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.
Giancarlo Mattioli for Sirrah 'MT' Floor or Table Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giancarlo Mattioli for Sirrah, 'MT' floor or table lamp, lacquered aluminum, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1969 The versatile Italian designer, architect, and urban planner Giancarlo...
Aluminum, Steel
80s Pop Art Desk Lamp in the Postmodern Memphis Style
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
80s Pop Art desk lamp in the postmodern Memphis Style 80s 90s Postmodern desk lamp that can be extended to different heights. In the base there is a screw...
Metal
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
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
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
$3,616Sale Price|20% Off
Pete Sans for Taller Uno. Post-Modern table/floor lamp, Spain, 1980s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Post-Modern table or floor lamp designed by Pete Sans for Taller Uno, Spain, 1980s. "Jellyfish" model lamp, 1984. Made of polished aluminum and sewn parchment shade. Its shape evokes...
Aluminum
$17,400 / set
Angelo Brotto for Esperia Large Pendants
By Esperia, Angelo Brotto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Brotto for Esperia, pendant lights, glass, brass, Italy, 1970s Exuding elegance in every aspect, Angelo Brotto's design captivates the eye. Suspended from a brass fixture, a ...
Brass
Ron Rezek Table Lamp Orbit by for Bieffeplast, circa 1980
By Bieffeplast, Ron Rezek
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful Minimalist black metal desk lamp by American designer Ron Rezek for Bieffeplast, Italy. The counter balance arm allows to pivot and mov...
Brass
$2,150 / item
Ceiba Lamp
Located in Mérida, MX
This lamp reads as a small ceramic totem that lives somewhere between the domestic object and sculpture. Its compact, archetypal conical silhouette can evoke a popular mexican tree k...
Clay, Resin
$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 Chandeliers by Estiluz by Leornado Marelli, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Pair of Chandeliers/Flushmounts by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: T-1166 Negro. These fixtures were manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) during 1980s. The conditio...
Metal
Postmodern Modern Silver Chrom Round Chandelier Art Nouveau XXL
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of postmodernism and experience pure elegance with our breathtaking silver/chrome chandelier decorated with crystals. This work of art of li...
Crystal
$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
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
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
$1,522Sale 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
Smoked Glass Wall or Ceiling Lamp by Motoko Ishii for Staff, 1970s
By Staff Leuchten, Motoko Ishii
Located in Rijssen, NL
A rare wall or flush mount ceiling lamp by Motoko Ishii for Staff Lighting Company, Germany. Heat-resistant resin, metalized base and 4 smoked glass shades. Beautiful design, reflect...
Brass
Ico Parisi Iride Floor Aluminium Lamp Lower Version by Cassina
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ico Parisi Iride Floor Aluminium Lamp by Cassina Ico Parisi’s fascination with the integration of design, art and architecture led to the creation of a floor lamp in the 1970s re-ed...
Aluminum
Massive Post Modern Lamp By Aquarius Mirror Works, 1980
By Aquarius Mirrorworks, Inc. 1
Located in Pasadena, CA
Super rare, and even more rare is its size. This is a one of one size for the company. This big of a size was unknown to existed until we found this in a multi million dollar estate,...
Plastic, Acrylic
Post Modern Desk Lamp by Ron Rezek, ca. 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Chic 1980's desk lamp by Ron Rezek, in excellent original, clean and working condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. The hood shade (6.5 in. diam...
Metal
Three Fontana Arte Wall Lights, Gianni Celada, 1980
By Gianni Celada, Fontana Arte
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
$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
Postmodern Philips Table Lamp 1980s
By Philips
Located in Čelinac, BA
Philips Postmodern Table Lamp Germany 1980s
Plastic
Holtkotter Saucer Top Table Lamp Model 6233 c. 1980's
By Holtkoetter
Located in New York, NY
Chic dome top desk, or table lamp by Holtkotter Leuchen model 6233, circa 1980's. The lamp is in very good, original, clean and working condition, showing only inconsequential cosme...
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
$1,237Sale Price|20% Off
Golden limited edition. Table lamp by Jorge Pensi for B-Lux, Spain, 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Post-Modern and Hollywood Regency style table lamp designed by Jorge Pensi for the Spanish brand B-Lux, 1980s. Made of polished injected aluminum, and chrome plated in gold. The shad...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass, Chrome
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
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
Zefiro3 Arteluce Frosted Glass Pendant 80s 90s Style
By Pier Giuseppe Ramella, Arteluce
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Frosted glass pendant lamp designed by Pier Giuseppe Ramella for Arteluce. It was designed in the late early 90s. Made of blue and white frosted glasses. Gentle light is shining thro...
Steel
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
Meritalia Alda Lamp, Small 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 ...
Metal
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric Floor Lamp for Cassina
Post Modern Cadmo Floor Lamp by Karim Rashid for Artemide c 2000/2010
By Karim Rashid, Artemide
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Postmodern floor lamp designed by noted architect Karim Rashid for Artemide, circa 2000/2020. This lamp features a bulb at the top. and one within the vertical standard ( h...
Steel
$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
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
1980s Koch-Lowy Floor Lamp by Piotr Sierakowski
By Piotr Sierakowski, Koch & Lowy
Located in Oakland, CA
1980s Koch-Lowy floor lamp, cast iron base metal rod stem and adjustable painted aluminum shade. The main stem swivels from side to side and the shade can be turned 360 degrees. The...
Aluminum, Iron
Large White Vintage Post Modern Plaster Beehive Jar Table Lamps - A Pair
By Elite
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of large post-modern table lamps in plaster. We love a good plaster lamp, and two is better than one! Each is created from a textured creamy plaster and features raised coils ...
Metal
Rare XXL Desk Lamp In The Postmodern Popart Memphis Style of Haba, 90s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Rare XXL desk lamp in the postmodern popart Memphis style of Haba, 90s Very nice and rare postmodern desk lamp from Haba from the 80s, 90s. The flexible lamp can serve both as a des...
Wood
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
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Eyeball Floor Lamp in Orange Finish c 1970's
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in New York, NY
Cool post modern eyeball floor lamp designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. The lamp features a ball shade which pivots, and tilts to direct the light, it accepts a standard s...
Metal
Churros Tall Floor Lamp in Painted Wood, Metal & Vegetable Leather by KIMU
Located in Geneve, CH
Churros Tall Floor Lamp in Painted Wood, Metal & Vegetable Leather by KIMU Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 16 x H 110 cm. Materials: Painted wood, powder-coated metal, and vegetable-tanne...
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. Here in a rare version with a shaft made of light beech wood. The Pao lights impress with their characterist...
Glass, Wood
$6,500 / set
Golden Murano Glass Floral Flush Lamps 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A wonderful set of two hand blown flower shaped Murano gold infused glass flush ceiling lamps circa 1980 with golden hardware. Rewired . 3 sockets each.
Gold
Table Lamp “Bugia” by Giuseppe Cormio for iGuzzini, Italy, 1980s
By iGuzzini
Located in Hagenbach, DE
The “Bugia” table lamp, designed by Giuseppe Cormio for iGuzzini in the 1980s, is a standout example of Italian postmodern lighting design. With its name meaning "candle" or "lie" in...
Metal, Aluminum
Lumenform Table Lamp in Glass and Chrome 1970s
By Lumenform
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
$5,508 / item
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 46 x H 26 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
Ralph Lauren Chrome and Brown Leather Desk or Table Lamp
By Ralph Lauren
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Good-looking Ralph Lauren table lamp designed and made in America. Made mostly of steel throughout, chromed and overlaid with leather. This results in a super stylized look that stan...
Chrome
Fontana arte and Candle, E770, red wall light, Murano Opaline glass, Italy, 1980
By Candle
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
Candle and Fontana Arte are two glass factories of Murano Island. Both from special background, they have featured this rare model of outside wall light. Made out of a red lacquered ...
Aluminum
$1,151Sale 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
E63 Robot Table Lamp by Umberto Riva for Bieffeplast
Located in London, London
The E63 “Robot” desk lamp by Umberto Riva, deigned in 1963 and produced by Bieffeplast, is an iconic example of Italian postmodern lighting design. Characterised by its distinctly a...
Plastic
Tabla table lamp by Mario Barbaglia & Marco Colombo for Italiana Luce, 1988.
By Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo, Italiana Luce
Located in Athens, Attiki
Tabla table lamp by Mario Barbaglia & Marco Colombo for Italiana Luce, 1988. Tabla has an extendable adjustable arm, made of lightweight polycarbonate plastic, that pivots on the pea...
Metal
Paul Evans Directional 'Cityscape' Floor Lamp in Chrome-plated Steel and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, 'Cityscape' floor lamp from the PE200 series, chrome-plated steel, brass, United States, 1970s This unique floor lamp from the 'Cityscape' (PE 200) line...
Brass
Chrome Stacked Ball Table Lamp c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Classic chrome stacked ball table lamp by George Kovacs, circa 1970's. This example is in very good original, clean and working condit...
Chrome
Post-Modern Italian Travertine Marble Frosted Glass Illuminated Pedestal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Simple, sleek, elegant and well-made - an illuminated travertine-marble pedestal. This pedestal was made in Italy in the mid to late 1970s and imported into the US thereafter. Featur...
Marble, Travertine
Italian Postmodern Aggregato Pendant Lamp by Enzo Mari & Giancarlo Fassina 1970s
By Artemide
Located in Hamburg, DE
Train pendant lamp from the aggregato series from the italian manufacturer artemide according to a design by enzo mari and giancarlo fassina from the 197...
Metal
$4,232Sale Price / item|20% Off
Profana Sculptural Floor Lamp • Handmade Edition Steel • by Pedro Paulo-Venzon
Located in Florianopolis, Santa Catarina
According to Giorgio Agamben, to profane is to bring into the human realm that which was only devoted to the gods. This discussion about inversion is the point of departure for Prof...
Steel
Vintage Organic Modern Ceramic Table Lamp, USA, c1980s
Located in Oakland, CA
Gorgeous matte white organic modern vintage ceramic table lamp c1980s by unknown Bay Area artist. From the estate of ceramist, Pat Hill. Signed on bottom. **measurements are withou...
Ceramic
Francesco Buzzi Ceriani 'Cuffia' Table Lamp in Black Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Francesco Buzzi Ceriani 'Cuffia' table lamp, aluminum, steel, chrome, Italy, design 1960s The Cuffia table lamp, designed by Francesco Buzzi Ceriani in 1960s Italy, is a refined exa...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
$1,155Sale Price|30% Off
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
Postmodern German Model Minispot Table Lamp from Osram, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table or wall lamp from Osram. A functional design with postmodern details. The cubic base primarily consists of the cladding of the transformer. On the outside it is dec...
Metal