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.
French studio ceramicist. Four pairs of coffee cups in earthenware
Located in København, Copenhagen
French studio ceramicist. 4 pairs of coffee cups in earthenware. Abstract futuristic style. Late 20th century. Marked. Perfect condition. Cup: H 8.0 cm x D 7.0 cm (without handle) Sa...
Ceramic
Vintage Blue Glazed Ceramic Vase by Pietro Arosio for Parravicini, Italy, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. It is made in blue glazed ceramic by Pietro Arosio for Parravicini. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be conside...
Ceramic
Set Of 2 RL 01 Coasters with Rounded Edge in Polished Stainless Steel by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 RL 01 Coasters with Rounded Edge in Polished Stainless Steel by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 11,5 x H 2 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless steel. Available in mirror-polishe...
Stainless Steel
EL 03 Placemat in Metal-Plated Hand-Woven Wicker by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
EL 03 Placemat in Metal-Plated Hand-Woven Wicker by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 32 x H 2 cm. Materials: Metal plate and wicker. Caspal woven wicker products are born from research into ma...
Metal
Postmodern Set of Twelve Steel Serving Spoon by Pinti, Italy, 1980s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This is a set of twelve steel serving spoon by Pinti. They're vintage pieces, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but overall they can be considered...
Steel
Post-Modern Paper Tray by Six Dots Design, Raw Aluminum, UK Made
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper Tray by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 21 x W 29 x H 3 cm Materials: Raw aluminum. The Dream/Reality Paper Tray is an elegant and delicate piece designed to hold ...
Aluminum
Set of Six Postmodern Vermilion Cups, Sugar Bowl and Plate by Parravicini, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. They are made in lacquered ceramic and feature their original label "Parravicini ceramiche". It is a vintage set, but it can be considered as in excellent origi...
Ceramic
Set Of 2 RL 01 Coasters with Rounded Edge in Polished Brass by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 RL 01 Coasters with Rounded Edge in Polished Brass by CASPAL Dimensions: Ø 11,5 x H 2 cm. Materials: Polished brass. Available in mirror-polished stainless steel or polish...
Brass
Unique Warrior 20 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 20 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 6.8 x D 8.5 x H 5 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ceramic. (Food-safe glazes used). A...
Ceramic
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
$2,899 / item
Onyx Twosidestory Bowl XL by Lisette Rützou
Located in Geneve, CH
Onyx twosidestory bowl XL by Lisette Rützou Dimensions: D 40 cm Materials: Levanto Bordeaux marble Lisette Rützou’s design is motivated by an urge to articulate a story. Inspir...
Marble
Unique Warrior 4 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 4 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 7.5 x D 10 x H 5.8 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed cer...
Ceramic
Unique Warrior 30 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 30 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 8.2 x D 8.5 x H 4 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed cer...
Ceramic
Pietra Serena Flure Mortar and Pestle by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Pietra Serena Flure Mortar and Pestle by Tino Seubert Dimensions: W 10 x D 12.6 x H 32 cm. Materials: Pietra serena sandstone carved in Italy. Also...
Sandstone
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
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
Gyro Corkscrew in Stainless Steel & Horn by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Gyro Corkscrew in Stainless Steel & Horn by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 10 x H 10 cm. Materials: Horn and stainless steel. Colours and shades of horn processed by Arcahorn are unique due...
Stainless Steel, Other
Unique Warrior 9 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 9 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 9 x D 10.2 x H 5.8 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed cer...
Ceramic
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 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
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 29 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 29 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 7 x D 7.3 x H 6.3 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 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
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
Artica Champagne Bucket in Stainless Steel with Horn Handles by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Artica Champagne Bucket in Stainless Steel with Horn Handles by Arcahorn Dimensions: Bucket: Ø 26 x H 20 cm. Stand: Ø 21 x H 64 cm. Materials: Horn and stainless steel. Colours and ...
Other, Stainless Steel
2 Sets of 5 Kingyo Knives by Katia Solórzano
Located in Geneve, CH
2 Sets of 5 Kingyo Knives by Katia Solórzano. Dimensions: W 1.2 x D 0.3 x H 12 cm Materials: Stainless Steel. These dimensions reflect a single individual knife as a reference for t...
Stainless Steel
Set Of 2 Mabel Napkin Rings in Horn & Stainless Steel by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Mabel Napkin Rings in Horn & Stainless Steel by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 4 x H 2 cm. Materials: Horn and stainless steel. Colours and shades of horn processed by Arcahorn are...
Other, Stainless Steel
Baikal Champagne Bowl in Stainless Steel, Horn & Chromed Brass by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Baikal Champagne Bowl in Stainless Steel, Horn & Chromed Brass by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 32 cm. Materials: Horn, chromed brass, and stainless steel. Colours and shades of hor...
Stainless Steel, Other, Brass
Hana To Sakana Ceramic Tableware Set by Katia Solórzano
Located in Geneve, CH
Hana To Sakana Ceramic Tableware Set by Katia Solórzano. Dimensions: Vase: Approx. W 10 x D 10 x H 22 cm. Sake Bottle: Approx. W 8 x D 8 x H 15 cm. Sake Cup: Approx. W 5 x D 5 x H 5 ...
Ceramic
$727 / item
Twosidestory Bowl by Lisette Rützou
Located in Geneve, CH
Twosidestory bowl by Lisette Rützou Dimensions: D 20 cm Materials: Onyx Lisette Rützou’s design is motivated by an urge to articulate a story. Inspired by the beauty of materia...
Onyx
$591 / set
Set of 3 the Family Jugs by Kilzi
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 The Family Jug by Kilzi Dimensions: Mum jug: D 16.5 x W 11 x H 20.9 cm. Dad jug: D 16.9 x W 12 x H 17.3 cm. Kid jug: D 15.5 x W 7.2 x H 9.6 cm. Materials: porcelain with...
Porcelain
Rosso Etrusco Flure Mortar and Pestle by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Rosso Etrusco Flure Mortar and Pestle by Tino Seubert Dimensions: W 10 x D 12.6 x H 32 cm. Materials: Rosso etrusco sandstone carved in Italy. Also...
Marble
$1,625 / item
Plugged Carrafe by Richard Yasmine
Located in Geneve, CH
Plugged Carrafe by Richard Yasmine Materials: hand-blown borosilicate glass with solid brushed brass base Dimensions: D 10 x H 32 cm Made of solid brushed brass and a very thin hand...
Brass
$3,831 / item
BORO BORO No. 5 Tableware by Yusuké Y. Offhause
Located in Geneve, CH
BORO BORO No 5 tableware by Yusuke´ Y. Offhause One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 3.3 x W 38.3 x H 38.3 cm Materials: stoneware, porcelain, glass, glaze. Th...
Other
Vid Unique Cylindrical Bottle Holder in Carved Black Marble by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Vid Unique Cylindrical Bottle Holder in Carved Black Marble by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 15 x W 15 x H 25 cm. Materials: Black marble. Available in different finishe...
Marble
In Mensa Veritas Unique Plate in Carved Black Marble by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
In Mensa Veritas Unique Plate in Carved Black Marble by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 4 cm. Materials: Black marble. Available in different finishes and ma...
Marble
Kami Unique Plate in Carved Grey Marble by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Kami Unique Plate in Carved Grey Marble by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 3 cm. Materials: Gray marble. Available in different finishes and material options...
Marble
Unique Warrior 13 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 13 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 6.8 x D 12.5 x H 4.3 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ...
Ceramic
Unique Warrior 10 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 10 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 6.7 x D 12 x H 6 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed cera...
Ceramic
Set Of 2 Mirea Napkin Rings in Horn & Stainless Steel by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Mirea Napkin Rings in Horn & Stainless Steel by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 4 x H 8 cm. Materials: Horn and stainless steel. Colours and shades of horn processed by Arcahorn are...
Stainless Steel, Other
Adele Round Wine Coaster in Horn & Ivory Lacquered Gloss Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Adele Round Wine Coaster in Horn & Ivory Lacquered Gloss Wood by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 12 x H 2 cm. Materials: Horn and lacquered wood. Colours and shades of horn processed by Arca...
Other
$341 / item
Flower Vase by Katia Solórzano
Located in Geneve, CH
Flower Vase by Katia Solórzano Dimensions: W 9 x D 9 x H 18 cm Materials: Solid purple rose wood with mineral oil finishing. SONORA TABLEWARE A set of five objects with a design in...
Wood
$1,205 / item
Ten Plate by Katia Solórzano
Located in Geneve, CH
Ten Plate by Katia Solórzano Dimensions: W 25 x D 25 x H 2.1 cm Materials: Solid purple rose wood with mineral oil finishing. SONORA TABLEWARE A set of five objects with a design i...
Wood
$227 / item
Salsa Vase by Katia Solórzano
Located in Geneve, CH
Salsa Vase by Katia Solórzano Dimensions: W 14.8 x D 10 x H 5 cm Materials: Solid purple rose wood with mineral oil finishing. SONORA TABLEWARE A set of five objects with a design ...
Wood
$204 / item
Chile Grinder by Katia Solórzano
Located in Geneve, CH
Chile Grinder by Katia Solórzano Dimensions: W 5.5 x D 5.5 x H 12.8 cm Materials: Solid purple rose wood with mineral oil finishing. SONORA TABLEWARE A set of five objects with a d...
Wood
$2,251 / item
Plat de Pa Tray by Andreu Carulla Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Plat de Pa Tray by Andreu Carulla Studio Dimensions: W 20 x D 3 x H 11 cm. Materials: Gold finished Aluminium. Sculptural plate/tray cast from a real slice of bread, each one is un...
Aluminum