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.
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
Meritalia Candelabre / Orange 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
John Miller Blue Plate Special Hamburger 2008 Blown Pop Art Glass Sculpture
By John Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Inspired by Americana, Miller's work stands to bring new light and perspective to the often overlooked but ubiquitous cultural artifacts that form the American visual lexicon and lived experience. Maybe as impressive as the work itself, is the magnitude of which his creations come to life. At such an impressive scale, his process is truly spectacle to witness. Pieces from his famed ‘Blue Plate Special...
Blown Glass
Polished Cast Brass Principe Sculptural Object by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Principe Sculptural Object by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 11 x D 7 x H 24 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum. About:...
Metal
Vintage Oversized Crystal Pencil Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oversized pencil sculpture in crystal (ca. 1980s/1990s, USA). Good, vintage condition with a couple of small edge flecks present, as shown. C6 marking present near the eraser. Maker ...
Crystal
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
$25,890 / item
Monumental Wall Sculpture by Daniel Schneiger.
Located in Geneve, CH
Monumental Wall Sculpture by Daniel Schneiger. Dimensions: D25 x W 185 x H 111 cm. Materials: Plaster Daniel Schneiger Wall sculptures are hand-crafted from a combination of materia...
Plaster
Priora Box in Horn, Chromed Brass & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Priora Box in Horn, Chromed Brass & Glossy Ebony by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 18 x W 18 x H 10 cm. Materials: Glossy ebony, horn, and chromed brass. Available in three sizes and th...
Brass, Other
$625 / set
Metal Geometric Abstract Bookends, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A substantial pair of metal bookends with a geometric abstract design and a copper-rose gold hue, in the Post-Modern Deconstructivist design style. Pair could work well as individual...
Metal
Brass Toilet Roll Holder Attributed to Maria Pergay, France, circa 1970
By Maria Pergay
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Brass Toilet Roll Holder Attributed to Maria Pergay, France, circa 1970 An elegant and sculptural toilet roll holder attributed to the celebrated French designer Maria Pergay, renow...
Brass
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Wall Clock in Mondrian Complementary Colors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautiful artist made wall clock from the 1990s. Will work well with Sottsass and Memphis Italian post modern design. Signed by artist.
Metal
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
$8,426 / item
Vides Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vides Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio Dimensions: W 60 x H 40 cm. Materials: Copper, Marble. Aura Carpio® (CDMX). Mexican industrial designer graduated and graduated from the Center f...
Marble, Copper
$972Sale Price / set|30% Off
Dorothy Thorpe. Post-Modern candle holders by Elaine Bscheider, USA, 1970S
By Elaine Bscheider, Dorothy Thorpe
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Post-Modern candle holders designed by Elaine Bscheider, United States, 1970s, United States. Black methacrylate in the shape of a prezel and chrome-plated golden metal candl...
Steel, Chrome
Margareta Hennix, Large Glass Vase, Reijmyre Sweden Post-Modern
By Margareta Hennix, Reijmyre Glasbruk
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large apple green glass vase designed by Margareta Hennix for Reijmyre Sweden 1990s. Signed M. Hennix In good condition.
Glass
Set Of 4 Calipso Office Set in Tosca Leather, Wood & Dark Horn by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 4 Calipso Office Set in Tosca Leather, Wood & Dark Horn by Arcahorn Designed by Filippo Dini Dimensions: Desk Blotter: D 50 x W 75 x H 5 cm. A4 Letter Tray: D 25 x W 34 x H 5 ...
Brass, Other
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
Moser, Czech, Heavy Intaglio Cut Glass, Flower, Glossy and Satin Vase, Signed
By Moser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing heavy cut work in this beautiful Moser vase. Sand blasted signature in bottom and plastic label in front. Moser. Czech Republic. Nice glossy and satin finish.
Art Glass
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
A monumental caged art glass vase by Vanessa Mitrani, signed, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A large art glass bulbous caged vase by Vanessa Mitrani, late 20th century. In a brilliant persimmon hue and caged in metal, this piece is at once statement and sophisticated. Signed...
Metal
Vintage Glazed Ceramic Architectural Pottery Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A true testament to mid-century modern artistry, this vintage glazed ceramic sculpture features a bold, architectural form with striking geometric cutouts and dynamic negative space....
Ceramic
$156Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Glass Pedestal Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Impactful piece of glass that brings lines and design to your décor. This postmodern piece consists of two pieces: Blown glass in a purple hue is conjoined and shaped into a V shaped...
Glass
Dale Chihuly & James Carpenter Glass Blown Vase Signed & Dated 1973
By James Carpenter, Dale Chihuly
Located in San Diego, CA
rare postmodern mouth blown glass vase signed & dated by Studio James Carpenter 1973, JCDA Inc , Dale Chihuly & James Carpenter Collaboration , blown glass signed & etched into the g...
Blown Glass
Raw & Rainbow Rainwow Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Raw & Rainbow Rainwow Sculpture in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Limited Edition Of 10 Pieces. Dimensions: D 2,5 x W 14 x H 7 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. "Somewher...
Aluminum
Tokuda Yasokichi III spherical almost shape large vase , signed , No Box
By Yasokichi Tokuda III
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing vase by the Master ceramist Yasokichi from the lineage of potters National Treasure from centuries in Japan. This is a large amazing signed in bottom vase, No Box ...
Porcelain
Post Modern Snake Skin and Parchment Box by R & Y Augousti Paris
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Open topped box wrapped in parchment and with a lid having an arched top and continuing down the short sides wrapped in snakeskin with conforming bone edges. Marked on the bottom R&Y...
Animal Skin, Wood
Vintage Alessi Big Ovo Glass Biscuit Jar Designed by Joanna Lyle Italy
By Alessi
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Alessi Big Ovo Glass Biscuit Jar Designed by Joanna Lyle. Large Post Modern Big Ovo Jar designed by Joanna Lyle and manufactured by Alessi in It...
Glass, Plastic
A postmodern sculptural welded metal clock by Jon Sarriugarte, signed, 1991
By Jon Sarriugarte
Located in View Park, CA
« Postmodern Form and Reform », a hand-forged metal sculpture clock with long squiggle base by Jon Sarriugarte, signed, 1991. With battery operated me...
Metal
Murano Turquoise Handblown Flower
By Murano 5
Located in Pasadena, TX
This flower is handblown. It was crafted in Murano, Italy. It has a beautiful turquoise color. Makes for a great gift.
Art Glass
1995 Italy Bronze Sculpture by Giuseppe Bergomi Davanti Al Mare
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an engaging and intense artwork created by the well known Italian artist Giuseppe Bergomi in 1995. This is a bronze sculpture made by the tec...
Bronze
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
$1,553 / item
Onda Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Onda Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 38 x H 27 cm Materials: Stoneware Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to sculptural vases and objects. Rooted in the ancestral hand-building techniq...
Stoneware
Black Art Glass Sphere Paperweight Decorative Object
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Modern/Postmodern black and neutral flesh-tone art glass sphere decorative object or paperweight with an organic modern design, circa 1970s. This handmade art glass color...
Blown Glass, Art Glass
Avedis Baghsarian aluminum “Saturn” vases set of five
By Avedis Baghsarian
Located in Farmingdale, NJ
A unique design by Avedis Baghsarian, this rare set of interlocking vases/candle holders/art objects includes five containers of different shapes and sizes that interlock into multip...
Stainless Steel
Obliqua White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Obliqua White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 12 x W 28 x x H 45 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes fr...
Ceramic, Clay
S1271 Decorative Object in Olive Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
S1271 Decorative Object in Olive Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 23 x W 27 x H 15 cm. Materials: Olive wood. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part ...
Olive
$1,625 / item
Golden Edition, Unique Bronze Lighter by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Golden Edition - unique bronze lighter by Rick Owens Dimensions: L 11.5 x W 5.5 x H 3 cm Materials: Bronze The gold edition is an exclusivity of Gale...
Bronze
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
'Cairo' Chair by Peter Shire, 2018
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Upholstered armchair by Peter Shire, 2018 Upholstered with Kvadrat Divina Fabric, Aluminum, Wood & Paint. Approximate measures: 60 1/4" high x 40" wide x 39" deep Peter Shire: ...
Aluminum
Richard Marquis Latticino Glass Cone Vase, by Noble Effort, Marked 1986
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very delicate glass kept for many years untouched and mint.
Art Glass
Jaca Vase No. 17 in Petrol Blue Organic Textured Ceramic by Hanna Englund
Located in Geneve, CH
Jaca Vase No. 17 in Petrol Blue Organic Textured Ceramic by Hanna Englund Dimensions: D 27 x W 28 x H 44,5 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Large vase with an organic textured exterior. Thi...
Ceramic
$16,310 / item
Sunset Wall Piece by Pepe Valenti
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunset Wall Piece by Pepe Valenti Dimensions: D 7 x W 70 x H 150 cm. Materials: Copper-plated stainless steel. Inspired by the immersive experience of th...
Stainless Steel, Copper
Art Deco Black Ceramic Vase by Claude Dumas, Remix Edition, Circa 1980
By Claude Dumas
Located in COLMAR, FR
Art Deco black ceramic vase by French designer Claude Dumas – early 2000s Remix Gallery edition, made from the original mould, sourced in France, in very good vintage condition This...
Clay
Black Semi Matte Glaze Intuitive Built Sculpture 2 by Anna Shipulina Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Semi Matte Glaze Intuitive Built Sculpture 2 by Anna Shipulina Ceramics Dimensions: W 34 x D 42 x H 14 cm. Materials: Ceramic. This piece is shaped from stoneware clay and fo...
Ceramic
Postmodern White Glass Vase "Fazzoletto" by Giorgio Berlini, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. It is made in white heat soaked Murano glass. Since the manufacturing process of these vases was manual, each vase is different and one-of-a-kind. It is a vinta...
Murano Glass
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
$2,073 / item
Shibui 08 Sculpture by WANAS
Located in Geneve, CH
Shibui 08 Sculpture by WANAS Dimensions: D 20 x W 24 x H 26 cm. Materials: Brass, rosewood, teak wood, and wood. The size is customisable on request. Please contact us. Why is it t...
Brass
Medium Brass Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Brass Mar de Cobre Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio Dimensions: D 70 x H 5 cm. Materials: Copper, Brass. Weight: 7 Kg. Aura Carpio® (CDMX). Mexican industrial designer graduate...
Copper, Brass
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
Ettore Sottsass Y29 Vase in Black Enameled Ceramic Yantra Series Poltronova 70s
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
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
Rare Post-Modern Artist Signed Ceramic Raku 1980s Pottery Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
A unique rare tall Raku fired art pottery vase, circa 1980's. This piece is 11.25" tall, 3" wide and 10.5" deep and is in good vintage condition. The iridescent and mottled colors, a...
Pottery
1980 Italy Post-Modern Rodica Tanasescu Bronze Abstract Sculpture Muse
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Rodica Tanasescu. The title " Musa" Muse. Rodica Tanasescu was born in Rumania and now lives in and works in Mestre, (Venezia, Italy)....
Bronze
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
Large Concave Ceramic "Rock Shaped" Catchall / Vide-Poche, Artist Unknown
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Concave Ceramic "Rock Shaped" Catchall / Vide-Poche Not Marked - Artist Unknown - American (perhaps Japanese) "is it real or is it memorex" "internet says rocks are the hotte...
Ceramic
Radical Memphis style table lamp clock, lacquered metal, 1980s
Located in taranto, IT
Table lamp clock in full Radical Memphis style, produced in the early 1980s, postmodern, made of lacquered metal, with white lamp-shaped dial on black background. Signature "Missiani...
Metal
$11,650 / item
Organic Form White Stoneware Tamala Sculpture by Munier
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Tamala Sculpture by Munier Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 35 cm. Materials: Stoneware. Weight: 3 kg. I specialize in the ancient technique of coil building, a traditional han...
Ceramic
$1,094 / item
Cut Smoked Black Medium Vase by Studionudo
Located in Geneve, CH
Cut Smoked Black Medium Vase by Studionudo Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 23 x H 30 cm. Materials: Clay. Different finishes and sizes are available. Prices may vary. Please contact us....
Clay
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
Post Modern Sculptural Clock in the Style of Sosstass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Really cool sculptural clock in the memphis style powered by a battery.
Stainless Steel
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