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.
1970s Glamorous Guido Polloni Chandelier in Colored Glass (50cm/19.6in)
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Polloni chandelier, glass, Italy, 1970s This exquisite chandelier by glass artist Guido Polloni is crafted in Italy in the 1970s. This light embodies the extreme glamour and b...
Glass
Mariyo Yagi for Sirrah 'Garbo' Chandelier in Nylon
By Mariyo Yagi, Sirrah
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mariyo Yagi for Sirrah, 'Garbo' chandelier, metal, nylon, Italy, 1976 Enchanting 'Garbo' fringe chandelier designed by Japanese designer Mariyo Yagi and manufactured by Sirrah. The ...
Metal
Vintage Wrought Iron Chandelier Candleholder by Ehlén Johansson for Ikea, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Wrought Iron Chandelier Candleholder by Ehlén Johansson for Ikea, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 I have ...
Wrought Iron
1970s Glamorous Guido Polloni Chandelier in Colored Glass (80cm/31.5in)
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Polloni chandelier, glass, Italy, 1970s This exquisite chandelier by glass artist Guido Polloni is crafted in Italy in the 1970s. This light embodies the extreme glamour and b...
Glass
$1,170 / item
Postmodern Modern Black Round Chandelier Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of postmodernism and experience pure elegance with our breathtaking black chandelier decorated with crystals. This work of art of lighting m...
Crystal, Metal
Bořek Šípek “Luigi” Chandelier for Driade, Italy, 1989
A spectacular and highly sculptural “Luigi” chandelier designed by Bořek Šípek for Driade, showcasing the designer’s unmistakable blend of Venetian glassmaking traditions, playful or...
Brass
Pendant Chainmail Droplet, Hand-Linked, 80cm, Steel, Panorammma, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web hugs the lamp’s canopy, as the knit gets tighter the chainmail envelopes ...
Steel
Cobweb Chainmail Chandelier, Hand-Linked, Steel, Post-Modern, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A fusion of medieval craftsmanship and modern gothic elegance, the Chainmail Cobweb Chandelier evokes the ethereal beauty of a spider’s web. Meticulously handcrafted from interwoven ...
Steel
Monumental Star Shaped Chandelier
By Gaetano Sciolari, Stilnovo, Sciolari Lighting
Located in Houston, TX
Monumental Star Shaped Chandelier. Offered is a most unusual Post-Modern star shaped 51 inch iron chandelier with inset plexiglass panels in different shades of gold. This massive ch...
Steel
Charles And Ray Eames Dot Pattern Light Suspension 6 Spheres Lamp by Cassina
By Charles and Ray Eames, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Charles And Ray Eames Dot Pattern Light Suspension 6 Spheres Lamp by Cassina ICONIC PATTERN Initially created for a textile design competition launched in 1947 by the Museum of Mod...
Aluminum
Postmodern Modern Silver Chrom Round Chandelier Art Nouveau XXL
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of postmodernism and experience pure elegance with our breathtaking silver/chrome chandelier decorated with crystals. This work of art of li...
Crystal
Pendant Chainmail Droplet, Hand-Linked, 80cm, Steel with Brass Finish, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web in a brass finish hugs the lamp’s canopy; as the knit becomes tighter, th...
Steel
Italian Post Modern Slide Sunday Design Pendant Lamp
By Slide
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Post Modern Slide Sunday Pendant Lamp, Italy 2010 The Sunday pendant lamp is a design icon crafted by Slide using rotational molding technology in polyethylene, a material that is 1...
Plastic
$421Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Post-Modern White Metal Cone Pendant Light, Matégot Style
By Mathieu Matégot, Memphis Group
Located in Copenhagen, DK
French vintage perforated metal wide cone pendant from the 1980s. Post-modern atomic age piece in the style of Mathieu Matégot and the Memphis group. Crisp white shade with bright re...
Metal
Model Area 50 Suspension Ceiling Light by M.Bellini for Artemide, 1970s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Model Area 50 Suspension Ceiling Light by Mario Bellini for Artemide, 1970s, Italy Elegant design pendant lamp Lampshade is in good condition and very clean. This lamp works with E...
Plastic, Parchment Paper
$1,417 / item
Slim Gold Plated Pendant by MUG
Located in Geneve, CH
Slim Gold Plated Pendant by MUG Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 298 9 cm (customizable height) Materials: Brass, Black Nickel, LEDs Finishes: - Aluminium - Bronze All our lamps can be wired a...
Aluminum, Bronze, Gold, Brass
1970's 18" Bent Lucite Ribbon Chandelier
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Exceptional extra large vintage Hollywood regency gold lucite ribbon loop chandelier. In the style of Carlo Nason this curved clear lucite prism chandelier...
Brass
Gian Nicola Gigante for Zerbetto — Adjustable Fluorescent Pendant, Italy, 1980s
By Zerbetto, Gian Nicola Gigante
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking Italian modernist pendant designed by Gian Nicola Gigante for Zerbetto. The minimalist fixture is suspended from four slender steel wires, allowing the pendant to be posit...
Steel
Paper Milk Medium Pendant Light in Ash Wood & Industrial Rice Paper by KIMU
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper Milk Medium Pendant Light in Ash Wood & Industrial Rice Paper by KIMU Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 55 x H 39 cm. Materials: Ash wood and rice paper. Available in different sizes. Prices may vary. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. Please contact us. “In Taiwanese life, the most overlooked thing is the lamp... it's hard to find old Taiwanese lamps...
Ash, Paper
$6,327 / item
Celine Ten Light Black Nickel Chandelier by MUG
Located in Geneve, CH
Celine Ten Light Black Nickel Chandelier by MUG Dimensions: Ø 120 x H 163 cm (customizable height) Materials: Borosilicate glass, LEDs, Iron Finish: Chrome and Matt black All our la...
Nickel
Pendant Chainmail Droplet, Hand-Linked, 120cm, Steel with Brass Finish
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web hugs the lamp’s canopy, as the knit gets tighter the chainmail envelopes ...
Steel
Postmodern Light Lite Ceiling Lamp by Philippe Starck for Flos, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Light Lite Ceiling Lamp by Philippe Starck for Flos, 1990s - Design classics from Flos, by the designer Philippe Starck from the early 90s - The lamp is made entirely fro...
Plastic
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich. Dimensions: W 117 x D 224 x H 21 cm. Material: Cast Bronze, Brass. All our lamps can be wired according to each cou...
Brass, Bronze
Pendant Chandelier, Hand-Linked Chainmail Droplet, 60cm, Steel, Panorammma, Mex
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web hugs the lamp’s canopy, as the knit gets tighter the chainmail envelopes into a rope which hangs to finally suspend a glass globe. All the while the lamp’s warm light source remains hidden. In Chainmail Droplet Chandelier there is an evident contradiction between material and form as the chainmail takes on an organic cocoon like appearance. When conceiving the first piece in this collection; I sought to create a design that supported the idea of a body that is open to different forms of expression; ultimately seeking to express and question our wish for constraint. An object that through industrial materials knits into a soft light nest...
Steel
$5,425 / item
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 46 x H 26 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
$14,155 / item
Signe Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Signe Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 11 x W 185 x H 21 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, M...
Alabaster, Copper
Austrian Postmodern Set of Three "Cocoon" Chandeliers by EGLO Leuchten, 1990s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and beauty Set of Three Austrian "Cocoon" Chandeliers. These Chandeliers were designed during the 1990s in Austria by Eglo Leuchten. Original “Eglo” label still shows on the s...
Metal
1960s Pop Art Oversized Light Bulb Pendant Light
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Cathedral City, CA
1960s Pop Art Oversized Light Bulb Pendant Light Unique pendant lamp in the form of an oversized light bulb made of blown glass and metal cap with a red en...
Metal
$1,680Sale Price / item|40% Off
Martinelli Luce Vera sculptural lighting Postmodern Style
By Paolo Orlandini, Martinelli Luce, Ingo Maurer
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Sculptural hanging light designed by Paolo Orlandini in 1980. Produced by Martinelli Luce. As changing position of the supporting ring and main rod, Position of the shade is change...
Steel
Anthracite Grey Nur Ceiling Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Designed by Ernesto Gismondi (1931-2020), the founder of Artemide, the Nur has the geometric lines of a perfect parabola, provides indirect diffused light, and casts a subtle halo on...
Metal
Light Object 018 Pendant with 1 Light Tube in Brass by Naama Hofman
By Naama Hofman
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Object 018 Pendant with 1 Light Tube in Brass by Naama Hofman. Dimensions: W 81 x D 4 x H 68 cm. Materials: Brass, Acrylic tube. Light: flexible LED strip light, 16W, 24V. All...
Brass
Mt Elbert Elk & Mule Deer Series Antler Chandelier by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Mt Elbert Elk & Mule Deer Series Antler Chandelier by The Peak Antler Dimensions: D 182.88 x H 182.88 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers Based in, produced and shipped from the US...
Antler
Axis Solis Limited Edition Pendant Lamp in Brazilian Stone by Otavio Motta
Located in Geneve, CH
Axis Solis Limited Edition Pendant Lamp in Brazilian Stone by Otavio Motta Signed, limited edition Dimensions: Ø 120 cm. Central body: Ø 80 cm Crystal spikes: 20 cm length each Mater...
Stone, Crystal, Brass, Steel
Spire Fiberglass Ceiling Light by Enrico Botta for Diner, Italy, 1970s
By DINER Production, Enrico Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Post -Modern 'Spire' (spirals) ceiling light by Enrico Botta for Diner, Italy, 1970. Made of curved and intertwined fiberglass sheets which are held together by a smart metal plu...
Fiberglass
Sculptural Light No. 130, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 130 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 55 x W 95 x H 75 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Sculptural Light No. 132, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 132 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 44 x W 95 x H 70 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Rare Jo-Jo n°2072 Pendant Lamp by Gino Sarfatti, Italy, 1953
Located in Montréal, CA
A rare five-disc variation of the iconic “Jo-Jo” pendant lamp designed by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce. Crafted from lacquered aluminum and methacrylate (lucite), the fixture is compos...
Aluminum
Emily V10 Vertical Chandelier in Steel with Dark Bronze Finish by MOSS Objects
By Moss Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Emily V10 Vertical Chandelier in Steel with Dark Bronze Finish by MOSS Objects. Dimensions: W 160 x D 160 x H 365 cm. Materials: Steel, White Oak, Dark Bronze Finish. This listing f...
Steel
$5,671 / item
Halo 62 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Halo 49 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 62 x H 7 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
$12,280 / item
Signature Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Signature Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 185 x W 11 x H 21 (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, ...
Alabaster, Copper
Chrome finish Three Spheres lighting pendant by Tom Dixon, 21st century
By Tom Dixon
Located in View Park, CA
A mirror ball trio pendant light by Tom Dixon, early 21st century.
Acrylic
$11,249 / item
Cristallo Domo P Pendant Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Cristallo Domo P Pendant Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 120 x D 23 x H 125 cm, H: Custom made. Materials: Cristallo quartzite and polished cast brass. Finishes: Polished Cast Bra...
Quartz, Metal
Medium Gold Plated Dome Pendant Lamp by Rock & Soar, Post-Modern UK
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Dome Pendant Lamp by Rock and Soar Dimensions: W 200 D 150 x H 85 cm Materials: Gold Plated, SS. 80 x Clear Texture Glass, 40 x Smoke Metallic Glass, 40 Botanical Etchings, 5...
Gold Plate
$2,249 / item
Marquise Opus Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Marquise Opus Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 45 x H 40 cm. Materials: Glass and metal. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will ...
Metal
Venini Tesuto Suspension Chandelier, Murano Glass, Italy, Circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
Italian world most famous glass factory, Venini company is set on Murano Island. It mastered the blowing techniques and different other like this tesuto technique. Probably designed...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$2,824 / item
Aria Pendant Lamp by Saadia Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Aria Pendant Lamp by Saadia Design Dimensions: D 30 x W 180 x H 17 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal and rotomolded plastic. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. I...
Metal
$1,289 / item
Twist Etiola Pendant Lamp by LAFABLIGHT
Located in Geneve, CH
Twist Etiola Pendant Lamp by LAFABLIGHT Dimensions: D 80 x H 30 cm Materials: Wooden structure woven with ecru cotton, textile cable with metal/wood rosette. LAFABLIGHT was born fro...
Metal
$529Sale Price|20% Off
1980's Memphis Design Style Pendant Lamp
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Memphis style pendant lamp, made in Italy 1980's. Black metal with perspex ring and white opaline glass on this modern design hanging pendant lamp. Halogen lamp...
Metal
Vintage French Postmodern Pendant Lamp from Pylones, Paris, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage French Postmodern Pendant Lamp from Pylones, Paris, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark, Up to 250V (Europe/UK Standard)....
Plastic
$4,171 / item
Tube 8/100 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Tube 8/100 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 8 x H 100 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt...
Alabaster, Copper
$1,476 / item
Twist Echino Chandelier by LAFABLIGHT
Located in Geneve, CH
Twist Echino Chandelier by LAFABLIGHT Dimensions: D 87 x H 125 cm Materials: Wooden structure woven with ecru cotton, textile cable with metal/wood rosette. LAFABLIGHT was born from...
Metal
No. 31 G Beige Uni Gold Color Contemporary Art Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 31 F Beige Gold Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga Dimensions: D 44 x W 68 x H 50 cm. Materials: Brass, leather, wood, and dip-dyed colored viscose. ...
Brass, Other
Light Object 017 Pendant with 1 Light Tube in Brass by Naama Hofman
By Naama Hofman
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Object 017 Pendant with 1 Light Tube in Brass by Naama Hofman. Dimensions: D 3 x H 90 cm. Materials: Brass, Acrylic tube. Light: flexible LED strip light, 16W, 24V. All our la...
Brass
Rare Arteluce Acrylic Glass Chandelier, Italy, 1970s
By Arteluce
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This extraordinary chandelier by the renowned Italian lighting manufacturer Arteluce is a true collector’s piece and a striking example of 1970s Space Age design. With its sculptural...
Metal
Ca Rezzonico I 12 Lights Chandelier in Gold Plate and Murano Glass by Aggiolight
Located in Geneve, CH
Ca Rezzonico I 12 Lights Chandelier in Gold Plate and Murano Glass by Aggiolight. Dimensions: D 120 x H 160 cm (+ 100 cm adjustable chain). Materials: Gold Plate, Artisan Murano Glas...
Gold Plate
Sculptural Light No. 133, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 133 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 60 x W 90 x H 90 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
$1,160 / item
73.1 Pendant by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
73.1 pendant by Bocci. Dimensions: D 11.6 x H 300 cm. Materials: brushed nickel round canopy Weight: 2.7 kg White canopy also available. Due to the handcrafted nature of the 73 ...
Other, Nickel
Circolo Cotton Pendant Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Circolo Cotton Pendant Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 50 x H 150 cm. Materials: Cotton, brass and silicone. Custom options available on request. Please contact us. All our ...
Brass
$1,886 / item
Ne1200 Pendant Lamp by MLK Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Ne1200 Pendant Lamp by MLK Furniture Dimensions: D 9 x W 120 x H 12 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, acrylic. Available in mat, or mat and mirror inside. Also available in brass, cop...
Stainless Steel
Italian Postmodern Aggregato Pendant Lamp by Enzo Mari & Giancarlo Fassina 1970s
By Artemide
Located in Hamburg, DE
Train pendant lamp from the aggregato series from the italian manufacturer artemide according to a design by enzo mari and giancarlo fassina from the 197...
Metal