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.
$910Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 Postmodern Flash One Series Coffee Service Plates, Cups, Saucers, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Flash One Series Coffee Service Plates, Cups, Saucers by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal, 1980s, Set of 6, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an at...
Porcelain
$652Sale 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
$135Sale Price|39% Off
Vintage Pastel Green Ceramic Ashtray, Postmodern Design, Circa 1980
Located in Toronto, CA
A stylish pastel green ceramic ashtray from the 1980s, reflecting the playful yet functional aesthetic of postmodern design. The piece features a simple round form with three rests, ...
Ceramic
1980’s Memphis Coffee Set by Marco Zanini for Bitossi Italy
By Bitossi, Marco Zanini
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Beautiful set of a coffee pot, sugar bowl with lid, creamer and two coffee cups and saucers in glossy black and matte blue and glossy white details. The set from the Hollywood colle...
Ceramic
Set of 3 Postmodern Octagon Tea Glasses, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Set of 3 Postmodern Octagon Tea Glasses, 1980s
Glass, Plastic
Set Of 24 Luigi Bormioli Postmodern Light & Music Monet Glasses, Italy, 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
A comprehensive collection of 24 vintage post‑modern crystal drinking glasses and champagne flutes from the 1980s, manufactured by Luigi Bormioli, an Italian brand well known for its...
Crystal
Defne Koz Drinking Glass for hwc Egizia by Sottsass Associati, Italy
By Egizia, Defne Koz, Sottsass Associati
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Defne Koz Drinking Glass for hwc Egizia by Sottsass Associati, Italy, 1990's. Four drinking glasses available. The listed price is for one drinking glass.
Glass
Swedish Postmodern Aperitif Glass Kosta Boda, 1990s
By Kosta Boda
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish crystal and art-glass aperitif glass, hand-painted and initialed by artist, for Kosta Boda, Postmodern period, circa late-20th century, 1990s, Sweden. Beautiful colors include blue hand-painted design around base of crystal bowl, green and black art glass just below, a red art glass stem with red hand-painted design, finished with a yellow art glass base. Artist initials on the side of glass bowl and marker's mark at base, showing both authentication marks in last two images. Sip in style with this beautiful piece of art. Dimensions: 4.38" Height. Emerald green Champagne coupes glasses...
Crystal
Vintage Italian Postmodern Carrara Marble Lazy-Susan.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Vintage Italian Postmodern Carrara Marble Lazy-Susan. Vintage Italian Postmodern or Minimalist white with black veining Carrara marble Lazy-Susan. A well-balanced turntable for kit...
Carrara Marble
Italian Postmodern Kontessa Series Sugar Pot from Vev Vigano, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Kontessa Series Sugar Pot from Vev Vigano, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 Official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer ...
Brass
Italian Postmodern Koncord Series Espresso Maker by Walter Capp, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Koncord Series Espresso Maker by Walter Capp for Vev Vigano, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional ...
Plastic
Post Modern Memphis Design Rare Tea Kettle by Rolf Sinnemark for Rorstrand
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and beautiful ceramic teapot, circa 1980s, Made in Sweden designed by Rolf Sinnemark for Rorstrand highly collectible in great condition no chips or cracks, incredible geometric...
Porcelain
1985 Rare Postmodern Porcelain & Silver Teapot by Borek Sipek for Driade
Beautiful and very rare very collectible porcelain and silver teapot coffee carafe designed by Borek Sipek for Driade excellent condition beautiful patina never used.
Silver
$89Sale Price / set|40% Off
Vintage Set of 4 Post Modern Pink Lucite Scrolling Ribbon Napkin Rings
Located in Amityville, NY
A vintage post modern set of four napkin rings in pink lucite, with a scrolling, looping, wrapping, ribbon or bow shape. Each of the 4 in the set is identical, providing a perfect fe...
Lucite
Heide Warlamis Postmodern Skyscraper Salt Pepper Shakers, Vienna Collection 1990
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of beautiful and decorative postmodern Skyscraper Pop Art salt and pepper shakers, designed in 1990 by artist and designer Heide Warlamis as part of her renowned Vienna Collec...
Porcelain
Haeger Rounded Edge Mauve Pink Postmodern Vide Poche
By Royal Haeger
Located in New York, NY
Postmodern Haeger vide poche catchall. Bold rounded edges make this a standout piece, mauve color is versatile and pairs nicely with many other colors. Perfect for a coffee table, dr...
Ceramic
Post-Modern Aluminum Lemon Squeezer Designed by Philippe Starck for Alessi
Located in San Diego, CA
A classic post-modern aluminum lemon squeeze by Philippe Starck for Alessi, circa 1990s. The piece is in great condition beautiful piece of art .
Aluminum
Ettore Sottsass Dark Olive Green Olivetti Synthesis Ashtray, Italy 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Ettore Sottsass Dark Olive Green Olivetti Synthesis Ashtray with Its Original Box. Circa 1970 New Old Stock
Plastic
Vintage Iridescent Blue Coupe Glasses - Set of 4
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 vintage coupe glasses. Beautiful iridescent blue color to the glasses. Nice round shape with tapered stems. Perfect for wine, champange, or cocktails. Each measures 3.25"D...
Glass
80s Post Modern Memphis Design Handmade Marilee Hall Abstract Art Teapot Signed
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Spectacular, Post Modern, Memphis Design, One of a Kind, Handmade, tossed pottery and painted yellow tea pot, with a crackle finish, I adorned with both incised and applied colorful...
Metal
$156Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Rare Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves
Located in San Diego, CA
A Classic postmodern Memphis era design teapot designed by Michael Graves, circa the 1980s, a rare design not many were produced it's in good condition except for a ding on the botto...
Stainless Steel
$1,150 / set
Tea Set 'Fantasia' by Matteo Thun, 1980
By Matteo Thun, Arzbeg Porcelain
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Memphis-style Seven-piece porcelain tea set 'Fantasia' with 'Carre Noir' decor by Matteo Thun for Arzberg Porzellan, Germany. The set contains a tea pot with lid, two cups w...
Porcelain
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Tim Lazer Oxblood Red Vase, American Studio Art Glass, 1971
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage fused and cased glass vase features complex, multilayered composition of colored fused glass, metallic pigments, and gold foil on deep, jewel-toned, oxblood burgundy red gla...
Gold
David Gilhooly Ceramic Frog Sandwich Sculpture Funk Movement Pottery Signed 1983
Located in Troy, MI
David Gilhooly (1943-2013) Frog Sandwich 1983 Glazed Earthenware 9.5 x 4 x 6 in David Gilhooly (1943–2013) was an American ceramic sculptor and key figure in the Funk Art movement ...
Clay
Set of 2 Italian Postmodern Euclid Series Salad Servers by Michael Graves, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Euclid Series Salad Servers by Michael Graves for Alessi, 1980s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Addi...
Plastic
Grey ABS 4663 Wall Ashtray/emptying trays by Centro Kappa for Kartell, 1980s
This wall ashtray is made up by 3 main parts with an additional removable tray. this sculptural item was designed as an ashtray but I think it should be more iteresting used as an em...
Plastic
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Italian Futura Silver-Plate, Wood, Resin Tray By Larry Laslo For Towle
By Larry Laslo, Towle Silversmiths
Located in North Miami, FL
This fabulous vintage 1980's postmodern Italian tray was designed by Larry Laslo for Towle Silversmiths in Italy. It is rectangular of silver-plate, wood handles with red resin. This...
Silver Plate
London Souvenir Porcelain Round Ashtray Dish with UK Landmarks
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Round Decorative Ashtray, London Souvenir Porcelain Dish with UK Landmarks.Bring a touch of London into your home with this vibrant porcelain ashtray featuring iconic landmarks from ...
Porcelain
Vintage Chrome Napkin Rings
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A set of 8 vintage chrome napkin rings.
Metal
Set of 6 Bodum Postmodern Napkin Rings by Jumi Chan & Nathalie Du Pasquier
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Ajumi Han, Memphis Milano, Bodum, Memphis Group
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking set of six Bodum postmodern napkin rings was designed in the 1980s by Jumi Chan and Nathalie Du Pasquier, a founding member of the Memphis Group. Each ring showcases a ...
Metal, Silver Plate, Brass
Set of 8 Bodum Postmodern Napkin Rings by Jumi Chan & Nathalie Du Pasquier
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Ajumi Han, Memphis Milano, Bodum, Memphis Group
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Striking set of 8 postmodern (two of each patten) napkin rings created for Bodum by Memphis-affiliated designers Nathalie Du Pasquier and Jumi Chan. These sculptural table accessorie...
Metal, Silver Plate, Brass
Tea Service "Flash On" by Dorothy Hafner, Rosenthal Studio-Line Germany, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Tea Service "Flash On" by Dorothy Hafner, Rosenthal Studio-Line Germany, 1980s. 40 pieces of fantastic coffee/tea service. The iconic Post-Moden, Memphis pattern...
Ceramic
1980s Memphis Style set of 8 Vintage Rocks Glasses with Colorful Shapes & Tray
By Georges Briard, Neiman Marcus
Located in St. Louis, MO
1980s "Memphis" style set of 8 vintage frosted rocks, highball old fashion glasses with colorful Shapes of Red, blue, yellow black and white with blue grid tray. Unmarked
Metal
Postmodern Gray Ceramic Braided Woven Abstract Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Stunning woven braided ceramic centerpiece bowl glazed in a wonderful shade of gray with some blue tones. Great size for a coffee table or entryway. Very unusual abstract shape, plea...
Ceramic
$1,450 / set
Fornasetti Porcelain Musical Tableware, 5 Pcs.
By Fornasetti
Located in Astoria, NY
Collection of Five Fornasetti Porcelain Musical Instrument Tableware Pieces, comprising: (2) two "Instrumenti Musicali", plate and small dish, marked "Fornasetti Milano / Made in Ita...
Porcelain
$256Sale Price|20% Off
Venini for Disaronno Amber and White Fused Glass Ice Bucket, Murano Italy
By Venini
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Modernist vintage ice bucket has abstract geometric decor of fused white glass on transparent amber colored glass with controlled bubbles effect. The piece has two small rounded han...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
$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
Peter Saenger Sculptural Porcelain Creamer Pitcher
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage studio pottery porcelain creamer pitcher by ceramicist, Peter Saenger. Matte white glaze and a wonderful sculptural shape. Signed on the bottom.
Ceramic
ALESSI Italian .925 Silver Tea/Coffee Service / Michael Graves (USA)
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Michael Graves (USA) ALESSI SpA (Crusinallo, Omega, Italia) Italian 925 Pure Silver Limited Edition Coffee & Tea Piazza w/ Tray Edition # 64 / 99 (Design: 1984 / Production: 2003) D...
Silver
$625 / set
Dark Green Marble Coasters
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful set of four (4) dark green marble coasters with traces of white and light green veining, Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century. Excellent condition as shown i...
Marble
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Mackenzie-Childs Black and White Plate or Dish, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful authentic designer plate or dish by designers' MacKenzie-Childs, circa 1990s, New York. A rare piece, hand-painted plate with a black and wh...
Art Glass
Set of 2 Japanese Postmodern Stainless Steel Kettle
Located in Hamburg, DE
Japanese Postmodern Stainless Steel Kettle, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 Additional information: Materials: Metal, Pla...
Metal
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Five Large "Ivy Leaves" Teacups with Saucers
Located in København, Copenhagen
Gianni versace for Rosenthal. Five large "Ivy Leaves" teacups with saucers, late 20th century. In perfect condition. The cup measures: 10.5 x 6 cm. The saucer measures: 16.5 cm. ...
Porcelain
Purple & green Murano Glass Flasks by Venini, 1980s
By Venini, Laura Diaz de Santillana
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 2 small decorative Murano flasks designed by Laura de Santillana and manufactured by Venini in the 1980s. the green flask shows a visible small chip at the neck as stated in p...
Murano Glass
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
Set of 3 Postmodern Sugar and Milk Tray by Micheal Graves for Alessi, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Sugar and Milk Tray by Micheal Graves for Alessi, 1980s, Set of 3, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional i...
Metal
Dunhill Cigar Ashtray Catchall England Black and Red Collectible 1970
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Vintage Dunhill ceramic square collectible ashtray catchall by Wade England Royal red and black. Vintage Alfred Dunhill collectible porcelain cigar ashtray by Wade, England. Material: Glazed prestige porcelain with gold lettering on red borders. Dunhill ceramic Ashtray, by Wade Porcelain England. Marked in gold lettering. DUNHILL with British Seal. "By appointment of her majesty the queen" Suppliers of smokers, Alfred Dunhill LTD London. London, Paris, New York. Dimensions: 7.25 inches square x 2.75 inches high Stamped: Orange back stamp "Wade Pdm England" Condition, some light scratches. Collector ashtray, desk decoration, vide poche catchall, collectible. Vintage Collectible Alfred Dunhill Square Porcelain Cigar Ashtray, London Paris New York. Made in England. Great addition to any gentleman desk or British collection of James Bond fans. Dunhill Ashtray...
Ceramic
Lindt-Stymeist Postmodern Colorways Tea Kettle, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern tea kettle from the 1980s by Lindt-Stymeist in baby blue, yellow and pink.
Porcelain
$104Sale Price|46% Off
Postmodern Cosmo Martini Cocktail Set of 2
Located in Toronto, ON
Super cool postmodern cocktail Glasses that can be used for martinis, cosmos, and other cocktails. This Memphis style glasses feature a rounded cylindrical base with a wide open tria...
Glass
$460Sale Price / set|20% Off
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...
Glass
80s Post Modern Pierre Casenove for Studio Salins Art Deco Style Teal Coffee Pot
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large geometric Post-Modern Teal glazed coffee pot designed by Pierre Casenove for by Studio Salins France in the 1980s. Designed during the 1980s Memphi...
Ceramic
$120 / set
Lenox Swan Lake Wine Glasses - Set of 4
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 4 vintage wine glasses in the Swan Lake pattern by Lenox. Beautiful frosted stems in the shape of a winged woman with clear bowls on top.
Glass
Unique 1980s Postmodern Red Acrylic Nutcracker from Finland
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Red Acrylic Nutcracker, Finland, 1980s
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
Georges Briard Post Modern Coasters Set c.1980
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original set of six Post Modern coasters and holder by Georges Briard. The bright colors, geometric shapes and playfulness are associated with the 1980s Memphis Group desig...
Plastic
Haeger Blush Peach Abstract Vase Postmodern
By Haeger
Located in New York, NY
Postmodern Haeger Peach Blush pink abstract vase, medium size. Looks stunning on its own or as part of a group. In great condition, no crazing or cracks. Measures: H 9"/ W 10.5"/ D 4...
Ceramic, Pottery
Murano Sommerso ashtray from the 1960s
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Murano Sommerso Ashtray from the 1960s This Murano ashtray features an organic, asymmetrical shape, with a circular base and a wraparound desig...
Art Glass
Large "Boat Shaped" Studio Pottery Bowl, circa 1980
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large "Boat Shaped" Bowl Studio Pottery, circa 1980 " nice large size with very nice glaze, color and "G" monogram"
Pottery
Set of 2 German Postmodern Teapot or Coffeepot with Cup by Seltmann Weiden
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern VIP Collection Teapot or Coffeepot with Cup by Seltmann Weiden, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additi...
Ceramic
1980's Coca Cola Classic Ice Bucket New Never Used Rare Collectible
Located in San Diego, CA
A very collectible original Coca cola , Ice bucket never used in its box, foam plastic super cool and rare item .
Plastic