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.
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
Hagi White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Hagi White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 14 x W 32 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from ...
Ceramic, Clay
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 33 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Omnia Vanitas Vanité 33 Candelabra in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: D 15 x W 17 x H 67 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Mate...
Bronze
$585 / item
Incense Column by Nick Sugihara
Located in Geneve, CH
Incense Column by Nick Sugihara Dimensions: D 12.7 x W 12.7 x H 43.18 cm. Materials: VG Douglas Fir. Sugihara Fine Furniture is a small furniture and interior studio based in San D...
Fir
$702Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Style Ceramic Vase "Ilios" by Florio Keramia 1990s
Located in Debrecen, HU
This beautiful Florio Keramia ceramic vase features an abstract pattern and a glossy finish. The Ilios model is a handmade, postmodern style piece measuring 19 cm long, 24 cm wide an...
Ceramic
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Small post-modern Italian marble vase, circa 1980s. The vase is primarily a dark tan in color, but has cream, black and grey veining throughout. T...
Marble
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
Murano Art Glass Spiral Paperweight, Attributed to Lyn Tissot for Venini, 1970s
Located in San Diego, CA
Refined Murano art glass paperweight attributed to Lyn Tissot for Venini, featuring a suspended turquoise and white spiral ribbon encased within clear glass. The dynamic internal rib...
Art Glass
$630Sale Price|30% Off
Postmodern Black Handcrafted Blown Glass Bowl, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Black glass centerpiece piece or bowl circa 1980s.
Glass
Postmodern Desk Lamp
Located in New York, NY
A Postmodern red and black adjustable desk lamp. Shade and base are a red enameled metal. Neck is adjustable. In fine working order for US electric.
Metal
Mizukage Unique Water Feature in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Mizukage Unique Water Feature in Carved Basalt Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 50 cm. Materials: Basalt stone. Available in different material optio...
Stone
Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone & Brass Square Box Postmodern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage box attributed to Maitland Smith (no label present). Tessellated Stone & Brass Square Box. Postmodern era. Dominant colors: off-white, green and go...
Stone, Brass
Archimede Seguso Style Italian Murano Glass Scalloped Edge Centerpiece Bowl
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Italian Murano glass centerpiece bowl or fruit bowl In the manner Archimede Seguso Italy, Circa Late 20th Century Measures: 14.63"W x 8.5"D x 4.75"H. Very good origina...
Murano Glass
$447Sale Price|50% Off
Fondica Casenove French 1980 Bronze Floral Candle Holder
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural bronze floral French Candle holder designed by Pierre Casenove for Fondica. signed.
Bronze
Peter Shire Anchorage Teapot for Memphis, 1982
By Rossi & Arcandi, Peter Shire
Located in Kansas City, MO
This is a rare "Anchorage Teapot" by designer and artist Peter Shire. Rossi e Arcandi for Memphis, Milano, 1982. The teapot is completely original and shows signs of wear to be expec...
Silver Plate, Brass
Vintage Postmodern Abstract Mixed Media Large Scale 3D Collage by Martha Holden
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible Late 20th Century Postmodern Contemporary Abstract signed Mixed Media large scale 3D collage by artist Martha Holden. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vin...
Plexiglass, Paint, Paper
$1,369 / item
Le Poisson Globe Beige Sandstone Vase by Lou Thomas
Located in Geneve, CH
Le Poisson Globe Vase by Lou Thomas Dimensions: ⌀ 26 x H 26 cm Materials: Beige sandstone "Drawing on her extensive travels to Japan, Mexico, and Morocco, Lou Thomas is passionate a...
Sandstone
Michael Morris (1942-2022) "Nuclear Problems" Abstract Sculpture 2017
Located in Norwalk, CT
This evocative abstract sculpture was created by British-born Canadian artist Michael Morris. Known for his abstract sculptures and installations throughout the mid-20th century, Mor...
PVC, Wood
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
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Alfredo Cifani Title Eos
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Alfredo Cifani. Title "EOS" Alfredo Cifani was born in 1939 in Fermo, the Southern part of Italy, lives and works in Milan. He is a pai...
Bronze
$10,430 / item
Regeneration 03-2 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga
Located in Geneve, CH
Regeneration 03-2 Bronze Sculpture by Kodai Suga Dimensions: W 50 x D 9 x H 30 cm Materials: Bronze Kodai Suga’s work features an evocative modernistic silhouette that has been imbu...
Bronze, Other
Salvador Dali Surrealist Fine Gold Leaf Bracelli Lamp Sculpture for BD Barcelona
By BD Furniture, Salvador Dalí
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
Heide Warlamis Postmodern Memphis Design Large Vase, Vienna Collection, 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and decorative large vase (13.5” tall) from the 1980s, designed by artist and designer Heide Warlamis as part of her renowned Vienna Collection series. The vase reflects ...
Ceramic, Pottery
Daum France, Cats, Kittens, Playing in Glass/Crystal/Pate De Verre, Signed
By Daum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Adorable kittens kissing and playing in this beautiful Pate De Verre glass sculpture.
Art Glass
$4,507 / item
Floating Chainmail Vase by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Floating Chainmail Vase by Panorammma Dimensions: ⌀ 21 x H 57 cm Materials: Nickel plated steel, glass The Chainmail Vase is a sculptural object in which a glass vessel is envelop...
Steel, Other, Nickel
$17,267 / item
Urn by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Urn by Rick Owens 2007 Dimensions: L 34 x W 34 x H 57 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 37 kg Available in Black finish or Nitrate (Dark Brown) finish. ...
Bronze
Etruscan Style Patinated Bronze Horse by Wayne Salge
Located in New York, NY
Stylized Etruscan style horse metal sculpture with verdigris patina attributed to the American artist, Wayne Salge (1941- ), entitled Madrone. Apparently...
Bronze
Pr. Postmodern Silverplate Candlesticks by Richard Meier for Swid Powell, 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Incredible pair of post modern silver plate candlesticks, by Richard Meier for Swid Powell. Very hard to find, especially in pairs, this impre...
Silver Plate
$338 / item
Tulipan Vase by MCB Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Tulipan Vase by MCB Ceramics Unique piece. Dimensions: D 20 x H 12 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Numerated and signed by the artist. All measures are indicati...
Ceramic
Post-Modernist Sculpture signed Ernest Trova, Profile Canto #83 in Matt Gray
By Ernest Trova
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional Post-Modernist sculpture, titled Profile Canto #83, was created in 1987 by renowned American artist Ernest Trova. A celebrated figure in the contemporary art world, ...
Metal, Nickel
Contemporary Art Table PROSPETTICA Marble & Metal by Paolo Portoghesi
Located in Pistoia, IT
Round table with golden metal base and marble top - Signed Copies
Marble, Bronze
Light Mahogany Tray with Antique Brass Handles
Located in Treadwell, NY
Individually stamped and numbered, these one of a kind presentation trays feature patinated brass handles with a satin finish lacquer top coat. Each wooden slab is has its own unique...
Brass
$323Sale 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
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
Murano glass drainer in shades of blue
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Murano Glass Sink in Blue Tones This Murano glass sink, crafted using the sommerso technique in the 1960s, features a vibrant gradation of blues that...
Art Glass
Otita Unique Wall-Mounted Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Otita Unique Wall-Mounted Candelabra in Aluminum by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 4 x W 4 x H 15 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Available in different finishes and material op...
Aluminum
Rare Postmodern Resin Abstract Sculpture Signed With OM Symbol
Located in San Diego, CA
Abstract thick lucite resin sculpture circa 1990's depicting OM yoga symbol, nice colors and very unique also signed in the lower back as shown , has a small hole in the bottom for f...
Resin
White Stoneware Alavastron Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
White Stoneware Alavastron Vase by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 20 x H 40 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: White, Red, Black, Brown, Blac...
Stoneware
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
Art Glass Sculptural Table Lamp by William Olivier for Antiques Mc, France, 2009
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
The creator is William Olivier, a lover of glass, wood and steel. These piece has been made in 2009. This is a beautiful Art glass work that could be, as the same time a sculpture a...
Stainless Steel
Ingrid Herrlin B.1932, Ceramic Sculpture, "Leash Il", Sweden, Post-Modern
Located in Stockholm, SE
Ingrid Herrlin b.1932, swedish sculptur. Herrlin mainly works works with ceramic and creates figurative art works in fruit, berries and other realistic shapes. This ceramic wall r...
Ceramic
French Modernist Carrara Marble Sculpture by Bertrand Créac’h
Located in Chicago, IL
A modernist sculpture by French artist Bertrand Créac’h, hand-carved in Carrara marble, c. 1990s. Tapered and monumental, its angular planes dissolve into softened curves, revealing ...
Carrara Marble
1985 Italy Post Modern Abstract Bronze Sculpture the Moon
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Maurizio Bonora, a talented artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbe...
Bronze
Set of Two Salvador Dali Surrealist Fine Gold Leaf Bracelli Lamp Sculpture
By Salvador Dalí, BD Furniture
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of Two Braceli lamps designed by Salvador Dali manufactured by BD furniture in Barcelona. Bracelli Panel structure covered with silver plated polyester painting (Fine gold leaf)...
Cotton
Contemporary Art Pouf - Kenzo Hand by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. Kenzo silk velvet Exclusive for the author and Pontoglio velvets - Trimmings Cylindrical base design Gabriel for tolomeo
Silk
Michael Schunke for Nine Iron Studio Vase, American Studio Art Glass, 1995
By Michael Schunke
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Large vintage art glass vase features deep, jewel-like color palette and complex sculptural shape. The vase has ovoid silhouette with flattened sides, forming an elongated disk-shap...
Gold
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
Burl Wood Box Organic Modern Postmodern
Located in New York, NY
A studio elder burl wood box, hand-crafted and signed by artist, Organic Modern style Post-Modern period, circa late-20th century. A beautiful hand-made blond elder burl wood box wit...
Burl
$1,416 / item
Object 2 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 2 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou One of a kind, 2022 Dimensions: H16 x W11 cm. Materials: Stoneware, handmade glaze. Colors: blue, pink, ivory. Angeliki Sta...
Stoneware
Massive Mactan and Natural Stone Floor Vase or Urn
Located in Southampton, NJ
A Classic example of 1980s Postmodern Design in the style of Maitland Smith and Magnussen Ponte. Vase, or Urn, features a striking contrast between raw and refined textures. Divided ...
Stone
Post-Modern Solid Teak Danish Style Desk Tray "6500" Series by Eldon
Post-Modern solid teak Danish style desk tray "6500" Series by Eldon, circa 1980s. The tray is in good vintage condition and measures approximately 11.5"W x 2.25"D x 17.25"L. The tray is heavy, solid teak and is marked with the Eldon "Woodline 6500...
Teak
Postmodern Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Olympus Table Clock "Tempo 21"
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare "Olympus" table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. The circular red clock face is upheld by a green pyramid base...
Aluminum
$11,437 / item
Pedregal Hammered Copper Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pedregal Hammered Copper Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio. Dimensions: W 60 x D 4 x H 120 cm. Materials: Copper. This piece can be produced in customized sizes and finishes upon reque...
Copper
Amazonia Vase Extra Colour (Large), Dark Salmon, Pink, Bronze, Red, Aubergine
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Amazonia" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Dark Salmon, Pink, Bronze, Red, Aubergine *All the pieces are hand-made and theref...
Resin
Ettore Sottsass Y29 Vase in Black Enameled Ceramic Yantra Series Poltronova 70s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Cascina, Pisa
This ceramic piece is part of the Yantra series by Ettore Sottsass, a collection of thirty-nine forms including containers, ashtrays, vases and bowls, created between 1969 and 1973 a...
Ceramic
An important deconstructed cubist ceramic male torso, signed by artist, 20th c.
Located in View Park, CA
A monumental deconstructed ceramic male torso, signed by artist, 20th century. In tones of burnt pêche, apricot, and sienna, this stunning sculpture epitomizes cubism in three dimens...
Ceramic
Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 3
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare postmodern brown and cream checkerboard table clock by Howard Miller Clock Company. From the 1984 "Tempo 21" collection. Slight signs of wear ...
Aluminum
'Love Knot' Murano Sculpture by Renato Anatrà, Signed, Italy, 1980's
Located in Doylestown, PA
Elegant 'Love Knot' abstract sculpture by Renato Anatrà, signed, Italy. Representing eternal love, this graceful sculpture is beautifully hand crafted of clear...
Murano Glass
Postmodern Brown Murano Glass Fish Decorative Figure by Vincenzo Nason, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Vincenzo Nason & C. Murano, Italy, 1970s. This fish is made in Murano glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in exce...
Murano Glass
1980 Italy Post-Modern Rodica Tanasescu Bronze Abstract Sculpture Insieme
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Rodica Tanasescu. The title "Insieme" Together Rodica Tanasescu was born in Rumania and now lives in and works in Mestre, (Venezia, It...
Bronze