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.
$1,872 / set
Set of 2 FRAGMENT Red Vases by Donatas Zukauskas
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 FRAGMENT Red Vases by Donatas Zukauskas. Dimensions: Tall: D 7 x W 22 x H 56 cm. Short: D 7 x W 29 X H 37 cm. Materials: Handcrafted mineral composite. This handmade art o...
Other
$1,486 / set
Set of 2 BLOCK White Vases by Donatas Zukauskas
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 BLOCK White Vases by Donatas Zukauskas. Dimensions: Tall: D 8,5 x W 8,5 x H 59 cm. Short: D 8 x W 10,5 X H 51 cm. Materials: Recycled cardboard. A fusion of sturdiness and ...
Other
Murano Tri-Color Sommerso Art Glass Vase, Italy, 1970s
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Murano Tri-Color Sommerso Art Glass Vase, Italy, 1970s Striking Murano art glass vase featuring a dynamic tri-color design in vibrant orange, clear glass with controlled bubbles, an...
Art Glass
Bunny Metallic Silver Decorative Object by Aki Kuroda
Located in Geneve, CH
Bunny Metallic Silver Decorative Object by Aki Kuroda Dimensions: D 22 x W 29 x H 60 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 2 kg. Finish: Glossy. Available in different color options....
Other
"FLASH" Pop-Art Cased Art Glass Vase in White, Blue, Yellow, & Red, 1999
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very fine Pop-Art Post-Modern art glass vase. Decorated with a red ""FLASH"" lamp work script that is surrounded by light blue & yellow accents on a white ground. There are remna...
Art Glass
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in Brown Natural Wax by Monics+Vieira
Located in Geneve, CH
Design Rituals Kaen Candle in Brown 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
Uovo Bowl Sculptural Centerpiece in Carved White Onyx by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Uovo Bowl Sculptural Centerpiece in Carved White Onyx by Panorammma Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 6,5 cm. Materials: White onyx. Each edition’s patterns and tone will naturally vary. Please ...
Onyx
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
$1,392 / item
Selene Box by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Selene Box by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 20 x W 28 x H 6 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn, brass. Rectangular box in horn and wood with lacquered ivory gloss finish. Lid in wood with l...
Brass
Colorwood vase designed by Angelo Mangiarotti for Alpimass 1980ies
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Unique wooden color-wood vase designed by Angelo Mangiarotti, ca. 1981, with creator mark on bottom: „Alpimass“, „A. Mangiarotti“ Exceptionally rare vase from a series that Angelo...
Plywood
Puddle Pendulum in Industrial Obsidian, Resin & Wood by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Puddle Pendulum in Industrial Obsidian, Resin & Wood by Panorammma Dimensions: Ø 47,5 x H 44 cm. Materials: Industrial obsidian, resin, and wood. Each edition’s patterns and tone wi...
Other
Postmodern White, Orange and Brown Murano Glass Vase by Carlo Moretti, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This vase is made in Murano glass. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considered as in perfect original condition and ready t...
Murano Glass
Late 20th Century Vintage Boho Abstract Kinetic Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Unleash a dynamic focal point into your curated space with this captivating Vintage Boho Abstract Kinetic Sculpture. This monumental piece of modern art boasts an intricate compositi...
Metal
Unique Ocean Flower 001 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Ocean Flower 001 Porcelain Sculpture by Mina Ceramics. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 23 x D 38 x H 40 cm. Materials: Porcelain. About the artist Istanbul based artist, Mina Ka...
Porcelain
Black Marquina Marble Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Marquina Marble Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: Black Carrara Marble. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fi...
Marble
Fisherman Hook Candle Holder in Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Fisherman Hook Candle Holder in Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma Dimensions: D 3,8 x W 20 x H 30 cm. Materials: Steel, copper, nickel, and chrome. Custom pieces availab...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
$2,644 / item
Unique Earth Globe Sculpture by Alex de Witte
Located in Geneve, CH
Earth globe sculpture by Alex de Witte Year: 2019 Each one is unique, hand-sculpted by Alex de Witte Materials: ceramics and scoured brass hand painted ceramic, all pieces unique. Frame in massive brass Limited edition of 99 pieces + 5 ap Dimensions: Diameter 42cm A recognizable planet in a world beyond recognition. A fusion of realism and imagination, a meeting of future and past. A dream world that does yet does not exist. A playful reproduction of the many hues and nuances that can be found on this planet. An open world without borders, with infinite endless possibilities. Seeing earth as a beautiful planet, and capturing its beauty in a boundless aesthetic creation is a dream. A naive, but delightful dream. Alex de Witte is fascinated by the universal value of beauty and how to influence that. “It is fascinating to me how people have an overall communal perception of beauty. Like scientific studies...
Blown Glass
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
1970’s turquoise and green Murano Centerpiece Bowl
By Venini
Located in Charleston, SC
Blue speckled with green cased in white with a white base. This works great on the dining table as a centerpiece Kitchen counter, entryway console for your keys. 1980’s, Italy. A 19...
Murano Glass
$3,861 / item
Glass Drop Vase by Alexey Drozhdin
Located in Geneve, CH
Glass drop vase by Alexey Drozhdin Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 30 cm. Materials: glass, oak shape. A young designer and artist Alexey Drozhdin creates extraordinary decorative ...
Glass, Oak
$175 / item
Amber Magma Keyring by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Amber 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 and rec...
Plastic
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
$175 / item
Transparent Splash Vase by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Transparent 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, collecte...
Plastic
Amber Splash Vase by Mana - Recycled Plastic, Post-Modern Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Amber 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, collected and ...
Plastic
Postmodern Round Cyan Murano Glass Bottle by Alfredo Barbini, Italy, 1980s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This bottle is designed by Alfredo Barbini and it is made in Murano glass and etched glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use...
Murano Glass, Glass
Set Of 2 Highway To Heaven Candlesticks by Alina Alamorean
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Highway To Heaven Candlesticks by Alina Alamorean One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 150 cm. Materials: Steel. Born into a family of avant-garde architects in 1968...
Steel, Iron
Cisco Jiménez Hermaphrodite Demon Bronze Sculpture
Located in Mexico City, MX
A rare hermaphrodite demon cast bronze sculpture by Mexican artista Cisco Jiménez. This bronze demon is signed and serialized 3 / 5. This sculpture includes a certificate signed by...
Bronze
$175 / item
Large Amber Magma Vase by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Amber 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, collected...
Plastic
Post-Modern Clear Acrylic Lucite Obelisk Table Top Sculpture
By Charles Hollis Jones, Karl Springer
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Post-Modern clear acrylic Lucite obelisk. The vintage 1970s table-top monument features a curious hole at the top with a metal rod balanced through the center. The base shaft and bas...
Acrylic, Lucite
Unique Desde La Tierra I Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Soledad Christie
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Desde La Tierra I Sculptural Vessel in Ceramic by Soledad Christie. One Of a Kind. Dimensions: W 15 x D 11 x H 29 cm. Materials: Low-temperature, burnished earthenware ceramic...
Ceramic, Earthenware
$257 / item
Transparet Mana Bag by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Transparet Mana Bag by Mana Dimensions: D 26 x W 4.5 x H 32 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collected and...
Plastic
$12,872 / item
Lumen In Umbra Floor Candelabra by Lucile Gracile
Located in Geneve, CH
Lumen In Umbra Floor Candelabra by Lucile Gracile Dimensions: Ø 41 x H 125 Materials: Glazed ceramic. Born in 1988, lives and works in Paris. Ceramic artist using traditional plate...
Ceramic
1980s Triangular Black Splatter Paint Desk Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning postmodern desk clock with dark gray rectangular base, round light gray supports, and dark gray triangular body with white hands. The bold colors were then splattered wit...
Wood
$15,447 / item
Silvestrin Amphora in Jurassic Fossil Stone by NERINEA
Located in Geneve, CH
Silvestrin Amphora in Jurassic Fossil Stone by NERINEA. Dimensions: W 40 x D 60 x H 118 cm. Materials: Natural Stone (Jurassic Fossil Classic). Designed by architect Claudio Silvestr...
Stone
Postmodern White Ceramic Vase by Ambrogio Pozzi with Hand Painted Details, Italy
By Michielotto Top Design, Ambrogio Pozzi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This vase is made in ceramic and features pink, purple, crimson, grey and light blue hand painted parts. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, ...
Ceramic
Stoneware, Silicone Medium Wrinkled by Daniel Elkayam
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware, Silicone Medium Wrinkled by Daniel Elkayam Dimensions: D 14 x W 14 x H 20 cm Materials: Stoneware, Silicone. Jerusalem-born Art-designer and Photographer based in Tel-A...
Stoneware, Silicone
French Champagne Cooler or Planter in Polished Copper Brass and Chrome, 1970s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Elevate your entertaining style with this striking French champagne cooler, crafted from a sophisticated combination of polished copper brass and chrome. With its sleek silhouette ...
Metal
Postmodern Hand Carved and Burnished Stone Egg and Holster Set, Memphis Inspired
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Carefully curated set of semi-precious stone eggs in vibrant pastels with corresponding stone platform bases for display. Set is comprised of 5 eggs and 3 stone bases and one white e...
Quartz, Alabaster, Granite, Marble
$5,454 / item
Camino Wall Candle Holder by Sebastián Angeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Camino Wall Candle Holder by Sebastián Angeles Material: Brass Dimensions: W 18 x D 21 x H 55 cm Also Available: Steel version available. The transcendence of decisionmaking and its...
Brass
Abstract Figure Sculpture in White by Vicki Arthur
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White sculpted clay abstract figure. Signed - Vicki Arthur '99 Additional information Material: Clay Creator: Vicki Arthur Item type: Vintage Dimensions: 10 W x 7 D x 2.5 H in Condi...
Clay
Black and White Polka Dot Glass Cone Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Postmodern milk glass cone vase with black polka dots throughout. Signed by the artist on the bottom. Additional information Material: Milk Glass Style: Post Modern Item type: Vinta...
Milk Glass
Illegibly Signed Postmodern Geometric Magenta Glass Vase, 1998
Located in Astoria, NY
Postmodern Art Glass Vase, 1998, with magenta colored central glass with geometric clear glass design, illegibly signed and dated to base. 24.75" H x 11" W x 7" D. Provenance: From...
Metal
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Composition No.2 in Green by Austin Coudriet
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Composition No.2 in Green by Austin Coudriet. One of a kind. Dimensions: W 71 x D 64 x H 79 cm. Materials: Ceramic (stoneware), underglaze. About Austin C...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$1,416 / item
Recovered History Kopna Large Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Recovered History Kopna Large Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 21 x W 21 x H 30 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 6 kg. Recovered history vase, large size, kopna style, and various co...
Glass
$6,026 / item
I Primera Sculpture by Joel Escalona
Located in Geneve, CH
I Primera sculpture by Joel Escalona. Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 190 cm. Materials: oak wood, metal. Also available in natural o...
Metal
$1,790 / item
Etna Volcano Vase by Paola Paronetto
Located in Geneve, CH
Etna Volcano Vase by Paola Paronetto Dimensions: D 25 x H 57 cm Materials: Paper clay. High base. Also available in different dimensions. Please contact us. In Paola Paronetto's imagination, the Sicilian volcano takes on infinite poses, as many as the shades of its changing nature, sometimes gentle and silent, sometimes superb and a little imperious. The beautiful thing is that there is always room for a flower, or two, or three... Paola Paronetto Paola Paronetto was drawn to the world of ceramics at a very young age, learning clay working techniques from the hands of master ceramists. Her free and inquisitive soul led her to experiment with different materials and expressive techniques, until her encounter with paper clay. The idea of a material that naturally evades the rules fascinates her. In the early 2000s, in her ceramic workshop in Porcia, where she still lives and works today, the "Cartocci" collection was born. Solid objects, yet as light and thin as paper where her complete creative world lies: the affinity with a technique that requires layering and waiting, the search for forms that allow themselves imperfections, her sense for the solidity of colour. Today her art work in paper clay travels the world, freely intertwining with contemporary art and design. They are exhibited in in select showrooms, galleries and museums (or museum shops) in Italy and abroad. They participate in the most important international design events, flirting effortlessly with other worlds. The Ille Arts gallery in New York and the Contemporary Ceramic Centre in London have dedicated a solo exhibition to Paola Paronetto. ADI Design Musem - Compasso d'Oro in Milan hosted her first anthological exhibition in Italy in 2021. Her work and her world of inspirations are collected in the photographic book 'Paola Paronetto. Metafore', presented at the Triennale Milano...
Paper, Clay
Pair of Black & Yellow Glass Handkerchief Vases by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
By Kosta Boda, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of "handkerchief" style vases by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien for Kosta Boda, Sweden, 1980s. Whimsical graffiti style hand-painted pattern on mouth-blown art glass. Marked UHV at bottom.
Art Glass
Steel Easel of Enlightenment Abstract Sculpture by Splady Art Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Steel Easel of Enlightenment Abstract Sculpture by Splady Art Studios Design by Charles Splady Dimensions: W 46 x D 61 x H 190.5 cm. Materials: Steel. Easel of Enlightenment is a fr...
Steel
$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
Sculptural Copper Vase by Bart van Bekhoven, Netherlands, 1980s
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
A striking sculptural vase by Dutch artist Bart van Bekhoven, handcrafted from folded and hammered copper. The dynamic composition combines crisp architectural planes with flowing or...
Stone, Brass, Copper
$3,171 / item
Mandala Totem by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Mandala Totem by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 30.48 x D 30.48 x H 198.12 cm Materials: Engineered wood This totem starts with a single block of high-quality solid wood, chosen for its ...
Wood
Sekichū Unique Floor Candelabra in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Sekichū Unique Floor Candelabra in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 40 x W 30 x H 130 cm. Materials: Basalt stone. Available in different finishes an...
Stone
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
$304 / 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
$9,268 / item
Mindscape 01 XL Travertine Sculpture by Jeroen Broux
Located in Geneve, CH
Mindscape 01 XL Travertine Sculpture by Jeroen Broux Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 30 cm Materials: Travertine Also Available: Black marble This modular sculpture, comprised of six in...
Travertine
$840Sale Price|20% Off
Fulvio Bianconi Figurative Murano decanter by Pauly & Co.
Located in SYDNEY, AU
Fulvio Bianconi designed glass for Pauly & Co. speciically decanters featuring his signature playful style. Records indicate signed figurative decanters (e.g. model A49155) which...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Ears in Purple by Austin Coudriet
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Sculptural Ceramic Ears in Purple by Austin Coudriet. One of a kind. Dimensions: W 33 x D 30 x H 58 cm. Materials: Ceramic (stoneware), underglaze. About Austin Coudriet is ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Rock Vase (Large), Clear Blue and Matte Sorbet by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, CA
Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. * All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Variations in the hues, colour distribution and...
Resin
Cisco Jiménez Hand-Painted Big Ceramic Vase With Green And Black Lines
Located in Mexico City, MX
A big white ceramic vase hand-painted with green and black lines by Mexican artist Cisco Jiménez. The lines on the vase are entangled in a dynamic composition. The vase is signed and...
Ceramic
Postmodern ceramic 'Femme' vase, Baba, Vallauris France ca. 1980s
Located in Firenze, IT
Postmodern white 'Femme' vase Baba, Vallauris France ca. 1980s H 34 cm x Dia. 20 cm Conditions: excellent, no defects
Ceramic