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.
Yayoi Kusama Skateboard Deck
By Yayoi Kusama
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Yayoi Kusama MoMa Skateboard Deck: This Kusama skateboard deck features Kusama's Dots Obsession imagery and makes for standout Kusama wall art that hangs with ease. Published by MoMa...
Wood
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
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
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
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
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
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
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 250 by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 250 by Mohebban Dimensions: D 250 cm Materials: Wool. The Atlas rug collection is the story of an eternal and unstopp...
Wool
$3,575 / 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
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
Bertoia Sonambient Tabletop Sound Sculpture
By Val Bertoia
Located in Toronto, CA
In the late 1950s, Italian artist, sculptor, and furniture designer Harry Bertoia had a revelation. By stretching, bending, and moving metal, his sculptures could create sound. He called them Sonambient and over the next decade he created thousands, each one unique. Late in the 1970s, Harry and his son Val together made Bertoia Sound Sculptures...
Brass, Copper
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
Martin Wong Supreme skateboard deck (Martin Wong Supreme)
By Supreme
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Martin Wong Supreme Skateboard Deck, 2019: – featuring - Martin Wong 'Iglesia Pentecostal', (1986). Limited edition Martin Wong skateboard published by Supreme New York in 2019 inco...
Wood
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
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
Hand-Knotted Ivory Wool Rug – Low Pile Berber, Rectangular 275 by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Knotted Ivory Wool Rug – Low Pile Berber, Rectangular 275 by Mohebban Dimensions: W 275 x L 185 cm Materials: Wool. The Berber collection is inspired by the tradition of Morocc...
Wool
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
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
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
$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
1984 I'm getting a permanent wave! Cheeky Pop Art Cartoon Mural by Thomas Suriya
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Large humorous original pop art acrylic painting on canvas by muralist Thomas Suriya. The artwork is based on the "I'm getting a permanent wave!" 1920s Postcard from the "saucy seasi...
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Hand-Knotted Ivory Wool Rug – Low Pile Berber, Rectangular 365 by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Knotted Ivory Wool Rug – Low Pile Berber, Rectangular 365 by Mohebban Dimensions: W 365 x L 275 cm Materials: Wool. The Berber collection is inspired by the tradition of Morocc...
Wool
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
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
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
Italian Murano Art Glass Paperweight Lily Flower with Curled Stem Sculpture 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Italian Murano Art Glass Lily Flower with Curled Stem Paperweight. VIntage Murano Italian Art Glass Flower Sculpture Decorative Object, 1980s. Beautiful blown art glass Murano lily...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$11,683 / 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
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
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
Obliqua White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Obliqua White 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
Ray White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Ray White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 11 x W 35 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 2...
Ceramic, Clay
Vintage Cowboy photograph (Vintage Cibachrome print)
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage darkroom Cowboy photograph circa late 1980s: A superbly rendered vintage darkroom photograph, surrealistically exploring the mythology of the American cowboy set amidst blaz...
Paper
Pisces White Tall Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Pisces White Tall Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D8 x W 28 x x H 35 cm Materials: Ceramic Also available in other colors and custom sizes from 20cm tall - 58cm...
Ceramic
$12,144 / 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
Hagi White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Hagi White 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
$4,933 / 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
$18,033 / item
Bamboo Silk Celestial Object H-C3 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Bamboo Silk Celestial Object H-C3 Rug by HENZEL STUDIO Dimensions: W 350 x L 400 cm. Materials: Wool, Mohair & Silk. In 'Le Météore de la Nuit', Calle Henzel unveils a series of mon...
Wool, Mohair, Silk
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
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
Curved Dancer Teracotta Blend Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Curved Dancer Teracotta Blend Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 9 x W 26 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay, Terracotta Also available in other colors an...
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
Ray Teracotta Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Ray Terracotta Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 8 x W 30 x x H 30 cm Materials: Terracotta, Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and cus...
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
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
Handled White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Handled White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 16 x W 34 x x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes fr...
Ceramic, Clay
Pisces Teracotta Blend Terracotta Clay Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Pisces Terracotta Blend Terracotta Clay Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D8 x W 27 x x H 30 cm Materials: Terracotta Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes...
Clay, Terracotta
$3,434 / 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
BC Erba Grass Rug by Caturegli Formica - Post-Modern Italian Design
Located in Geneve, CH
BC ERBA/grass 1989-1990 by Caturegli Formica Dimensions: W 250 x L 250 cm Materials: Wool Produced by Elio Palmisano in 1989-90 for the collection/exhibition Tappeti e Arazzi ...
Wool
$35,087 / item
Cf Gattaca by Caturegli Formica
Located in Geneve, CH
CF GATTACA by Caturegli Formica Dimensions: W 360 x L 290 cm Materials: Wool Produced by Elio Palmisano in 1989-90 for the collection/exhibition Tappeti e Arazzi Biographic...
Wool
$2,690 / 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
$6,349 / 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
$12,238 / 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
CF F1 2018 Silk Rug by Caturegli Formica, Post-Modern Design, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
CF F1 2018 by Caturegli Formica. Dimensions: W 320 x L 230 cm Materials: Silk Carpets as deep information Carpets are very common items. But it has never really been clear if...
Silk
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 360 by Mohebban
Located in Geneve, CH
Sand Atlas – Beige and Taupe Hand-Knotted Wool Rug, Rectangular 360 by Mohebban Dimensions: W 360 x L 280 cm Materials: Wool. The Atlas rug collection is the story of an eternal an...
Wool
$6,349 / 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
$8,402 / 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
$6,349 / 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
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
$12,663 / 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
$3,292 / 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
$3,741 / item
Ivory Pentacle IX by Julie Nelson
Located in Geneve, CH
Ivory pentacle IX by Julie Nelson One of a Kind Dimensions: W 36 x D 38 x H 26 cm Materials: Ceramic stoneware and porcelain Artist Julie Nelson use...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$1,369Sale Price|20% Off
Digital Collage Art by Naro Pinosa, Crystal Nude Couple, Spain, 2019
By Naro Pinosa
Located in Madrid, ES
Crystals + naked couple portrait digital collage print by Spanish artist Naro Pinosa, made famous on social media. Unique signed-by-artist piece. Authenti...
Aluminum