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.
Studio Art Pottery Vase, Green, Brown, Tan, Hand-crafted, Postmodern
Located in New York, NY
Postmodern studio art pottery vessel/ vase. The glazed areas of green contrast beautifully with the unglazed tan clay. This is a striking piece that looks wonderful as part of a grou...
Clay
Rare Lucite Table Sculpture in the Style of Vasa Mihich
Located in San Diego, CA
Simple table sculpture, solid 4.25" x 3.5" x 18.75" from thick to thin Lucite, in the style of Vasa Mihich, circa 1980s. A geometric translucent sculpture made of Lucite with a taper...
Lucite
Meritalia Candelabre / Black by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizion...
Steel
1980s Postmodern Mirror Wall Clock by Jon Gilmore for Accessory Art Studios
By Jon Gilmore 1
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful mirrored wall clock designed by Jon Gilmore for Accessory Art Studios, likely in the 1980s. With a black laminate covered wood case, a round recessed mirrored face, blac...
Mirror, Lucite, Wood
$254Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Calacatta Marble Pedestal Vase Made in Italy Around 1980s
Located in Rümmingen, BW
"shipping note: If your region or country is not listed under the shipping options please contact us directly" Striking Italian pedestal vase sculpted from Calacatta marble, dating ...
Ceramic, Clay
Onion Fruit Bowl, Designed by Nathalie du Pasquier in 1985 for Memphis Milano
Located in Beirut, LB
ONION fruit bowl, Designed by Nathalie du Pasquier in 1985 for the collection Memphis Milano, in Ceramic. The product is purchased with guarantee stamp. Printed on bottom: Memphis Mi...
Ceramic
Large Ceramic and Glass Vial Vase
Located in Fairfield, CA
A large sculptural vintage vase. Features a glass vial in the center of a glossy black ceramic holder. Perfect for displaying floral arrangements or using as a propagation vase.
Ceramic, Glass
Set of 5 Postmodern Flash One Series Bowl Set by Dorothy Hafner, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern set of bowls from the series flash one by rosenthal after a design by the artist dorothy hafner from 1982. the bowls are in very good condition without defects. Only one b...
Porcelain
Meritalia Papavero Vase / Black and Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Meritalia Big Surprise 1, Large/ Blue, Green and Clear by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Candle Holder, Hand-Crafted Recycled Metal & Steel, Sculptural, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Chrome Candle Holder is the first in a series exploring the potential of upcycled electroplating rods—industrial remnants transformed into sculptural artifacts. These rods, used ...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
David Garcia, Postmodern American Studio Art Glass Sculpture, 1991
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-crafted art glass sculpture features triangular form with multiple layers of brightly colored, applied fused glass elements on clear glass base. Predominantly green and...
Glass, Art Glass
Steven Lundberg Studios Art Glass Perfume Bottle Vintage 1980s Seaweed Sea Floor
By Steven Lundberg
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Beautiful piece of art glass, in bottle and stopper form, signed by Steven Lundberg. Made in the 1980s showing a sea floor scene possibly. Wonderful colors.
Art Glass
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
Vintage Italian Murano Art Glass Ashtrays Venetian Sculpture of Gondolas
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Murano Blown Glass Gondola Ashtrays. Gorgeous vintage Murano Venetian hand-blown art glass sculpture of gondola boats one red, one green. A very beautiful...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Pair of Memphis THUN Czech Porcelain Checkerboard Tea Light Candle Lamps
Located in Toronto, CA
This striking pair of Post-Modern candle lamps was crafted by **THUN 1794**, the renowned Czech porcelain manufacturer celebrated for more than two centuries of exceptional porcelain...
Porcelain
An art glass apple sculpture, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A gorgeous art glass sculpture or paperweight depicting an apple, Italy 20th century. Tones of aqua and amber double walled color, and leaf infused with gold dust.
Art Glass
Pair of Sculptural Brass and Black Ring Candle Holders, Postmodern, 1980s
Located in Toronto, CA
Strikingly architectural and refined, this pair of Postmodern candleholders exemplifies the sculptural sophistication of 1980s European design. Each piece features a bold black circu...
Metal, Brass
Ritratto Blue Wall Hanging Flower Vase Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Marutomi, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"Ritratto" flower vase for the wall designed by Alessandro Mendini for Marutomi. Designed in the late 90s and start production in 2000. No longer production. New old stock in box. W...
Plastic
Large Postmodern Danish Metal Bowl from Menu, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Postmodern Danish Metal Bowl from Menu, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer records, or...
Metal
Postmodern Memphis Style Glass Bowl from Montana, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Memphis Style Glass Bowl from Montana, 1980s
Glass, Plastic
$428Sale Price|37% Off
1980s Postmodern Cased Glass Amphora Vase by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz, Poland
Located in Glasgow, GB
A bold and sculptural cased glass vase designed by Jerzy Słuczan-Orkusz and produced by Tarnowiec Glassworks, Poland, during the 1980s. This piece reflects a distinctly postmodern re...
Art Glass
$282 / item
Leyki Vase 22 by Zieta
By Zieta
Located in Geneve, CH
Leyki Vase 22 by Zieta Dimensions: D 13 x W 11 x H 22 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. Multifunctional subtlety Leyki is a functional object with an architectural twist. It ...
Stainless Steel
Large Postmodern German Studio Pottery Vase from Ernst Loesche, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large Postmodern German Studio Pottery Vase from Ernst Loesche, 1980s
Ceramic
Monumental Carved Wood Abstract Bird Sculpture, American Studio Craft 1980s
Located in Troy, MI
Large architectural hand carved wooden bird sculpture in solid oak USA circa 1980s Contrasting geometric and organic elements of angular faceted planes and chiseled textural detail...
Wood
Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini Italian Silver-Plated "Musk" Sculpture 1970s
By Gio Ponti, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian sculpture ‘Cuckolded Mask” in silver-plated metal designed by Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini with the manufacturer’s mark engraved, Italy 1970s Please note that the item...
Silver Plate
Ceramic vase Memphis by Ettore Sottsass red star-shaped color, Milan, late 1980.
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Milan, IT
Memphis Milano painted ceramic vase, “HSING”by Ettore Sottsass, red star-shaped color. Alessio Sarri ceramiche. Memphis Group, an Italian design and architecture collective founded b...
Ceramic
Alessandro Mandruzzato Artistic Glass Jarron
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Art Glass Vase by Alessandro Mandruzzato This art glass vase, attributed to Alessandro Mandruzzato, features a faceted geometric design with a shape resembling an irregular octahedro...
Art Glass
Vasa Velizar Mihich Acrylic Sphere Sculpture, Post-Modern Design, 1989
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Signed and dated spherical acrylic sculpture by Vasa Mihich, circa 1990. The 5 1/2" diameter piece displays evolving optical effects from the blue, green, and orange acrylics when ro...
Acrylic
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Fuji Clos China Glazed Ceramic Pottery Japan Postmodern Vase
By Fuji Meibo
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful ceramic vase in gloss black finish with gold and coastal shell motif, circa 1980s made by Fuji Japan.
Porcelain
Vegas Crystal T-Light Holder, Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal
Located in Geneve, CH
Vegas crystal T-light holder, hand-sculpted contemporary crystal. Decorative vase Hand-sculpted in crystal Measures: W 8, H 29, D 8 cm. The Vegas cr...
Crystal
Push Me Pull You Crawl Glaze Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Push Me Pull You Crawl Glaze Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 10 x W 37 x x H 45 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and ...
Ceramic, Clay
Extra Large Vintage 80s Modern Embossed Pink Vase
Located in Fairfield, CA
An extra large vintage 80s modern ceramic vase. Nice tapered oval shape with an embossed design on each side. Glossy pink glaze. A sculptural postmodern acc...
Ceramic
Versace & Archimede Seguso Murano Blown Glass Footed Vase
By Gianni Versace, Archimede Seguso
Located in Downingtown, PA
Couture Glass: Gianni Versace by Archimede Seguso Murano Vase, circa 1990 A superb example of late-20th-century design collaboration, this Murano blown glass footed vase embodies th...
Blown Glass
1980s Wakita Spring Table Clock
By Wakita, Shohei Mihara
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A striking postmodern table clock by Wakita featuring a sculptural white coiled spring base supporting a minimalist white face. The clean circular dial displays simple gray dot hour ...
Metal
Postmodern German Studio Pottery Vase from Till Sudeck, 1980s
By Till Sudeck
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern German Studio Pottery Vase from Till Sudeck, 1960s
Ceramic
$51,746 / item
Brummit Fir Christmas Tree Sculpture by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Brummit Fir Christmas Tree Sculpture by The Peak Antler Dimensions: W 132.08 x D 132.08 x H 396.24 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers Based in, produced and shipped from the US. ...
Antler
Postmodern Curtis Jere Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Unique Curtis Jere sculpture of a kissing couple. Black steel sculpture with whimsical sleek lines casting great shadows throughout the day. Matte black finish topped of with gold ba...
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
$329Sale 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
Modernist Copper Enamel Tray with Abstract Decor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Graphic Modernist rectangular tray or catch-all dish in enameled copper features colorful abstract decor in teal and copper colors with red and green accents. The underside of the t...
Metal, Copper, Enamel
$420Sale Price / set|35% Off
Candle holder Murano gold glass set , Italy
By Seguso
Located in La xara, VC
Superb set of Candle holder murano in gold finish , this hand made . rare to find two size ! 21 and 23 cm
Murano Glass
$41,502 / item
Aceleración Screen by Joel Escalona
Located in Geneve, CH
Aceleración screen by Joel Escalona Limited edition of 9 Dimensions: D 230 x W 40 x H 187 cm Materials: oak wood. Natural white oak screen. J...
Oak
Extra Large Stone Bathtub by Studio Loho, Post-Modern Design, Belgium
Located in Geneve, CH
Extra large stone bathtub by Studio Loho Dimensions: D 85 x W 190 x H 57 cm Materials: stone Other stone types are possible upon request. Available i...
Stone
Vintage Original Drip Glazed Pottery Vase
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stunning contemporary studio pottery vase is a masterwork of high-contrast glaze and bold sculptural form. Featuring a low-profile, globular silhouette, the vessel is cloaked in...
Pottery
$2,388Sale Price|40% Off
1980s Postmodern Lucite/Mixed Media Light Sculpture with Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
Large Postmodern Lucite and Mixed Media Light Sculpture With Pedestal and a Box Acrylic Cover. Circa 1980s. Features an abstract Southwestern...
Brass
Postmodern Haeger Peach Blush Ceramic Vase, Glazed Finish, USA, 1980s
By Haeger
Located in New York, NY
Postmodern Haeger Peach Blush pink abstract vase, medium size. Looks stunning on its own or as part of a group. In great condition, no crazing or cracks. Measures: H 9"/ W 10.5"/ D 4...
Ceramic, Pottery
Modern Mirrored Planter Cachepot Jardinière, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A substantial square mirrored planter cachepot jardinière, '70s Modern/Postmodern period, circa 1970s. Entire piece is mirror with a graduated design. A great piece for a plant or fl...
Mirror, Wood
Handmade Nordic Home Decor Textured Ceramic Small Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Nordic Home Decor Textured Ceramic Small Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 25.4 H 10.1 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio fo...
Ceramic, Stoneware
'Pulpo' Vase by Gae Aulenti for Venini, Italy 2006
By Venini, Gae Aulenti
Located in Hellouw, NL
A sculptural glass piece from one of Italy’s most influential postwar designers. The 'Polpo' vase by Gae Aulenti was produced by Venini in a limited edition of 50 in 2006 and carries...
Glass
Gusum Metallslöjden, Candelabra, Brass, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A brass candelabra designed and produced by Gusum Metallslöjden, c. 1970s. Holds 0.45” diameter candles
Brass
Large blue Murano vase by Alfredo Barbini, postmodern, label present
Located in Milano, IT
Alfredo Barbini for Murano Submerged Glass Vase with Original Label 1990s A refined Murano glass vase by Alfredo Barbini, dating to the 1990s and retaining its original label, an el...
Murano Glass
1980s Studio Art Pottery Raku Amphora Vase in Iridescent Cobalt Blue
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Sculptural studio art pottery vase featuring a dramatic amphora form with four loop handles and richly textured crossed appliqué decoration. Finished in a striking cobalt blue glaze ...
Pottery
Ward Bennett for Sasaki Japan - Crystal Vase Sengai's Picture of the Universe
By Ward Bennett
Located in St. Louis, MO
A post-modern Ward Bennett design for Sasaki Japan, Black leaded crystal vase with etched circle-triangle-square pattern with thick rim. The circle-triangle-square is Sengai's pictu...
Crystal
1980s Postmodern Canetti Wall Clock
By Wakita
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vibrant postmodern wall clock from Canetti's Moderntime Collection, showcasing the playful geometric abstraction of perfect 1980s design. Featuring a light gray face encased in a m...
Metal
Salvador Dali Surrealist Fine Gold Leaf Bracelli Lamp Sculpture for BD Barcelona
By Salvador Dalí, BD Furniture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Braceli lamp designed by Salvador Dali manufactured by BD furniture in Barcelona. Bracelli Panel structure covered with silver plated polyester painting (Fine gold leaf). Lampshade ...
Cotton
Post-Modern Double Letter Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-modern polished chrome double letter tray, circa 1980s. The tray is in good vintage condition in heavy duty black plastic Made in The USA.
Plastic
Alessandro Mendini x Luigi Ontani 100% Make-Up Limited Lidded Vase, Alessi, 1992
By Luigi Ontani, Alessi, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Vienna, AT
A postmodern limited-edition porcelain vase with lid from the first edition of the “100% Make-Up” series by Alessi Tendentse, Italy, released in 1992. The vase’s shape was designed b...
Porcelain
Large Vintage Post Modern Sculptural Spiral Ikebana Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Lutz, FL
Large vintage Post Modern Sculptural Spiral Shaped Ikebana vase by Keiko & David Hergesheimer of Catalpa Lane Pottery c.1990’s. Interesting spiral shape with textured gradient gl...
Clay, Pottery
$2,716 / item
Frosted Green Frooot Bowl by Maha Alavi Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Frosted Green 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