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.
$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
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
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
Lumina Floor Lamp Walter Monici Italy Model "Zelig Terra"
By Lumina, A. Monici
Located in Den Haag, NL
Black counterweight floor lamp. Design by Walter Monici for Lumina Italy 1980 model ''Zelig Terra '' Very nice adjustable halogen floor lamp. Two-light intensities. Very flexible, it...
Metal
Ico Parisi Palpebra Aluminium Table Lamp by Cassina
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ico Parisi Palpebra Matt Black Table Lamp by Cassina The creative flair of Ico Parisi in a playful invention of mimicry. This artistic lamp is engineered to open and close, mimicki...
Aluminum
Orange Ceramic Table Lamp by Louis Drimmer, France, Late 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
French orange ceramic table lamp by Louis Drimmer from the late 20th Century. This colorful Post-Modern table lamp features an impressive lamp base - pebble-shaped irregularly stacke...
Brass
Salvador Dalí Drawers Lamp by BD Barcelona, Pale Limewood, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Salvador Dalí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Drawers lamp designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Carved structure in pale varnished limewood. Lampshade in beige linen. Measures: 30 x 30 x 87 H cm Sculpture-lamp drawers A stan...
Wood
Atelier Michel Armand Sculptural 'Fleur' Table Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Atelier Michel Armand, 'Fleur' table lamp, chrome and brass anodized aluminium, Canada, 1970s This sculptural lamp is crafted by Atelier Michel Armand. Its abstract form is that of ...
Aluminum, Brass, Chrome
Postmodern Model Z-Lite Zig Zag Flexible Table Lamp, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table lamp with a transformable design. The Z-Lite or Zig Zag desk lamp is characterized by its complex construction and versatility. It ...
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
$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
Postmodern Martini Lamp by David Krys
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A rare 1993 postmodern martini lamp designed by David Krys. Metal wire forms the glass' shape with a skewered green olive stuffed with a red light bulb disguised as a pimento. Great ...
Chrome
Very cool pop art Post Modern table lamp with colorful Resin Pretzels sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Very cool pop art Post Modern lamp featuring a central frosted white light column supporting a vertical stack of resin pretzels. Each pretzel topped with a crystalline granular textu...
Resin, Acrylic
Adjustable Brass Floor Lamp with Saucer Shaped Shade
By Cedric Hartman, Koch & Lowy
Located in New York, NY
Unusual adjustable floor lamp, having a saucer shaped dome shade which tilts within its half circle cradle, all mounted on the adjustable brass vertical post. Executed in the manner ...
Brass
Postmodern Italian Ala Table Lamp by Rodolfo Bonetto for Iguzzini, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table lamp from the Italian manufacturer Iguzzini according to a design by Rodolfo Bonetto from the 1980s. A highly flexible and changeable design based on the game with ...
Metal
Italian modern table lamp Daphine Classic by Tommaso Cimini for Lumina, 2010s
By Tommaso Cimini, Lumina
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern table lamp Daphine Classic by Tommaso Cimini for Lumina, 2010s Adjustable table lamp model Daphine Classic in black painted metal. The compact base, complete with a sw...
Metal
$4,800 / item
Ceiba Lamp
Located in Mérida, MX
The Ceiba lamp is a clay lamp handmade by artisans from Yucatan and designed by Chuch Estudio. The large scale clay as an ancestral tradition allowed the pr...
Clay
Vintage Brass Saturn Table Lamp, Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, 1980
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in San Carlos, CA
Vintage Brass "Saturn" Table Lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, United States, circa 1980 A definitive example of American postmodern lighting design. Robert Sonneman's "Sat...
Brass
$1,500 / item
Martine Bedin Super Memphis Milano Postmodern
By Memphis Group, Martine Bedin
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Famous Super lamp deigned by Martine Bedin. Six light bulb along with its back. With wheel and movable. Iconic one in Memphis Milano and 1980s Postmodern designs.
Stainless Steel
'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
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
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
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Mid Century Cast Plaster Cactus Table Lamps by Bon Art
Located in New York, NY
Tres chic pair of cast plaster cactus table lamps, in very fine original condition. Both lamps are in working condition, original shades included, but s...
Plaster
Postmodern Pair of "Bonsai" Wood Table Lamps by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Gran Bonsai" Pair of Beech Wood Table Lamps by Blauet. Model: B1458-15 Natural / Chrome. These Table Lamps were designed by Josep Llusca for Bla...
Metal
Brittish Designer, Table Lamp, Ceramic, United Kingdom, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A black and white-glazed ceramic table lamp designed and produced in Great Britain, c. 1970s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 12.45” H x 4.5” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 7” ...
Ceramic
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
Rare Postmodern Helix Glass Table Lamp in the Manner of Karl Springer
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful rare and elegant glass staircase , helix table lamp in green glass with lucite base and chrome fittings in perfect working condition. no chips or cracks.
Chrome
Santa Fe Matteo Thun for Memphis Milano
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Santa Fe by Matteo Thun for Memphis Milano. Ceramic pendant lamp. Light is E26 or E27. Shade size is F 30/H 20 cm. cable 120cm.
Ceramic
Austrian Postmodern Pair of "Cocoon" Chandeliers by EGLO Leuchten, 1990s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty Pair of Austrian "Cocoon" Chandeliers. These Chandeliers were designed during the 1990s in Austria by Eglo Leuchten. Original “Eglo” label still shows on the structure. These...
Metal
Italian Postmodern Model Pao T2 Table Lamp by Matteo Thun for Arteluce, 1990s
By Matteo Thun
Located in Hamburg, DE
The large T2 table lamp version from the Pao lamp series by Matteo Thun. The Pao lights impress with their characteristic diffuser made of frosted glass. What is particularly specia...
Glass
Mário Barbaglia and Marco Colombo Eco Floor Lamp for Italiana Luce
By Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo
Located in Miami, FL
Rare postmodern Eco floor lamp designed by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo for Italiana Luce. The lamp is telescopic with an adjustable height between 56” and 76”. The round lamp...
Metal
Vintage Ikea Torchiere Uplight Floor Lamp after Max Bill c 1970/80's
By IKEA
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated modern minimalist design, white on white floor lamp, made by Ikea, in the style of Max Bill, circa 1970/80's. The lamp features an elegant elongated vertical center p...
Metal
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
$4,487Sale Price / set|50% Off
Pair of French Fondica Golden Bronze 90’s Table Lamps
By Fondica, Stephane Galerneau
Located in New York, NY
A sophisticated pair of golden bronze lamps with twisted coral column bodies. The sculptural French dore table lamps were designed by Stephane G...
Gold, Bronze
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
Polifemo Floor Lamp by Carlo Forcolini for Artemide, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
During the 1980s, Artemide produced an Italian postmodern floor lamp crafted by the renowned designer Carlo Forcolino. This lamp features...
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
$1,510Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Design Brass Fluted Torchiere Floor Lamp by Relco, Italy 1980's
By Relco Milano
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Italian Design Brass Fluted "TORCHIERE" Floor Lamp by Relco. Made in Milano, Italy, 1980's period. Marked on the dimmer switch. Design in the style of Terra A. Ton...
Brass
Postmodern Spanish "Fina" Wood Table Lamp by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Fina" Beech Wood Table Lamp by Blauet. Model: B-1485 Natural. This Table Lamps was designed by Josep Llusca for Blauet, S.A. This Table Lamp was...
Beech, Textile
Dick Degerfeldt, Table Lamps, Pine, Spalting, Sweden, 1984
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of sizeable pine and spalting table lamps designed and produced by Dick Degerfeldt, Sweden, dated 1984. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.75” H x 11.25” W x 7” D Stated dimensi...
Pine
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
Italian Modern Glass Lamp Designed By Giusto Toso
By Arredoluce, Leucos, Mazzega, Giusto Toso, Angelo Lelii
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Glass Lamp Designed By Giusto Toso. Offered is a postmodern conical shaped lamp designed by Giusto Toso For Leucos in the 1970's.. Our lamp has an opaline blown glass...
Glass
Pair of "Ziggurat" Table Lamps by Shigeaki Asahara for Stilnovo, Italy 1980s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Ziggurat” table lamp model is an elegant example of Italian-Japanese design collaboration. Designed in the 1980s by Shigeaki Asahara for the iconic Italian lighting manufacturer...
Metal, Brass
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
Lumenform Table Lamp in Glass and Chrome 1970s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lumenform table lamp, chrome-plated steel, glass, Italy, 1970s This striking table lamp, crafted by Lumenform in Italy and stands out as a remarkable piece. Its ingenious design cre...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Floor Lamps/Torchieres by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, USA 1987
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Illuminate your space with this stunning pair of Floor Lamps/Torchieres by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, crafted in the USA in 1987. These sleek and modern lamps feature a strik...
Steel, Stainless Steel
David Grant Maul Blown Glass Neon Lamp Sculpture, 1983
By Rudi Stern
Located in Miami, FL
Artisan blown glass neon lamp sculpture on black acrylic base by David Grant Maul, 1983. Singed and dated.
Glass, Acrylic
$531Sale 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
Winnie Table Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Winnie Table Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 57 cm. Materials: Painted natural rattan frame structure completed with a printed cotton ...
Rattan, Lacquer, Wood
Winnie Floor Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Winnie Floor Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: ⌀ 45 x H 122 cm. Materials: Painted natural rattan frame structure completed with a printed cotton...
Wood, Lacquer, Cotton, Rattan
Rare Antonio Macchi For Arteluce Pair of '610' Table Lamps
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Antonio Macchi For Arteluce, pair of table lamps, model '610', chrome-plated steel, lacquered steel, lacquered aluminum, Italy, 1973 Antonio Cassia is an Italian industrial designer...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
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
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
Italian Model Tabla Table Lamp by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo, 1980s
By Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table lamp from the Italian manufacturer Italiana Luce based on a design by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo from the 80s. Sculptural table lamp with a changeable shape....
Metal
$564Sale 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
An ART-DECO NEOCLASSICAL TABLE LAMP by PHILIPPE BARBIER, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant table lamp, Post-Modernist, NeoClassical, Shabby-Chic, a nickeled metal cylindrical base and 2 spherical body with a final cylindrical lampshade, by Philippe Barbier, Fran...
Metal
$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
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
First edition of Febo, Leucos, Roberto Pamio and Renato Toso, 1962
By Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso, Leucos
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
Vintage TPB Table Lamp in Black Model 3014, Italy, 1980s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage TPB table lamp in black - Model 3014 - Postmodern Memphis Design - Italy 1980s Discover our modern desk lamp made of black steel and plastic, which was manufactured by TPB i...
Steel