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.
Large Original 1977 Tapio Wirkkala "Paper Bag" Ceramic Vase for Rosenthal
Located in Malmö, SE
Large and original Tapio Wirkkala "Paper Bag" porcelain Vase for Rosenthal. Early production, made between 1979 and 1980. Excellent original condition. No chips, cracks or crazing....
Ceramic, Porcelain
Gaetano Pesce XL Indian Summer Vase, Clear Pink & Matte Lime for Corsi Design
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
The Extra Large Indian Summer Vase by Italian designer Gaetano Pesce for Corsi Design is a sculptural resin vessel from the iconic Fish Design collection, originally designed in 1995...
Resin
Carlo Moretti Murano Satinato Yellow and Blue Glass Pencil-Neck Vase, Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking vintage Italian Murano glass vase by Carlo Moretti, circa 1970s. Hand-blown in vivid citron-yellow glass with Moretti's characteristic acid-etched Satinato finish, the vase ...
Blown Glass
Unique Glazed Stoneware Object Untitled VI by Begüm Alkan
Located in Şişli, TR
Untitled VI (2026) by Begüm Alkan is a unique ceramic artwork in glazed stoneware. This one-of-a-kind ceramic object measures W 45 x D 45 x H 32 cm. Begüm Alkan reinterprets traditi...
Stoneware, Ceramic
Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda – ‘CanCan’ Art Glass Bowl, Model 59145, Sweden, 1990
Located in Bochum, NRW
A vibrant and collectible art glass bowl from the *“CanCan”* series, designed by esteemed Swedish glass artist **Kjell Engman** for **Kosta Boda** in the early 1990s. This hand-blown...
Glass
Vintage Classic "MoMA" Glass Ribbon Tall Vase by Peter Hewitt, 1996
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Glass Ribbon Vase by Peter Hewitt, 1996 A "Museum of Modern Art" Design Store Classic " A ribbon of anodized aluminum metal is securely sandwiched between 3/8" plate glass walls to ...
Aluminum
Black Ceramic Perpetual Face Vase in the Style of Piero Fornasetti by TMS 2005
By TMS, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Troy, MI
Multi face ceramic vase in black by TMS Inc Vitruvian Collection 2005 Perpetual face design in the style of Piero Fornasetti Signed and dated to lower edge 8 inch diameter 9.5 inc...
Ceramic
$444Sale Price|35% Off
Murano Sommerso Glass Vase by Alessandro Mandruzzato, Italy, 1970s
By G. Campanella & Co., Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Valencia, VC
A stunning Murano glass vase by Mandruzzato. Hand-produced in Venice circa the 1970s. Measurements: Height: 22.50cm (8.85 in.) Width: 13cm (5.10 in.) Depth:: 6cm (2.35 in) This va...
Art Glass, Sommerso, Murano Glass
Gaetano Pesce Large Clear Vase, Bottle Green, Pink & Matte Yellow for Corsi
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
The Large Clear Vase Extra Colour by Italian designer Gaetano Pesce for Corsi Design is a sculptural resin vessel from the iconic Fish Design collection, originally designed in 1995....
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
$98Sale Price|60% Off
Miniature Murano Glass Vase with Bullicante, Gold Leaf, 1980s, Italy
Located in Glasgow, GB
A miniature Murano glass vase in vivid emerald green, attributed to Archimede Seguso and crafted in Italy circa 1980s. This small Italian art glass vase exemplifies the technical fin...
Gold Leaf
Postmodern Italian Opaline Murano Art Glass Chalice, Abstract Decoration, 1980s
Located in Valencia, VC
Postmodern Italian Opaline Murano Art Glass Chalice, Abstract Polychrome Decoration, 1980s Strikingly beautiful in the hand, this sculptural Italian art glass vessel is an elegant e...
Opal
Vintage Fused Glass Footed Vase, Hand Blown Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Sculptural vintage vase is decorated with free-flowing fused red and yellow glass designs on mottled pink glass background; colored glass encases clear glass core, with clear glass ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Orange and Pastel Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Indian Summer" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Orange and Matte Pastel Pink. *All the pieces are hand-made and...
Resin
Handblown Murano Glass Vase in Female Torso Form, White & Brown, 1980s
Located in Toronto, CA
A sculptural handblown glass vase in the form of a female torso, crafted in Murano, Italy, circa 1980s. The piece features an elegant marbled pattern in crisp white with flowing dark...
Murano Glass
Crystalline Glaze Ceramic Vase, Red and Beige, American Art Studio Pottery
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The monumental studio pottery ceramic vase is decorated with crystalline glaze in striking, dark red and beige palette. The vase was hand thrown on a wheel; beige color crystals on ombre colored base, shifting from purplish tones on top to deep, dark red on the bottom, were grown in a kiln during a very long, controlled firing. Each crystalline piece is unique due to the nature of the glaze. The vase was allowed to develop an abundance of distinct, graphic crystals, creating a free-flowing abstract pattern and adding rich texture to the minimally shaped piece. The vase was made by Wizards of Clay...
Ceramic, Pottery
Medusa Vase (Large), Matte Cherry by Gaetano Pesce, Corsi
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Medusa' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Matte Cherry *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Variations ...
Resin
Meritalia Tall Vase / 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
Nugget Vase Extra Colour (XL), Clear Aqua, Matte Ochre, Matte Fuschia
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Extra Large "Nugget" Vase in soft resin, designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Aqua, Matte Ochre, Matte Fuschia *All the pieces are hand-made ...
Resin
Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Small post-modern Italian marble vase, circa 1980s. The vase is primarily a dark green in color, but has black and grey veining throughout. The vase is in very good vintage condition...
Marble
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 30.4 x H 15.2 cm Materials: Ceramic, stoneware Waterproof insert is required when using ...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$2,100Sale 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
Vintage 80s High Gloss Cream Ceramic Sphere Vase, Post-Modern Design
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage 80s ceramic vase. High gloss cream glaze in a simple modern sphere shape.
Ceramic
$520Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Postmodern Italian Marble Vases
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous pair of postmodern Italian marble vases, circa 1970s. Striking tan, brown, white and cream fleck throughout each vase. The pair are in ve...
Marble
Vintage Black Iris Ceramic Bud Vase by Otagiri, Japan, Circa 1980s
Located in Fairfield, CA
A petite glossy black vintage ceramic bud vase. Features a blue iris design outlined in metallic gold. Made in Japan by Otagiri, marked on the base. Measures 2"Dia x 3.75"H In excell...
Ceramic
Nugget Vase (Large), Clear Green and Matte Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Nugget" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Bottle Green and Matte Pink. *All the pieces are handmade and therefor...
Resin
Michel Harvey Pink Trompe-l’Oeil Ceramic Tank Top Vase Sculpture, Canada, 1980s
By Michel Harvey
Located in Toronto, CA
Playful, sculptural, and exceptionally rare, this trompe-l’œil ceramic vase by Canadian artist Michel Harvey reimagines a classic sleeveless tank top in a soft pink glaze—an uncommon...
Ceramic, Clay
Dealbata flower vase Zanotta Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
By Alessandro Mendini, Zanotta
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"Dealbata" flower vase designed by Alessandro Mendini. It was produced as one of collection for Zabro by Alchimia. Later Zanotta chose it in a Zanotta edizioni collection. Zanotta Ed...
Ceramic
Postmodern Millefiori Green Murano Glass Vase with Murrines and Gold Leaf, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This millefiori vase features different murrines and gold leaf flakes. It has its original label from Murano. This item is vintage, therefore it might show s...
Gold Leaf
$666Sale Price / set|38% Off
Post-Modern Murano Glass Heart Vases by Maria Christina Hamel, 1990s
By Salviati, Maria Christina Hamel 1
Located in Valencia, VC
Pair of Murano Sommerso Glass Heart Vases, Attributed to Maria Christina Hamel for Salviati, 1990s A striking pair of hand-blown Murano glass vases in the shape of stylized hearts, executed in the sommerso technique and attributed to Maria Christina Hamel for Salviati. Designed and produced in Italy in the 1990s, these vases embody the playful yet refined spirit of late Post-Modern glasswork. The pair features a smaller vase in a deep cherry red hue and a larger vase in a lighter, pink-toned red. Both are exceptionally heavy for their size, with a smooth, tactile finish that feels substantial and luxurious in hand. Their clean sculptural forms and vivid colors make them ideal accent pieces for a variety of interiors—from bathroom shelves...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Alessandro Diaz de Santillana Murano glass vase , signed 91 " Scozzesi"
By Alessandro Diaz de Santillana, Venini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice Scozzesi work in this Venini murano glass designed by the well know artist Alessandro Diaz de Santillana.
Murano Glass
Fast Vase by Cédric Ragot for Rosenthal, Gilt Porcelain, Circa 2000
Located in San Francisco, US
Cédric Ragot was an iconic designer that is only gaining more recognition with each passing year. “Fast,” created for Rosenthal, exemplifies his genius—a dynamic explosion frozen in ...
Porcelain
Amphora Mini Vase in Polished Aluminum by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
Amphora Mini Vase in Polished Aluminum by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 20 x H 40 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Available in brushed, varnished, or polished aluminum. Available in two different ...
Aluminum
Wabi Sabi Sculptural Textured Black Small Stoneware Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Wabi Sabi Sculptural Textured Black Small Stoneware Vase by Maku Ceramic Unique piece Dimensions: Ø 25.4 x H 15.2 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Waterproof insert is require...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay
$426Sale 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
Vintage Slab-built Studio Pottery Abstract Glazed Vase, Terracotta
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Slab-built Studio Pottery Abstract Glazed Vase, Terracotta Offered for sale is an original slab-built terracotta abstract studio vase. The vase is quite interesting with di...
Clay, Terracotta
Joel O'Dorisio for Lost Angel Glass Bud Vase, American Studio Art Glass, 2005
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Fused glass vase features complex multilayered colored glass core in dark Bordeau or burgundy red, cream, and sapphire blue colors, encased in clear glass in sommerso technique. Com...
Glass, Art Glass, Sommerso
Handcrafted Yellow Beige Art Glass Vase Kosta Boda Style, 1980s
By Kosta Boda
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted rectangular beige art glass flower vase in Kosta Boda style. In the style of Designer Bertil Vallien Art glass vase, circa 1980 for Kosta Boda. ...
Glass, Art Glass
$328Sale 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
Indian Summer Vase (Large), Clear Turquoise and Silver by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Indian Summer" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Turquoise and Silver. * All the pieces are hand-made and theref...
Resin
Murano glass vase, Anthropomorphic (face) vase
Located in London, GB
A whimsical and stylized art glass vase in the shape of an expressive human face. The body is characterized by a vibrant, mottled pattern in shades of teal, deep blue, and black, ach...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Small Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Small Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 12.7 x H 25.4 cm Materials: Ceramic, stoneware Waterproof insert is required when using w...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Bitossi Ceramiche Ball Vase by Aldo Londi, Ceramic, Italy, 13.75”
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Toronto, ON
Part of Aldo Londi’s iconic Rimini Blu series, this hand-turned fire-clay vase is engraved with rhythmic stamped motifs and finished in a luminous crystalline glaze that amplifies it...
Ceramic
Michel Harvey Trompe-l'Oeil Paper Bag Ceramic Vase, 1980s
Located in Montréal, CA
Great — this fills in the picture nicely. The WorthPoint listing is particularly useful: this is a size #1 bag, measuring approximately 5½" high × 2⅞" wide × 1⅞" deep — which matches...
Ceramic
Large Vintage Italian La Musa Pottery Vase Signed Cheerful 1980's Colorful 15"
By La Musa
Located in Wilton, CT
Vintage La Musa pottery large vase glazed in a grid pattern of vibrant rainbow colors. Super bright and cheerful. Hand turned and hand painted. Circa 1...
Pottery
Large Vintage Ceramic Vase with Glass Vial, Glossy Black Finish, 1980s
Located in Fairfield, CA
A large sculptural vintage vase. Features a glass vial in the center of a glossy black ceramic holder. Nice large size, perfect for displaying floral arrangements or using as a propagation vase...
Ceramic, Glass
Pair of Monumental Postmodern Hand-Decorated Ceramic Floor Vases, 1980/90s
Located in Ulm, DE
An impressive pair of large decorative ceramic floor vases, most likely dating from the 1980s/1990s. Standing an exceptional 110 cm high each, these substantial vases have a distinct...
Ceramic
Vintage Black, Red and Yellow Encased Hand-Blown Murano Glass Flower Vase, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. It is made in encased and hand-blown Murano glass. With its original label. This vase is vintage, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be c...
Murano Glass
Ettore Sottsass Vases from 27 Woods for a Chinese Artificial Flower
Located in Kansas City, MO
Two large vases by Ettore Sottsass from 27 woods for a Chinese Artificial flower. Edition S (red) is SOLD. Each from the edition of 12. From...
Brass, Gold Leaf
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 Waterproof insert is required when using with water...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$1,004 / item
Unfolding Vase by Moldra
Located in Geneve, CH
Unfolding Vase by Moldra Dimensions: D 35 x H 22 cm Materials: Stoneware Waterproof insert is required when using with water or fresh flowers. Moldra is a ceramic studio devoted to...
Stoneware
Post-Modern Glass Vase by Massimo Giacon for Vis-à-vis Collection of Ritzenhoff
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Cheerful glass vase designed by Massimo Giacon for the Vis-à-vis Collection of Ritzenhoff, 1999. The stubble rowdy face looks at us in a somewhat challenging but also friendly man...
Glass
$272Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern ceramic figurative vase by Lindsey Balkweill, signed, 1983, USA
Located in View Park, CA
An elegant postmodern vase featuring a cloaked figure by Lindsey B., signed, 1983. Tones of snow and licorice. 5” W x 3.25” D x 8.75” H
Ceramic
Vintage Frosted Flower Glass Block Vase, Post-Modern Design, 1980s
Located in Fairfield, CA
A unique vintage vase made from a glass block. A rounded rectangular opening has been cut into the top for use as a vase. Nice heavy weight, would work well doubling as a bookend. Ha...
Glass
$867 / item
Lehar Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Lehar Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 31.75 x H 44.45 cm Materials: Stoneware Waterproof insert is required when using with water or fresh flowers. The Lehar Vase is a sculptural...
Stoneware
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
$1,208 / item
Stoneware, Distressed Vessel NO.2 by Alexandria Roby
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware, Distressed Vessel NO.2 by Alexandria Roby Dimensions: D 17.78 x H 20.32 cm Materials: Black and White Stoneware Lined with Bronze Glaze Colors - Sandstone/Ivory or Onyx/Iv...
Stoneware
AMANO - Vintage Ceramic Vase - Rich Red Glaze - Germany - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
AMANO - Vintage ceramic vase - rich red glaze - bullet shape - signed on the base - impressed model number '629-18' - Germany - late 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - no l...
Ceramic
Ceramic Vase by Claudia Frignani, Wunderkammer Studio
By Wunderkammer Studio, Claudia Frignani
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ceramic Vase by Claudia Frignani for Wunderkammer Studio's limited Lefka collection. Claudia Frignani is a Milan-based designer, ceramic artist, and creator known for her unique scu...
Ceramic
Small Breakout Vase in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Small Breakout Vase by Brent Warr is a sculptural statement piece that embraces organic form and material experimentation. Hand-shaped from a proprietary blend of gypsum, pulp, a...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint