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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
$234 / item
Aster T-Trays by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Aster T-Trays by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 2.5 x H 1.8 cm Materials: Wood, brass. Hand lathe turned centerpieces in beech wood, with an elegant natural finish that contrasts beautifu...
Brass
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
$3,091 / 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
$1,639 / item
Bel Ava Washbasin by Studio Nosqua
Located in Geneve, CH
Bel Ava Washbasin by Studio Nosqua Dimensions: D 52 x W 52 x H 93 cm Material: Glass. Basin drain not included. Between desertic expanses and frozen mountains, Bela Ava offers you ...
Glass
$206 / item
Cu Vessel by Studio Cúze
Located in Geneve, CH
Cu vessel by Studio Cúze Dimensions: D 8 x W 23 x H 19.5 cm Materials: ceramic, copper The Cu Vessel is a handmade piece for holding and collecting incense sticks. The piece owes it...
Copper
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
Hermès Pair of HTS Collection Dessert Spoons
By Nedda El-asmar, Hermès
Located in Mexico City, MX
A pair of stainless steel dessert spoons by Hermès. The HTS Collection, Hermès Tout Simple, presents an ergonomic design and a new form of elegance born from the combination of mirro...
Stainless Steel
$620 / item
Mediterranean Bowl by Güler Elçi
Located in Geneve, CH
Mediterranean Bowl by Güler Elçi Dimensions: D 15.5 x H 7 cm Materials: Stoneware Ceramic, Food Safe Glaze. Güler Elçi is a ceramic artist based in Istanbu...
Stoneware
$140 / set
Set of 2 Glasses by Dechem Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Glasses by Dechem Studio Dimensions: ⌀ 7.5 x H 7 cm Materials: Glass. Set of 2 drinking glasses: Choose your favourite colour mix and enhance your drinking experience. The...
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
Postmodern German Flying Objects Series Sauciere for Arzberg, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern German Flying Objects Series Sauciere by David Palterer and Sieger Design for Arzberg, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution ...
Ceramic
$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
$2,927 / item
Untitled 40 by Laura Pasquino
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled 40 by Laura Pasquino One of a kind Dimensions: D 38 cm x H 38 cm Material: Porcelain. Laura Pasquino Incorporating references from ancient Korean ceramics as well as...
Porcelain
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
Mahogany Tray with Antique Brass Handles
Located in Treadwell, NY
Individually stamped and numbered, these one of a kind presentation trays feature patinated brass handles with a satin finish lacquer top coat. Each wooden slab...
Brass
$854 / item
Stomata 7 Vase by Anna Karountzou
Located in Geneve, CH
Stomata 7 vase by Anna Karountzou Dimensions: D 9 x H 31 cm Materials: mixed black and white stoneware clay, clear glaze inside, fired at 1240 Born and based in Athens, Greece, ...
Other
Set of Serving Bowl L with Serving Spoons by Eter Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of Serving Bowl L with Serving Spoons by Eter Design Unique Pieces. Dimensions: Serving Bowl L: Ø 39.5 x H 11 cm. Serving Spoons: Ø 5,5 x H 28,5 cm Materials: Clay. Sustainable ...
Clay
$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
$1,159 / item
Mirage Contenitore Basso by Studio Intervallo
Located in Geneve, CH
Mirage Contenitore Basso by Studio Intervallo Dimensions: D 30 x H 3.2 cm Materials: white Arabescato marble. Available in other stones. The Mirage collection comes from the mo...
Marble
Ceramic Nomad Jar Disco Tower by Gilles & Cecilie
Located in Geneve, CH
Ceramic nomad jar disco tower by Gilles & Cecilie Unique Dimensions: H 8 x W 7.5 cm Material: Ceramic painted two tone yellow Gilles and Cecilie Studio created the Nomad Jar Fa...
Ceramic
Fluor Nude: Contemporary Hand-Painted Ceramic Sculpture
Located in MADRID, ES
Fluor Nude (2022) is a unique hand-painted ceramic sculpture that explores the expressive relationship between organic form, colour and contemporary art. Inspired by the human body a...
Ceramic
Unique 1980s Postmodern Red Acrylic Nutcracker from Finland
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Red Acrylic Nutcracker, Finland, 1980s
Plastic
$309 / item
Nomad Jar Lindsey by Gilles & Cecilie
Located in Geneve, CH
Nomad Jar Lindsey by Gilles & Cecilie Unique Dimensions: H 9 x W 6.5 cm Material: terracotta with iron Gilles and Cecilie Studio created the Nomad Jar Family to explore drawing...
Iron
$3,091 / item
Moustache Brass Ashtray by J. Hill's Standard
Located in Geneve, CH
Moustache Brass Ashtray by J. Hill's Standard Dimensions: D 17,1 x W 7,4 x H 12,7 cm. Materials: Cast Brass Available in these materials: Cast Brass / Hand Turned Wood / Cast Glass ...
Other, Brass
Swedish Eggbeater Kitchen Tool Karl-Axel Andersson Morgan Ferm Hammarplast
Located in Hamburg, DE
Swedish Eggbeater Kitchen Tool by Karl-Axel Andersson and Morgan Ferm for Hammarplast, 1990s
Plastic
German Postmodern Salad Servers from Leonardo, 1980s, Set of 2
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern Salad Servers from Leonardo, 1980s, Set of 2
Plastic
Postmodern Minimalist Metal Fruit Bowl, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Minimalist Metal Fruit Bowl, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 Additional information: Materials: Metal Color: Silver Period: 1980s Item Type: Vintage...
Metal
Vase 1 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou
Located in Geneve, CH
Vase 1 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou One of a kind, 2022 Dimensions: H 9.5 x W 11 cm. Materials: Stoneware, handmade glaze. Colors: blue, pink, ivory. Angeliki St...
Stoneware
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
$1,803 / item
Platinum River Vase by Angeliki Stamatakou
Located in Geneve, CH
Platinum River vase by Angeliki Stamatakou One of a kind, 2022, Featured in Milan Design Week Dimensions: H13 x W12 cm. Materials: Stoneware, clear glaze, platinum. Angeliki St...
Platinum
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
Postmodern Classic Teapot Designed by Michael Graves for Alessi
By Alessi, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Style of Alessi Vintage Memphis Tea Pot designed by Michael Graves stainless steel made Taiwan signed at bottom 10.5 h x 9 w 11.75 d Original vintage u...
Stainless Steel
Villeroy and Boch Bogart Chrome Ice Bucket with Liner and Lid
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Villeroy & Boch Bogart 2-3/4-Quart Chrome Ice Bucket with Liner and Lid. Stylish Bogart ice bucket named for the screen legend. Brushed 18/10 stainless-steel body with polished t...
Chrome
Postmodern Bent Glass Ashtray Bowl Catchall, 1990s
Located in New York, NY
A transparent bent glass ashtray or bowl/catchall, Modern style or Postmodern period, circa late-20th century, late 1990s to early 2000s. Two indents at top. Excellent condition as s...
Glass
Postmodern Danish Trivet Coasters by Jorgen Meldgaard for Menu, 1980s, Set of 3
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Danish Trivet Coasters by Jorgen Meldgaard for Menu, 1980s, Set of 3
Metal
Postmodern Ceramic Tea or Coffee Pot from Pagnossin, Italy, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Ceramic Tea or Coffee Pot from Pagnossin, Italy, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materia...
Ceramic
$1,451 / item
Yellow Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow Twirl Bowl by Lenny Stopp Dimensions: D 5,5 x H 64 cm Materials: Alpha crystalline gypsum (Hard plaster) Cornice is an evolving collection of vessels born from a deep explora...
Other
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 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
$889Sale 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
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
Italian Postmodern Marble Terracotta Wine Bottle Coaster or Catchall, Set of 2
Located in New York, NY
A set of two (2) Italian Postmodern marble terracotta hue wine bottle table coasters, circa late-20th century, Italy. A substantial pair of marble wine o...
Marble
1980s Memphis Milano Black and Blue Ceramic Teapot by Marco Zanini for Bitossi
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Group
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A Memphis Milano black and blue ceramic tea pot designed by Marco Zanini for Bitossi in perfect conditions. The tea pot by Marco Zanini is a stunning piece of functional art. It embo...
Ceramic
White Woven Wicker Pottery Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
A chic round off-white/antique white 'woven' 'wicker' pottery centerpiece bowl with soft edge, circa late-20th century to the early aughts. Beautiful as a standalone piece or fill wi...
Ceramic, Pottery
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
$385Sale Price|30% Off
Tapio Wirkaala "Porcelaine Noire" Centerpiece for Rosenthal Studio Linie, 1970s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Centerpiece, fruit bowl, plate in black porcelain, vintage modernism, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Linie “Porcelaine Noire” serie...
Porcelain
$2,316Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Ceramic Vase Deborah Groover Voo Doo Jazz Maximalist Nude Scene Sculpture
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A colorful panel vase with nude scene, very large, tabletop piece by Deborah Groover from the 1990s. Nice shallow depth for placement on a narrow entryway/foyer table. No apparent ha...
Ceramic
Postmodern Metal Tray from Inoxbeck, Italy, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Metal Tray from Inoxbeck, Italy, 1980s
Metal
1980 Jiří Dudycha Porcelan Postmodern Design Tea Set
By Jiří Dudycha
Located in Brescia, IT
Jiří Dudycha Rep. Ceck, 1980 Teapot, Milk jug, Sugar Pot Porcelain with gold details Perfect Condictio H teapot: 29 cm H sugarpot: 14 cm H milk jug: 14.5 cm
Porcelain
Postmodern Black and Terracotta Ceramic Bowl, 1980s 1990s
By Mikasa
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful black ceramic and terracotta bowl, Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century, 1980s, 1990s. Made in Portugal. Bowl has a black glazed ceramic exterior/interior an...
Ceramic, Terracotta
Enzo Mari Delos Ashray in Frosted Glass for Danese, Italy 1979
Located in Milan, IT
Enzo Mari Delos Ashray in Frosted Glass for Danese, Italy 1979
Glass
Postmodern Flash One Series Pepper or Salt Shaker by Dorothy Hafner, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Flash One Series Pepper or Salt Shaker by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution markIt is compl...
Porcelain
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