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.
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Thierry Mugler Angel Etoile Collection Factice with Box
By Thierry Mugler
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful Thierry Mugler 2.6 fluid ounce “Etoile Collection” Eau de Parfum factice-dummy in mint condition. This piece comes in the factory box with molded stand. The piece has color...
Glass, Plastic
Post Modern Art Deco Sculpture in Porcelain, USA, c. 1980s
Located in Deland, FL
This captivating Post Modern Art Deco sculpture, crafted in the USA during the 1980s, merges the bold geometry of Art Deco with the experimental spirit of Post Modern design. Fashion...
Porcelain
Basquiat Skateboard Deck
By (after) Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jean-Michel Basquiat Skateboard Deck: Highly decorative Jean-Michel Basquiat Skateboard Deck licensed by the Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat in conjunction with Artestar in 2021, feat...
Wood
Keith Haring Skateboard Deck (Keith Haring Mickey Mouse)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Keith Haring Mickey Mouse Skateboard Deck: Standout Keith Haring Skateboard Deck featuring lush, vibrant, fun colors & classic early 1980s Keith Haring Mickey Mouse imagery. A brilli...
Wood
$12,182 / item
Yeager Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Yeager Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 243.84 x L 299.72 cm. Materials: Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped rugs, with...
Silk
$6,499 / item
Night Edit Hoganas Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Night Edit Hoganas Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 200.6 x L 200.6 cm. Materials: Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped rugs, with ...
Silk
Peter Shire Exp Signed Post Modern Ceramic California Pottery Splatter Cup, 1979
By Peter Shire
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work by famed Los Angeles (Echo Park), California-based artist Peter Shire who was a founding member (along with Italian designer Ettore Sottsass and others) of The Memph...
Ceramic, Pottery
Peter Shire Exp Signed Ceramic California Studio Pottery Glazed Honey Pot, 1978
By Peter Shire
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and rare/scarce early work by famed Los Angeles (Echo Park), California-based artist Peter Shire who was a founding member (along with Italian designer Ettore Sottsass and others) of The Memphis Group, an international design movement that came out of Italy during the 1980s (1980-1988), and specialized in postmodern furniture, lighting, fabrics, carpets, ceramics, glass, and metal objects. This beautifully decorated and glazed honey pot is signed (with Shire's customary "Made in Echo...
Ceramic, Pottery, Paint
$3,593 / item
Pouf Charaktere Colette by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Pouf Charaktere colette by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: Ø 62 x H 47 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool,new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed wool, 100 knot...
Wood
$6,369 / item
Engelholm Nobu Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Engelholm Nobu Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-...
Wool, Mohair, Silk
BC Graffiti Rug by Caturegli Formica, Wool, Post-Modern Design, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
Bc Graffiti 1989-90 by Caturegli Formica. Dimensions: W 175 x L 250 cm Materials: Wool Carpets as deep information Carpets are very common items. But it has never really been...
Wool
Artisan Hand-woven Off-White 360 Rectangular Rug by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Artisan Hand-woven Off-White 360 Rectangular Rug by Mohebban Dimensions: W 360 x L 270 cm Materials: Wool. The Feel collection is made of precious hand-woven banana silk and worked ...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Ivory Wool Rug – Low Pile Berber, Rectangular 305 by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Knotted Ivory Wool Rug – Low Pile Berber, Rectangular 305 by Mohebban Dimensions: W 305 x L 245 cm Materials: Wool. The Berber collection is inspired by the tradition of Morocc...
Wool
Signed Southwestern Landscape Painting with Horses, Dated 1994
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
This evocative Southwestern landscape painting, signed and dated 1994, presents a stylized desert scene animated by a group of galloping horses set against monumental rock formations...
Canvas
Set Of 2 Shell Door Knobs in Glazed Ceramic by Gazar Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Shell Door Knobs in Glazed Ceramic by Gazar Studio Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 8,5 x H 7,5 cm. Materials: Glazed ceramic. Dimensions may vary. Please contact us. Ceramic Sh...
Clay
$12,277 / item
Rectangular Blue Oceano 360 Rug by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Rectangular Blue Oceano 360 Rug by Mohebban Dimensions: W 360 x L 275 cm Materials: Wool. The Sombra collection, designed by Miguel Reguero, celebrates the intersection of architect...
Wool
$8,429 / item
Calata Piliero 102 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Calata Piliero 102 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 170.18 x L 238.76 cm. Materials: Wool, Nettle, Linen & Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free...
Wool, Silk
Bold Colorful Modernist Ceramic Hanging Portrait Plate after Jean Cocteau
By Jean Cocteau
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Circular ceramic platter in the manner of Jean Cocteau. This bold colorful piece features the portrait of a figurative subject with a pronounced nose, pink skin, red lipstick, long b...
Ceramic, Paint
Hagi Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Hagi Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 14 x W 32 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from ...
Ceramic, Clay
Hand-blown Glass Indian Diablo - White & Black Skull & Snake
Located in Mumbai, India, Maharashtra
Indian Diablo, 2024 Grant Garmezy in collaboration with Evan Schauss for Rural Modern Glass Studio using the technique of Hot Glass Sculpting As the first art-glass studio and one-o...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
Pisces Crackle Glaze Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Pisces Crackle Glaze Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D8 x W 27 x x H 30 cm Materials: Ceramic Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 20cm tall - 5...
Ceramic
$3,303 / item
Star Petal Gourd III by Julie Nelson
Located in Geneve, CH
Star petal gourd III by Julie Nelson One Of A Kind Dimensions: D 22 x H 26.5 cm Materials: Ceramic stoneware and porcelain Artist Julie Nelson uses ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$3,445 / item
Charcoal Petal Gourd I by Julie Nelson
Located in Geneve, CH
Charcoal Petal Gourd I by Julie Nelson -One Of A Kind- Dimensions: D 28 x H 22 cm Materials: Ceramic stoneware and porcelain. Artist Julie Nelson uses the materiality of clay as a m...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$12,703 / item
Bamboo Silk Celestial Object C-Y32 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Bamboo Silk Celestial Object C-Y32 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 320 x L 360 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. In 'Le Météore de la Nuit', Calle Henzel unveils a series of mo...
Wool, Mohair, Silk
Bamboo Silk Celestial Object C-Y21 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Bamboo Silk Celestial Object C-Y21 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 300 x L 320 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. In 'Le Météore de la Nuit', Calle Henzel unveils a series of mo...
Wool, Mohair, Silk
Push Me Pull You Goldene Glaze Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Push Me Pull You Goldene Glaze Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 9 x W 35 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Gold Also available in other colors and custom sizes f...
Gold
$1,680Sale Price|40% Off
Jig Saw Puzzle Shelf in the Style of Nicola L
By Nicola L.
Located in New York, NY
Groovy cut-out laminate wood two-tier shelf, after Nicole L. This example shows some cosmetic wear including a white paint spot on the back bottom shelf, and one formed drip protrusi...
Plywood
Modern Chess Board with Pieces El Ajedrez by Javier Mariscal
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Chess figures and board designed by Javier Mariscal on the occasion of the Olympic Games of Barcelona 92. Aluminium parts and metal board. Measures: ...
Metal
Hagi Spot Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Hagi Spot Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 14 x W 32 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 2...
Ceramic, Clay
$4,948 / item
Silver Hoganas Frozen Cut Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver Hoganas Frozen Cut Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped rug...
Silk
$6,487 / item
Night Edit Kalix Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Night Edit Kalix Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 200.6 x L 200.6 cm. Materials: Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped rugs, with hi...
Silk
Ray Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Ray Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 12 x W 35 x x H 50 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 2...
Ceramic, Clay
$6,380 / item
Alnarp Lose Control Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Alnarp Lose Control Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, ...
Wool, Mohair, Silk
Monumental Modern Abstract Painting by Valery Kleverov (A.A. Kaebep) Russian 71
Located in Buffalo, NY
KLEVER Modernist Abstract Painting - (A.A. Kaebep) (Klever) (Russian, 20th Century), dated, 1971. Signed and dated lower right corner "AA Kaebep '71". (translated form Russian) Kl...
Canvas, Paint
Eberhard Bank Carving, Sculpture of Two Dolomite Seals, on Black Obsidian Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This an amazing carving by the German certified artist Eberhard Bank. This sculpture is of two seals in white dolomite on snowflake black obsidian , seals are marked with monogram EB...
Stone
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 310 by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 310 by Mohebban Dimensions: W 310 x L 240 cm Materials: Wool. The Atlas rug collection is the story of an eternal an...
Wool
Obliqua Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Obliqua Green Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 12 x W 28 x x H 45 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes fr...
Ceramic, Clay
$8,429 / item
Calata Piliero 101 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Calata Piliero 101 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 170.18 x L 238.76 cm. Materials: Wool, Nettle, Linen & Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free...
Wool, Silk
Push Me Pull You Crawl Glaze Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Push Me Pull You Crawl Glaze Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 10 x W 37 x x H 45 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and ...
Ceramic, Clay
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 300 by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 300 by Mohebban Dimensions: W 300 x L 220 cm Materials: Wool. The Atlas rug collection is the story of an eternal and...
Wool
$4,948 / item
Taupe Hoganas Cobalt Frozen Cut Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Taupe Hoganas Frozen Cut Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped rugs...
Silk
$6,369 / item
Castilian Las Alturas Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Castilian Las Alturas Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free...
Wool, Silk, Mohair
$23,701 / item
United Baskets by RF Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
United baskets by RF Studio Unique Piece Dimensions: D 300 x H 310 cm Materials: Reed United Baskets explores the process of landscape transformation and the persistence of local cr...
Reed
$2,699 / item
Ochre Mid Pentacle III by Julie Nelson
Located in Geneve, CH
Ochre mid pentacle III by Julie Nelson. One of a kind. Dimensions: W 24 x D 30 x H 22 cm. Materials: ceramic stoneware and porcelain. Artist Julie Nelson...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$8,429 / item
Engelholm Nobu Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Engelholm Nobu Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 170.18 x L 238.76 cm. Materials: Silk, Wool. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped ru...
Wool, Silk
$6,546 / item
Night Edit Nausta Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Night Edit Nausta Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 170.18 x L 238.76 cm. Materials: Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped rugs, with...
Silk
Post Modern Abstract Hand-Carved Mother & Child Sculpture, USA, c. 1970's
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a heart-warming abstract sculpture depicting a parent with child in embrace. Hand-carved in solid walnut with an alluring ebonized this exquisite, visually captivating sc...
Walnut
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 300 by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 300 by Mohebban Dimensions: D 300 cm Materials: Wool. The Atlas rug collection is the story of an eternal and unstopp...
Wool
$6,369 / item
Coster Napa Nobu Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Coster Napa Nobu Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Silk, Wool. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped r...
Wool, Silk
$6,369 / item
Murella Torres Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Murella Torres Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Silk, Wool. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped rugs, wi...
Wool, Silk
$6,369 / item
Castilian La Presa Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Castilian La Presa Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, f...
Wool, Mohair, Silk
$11,720 / item
No. 256 Medley Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 256 Medley Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: W 250 x L 280 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable dyed woo...
Wood
$6,369 / item
Oak Point Dr La Brea Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Point Dr La Brea Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-...
Wool, Mohair, Silk
Hand-blown Clear Glass Skull & Black Snake with Silver Gilding
Located in Mumbai, India, Maharashtra
Skull & Snake, 2024 Grant Garmezy in collaboration with Evan Schauss for Rural Modern Glass Studio using the technique of Hot Glass Sculpting, Silver Gilding on Snake by Prachi Kawad...
Art Glass, Blown Glass
$6,369 / item
Engelholm Nobu Silver 95 Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Engelholm Nobu Dark Silver 95 Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Silk, Wool. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-...
Wool, Silk
Bamboo Silk Celestial Object A-C06 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Bamboo Silk Celestial Object A-C06 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 250 x L 280 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. In 'Le Météore de la Nuit', Calle Henzel unveils a series of mo...
Wool, Mohair, Silk
$6,546 / item
Silver Nausta Frozen Cut Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver Nausta Frozen Cut Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 170.18 x L 238.76 cm. Materials: Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form shaped rug...
Silk
Yayoi Kusama Takashi Murakami Skateboard decks (2 works)
By Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Yayoi Kusama & Takashi Murakami Skateboard Decks (2 works): A set of two individual skateboard decks featuring Kusama's dots obsession imagery & Murakami’s iconic flowers. Makes fo...
Wood
$6,369 / item
Oriole Vesterbro Dr Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Oriole Vesterbro Dr Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, free-form s...
Wool, Mohair, Silk
$6,369 / item
Coutinho Trasher Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Coutinho Trasher Night Edit Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 139.7 x L 220.98 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. Calle Henzel stands as a trailblazer in the realm of organic, fre...
Wool, Mohair, Silk