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.
Post-modern cast aluminium vase by Pascal Mourgue, signed
Located in London, GB
Brutalist cast aluminium vessel by the late French designer Pascal Mourgue (1943–2014). Featuring Mourgue’s signature blend of raw texture, modern geometry, and sculptural presence, ...
Aluminum
Jaeger LeCoultre 8-Day Desk Clock with Date
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Jaeger LeCoultre 8-Day Desk Clock with Date This Jaeger-LeCoultre desk clock is a classic piece of Swiss watchmaking, known for its hand-wound 8-day movement. Its design evokes the a...
Brass
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Salvador Dalí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H.cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from “Femme á la téte rose” 1935 (W...
Brass
Pyramid quartz watch by Seiko, Japan, 1980s
By Seiko
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Pyramid Quartz Clock produced in the 1980s by SEIKO, with its pyramidal shape, so unique, gives the object a futuristic character, but with a deeply retro soul. A timeless piece of d...
Plastic, Laminate
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
$500Sale Price|20% Off
Marble Box with Jewish Star of David Design
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful modern style or Postmodern period marble and brass box with Jewish Star of David design, circa late-20th century, 1980s, 90s. Box, att...
Stone, Marble, Brass
Meritalia Candelabre / Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
By Meritalia, Gaetano Pesce, Fish Design
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 Edizio...
Steel
Solingen German Steel Scissors, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Often called “The City of Blades”, Solingen, in North-Rhine Westphalia, has been a center for the manufacturing of scissors since medieval times. At the end of the 18th century it’s ...
Steel
Bronze Patinated Vide-Poche, Mid Century, France.
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant tripode vide-poche Garouste et Bonetti Era, circa 1980, France. Patinated bronze in good original condition. Dimensions: 10 cm H, 10 cm diameter. All purchases are covered by...
Bronze
Glass paperweight with Churba vitrofusion technique
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Churba glass paperweight with vitrofusion technique Beautiful paperweight from the 70s made of Churba glass, using the vitrofusion technique, it has a striking design of veins encaps...
Art Glass
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
$4,429 / item
Tilino Vase by Elke Sada
Located in Geneve, CH
Placida vase by Elke Sada Unique Piece Dimensions: W 22 x D 22 x H 44 cm Materials: red grogged clay, coloured slips, transparent glaze. What is fascin...
Clay
$690Sale Price / set|59% Off
Pair of Red and Black Murano Scavo Glass Bottles, Italy, 1990s
By Cenedese
Located in Glasgow, GB
Pair of Murano glass bottles attributed to Cenedese, crafted in Italy circa 1990. Each piece features a cylindrical body and narrow neck, rendered in vivid red glass with a bold blac...
Murano Glass
Red Kosta Boda Bowl by Anna Ehrner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very colorful hand crafted blown glass bowl by Anna Ehrner for Kosta Soda. The bowl is small but has a great look and statement. - could be used for multiple purposes, including a...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Midcentury Modern Asymmetrical Wastebasket/Trashcan
By Danese Milano, Enzo Mari, Heller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Postmodern “In Attesa” red plastic wastebasket/trashcan designed by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano/Heller. Circa 1970s production in whimsical diagonal tube design. Normal signs of use....
Plastic
Midcentury Postmodern Optical Neon Floor Lamp Sculpture after Rudi Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and impressive 1980s neon sculpture designed by Zimmerman Studios and produced by Archigraphics LA in 1987. Comes complete with pedestal as shown. Signed and numbered.
Glass, Acrylic, Wood
$200Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Decorative Marble Box circa 1980
By Sergio Asti, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Postmodern Decorative Marble Box circa 1980.
Marble
$1,633 / item
Sculpture FUNGHI 19 by Zanellazine Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture FUNGHI 19 by Zanellazine Ceramics Dimensions: W 15 x D 16 x H 33 cm Materials: Red clay, Green semi-refractorie clay, White fireclay. About: Giovanna Zighetti, ceramist an...
Ceramic
Vintage Italian Lobster Pottery Bowl Sculpture, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Italian Lobster Pottery Bowl Sculpture, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Styles: Post-Modern Color: Green Country o...
Ceramic
Rare Frosted Glass Low Dish Catch it All by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano NIB
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful minimalist frosted glass low bowl designed by Enzo Mari , for Danese circa 1980's New in an original box comes with brochure model 3119B Delos, a very rare find
Art Glass
Pair of Gilt Bronze Candleholders by Pierre Casenove for Fondica
Located in North Miami, FL
Extremely heavy gilt bronze, these French candlesticks are highly collectible. These are quite rare and signed.
Bronze
Leather Box with "H" Hardware by Hermès Paris, France, ca. 1970s
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Leather Box with "H" Hardware by Hermès Paris, France, ca. 1970s A sophisticated leather box made by Hermès Paris, France, circa 1970s. The piece features a restrained and timeless ...
Bronze
Vintage Flower Art Glass Egg Paperweight in the Style of Murano of Italy
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Flower Art Glass Egg Paperweight in the Style Murano of Italy, circa 1980s. This heavy vintage art glass egg paperweight, crafted in the ...
Art Glass
Italy Mid Century Modern Small Nickel Silver Basket, Alessi Era
By Alessi
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a mid-century modern nickel or silver-plate basket. Stamped MADE IN ITALY. Dimensions: 3.25" H x 8" diameter Please visit take a look at our listings, we ha...
Silver Plate, Nickel
$686Sale Price / set|22% Off
Collection 3 Porcelain Decanters LeRoy Neiman Decorative Sports Memorabilia
By LeRoy Neiman
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful porcelain decorative decanter by Leroy Neiman, Circa 1979. This liquor decanter with its baseball memorabilia, intense colors and clean condition makes a great addition t...
Porcelain
XL PostModern Memphis Ettore Sottsass Ip Murano Blown Glass Sculpture Vase Italy
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Exceptional, Stunning and Monumental, post modern, Memphis Era, Ettore Sottsass inspired sculptural vase, Circa 1980, Italy Striking, bold, glass sculptural centerpiece in primary ...
Blown Glass
Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini Italian Silver-Plated "Musk" Sculpture 1970s
By Sabattini Argenteria, Gio Ponti
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
Bruce Houston instant Sculptures Collection, Signed Dated, Set of Four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Just a fine and great collection of sculptures by the well known artist Bruce Houston. All pieces dated , and signed and some dedicated. Can be sold individually by request , the si...
Other
Meritalia Papavero Vase / Black and Blue 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 Candelabre / Red by Gaetano Pesce
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 Edizio...
Steel
Ritratto Blue Wall Hanging Flower Vase Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Alessandro Mendini, Marutomi
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
Postmodern Black and White Glass Candleholder Halskov & Dalsgaard Holmegaard
By Holmegaard
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Black and White Glass Candleholder by Halskov & Dalsgaard for Holmegaard, Set of 4
Glass
$834 / item
Earth Kaen Palo Santo by Monics+Vieira
Located in Geneve, CH
Earth Kaen Palo Santo by Monics+Vieira Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 4 cm. Materials: Combination of micro-ceramic coating and a Liquid Metal mixture Milan and Dubai based design duo MONICS+...
Metal, Other
Meritalia Half Ball, Small / Orange, Blue and Red 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
Shiro Kuramata flower vase violet acrylic Japanese minimalist style
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminium tube put into acrylic block. It's great work of Japanese minimalist style. Transparent body makes complex light reflections around. ...
Aluminum
$2,162Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Murano glass vase by Ottavio Missoni, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Magnificent multicolored Murano blown glass vase designed by the famous Ottavio Missoni and made in the 1980s, a true masterpiece that embodies the essence of artistic design of the ...
Murano Glass
Large Vintage Clock Kurt B.Del Banco Acerbis Kloks Morphos Italy 1980
Located in Biella, IT
Kloks Morphos Italy Kurt B.Del banco design, large clock years ’80 Acerbis International production (Memphis era) XL size of 32 inches 82 cm for side, good vintage condition.
Plastic, Plexiglass
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
Pair of Post Modern Faux Tusks on Tessellated Marble & Brass Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Designer: Marquis Collection Manufacturer: Marquis Collection Materials: Tessellated Marble, Black Marble, Brass Trim Striking and sculptural...
Marble, Brass
1980s Vintage Memphis Style Blue Postmodern Metal Candleholder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Metal Candleholder, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal Style: Memphis, Postmodern Period: 1980s Color: Blue Item Typ...
Metal
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Box
Located in Houston, TX
Late 20th Century Postmodern tessellated travertine and black marble box with brass inlay and brown cloth interior lining.
Stone, Travertine, Marble
Vittorio Mazzuconni Firenze Bowl Silver-Plated Vide Poche Vase Post-Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Vittorio Mazzucconi silverplate modernist bowl (also referred to as a vide poche or vase). Designed and signed by Vitto...
Silver Plate
Shiro Kuramata flower vase blue acrylic Japanese minimalist style
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Shiro Kuramata's acrylic flower vase. Aluminium tube put into acrylic block. It's great work of Japanese minimalist style. Transparent body makes complex light reflections around. ...
Aluminum
$41,792 / 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
Repoussé Black Lacquer Sheep Sculpture by Robert Kuo, Limited Edition
By Robert Kuo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sheep sculpture (Male) Black lacquer Antique copper Hand repoussé Limited edition Repoussé is the traditional art of hand-hammering decorative relief onto sheet metal. This techniqu...
Copper
Jeff Koons Cracked Egg box/sculpture aluminum .Red 2008
By Jeff Koons
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Iconic Cracked Egg in aluminum sculpture / box for the LACMA in 2008 . artist Jeff Koons
Aluminum
Soft and Organic Form Ivory Stoneware Luwana Sculpture by Munier
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Luwana Sculpture by Munier Dimensions: W 42 x D 45 x H 36 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Weight: 10 kg My work is driven by the desire to infuse homes with harmony, the kind th...
Ceramic
Meritalia Big Surprise 2, Small / Light Blue and Green 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
$461Sale Price|35% Off
Pop Art Andy Warhol Self Portrait Square Glass Tray, Rosenthal, 1990s
By Rosenthal, (after) Andy Warhol
Located in Bochum, NRW
Self-portrait Curved Glass Tray, designed by the iconic artist Andy Warhol, edited by Rosenthal Studio Line. This glass tray is both a practical accessory and a captivating piece of ...
Glass
Set of 3 Aurora Geode Triptych Wall Art Panels by Sev Art Gallery
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Aurora Geode Triptych Wall Art Panels by Sev Art Gallery. Dimensions: Each panel W 100 x D 4 x H 180 cm. Materials: Natural quartz stone, citrine stone, epoxy resin, canvas...
Stone, Quartz
Contemporary Postmodern Colorful Abstract Sculpture in Painted Metal & Lucite
By Haziza
Located in San Diego, CA
Unique abstract multicolored painted metal welded rectangles sitting on a solid lucite base, late 1990's great condition unsigned.
Metal
$1,409 / item
Large Lingara Planter by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Lingara Planter by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 48.768 x D 48.768 x H 60.96 cm Materials: Stoneware Lingara is an ode to that feeling. To divinity. To rootedness. INSPIRED BY Shi...
Stoneware
$2,783 / item
Grain 8 Porcelain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Grain 8 Porcelain Sculpture by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 28 x H 27 cm Material: Unglazed white porcelain. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ancient Kore...
Porcelain
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
Black Stoneware Psykter Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Stoneware Psykter Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 30 x H 25 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: Black, White, Brown, Red, White P...
Stoneware
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
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
Miniature Mid-Century Ceramic High Glaze Bottle Neck Vase Studio Pot by Sari
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Fine miniature hand-thrown, high-glaze ceramic pot signed Sari. The piece is in excellent condition, with no chips or repairs. It has a natural firing crack on the bottom.
Ceramic, Pottery
Pen shell Pyramid Box attributed to Maitland Smith
Located in Winnetka, IL
A pyramid shaped box having 4 graduating drawers with brass ball knobs . Made of polished pen shell which is a material that the manufacturer Maitland Smith often used. All sitting u...
Brass