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.
$648Sale Price / set|20% Off
Gien “Fraises en Folie” Set of 6 Hand-Painted Porcelain Plates, France 1985
By Gien
Located in Bochum, NRW
Gien “Fraises en Folie” – Set of 6 Hand-Painted Dessert Plates, Each with Unique Historic Border, France. An extraordinary collector’s edition from *Gien, France, this six-piece *“Fr...
Faience, Porcelain
1985 Rare Postmodern Porcelain & Silver Teapot by Borek Sipek for Driade
Postmodern White Glazed Porcelain Glove Mold by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This mold is made in glazed porcelain. It was inspired by those ones designed by Gio Ponti for Ginori. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight t...
Porcelain
$32Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Postmodern Porcelain Mug by Kato Kogei for Fujimori
By Kato Kogei
Located in San Gabriel, CA
1980s Alpha-3 Mug designed by Kato Kogei for the Fujimori Collection. Made in Japan, this Memphis M mug is part of the Omega set.
Porcelain
Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games World Globe Bottle French Limited Edition, 1984
By Limoges, Bernardaud
Located in New York, NY
A chic and cool numbered limited-edition Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games world globe white porcelain cognac bottle, 1984. This chic piece, made exclusively for the USA Summer Olympic Games, Los Angeles, California, 1984. Made in France. Piece was designed and made by luxury French porcelain brand Bernardaud for luxury cognac brand, Camus Napoleon, limited edition, hand-numbered on bottom #T493...
Porcelain
Coffee Tea Service Flash One Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal Studio-Line
Located in Vienna, AT
Designed by Dorothy Hafner 1985 for Rosenthal Studio-Line Germany. Porcelain, mint green and black glazed, 11 pieces, 1 x coffee pot, 2 x coffee cup with saucers, 2 x plates, 2 x ...
Porcelain
Mario Bellini Cupola Postmodern Sugar bowl & Creamer by Rosenthal studio-line
Located in Vienna, AT
A set consisting of a post-modern milk jug / creamer and a sugar bowl with lid from the 1980s. From the „Cupola“-series, designed in 1985 by Mario Bellini and crated by Rosenthal stu...
Porcelain
$140Sale Price / set|20% Off
Post-Modern Espresso Set by Frauke V. Jaruntowski for Rosenthal Studio-Line
By Rosenthal
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-Modern espresso cup and saucer set by Frauke V. Jaruntowski for Rosenthal Studio-Line, circa 1980s. This wonderful set is in great vintage condition with no chips or cracks, is...
Porcelain
Porcelain Coffee Cups 'Chromatics' by Arzberg, 1971
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful set of tea/coffee cups from the 'Chromatic' series, designed by Gerald Gulotta for Arzberg Porzellan, Germany between 1971-73. The cups are part of the 'Goldbraun' sub seri...
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
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Barocco Porcelain Plate with Gold Decoration
Located in København, Copenhagen
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal. Barocco porcelain plate with gold decoration, 20th century. In perfect condition. Measures: 18 cm. Stamped.
Porcelain
$211 / item
Short Quarry Cup by Liyang Zhang
Located in Geneve, CH
Short Quarry Cup by Liyang Zhang One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 8 x W 8 x H 6 cm. Materials: Black porcelain. Made with single peice of black porcelain. T...
Porcelain
$300Sale Price / set|20% Off
Post-Modern "Kunstlertasse #2" Set by Michael Boehm for Rosenthal Studio-Line
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-Modern "Kunstlertasse #2" cup and saucer set by Michael Boehm for Rosenthal Studio-Line, circa 1980s. This wonderful set is in great vintage condit...
Porcelain
1980's Postmodern Memphis era Rare Creamer Teapot by J Kronester Bavaria
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful creamer teapot circa 1950's West Germany Bavaria beautiful pastel colors and design excellent condition.
Porcelain
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, "Arabesque Gold" Porcelain Knife Rest
Located in København, Copenhagen
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal. "Arabesque Gold" porcelain knife rest with gold decoration, late 20th century. In perfect condition. Measures: 7.5...
Porcelain
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Large "Jungle" Porcelain Cover Plate / Dish
Located in København, Copenhagen
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal. Large "Jungle" porcelain cover plate / dish with gold decoration and green leaves. Late 20th century. In perfect condition. Measures: 38 x 2.8 cm. ...
Porcelain
MEMPHIS "VOLGA" PostModern Porcelain Vase Italian / Matteo Thun (Austria)
By Matteo Thun
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
VOLGA Porcelain Flower Vase Matteo Thun Hand-turned and hand-shaped white porcelain vase with kiln-sublimated decorative decals. The VOLGA porcelain is a vase designed by Matteo Thu...
Porcelain
Large 67 Piece Set of Post Modern Dorothy Hafner Rosenthal Flash Dinnerware
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Large set of Memphis style Flash series porcelain dinnerware for twelve designed in 1982 by noted American ceramist and glass artist, Dorothy Hafner, and manufactured in Germany by R...
Porcelain
Stanley Tigerman Post-Modern Rare Porcelain Plate
Located in Sharon, CT
Stanley Tigerman post-modern image of sky and architecture. Rare original period porcelain 'transfer' printed plate, initialed and dated in gilt on th...
Porcelain
Porcelain Plates 'Chromatics' by Arzberg, 1971
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful set of porcelain plates from the 'Chromatic' series, designed by Gerald Gulotta for Arzberg Porzellan, Germany between 1971-73. The plates are part of the 'Goldbraun' sub s...
Porcelain
Porcelain Coffee Cups B 'Chromatics' by Arzberg, 1971
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful tea/coffee cups from the 'Chromatic' series, designed by Gerald Gulotta for Arzberg Porzellan, Germany between 1971-73. The cups are part of the 'Goldbraun' sub series with...
Porcelain
Porcelain Double Dip Bowls 'Chromatics' by Arzberg, 1971
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful double dip bowls from the 'Chromatic' series, designed by Gerald Gulotta for Arzberg Porzellan, Germany between 1971-73. These double bowls are great for small snacks and d...
Porcelain
$340Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 4 Mugs K. Fujimori for Kato Kogei Japan Alpha 3 Post-Modern Memphis 1980s
By Fujimori
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Set of 4 mugs 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 decorative serving platter....
Porcelain, Ceramic
Porcelain Breakfast Bowls 'Chromatics' by Arzberg, 1971
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful set of shallow breakfast bowls from the 'Chromatic' series, designed by Gerald Gulotta for Arzberg Porzellan, Germany between 1971-73. The bowls are part of the 'Goldbraun'...
Porcelain
Michael Graves Little Dripper Porcelain Filter Drip Coffeemaker
Located in Downingtown, PA
Little Dripper Porcelain Filter Drip Coffeemaker, Designed by Michael Graves, Manufactured by Swid Powell, Dated 1987. The complete set, with original instruction booklet, included ...
Porcelain
Circa 1980s American Duly Mitchell Crystalline Glazed Porcelain Vase
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1980s Duly Mitchell crystalline glazed porcelain vase, Tucson, AZ. Asian form. Pink rose & white. Exquisitely elegant work. Each of his pieces requires 2400 degree firing for 2...
Porcelain
$220Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Postmodern Style Candleholders Designed by Kate Spade for Lenox
By Lenox's Ceramic Art Company, Kate Spade
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of porcelain postmodern style candle holders, beautiful colors with silver edge accent by Kate Spade for Lenox.
Porcelain
Ugo La Pietra, Original Prototype Porcelain "Bagnante" Centerpiece , 1987
By Ugo La Pietra, Ugo Lapietra
Located in Milan, IT
Ugo La Pietra, "Bagnante" handmade glazed porcelain figurative centerpiece prototype, 1987. Produced by Artisan Mangani Signed and dated prototype by Artist and Artisan on bottom. Co...
Ceramic
$404Sale 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
Matteo Thun Extravergine Cruet for Anthologie Quartett, 1980s
By Matteo Thun, Anthologie Quartett 1
Located in Vienna, AT
Matteo Thun Extravergine Cruet for Anthologie Quartett, 1980s. Nice heart-shaped cruet for oil and vinegar. Dimensions are 7.08 x 7.08". Very good condition with no cracks or chips.
Porcelain
Postmodern Dinnerware Set by Dorothy Hafner for Tiffany & Co. "Chevron" Print
By Dorothy Hafner, Tiffany & Co.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large set of handmade porcelain dinnerware and coffee / tea service designed by Dorothy Hafner for Tiffany & Co., 1982. The set is being sold as service for six minus one soup bowl...
Porcelain
Lutz Rabold 'City Scape' Tea Set for Arzberg, 1980
By Lutz Rabold, Arzberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful Memphis-style tea set 'City-Scape' by Lutz Rabold for Arzberg Porcelain, Germany including one tea pot and lid (9.5in x 7.5in x 5.5in), one creamer (3.5in x 4.25in x 3.0in)...
Porcelain
$300Sale Price / set|20% Off
6 Porcelain Canister Set Designed by Susan Williams Ellis-Portmeirion England
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful set of 6 canisters designed by Portmeirion Pottery England circa 1980's great condition with Greek key design no chips or cracks.
Porcelain, Cork
Red Grooms, 2500 Limited Edition Porcelain Plate, Titled Moonstruck, 1994
By Red Grooms
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Well known artist and great sample of his whimsical style porcelain plate numbered 639.
Ceramic, Porcelain
$264Sale Price|42% Off
Postmodern Irregular Shaped Grey Earthenware Vase by Rosenthal, Italy
By Rosenthal
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s This ceramic vase is marked by Rosenthal. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent origin...
Earthenware
Verner Panton for Menu, Ten Egg Cups in Different Colours, Made of Rubber
Located in København, Copenhagen
Verner Panton for MENU. Ten egg cups in different colours, made of rubber. Late 1900s. Measures H 5.5 cm. x D 4.5 cm. In perfect condition. Marked.
Rubber
$575Sale Price|30% Off
Rare Memphis Porcelain Rolf Sinnemark Rörstrand 'Atlantis' series Teapot 1984
By rorstrand studio, Rolf Sinnemark
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Rare Memphis style 'Atlantis' series porcelain Teapot with printed geometric decoration in black, grey and white, designed by Rolf Sinnemark ca. 1984, made by Rörstrand, Stockholm. ...
Porcelain
$223 / item
Sculptural Spoon by Liyang Zhang
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural Spoon by Liyang Zhang One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 15 x W 4,5 x H 2,5 cm. Materials: Porcelain. Hand moulded and refined with a knife. Food a...
Porcelain
$211 / item
Tall Quarry Cup by Liyang Zhang
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall Quarry Cup by Liyang Zhang One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 6,5 x W 6,5 x H 10 cm. Materials: Black porcelain. Made with single peice of black porcelai...
Porcelain
Set of 4 Helice Black Porcelain Bowl by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 Helice black porcelain bowl by Studio Cúze Dimensions: W 15 x H 6 cm Materials: porcelain Studio Cúze I am a Berlin based Japanese ceramic artist. I completed the Desi...
Ceramic
Set of 2 Helice Black Porcelain Bowl by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Helice black porcelain bowl by Studio Cúze Dimensions: W 15 x H 6 cm Materials: porcelain Studio Cúze I am a Berlin based Japanese ceramic artist. I completed the Desi...
Ceramic
1980s Matteo Thun for Anthologie Quartett Porcelain Cruet "Extravergine"
By Matteo Thun
Located in Biella, IT
Matteo Thun for antologie Quartett porcelain cruet "extravergine" porcelain years '80 Measure 7,2 inches x 7,2" x 1,1,6" = 18 cm x18 x4
Porcelain