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.
Postmodern Pair of Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Pair of Gold Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-9000 Gold. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 19...
Metal
Midcentury Pair of Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting, Estiluz
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Pair of Gold Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1184 Oro. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 198...
Metal
Postmodern Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting, Estiluz
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Gold "Mate" Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-9000 Gold. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. ...
Metal
Postmodern Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Gold Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model A-1149. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. “Estiluz” or...
Metal
Midcentury Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting, Estiluz
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Gold Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1180 Oro. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. This Wal...
Metal
Postmodern Aluminium Sconce "Cyrano" by Bernard Dequet for Lucien Gau, 1990s.
By Philippe Starck, Maison Lucien Gau
Located in Lille, FR
**"Cyrano" Aluminum Wall Sconce by Bernard Dequet for Lucien Gau, France, 1990s** Founded in Paris in 1860, **Lucien Gau** is one of France's most renowned lighting manufacturers, c...
Aluminum
$650 / item
Roger Tallon for Erco 'Spot' Wall Lights
By Roger Tallon, Erco
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Tallon for Erco, 'Spot' wall lights, iron, lacquered metal, metal, plastic, France, 1970s. These wall lamps are icons made by Erco and designed by the French designer Roger Ta...
Metal
Roger Tallon for Erco 'Spot' Wall Lights
By Erco, Roger Tallon
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Tallon for Erco, 'Spot' wall lights, iron, lacquered metal, metal, plastic, France, 1970s. These wall lamps are icons made by Erco and designed by the French designer Roger Ta...
Metal
$1,900Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Pierre Disderot Verre Lumiere French 1980s Gold Wall Lamps
By Pierre Disderot, Verre Lumière
Located in New York, NY
An original pair of French Post Modern gold plated steel modernist wall lamps designed by Pierre Disderot for Verre Lumiere, 1982. Rewired. A sleek Post Deco design. Signed. Verre L...
Gold, Steel
Gianfranco Fini for New Lamp 'Programma' Wall Light in Stainless Steel
By New Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Fini for New Lamp, 'Programma' lamp, stainless steel, circa 1970 Expressive wall light by Italian designer Gianfranco Fini designed in circa 1970. Fini, who is known for...
Stainless Steel
$595Sale Price / set|16% Off
Table lamp Glass murano pair by Zonca , Italie 1980s
By Zonca
Located in La xara, VC
Large pair bicolor of Post-Modern table lamp by Zonca. The design of this lamp is a typical example of the post-modern style of the 80s. The fan-shaped Murano glass takes up the past...
Murano Glass
Art Deco Revival. Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s
By Hispania CH, Cerámicas BONDIA, Capo Di Monte, Bassano
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Art Deco Revival and Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s. Each wall light is made of black glazed ceramic in the shape of a hand holding a spherical diffuser. The diffuse...
Ceramic, Paint, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova ‘Bruco’ Wall Lights
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova, Design Centre
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova, ‘Bruco’ wall light from the Mobili Grigi series, chrome-plated brass, methacrylate (translucent Perspex), enameled aluminum, Italy, 1970 This ‘Bruco’ wall light is created by Ettore Sottsass as part of the Mobili Grigi collection for Poltronova and produced by Design Centre in 1970. The advancements in lamp technology have influenced the design of lighting fixtures. The Bruco light was created as a result of the use of breakthrough materials and technologies of the seventies. Designer...
Brass, Chrome
Postmodern Italian Set of Four White Wall Sconces by Targetti Sankey, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Set of Four White Wall Sconces or Flush Mounts by Targetti Sankey. Model: 376 Blanco. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Italy during 1980s These fixtur...
Metal
Guillerme & Chambron Wall Light in Oak and Glass
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, wall light, oak, glass, 1970s Charming wall light, designed by designers Guillerme and Chambron in the 1970s. The shape and materials used fo...
Glass, Oak
$6,000Sale Price / set|50% Off
Set of Five Fratelli Martini Polished Bronze 1980 Italian Wall Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A set of 5 finely crafted polished bronze floral wall lights by the Italian maker, Fratelli Martini. Newly Rewired.
Bronze
Set of 4 Minimalist Postmodern Typ V607 Wall Lamps from Ikea, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern metal wall lamps from Ikea. A minimalist design in terms of shape and color. The body of the light consists of a sheet of metal folded into a funnel shape. The fold cre...
Metal
'Canna Fiorita' Wall or Ceiling Lights by Castiglioni & Menghi for Fontana Arte
By Roberto Menghi, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
'Canna Fiorita' Wall or Ceiling Lights by Castiglioni & Menghi for Fontana Arte (Italy, 1981) This pair of 'Canna Fiorita' wall or ceiling lights by Piero Castiglioni and Robert...
Brass
$650 / item
Roger Tallon for Erco 'Spot' Wall Lights
By Erco, Roger Tallon
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Tallon for Erco, 'Spot' wall lights, iron, lacquered metal, metal, plastic, France, 1970s. These wall lamps are icons made by Erco and designed by the French designer Roger Ta...
Metal
Modern Geometric Murano Glass and Brass Wall Lamp
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Important geometric wall lamp in Murano glass and brass. This lamp, produced by Murano masters, involves various techniques of blown and pressed glass, gold leaf and silver leaf. The...
Brass
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide 'Sintesi Faretto' Wall Light in Green
By Artemide
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, wall light, model 'Sintesi Faretto', first edition, Cornalux bulb included, coated iron, coated steel, aluminum, rubber, plastic, Italy, 1976 The foun...
Aluminum, Iron
$141Sale Price / set|78% Off
Spanish White Pair of Table Lamps by Fase, Model "Bambina", 1980s
By Fase
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Iconic piece of Spanish design by Fase from 1980s. Model "Bambina", also is called as Bambino. This pair of table lamps also have the possibility of hanging on the wall as wall scon...
Plastic
Postmodern Dimmable Black Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting, Estiluz
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty and unique Dimmable Postmodern Black Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-0973 R Negro. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Est...
Metal
Aphrodite Wall Lamp by André Cazenave, France, 1970
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Rare “Aphrodite” wall lamp by André Cazenave for Atelier A, designed and produced in France circa 1970. Crafted in fiberglass coated with marble powder, the piece presents a striking...
Fiberglass
$920Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Murano Vistosi Glass Wall Sconce Designed by Mauro Olivieri
By Vistosi, Mauro Olivieri
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of halogen mouth-blown tapered glasses with a metal frame wall sconces designed by Mauro Olivieri for Murano Vistosi, excellent condition no chips or cracks on the glass.
Glass
One of the Ten Glass Aluminium Triangle Shaped Wall Lights, Artemide, 1984
By Artemide
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of the 10 glass and metal sconces named Icaro designed by Carlo Forcolini 1984 executed by Artemide, Italy. Great Italian design, made of clear cut-glass and perforated aluminium...
Aluminum
$150 / item
4 Luxo Angle Poise Task Lamps
By Luxo
Located in New York, NY
Adjustable flex arm task lamp made by LUXO made in Denmark c 1960-1980's. The lamps are designed to be attached with screws, each has two flex arms, each arm approximately 20 inches ...
Steel
Malone Wall Light in Ceramic with Glossy Lacquered Finish by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Malone Wall Light in Ceramic with Glossy Lacquered Finish by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 14 x D 11 x H 40 cm. Materials: Hand-painted and hand-made ceramics, Glossy lacquered finis...
Ceramic, Lacquer
Ronda wall lamp Oluce Vico Magistretti 80s style
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Postmodern style Lamp "Ronda" wall lamp. Silver painted model. Designed by Vico Magistretti for Oluce. Unused condition. Light source E27 light bulbs. Using with 100-120V Able to ...
Steel
$421Sale Price|62% Off
1980 Italy Post-Modern Black Metal and Satin Glass Wall Light
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an engaging wall light in satin glass that has the base in aluminum lacquered in polished black color. The two satin sheet glass are put as lampsh...
Aluminum
Ruins Eclipse Wall Lamp in Papier Mâché by Szymon Keller
Located in Geneve, CH
Ruins Eclipse Wall Lamp in Papier Mâché by Szymon Keller. Dimensions: W 47 x D 10 x H 47 cm. Materials: Papier-mâché, fibers, and natural pigments. All our lamps can be wired accord...
Other
Italian Warrior Wall Lamp by Emanuele Ricci for Sidecar Artemide, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare warrior wall lamp from the italian manufacturer sidecar (artemide) based on a design by emanuele ricci from the early 90s. the name is reflected in the appearance of this lamp, ...
Metal
Monica Wall Light in Linen and Wool by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Monica Wall Light in Linen and Wool by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 40 x D 9 x H 26 cm. Materials: Premium linen base structure completed with embroidered wool patterns. Fabric is ...
Wool, Linen
1 of the 3 Pairs Postmodern Filicudara Sconces by S. Lombardi for Artemide, 1980
By Artemide
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 5 impressive pairs of Postmodern style wall sconces designed by Steve Lombardi for Artemide Italy. Model Filicudara designed in the 1980s. A wonderful shape. Real statement ...
Aluminum
$536Sale Price|40% Off
Murano Due wall lighting 24 ct Gilt gold , Italy 1990
By Murano Due
Located in La xara, VC
Murano Due lighting is highly sought after for several compelling reasons: • Exceptional Artistic Craftsmanship: Murano Due lights are made using centuries-old hand-blown glass tech...
Murano Glass
Shogun wall lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide , 1980s
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Athens, Attiki
The Shogun wall lamp was designed in the 1980s by Italian designer Mario Botta for the manufacturer Artemide. It is known for its distinctive design, which combines geometric shapes ...
Metal
Large Guillerme et Chambron Double Wall Light Sconce
Located in Trensacq, FR
Guillerme & Chambron Double Wall Sconce – Blonde Oak, France, Circa 1970s A beautifully crafted double wall light sconce designed by the renowned French duo Jacques Chambron and...
Metal, Brass
$569Sale Price / set|60% Off
Postmodern Italian Murano Glass Wall Sconces, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Postmodern and beautiful set of two Murano glass Wall Sconces. These fixtures are made in Italy. Each Wall Sconce is equipped with one light halongen bulb. A professional electricia...
Metal
Vintage Italian Postmodern Glass Wall Lamp Sconce from Lucente, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant glass wall lamp from Italian manufacturer LUCENTE. This piece has an attribution mark, It is completely authentic for any authenticity issues arising from misattribution, Up ...
Metal
First edition of Febo, Leucos, Roberto Pamio and Renato Toso, 1962
By Leucos, Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
First edition of the Wall light Febo by Leucos and designed by Renato Toso and Roberto Pamio circa 1965. Very rare as few were made. The shade simply pose on the brass arm. The gla...
Brass
Artemide Wall Lights Steve Lombardi Filicudara Sconces, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
Pair (2) aluminum post modern wall lamps by Steve Lombardi for Artemide, circa 1980 Italy Original, marked pair of post-modern sconces, 100W each, Edis...
Aluminum
Guillerme & Chambron Pair of Wall Lights in Oak and Glass
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, pair of wall lights, oak, glass, 1970s Charming wall lights, designed by designers Guillerme and Chambron in the 1970s. The shape and materia...
Glass, Oak
Italian Postmodern Wall Light, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Monumental Italian Postmodern wall light. Carries 3 light bulbs.
Metal
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Brass, Rattan, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass and rattan sconces/ wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s. Sold with Lampshades. Dimensions stated are of S...
Brass
Postmodern T+L Royal Series Typ L 133 Glas Wall Lamp from Keuco, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern glass wall light from the t+l royal bathroom cabinet series by keuco. the striking shape of the lamp is particularly eye-catching. A halved cone standing on top. The lamp...
Metal
Göran Slöjdare, Wall Light, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall light designed and produced by Göran Slöjdare, Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 9.75” H x 5.75” W x 5” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches): 9.75” H x 4.95” W ...
Pine
Postmodern Aluminium Sconce "Cyrano" by Bernard Dequet for Lucien Gau, 1990s.
By Maison Lucien Gau, Philippe Starck
Located in Lille, FR
Postmodern Aluminium Sconce "Cyrano" by Bernard Dequet for Lucien Gau, 1990s.
Aluminum
Italian Postmodern Warrior Wall Lamp by Emanuele Ricci for Sidecar Artemide
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare warrior wall lamp from the italian manufacturer sidecar (artemide) based on a design by emanuele ricci from the early 90s. the name is reflected in the appearance of this lamp,...
Metal
Bo Paulsson, Wall Lights, Moulded Pine-Veneer, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of moulded pine-veneer wall lights, designed and produced by Bo Paulsson, Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions: 9" H x 6" W x 5" D Bulb Specifications: E-14 Bulb Number of So...
Pine
$1,000 / item
Wireless Moon Small Table Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Wireless Moon Small Table Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 18 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt...
Alabaster, Copper
Set of 8 original Memphis style "Jill" Arteluce wall sconces, 1980's
By Perry King and Santiago Miranda, Arteluce
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A large set of 8 original Memphis style "Jill " Arteluce wall sconces by Perry King and S. Miranda, available for purchase per piece. The design i...
Metal
1980 Bieffeplast Postmodern Italian Design Black White Wall Lamp Sconces
By Bieffeplast
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of Post Modern Sconces prod. Bieffeplast Italy, 1980 Black metal grind and white bent plexiglass Black and White metal wall frame The...
Metal
A Sculptural POSTMODERN Ceiling Fixture, in DIEGO GIACOMETTI Style, France 1990
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional ceiling lighting sculpture, handcrafted white plaster on a complex geometric metal/brass structure, featuring 5 lights (allow...
Brass
Postmodern Danish Light Blue Perforated Metal Pendant from Abo Randers, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Wall lamp by Danish manufacturer Abo Randers from the 1980s. The lamp body consists of a metal sheet bent into a large radius and painted blue. The front part is designed as a shade...
Metal
Vintage Wall Lamp from Paulmann, 1980s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Discover this vintage wall lamp from Paulmann from the 1980s in postmodern Memphis style. The colourful design made of metal in red and yellow and transparent Vintage wall lamp from ...
Metal
Ceramic "Weightlifter" Sconce, Muscular Arm with Dumbbell, by J.C. Peiré, 1980s
By JC Peire
Located in Lille, FR
This wall sconce or table lamp, depicting a muscular arm with a dumbbell, was made by J.C. Peiré Productions, a small Marseille-based workshop run by ceramicist Jean-Claude Peiré (19...
Ceramic
Medium Embrace Wall Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Embrace Wall Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: W 12.7 x D 12.7 x H 60.96 cm Materials: Sculpted in concrete and plaster with LEDs Based in, produced and shipped ...
Concrete, Other
Double Bronze Sconce by Solis Betancourt for Holly Hunt
By HOLLY HUNT, José Solís Betancourt 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the exquisite "Double Bronze" Sconce by Solis Betancourt for Holly Hunt, a sophisticated addition to elevate your interior décor. Crafted ...
Bronze
Meritalia Cloud Lamp / Blue, Yellow and Orange by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Created through a process that celebrates imperfection and unconventionality, the luminous objects by Edizioni del Pesce embody Gaetano Pesce's distinctive philosophy. Each luminous ...
Resin
Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Pine, Velvet, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and brown velvet wall light designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 15” H x 9” W x 12” D Backplate Dimensions (inches): 6.06" H x 6.06" W x 1.75...
Velvet, Pine