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.
White, Black and Blue Hand-Painted Ceramic Jug / Vase in the Style of Picasso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in France, 1960s - 1970s. It is made in white hand-painted ceramic with blue and black motifs, that recalls Pablo Picasso's style. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show ...
Ceramic
$467Sale Price|20% Off
Brocca di Marco Zanini per Flavia Montelupo/Bitossi
By Flavia Montelupo, Marco Zanini
Located in Lugo, IT
Brocca in ceramica (craquele) di Marco Zannini per la collezione Hollywood prodotto da Flavia di Montelupo Grazie
Ceramic
Postmodern German Flying Objects Series Milk Jug for Arzberg, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Flying Objects Series Milk Jug by David Palterer and Sieger Design for Arzberg, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution ...
Ceramic
$373Sale Price|25% Off
K. SHIGETO 1980 Memphis Design Modernist Zojirushi Coffee-Tea Pot Carafe In
Located in Miami, FL
A Memphis Zojirushi coffee-pot designed by K. Shigeto. This is a beautiful vintage coffee-tea pot server created in Japan during the Memphis period, back in 1980. This Zojirushi- Ja...
Plastic
Postmodern Memphis-Style Art Glass Bottle – Frosted Cobalt Blue with Sculptural
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Striking blown-glass bottle with a strong Postmodern / Memphis design influence. Its bold, tiered silhouette in frosted cobalt-blue glass gives the piece a playful and sculptural pre...
Blown Glass
Riedel Mesa Elegant Silver & Crystal Carafe, Decanter, Pitcher, Italy, 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful high-quality crystal glass and silver-plated brass carafe / small pitcher / wine decanter, suitable for serving water, wine, or juice. This exclusive piece is part of the...
Crystal, Silver
Memphis Art frosted Glass Bottle
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Striking sculptural decorative bottle in hand-blown frosted art glass, featuring a bold cobalt blue gradient body resting on a vivid red base and topped with an opaque white sculptur...
Blown Glass
Cerutti Italy Tea, Coffee Pot, Carafe, Vessel in Stainless Steel, 1980s
By Cerutti
Located in Miami, FL
Original Cerutti Italy Post Modern Inox 18/10 stainless steel Serving Coffee or Tea Pot, Carafe, Vessel. Signed.
Stainless Steel
Soft Goblet in Steel, Tinted Silicone and Silk by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Soft Goblet in Steel, Tinted Silicone and Silk by Panorammma Dimensions: D 18 x W 18 x H 27 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, tinted silicone, and silk suture. Cu...
Steel, Stainless Steel, Nickel
Guzzini Feeling Thermal Jug Post Modern Mid-Century Italy
By Guzzini
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Guzzini Feeling Thermal Jug, an Italian-designed carafe known for its modern aesthetic and double-walled insulation. Red vessel. Part of the "Feeling" coll...
Plastic
Soft Jug in Steel, Tinted Silicone and Silk by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Soft Jug in Steel, Tinted Silicone and Silk by Panorammma Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 25 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, tinted silicone, and silk suture. Custo...
Steel, Stainless Steel, Nickel
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Design Thermal Carafe by K. Shigeto Milano for Zohirushi Japan
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design on this Memphis era coffee carafe, designed by K Shigeto Milano for Zohirushi Japan circa 1980's great condition, with top switch for open/c...
Glass, Plastic
Vintage Hand-Blown Tortoise Shell Glass Pitcher, Italian Murano, 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage hand-blown glass pitcher in a tortoise shell pattern. Elegant barware hand blown tortoise shell glass pitcher amber with clear glass handle. A distinctive tortoise shell motif brings rich color and dimension to a glass carafe that makes a stunning addition to your bar. A beautiful tall Martini or Lemonade pitcher...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Postmodern Milk Creamer Jug from Galzone, Denmark, 2000
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Milk Creamer Jug from Galzone, Denmark, in Flawless conditions. Designed from 2000 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Style: P...
Ceramic
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Handcrafted Silver and Gold plated Pitcher for San Lorenzo
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, San Lorenzo
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Afra and Tobia Scarpa Beautifully Handcrafted Silver and Gold-plated Pitcher for San Lorenzo Italy 1990s
Gold Plate, Silver
Postmodern Silverplate Insulated Coffee Jug
Located in Litchfield, CT
Silverplate, retailed by D. F. Sanders & Co., NY. Made in Italy, circa 1970s. Perfect for hot coffee or a cold beverage, this seventies silverplate carafe works beautifully and looks...
Silver Plate
Transparent and Murano Glass Pitcher Vase by La Murrina with Gold Leaf, Italy
By La Murrina
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This pitcher vase is made in transparent Murano glass and features gold leaf flakes. It is slightly ribbed. This is a vintage item, therefore it might show sl...
Gold Leaf
Peter Secrest Art Studio Glass Vase Pitcher Red Gold Flakes Postmodern 2003
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The pitcher or vase was hand blown by Peter Secrest in Naples, NY. It has ruby red body with gold flakes inclusions throughout; it is decorated with applied textured blue and clear ...
Gold
A six-piece set of hand-blown purple art glass pitcher and glasses, late 20th c
Located in View Park, CA
A set comprising six pieces of purple art glass barware: one pitcher and five tumblers, late 20th century. Possibly from Italy. Each piece features an intricate hand-blown spiral in ...
Art Glass
Handmade Rimini Blue Lacquered Ceramic Jug by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Handmade in Italy, 1970s. This jug is made in Rimini blue lacquered ceramic. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excell...
Ceramic
Fitz and Floyd Holiday Pheasant Tea Pot
Located in Charleston, SC
This is a Fitz and Floyd 28 oz teapot in the shape of a pheasant. It is dated 1990 and retains the original price sticker, Fitz and Floyd Sticker and a Hand Painted sticker. It has...
Ceramic, Paint
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
$1,963 / item
Vida Water Pitcher by Essesi
Located in Geneve, CH
Vida Water Pitcher by Essesi Dimensions: D 28 x W 18 x H 14 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Essesi is a growing collection that celebrates each object and its place in its environment. D...
Aluminum
Handmade Brown Lacquered Earthenware Pitcher by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Handmade in Italy, 1970s. This jug is made in lacquered earthenware with brown and orange shades, which are rare colors. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces o...
Earthenware
Postmodern Silver Plated Brass Jug "Kanye"by Lino Sabattini, Italy, 1978 - 1981
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Lino Sabattini, 1978 - 1981 This jug is made in silver plated brass. This is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use such as its original patina...
Silver, Brass
Postmodern Yellow Opaline Hand Blown Glass Jug with Murrines and Silver Flakes
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. It is made in yellow opaline handblown glass with murrines and silver flakes in two different shades. This jug features a ribbed handle. It is a vintage item, ...
Silver Leaf
1980s Postmodern Capco White and Black Coffee & Tea Thermos Insulated Carafe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful matte white and black carafe. Seals well. Very good condition.
Fiberglass
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Whimsical Ceramic Teapot Postmodern Design by Walchtersbach, Germany
Located in San Diego, CA
Whimsical ceramic teapot by Walchtersbach circa 1970s, made in West Germany great Postmodern design beautiful colors.
Ceramic
$315 / item
Abrek White Jug by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Abrek White Jug by ZPS Studio Dimensions: W 24 x D 12.5 x H 31.5 cm Materials: Matte Glazed Ceramic. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fine Italian...
Ceramic
$315 / item
Abrek Black Jug by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Abrek Black Jug by ZPS Studio Dimensions: W 24 x D 12.5 x H 31.5 cm Materials: Matte Glazed Ceramic. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limite...
Ceramic