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.
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
$1,235 / 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
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
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
$3,508 / 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
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
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
Unique Elementa Paper Roll Holder in Satin Brass by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Elementa Paper Roll Holder in Satin Brass by Mingardo Dimensions: D7.8 x H28.5 cm Materials:Natural satin brass and natural varnished iron Weight: ...
Brass, Iron
$60Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Chantal Heat Resistant Glass Trivet or Candle Holder NOS New in Box
Located in San Gabriel, CA
6” deep x 2.75” high 1990s Chantal trivet or candle holder. Multifunctional, a heavy piece of glass, weighing over 2.5 pounds. Seven glass prongs to hold a hot plate, or candle. Made...
Glass
$174 / 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
Mario Bellini Cupola Postmodern Sugar bowl & Creamer by Rosenthal studio-line
Located in Vienna, AT
A set consisting of a post-modern milk jug / creamer and a sugar bowl with lid from the 1980s. From the „Cupola“-series, designed in 1985 by Mario Bellini and crated by Rosenthal stu...
Porcelain
Memphis Postmodern Porcelain Teapot by The Toscany Collection Japan
By Kato Kogei
Located in San Diego, CA
A rare and beautiful porcelain teapot designed by The Toscany Collection Japan circa 1980s, Memphis style design in excellent condition never ...
Porcelain
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
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
Luigi Massoni rare stainless steel with glass carafe ice wine liquor cooler .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful and rare ice cooler with carafe / bottle marked Progetti . This production dates from the 1960's
Stainless Steel
$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
Set of Six Colorful Murano Blown Glass Wine Glasses, Italy 1980s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. These six wine glasses are made in multicolored Murano glass. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they can be considered as i...
Murano Glass
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
$233 / 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
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
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
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
$3,077 / 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
$205 / 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
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
$1,631 / 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
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
$139 / 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
$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
$2,913 / 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
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
$850 / 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
Carafe by Marco Susani for hwc EGIZIA Sottsass Associati (Italy)
By Egizia, Henry Birks, Marco Susani, Henry Birks & Son, Sottsass Associati
Located in Round Top, TX
Marco Susani designed carafe for hwc EGIZIA by SOTTSASS ASSOCIATI. This piece is documented as having been retailed by Birks. A Postmodern mouth blown, stu...
Blown Glass
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
Fujumori for Kato Kogei Japan Alpha 3 Platter Post-Modern Memphis 1980s
By Kato Kogei, Fujimori
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Serving platter in Alpha 3 pattern was designed by Kaneaki Fujimori for Kato Kogei Japan in 1980s. Alpha 3 series consists of mugs, salad/casual plates, and decorative serving platt...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Pottery
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
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
$1,153 / 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
Iconic Space Age Lucite Ice Bucket Designed by Paolo Tilche for Guzzini Italy
By Guzzini, Paolo Tilche
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design on this rare mid century modern lucite sphere with chrome handle, lidded Italian Ice bucket designed by Paolo Tilche for Guzzini circa 1970's.
Chrome
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
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
$307 / 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
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
$3,077 / 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
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
$1,794 / 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
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 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
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
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
Two "Signature Black" Dinner Plates Designed By Richard Meier For Swid Powell
Located in Doraville, GA
Two Signature Black buffet plates designed by Richard Meier for Swid Powell in the 1980’s. Meier was at the peak of his career during this time, having designed the much lauded High ...
Porcelain
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
Unique 1980s Postmodern Red Acrylic Nutcracker from Finland
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Red Acrylic Nutcracker, Finland, 1980s
Plastic
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
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
Set of Six 1990s 'Iriana' Blown Crystal White Wine Glasses by Christofle, France
By Christofle
Located in North Miami, FL
Set of six 1990s blown crystal white wine glasses from the 'Iriana' collection with box by Christofle, France By: Christofle Material: glass, blown glass, crystal, paper Technique:...
Crystal
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
$1,445 / 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
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