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Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

POSTMODERN STYLE

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

  • Emerges during the 1960s; popularity explodes during the ’80s
  • A reaction to prevailing conventions of modernism by mainly American architects
  • Architect Robert Venturi critiques modern architecture in his Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (1966)
  • Theorist Charles Jencks, who championed architecture filled with allusions and cultural references, writes The Language of Post-Modern Architecture (1977)
  • Italian design collective the Memphis Group, also known as Memphis Milano, meets for the first time (1980) 
  • Memphis collective debuts more than 50 objects and furnishings at Salone del Milano (1981)
  • Interest in style declines, minimalism gains steam

CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

  • Dizzying graphic patterns and an emphasis on loud, off-the-wall colors
  • Use of plastic and laminates, glass, metal and marble; lacquered and painted wood 
  • Unconventional proportions and abundant ornamentation
  • Playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art

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 Mendinia 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.

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Style: Post-Modern
Postmodern "Rigatone" Spaghetti Jar by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool postmodern "Rigatone" spaghetti jar by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi, circa 1980s. The piece is made of an orange translucent...
Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Plastic

Postmodern Memphis Design Hanging Spice Rack by Copco
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool postmodern / memphis design hanging spice rack by Copco, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition and is made of molded, brig...
Category

20th Century American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Plastic

Unique Elementa Paper Roll Holder in Satin Brass by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Elementa Paper Roll Holder in Satin Brass by Mingardo Dimensions: D7.8 x H28.5 cm Materials:Natural satin brass and natural varnished iron Weight: ...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Brass, Iron

Memphis Ice Bucket and Trays Post Modern 1980's Lacquer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A great post modern 1980's set of three items: ice bucket with cover and two additional trays. Made in Japan by Taste Setter Sigma. Serving trays are ...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Plastic, Lacquer

Glass Decanter by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Glass decanter by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 15.2 x H 28 cm Materials: glass, brass A place to ready the tastes and hidden intoxicating offerings of your libation to the evening. ...
Category

2010s American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Brass

Mardi Jo Cohen 1990 Memphis 20 Flatware Service in Sterling with Gemstones
Located in Miami, FL
Flatware set designed by Mardi Jo Cohen (1959-). Fabulous sculptural table pieces, crafted by the renowned American metalsmith artist Mardi Jo Cohen back in the 1990. These pieces has been individually made with Memphis design patterns in solid sterling silver, with high polished finish. This set is composed by 20 pieces divided in 5 sets. Gemstones: Mounted in bezel settings, with round brilliant cuts gemstones such; five peridots and five pink topaz, with an approximate weight of 12 carats. Materials: Silver, Lucite, gemstones, Formica and enamel paint. Weight: Combined of 911.60 Grams, (584.36 Dwt). Measurements: Average of 30 mm by 174 mm (1.18 x 6.85 Inches). Hallmarks: Each piece is stamped with the maker's mark and signed, "MARDI JO COHEN 90 STERLING SILVER". Mardi Jo Cohen born in 1959. Her works can be found in the Yale University Collection, the National Museum of American Jewish History and the Museum of Art and Design in New York, as well as other prominent museums and galleries coast to coast. Often seen in the form of serving utensils and jewelry is rarely seen let alone available to acquire. The Memphis style Was emerged in 1981, when the Italian designer and architect Ettore Sottsass founded a group of artists and designers called Memphis. Bob Dylan’s song 'Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again' was playing on repeat during the group’s first meeting, which led to the group being named 'Memphis'. After the inaugural meeting, the group decided that they would meet again in February 1981. The members brought over 100 drawings with them, picturing a variety of bold, colorful designs with multiple stylistic influences. The Memphis Group went on to create furniture, fabrics, patterns, ceramics and other products in a distinctly Postmodern style that blended stylistic traits of 1950s kitsch...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Silver, Sterling Silver

Vintage Postmodern Ceramic Tree Style Tea Warmer
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Ceramic Tree Style Tea Warmer, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Color: Beige Styles: Postmodern Item Typ...
Category

20th Century Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Ceramic

Postmodern German Metal Extendable Trivet Coaster from Zack
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Metal Extendable Trivet Coaster from Zack, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Me...
Category

20th Century German Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Metal

Vintage Postmodern Stainless Steel Sugar Pot Duet from Bella Ronde Series, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Stainless Steel Sugar Pot Duet from the Bella Ronde Series from Bredemeijer, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution ma...
Category

20th Century Dutch Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Wood

Postmodern Minimalist Toast or Letter Rack from Tomado Holland, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Minimalist Toast or Letter Rack from Tomado Holland, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Mat...
Category

20th Century Dutch Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Metal

Set of 3 Postmodern Triangular Trivet Coasters by Jorgen Meldgaard, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Postmodern Triangular Trivet Coasters by Jorgen Meldgaard for Menu, 1980s, 1980s, Set of 3, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. ...
Category

20th Century Danish Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Metal

Postmodern Flash One Series Pepper or Salt Shaker by Dorothy Hafner, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Flash One Series Pepper or Salt Shaker by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution markIt is compl...
Category

20th Century German Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Porcelain

Set of 2 Postmodern German Ceramic Fantasia Series Salt and Pepper Shaker, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Ceramic Fantasia Series Salt and Pepper Shaker by Matteo Thun for Arzberg, 1980s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribu...
Category

20th Century German Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Ceramic

Six Vintage, Jewel Colored, Double Sided Martini/Wine Glasses, Three Pairs
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage set of six glasses, each with two bowls, a martini on one side attached to a wine on the other by a clear glass ring. Three pairs made of jewel-toned glass with cut vertical ...
Category

Late 20th Century European Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Glass

Rare Steel and Ceramic Espresso Coffee Maker and Cups by La Porcellane, Italy
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design on this stovetop polished steel and ceramic espresso maker, with two single cups for Espresso, circa 1990's great condition. This model i...
Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Steel

Type Spaghetti Meter by Studio Lievito
Located in Geneve, CH
Type Spaghetti meter by Studio Lievito Dimensions: D10 x W10 x H10 cm Materials: Bianco Carrara marble. Weight: 1.8 kg Turning ordinary into extraordi...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Carrara Marble

Michael Graves Swid Powell Postmodern Serving Spoon Set
Located in New York, NY
A Postmodern set of sterling silver-plate salad serving spoons by architect and designer Michael Graves for Swid Powell Co., 1990. Each spoon bears the following on back as shown in ...
Category

1990s American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Silver Plate

Set of Three Post-Modern Ceramic Storage Cannisters
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of three post-modern ceramic storage cannisters, circa 1990s. The cannisters are egg shaped with black and white geometric patterns and red handles on the removeable lids. The se...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Ceramic

Postmodern Set of 6 Beveled Glass Placemats with Gold Trim
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible rare set of 6 placemats from the 1980's, beautiful beveled glass edge with gold trim by Kafka Industries, circa 1985 Memphis era this set has bo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Glass

Set of Four Post-Modern Stoneware Plates Signed by Marshall
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool set of four post-modern stoneware plates by Marshall, circa early 1980s. This plates are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and each plate measures 10...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Stoneware

Pair of Post-Modern Marble Storage Cannisters / Containers
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice pair of post-modern marble storage cannisters / containers, circa 1980s. The cannisters are in good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measure: 6.25"D x 8.5"H and , 7...
Category

Late 20th Century Pakistani Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Marble

Vintage Drinking Liquor Shot Glasses Set of 4
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful Vintage Post Modern liquor Cordial shot drinking crystal glasses set of 4. This set of four glasses boasts exquisite craftsmanship and distin...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Crystal

Porcelain Monumenti Salt & Pepper Shakers by Matteo Thun for Arzberg, 1987
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This pair is part of a series of 6 'Monumenti' pepper & salt shakers, inspired by ancient buildings and monuments designed by Matteo Thun for Arzberg in 1987. Thun is a well-know Ita...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Porcelain

Bordolese Rolling Pin with Case by Studio Lievito
Located in Geneve, CH
Bordolese rolling pin with case by Studio Lievito Dimensions: D 10 x W 10 x H 38 cm Materials: Bianco Carrara marble, Mahogany wood. Weight: 5.2 kg Evoking the silhouette of a classic glass bottle, this piece features an elegant combination of materials the slender wooden body of the rolling pin will slide elegantly in the white Carrara marble case...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Carrara Marble

Postmodern Graphix Dessert Set by Saltera Himark, 1985
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vintage postmodern dessert set in the Graphix pattern by Japanese ceramics company Saltera Himark from 1985. Decorated with geometric elements, including red and black triangles, b...
Category

Late 20th Century Japanese Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Ceramic

Set of Four Post-Modern Stoneware Plates by Marshall
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool set of four post-modern stoneware plates by Marshall, circa early 1980s. This plates are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cr...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Stoneware

Vintage Drinking Murano Crystal Glasses Set of 4
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Post Modern Murano drinking glasses set of 4. This set of four glasses boasts exquisite craftsmanship and distinctive decorations that belong to a single piece, each piece is different. Hand Made of mouth-blown Murano clear crystal with decorations in blue spirals. Measures: 4.5" Diameter x 4" High. Great addition to any elegant modern Barware collection. In the style of Bormioli Rocco...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Crystal

Sticks And Stones Mortar by Essesi
Located in Geneve, CH
Sticks And Stones Mortar by Essesi Dimensions: D 17 x W 17 x H 8,5 cm. Materials: Stainless steel and volcanic stone. Essesi is a growing collection that celebrates each object and...
Category

2010s American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Stone, Stainless Steel

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 ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Glass

Set of 6 Marble Coasters by Euromarmi Store
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 6 Marble Coasters by Euromarmi Store Dimensions: D 11 x W 11 x H 2.5 cm Materials: Sahara Noir marble, 24K Gold-Plated. Founded by Angela Stiuso, Euromarmi Store was born fro...
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Marble, Gold

2 French Crystal Champagne Bucket
Located in Queens, NY
2 French Post-War Design (1980/90s) crystal champagne bucket (centerpiece) with bronze female figures as handles (signed LaROCHE) (PRICED EACH)
Category

Late 20th Century French Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Bronze

Set of 4 Cohiki Vetus Tea Bowl VII by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Cohiki Vetus tea bowl VII by Studio Cúze. Dimensions: W 14 x H 8 cm. Materials: ceramic. The Cohiki Vetus Tea Bowl VII was handmade by Yasuhiro Cúze in Berlin. Each pie...
Category

2010s German Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 2 Cohiki Vetus Tea Bowl VII by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Cohiki Vetus tea bowl VII by Studio Cúze Dimensions: W 14 x H 8 cm Materials: ceramic The Cohiki Vetus Tea Bowl VII was handmade by Yasuhiro Cúze in Berlin. Each piece ...
Category

2010s German Post-Modern More Dining and Entertaining

Materials

Ceramic

Post-modern more dining and entertaining for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Post-Modern more dining and entertaining for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage more dining and entertaining created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Post-Modern more dining and entertaining made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original more dining and entertaining, popular names associated with this style include Michael Graves (b.1934), Swid Powell, Alessi, and Christopher Gentner. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for more dining and entertaining differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $6,750 while the average work can sell for $450.

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