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.
Black Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 30 x H 10 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: With\without handle - Black, Whit...
Stoneware
$676 / item
Whiskey Glass by J. Hill's Standard
Located in Geneve, CH
Whiskey Glass by J. Hill's Standard Dimensions: W 8.1 x H 9.2 cm. Materials: Glass Available designs: Bog / Furrow / Dew Each glass comes with both th...
Glass
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
$323Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Pink Scavo Glass Decorative Fish Figure, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This fish is made in scavo glass. It is vintage, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent original condition. Mea...
Murano Glass
Madmen Ashtray in Solid Bronze, Brass & Aluminium by Studio Marine Breynaert
Located in Geneve, CH
Madmen Ashtray in Solid Bronze, Brass & Aluminium by Studio Marine Breynaert. Dimensions: Ø 22 x H 64.5 cm Materials: Solid bronze, Solid brass, Thermo-coated aluminium. The materia...
Aluminum, Brass, Bronze
$3,077 / item
Sconces Palm Wall Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Sconces Palm Wall Lamp by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 50 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of a...
Ceramic
RIGEL Glass Vase by Marco Zanini, Hand-Blown Murano Glass, Memphis 1982
By Marco Zanini
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The Rigel by Marco Zanini is built from contrast: weight and light, clarity and excess. Blown in Murano glass, its stacked form feels composed rather than decorative, as if the objec...
Murano Glass
New Old stock Set of 4 Postmodern Mouth blown & Rubber Glasses by IVV Italia
By IVV Handmade
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic new old stock set of postmodern Italian glasses by IVV , mouth blown glass with rubber base , circa 1980's never used. made in Italy.
Blown Glass, Rubber
Black Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Stoneware Phiale Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 30 x H 10 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: With\without handle - Black, Whit...
Stoneware
$332Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Brown Murano Glass Fish Decorative Figure by Vincenzo Nason, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Vincenzo Nason & C. Murano, Italy, 1970s. This fish is made in Murano glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in exce...
Murano Glass
Italian Hand Painted Caleca Belvidere Platter
Located in Bradenton, FL
An Italian postmodern serving platter made by Sicilian ceramics manufacturer Caleca for their Belvidere pattern. Hand painted in soft pastel colors with a pink center, purple and gre...
Ceramic
Atamante Vase by Ettore Sottsass, Hand-Blown Murano Glass, Memphis 1986, Italy
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Ettore Sottsass, 1986 Decorative Murano glass vase handmade with traditional free-blowing and mould-blowing techniques.
Murano Glass
Niobe Vase by Ettore Sottsass, Hand-Blown Murano Glass, Memphis 1986, Italy
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Ettore Sottsass, 1986 Decorative Murano glass vase handmade with traditional free-blowing and mould-blowing techniques.
Murano Glass
Fililla Vase by Ettore Sottsass, Hand-Blown Murano Glass, Memphis 1986, Italy
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Ettore Sottsass, 1986 Decorative Murano glass vase handmade with traditional free-blowing and mould-blowing techniques.
Murano Glass
$722 / item
Glass Decanter by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Glass decanter by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 15.2 x H 28 cm Materials: glass, brass A place to ready the tastes and hidden intoxicating offerings of your libation to the evening. ...
Brass
The Standard Tray in Solid Wood by Standard Practice
Located in Geneve, CH
The Standard Tray in Solid Wood by Standard Practice. Limited Edition. Dimensions: W 31 x D 33 x H 4.3 cm. Materials: European Douglas Fir or European Ash. Sustainability: 'Digital ...
Hardwood, Ash
Walnut Wood Mural by Olivia Cognet, Post-Modern Design, France, 120 cm
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut Wood Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 250 x H 120 cm Materials: Walnut. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious mom...
Walnut
AC II Tableware by Justus Knut Schomann, Post-Modern Acrylic Design
Located in Geneve, CH
AC II by Justus Knut Schomann Dimensions: W 12 x D 2 x H 16 cm Materials: Casted Arcylic, Diamond polished. Weight: 0,3 Kg. Justus Knut Schomann...
Acrylic
Set of 3 Totem by Olivia Cognet, Ceramic, Post-Modern Design, France
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Totem by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: Small: 170 cm, Medium: 190 cm, Large: 220 cm Materials: Ceramic. Dimensions may vary. Please contact us. Each of Olivia’s handmade crea...
Ceramic
Postmodern Blue and Teal Ceramic Vase in the style of Bitossi
By Bitossi
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s - 1970s. This is a blue and cyan glazed and engraved ceramic vase. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered...
Ceramic
Vintage Millennium Year 2000 Cocktail Glasses- a Pair
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Toast to the turn of the millennium with this exceptional pair of vintage Millennium Year 2000 cocktail glasses. Each glass boasts a unique sculpted stem with a prominent "2000" desi...
Glass
Postmodern Chrome-Plated and Varnished Metal Ashtray Stand by Stilnovo, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. It is made in varnished a chrome-plated metal. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in good orig...
Chrome
$6,154 / set
Set of 2 Femme Sconces by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Femme Sconces by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 30 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious...
Ceramic
Olivia Cognet's Deep Green Stone Mural: Post-Modern Design from France
Located in Geneve, CH
Stone Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 330 x H 260 cm Materials: Stone Base, Glazed Deep Green. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot...
Stone
Unique Arq 007 Vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Arq 007 vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz. Dimensions: Ø 15.5 x 15.5 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed stoneware. The Arq series emerged from our own past production. ...
Stoneware
$617 / item
Large Eve Centerpiece by Marioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Eve Centerpiece by Marioni Dimensions: W 32 x D 40 x H 14 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Product code: 02511G Eve medium ceramic centerpiece of smooth shape, available in different ...
Ceramic
Ceramic Tea Set by Mas for Memphis Milano, 1980s, Set of 7
Located in Catania, CT
Very good Vintage condition with normal trace of age and use for this white, red and black ceramic tea set with the original tray. Signed by MAS ...
Metal
Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs Partial Dinner Service, 27 Pieces
Located in Astoria, NY
Victoria and Richard MacKenzie-Childs (American, 1948-2026; American, XX-XXI) Polychromed Glazed Terracotta Partial Dinnerware Service Set, comprising: (3) three dinner plate, (5) fi...
Terracotta
Unique Warrior 2 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 2 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 6.4 x D 9.8 x H 4.7 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ce...
Ceramic
Architectural Post-Modern Brass & Lucite Display Plateau or Serving Tray
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Architectural Post-Modern Brass and Lucite Display Plateau or Serving Tray by Lancelle Dallas, 1986 Architectural Post-Modern Brass and Lucite Display Plateau or Serving Tray by Lan...
Brass
$480Sale Price|25% Off
Transparent and Grey Sommerso Murano Glass Vase by Hora P with Rhomboid Base
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This vase is made in Sommerso Murano glass and is signed by Hora P. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considere...
Murano Glass, Sommerso
Set of 2 Euclid Teapot and Mug by Eter Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Euclid Teapot and Mug by Eter Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: Teapot: D 16 x W 28 x H 16 cm. Mug: Ø 9 cm x H 9 cm. Materials: Clay. Sustainab...
Clay
Recinto tray Alessi Alessandro Mendini Postmodern
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
"Recinto" table tray designed by Alessandro Mendini for Alessi. Designed in around 2000. Vintage blue color. There are a little trace of use. Over all good condition.
Stainless Steel
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
Vintage Murano Star Flower Shape Art Glass Dish, Italy
By Compagnia Di Venezia E Murano (C.V.M.)
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage hand crafted Murano star flower Art glass dish Italy. Stunning petaled flower or 6 pointed star-shaped hand blown glass dish in clear and pink, bl...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$2,051 / set
Set Of 4 Grappa Glasses by J. Hill's Standard
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 4 Grappa Glasses by J. Hill's Standard Dimensions: W 4 x H 8.1 cm. Materials: Glass Available designs: Bog / Furrow / Dew Each glass comes with both the polished and unpolish...
Glass
Unique Warrior 7 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 7 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 7.2 x D 9.5 x H 5.5 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ce...
Ceramic
Ceramic Teapot Designed by Goyer-Bonneau for Céramique de Beauce, Canada, 1976
Located in Montréal, CA
A striking ceramic teapot titled Le Pichet, designed by Denise Goyer and Alain Bonneau and produced by Céramique de Beauce in the 1970s. This Goyer-Bonneau teapot features a soft whi...
Ceramic
Unique Warrior 25 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 25 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 6 x D 10.9 x H 6 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ceramic. (Food-safe glazes used). A ...
Ceramic
$1,002 / item
Unique Arq 009 Vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Arq 009 vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz Dimensions: Ø 15 x H 23 cm Materials: hand-sculpted glazed stoneware. The Arq series emerged from our own past production. Draw...
Stoneware
Hermes Paris porcelain ashtray
By Hermès
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Hermes Paris Porcelain Ashtray The ashtray features an elegant and classic design, with a rectangular shape and slightly rounded edges. Its base is a soft grey colour, which contrast...
Porcelain
Unique Warrior 19 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 19 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 8 x D 9 x H 5 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ceramic...
Ceramic
Regolith Aluminium Ashtray & Incense Burner by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
Regolith Aluminium Ashtray & Incense Burner by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition, numbered & signed. Dimensions: W 11 x D 11 x H 4 cm. Materials: Aluminium. Composed of six alumini...
Aluminum
$6,923 / item
Platinum Luster Lys by deBlona
Located in Geneve, CH
Platinum Luster Lys by deBlona Dimensions: D 62 x H 10 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Colors: 24 Kt Gold Luster / Platinum Luster. A large sculptural plate crafted from fireclay, shaped b...
Ceramic
$9,231 / item
Hopstep Cast Glass Jug by J. Hill's Standard
Located in Geneve, CH
Hopstep Cast Glass Glass Jug by J. Hill's Standard Dimensions: D 17,1 x W 7,4 x H 12,7 cm. Materials: Cast Glass Available in these materials: Blown Glass / Porcelain / Cast Glass ...
Other
Vintage Hand Blown Green Glass Centerpiece Bowl, Empoli, Italy, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Empoli, Italy, 1970s. It is a high-quality centerpiece made in green hand blown and modeled glass. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but...
Blown Glass
Unique Warrior 27 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 27 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 5.8 x D 7.5 x H 6.6 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed c...
Ceramic
Unique Warrior 5 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 5 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 7.4 x D 8.7 x H 4.5 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ce...
Ceramic
Unique Warrior 3 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 3 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 6.8 x D 11 x H 5.8 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed cer...
Ceramic
Unique Warrior 11 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 11 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 6.8 x D 13.6 x H 5.8 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ...
Ceramic
Unique Warrior 12 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 12 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 6.8 x D 10.3 x H 5.8 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ...
Ceramic
Unique Arq 007 Musgo Vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Arq 007 Musgo Vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz. Dimensions: Ø 15.5 x 15.5 cm Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed stoneware. The Arq series emerged from our own past product...
Stoneware
Unique Warrior 1 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 1 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 8 x D 9.8 x H 5.5 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed cera...
Ceramic
Blue Tea Cups Stack Vase, Italy, 1980s
Located in Firenze, IT
Blue tea cups stack vase Italy 1980s Measures : 31 cm H - 20 cm diam. Conditions: defects & repairs. Check the pictures.
Ceramic
Tumbler Hand Drawn Glass by J. Hill's Standard
Located in Geneve, CH
Tumbler Hand Drawn Glass by J. Hill's Standard Dimensions: D 20 x H 20 cm. Materials: Glass Available in both polished and unpolished finishes, please contact us. The series Hand D...
Other
Postmodern Danish Red Black Bottle Opener Corkscrew Bar Set Bjarne Bo Ideas 1980
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Danish Red and Black Bottle Opener and Corkscrew Bar Set by Bjarne Bo for Ideas, Denmark, 1980s, Set of 4
Metal
Unique Warrior 17 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 17 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 9.2 x D 10 x H 5.8 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ce...
Ceramic
Set of 3 Postmodern Triangular Trivet Coasters Jorgen Meldgaard, Menu, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Postmodern Triangular Trivet Coasters by Jorgen Meldgaard for Menu, 1980s, Set of 3
Metal
Unique Warrior 15 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 15 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 8.9 x D 11 x H 6 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed cera...
Ceramic
Unique Warrior 8 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 8 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 7.9 x D 6.8 x H 5 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed cera...
Ceramic