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.
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
Afra and Tobia Scarpa Handcrafted Silver and Gold plated Pitcher for San Lorenzo
By San Lorenzo, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Afra and Tobia Scarpa Beautifully Handcrafted Silver and Gold-plated Pitcher for San Lorenzo Italy 1990s
Gold Plate, Silver
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
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
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
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
$200Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
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
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
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
$455Sale 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
$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
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
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
Handmade Brown Lacquered Earthenware Pitcher by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi
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 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
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
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
Handmade Rimini Blue Lacquered Ceramic Jug by Aldo Londi for Bitossi, Italy
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
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
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
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
$1,913 / 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
$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
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
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
$307 / 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
$307 / 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
Los Castillo style silver - plate and stone, turquoise pitcher Toucan/Parrot .
By Los Castillo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful silver plate of parrot / toucan with green crashed stones pitcher , shows like what could be Castillos unreadable mark, to soft mark.
Silver Plate
$534Sale Price|40% Off
H 7 in W 6 in D 3.5 in
Carl Auböck Martini Newspaper Midcentury Glass Pitcher, Austria, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful glass pitcher from the 1950s, designed and crafted by Carl Auböck in Austria. Typically these pitchers feature a leather belt but this particular piece is adorned with a ...
Brass
$275Sale Price|21% Off
H 5.25 in W 6.5 in D 9.5 in
Clear Glass Modernist Margarita Martini Cocktail Pitcher
Located in Ferndale, MI
Bulbous body drinks pitcher.
Glass
21st Century Blown Glass "Dafne Bottle"
By [1+2=8], Andrea Barra
Located in Milano, IT
Yes, it's true, it's a bottle, a decanter, but it is also an excuse to embellish the table, a even if you only load it with water, the "twisted" processing of the glass, gives ...
Murano Glass, Blown Glass
Handcrafted Modern Porcelain Pitcher Handstitch Leather Wrap
By DBO Home
Located in Sharon, CT
Inspired by Daniel's hand built boats (particularly the leather detail on the wooden oars) the porcelain Remo Pitcher is simple and elegant with a hand stit...
Leather, Porcelain
Antique Art Nouveau Topazio Silver Plate and Cut Glass Pitcher Caraffe Claret
Located in Toledo, OH
Antique silver plate Art Nouveau Topazio silver plate and cut lead glass pitcher / caraffe / claret. Holds 28 fl ounces. Very good condition. Dim...
Glass
Pol Chambost, Double Handed Ceramic Vase, France, circa 1960
By Pol Chambost
Located in New York, NY
Asymmetrical and acid green, this striking vase captures its mid-century moment with levity. Incised: Poterie / Pol Chambost / 1045 / FRANCE
Earthenware
$325 / item
H 9.45 in Dm 7.48 in
Albali Carlo Moretti Contemporary Mouth Blown Murano Clear Glass Decanter
Located in IT
Carlo Moretti Albali contemporary mouth blown Murano clear glass decanter, signed and dated. ...
Murano Glass
$1,685Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.5 in W 7.09 in D 6.3 in
Spanish Green Terracotta Handled Jug Vase / Pitcher / Vessel, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stunning Iberian style handled jug vase, jar or vessel in green unglazed terracotta. Spain, 1940s Catalan unglazed vase in green terracotta. Elegant piece, beautiful from all sides a...
Earthenware, Terracotta, Ceramic
Tea Pot Teapot, Copper Brass Bamboo, 1950s
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
A tea pot made of copper and bamboo manufactured in midcentury, circa 1950. An authentic handmade piece in very good original condition with lovely patina.
Copper
21st Century Blown Glass "Dafne Bottle with 2 Glasses"
By Andrea Barra, [1+2=8]
Located in Milano, IT
Yes, it's true, it's a bottle, a decanter, but it is also an excuse to embellish the table, a even if you only load it with water, the "twisted" processing of the glass, gives ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Polly Big Carafe in Blown in a Mold Glass Designed by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Polly large jug in mold-blown glass is one of Paola C.'s icons and one of the favorite pieces created by designer Aldo Cibic, who defines it as "a simple glass jug." Behind this simp...
Glass
Vintage Ceramic Coffee or Tea Pot, Memphis Postmodern Design, 1980s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage ceramic coffee or tea pot from the 1980s is a striking example of Memphis-inspired Postmodern design. The sculptural composition combines a crisp white body with a contr...
Ceramic
Blue Carafe and glasses. Inspired by Traditional Ceramic Carafes.
Located in London, GB
Our carafe colection is a tribute to the traditional pitchers of the regions of Tonala´ and Tlaquepaque in Jalisco, these two regions developed during the period of the conquest as pottery centers. Originally these bottles were used to store water in addition to keeping it a few degrees below room temperature, their low temperature cooking allows the jug to breathe water and this in contact with the outside air cools the jug and therefore the liquid inside. To avoid moisture stains on the surfaces where the jug is placed, a plate is placed. The jugs were usually decorated with paintings...
Ceramic
Cobalt Blue Glass Pitcher, Early 1900s Scandinavian Design
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 1900 cobalt blue glass pitcher. The pitcher is bold in color and shapely in its design. This blue jug is impressive with it's large cur...
Glass
Post-Modern Model "B" Ceramic Matte Black Pitcher by Claude Dumas
By Claude Dumas
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice post-modern Model "B" ceramic matte black pitcher by Claude Dumas, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 7.5"W x 3.25"D x ...
Ceramic
Sold
H 8.75 in W 6 in D 5 in
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
Sold
H 5.25 in W 5.13 in D 4 in
Mackenzie Childs Art Glass Pitcher or Vase with Garden Design, circa 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful authentic designer hand-painted art glass pitcher by designers' MacKenzie-Childs, circa 1990s, New York. Pitcher has a hand-painted red tulip flower garden motif and an o...
Art Glass
Sold
H 9.5 in W 8.5 in D 5.5 in
Streamlined Frosted Crystal 'Kyathos" Water Pitcher by Angelo Mangiarotti
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Cristalleria ColleVilca
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful streamlined frosted crystal 'Kyathos" water pitcher by Angelo Mangiarotti for Cristalleria ColleVilca of Italy, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition wit...
Crystal
Pink Ceramic Fiesta Ware Disc Pitcher in Discontinued Dusty Rose
By Fiesta Ware
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A classic Fiesta ware disc pitcher in the discontinued color Rose. Highly collectible, Fiestaware has been a favorite among collectors for ages. This glaze...
Ceramic, Paint
Holmegaard Royal Copenhagen Cobalt Blue Glass Pitcher
Located in Winter Park, FL
Vintage cobalt blue and green crystal pitcher made by Holmegaard Glass for Royal Copenhagen. Original Royal Copenhagen sticker. Circa 1980s. Dimensions: 5"W 3.5"D x 11.5"H
Glass
Alison Britton Manner Post-Modern Ceramic Pitcher
Located in Astoria, NY
Alison Britton (British, B.1948) manner Post-Modern glased ceramic pitcher, apparently unsigned. Dimensions: 11" H x 8.5" W x 4.5" D. Dealer: S138XX
Ceramic
Sold
H 8 in W 8.5 in D 4.5 in
VIntage Barware, Tortoise Shell Bar Set of Four Tumbler Glasses with Pitcher
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage barware set of hand-blown glass pitcher with four glasses in a tortoise shell pattern. Elegant barware hand blown tortoise shell glass pitcher amber with clear glass handle ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Postmodern Set of 10 Baccarat Crystal Champagne Coupes, France
By Baccarat
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in France by Baccarat, 1970s. These coupes are made in thin crystal. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they can be considered as in perfect...
Crystal
Postmodern Red Euclid Thermos by Michael Graves for Alessi
By Alessi, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A classic design by Memphis Milano-affiliated American postmodern designer and architect Michael Graves for his Euclid line for Alessi, the Italian home goods powerhouse. A red handl...
Glass, Plastic
Rare Postmodern Set of Four Hexagonal Murano Glasses by Cenedese, Italy
By Cenedese
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s - 1970s. This set of four glasses is made in Murano glass and each glass is labelled "Cenedese". It is a vintage set, therefore it might show slight traces of ...
Murano Glass
Postmodern Hot Bertaa Kettle by Philippe Starck for Alessi, 1980s
Located in San Diego, CA
Philippe Starck, Hot Bertaa Kettle, 1987. Included in NY MoMA's design collection. Low production. The long side of this tube is the kettle handle, the ...
Aluminum
Vintage Metallic Black Metal Soda Siphon
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
This is a fantastic Vintage Metallic black Metal Austrian ISI Soda Siphon seltzer bottle. Enjoy the fresh and healthy fizz of sparkling water, carbonated ...
Metal
Vintage Classic Soda Siphon Seltzer Glass Bottle with Wire Mesh
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
This is a fantastic vintage seltzer bottle with a metal wire mesh casing around the glass from the 1970. Enjoy the fresh and healthy fizz of sp...
Metal
Vintage Classic Soda Siphon Seltzer Glass Bottle with Wire Mesh
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
This is a fantastic vintage seltzer bottle with a metal wire mesh casing around the glass from the 1970. Enjoy the fresh and healthy fizz of sp...
Metal