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.
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 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
Guillerme & Chambron Pair of Wall Lights in Oak and Glass
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
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
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova ‘Bruco’ Wall Lights
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass, 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
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
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
1980 Gigante for Zerbetto Postmodern Design Fluorescent Wall Lamp
By Zerbetto, Boccato Gigante Zambusi
Located in Brescia, IT
Boccato, Gigante, Zambusi for Zerbetto, 1981 Red wall lamp. Perfect working order. Excellent condition.
Metal
French Ceramic Sconce Depicting Muscular Arm with Dumbbell by J.C. Peiré, 1980s
By JC Peire
Located in Lille, FR
Table Lamp or Sconce by Jean-Claude Peiré, 1980s Matt black ceramic. Good condition.
Ceramic
$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
$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
Art Deco Revival. Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s
By Bassano, Cerámicas BONDIA, Capo Di Monte, Hispania CH
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
Pair of 1970s Zonca Italian Articulating Brass Wall Lamps
By Zonca
Located in Glendale, CA
Pair of 1970s Zonca Italian Articulating Brass Wall Lamps Executed in brass and metal, these wall-mounted lights pivot both on the backplate and on the shade to direct a soft downwa...
Metal, Brass
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
$6,590Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Postmodern panel of 9 sconces in pulegoso murano glass, Mazzega 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in Catania, CT
Composed of 9 Murano glass wall lamps produced by Mazzega in the 1970s. They can be installed as a panel or separately as 9 individual sconces. Full working with EU standard, adaptab...
Murano Glass
Set of 2 Postmodern Italian Aton Parete Wall Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Two rare wall lights from the Italian manufacturer Artemide after a draft by Ernesto Gismondi from the 80s. The wall lights version from the well -known Aton light series. A technic...
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
Set of 3 Postmodern German Wandering Finger Wall Lamps by Ingo Maurer, 1990s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Wandering Finger is a delicate wall lamp by the lighting designer Ingo Maurer. The materials and workmanship are of high quality, you can see the...
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
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
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
$1,162Sale Price / set|20% Off
F. Fabbian murano glass Post-Modern sconces, Italy, 1970s
By F. Fabbian
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Italian Murano glass wall lamps (1 of 5 pairs available) by F. Fabbian, 70s. Gold chromed steel metal base and hand-blown and hand-crafted murano glass diffuser. This diffuse...
Steel, Chrome
$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
Postmodern Articulated Pair of Gold Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Articulated and Dimmable Postmodern Pair of Gold Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1060 Gold. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Sp...
Metal
Shogun Wall Sconce by Mario Botta for Artemide Italy, 1986
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Shogun Wall Sconce by Mario Botta for Artemide Italy, 1986 comes with original instructions ! One ‘Shogun’ wall sconce designed by Swiss Architect Mario Botta for Artemide in 1986. ...
Metal
Rare Post Modern Mesh Flowers Design Single Sconce, 1980s, Belgium
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Rare Post Modern Mesh Flowers Design Single Sconce, 1980s, Belgium Very elegant and Minimalist wall lamp. Lamp is in very good condition. These lamps works with Halogen light bulb...
Metal
Vico Magistretti Pair of Lyndon wall lamps for Oluce, Italy 1980s
Located in Milan, IT
Vico Magistretti Pair of indoor or outdoor Lyndon wall lamps for Oluce, Italy 1980s
Metal
Small Embrace Wall Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Embrace Wall Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: W 30.48 x D 30.48 x H 10.16 cm Materials: Sculpted in concrete and plaster with LEDs Based in, produced and shipped...
Concrete, Other
Mythos 2 Lights LED Wall Light in Satin Nickel by Aggiolight
Located in Geneve, CH
Mythos 2 Lights LED Wall Light in Satin Nickel by Aggiolight. Dimensions: W 14 x D 9 x H 20 cm. Materials: Satin Nickel. The Mythos series by Aggiolight is a masterclass in archite...
Nickel
$1,916Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of "Cocktail" Jill Wall Lamps by King and Miranda for Arteluce, 1980s
By Arteluce, Perry King and Santiago Miranda
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beautiful pair of Italian White Wall Sconces from 1980s. These pieces were made during the 1980s in Italy by Perry King and Santiago Miranda. The name of the manufacturer "Arteluce"...
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
$1,400Sale Price|50% Off
French 1980s Space Age Wall Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French Space Age wall lights composed of polished brass fixtures and frosted glass shades. Newly Rewired with one candelabra socket each.
Brass
Post Modern Roxter Eyeball Spotlight Desk Lamp Model 7039, circa 1970s
By Roxter Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Cool architectural, classic eyeball, spotlight, style desk, table lamp(s) which can also mount to the wall and function as a sconce. Classic Roxter / Tensor Model 7039, having a ball...
Metal
Post Modern Organic Italian Pair Geometric Beige Murano Glass Gold Leaf Sconces
Located in New York, NY
An elegant pair of Italian Murano glass wall sconces featuring a refined rectangular form composed of overlapping linear smoked hammered glass panels, embraced by a glass belt worked...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Vintage Postmodern German Una Arc Wall Lamp by Florian Schulz
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant una arc floor lamp by the famous lighting designer florian schulz. Here in a special version as a wall lamp for high ceilings. an imposing design that, in addition to its di...
Metal
Postmodern Aluminium Sconce "Cyrano" by Bernard Dequet for Lucien Gau, 1990s.
By Philippe Starck, Maison Lucien Gau
Located in Lille, FR
Postmodern Aluminium Sconce "Cyrano" by Bernard Dequet for Lucien Gau, 1990s.
Aluminum
Italian Postmodern Icaro Sconce by Carlo Forcolini for Artemide, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant wall lamps from the italian manufacturer artemide based on a design by carlo forcolini from the 80s. the artemide icaro is a design classic of ...
Metal
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
$1,056 / item
Wireless Glans Table Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Wireless Glans Table Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 12,5 x H 29 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, ...
Alabaster, Copper
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
Pair of 1964 Massimo Vignelli 259/2 Wall Sconces by Arteluce
Located in TOURS, FR
Pair of wall sconces model 259/2 designed by Massimo Vignelli and made by Arteluce in 1964. Each sconce is made of two aluminium square frames from where hang fabric fringes surroun...
Metal
$924 / 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
Pair of Thick Textured Glass and Brass Wall Lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1960
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of wall light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in circa 1960. The glass shows a beautiful ice-like texture, which gives a diffuse light effect and a nice p...
Brass
$864Sale Price / set|51% Off
Postmodern Pair Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1990s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty Postmodern Pair of Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-2044 Gold These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz du...
Metal
DL440 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Two Blown Glass Spheres by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
DL440 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Two Blown Glass Spheres by Daluce Dimensions: D 10,3 x 8,5 x H 65 cm. Materials: Brass and glass. Available in different finish options: light s...
Brass
TF410 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Two Orientable Tubular Diffusers by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
TF410 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Two Orientable Tubular Diffusers by Daluce Dimensions: D 13,4 x 6 x H 25,8 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in different finish options: light sa...
Brass
Postmodern Set of Three Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1990s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty Postmodern Set of Three Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-2044 Gold These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estil...
Metal
$838Sale Price / set|65% Off
Large Postmodern Pair of Gold Glass Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and cool Postmodern Pair of Large Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. These Lamps are made in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. The condition is excellent, ...
Metal, Brass
Three Fontana Arte Wall Lights, Gianni Celada, 1980
By Fontana Arte, Gianni Celada
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of three large Postmodern wall lights designed by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1980. Set at an angle of 45° these large wall lights (model ‚Sisten‘) are made of chromed and la...
Steel, Chrome
Postmodern Italian Wall Sconce from Targetti, Set of 2
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare wall sconces from the Italian manufacturer Targetti. The design follows a postmodern design language and color scheme. The lights are monochrome in blue, with a different color...
Metal
Vintage Red Live Entertainment Tonight Neon Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Red "Live Entertainment Tonight" Neon Sign A perfect blend of nostalgia and modern flair. This eye-catching piece not only enhances your decor but also sets the mood for unf...
Metal
Conrans Chrome Elliptical Sconce
Located in Riverdale, NY
Chrome Half Moon Up Light Elliptical Sconce retailed by Conran's in the 1980's in original box. Made in France. 15.5" x 8" deep x 3" high.
Chrome
$480 / item
Isaac Maxwell Metal Wall Light Fixtures
Located in San Antonio, TX
Beautiful architectural metal wall fixture designed by Isaac Maxwell Metal features a plated copper star pattern with punched holes that cast softly diff...
Copper
Postmodern Artemide Pantarei Wall Lamp/ Sconce
Located in New York, NY
This very cool wall or ceiling light was designed in the early 1990s by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide called Pantarei . Rounded glass shade with an aluminum frame. Can be used indoor...
Aluminum
Postmodern Italian White Pair of Wall Sconces by Targetti Sankey, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern White Metal Pair of Wall Sconces or Flush Mounts by Targetti Sankey. Model: 376 Blanco. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Italy during 1980s These fixt...
Metal
$5,884 / item
Elegant pair of Murano glass sconces
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Superb pair of wall sconces in sculpted Murano glass and polished brass. Italy, 2025. PLEASE NOTE: This is a fully handcrafted piece. It comes by default with light artisanal imperf...
Brass
$732 / item
Sino Meio P Wall Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Sino Meio P Wall Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 10 x D 7 x H 21 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum Also available in Polished Cast ...
Metal
$91,474 / item
Georgina Magnolia Round by 7Gods Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Georgina Magnolia Round by 7Gods Studio Dimensions: D 150 cm x H 15 cm. Materials: Branch: Carbon fiber, Flower: Hand-beaten brass. Weight: from 2-7 kg About: Taking the enduring f...
Carbon Fiber
Tiles Line Cream Ceramic Decorative Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt
Located in Geneve, CH
Tiles Line Cream Ceramic Decorative Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt Dimensions: D 5,4 x W 14 x H 29 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Wall light made in Portugal in collaboration with Dutch ...
Ceramic
Sputnik Chandelier with in Glass and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sputnik chandelier, brass, opaline glass, Europe, 1970s. This Sputnik chandelier features six exquisite glass globes. The fixture is an elegant and striking design with six gracefu...
Brass
Lune Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Lune Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 16 x H 23 cm. Base: H 20 cm. Materials: Ecru cotton and ceramic. Weight: 1,2 kg. El...
Ceramic, Cotton