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.
Set Of 4 Raw Sunrise Glassware by Milena Kling
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 4 Raw Sunrise Glassware by Milena Kling Unique Pieces. Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 9 cm. Materials: Mouth-blown crystal glass. Available individually and in sets of four glasses. Di...
Glass
Ceramic Table Set Black Gold Glazed From The 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
The set consist of salt and paper shaker, napkin holder, oil and vinegar bottle and 2 vases or holder. Made in Austria in the early 1980s.
Ceramic
Pair of Italian Travertine Ashtrays / Vide-Poches, round and square, 1970
Located in Conversano, IT
Overview A striking pair of Italian travertine ashtrays from the 1970s—one round, one square—each fitted with a removable polished metal dish. Two sculptural, architectural objects c...
Travertine
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, 1980s, Set of 3, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark.
Metal
$4,335 / item
Scones Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Scones lamp by Olivia Cognet Materials: Ceramic. Dimensions: D 20 x H 38 cm Non electrified. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a prec...
Ceramic
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
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
$445 / set
Set Of 2 Glaze Hole Mugs by Studionudo
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Glaze Hole Mugs by Studionudo Unique Pieces. Dimensions: Ø 11,5 x H 9 cm. Materials: Glazed clay. Different finishes and shapes are available. Prices may vary. Please conta...
Clay
Vintage Regency SoHo Pottery Lidded Cheese Tray
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This delightful vintage lidded dish is a quintessential piece of maximalist design, celebrating bold color and exuberant pattern. Featuring a vivid, all-over floral motif in shades o...
Enamel
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
$3,248 / item
Le Mani Bowl by Marcela Cure
Located in Geneve, CH
Le Mani bowl by Marcela Cure Dimensions: W 42 x D 42 x H 15 cm Materials: Resin and Stone Composite The latest addition to our CORPOREA Collection is the Le Mani bowl. Given its...
Stone
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
$4,640 / item
Moon Jar in Gloss by Solem Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Moon jar in gloss by Solem Ceramics Dimensions: Ø 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Red stoneware, white slip, glaze. This Jar is also available in Raw and Obsidian finishes. Solem’s wo...
Stoneware
Hydria Hueso Stoneware Vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz
Located in Geneve, CH
Hydria Hueso stoneware vase by Raquel Vidal and Pedro Paz Dimensions: D 16 x H 24 cm Materials: Stoneware The N.3 series is the result of a profound analysis of the different ty...
Stoneware
'Danubio' Porcelain Flower Vase by Matteo Thun, MEMPHIS Original Production 1983
By Matteo Thun
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
DANUBIO Porcelain Flower Vase Matteo Thun VERY RARE Only about 30 exist Hand-turned and hand-shaped white porcelain vase with kiln-sublimated decorative decals. The Danubio porcelai...
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
$316 / item
Wander Tumbler Glass by Milena Kling
Located in Geneve, CH
Wander Tumbler Glass by Milena Kling Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 8,5 x H 12-13 cm. Materials: Mouth-blown crystal glass. Individual glassware edition in crystal glass. Each WANDER ...
Glass
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
VOLGA Porcelain Vase by Matteo Thun, Memphis Design, Italy, 1983
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
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
Vintage Gaggia Stainless Steel Stovetop Espresso Maker Inox Moka Pot
By Alessi
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a rare, vintage Gaggia stainless steel stovetop espresso maker (often referred to as an "Inox" moka pot) originally manufactured in Italy during the 1970s or...
Stainless Steel
Peter Shire x Vistosi Murano Postmodern Bone Sculpture with Cobalt Blue Base
By Vistosi, Peter Shire
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exceptional upright murano art glass sculpture by Peter Shire in collaboration with Vistosi Murano. Signed at bottom. Most likely one of kind. Upright bone floats above a cobalt blue...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
$3,609 / item
Hole Vase by Solem Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Hole Vase by Solem Ceramics Dimensions: D 7.5 x W 20.5 x H 33 cm. Materials: White stoneware, glaze. This vase is water safe. Please contact us. Solem’...
Stoneware
Post Modern Round Green Marble Ashtray 1970, Made in Italy Set of 2
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Sergio Asti
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Post Modern round green marble ashtray circa 1970, Made in Italy. Vintage set of 2 marble stone green ashtrays. Vintage carrara marble stone in green hues Italian ashtray or catchall. Post Modern stylish post modern round green onyx marble stone ashtray with two indents around top. Beautiful stone marble green catchall...
Marble
$4,335 / item
Sconces Minimalist Wall Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Sconces Minimalist Wall Lamp by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 80 x D 30 x H 25 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a p...
Ceramic
Ceramic Temple of Heaven fruit Plate Awarded to 28th Harvard College China Forum
Located in San Diego, CA
Red ceramic fruit plate styled after the temple of heaven feautiring a distinctive tiered design topped with a gold finial , four piece set that was awarded to the 28th Harvard Colle...
Ceramic
Refined Contemporary Marble 03 Travertino Rosso Marble Cake Stand
Located in Geneve, CH
Refined Contemporary Marble 03 Travertino Rosso marble cake stand Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: diameter 26 x height 22.5 cm Material: Traverti...
Travertine, Marble
Pair of Murano Glass Mushroom Table Lamps, Italy, Circa 1970
Located in CH
Pair of Murano Glass Mushroom Table Lamps Italy, circa 1970 A stylish pair of Murano glass table lamps in the mushroom form, dating t...
Blown Glass
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
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
Hermès Set of 7 HTS Collection Dinner Spoons
By Nedda El-asmar, Hermès
Located in Mexico City, MX
A set of 7 dinner spoons by Hermès. The HTS collection, Hermès Tout Simple, presents an ergonomic design and a new form of elegance born from the combination of mirror polish and dee...
Stainless Steel
Black Stoneware Pinakio Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Stoneware Pinakio Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 34 x H 10 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: With\without handles - Black, Wh...
Stoneware
Italian Post-Modern Ceramic Wall Calendar Plate 2013 by Fornasetti, 2013
By Fornasetti
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post-modern Ceramic wall calendar plate 2013 by Fornasetti, 2013 Wall calendar plate of 2013, limited edition, in ceramic. It present a drawing ...
Ceramic
$136Sale Price|20% Off
Marble Salt and Pepper Shakers Tableware
Located in Toronto, ON
A pair of Carrera marble salt and peppers shakers. They are made out of carved Carrera marble, finished with a stainless steel top, a plastic cork at the bottom. While they are vinta...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Mackenzie-Childs Black and White Plate or Dish, 1993
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
Vintage space glass and metal cocktail shaker
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Vintage Space Glass and Metal Cocktail Shaker This vintage 1960s cocktail shaker is a unique piece that evokes the futuristic aesthetic of the space age. Its design combines durable ...
Metal
Postmodern German Stainless Steel Kettle from Fissler, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Stainless Steel Kettle from Fissler, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: M...
Metal
Vintage Floral Glass Tumblers, Set of 6, 1980s Barware, Pink Green
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 6 vintage tumblers. Beautiful floral designs wrap around each glass in light pink and green. Perfect for using as smaller water glasses or juice glasses.
Glass
Postmodern Ceramic Ashtray in Gold from Arabia, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Ceramic Ashtray in Gold from Arabia, 1980s
Ceramic
Contemporary Silver Aluminium Agata Bowl by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Agata Bowl by Henry Wilson Dimensions: D 25 x H 7.3 cm Materials: Aluminum. Influenced by Eastern aesthetics, particularly those of Japanese ceremonial bowls, Agata Bowl is an exerc...
Aluminum
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
$1,242 / item
Carafe 4 Vase by Anna Karountzou
Located in Geneve, CH
Carafe 4 vase by Anna Karountzou Dimensions: W 14.5 x D 12.5 x H 33 cm Materials: black stoneware clay, clear glaze inside, handmade crater glaze outside, fi...
Other
$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
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
Set of 8 Postmodern Luigi Bormioli Monet Crystal Champagne Glasses Flutes
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Elegant set of 8 crystal champagne flutes by Luigi Bormioli, Italy, circa 1980s. A refined and timeless Italian design, crafted in brilliant crystal. This complete set of 8 identical...
Crystal
$3,527 / item
Large Pleomorph 50B Sculpture by Abid Javed
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Pleomorph 50B sculpture by Abid Javed Dimensions: W 25 x D 10 x 50 cm (Dimensions are variable) Materials: stoneware. Multiple clay color and size options. Handmade stone...
Stoneware
Red Stoneware Pinakio Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Red Stoneware Pinakio Plate by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 34 x H 10 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Stoneware Available finishes: With\...
Stoneware
$3,583 / item
Tazón Bajo Galeana Bowl by Jorge Diego Etienne
Located in Geneve, CH
Tazón Bajo Galeana bowl by Jorge Diego Etienne Limited Edition of 10 + 1 AP Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 9 cm Material: alabaster Galeana is a collection of 6 objects designed b...
Alabaster
Pink Resonate Decorative Object in Pink Glazed Ceramic by Ain Choi
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink Resonate Decorative Object in Pink Glazed Ceramic by Ain Choi Dimensions: D 22 x W 15 x H 17 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Waves are particularly fascinating to me among those topics...
Ceramic
Martini Glasses with Faceted Cobalt Blue Stems, Set of Six, Circa 1970
Located in Downingtown, PA
This set of six cocktail glasses combines a wide, conical bowl of thinly blown clear glass with a solid stem of deep cobalt blue, cut in long facets and tapering outward to stand dir...
Glass
$175 / item
Euclid Dinner Plate L by Eter Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Euclid Dinner Plate L by Eter Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 33 x H 1.5 cm. Materials: Clay. Sustainable - Eco-friendly. Handmade. Each piece may va...
Clay
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
Refined Contemporary Marble 03 Travertino Silver Marble Cake Stand
Located in Geneve, CH
Refined Contemporary Marble 03 Travertino silver marble cake stand Signed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: Diameter 26 x Height 22.5 cm Material: Travertino Silver Marble Technique: Po...
Travertine, Marble
Two 2000s Barbara Forni for Sottsass Associated Studio Round Glass Plates
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This striking pair of 2000s postmodern glass plates, designed by Barbara Forni for the legendary Sottsass Associati studio, beautifully embodies the playful geometric spirit and avan...
Glass
Set of 2 Postmodern Cutlery Salad Spoons from Conran, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Cutlery Salad Spoons from Conran, 1990s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark. Ad...
Metal
Set of 2 Postmodern German Ceramic Fantasia Series Salt and Pepper Shaker, 1980s
By Matteo Thun
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Ceramic Fantasia Series Salt and Pepper Shaker by Matteo Thun for Arzberg, 1980s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribu...
Ceramic
70s Modern Mirror Disco Ball Coasters, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A great set of six (6) 1970s Modern mirror coasters, '70s Modern/Postmodern design period, circa 1970s, late-20th century. 1970s Disco period. Essential...
Glass, Mirror
$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
Juraj Mahalik Sculptural Postmodern Pop-Art Tea Service by Art4, Slovakia, 1990s
Located in Vienna, AT
A striking, surreal-inspired postmodern pottery tea or coffee set from the early 1990s, designed by Juraj Mahalik (Poland) and crafted by art4 ceramics in Slovakia. This unconvention...
Ceramic, Pottery
Painted Ceramic by French - Moroccan artist Rita Alaoui
Located in PARIS, FR
Painted ceramic by Rita Alaoui. The ceramic is fired in a kiln and the artist then paints it. It is a very poetic work of art that reflects the artist's approach. Rita Alaoui seeks t...
Ceramic, Acrylic