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.
$3,992 / item
AT-MN 3 Vessel by Cristina Vallejo
Located in Geneve, CH
AT-MN 3 Vessel by Cristina Vallejo Dimensions: W 27 x D 14 x H 25 cm Materials: 100 % Cotton cord and polyester thread. Weight: 0.65 Kg ELSUR is a furniture and product publisher, e...
Cotton
$3,127 / 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
Z Candle Holder in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
An abstract take on the letters X, Y, and Z, this collection of three candle holders is an elegant addition to any living room or dining table. With its organic but monolithic curves...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Resin Decorative Basket No. 2 in Grey Epoxy Resin by Joseph Algieri
Located in Geneve, CH
Resin Decorative Basket No. 2 in Grey Epoxy Resin by Joseph Algieri Dimensions: D 25,4 x W 25,4 x H 40,6 cm. Materials: Epoxy resin.
Epoxy Resin
Construction Vase No. 3 in Ceramic, Metal Wire, Foam & Resin by Joseph Algieri
Located in Geneve, CH
Construction Vase No. 3 in Ceramic, Metal Wire, Foam & Resin by Joseph Algieri Dimensions: D 40,6 x W 45,7 x H 38,1 cm. Materials: Ceramic, metal wire, foam, and epoxy resin.
Metal
$6,254 / item
Fold II Sculpture by Dora Stanczel
Located in Geneve, CH
Fold II Sculpture by Dora Stanczel One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 18 x W 19 x H 59 cm. Materials: Porcelain and beton pedestal. I create bespoke and luxurious porcelain pieces with a ...
Other
Saucer Fruit Bowl in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Saucer Fruit Bowl by Brent Warr is a bold sculptural vessel that merges utility with expressive form. Featuring soft, concentric curves and a deep basin, the piece is hand-shaped...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint
$4,074 / item
Rose Porcelain Sculpture by Stacy Solodkin
Located in Geneve, CH
August Porcelain Sculpture by Stacy Solodkin Dimensions: D 12.70 x W 12.70 x H 60.96 cm Materials: porcelain, clay, fiber Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Stacy is an ab...
Other
Bronze Patinated Pinecone Scent Of Resin Decorative Object by Herma de Wit
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Patinated Pinecone Scent Of Resin Decorative Object by Herma de Wit Limited Edition of 8 + 2 AP pieces. Dimensions: D 10 x W 28 x H 18 cm. Materials: Patinated bronze. Natur...
Bronze
Y Candle Holder in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
An abstract take on the letters X, Y, and Z, this collection of three candle holders is an elegant addition to any living room or dining table. With its organic but monolithic curves...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$1,137 / item
Reversible Watch Tray by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Reversible Watch Tray by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 26 x D 11 x H 3 cm Materials: Bronze A watch tray designed in collaboration with Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Time and Place'. The tray offers two distinct sides - one with a double watch...
Bronze
$28,038 / item
Circle Of Love Bronze Sculpture by Gardeco Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Circle Of Love Bronze Sculpture by Gardeco Objects Limited Edition Of 49 Pieces. Designed by Guy Buseyne. Dimensions: D 79 x W 17 x H 86 cm. Base: D 40 x W 17 x H 2 cm. Materials: Br...
Bronze
Sergio Asti for Vistosi Sixties Collection Luigiona & Lingham Murano Glass Vases
By Vistosi, Sergio Asti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sergio Asti for Vistosi, Sixties collection, Luigiona and Lingham works. Both signed on bottoms and numbered 6 of 33 and 16 of 33 (respectively). Dimensions: 5" height x 10.5" diam...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
$1,811 / item
Large Green Vase by Doa Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Large green vase by Doa Ceramics Dimensions: D30.5 x H30.5 cm Materials: Ceramic. Technique: Hand-crafted. Freeform. Glazed. Also...
Ceramic
$4,430 / item
Untitled No. 53 Vase by Marea Hildebrand
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled No. 53 Vase by Marea Hildebrand Handmade Dimensions: D 39 x W 39 x H 38 cm Materials: Stoneware with slip. Marea Hildebrand (b. 1989) is a Zurich-based ceramic artist with...
Stoneware
$1,563 / item
Wood Sculptures by Touch With Eyes
Located in Geneve, CH
Wood Sculptures by Touch With Eyes Dimensions: W 30 x D 20 x H 50 cm Materials: Wood washed out by the sea, Wax and Oil. Weight: 10 Kg. The sculptures were made of wood washed out...
Wood
$568 / item
Lace White 50 High Pot by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace white high 50 Pot by Mowee Dimensions: Ø55 x H112 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 9 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (Lacquered or...
Stainless Steel, Other
$9,065Sale Price|30% Off
Fasano Torino Luxury Desk Box in 18kt Yellow Gold with Rare Blue Hawk Eye Quartz
By Francesco Fasano
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional desk box designed by Fasano. A beautiful and one-of-a-kind piece, created in Torino Italy by the master esteemed jeweler, Genesio Fasano. This rare luxury desk box was carefully crafted in solid yellow gold of 18 karats and is completely embellished with inlaid of rare blue hawk's eye. Weight: 1,534.83 Grams, (983.53 Dwt). Measurements: 175 mm by 175 mm by 37.5 mm (7.10 x 7.10 x 1.5 inches). Hallmarks: Stamped with the maker's mark, the Italian gold assay mark and signed ".750 *26AL FASANO" Note: This can be used for cigar humidor, letters or just as a decorative desk item...
Multi-gemstone, Gold
$1,682 / item
Petalo Orange Large Vase by Purho
Located in Geneve, CH
Petalo Orange large vase by Purho Dimensions: D20 x H40 cm Materials: Glass Other colours and Dimensions are available. Purho is a new protagonist of made in Italy design , a w...
Glass
$2,250 / item
Mobile Sculpture by Mélissa Mariller
Located in Geneve, CH
Mobile Sculpture by Mélissa Mariller Dimensions: Ø 50 x H 250 cm. Materials: Glass and steel. This mobile is a sculpture composed of a steel centerpiece and 12 glass parts, designed...
Steel
$3,790Sale Price|20% Off
Italy Mid-Century Modern Orange Terracotta Abstract Sculpture F Sartori Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a very interesting piece hand made in terracotta by the Italian artist Franz Sartori. This orange disk is an abstract artwork that was handmade in terracotta in 1972 by the a...
Terracotta
Unique Hand-Painted Screen with Sculptural Brass Frame by Jan Garncarek
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Hand-Painted Screen with Sculptural Brass Frame by Jan Garncarek and Ewelina Makosa Each screen is unique and signed by Jan Garncarek and Ewelina Makosa Full brass frame. Hand painted on both sides of the screen. Dimensions: 180 x 5 x 200 cm Weight:20 kg Hand painted cloth...
Brass
$876 / item
The Journey of an Urn by Davide Ronco
Located in Geneve, CH
The Journey of an Urn by Davide Ronco Unique Piece Dimensions: D 15 x W 16 x H 24.5 cm. Materials: Ceramic (self-foraged clay). A collection of 40 urns made from self-dug high-fire...
Ceramic
Helle Lemon Tint Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu
Located in Geneve, CH
Helle Lemon Tint Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu Dimensions: D 2.25 x W 5 x H 7 cm Materials: Cast Glass Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Bowen Liu founded her award-...
Other
Helle Lavender Green Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu
Located in Geneve, CH
Helle Lavender Green Cast Glass Sculpture by Bowen Liu Dimensions: D 2.25 x W 5 x H 7 cm Materials: Cast Glass Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Bowen Liu founded her aw...
Other
$2,215 / item
Poured Vessel 05 by Joana Kieppe
Located in Geneve, CH
Poured Vessel 05 by Joana Kieppe Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 19 x W 25 x H 25 cm. Materials: Ivory high temperature clay with white and black oxide. Reproduction is entirely manual,...
Clay
$177 / item
Luna Oak Tray by Applicata
Located in Geneve, CH
Luna Oak Tray by Applicata Dimensions: D 28 x W 28 x H 3.7 cm Materials: Oak. Available in oak, smoked oak, and black stained oak finishes. Applicata’s entire collection is based o...
Oak
Curved Dancer Teracotta Blend Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Curved Dancer Teracotta Blend Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 9 x W 26 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay, Terracotta Also available in other colors an...
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
Handled White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Handled White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 16 x W 34 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes fr...
Ceramic, Clay
Ray White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Ray White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 11 x W 35 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 2...
Ceramic, Clay
Ray Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Ray Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 12 x W 35 x x H 50 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 2...
Ceramic, Clay
Lunae Celeste White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Lunae Celeste White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 15 x W 20 x x H 35 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom si...
Ceramic, Clay
Lunae White Raku Clay Vibrant Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Lunae White Raku Clay Vibrant Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 8 x W 27 x x H 35 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom siz...
Ceramic, Clay
Italian post-modern silver colored round vase in stainless steel, 2000s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post-modern silver colored round vase in stainless steel, 2000s Silver colored stainless steel vase with a round base. The profiles follow curved and rounded lines. 2000s. Pr...
Stainless Steel
Acer R2 Candle Holder in Black European Oak by Mokko Amsterdam
Located in Geneve, CH
Acer R2 Candle Holder in Black European Oak by Mokko Amsterdam Dimensions: D 12,5 x W 17 x H 19 cm. Materials: European oak. Available in different material options and dimensions....
Oak
$2,736 / item
Dactyle Suspended Sculpture by STUDIO SOL LECCIA
Located in Geneve, CH
Dactyle Suspended Sculpture by STUDIO SOL LECCIA Materials: Brass, dactyle, nylon thread. Dimensions: L 120 x H 80 cm. This hanging sculpture wa...
Brass
Medium Grey Pidestall Planter by Emilie Stahl Carlsen
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium grey Pidestall planter by Emilie Stahl Carlsen Materials: Metal. Dimensions: D 40 x H 35 cm Available in grey, taupe or black and in 3 sizes: D 15 x H 15, D 40 x H 35, D 40...
Metal
Small Artificial Formations Concrete Vase by Davide Ronco
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Artificial Formations Concrete Vase by Davide Ronco Dimensions: D 30 x H 42 cm. Materials: Concrete. Available in white and black. Please contact us. Concrete, the most wide...
Concrete
Small Stella 3D Printed Vase by Jimena Montemayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Stella 3D Printed Vase by Jimena Montemayor Dimensions: D 23 x H 20 cm. Materials: 3D printed polylactic and aluminum filament. Available in l...
Other
$1,030 / item
Recovered Small Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Recovered Small Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 11 x W 11 x H 28 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 3,5 kg. Finish: Small size, blue and clear. “The history of a glass factory and its...
Glass
Post Modern 1980s Handmade Lacquered Box by Hollis Fingold, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fantastic postmodern Memphis style handmade, hand-painted wood box with distinctive triangular feet with a black and white checkerboard and linear patterns and sculpted wavy handle...
Fabric, Plastic, Wood, Paint
Set Of 2 Chess Sculptures in Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Chess Sculptures in Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 8 + 2AP. Dimensions: D 29 x W 29 x H 171 cm. Materials...
Stainless Steel
$1,160 / item
Shibui 16 Sculpture by WANAS
Located in Geneve, CH
Shibui 16 Sculpture by WANAS Dimensions: D 28 x W 28 x H 36 cm. Materials: Brass, rosewood, teak wood, and wood. The size is customisable on request. Please contact us. Why is it t...
Brass
Wing Wide Wall Piece in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Wing Wide Wall Piece in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 5 + 4AP. Dimensions: D 25 x W 228 x H 122 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless ...
Stainless Steel
Hot Desk 1, Miami by Russell Bamber, Geometric Shaped Desk, Colored Laminate
Located in London, GB
Hot Desk 1 is an eye-catching centre-piece sculptural unit that can be used as a reception desk. Hot Desk 1- Miami teeters on the edge of design, painting and architecture; selecting and employing elements freely and playfully to suggest function and familiarity. It is made to invigorate a space; to bring unexpected joy and dynamism to our lives, bringing a new and exciting twist to the space it occupies. Hot Desk 1 suggests function, and is functional, but its function is also to tease and beguile. The mischievous use of color and surface seduces the viewer into joyful excitement and further blur the boundaries of sculpture and design. Its dimensions are domestic but its forms create a frisson; a frisson that encourages the user to make a decision about their physical journey through a space (much as a kissing gate...
Laminate
Rabbit Sculpture in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Rabbit Sculpture in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 3 + 2AP. Dimensions: D 44 x W 50 x H 71 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless steel....
Stainless Steel
$18,242 / item
V1346 Vessel in Natural Beech Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
V1346 Vessel in Natural Beech Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 75 x W 90 x H 76 cm. Materials: Beech wood. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part of a...
Beech
$6,290 / item
Tray Object 002 by Louise Roe
Located in Geneve, CH
Tray Object 002 by Louise Roe Dimensions: Ø 50 x H 8 cm. Materials: Polished steel. THE ROE STUDIO TRAY OBJECT 002 Our Metal Tray in Chrome exhibits a dis...
Steel
$319 / item
Exclamation Pen by Essesi
Located in Geneve, CH
Exclamation Pen by Essesi Limited Edition Of 50 Pieces Dimensions: D 3,6 x W 3,6 x H 12,2 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Essesi is a growing collection that celebrates each object and i...
Aluminum
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
Pair of Swan Candle Holders in Aluminum by Matthew Hilton for SCP England, 1987
By Matthew Hilton, SCP
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Postmodernist candlestick holders designed by Matthew Hilton in 1983 and manufactured by SCP England in 1987. They ...
Aluminum
$803 / item
Axelise
Located in Teşvikiye, TR
• Each design is shaped at 1200 degrees using the mouth-blowing technique by master artisans from their respective fields, with carefully selected paints, and meticulously cleaned by...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
$1,172 / item
Mirage Contenitore Basso by Studio Intervallo
Located in Geneve, CH
Mirage Contenitore basso by Studio Intervallo Dimensions: D 30 x H 3.2 cm Materials: green Guatemala marble. Available in other stones. The Mirage collection comes from the mon...
Marble
$2,736 / item
Frosted White Frooot Bowl by Maha Alavi Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Frosted White 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
$1,101 / 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
S1090 Decorative Object in Mastix Bush Root Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
S1090 Decorative Object in Mastix Bush Root Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 26 x W 69 x H 23 cm. Materials: Mastix bush root wood. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that fo...
Wood
V21184 Vessel in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
V21184 Vessel in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 24 x W 26,5 x H 24 cm. Materials: Oak wood. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part of a ...
Oak
Grey Stoneware Symposio Bowl by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey Stoneware Symposio Bowl by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 34 x H 10 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes...
Stoneware
21st Century by Marta Laudani e Marco Romanelli Steel Sculpture Artisan
By Marta Laudani, Marco Romanelli
Located in Lecce, IT
RE (king), REGINA (queen), FANTE (jack) Indoor-outdoor sculptures, coat hanger-pocket emptiers, realized with steel elements obtained through laser-cutting and welded round steel ...
Steel
Murano Artistic Glass Bottle by Vincenzo Nason
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Artistic Murano Glass Bottle by Vincenzo Nason Beautiful Murano glass bottle by artist Vincenso Nason, it has a beautiful design where you can see the brush strokes of color that giv...
Art Glass