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.
Massive Tessellated Stone Floor Vase in the Style of Marquis of Beverly Hills
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in San Diego, CA
Massive Tessellated Stone Floor Vase in the Style of Marquis of Beverly Hills, circa 1980s. This impressive, tessellated stone floor vase, in the style of Marquis of Beverly Hills an...
Stone
$3,126 / item
Light Fold Vessel by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Fold Vessel by Laura Pasquino One of a Kind Dimensions: D 42 x H 40 cm Material: Ceramic Finishing: Textured, Glazed Inside Artist stamp on the bottom Waterproof insert is req...
Ceramic
C. Jeré brass and chrome kinetic sculpture wall art
By Artisan House, C. Jeré Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
Located in Phoenix, AZ
C. Jeré uncommon kinetic brass and chrome wall sculpture. It’s made of a brass frame with two separate parts that connect or can be displayed separately. It can also be positioned offset (not pictured). Polished brass and chrome bent diamonds hang on hooks. These can slightly move under a fan or if touched, providing movement and an op art sparkling...
Brass, Chrome
Handmade Abstract Home Decor Natural Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Abstract Home Decor Natural Ceramic Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: H 25.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Waterproof insert is required when using with water or fr...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Large Red Millefiori & Murine Vase, Murano Glass In Style of Dino Martens 1980s
By Dino Martens
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Murano glass vase was made in flask shape with graphic abstract patterns on both back and front sizes of the vase. The solid red glass gather was decorated with fused multic...
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Murrine, Glass
$5,002 / item
Trophy Mother of Pearl Sculpture by Henry Baumann
Located in Geneve, CH
Trophy Mother of Pearl Sculpture by Henry Baumann Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 49 cm. Materials: Resin and brass. Satin matt finish. Unique ...
Brass
Cognac Leather and Steel Maggiz Magazine Rack by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Cognac leather and steel Maggiz magazine rack by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 24 x W 47 x H 43 cm Materials: Steel, Leather Also Available: Different leather and frame colors available...
Steel
Postmodern Striped Mirror Glass Black & White Wall Clock, 1980s, England
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful post-modern Memphis-style vintage wall clock from the 1980s, made in England. It features a two-tone mirrored glass face with fine black pinstripes — the left side in a d...
Glass, Mirror, Plastic
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Marble Box Dark Green Jewelry or Desk
Located in New York, NY
A round marble box, Postmodern period, circa late-20th century. Marble is a dark moss green with white veining. A great piece to hold items on a desk or jewelry (demonstrated.) Lid i...
Marble
$545 / item
Lace Burgundy 50 High Pot by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace Burgundy 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...
Stainless Steel, Other
Mid 20th Century Pate de Verre Glass Sculpture entitled "Taureau" by Daum
By Daum
Located in London, GB
Emerging from an ethereal dream, this sculpture evokes the raw power and majesty of nature. Cast in pate de verre glass and crafted using a centuries-old technique, this figure offer...
Glass
Post-Modern Blue-Green Banded Stone Vase, Circa 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
A sculptural decorative stone vase featuring intricate horizontal banding in shades of turquoise, seafoam green, blue-gray, and creamy white. Its elongated, tapering body rises to ro...
Stone
Lucido Costello Original Hand Made Iron Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely hand made iron sculpture is part of a set (male and female) - completely original by Lucido Costello, a well renowned heavy iron sculpture artist in Barcelona, Spain. Co...
Metal
1998 Oscar Tusquets Blanca Driade Surrealistic Design Bronze 2 Candleholders
Located in Brescia, IT
"Salvador" Candleholders Oscar Tusquets Blanca Driade-Follies Italy, 1998 Rare Pair of CandleHolder Green Patina on Bronze Original 1998 Excellent condiction
Metal
Salvador Dalí Drawers Lamp by BD Barcelona, Pale Limewood, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Salvador Dalí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Drawers lamp designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Carved structure in pale varnished limewood. Lampshade in beige linen. Measures: 30 x 30 x 87 H cm Sculpture-lamp drawers A stan...
Wood
1978 Vintage Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Fanna Roncoroni, Italy, Labyrinth
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging artwork was created in 1978 by the Italian artist Fanna Roncoroni. It is a multiple of 1000 pieces numbered and signed by the author. The title is "Labirinto", translat...
Bronze
Loet Vanderveen Bronze Sculpture of a Gazelle Signed Numbered Limited Ed.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Loet Vanderveen (Dutch, 1921-2015). Artistic African Antelope bronze wildlife animal sculpture. Original Loet Vanderveen bronze Ibex or gazelle sculpture in Charcoal patina finish. L...
Bronze
Twins C Vase (Large), Clear Aqua and Lilac by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
"Twins C" Large Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Aqua and Lilac. *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. V...
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, Nickel, Chrome, Steel
Riedel x Mesa Design Large Black Centerpiece Glass Bowl, Post-Modern Italy, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
A straight and large, 14 inches diameter postmodern centerpiece glass bowl from the 1980s. Crafted from deep black glass, this bowl stands out with its reduced, elegant design, featu...
Art Glass
German Post-Moddern Yellow Ceramic Vases 'The Kiss' by ASA, 1980s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A stylish duo of two abstract facial vases. Executed in ceramic with flat yellow glaze. Manufactured by ASA in Germany during the 1980s. Measurements: H: 21 cm, W/D: 10/7 cm. Measu...
Ceramic
Trípodes Esporo Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre
Located in Geneve, CH
Trípodes Esporo Sculptural Object in Ceramic by Julius Nobre Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 45 cm. Materials: Ceramic. The series brings together larger-scale sculptures with more arc...
Ceramic
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
Large Scale Postmodern Ceramic Birds Figurines Jaru Art Pottery of California
By Jaru
Located in Miami, FL
A striking pair of large scale postmodern ceramic birds sculptures by Jaru Art Pottery of California in pastel tones of pink and teal. Dated 1985. Feature a stylish 1980s Art Deco ...
Ceramic
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
Post-Modern Desk Clock by Michael Graves
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice post-modern desk clock by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s. The clock is in good vintage condition and measures 4"W x 2.5"D x 5.25"H. It is Quartz alarm clock made in Taiwan t...
Metal
$22,800Sale Price|20% Off
Rare 1986 Limited Edition Gufram Multipli Cactus, Signed & Numbered 1257 of 2000
By Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, Gufram Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and highly collectible limited edition Gufram 'Cactus' coat / hat rack sculpture designed by Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, part of the legendary Italian Radical Design and Po...
Polystyrene
Abstract Sculpture of a Crane in Flight by Masatoyo Kishi "Kuki" Circa 1970s
By Kuki, Masatoyo Kishi
Located in Peabody, MA
A cast stone abstract sculpture of a crane in flight mounted on an acrylic pedestal, circa 1970s by the noted Japanese artist Masatoyo Kishi “Kuki”...
Cast Stone
$50,025 / 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
Candleholder Postmodern Memphis Style Made of Metal, 1990
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Candleholder - Postmodern Memphis Style made of metal -1990 Postmodern vintage candle holder from the early 2000s in the form of a dancing person. Perfect pop art design from the la...
Metal
Vintage Asian Octagonal Lacquer Box with Turtle Closure
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Asian Octagonal Lacquer Box With Turtle Closure. Lovely 20th century Asian lacquer box with Greek key design and a metal turtle closure. Th...
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
A Set of 5 Architectural RADICAL & POSTMODERN Metal VASES, by KAPPA, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and spectacular set of 5 geometric vases, Post-Modern, Radical, 5 different sizes stainless steel rectangular structures, forming together a kind of "Cityscape" set of...
Metal
Alessandro Albrizzi Italian White Perspex Boxes 1990s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian perspex plexiglass jewelry or storage boxes designed by Franco Albrizzi, with engraved mark under base, Italy 1990s. Please note that ...
Plexiglass
Guilloume Perez (1957 - ), "Heart to Heart" Sculpture
Located in Pasadena, CA
Guilloume Perez (1957 - ) is a Columbian-American Artist who currently resides and has his studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. This petit abstract sculpture, although small, is quite pow...
Slate, Bronze
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
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Staiger, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Wall Clock from Staiger, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Plast...
Plastic
1980s Postmodern Black Wall Clock by Linden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A beautiful postmodern wall clock from the 1980s by West German clockmaker Linden. It has a black case, black face with geometric accents, and red and green hands, Striking contras...
Plastic
1970s Lucio Del Pezzo Trigon Italian Design Neodada Framart Wood Sculpture
Located in Brescia, IT
Lacquered wood Limited edition of 100 pieces Original wood box Excellent condition.
Wood
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
Doors of Perception Sculpture by Pilar Zeta in Carrara Marble & Brass
Located in Geneve, CH
Doors of Perception by Pilar Zeta Unique piece. Materials: Carrara marble, mirror, brass and car paint installation. Dimensions: W 501 x D 852.5 x H 270 cm....
Marble, Brass
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 Tessellated Stone Trinket Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This precision-crafted vintage trinket box features a sophisticated geometric design composed of intricately arranged stone tiles in muted grey tones, bordered by a contrasting light...
Stone
Corsi Medusa Vase (Large), Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large Matte White "Medusa" 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 hu...
Resin
$1,800Sale Price|28% Off
Desk Component
By Erik Johnson, Argosy Designs
Located in Treadwell, NY
DESK COMPONENT (MONOLITH) APD00070 Hot rolled steel plate, bronze and mirror-polished brass 9.75” L 4.5” W 5.25” H 16.5lbs 1 of 1
Brass, Bronze, Steel
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
$220Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post Modern Candle Holders Signed By Tony Evans
By Tony Evans
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Post Modern candle holders signed on the underside By Tony Evans.
Brass
Passarinho Sculptural Ceramic Bird Vase by Studio Mano
Located in Geneve, CH
Passarinho Sculptural Ceramic Bird Vase by Studio Mano. Dimensions: W 20 x D 9 x H 17 cm. Materials: Reclaimed clay with butternut scotch glaze. Waterproof insert is required when ...
Ceramic
PF03 Handmade Sculptural Bust On Wood Plinth by Object Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
PF03 Handmade Sculptural Bust On Wood Plinth by Object Atelier One Of a Kind. Dimensions: D 20 x 20 x H 42 cm (Dimensions may vary). Materials: Natural fibers, aggregates, pigments, ...
Natural Fiber, Wood
"Toute Petite Étrangeté" Cocoon Vase by Philippe Starck for Daum, France, 1980s
By Philippe Starck, Daum
Located in Lille, FR
"Toute petite étrangeté" cocoon vase by Philippe Starck for Daum, France, 1980s. Signed.
Crystal
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. Waterproof insert is required when using with ...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$414Sale Price / set|40% Off
German Brass "Clear Drops" Oil Lamp Candlestick by Freddie Andersen, Set of 3
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Original set of 3 Freddie Andersen "Clear Drops" oil lamps made in West Germany. This lamp set features an elegant brass stem, a handblown glass reservoir, and a sleek black resin ba...
Brass
$1,375 / item
Structured By Nature Medium Vase by David Valner
Located in Geneve, CH
Structured By Nature Medium Vase by David Valner Dimensions: D 22 x W 22 x H 52 cm. Materials: Glass. Weight: 8 kg. Finish: Medium-size “bark” production style, red color. “Authenti...
Glass
Small Candle Holder Sculpture by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Candle Holder Sculpture by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 22.8 x H 20.3 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic studio founded by artist A...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
Curtis Jere Brass Kinetic Table Sculpture on Marble Base, Post Modern Signed
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Signed Curtis Jéré kinetic brass sculpture dated 1984, featuring an abstract shooting-star design with radiating rods and spherical finials mounted on a black marble base. This celes...
Marble, Metal, Brass
Morform Ceramic Sculpture in Terracotta Stoneware Clay by Catalin Filip
Located in Geneve, CH
Morform Ceramic Sculpture in Terracotta Stoneware Clay by Catalin Filip. Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 40 cm. Materials: Terracotta Stoneware Clay, textured natural ceramic finish. Mo...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Torsten Treutiger (1932-2019), sculpture "PROFIL II"
Located in Stockholm, SE
Sculpture in steel, "PROFIL II", by Swedish artist Torsten Treutiger. Signed and marked with artist information as well as the price set by the artis...
Stainless Steel
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
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass by BD Barcelona
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
Set of 2 MR & MISS CUT Sculptures in Resin by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 MR & MISS CUT Sculptures in Resin by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON. Dimensions: Approx Ø 35 x H 60 cm. Materials: Resin. Manufactured in France. Biography Christophe Perichon came ...
Resin
Postmodern Black Ceramic Ibex Sculpture by Haeger
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your decor with the Haeger Ibex Ceramic Sculpture. Crafted in deep black ceramic, this piece captures the majesty of the Ibex with a contemporary twist. Haeger's meticulous c...
Ceramic