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.
Mid-century modern vintage Erik Magnussen for Stelton plastic ice bucket no. 860
Located in Den Haag, NL
Vintage ice bucket made at Stelton. Designer: Erik Magnussen 1970s In nice good condition with very light signs of use (no deep scratches or cracks). The ice bucket has a Modern ti...
Plastic
Villeroy and Boch Bogart Chrome Ice Bucket with Liner and Lid
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Villeroy & Boch Bogart 2-3/4-Quart Chrome Ice Bucket with Liner and Lid. Stylish Bogart ice bucket named for the screen legend. Brushed 18/10 stainless-steel body with polished t...
Chrome
PostModern Michael Graves Swid Powell Handblown Glass Aerator Wine Decanter
By Alessi, Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
1990s Post Modern Memphis Michael Graves and Swid Powell Handblown Glass Wine Decanter with Interior Blue Bird Aerator by Alessi. Italy A remarkably delicate and clever design. The poetic glass blue bird serves as an aerator for the wine. The cross shaped acacia wood foot as used by again by Swid Powell im his coffee set. A stylistic signature that makes a pleasing come back with this decanter. Other recurring figure across Michael Graves' career, the blue glass bird...
Blown Glass, Rosewood, Cork
33 Pc. Set of Lenox Venture Stemware in Black with Platinum Trim Ca 1970's
By Lenox's Ceramic Art Company
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional large set of stemware by noted maker Lenox, in the Venture pattern. The glasses are black glass with platinum band trim at the top rim. The set consists of three sizes as...
Glass
Italian Postmodern Marble Terracotta Wine Bottle Coaster or Catchall, Set of 2
Located in New York, NY
A set of two (2) Italian Postmodern marble terracotta hue wine bottle table coasters, circa late-20th century, Italy. A substantial pair of marble wine o...
Marble
Swedish Postmodern Aperitif Glass Kosta Boda, 1990s
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish crystal and art-glass aperitif glass, hand-painted and initialed by artist, for Kosta Boda, Postmodern period, circa late-20th century, 1990s, Sweden. Beautiful colors include blue hand-painted design around base of crystal bowl, green and black art glass just below, a red art glass stem with red hand-painted design, finished with a yellow art glass base. Artist initials on the side of glass bowl and marker's mark at base, showing both authentication marks in last two images. Sip in style with this beautiful piece of art. Dimensions: 4.38" Height. Emerald green Champagne coupes glasses...
Crystal
SOTTSASS ASSOCIATI for EGIZIA - Hand Made Glass Carafe - Italy - Circa 1990's
By Sottsass Associati, Defne Koz, Henry Birks & Son, Egizia
Located in Chatham, ON
DEFNE KOZ for hwc EGIZIA by SOTTSASS ASSOCIATI - Retailed by Birks - Postmodern studio glass carafe - mouth blown - featuring a metallic horizontal stripe h...
Art Glass
Postmodern Funnytime Kitchen Timer by Roberto Pezzetta for WikiDue
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A whimsical Italian postmodern multicolor kitchen timer designed by Roberto Pezzetta for WikiDue. Stacked dark gray, white and yellow discs give it a...
Metal
Vintage Purple Lowball Tumblers Set of 6, LIbbey Imperial Plum, 1980s
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 6 beautiful pale purple vintage lowball tumblers. Made in the Imperial Plum pattern by Libbey. Weighted bases with a lovely design to the glass.
Glass
24K gold-plated drink set designed by Pino Spagnolo for Biesse, Italy 1978
Located in Milano, IT
24K gold-plated drink set designed by Pino Spagnolo for Biesse, Italy 1978. Biesse products are made using die-casting in alloy and undergo a four-layer galvanic process, achieving ...
Metal, Gold Plate
Luigi Massoni rare stainless steel with glass carafe ice wine liquor cooler .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and rare ice cooler with carafe / bottle marked Progetti . This production dates from the 1960's
Stainless Steel
Georges Briard Green Marble Ice Bucket, Italy, 1970s Modern Design
Unique 1970s Green Marble Modernist ice bucket with lid. Sculptural and made of richly speckled green marble with ivory veining. You won't have to...
Marble
$585Sale Price / set|40% Off
Champagne Flutes Glasses, Postmodern 1990s
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of four (4) art glass Champagne flutes glasses, Postmodern, circa 1990s, Europe. In the style of Kosta Boda, Sweden. Colors ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Vintage Lenox Swan Lake Wine Glasses, Set of 4, Frosted Winged Woman Stems, USA
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 vintage wine glasses in the Swan Lake pattern by Lenox. Beautiful frosted stems in the shape of a winged woman with clear bowls on top.
Glass
Carafe by Marco Susani for hwc EGIZIA Sottsass Associati (Italy)
By Marco Susani, Henry Birks & Son, Henry Birks, Egizia, Sottsass Associati
Located in Round Top, TX
Marco Susani designed carafe for hwc EGIZIA by SOTTSASS ASSOCIATI. This piece is documented as having been retailed by Birks. A Postmodern mouth blown, stu...
Blown Glass
$472Sale Price / set|30% Off
Champagne Flutes Glasses, circa 1990s, Set of 3
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of three (3) Emerald-teal green art glass Champagne flutes glasses, circa 1990s, Europe. In the style of Kosta Boda, Sweden....
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Postmodern Rare Corkscrew, Wine Opener, Alessi, Alessandro Mendini, 2003, Italy
Located in Praha, CZ
- rare type - practical - marked
Metal, Chrome
George Ponzini Postmodern Deco Revival Art Glass Pitcher
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern deco revival art glass pitcher by George Ponzini.
Art Glass
Esteban Prieto Bronze Iridescent Blown Glass Tumblers, Set of 5, Signed, 1988
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 5 blown glass tumblers by Oakland, CA glass artist, Esteban Prieto. Each with a beautiful iridescent bronze coloring to the glass and an applied serpent design wrapping arou...
Blown Glass
Vintage Val St Lambert Crystal Drink Coasters Set of 5 Circus Animals Belgium
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Val St. Lambert Crystal Drink Coasters Set of 5 featuring Circus Animals from Belgium. These whimsical Val St. Lambert crystal coasters showcase frosted intaglio designs of c...
Crystal
Set of Six Post-Modern Rubber Drink Coasters by Umbra
By Umbra
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice set of six post-modern rubber drink coasters and holder by Umbra, circa 1987. The coasters are in very good vintage condition and the set measures 4.125"W x 3.625"D x 1.75"H; ...
Rubber
Set of 3 Emilia Castillo Silver Plated Goblets with Black Onyx Lizards, Mexico
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking set of three silver-plated wine goblets designed and manufactured in Taxco, Mexico by renowned artist and silversmith Emilia Castillo. Expertly crafted in solid brass with...
Silver Plate, Brass
Post-Modern Three Piece Bar Set by Biesse / New in Box
Located in San Diego, CA
New in box post-modern three piece bar set by Biesse, circa 1980s. The set includes a bottle opener, corkscrew and nutcracker in new unused condition. Great looking high quality se...
Metal
$375 / set
Marble Coasters
Located in New York, NY
A set of three (3) gray and tan marble drinks coaster, in the Postmodern design style, circa late-20th century. A great set with in grey and tan hues with soft corners and cork botto...
Marble
Cobalt Blue Italian Stemmed Martini Glasses Set of 6 Post Modern Barware 1980s
By Baccarat
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of 6 handmade cobalt blue Italian candy stripe Italian stemmed martini glasses in French Maison Baccarat style. Set of 6 gorgeous cobalt blue Italian stemmed martini glasses. Fabulous hand blown vintage cobalt blue tumblers Martini glasses in beautiful color of deep cobalt blue and white glass perfect for cocktails. Handmade the vibrant hand blown rich sapphire blue jewel to reveal a lovely white spiral pattern with clean lines. Cobalt blue candy stripe cocktail glasses hand blown in Murano Glass, the glasses are twisted by the glass master to give exclusive elegant glass spiral effect lines. Make your party and bar more precious with this set perfect to impress your guests. These exquisite glasses barware will adds elegance and fun to a table or bar. Set of 6 Italian cobalt blue Martini glasses...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Beautiful Italian Postmodern Hand-made Burlwood Carafe by Pietro Mazoni
By Vietri
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful postmodern Italian hand made burlwood coffee carafe by Pietro Mazoni for Vietri Italy like new condition.
Glass, Wood, Burl
Gilded Steel Bottle Shaker - Fratelli P.R.A. - Italy - 1950s
Located in Milano, IT
#Shaker #BarwareVintage #CocktailShaker #ItalianDesign #1950s #MidCentury #DesignItalian #PraTorino #Golden Brass #MadeInItaly #VintageBarware Elegant bottle-shaped cocktail shaker ...
Steel
Nicola L. La Belle Et La Bete "Cocteau" Ceramic Tray
By Nicola L.
Located in New York, NY
Cocteau, La Belle Et La Bete ceramic serving tray by French conceptual artist Nicola L. Signed on reverse, Nicola L. 2007 Galerie A Rebours Edition...
Ceramic
Italian Postmodern Condiments Dish
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Post-Modern period condiments dish, circa late-20th century, Italy. Condiments dish is glass with a two-part plastic green holder with handle...
Glass, Plastic
Italian Mid Century Modern Glasses by Carlo Moretti Bullet Bottom 11 Available
Located in San Diego, CA
11 glasses designed by Carlo Moretti circa 1980's, excellent condition no chips or cracks, with bullet bottom stamped Italy under each glass. buyer can buy 1,2 up to 11 as many as y...
Glass
Rare Complete Set of Three Bent Falk Ice Buckets — MENU Danish Steel House, 1980
By Bent Falk
Located in Rødekro, DK
A rare and complete set of three ice buckets designed by Bent Falk for MENU Danish Steel House, Denmark, 1980s. This exceptional set comprises two standard-sized buckets (H. 25 cm, ...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Glass Crystal Ice Bucket by Cristal D'Arques France
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Cut Glass Crystal Ice Bucket by Cristal D'Arques France. Vintage from the 1980's. Very nice crystal ice bucket made in France. Dimensions: 6.5" in height and 7.25" in width f...
Crystal
Rare Lucite & Steel Two-Tier Bar Cart, Italian, circa 1980s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This fantastic bar cart was made in the 1980s in Italy and features lucite and steel construction. Made primarily of two loops of lucite, they are secured together at the top with tw...
Steel
1970s Vintage Italian Murano Venini Venetian Art Glass Ice Bucket Blue and White
By Venini, Murano Glass Sommerso
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1970s Vintage Venini Murano Light Blue White Clear Wine Cooler Ice Bucket Made in Italy. handcrafted Italian Murano Venini venetian art glass ice bucket . This is a delicate blown Murano art glass ice bucket. It has a flared shape from the base to the rim. It is a light sea blue color glass with white vertical lines and many small bubbles in the glass, the imperfection in the glass is due to the handcrafted blown glass. Vintage hand blown Venini Murano martini ice cube glass container in light blue, white and transparent wine cooler, ice bucket Hand-made in Italy 1970-80. No Hallmark no signature. Italian Murano art glass ice bucket. Measures from handle to handle: 6.5 inches. Diameter Top is 5.5 inches. Dimensions: Height: 5 in (12.7 cm)Width: 6.5 in (16.51 cm)Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm). Add a beautiful touch of Italian Mediterranean art...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Cobalt Blue Crystal Ice Bucket Ajka Arabella Barware 1960
By Baccarat
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Ajka Arabella Crystal Cobalt Cut to Clear Ice Bucket Mouth-blown and Hand-Cut. Cobalt blue cut to clear Bohemia art glass crystal ice bucket decorativ...
Crystal
A di Alessi King and Queen Chin set of 2 Bottle Stops in Blue and Green
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A di Alessi King & Queen Chin 2 Bottle Stops Blue & Green. As new, collectible A di Alessi green and blue limited edition hand-decorated King and Queen Chin bottle stoppers in mint ...
Resin
$134Sale Price|71% Off
Italy 1960 Post-Modern Murano Blown Glass Goblet
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an elegant goblet hand made in Murano, Venice in 1960 in Murano blown glass. The piece is very charming and on it are visible the signs of the handwork. The foot is in clear ...
Blown Glass
$238Sale Price|74% Off
Italy 1960 Post-Modern Murano Blown Glass Bottle
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an elegant shaped bottle hand made in Murano, Venice in 1960 in Murano blown glass. The piece is very charming and on it are visible the signs of the handwork. The bottle has...
Blown Glass
Modernist Red Ice Bucket in the Style of Marc Chagall 1950's
Located in Hastings, GB
An exceptional and very rare resin modernist ice bucket, decorated in deep burgundy, attributed to the works of the pioneering modernist French artist Marc Chagall. The ice bucket i...
Resin
Christian Dior Home , rare set 2 Ice Bucket and Wine bottle cooler silver plate
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and rare 2 pieces set , ice bucket plus wine cooler . Shows original red sticker label . Made in Italy, Quick not most of the French production of Christian Dior was produc...
Silver Plate
$889Sale Price / set|20% Off
Italy Post-Modern Set 5 Clear Bar Glasses with Ice Bucket
Located in Brescia, IT
This exquisite set of 5 clear bar glasses with its ice bucket, epitomized the Italian style of this era. The lined surface are an elegant pattern that characterizes this set, each gl...
Glass
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Ice Bucket Design by Knud Holscher Denmark
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design on this 1980's ice bucket by Knud Holscher made in Denmark in a flat black mate finish with drain plate.
Plastic
Modernist Silver Breton Design Ice Bucket in the Style of Marc Chagall 1950's
Located in Hastings, GB
An exceptional and very rare silver-plated modernist Ice Bucket, attributed to the works of the pioneering modernist French artist Marc Chagall. The Ice Bucket is decorated with two...
Silver Plate
$194Sale Price|66% Off
Italy 1960 Post-Modern Murano Purple Blown Glass Bottle
Located in Brescia, IT
This is a charming and elegant piece hand made in Murano, Venice, Italy in 1960. The blown glass has a vibrant color, the purple. This is a piece that will be part of ypur collection, or can be put on your diary table...
Blown Glass
$140Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Postmodern Faux Suade Wrapped Ice Bucket
Located in San Diego, CA
Cool design on this Memphis era Postmodern, ice bucket with plastic linner great condition California design.
Plastic
Green Marble Coasters Set 6 Pieces Handmade in Italy Collectible 1970
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Italian green marble coasters set of 6 Pieces. Italian 1970s green marble cocktail coasters. Set includes 6 coasters in green marble. Vintage collectible set of 6 green marbl...
Marble
Vintage Green Marble Coasters Set 5 Pieces Handmade in Italy Collectible 1970
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Italian green marble coasters set of 5 Pieces. Italian 1970s green marble cocktail coasters. Set includes 5 coasters in green marble. Vintage collectible set of 5 green marbl...
Marble
Set of 8 Kosta Boda Satellite Martini Glasses by Bertil Vallien, Signed Swedish
Located in San Diego, CA
An exceptional set of eight colorful art glass martini glasses from the Satellite collection, designed by renowned Swedish glass artist Bertil Vallien for Kosta Boda. #5739 Featurin...
Art Glass
Rare Pair of Memphis Bottle Openers by Marco Zanuso for Giotto 1993 Italy
By Giotto Stoppino, Marco Zanuso Jr.
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare Pair of Memphis Bottle Openers by Marco Zanuso for Giotto 1993 Italy Designed by Marco Zanuso jr. for GIOTTO. Although Ettore Sottsass was part of the company, it has to do with...
Metal, Stainless Steel
Set of Twenty-three Crystal Drinking Glasses attr. to Val Saint Lambert, France
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in France, 1960s. This set of twenty-three glasses is made in fine ground crystal. It is a vintage set, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered ...
Crystal
Vintage Black Barware Water Pitcher for Ballantine's 1980's
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage collectible black ceramic pitcher for Ballantine's 12 years old whisky pub jug bar pitcher. Vintage Ballantine's advertising pub pitcher, water Jug, c...
Ceramic
$297Sale Price|40% Off
Mid Century Modern Art Glass Thumbprint Designs Decanter and Stopper
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Fabulous! Mid Century Modern Original Art Glass Decanter and stopper featuring striking colorful Thumbprint designs. Measuring approximate 10.5” high. Circa 1960s. So well don...
Glass
Postmodern pink Ice Bucket, Italy, ca. 1980s
Located in Firenze, IT
Postmodern pink plexiglass and brass Ice Bucket Italy, 1980s H 19 × 18 × 18 cm Conditions: very good consistent with age and use. Signs of usage
Acrylic
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Minimalist Postmodern Portuguese Cork Ice Bucket
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Geometric solid cork ice bucket, lid and carved out bowl for white milk glass bowl for contents.
Cork
Aldo Tura Model 1157D Goatskin Parchment Thermos with Decorative Frieze, 1970
By Aldo Tura
Located in Conversano, IT
Overview An elegant thermos designed by Aldo Tura and manufactured in Italy during the 1960s, featuring a tall cylindrical body covered in natural goatskin parchment, embellished wit...
Brass
Vintage Brass Ashtray of in the Modernist Style Marked "Gourmetine" / "France"
Located in Nantucket, MA
Two-part brass ashtray of box for, the shallow square base with a conforming top fitting over the rim and with four square holes, each with one cigarette rest facing to two of the fo...
Brass
1970’s Blue Lucite and Rope Coasters With Holder - a Set of 9
Located in Charleston, SC
1970’s lucite in a blue finish with woven seagrass laid in a spiral design. Each coaster measures: 4.5” diameter x .25” tall Holder measures: 7” long x 3.25” deep x 3.25” tall
Jute, Lucite
Four Shelton-Ware Double Rocks Glasses w/Black and Gold Lines Making Circles
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of four Shelton-Ware double rocks glasses decorated with three disks made of a series of fine lines in black enamel with every fifth line being ...
Glass
Four Rare & Important Sterling Silver Champagne Flutes Designed by Robert May
By Robert May
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A truly rare & unique set of four stunningly handsome Post Modern sterling silver champagne flutes, specifically designed & made on com...
Sterling Silver
Polished Cast Brass Primeiro Corkscrew by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Polished Cast Brass Primeiro Corkscrew by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 12 x D 5 x H 24 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum. About: Studio...
Metal