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.
Vintage 1983 Alessi Original 3cp La Conica Espresso Coffee Maker Italy MINT
By Alessi, Aldo Rossi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Vintage 1983 Alessi Original 3cp La Conica Espresso Coffee Maker Italy MINT Iconic, 1983, original 3-cup, " La Conica" Espresso Coffee Maker, model "La Tavola di Babele" ,designed...
Copper, Stainless Steel
Serving tray in brutalist design, made of aluminum and brass by David Marshall
Located in München, BY
Rare heavy serving tray in a brutalist design, made of aluminum and brass by David Marshall. Made in Spain. Stamped on the brass. The underside is covered in leather. The tray is in...
Aluminum, Brass
ROSA Lazy Susan - Handcrafted in Canada by Le Tenon & la Mortaise
Located in Saint-André-de-Kamouraska, CA
Practical, fun, and festive, the ROSA lazy susan stylishly rotates small dishes and condiments. This essential for impromptu aperitifs invites joy and conviviality to the table. Ma...
Hardwood, Cherry, Maple, Oak, Walnut, Fir
Set of Five Aluminum/Brass Coasters in Brutalist Design by David Marshall
Located in München, BY
Five rare, heavy, large coasters in a brutalist design, made of aluminum and brass by David Marshall. Made in Spain. Stamped on the brass. The undersides are covered with original l...
Aluminum, Brass
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: ...
Brass, Iron
$272Sale Price|38% Off
Monumental art glass platter with frosted motif, on plinth, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
An impressive and monumental art glass bowl, late 20th century. Featuring frosted glass in a “dripping liquid” motif. Platter sits atop a stacked art glass plinth. Light scratches bu...
Art Glass
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Marble Lazy Susan Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful post-modern marble lazy Susan tray, circa 1980s. The piece is in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and measures 16"D x 1....
Marble
Refined Contemporary Marble 01 Picasso Green Marble Platter
Located in Geneve, CH
Refined Contemporary marble 01 Picasso Green marble platter Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: Diameter 32 x Height 2 cm Material: Picasso Green Marble...
Marble
Jean-Luc Bertrand for Bouillet Bourdelle Chargers Metanode and Stainless
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A rare and visually arresting set of French modernist chargers designed by artist Jean-Luc Bertrand for Bouillet-Bourdelle, executed in polished stainless steel with hand-polychromed...
Stainless Steel, Enamel
$160Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Lucite Bath Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-modern lucite bath tray, circa 1980s. The tray would make a great bathroom piece for toiletries and works great with any post-modern, minimalist, contem...
Lucite
Vintage English Poole Glazed Ceramic Platter
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage platter from the esteemed English house of Poole Pottery is a masterclass in mid-century glazing techniques, offering an authoritative presence for any curated ...
Ceramic
Postmodern Memphis Style Charger Platter by Rita Duvall, 1991
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Memphis Style Charger Platter by Rita Duvall, 1991 Offered for sale is an overscale black and white studio hand-crafted post-modern decorative platter or charger. The p...
Ceramic
$1,451 / item
Yellow Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 5,5 x H 64 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels born from a deep explora...
Other
Vintage Postmodern Hand Painted Charger
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exceptional hand painted Chargers. Beautiful Postmodern design in beautiful yellows and blacks and grays. A really chic piece. Acquired from a Palm each estate.
Ceramic, Paint
$561 / item
Jewellery Dish by Saturday Yard Work
Located in Geneve, CH
Jewellery Dish by Saturday Yard Work Dimensions: W 25 x D 20 x H 2.5 cm Materials: Aluminium. Finish: Polished face / blackened texture. SATURDAY YARD WORK by Nathan Martin is a Ka...
Aluminum
Refined Contemporary Marble 03 Kyknos Marble Cake Stand
Located in Geneve, CH
Refined Contemporary marble 03 Kyknos Marble cake stand Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: Diameter 26 x height 22.5 cm Material: Kyknos marble Te...
Marble
Refined Contemporary Marble 02 Kyknos Marble Cake Stand
Located in Geneve, CH
Refined Contemporary marble 02 Kyknos marble cake stand Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: diameter 32 x height 15 cm Material: Kyknos Marble Tech...
Marble
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Decorative Hand Painted Italian Ceramic Large Fish Plate/Bowl by Vietri Italy
By Vietri
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful decorative hand-painted Italian large ceramic fish plate-bowl by Vietri Italy. The plate is in great condition with no chips or cracks and...
Ceramic
Italian Postmodern Euclid Series Salad Bowl by Michael Graves for Alessi, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Euclid Series Salad Bowl by Michael Graves for Alessi, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional inform...
Plastic
$210Sale Price|30% Off
Claudia Reese Cera-Mix Studio Pottery Postmodern Art Dinner Plate
By Claudia Reese
Located in Miami, FL
Cera-Mix postmodern art dinner plate or charger by Claude Reese.
Ceramic
Refined Contemporary Marble 02 Bianco Statuarietto Marble Cake Stand
Located in Geneve, CH
Refined Contemporary Marble 02 Bianco Statuarietto Marble Cake Stand Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: Diameter 32 x Height 15 cm Material: Bianco Statuariet...
Marble, Statuary Marble
Unique Elementa Fruit Holder in Satin Brass by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Elementa Fruit Holder in Satin Brass by Mingardo Dimensions: D16.5 x H8.5 cm Materials:Natural satin brass and natural varnished iron Weight: 5 kg...
Brass, Iron
Postmodern Minimalist Glass Cake Plate, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Minimalist Glass Cake Plate, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Glass Styles: Postmodern Item Type: Vintage, Antiqu...
Glass
Mesmerizing 3-D Optical Illusion Walnut & Maple End-Grain Cutting Board
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool vintage 3-D optical illusion walnut and maple end-grain cutting board with steel carrying handles, circa 1980s. A cutting board that's as mesmerizing as it is functiona...
Steel
$234 / item
Aster T-Trays by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Aster T-Trays by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 2.5 x H 1.8 cm Materials: Wood, brass. Hand lathe turned centerpieces in beech wood, with an elegant natural finish that contrasts beautifu...
Brass
Vintage German Postmodern Tray by Matteo Thun for WMF, 1980s
By Matteo Thun
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Tray by Matteo Thun for WMF, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: M...
Metal
An artist-made studio ceramic centerpiece / platter, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A very unique hand-crafted artist-made ceramic centerpiece or platter with undulating edge, late 20th century. Subdued tones of mauve and lavender. One-of-a-kind piece
Ceramic
Unique Elementa Trivet in Satin Brass by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Elementa Trivet/ Fruit Holder/ Paper Roll Holder in Brass by Mingardo Dimensions: D9 x H2.5 cm Materials: natural satin brass and natural varnished iron Weight: 2 kg Also av...
Brass, Iron
1990s Alessi Kitchen Timer by Alessandro Mendini Italy
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Alessi Anna Timer by Alessandro Mendini Kitchen Timer Blue Anna G line for Alessi. 1990s made in Italy. 4 x 4 x 5h Preowned vintage Refer to images
Metal
An artist-made studio ceramic leaf sculpture / platter, 21st century
Located in View Park, CA
A lavender colored artist-made studio ceramic sculpture or platter depicting a large tropical leaf, signed on verso, 2013. Exquisite as a gift or for any discerning lover of ceramics.
Ceramic
$402Sale Price|20% Off
Tapio Wirkaala "Porcelaine Noire" Dish Plate for Rosenthal Studio Linie, 1970s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Vintage dish plate in black porcelain designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Linie “Porcelaine Noire” serie with shiny and matte tone-on-tone dec...
Porcelain
Whimsical Post-modern Glazed Footed Studio Pottery Platters, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Whimsical Post-modern Glazed Footed Studio Pottery Platters, Pair Offered for sale is an original hand-built pair of signed post-modern studio pottery platters. Each platter has bo...
Clay, Pottery
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
ROSA Lazy Susan - Handcrafted in Canada by Le Tenon & la Mortaise
Located in Saint-André-de-Kamouraska, CA
Practical, fun, and festive, the ROSA lazy susan stylishly rotates small dishes and condiments. This essential for impromptu aperitifs invites joy and conviviality to the table. Ma...
Hardwood, Cherry, Maple, Oak, Walnut, Fir
ROSA Lazy Susan - Handcrafted in Canada by Le Tenon & la Mortaise
Located in Saint-André-de-Kamouraska, CA
Practical, fun, and festive, the ROSA lazy susan stylishly rotates small dishes and condiments. This essential for impromptu aperitifs invites joy and conviviality to the table. Ma...
Hardwood, Cherry, Maple, Oak, Walnut, Fir
ROSA Lazy Susan - Handcrafted in Canada by Le Tenon & la Mortaise
Located in Saint-André-de-Kamouraska, CA
Practical, fun, and festive, the ROSA lazy susan stylishly rotates small dishes and condiments. This essential for impromptu aperitifs invites joy and conviviality to the table. Ma...
Hardwood, Cherry, Maple, Oak, Walnut, Fir
$355Sale Price|43% Off
Massimo Lunardon Green Jellyfish-Tablet, Murano Glas, Medusa, Bowl
Located in Hamburg, DE
Special Jellyfish tray from the company Massimo Lunardon. Massimo Lunardon employs only experienced artisans who handcraft these great Murano glass objects. This clear blown glass se...
Murano Glass
$1,568 / item
Deep Red Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Deep Red Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 11.8 x H 55 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels born from a deep expl...
Other
$1,451 / item
Deep Blue Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Deep Blue Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 5,5 x H 64 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels born from a deep expl...
Other
$1,451 / item
Gray Mint Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Gray Mint Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 5,5 x H 64 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels born from a deep expl...
Other
$865 / item
Deep Blue Small Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Deep Blue Small Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 5,5 x H 35 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels born from a dee...
Other
$1,111 / item
Ivory White Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Ivory White Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 15.5 x H 35 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels born from a deep e...
Other
$830 / set
Set of 3 Black Sea Plate by Güler Elçi
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Black Sea Plate by Güler Elçi Dimensions: Large D: 25.5 cm Middle D: 19.5 cm Mini D: 15.5 cm H: about 4-5 cm Materials: Stoneware Ceramic, Food Safe Glaze. Güler Elçi is a ...
Stoneware
$437 / item
Large Creux Tray by Clemence Birot
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Creux tray by Clemence Birot Dimensions: 33 x 32 cm Materials: Ash (black stained). Clemence Birot started her career in ...
Ash
Set of 3 Refined Contemporary Marble Bianco Statuarietto Cake Stands and Plate
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Refined Contemporary Marble Bianco Statuarietto Cake Stands and Plate Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: D 26 x H 22.5 cm D 32 x H 15 cm D 32 x H 2 cm Material: Bianco Statu...
Marble
$312Sale Price|40% Off
Richard Meier Silverplated Tray for Swid Powell
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful silverplated metal tray designed in the 1980's by noted architect Richard Meier for Swid Powell, made in Italy. The tray has an embossed signature: Swid "Powel / RM / Sil...
Silver Plate
Round Top & Cylindrical Base Varnished Silver-Nickel Plated Platter by AVLU
Located in Geneve, CH
Kubbe Platter, Varnished Silver-Nickel Plated Silverware by AVLU Dimensions: D 16 x H 10.5 cm Materials: Platter, Varnished Silver-Nickel Plated. Avlu Design was founded in Anka...
Silver Plate, Nickel
$17,119 / item
Serving Bowl Caldafreddo
Located in Geneve, CH
Serving Bowl Caldafreddo Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: D 38 x H 9 cm Material: Silver 925/1000 Caldafreddo has been designed as a volume, formed by the combination of two moulde...
Silver
Tomozara Burnt Solid European Oak Decorative Serving Plate by Dennis Kaiser
Located in Geneve, CH
Tomozara Burnt Solid European Oak Decorative Serving Plate by Dennis Kaiser Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 12 cm. Materials: Oak. Handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy. Customization is avail...
Oak
$1,123 / item
Reversible Watch Tray by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Reversible Watch Tray by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 26 x D 11 x H 3 cm Materials: Bronze A watch tray designed in collaboration with Jaeger-LeCoultre 'Time and Place'. The tray offers two distinct sides - one with a double watch...
Bronze
$234 / item
Branch T-Trays by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Branch T-Trays by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 2.5 x H 1.8 cm Materials: Wood, brass. Hand lathe turned centerpieces in beech wood, with an elegant natural finish that contrasts beautif...
Brass
Refined Contemporary Marble 01 Travertino Silver Marble Platter
Located in Geneve, CH
Refined Contemporary Marble 01 Travertino Silver Marble Platter Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: diameter 32 x height 2 cm Material: Travertino silver marble. Technique: Polished, Carved. Available in Marble: Kyknos, Bianco Statuarietto, Grey Saint Laurent, Picasso Green, Port Saint Laurent, Travertino Silver, Rosso Lepanto, or Travertino Rosso. Available in sizes Medium or Large. Also available in Sets. Angelo O is the brother and scale model of the natural stone table...
Travertine, Marble
$5,148 / set
Remissus Vide-Poche by Vilde Hagelund
Located in Geneve, CH
Remissus vide-poche by Vilde Hagelund Current Production Dimensions: W 12 x D 12 x H 1.5 cm Materials: Birch wood. Remissus is inspired by the wat...
Other
Contemporary Aluminum Reversible Watch Tray by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Aluminum Reversible Watch Tray by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 26 x D 11 x H 3 cm Materials: Aluminum. Available in aluminum and bronze. Watch tray designed in collaboration with Jaeger-LeCoultre, in celebration of the Swiss company’s Reverso watch, first released in 1931. Like the classic timepiece, it features two sides: one is for a single watch laid flat, the other accommodates two watches with straps fastened. The three layers represent the three gaudrons of the Reverso...
Aluminum
$2,785 / set
Set of 6 Waves of Aegean Plate by Güler Elçi
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 6 Waves of Aegean Plate by Güler Elçi Dimensions: D 20 x H 1.7 cm Materials: Stoneware Ceramic, Food Safe Glaze. Güler Elçi is a ceramic artist based in Istanbul. In the ligh...
Stoneware
$5,921 / item
Untitled No. 5 by Elke Sada
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled No. 5 by Elke Sada Unique piece Dimensions: W 55 x D 56 x H 16 cm Materials: black grogged clay, coloured slips, transparent glaze. What is fa...
Clay
Refined Contemporary Marble 02 Grey Saint Laurent Marble Cake Stand
Located in Geneve, CH
Refined Contemporary marble 02 grey saint laurent marble cake stand Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: diameter 32 x height 15 cm Material: graf...
Marble
Refined Contemporary Marble 01 Bianco Statuarietto Marble Platter
Located in Geneve, CH
Refined Contemporary Marble 01 Bianco statuarietto marble platter Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: Diameter 32 x Height 2 cm Material: Bianco Statuarietto Marble. Technique: Polished, Carved. Available in Marble: Kyknos, Grafite, Grey Saint Laurent, Picasso Green, Port Saint Laurent, Travertino Silver, Rosso Lepanto, orTravertino Rosso. Available in sizes Medium or Large. Also available in Sets. Angelo O is the brother and scale model of the natural stone table...
Marble
Contemporary Deep Green Marble Stone Block Dish by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Guatemala Block Thoronet Dish by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 24 x D 6 x H 33 cm Materials: Green Guatemala marble. Crafted in Porto, Portugal, the Thoronet Dish shares the name and e...
Marble
$468 / item
Maquis 1 Plate by Güler Elçi
Located in Geneve, CH
Maquis 1 Plate by Güler Elçi Dimensions: D 19 x H 7 cm Materials: Stoneware Ceramic. Güler Elçi is a ceramic artist based in Istanbul. In the light of her ...
Stoneware