHo is a Belgian design office located in Bruges, Belgium. Founded in the autumn of 2017 by Karel Loontiens and Jo Hoeven, the studio focused from the beginning on high-end bespoke interior projects which forms an ideal matrix for product - and material design that is both innovative and durable. In current times there’s no more room for influx of disposable products, it is our studio’s goal to strive for design that will last and will be cherished for multiple generations. The introduction of the first collection “clay series” fully articulated the DNA of the newborn Studio and led to their international breakthrough. The appreciation of materials reflects their unique view on interior design with a strong and recognizable signature. Soon after, the collection was expanded on request by other architects and designers with new sinks...
Clay
$331Sale Price|20% Off
Turquoise Glass Amphora Vase by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland, 1980s
Located in Glasgow, GB
This turquoise cased glass amphora vase by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz for Tarnowiec Glassworks was produced in Poland in the early 1980s and reflects a modern interpretation of classical v...
Art Glass
$929 / item
Vijayam Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Vijayam Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 22.86 x H 34.29 cm Materials: Stoneware Handcrafted with precision by our skilled artisans, the pot's balanced form and subtle texture lend...
Stoneware
Ceramic Centerpiece, Memphis Style (inspired) by Jean Decloquement, France
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a ceramic sculpture or centerpiece designed by French artist Jean Decloquement. The piece features 8 ceramic vases in shapes prominent during the Memphi...
Ceramic
$1,150 / item
Uovo Bowl, Mexican White Onyx
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
This bowl explores balance through weight, surface, and elevation. Carved from solid white onyx, its gently concave form rests on three egg-shaped stone legs, lifting the piece and c...
Onyx, Stone
Tall Cast Iron Candlestick Holders - Set of 2
Located in Fairfield, CA
A pair of tall cast iron candlestick holders in varying heights. Unique curvy design with tripod bases to create a wonderful sculptural display. ...
Iron
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Style Postmodern Mixed Wood Jewelry Box with Drawer
Located in San Diego, CA
Memphis style Postmodern mixed wood jewelry box with drawer, circa 1998. The box measures: 9" W x 9" D x 7.25" H and is made of a variety of hard woods including ash, walnut and mapl...
Ash, Maple, Walnut
Lotuso White Marble Decorative Bowl by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Lotuso White Marble Decorative Bowl by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 31 x W 31 x H 8 cm. Materials: White marble. 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...
Marble
$6,137 / item
Scents of Spring Heritage Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Scents of Spring Heritage Vase by deBlona Dimensions: W 38 x D 25 x H 63 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Deruta blue, copper green, yellow, orange, vanadium, purple, carmine red. T...
Ceramic
Postmodern Blue Glass Candleholder, Vintage Design, 1990s, 8.66" Tall
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Blue Glass Candleholder, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999. Additional information: Materials: Glass Color: Blue Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage...
Glass
Gilt Bronze Mathias Signed Picture Frame for Fondica, circa 1990, France.
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare and beautiful picture frame by Mathias for Fondica, circa 1990, France. Stamped Mathias on the back. Leaves decor gilt bronze, glass. Dimensions: 30 cm H, 26 cm W, 18 cm D. All ...
Bronze
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
1990s Modernist Gilded Bronze and Marble Sculpture by Gaudio
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This stunning vintage sculpture, created in the 1990s, is a beautiful example of abstract expression. The piece is crafted from gilded bronze with a striking green patina on some of ...
Marble, Bronze
$3,277 / item
Grain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Grain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a Kind Dimensions: D 37 cm x H 38 cm Material: Ceramic Finishing: Textured, Unglazed Artist stamp on the bottom Laura Pasquino Incorporatin...
Ceramic
Senzafine Square Medium bowl by designed Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Italy 2000
Located in Milano, IT
Senzafine Square Medium bowl, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Italy, 2000. Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking world of Gaetano Pesce with the exquisite "Senzafine" bowl...
Plastic
Stanley Tigerman White Ceramic "Tigerman City" Coffee Canister
Located in Chicago, IL
Extremely rare 1988 porcelain coffee canister for Swid Powell by winner of the 1933 World's Fair "Beautiful Baby" contest and Chicago Seven architect and iconoclast, Stanley Tigerman.
Porcelain
$2,824 / item
Silver Wave I Vase by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver Wave I Vase by Homa Dimensions: W 24 x D 23 x H 40 cm Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The atelier’s trademar...
Glass
$110Sale Price|33% Off
Orange and Green Art Glass Vase by Mdina c. 1980s
By Mdina, Michael Harris
Located in Glasgow, GB
An evocative example of 1980s art glass, this cylindrical vase was produced by Mdina Glass in Malta under the direction of Michael Harris—a pivotal figure in the development of Briti...
Art Glass
$3,599 / 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 125 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Numerated and signed by the artist. All...
Ceramic
Vintage Pop Art Candleholder by Verner Panton, 1980s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Scandinavian pop-art candleholder for tea lights called 'Lightning Stairs'. It is rather rare and it was designed by Verner Panton in 1973. This example is from the 80s and it was ma...
Steel
Postmodern Pyramid Desk or Table Clock by Makiko Taniguchi, Japan, 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful post-modern black and red triangle desk / table / mantel clock from the 1980s. Designed by Makiko Taniguchi, Japan. Made of metal and plastic...
Metal
XL Vintage Costantini L’Oggetto Grandfather Clock - Memphis Style Italy 1980s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
XL Vintage Costantini l’Oggetto Grandfather Clock - Memphis Style Italy 1980s This rare XL vintage grandfather clock comes from Costantini L'Oggetto and impresses with its contrasti...
Metal
$214 / item
Brass Counter Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Counter Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 6 x D 4 x H 5 cm Materials: Brass Designed for hanging bags and coats under bar counters. Each ...
Brass
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
Post-Modern wrought iron candlesticks, Sweden, 1980s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Post-Modern wrought iron and oak candle holders, Sweden, 70s. Made of hand-worked wrought iron and chrome-plated, and stained oak wood. Of a certain brutalist style mixed with Memphi...
Chrome, Wrought Iron
Postmodern Eternity Calendar by Mette Kiellerup for Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Perpetual Eternity Calendar by Mette Kiellerup for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. This piece has an attribution mark. A...
Metal
Pedro Friedeberg Zebra Bronze Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, MX
A zebra bronze sculpture by Italian-born Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg. The zebra's series is 6 / 10 and has a dark patina finish. It is signed on the leg. The sculpture is mounted...
Bronze
Joel O'Dorisio for Lost Angel Glass Vase, American Studio Art Glass, 2003
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Fused glass vase features complex multilayered colored glass core in dark Bordeau or burgundy red, toffee brown, cream, and deep cobalt blue colors, encased in clear glass in sommer...
Art Glass, Sommerso
Postmodern Box with Slate Lid, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Box with Slate Lid, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Color: Black Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage, Antique or Pre-owne...
Glass
Heide Warlamis Postmodern Memphis Design Large Vase, Vienna Collection, 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and decorative large vase (13.5” tall) from the 1980s, designed by artist and designer Heide Warlamis as part of her renowned Vienna Collection series. The vase reflects ...
Ceramic, Pottery
$19,840Sale Price|20% Off
Yoichi Ohira Murano Art Glass Vase Mosaic Murrine Sporgenti Unique L. Serena
By Yoichi Ohira
Located in Palm Beach, FL
A rare and exquisite example of Yoichi Ohira's finest works, an art glass vase handcrafted on the venetian island of murano. Blown glass canes with mirrune and powder inserts, polish...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$917 / item
Fungus Medium Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Fungus Medium Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 16 x W 17 x H 35 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 3,5 kg. Finish: Medium size, mint and grey, and matte surface. “The mystery of myceli...
Glass
Set of 2 Tray and Letter Opener by Steve McGugan for Royal Copenhagen, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Danish Wave Series Desk Tray and Letter Opener by Steve McGugan for Royal Copenhagen, 1980s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. This piece has an at...
Metal
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Dugena, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Dugena, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Plast...
Plastic
Large Raku Pottery Cat on Lucite Base by Tony Evans
By Tony Evans
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice large raku pottery sitting cat on lucite base by noted artist Tony Evans, circa 1980s. The piece is signed on the base and extremely well crafted; it has wonderful green ...
Pottery, Lucite
Murano Art Glass Spiral Paperweight, Attributed to Lyn Tissot for Venini, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
Refined Murano art glass paperweight attributed to Lyn Tissot for Venini, featuring a suspended turquoise and white spiral ribbon encased within clear glass. The dynamic internal rib...
Art Glass
$524 / item
Hobnail Tile Wall Piece by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Hobnail tile wall piece by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: steel Hand-formed from a sheet of steel, emphasizing the material’s pliable characteristics expre...
Steel
$3,992 / item
Light 33 Porcelain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Light 33 Porcelain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 32 x H 31 cm Material: White porcelain, glaze. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ancient Korea...
Porcelain
Art Deco Black Ceramic Vase by Claude Dumas, Remix Edition, Circa 1980
By Claude Dumas
Located in COLMAR, FR
Art Deco black ceramic vase by French designer Claude Dumas – early 2000s Remix Gallery edition, made from the original mould, sourced in France, in very good vintage condition This...
Clay
$4,254 / item
Gold Luster Small Kósmos Vase by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Luster Small Kósmos Vase by deBlona Dimensions: D 30 x H 44 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: Gold 24Kt luster, matte finish available in various colors. The ‘Kósmos’ vase exude...
Ceramic
$1,930 / 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
Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Bertrand Créac'h, Frace
Located in London, GB
« Éclosion » by Bertrand Créac'h Material: Bronze, brown patina Dimensions: H 13 x 20 x 14 cm Year: 2023 While claiming an analogical relationship with nature, Bertrand Créach’s sc...
Bronze