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.
$3,263 / 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
$4,628 / 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
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
1980's Postmodern French Press Coffee Maker 2 Cups Bistro New with Original Box
By Bodum
Located in San Diego, CA
1980's Postmodern swiss French Press Coffee maker by Bodum New never used. with cork rest. 2 cup capacity.
Stainless Steel
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
$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
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
$315 / 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
Defne Koz Drinking Glass for hwc Egizia by Sottsass Associati, Italy
By Sottsass Associati, Defne Koz, Egizia
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
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
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
$5,580Sale Price|55% Off
Peter Shire x Vistosi Murano Postmodern Bone Sculpture with Cobalt Blue Base
By Peter Shire, Vistosi
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
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
$3,600 / 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
$4,325 / 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
Hermès Set of 7 HTS Collection Dinner Spoons
By Hermès, Nedda El-asmar
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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
Michael Graves Postmodern Tea Kettle by Alessi Italy Production First Years 1985
Located in Biella, IT
Michael Graves Postmodern tea kettle by Alessi Italy production years 1985 the first matte platinum grey enamel body, black knob, orange whistle bird a...
Metal
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
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
$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
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
PostModern Michael Graves Swid Powell Handblown Glass Aerator Wine Decanter
By Alessi, Swid Powell, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
1990s Post Modern Memphis Michael Graves and Swid Powell Handblown Glass Wine Decanter with Interior Blue Bird Aerator by Alessi. Italy A remarkably delicate and clever design. The poetic glass blue bird serves as an aerator for the wine. The cross shaped acacia wood foot as used by again by Swid Powell im his coffee set. A stylistic signature that makes a pleasing come back with this decanter. Other recurring figure across Michael Graves' career, the blue glass bird...
Blown Glass, Rosewood, Cork
'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
1990s Memphis Milano Style Black and White Coffee Set by Taruschio
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This Memphis Milano-style Italian ceramic coffee set characterized by its bold, geometric design and avant-garde aesthetic. The coffee set features conical cups with triangular bases...
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
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
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 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
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
$298Sale Price|30% 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
$1,239 / 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
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
$3,574 / 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
$3,518 / 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
$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
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
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
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
Vintage Pale Green Lowball Tumblers Set of 6 by Libbey, USA, 1980
Located in Fairfield, CA
A set of 6 beautiful pale green vintage lowball tumblers. Made in the Spanish Green Monterey pattern by Libbey. Weighted bases with a lovely twisted design to the glass.
Glass
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
Set of 2 German Postmodern Fantasia Series Teapot or Coffeepot with Cup, 1980s
By Matteo Thun
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern Fantasia Series Teapot or Coffeepot with Cup by Matteo Thun for Arzberg, 1980s, Set of 2, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attributi...
Ceramic
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
$759
Nebula Beta
Located in Milano, MI
Serena Confalonieri continues her research in the field of self-production and craftsmanship. The subject, once again, is hand-blown borosilicate glass. After her Calypso floral glasses collection and Arabesque vases...
Blown Glass
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
$888Sale Price|20% Off
Franco Bucci Italian Ceramic Bowl Centerpiece, 1970s
By Franco Bucci, Laboratorio Pesaro
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian ceramic bowl centerpiece designed by Frano Bucci and produced by Laboratorio Pesaro with mark under base LP Bucci, Italy, 1970s Please ...
Ceramic
$1,005 / 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
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
33 Pc. Set of Lenox Venture Stemware in Black with Platinum Trim Ca 1970's
By Lenox's Ceramic Art Company
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional large set of stemware by noted maker Lenox, in the Venture pattern. The glasses are black glass with platinum band trim at the top rim. The set consists of three sizes as...
Glass
Postmodern Milk Creamer Jug from Galzone, Denmark, 2000
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Milk Creamer Jug from Galzone, Denmark, in Flawless conditions. Designed from 2000 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic Style: P...
Ceramic
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
$3,085 / item
Scones Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Scones lamp by Olivia Cognet Materials: Ceramic. Dimensions: D 20 x H 30 cm Non electrified. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of ar...
Ceramic
$724 / 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