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.
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
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
A POP POST-MODERN Lucite TABLE LAMP by MARIE-CLAUDE DE FOUQUIERES France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
DESCRIPTION: An exceptional and sculptural monolythic table lamp or night light, Post-Modernist, Pop, Space-Age, in a block of massive yellow amber fractal resin, illuminated transpa...
Lucite, Plexiglass
$1,440Sale Price|40% Off
Post-Modern Missoni Table Lamp by Massimo Valloto, Italy, 1980s
By Missoni, Missoni Home
Located in Vienna, AT
An amazing colorful postmodern Missoni table or side lamp from the 1980s, designed by Massimo Valloto, executed by Ceramiche Viba, Bassano, Italy. This light has a conical unusual ce...
Metal, Brass
Postmodern German Vela Sail Floor Lamp A. Engbert Franz Ringelhan for Rolf Benz
By Rolf Benz
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp by Rolf Benz based on a design by A. Engbert and F. Ringelhan from 1990. The design clearly shows its maritime inspiration. An abstract sailboat with an exagg...
Aluminum
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
Bořek Šípek “Luigi” Chandelier for Driade, Italy, 1989
Paul Evans for Directional 'Cityscape' Floor Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, 'Cityscape' floor lamp, model PE-4010 from the PE200 series, chrome-plated steel, brass, United States, circa 1975 This distinctive floor lamp from the ...
Brass, Steel, Chrome
Memphis 'Piccolo' Side Table with Articulated Lamp by Edward Geluk for Arco
By Edward Geluk, Arco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Piccolo by Edward Geluk for Arco combines a floor lamp and side table into a single sculptural unit. The structure rises from a flat red enameled disc base through a cylindrical ...
Metal, Enamel
A SHABBY-CHIC BAROQUE NEO-CLASSICAL Sculptural Bronze TABLE LAMP, France 1980.
By Philippe Anthonioz
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and sculptural very large table lamp (or small floor lamp) of organic, plant inspiration, Post-Modernist, Neo-Baroque, rectangular base and vertical axis with sculpted bronze body with gunmetal patina, in the spirit of Philippe Anthonioz...
Bronze
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
$9,140Sale Price / item|20% Off
Salvador Dali Surrealist Fine Gold Leaf Bracelli Lamp Sculpture for BD Barcelona
By BD Furniture, Salvador Dalí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Braceli lamp designed by Salvador Dali manufactured by BD furniture in Barcelona. Bracelli Panel structure covered with silver plated polyester painting (Fine gold leaf). Lampshade ...
Cotton
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
Memphis Milano Tahiti Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Toronto, ON
Tahiti, a masterpiece by Ettore Sottsass, is an ironic lamp with a zoomorphic shape that recalls childhood games: a lamp is hidden in the head, ideal for lighting a table. The base w...
Metal
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
Monumental Star Shaped Chandelier
By Sciolari Lighting, Stilnovo, Gaetano Sciolari
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
Lumina Floor Lamp Walter Monici Italy Model "Zelig Terra"
By A. Monici, Lumina
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
Rare Pair of Post-Modern Adjustable 'Orbit' Lamps by Ron Rezek
By Ron Rezek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare pair of adjustable 'Orbit' lamps by Ron Rezek, circa 1980. High-end Post-Modern design featuring adjustable height swing arms and 2 light intensity settings: full, half, off. T...
Aluminum, Steel
Postmodern Mushroom Glass Table Lamp, Italy
Located in Hamburg, DE
Imposing glass table lamp of Italian origin. Screen and foot of the luminaire are made of colored glass and show a circumferential groove structure. In contrast to the violet glass ...
Metal
Postmodern Model Pao F Floor Lamp by Matteo Thun for Arteluce, Italy, 1990s
By Matteo Thun
Located in Hamburg, DE
The floor lamp version from the PAO light series from Arteluce according to a design by Matteo Thun. The Pao lights impress with their characteristic diffuser and foot made of matt ...
Glass, Wood
Ralph Lauren Chrome and Black Leather Desk or Table Lamp
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Good-looking Ralph Lauren dual-bulb table lamp designed and made in America. Made mostly of steel throughout, chromed and overlaid with leather. This results in a super stylized look...
Chrome, Steel
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
Postmodern Dimmable Black Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting
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
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
$1,900
Murano Gilt Glass Lamp
Located in Houston, TX
1980s Italian Murano glass table lamp with gold gilt bands and a lucite base. Newly wired. Dimensions include lamp shade.
Murano Glass, Lucite
$4,982Sale Price|25% Off
Carlo Nason for Mazzega Murano Glass Table Lamp LT328 Model 1970s
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian table lamp model LT328 designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega vetri di Murano composed of 4 pulegosi glasses and metal base, Italy 1970s Note that the lamp is original to the ...
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
Pair of Floor Lamps/Torchieres by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, USA 1987
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
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
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
Postmodern Multidirectional Chrome Desk Lamp by Walter Von Nessen
By Walter Von Nessen, Nessen Studio
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare multidirectional desk lamp by Nessen Studios in chrome finish and steel, shade shown that rotates side to side, and the classic Nessen arm retractable system. the ...
Chrome
Mario Botta for Artemide ‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Artemide, 'Shogun' floor lamp, aluminum, steel, Italy, 1986 Mario Botta referred to lamps as “people”. He said: "Shogun is a person. He has a head, body and feet, ...
Aluminum, Steel
Italian Model On Off Table Lamp by Alberto Meda for Luceplan, 1990s
By Alberto Meda
Located in Hamburg, DE
Small table lamp by Luceplan based on a design by Alberto Meda. This lamp has a very special feature. Tilting the light turns it on or off. On Off is the basis of the design concept...
Plastic
$419Sale 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
$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
Hala Zeist Halogen Arch Floor lamp 1980s Holland
By Hala Zeist
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Hala Zeist Arch Floor lamp . Halogen 12 volt 50 watt signed , Post Modern in style . Polish Aluminum . good condition . comes with a good working dimmer .
Aluminum
Max Baguara "Laser" Glass & Brass Floor Lamp for Lamperti, 1970s
By Lamperti, Max Baguara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Post-Modern torchiere floor lamp designed by Max Baguara for the Italian manufacturer Lamperti in the 1970s, model name "Laser." The lamp is composed of a solid plate glass column ri...
Brass
Post-Modern Sculptural Mood Lighting Tower Blue Glass Floor Lamp by Curvet USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In the Post-Modern Memphis style, made iconic by luminaries such as Ettore Sottsass, for your consideration is a signed Curvet USA sculptural floor lamp. Made of blue glass with a gray enameled steel base. Uniform lighting from a flourescent bulb. Perfect mood lighting...
Steel
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
$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
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Steel & Frosted Glass Floor Lamp after Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A super heavy and well made floor from the Postmodern 1990s era. It features stainless steel and frosted glass construction. Works with one Halogen bulb.
Stainless Steel
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
Postmodern Italian Model Opus Terra Floor Lamp for Lumina, 1980s
By Lumina
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant standing lamp from the Italian manufacturer Lumina according to a design by Walter Monici and Paolo Salvo from the 80s. The entire luminaire body can be understood as a stag...
Metal
Meritalia Some of Us Floor Lamp by Gaetano Pesce, Resin & Metal, Italy
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
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 ...
Metal
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
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
Valentí Spanish Floor Lamp in Black Stitched Saddle Leather
By Valenti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Valentí, floor lamp, saddle leather, iron, Barcelona, Spain, 1970s Quietly understated yet assertive floor lamp by Spanish company Valentí. Its stark geometry speaks volumes. A sing...
Iron
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
$1,020Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Italian Floor Torchiere Lamp Glass & Metal
By Fontana Arte
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful elegant floor torchiere lamp with 3/4" thick glass column, with white enameled metal base and shade, perfect condition with dimmer switch, ci...
Metal
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
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
$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
Italian Postmodern Elle 55 Floor Lamp by Tommaso Cimini for Lumina, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp from the Italian manufacturer Lumina according to a design by Tommaso Cimini from the 80s. Here is a rare version with a special version. An impressive yet fil...
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
$1,491Sale 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
Post Modern Adjustable Angle Poise Floor Lamp
By IKEA
Located in New York, NY
Interesting Post Modern age poise floor lamp, having an adjustable arm and pivoting head. The lamp is in very good, clean, working condition, it accepts a standard size halogen bulb....
Metal
$473Sale Price / set|50% Off
Postmodern Pair of "Delta" Table Lamps by Mario Bertorelle for JM RDM, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique Italian pair of table lamps by Mario Bertorelle, from 1980s. These pieces were made during the 1980s in Massanzago by JM RMD. These table lamps are named Delta. Delta is the ...
Plastic
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
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
Seguso style. Post-Modern Scavo Murano glass table lamps, Italy, 1980s.
By De Majo, Venini, AVMazzega, Seguso Vetri d'Arte, F. Fabbian
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Neoclassical and Post-Modern style handmade Murano glass table lamps in the style of Seguso, Italy, 1980s. Each piece is composed of an amphora-shaped or jar-shaped aquamarin...
Metal