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.
Memphis Milano Potato Ceramic by George J. Sowden
By Memphis Milano, George Sowden
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
$337Sale Price / item|25% Off
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
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
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
Bitossi Ceramiche Blue Sun Figure by Aldo Londi
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
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
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
Postmodern Glazed Ceramic Decorative Item attr. to Giovanni Bertoncello, Italy
By Schiavon, Giovanni Bertoncello
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy , 1970s. It is made in brown glazed ceramic and it's attributable to Giovanni Bertoncello for its design. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces...
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
$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
$2,446 / item
Cohiki Vessel by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Cohiki Vessel by Studio Cúze Dimensions: D 30 x H 37 cm Materials: Clay, white engobe, craquelé glaze. Each piece is unique. Size, color, and shape may vary. Studio Cúze I am a Ber...
Ceramic
$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
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
Postmodern Ceramic Cookie Jar Designed by Michael Graves Atomic Bomb
Located in San Diego, CA
Great and unique design by Michael Graves classic 1980's postmodern look with atomic Age design , in a white porcelain finish cookie jar with a lid and rubber sealer to keep them fresh.
Ceramic
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
$1,123Sale 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
'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
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
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
$14,584 / 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
Squash Limited Color Edition Gold Ashtray Maria Sanchez for Memphis-Milano
By Maria Sanchez, Memphis Milano
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Limited color edition Squash gold by Maria Sanchez for Memphis-Milano. Brand new item.
Ceramic
Postmodern Glazed Ceramic Decorative Item by Giovanni Bertoncello for Schiavon
By Schiavon, Giovanni Bertoncello
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
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
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
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
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
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
'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
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
$3,090 / 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
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
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. Dimensions may vary. Please contact us. Each of Olivia’s handmade crea...
Ceramic
Olivia Cognet's Deep Green Stone Mural: Post-Modern Design from France
Located in Geneve, CH
Stone Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 330 x H 260 cm Materials: Stone Base, Glazed Deep Green. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot...
Stone
$6,180 / 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
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
$6,952 / 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
Fluor Nude: Contemporary Hand-Painted Ceramic Sculpture
Located in MADRID, ES
Fluor Nude (2022) is a unique hand-painted ceramic sculpture that explores the expressive relationship between organic form, colour and contemporary art. Inspired by the human body a...
Ceramic
'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
$4,330 / item
Scones Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Scones lamp by Olivia Cognet Materials: Ceramic. Dimensions: D 20 x H 38 cm Non electrified. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a prec...
Ceramic
$4,635 / 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
$4,330 / item
Sconces Minimalist Wall Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Sconces Minimalist Wall Lamp by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 80 x D 30 x H 25 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a p...
Ceramic
$3,605 / item
Hole Vase by Solem Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Hole Vase by Solem Ceramics Dimensions: D 7.5 x W 20.5 x H 33 cm. Materials: White stoneware, glaze. This vase is water safe. Please contact us. Solem’...
Stoneware
Italian Post-Modern Ceramic Wall Calendar Plate 2013 by Fornasetti, 2013
By Fornasetti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post-modern Ceramic wall calendar plate 2013 by Fornasetti, 2013 Wall calendar plate of 2013, limited edition, in ceramic. It present a drawing ...
Ceramic
Ceramic Temple of Heaven fruit Plate Awarded to 28th Harvard College China Forum
Located in San Diego, CA
Red ceramic fruit plate styled after the temple of heaven feautiring a distinctive tiered design topped with a gold finial , four piece set that was awarded to the 28th Harvard Colle...
Ceramic
$3,523 / item
Large Pleomorph 50B Sculpture by Abid Javed
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Pleomorph 50B sculpture by Abid Javed Dimensions: W 25 x D 10 x 50 cm (Dimensions are variable) Materials: stoneware. Multiple clay color and size options. Handmade stone...
Stoneware
Pink Resonate Decorative Object in Pink Glazed Ceramic by Ain Choi
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink Resonate Decorative Object in Pink Glazed Ceramic by Ain Choi Dimensions: D 22 x W 15 x H 17 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Waves are particularly fascinating to me among those topics...
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
$3,090 / item
Scones Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Scones lamp by Olivia Cognet Materials: Ceramic. Dimensions: D 20 x H 30 cm Non electrified. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of ar...
Ceramic
$206 / item
Cu Vessel by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Cu vessel by Studio Cúze Dimensions: D 8 x W 23 x H 19.5 cm Materials: ceramic, copper The Cu Vessel is a handmade piece for holding and collecting incense sticks. The piece owes it...
Copper
$620 / item
Mediterranean Bowl by Güler Elçi
Located in Geneve, CH
Mediterranean Bowl by Güler Elçi Dimensions: D 15.5 x H 7 cm Materials: Stoneware Ceramic, Food Safe Glaze. Güler Elçi is a ceramic artist based in Istanbu...
Stoneware
Ceramic Nomad Jar Disco Tower by Gilles & Cecilie
Located in Geneve, CH
Ceramic nomad jar disco tower by Gilles & Cecilie Unique Dimensions: H 8 x W 7.5 cm Material: Ceramic painted two tone yellow Gilles and Cecilie Studio created the Nomad Jar Fa...
Ceramic
$309 / item
Nomad Jar Lindsey by Gilles & Cecilie
Located in Geneve, CH
Nomad Jar Lindsey by Gilles & Cecilie Unique Dimensions: H 9 x W 6.5 cm Material: terracotta with iron Gilles and Cecilie Studio created the Nomad Jar Family to explore drawing...
Iron
Vase 1 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou
Located in Geneve, CH
Vase 1 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou One of a kind, 2022 Dimensions: H 9.5 x W 11 cm. Materials: Stoneware, handmade glaze. Colors: blue, pink, ivory. Angeliki St...
Stoneware
$1,802 / item
Platinum River Vase by Angeliki Stamatakou
Located in Geneve, CH
Platinum River vase by Angeliki Stamatakou One of a kind, 2022, Featured in Milan Design Week Dimensions: H13 x W12 cm. Materials: Stoneware, clear glaze, platinum. Angeliki St...
Platinum
$2,316Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Ceramic Vase Deborah Groover Voo Doo Jazz Maximalist Nude Scene Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A colorful panel vase with nude scene, very large, tabletop piece by Deborah Groover from the 1990s. Nice shallow depth for placement on a narrow entryway/foyer table. No apparent ha...
Ceramic
1980s Memphis Milano Black and Blue Ceramic Teapot by Marco Zanini for Bitossi
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Group
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A Memphis Milano black and blue ceramic tea pot designed by Marco Zanini for Bitossi in perfect conditions. The tea pot by Marco Zanini is a stunning piece of functional art. It embo...
Ceramic
Memphis Milano Celery Ceramic by Michele De Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
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
Set of 6 Plates Fujumori for Kato Kogei Japan Alpha 3 Post-Modern Memphis 1980s
By Kato Kogei, Fujimori
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of 6 salad/occasional plates in Alpha 3 pattern was designed by Kaneaki Fujimori for Kato Kogei Japan in 1980s. Alpha 3 series consists of mugs, salad/casual plates, and decorat...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery
KAWS URGE (ceramic plates)
By KAWS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
KAWS URGE: Complete set of 4 ceramic plates produced on the occasion of the 2021 KAWS Brooklyn Museum retrospective, KAWS: WHAT PARTY. New in original packaging. Rare. Each individu...
Ceramic
$450 / set
Dorothy Hafner: Six Hand-Crafted Mugs
Located in Sharon, CT
Rare Dorothy Hafner early (1977) set of 6 gray ceramic mugs hand-crafted by this important designer/maker..
Ceramic
Signed Tessa Fuchs Vintage British Art Studio Pottery Bowl or Dish, circa 1980s
By Tessa Fuchs
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
British art Studio Pottery by artist and sculptor Tessa Fuchs (1936-2012), produced circa 1982. Tess Fuchs was born in Chesire and studied at the Sa...
Ceramic, Clay