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.
Bitossi Ceramiche Blue Sun Figure by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Toronto, ON
From Aldo Londi’s Rimini Blu series, this radiant sun-faced figure glows with hand-stamped motifs and crystalline glaze, equal parts folk charm and modernist icon. All Bitossi ceram...
Ceramic
Ettore Sottsass Model 585 Oxblood Red Ceramic Vase, Il Sestante, Italy, 1961
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional example of Ettore Sottsass’ early ceramic production, this striking vase—model 585—was designed in 1960 and realized circa 1961 by the Società Ceramica Toscana di Figl...
Ceramic
$520Sale Price|20% Off
Kazuko Matthews Post Modern Ceramic Teapot, California, 1980's
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Kazuko Matthews Post Modern Ceramic Teapot, California, 1980's. Kazuko Kayasuga Matthews was born Southern California and was raised in Japan. After she returned to the United Stat...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$1,130Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Handmade Cubist Studio Pottery Stoneware Tea Pot W. Inox Handle Artist?
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This stoneware teapot is a true masterpiece of modern studio ceramics. It features a dissolved surface glazed in a combination of semi-gloss sto...
Stainless Steel
Kazuko Matthews Post Modern California Studio Stoneware Teapot with Lid
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Flattened stoneware Post Modernist teapot with lid by California architectural artist Kazuko Matthews. Teapot measures 16" by 12" by 4" and is signed ...
Stoneware
Rosenthal Line Phases Porcelain White Ball Ornament by Dror Benshetrit, Germany.
By Rosenthal
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rosenthal Line Phases Porcelain White Ball Ornament by Dror Benshetrit, Germany. To understand the work of Dror Benshetrit, one must grasp the logic and thought processes underlying...
Porcelain
$597Sale Price|50% Off
Pino Castagna Italian 1980s Post Modern Art Pottery Bowl
Located in New York, NY
A great Italian Post Modern art pottery bowl by noted artist , Pino Castagna . Signed. Biography: Pino Castagna was born in Castelgomberto, Italy, in 1932, and studied in the schools of fine arts of Verona and Venice. Together with Scottish sculptor Michael Noble and his wife, Ida Borleti, from 1957 and 1963 he designed a creative skill stimulation programme for the mental patients of the Verona psychiatric hospital, as well as directed a ceramics school and workshop in Garda. His growing interest in sculpture was encouraged by frequent visits to Paris and Milan. In 1969, he moved his workshop to Costermano del Garda, Italy, where he currently lives and works. Since then, Castagna’s work has been characterised by constant experimentation with new techniques and materials as diverse as ceramics, aluminium, stone, wood, concrete, strings or tree branches. Each of these offers a new and original expressive possibility, which the artist explores by testing the materials’ plastic potential and pushing their endurance limits. In addition to his practice as sculptor, Castagna’s oeuvre encompasses painting and design, as well as public art, fully revealing the architectural and environmental vocation of his work. Remarkable examples of this vocation may be found in Cespo veneziano [Venetian Basket...
Ceramic
ST Tropez Mural by Olivia Cognet, Ceramic Wall Sculpture, Post-Modern
Located in Geneve, CH
ST Tropez Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 320 x H 210 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious mome...
Ceramic
Peter Shire Exp Signed Post Modern Ceramic California Pottery Splatter Cup, 1979
By Peter Shire
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work by famed Los Angeles (Echo Park), California-based artist Peter Shire who was a founding member (along with Italian designer Ettore Sottsass and others) of The Memph...
Ceramic, Pottery
$3,734 / item
Sconces Palm Wall Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Sconces Palm Wall Lamp by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 50 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of a...
Ceramic
Gold Decorated Pinched Pottery Vase, Signed JTN 1979
Located in New Windsor, NY
Pinched pottery that appears to either be a vessel for pouring or a free form vase. Hand decorated gold leaf line drawings on either side with hearts, cross hatching, arrows and peop...
Ceramic, Pottery
$7,468 / set
Set of 2 Femme Sconces by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Femme Sconces by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 30 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious...
Ceramic
$14,677 / set
Ceramic Glazed, Volcanoes Set by Newblue
Located in Geneve, CH
Ceramic Glazed, Volcanoes Set by Newblue Dimensions: D 27 x W 27 x H 33 cm D 26 x W 26 x H 12.15 cm Materials: Recycled Sanitary Ware, Recycled Glass, Quartz and Plant based binders...
Ceramic
Postmodern Rimini Blue Ceramic Fish Money Box by Bitossi, Italy
By Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is a Rimini blue lacquered ceramic money box by Bitossi, one of the most known Italian ceramic company that was founded i...
Ceramic
Kazuko Matthews Stoneware Post Modern California Studio Zig Zag Teapot with Lid
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Flattened stoneware Post Modernist vase by California studio artist Kazuko Matthews. Teapot measures 16.5" by 9.5" by 3" and is signed Kazuko Matthews on the bottom. In very good vin...
Stoneware
A unique graduated asymmetrical fruit bowl, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A unique postmodern studio art ceramic serving or fruit bowl featuring a graduated structure, asymmetrical lip, and ombré color theme, probably late 20th century. In tones of royal b...
Ceramic
Fragile Structure#7 Norihiko Terayama Berndt Friberg
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
This series is made up of some glass and some ceramic works. These works are highly unique form and looking. Norihiko Terayama created them from damaged vases, coffee cups and so on....
Ceramic
$1,425 / 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
Ceramic vase Memphis, “AVVENIRISTA” by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, Milan, 1990’s
Located in Milan, IT
Memphis Milano painted ceramic vase by Luciano Florio Paccagnella, “AVVENIRISTA” in yellow. Florio was a key member of the Memphis group when he created his series of unique handmade...
Ceramic
Memphis Milano Tomato Ceramic by Michele De Lucchi
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Toronto, ON
Michele De Lucchi decorates Tomato, a serving dish in ceramic with geometric patterns and figures. He works on the juxtaposition of simple figures: in the central part a rectangle ma...
Ceramic, Paint
Postmodern Glazed Ceramic Decorative Item by Giovanni Bertoncello for Schiavon
By Giovanni Bertoncello, Schiavon
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Giovanni Bertoncello for Schiavon, 1970s. It is made in brown glazed ceramic. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be cons...
Ceramic
$23,323 / item
New York Mural by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
New York Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 110 x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious moment...
Ceramic
Squash Limited Color Edition Gold Ashtray Maria Sanchez for Memphis-Milano
By Memphis Milano, Maria Sanchez
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Limited color edition Squash gold by Maria Sanchez for Memphis-Milano. Brand new item.
Ceramic
Sven Wejsfelt Ceramic Fish Plates Set 3, Pcs 'Stim' by Gustavsberg, Sweden
By Gustavberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice small collection of three pieces designed by Wejsfelt, all sizes are different if you need help. the one up is the platter.
Ceramic
$31,097 / item
Manhattan Mural by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Manhattan Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 80 x H 140 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious momen...
Ceramic
Modder Keep Flowing Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Keep Flowing Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: W 23 x 49 cm Materials: earthenware, off white, coil- built, unglazed Weight: 4.5 kg. Keep flowing instead of ...
Clay
Postmodern White Lacquered Earthenware Horse Head Decorative Object, Italy 1980s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This large-scale figure of a horse head was produced in Italy and dates to the 80s. The white glaze gives this piece a modern look and captures the elegance and beauty of the horse....
Earthenware
Rimini Blue Ceramic Pitcher Vase by A. Londi and F. Montelupo for Bitossi
By Aldo Londi, Flavia Montelupo, Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
This is a Rimini blue vase from the 1970s. Made in Italy. It was designed by Aldo Londi and produced by Flavia Montelupo, also known as Bitossi. Bitos...
Ceramic
Walnut Wood Mural by Olivia Cognet, Post-Modern Design, France, 120 cm
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut Wood Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 250 x H 120 cm Materials: Walnut. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious mom...
Walnut
Vintage 1960's Porcelain Coffee Set by Enesco Japan Retro Floral Design
By Enesco
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage ENESCO JAPAN Mid Century Modern porcelain Coffee Set. Beautiful set of 1 coffee or tea pot, 4 cups, sugar and creamer, in porcelain by Enesco Japan, in great condition no ch...
Porcelain
$13,075 / set
Set of 2 Sconces Bridge Wall Lamps by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Sconces Bridge Wall Lamps by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 50 x D 25 x H 35 cm Materials: Ceramic. Non electrified. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of ar...
Ceramic
$37,317 / item
San Francisco Mural by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
San Francisco Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 150 x H 110 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious ...
Ceramic
$3,734 / item
Mini Mural by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 28 x H 32 cm Materials: Stone. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious moment captu...
Stone
Handmade Fish Platter by Rasa Saldaitis, Colorful Ceramic Art, 1998
Located in New Orleans, LA
A modern, colorful hand made fish platter created by Rasa Saldaitis at her studio in Pinellas Park, FL. Every piece is hand made. Over 30 years in pottery. About Rasa Saldaitis. Oil ...
Ceramic
Postmodern Blue and Teal Ceramic Vase in the style of Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s - 1970s. This is a blue and cyan glazed and engraved ceramic vase. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered...
Ceramic
$6,996 / item
Platinum Luster Lys by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Platinum Luster Lys by deBlona Dimensions: D 62 x H 10 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: 24 Kt Gold Luster / Platinum Luster. A large sculptural plate crafted from fireclay, shaped b...
Ceramic
Set of 3 Totem by Olivia Cognet, Ceramic, Post-Modern Design, France
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Totem by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: Small: 170 cm, Medium: 190 cm, Large: 220 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapsh...
Ceramic
'Nob Hill' Ceramic Mug Sculpture by Peter Shire, 2015
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Glazed whiteware ceramic mug sculpture by Peter Shire, 2015. Approximate measures: 11 3/4" high x 16 1/2" wide x 29" long (to handle) Peter Shire: Peter Shire is an LA-based art...
Ceramic
Memphis Milano Celery Ceramic by Michele De Lucchi
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Toronto, ON
Michele De Lucchi decorates Celery, a serving dish in ceramic with geometric patterns and figures. He works on the juxtaposition of simple figures: in the central part a rectangle ma...
Ceramic
'Belmont' Ceramic Mug Sculpture by Peter Shire, 2016
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Glazed Whiteware ceramic mug sculpture by Peter Shire, 2016. Approx: 8 3/4" high x 13" wide x 23" long (to handle). Peter Shire: Peter Shire is an LA-based artist whose work elu...
Ceramic
Painted Ceramic by French - Moroccan artist Rita Alaoui
Located in PARIS, FR
Painted ceramic by Rita Alaoui. The ceramic is fired in a kiln and the artist then paints it. It is a very poetic work of art that reflects the artist's approach. Rita Alaoui seeks t...
Ceramic, Acrylic
Set of 2 White Ceramic 'Kissing" Mugs Designed and Made by Studio Zwartjes
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Niek Zwartjes and Zorka Bezpalcovà are the driving forces behind Amsterdam based Studio Zwartjes. These good looking mugs have such a shape that, when very near to each other, they...
Ceramic
$4,664 / item
Moon Jar in Gloss by Solem Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Moon jar in gloss by Solem Ceramics Dimensions: Ø 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Red stoneware, white slip, glaze. This Jar is also available in Raw and Obsidian finishes. Solem’s wo...
Stoneware
Memphis Milano Potato Ceramic by George J. Sowden
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Potato, designed by George J. Sowden for Memphis in 1985, is a ceramic tray with two metal handles. Round, with a pale green hue, it has raised borders that make it extremely functio...
Metal
'Scorpion Teapot' Ceramic Teapot by Peter Shire, 1982
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Large Vintage Glazed Earthenware Teapot by Peter Shire, 1982. Earthenware and Enameled Metal construction, Hand-Built. Approx: 15 1/2" high x 12" wide x 25" long Peter Shire: ...
Metal
$10,365 / item
Unique Ceramic Artwork Signed by Jojo Corväiá
By Jojo Corväiá
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique ceramic artwork signed by Jojo Corväiá Measures: 49cm diameter x 53cm high Ceramic object / natural pigments, glaze Jojo Corväiá: In essen...
Ceramic
Modder Stepping Up Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Stepping Up Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 31 x H 11 cm Materials: stoneware, 2022, black Weight: 1.7 kg Please meet 'Modder Stepping Up' to encourage y...
Stoneware
Modder Stacked Miracles Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Stacked Miracles Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 28 x H 10 cm Materials: unique stoneware piece, 2025, coil-built, unglazed, black Weight: 1.5 kg Keep st...
Stoneware
Modder Soul Softness Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Soul Softness Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 46 x H 27 cm Materials: earthenware 2023, off white Weight: 5 kg In case you need a little soul softness at...
Earthenware
Modder Soft Support Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Soft Support Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 11 x H 13 cm Materials: 2025, unique piece, unglazed stoneware, with intentional cracks, black Weight: 0.7 kg...
Stoneware
Modder So What? Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder So What? Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 10 cm Materials:[unique stoneware piece, coil-built, unglazed, orange/brown, 2025, made during my stay in ...
Stoneware
Modder Slowing Down Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Slowing Down Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 14 cm Materials: earthenware, 2023, off white Weight: 2,5 kg Sometimes all you need is to slow down i...
Earthenware
Modder Serendipity Black Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Serendipity Black Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 19 x H 28 cm Materials: stoneware, coil-built, unglazed dish, bla...
Stoneware
Modder Reclaiming Her Power Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Reclaiming Her Power Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 16 cm Materials: stoneware, September 2022, black, blue Belgian stone base included attached w...
Stoneware
Modder Proudly Practicing No Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Proudly Practicing No Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 24 x H 12 cm Materials: stoneware piece, black, coil-built, unglazed, year 2025 Weight: 1,4 kg. A l...
Stoneware
Modder Protecting Her Peace Instead Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Protecting Her Peace Instead Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 12 cm Materials: stoneware piece, clay colour, coil-built, unglazed, 2025 Weight: 1 kg...
Stoneware, Clay
Modder Owning The Damage On Her Way Up Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Owning The Damage On Her Way Up Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 29 x H 12 cm Materials: stoneware piece with mysterious marks left after firing, adding to...
Stoneware
Modder Miracle Watcher Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Miracle Watcher Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 31 x H 9 cm Materials: unique stoneware piece, 2025, coil-built, unglazed, black Weight: 1 kg. A gentle r...
Stoneware
Modder Making Memories Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Making Memories Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 37 x H 18 cm Materials: stoneware 2023, dark orange/brown Weight: 3 kg. A loving reminder to cherish ever...
Stoneware
Modder Looking Back Up After Messing Up Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey
Located in Geneve, CH
Modder Looking Back Up After Messing Up Ceramic Sculpture by Françoise Jeffrey Dimensions: Ø 17 x H 9 cm Materials: stoneware piece, black, coil-built, unglazed, year 2025 Weight: 0,...
Stoneware