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.
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova ‘Bruco’ Wall Lights
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
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...
Aluminum, Brass, Chrome
Postmodern Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting
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 Pair of Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
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 Pair of Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
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 Large Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Large and beauty Postmodern Gold Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1186 Oro. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 198...
Metal
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
Postmodern Aluminium Sconce "Cyrano" by Bernard Dequet for Lucien Gau, 1990s.
By Maison Lucien Gau, Philippe Starck
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
Midcentury Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
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 Large Pair of Glass Metal Wall Sconces by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Josep Llusca, Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and unique Horizontal Postmodern Spanish Pair of Glass Metal Wall Sconces by Blauet. Model: Blow 1327. These Wall Lights were made in Barcelona (Spain) by Blauet during 1990s...
Metal
Postmodern Dimmable Gold Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty and unique Dimmable Postmodern Black Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1069 Oro. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz...
Metal
Postmodern Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
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
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
$1,900Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of Pierre Disderot Verre Lumiere French 1980s Gold Wall Lamps
By Verre Lumière, Pierre Disderot
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
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
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
Postmodern Dimmable Black Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli, 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
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
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
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
Large Nason Wall Lights for Mazzega Murano Glass, 1970
By Mazzega
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the 2 Wall lights, made by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in the 1970's. It is part of the "Murano for Mazzega" production. Clear Murano glass with chrome detail. Manufactured by the ...
Metal, Chrome
$3,950 / set
Pair Of Murano Glass Sconces By Mazzega
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Murano Glass Sconces By Mazzega. Offered is a stunning pair of Murano sconces designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in the 1970's. These sconces have a central pearlized white...
Chrome
Martha and Beaumont Mood, Wall Lights, Painted Ceramic, USA, 1970s
By Martha Mood
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of hand-painted ceramic wall lights or sconce covers designed and produced by Martha and Beaumont Mood, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 1970s. Ove...
Ceramic
Amazing Ceiling or Wall Light 'Post Krisi 0022' by Catellani & Smith Italy 2004
By Catellani & Smith, Enzo Catellani
Located in München, BY
Rare, lovely and highly decorative three-armed ceiling fixture or wall light 'Post Krisi 0022'. Designed by Catellani & Smith, Italy, 2004. Manufacturer plate on the base: Catellani ...
Metal
$414Sale 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
Shogun wall lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide , 1980s
By Artemide, Mario Botta
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
Modernist Poulsen Style "Gino" Saucer Wall Lights by Bjarne Frost & Ole Jesperse
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modernist saucer wall light with a shallow cone shade mounted on a cylindrical metal arm, designed by Bjarne Frost and Ole Jespersen. The wide, low-profile shade distributes light br...
Metal
Vintage Italian Postmodern Brera W Wall Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos
Located in Hamburg, DE
The brera w is the wall lamp version from the brera series by flos based on a design by achille castiglioni. a simple and elegant wall light in glass and chrome. The egg-shaped lamp...
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
$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
Italian Postmodern Geco 1 Indoor and Outdoor Wall Lamp for Arteluce, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Geco 1 Indoor and Outdoor Wall Lamp by Luciano Pagani and Angelo Perversi for Arteluce, 1990s Wall or ceiling lights from the italian manufacturer arteluce/flos a...
Metal
Art Deco Revival. Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s
By Hispania CH, Bassano, Cerámicas BONDIA, Capo Di Monte
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
Several Nason for Mazzega Torpedo Murano Glass and Brass Details, 1960
By Mazzega
Located in Rijssen, NL
Known as the Torpedo wall light, made by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in the 1960's. It is part of the "Murano for Mazzega" production. Clear Murano glass with brass detail. Manufactured...
Metal, Brass
$585Sale 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
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
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
Midcentury Pair of Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and unique Pair of Gold Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz from 70s. Model: A-973 Oro. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz ...
Metal
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
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
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
$1,285Sale Price / set|25% Off
Postmodern Gold Pair of Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beautiful Postmodern Pair of Gold Metal and Glass Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1094 Gold plated. These Lamps were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Sp...
Metal
$885Sale Price / set|55% Off
Wall lighting Glass murano multicolor pair by Zonca , Italie 1980s
By Zonca
Located in La xara, VC
Large pair of Post-Modern wall lamps 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 pastel color...
Murano Glass
$1,480Sale Price|57% Off
William Leslie Light Sculpture Signed 1994
By William Leslie
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Beautiful large paper & burlwood light sculpture. Signed William Leslie 1994. Gorgeous dramatic design with multiple curves that looks great from any an...
Resin, Wood, Paper
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
$690 / item
Lounge Jade Green Wall Sconce by MUG
Located in Geneve, CH
Lounge Jade Green Wall Sconce by MUG Dimensions: Ø 8,5 x H 25 cm (customizable height) Materials: Borosilicate glass, Mouth-blown glass, LEDs, Alumin...
Aluminum, Bronze, Pewter
$2,821 / item
BX2 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
BX2 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 12 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bl...
Alabaster, Copper
$386 / item
Dream/Reality Wall Sconce by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dream/Reality Wall Sconce by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 9 x W 18 x H 21 cm Materials: Textured aluminum. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If so...
Aluminum
Set of 4 original Memphis style "Jill" Arteluce wall sconces, 1980's
By Perry King and Santiago Miranda, Arteluce
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A set of 4 original Memphis style "Jill " Arteluce wall sconces by Perry King and S. Miranda, available for purchase per piece. The design is cle...
Metal
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
Geometric Flush Mount Lights by Philips in Metal & Opaline Glass, 1960
By Philips
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful burnt orange and white flush mount lights by Philips, in enameled metal and opaline glass light covers, porcelain sockets, 4 available, wired for US standards, one E27 sock...
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
Arctic Wall Lamp, Acrylic Pearl Beads and Nylon Thread by Lady Sister
Located in Geneve, CH
Arctic Wall Lamp, Acrylic Pearl Beads and Nylon Thread by Lady Sister Dimensions: W 37 x D 72 x H 15 cm Materials: Acrylic Pearl Beads, Nylon Thread, Epoxy Clay, Wire, CNC Cut Stain...
Stainless Steel
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
$901 / item
Sino Meio G Wall Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Sino Meio G Wall Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 15 x D 10 x H 30 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum Also available in Polished Cast...
Metal
$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
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
Johanna Grawunder Memphis Large Yellow Black Light Wall Lamps (4), Italy 1989
By Memphis Group, Johanna Grawunder
Located in Vienna, AT
Four early Johanna Grawunder lighting panels or sconces for Memphis, Italy, 1989. Dimensions per piece: 43.3"x29.5"x2". Sold and priced individually. New York based designer/archi...
Metal
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
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
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
Italian Postmodern Aton Barra Wall Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare wall lamp from the italian manufacturer artemide after a design by ernesto gismondi from the 80s. a technical design made of aluminum and black plastic. The lamp can be mounted...
Metal