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.
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...
Travertine, Marble
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
'Canna Fiorita' Wall or Ceiling Lights by Castiglioni & Menghi for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Roberto Menghi
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
1970s Chandelier in Silver-Colored Metal & Blown Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Chandelier, lacquered metal, blown glass, Europe, 1970s This remarkable chandelier, hailing from Europe, commands attention with its impressive size of 115 cm (45.27 inches). Design...
Metal
Ernesto Gismondi Terra Floor Lamp for Artemide Camera, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Post-Modern floor lamp designed by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, manufactured in Italy during the 1980s. The Camera Terra consists of a slender chromed metal rod rising from a flat ...
Metal, Enamel, Chrome
$2,800Sale Price / set|39% Off
Pair of Fratelli Martini Bronze Floral Italian 1980s Wall Lamps (5)
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful pair of polished bronze floral wall lamps with overlapping petals. Thick heavy bronze over 10 pounds each. Newly rewired. Made by Italia...
Bronze
Ron Rezek Verdigris Copper Table Lamp, Post-Modern Design, USA, 1980s
By Ron Rezek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A verdigris copper table lamp by designer Ron Rezek. Made in the 1980's. The piece is in all original vintage condition with light wear around the base of the lamp and varying degr...
Brass, Copper
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
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
Postmodern Pair of White Glass Metal Wall Sconces by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty Postmodern Spanish Pair of White metal White glass Wall Sconces by Blauet. Model: Maria 250 White/White. These Wall Lights were made in Barcelona (Spain) by Blauet during 1990...
Metal
Vintage Postmodern Balart Ceiling Lamp by Jorge Pensi for B.Lux, 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant ceiling light from the Spanish manufacturer B.Lux after a design by Jorge Pensi from the late 1980s. A postmodern design. This lamp convinces with its elegant design languag...
Metal
Tol 3 Floor Lamp by Dirk Vander Kooij, Brass & Plastic, Post-Modern
Located in Toronto, ON
Tol, Dutch for spinning top, is so named for its deceptive stance in suspended motion. The series of alternating totems sit comfortably—softly grounded in their obtuse proportions. T...
Brass
Midcentury Large Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli
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
An ART-DECO NEOCLASSICAL POSTMODERN Tin TABLE LAMP, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant architectural table lamp, Post-Modernist, NeoClassical, Shabby-Chic, a matte tin metal cylindrical base and 1 spherical body with a final cylindrical lampshade, in the spi...
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
Vintage Skycraper Table Lamp from Cassandro Lucara
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Rare postmodern Skycraper table lamp from Cassandro Modell: Lucara 1980's - Italy.
Metal
$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
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
Postmodern Pair of "Fina" Wood Table Lamps by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Fina" Pair of Beech Wood Table Lamps by Blauet. Model: B-1485 Natural. These Table Lamps were designed by Josep Llusca for Blauet, S.A. they wer...
Beech, Textile
A LUXURIOUS & POP Large PINK MARBLE TABLE LAMP by PHILIPPE BARBIER, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A large luxurious and elegant (and very heavy!) table lamp, Art-Deco, Post-Modernist, Shabby-Chic, large cubic tiered body in solid pink marble, topped by a flared neck in gilded bra...
Marble
$840Sale Price|20% Off
Robert Sonnomen for George Kovacs, White Enamel Post Modern Halogen Floor lamp.
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Lighting Torchiere floor lamp. White enamel over metal, halogen lighting element with glass cover. Rectangular shaped ste...
Metal, Enamel
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
Post Modern Desk lamp by Nuova Veneta Lumi, Italy 1980s
By Veneta Lumi
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Italian Desk lamp .Black Metal . Post Modern in style Manufactured and signed Nuova Veneta Lumi, 1980s
Metal
Set of 2 French pencil reed rattan bamboo and chrome table lamps, 1980s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Set of two table lamps wrapped in pencil reed rattan with chrome base and new nickel fitting ( E27 lightbulb ). Both lamps vary in size and have been given the same new lampshade. We...
Chrome
Habitat Orange Mushroom Floor Lamp Acrylic Steel Space Age Postmodern Glow
Located in Lisboa, PT
This Habitat orange mushroom floor lamp is a striking example of postmodern design influenced by the iconic space age lighting aesthetics of the late 20th century. Combining sculptur...
Steel, Chrome
Post-Modern Chrome Sputnik Chrome and Glass Floor Lamp TSAO Style
By Robert Sonneman, TSAO Designs
Located in New Windsor, NY
Impressive twelve bulb Sputnik style Post Modern floor lamp. Circa 1970-80. Nicely weighted chromed steel. Good working condition. Dimmer switch. The chrome is in good overall condit...
Steel, Chrome
Wall or ceiling light 45, Carlo Nason, Itre, Murano Glass, Italy
By ITRE, Carlo Nason
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
Carlo Nason has design this Murano glass wall light for his own company Itre in the 1980's. After working for V Nason C., Leucos, Mazzega and other glass factories (especially might...
Metal
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
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
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
A Pair Missoni Post-Modern Table Side Lamps by Massimo Valloto, Italy, 1980s
By Missoni Home, Missoni
Located in Vienna, AT
An amazing pair of colorful postmodern Missoni table or side lamps, nightstand lights from the 1980s, designed by Massimo Valloto. This light has an ...
Metal
Balloon Lamp by Yves Christin for Bilumen, Table or Wall, 1984
By Bilumen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Balloon Lamp designed by Yves Christin for Italian lighting manufacturer Bilumen, produced in 1984. Frosted white plastic shade sculpted in a convincing balloon form, complete with a...
Plastic
Pendant Chainmail Droplet, Hand-Linked, 120cm, Steel with Brass Finish
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web hugs the lamp’s canopy, as the knit gets tighter the chainmail envelopes ...
Steel
Postmodern Memphis School Zen Floor Lamp by Gismondi for Artimede Made in Italy
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Post - Modern, Memphis style halogen uplight floor lamp, designed by Ernesto Gismondi for Artimede, made in Italy circa 1980's. The lamp features two lights, a fixed lower sha...
Aluminum, Steel
Post-Modern Table Lamp by Zonca, Murano Glass & Metal, Italy, 1980s
By Zonca
Located in Brussel, BE
Large Post-Modern Table Lamp By Zonca. The design of this lamp is a typical example of the 1980's post-modern style. The Murano glass fan shape glass has the pastel colors of that pe...
Metal
Tizio 35 Terra Floor Lamp Designed by Richard Sapper for Artemide
Located in Athens, Attiki
Tizio 35 terra floor lamp designed by richard sapper for artemide, 1971. The tizio lamp was revolutionary! Black, angled, minimalist, and mysterious, the lamp...
Metal
Goffredo Reggiani, Adjustable Floor Lamp, Brass, Fabric, Italy, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable and adjustable brass and white fabric floor, designed and produced by Goffredo Reggiani, Italy, 1970s. Overall Dimensions: 68.5" H x 16" W x 31" D Fully extends to 48" D...
Brass
$4,895Sale Price|25% Off
Carlo Nason for Mazzega Murano Glass Table Lamp LT328 Model 1970s
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
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
Postmodern Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli
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
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
Michel Armand Rare Sculptural Table Lamp in Nickel Plated Bronze
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Atelier Michel Armand table lamp, nickel-plated bronze, France, 1970s This sculptural lamp by Atelier Michel Armand brings together two curved forms around a tall, pointed centre. A...
Bronze, Nickel
$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
Solaris, Floor Lamp by Luciano Cesaro for Tre Ci Luce, Italy, 1970/80s
Located in Brussel, BE
A minimalist, thin, and tall uplighter floor lamp made in grey lacquered aluminum in a mix of textures. Named Solaris, this slender model was designed by Luciano Cesaro for the high-...
Metal, Aluminum
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
Post Modern Murano Chandelier in the style of Ponti for Venini
Located in New York, NY
Brightly colored art glass chandelier made in Murano, Italy, in the style of Gio Ponti, for Venini, circa 1980/90's. The chandelier features eight arms, in polychrome saturated col...
Art Glass
$984Sale Price|20% Off
Tina Leung Postmodern Pendant Lamp, Translucent Plastic, early 2000s Design
Located in Stockholm, SE
Pendant lamp designed by Tina Leung, 2000s. The sculptural shade is composed of translucent plastic tubing arranged in a dense, organic formation. The layered construction creates d...
Plastic
Falkenbergs Belysning, Wall Light, Copper, Acrylic, Sweden, 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable copper and acrylic wall light designed and produced by Falkenbergs Belysning, Sweden, 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 20” H x 13” W x 14” D Backplate Dimensions (inc...
Copper
Pair of 'Canna Fiorita' Table Lamps by Castiglioni & Menghi for Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Roberto Menghi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This pair of 'Canna Fiorita' table lamps by Piero Castiglioni and Roberto Menghi for Fontana Arte, produced in Italy in the early 1980s, embodies the experimental spirit of late-Mode...
Brass
French Post Modern Simulated Leather Floor Lamp Original Shade
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Post Modern Simulated Leather Floor Lamp Original Shade This is a beautifully designed lamp covered with alligator, the lamp is like a pyramid tapering upwards from the floor...
Faux Leather
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
1980s Post-Modern Halogen Desk Lamp, Articulated Design, Germany
Located in Den Haag, NL
Typical 80s articulated table lamp .Halogen 2 light strengths. good condition .
Plastic
Italian Postmodern Tizio Table Lamp by Richard Sapper for Artemide, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The design classic from the Italian manufacturer Artemide according to a design by Richard Sapper from the 1970s. The Tizio convinces with its clear design language. A minimalist de...
Metal
Seguso style. Post-Modern Scavo Murano glass table lamps, Italy, 1980s.
By AVMazzega, De Majo, Venini, F. Fabbian, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
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
LOP Big Rectangle Dreamy by BằNG - Unboring Object
Located in Geneve, CH
LOP Big Rectangle Dreamy by BằNG - Unboring Object Dimensions: W 24 x D 25.5 x H 60 cm. Materials: acrylic, stainless steel, matte opal glass. Light bulb included and replaceable: ...
Stainless Steel
Tizio Adjustable Black Table Lamp from Richard Sapper for Artemide, 1972
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This is a highly sought-after adjustable table lamp, designed by the renowned Richard Sapper for the prestigious Italian design brand Artemide. Originally conceived and manufactured ...
Aluminum
Vintage Wall Lamp from Paulmann, 1980s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Discover this vintage wall lamp from Paulmann from the 1980s in postmodern Memphis style. The colourful design made of metal in red and yellow and transparent Vintage wall lamp from ...
Metal
Fruits, Table Lamp by R. Dordoni for Foscarini, Italy, 1980s
Located in Brussel, BE
Astonishing table lamp with an industrial fluted aluminum base under an elongated, oval-shaped shade of blown, frosted blue Murano glass with a satin treatment that provides a beauti...
Metal, Aluminum
Andrea Bellosi – “Arc en Ciel” Table Lamp (Rainbow Light) Studio Alchimia, Italy
Located in Dronten, NL
An expressive and highly collectible postmodern table lamp designed by Andrea Bellosi for Studio Alchimia, the seminal Milanese design collective that redefined radical Italian desig...
Carrara Marble, Steel
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
$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
Postmodern Grey Metal Set of Eight Flush Mounts by Blauet, Barcelona, 1980s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty Postmodern Spanish Set of Eight Grey metal Flush Mounts or Wall Sconces by Blauet. Model: Birimbao-2 Oro. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by...
Metal