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.
$313 / item
BLT_5 Forest Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
BLT_5 Forest Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: Ø 8 x H 25,2 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel and textile. Available in different color options. The rod length is 250 cm. Please...
Steel
Vintage 1980s Italian Desk Lamp by Veneta Lumi, Metal, Post-Modern
By Veneta Lumi
Located in Montréal, CA
A sculptural black desk lamp by Veneta Lumi, produced in Italy in the 1980s. Defined by its elegant, continuous arc, the lamp creates a fluid line from base to shade—both functional ...
Metal
$4,810 / item
Haumea Amorph Amber Iridescent L Pendant by Eloa
Located in Geneve, CH
Haumea Amorph amber iridescent L pendant by Eloa. No UL listed Material: glass, steel, silver, LED bulb Dimensions: D27 x W39 x H30 cm Also available in dif...
Glass
$336 / item
SO5 Spot Grey Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
SO5 Spot Grey Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: Ø 10,4 x H 22 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel and oiled solid ash. Available in different color options. The PVC cord length is...
Steel
Cylindrical White Onyx Light Sculpture with Vertical Detail by Marie Jeunet
Located in Geneve, CH
Galbée Light Sculpture by Marie Jeunet Dimensions: D 16 x W 25 x H 35 cm Materials: Pure white Onyx, brushed brass. --MARIE JEUNET-- From grandparents to framers and lighting manuf...
Onyx, Brass
Contemporary Sculpted Brass Pendant, Satellite 2+1 by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Sculpted Brass Pendant, Satellite 1+2 by Paul Matter Satellite is inspired by the conceptual and minimalist movement of the 1960s and 1970s. These light sculptures are ...
Brass
Organic Shape, Golden Stone and Brass Light Sculpture by Marie Jeunet
Located in Geneve, CH
Pliée Light Sculpture by Marie Jeunet Dimensions: D 14.5 x W 14 x H 38 cm Materials: Golden quartzite, brushed brass. --MARIE JEUNET-- From grandparents to framers and lighting man...
Quartz, Brass
$4,066 / item
No. 3 Wall Lamp by Mernøe
By MERNØE
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 3 Wall Lamp by Mernøe Dimensions: D 3.5 x W 46 x H 13 cm Materials: Sipo mahogany, polished brass. Available in Ash, Sipo Mahogany, Walnut, or Elm wood options. Available in Pol...
Brass
Small Rio Marble Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Rio Marble Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 15.2 x H 17.8 cm Materials: White marble. Available in Green Forest marble, Sandstone, Travertine, or White ma...
Marble
$1,405 / item
Ne600 Mat And Mirror Lamp by MLK Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Ne600 Mat and Mirror Lamp by MLK Furniture Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 63 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, acrylic. Available in mat, or mat and mirror. Also available in brass, copp...
Stainless Steel
Lightsome Black Noir Wall Lamp by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Lightsome Black Noir Wall Lamp by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D25 x W33 x H22 cm Material: Lacquered steel, Solid brass Weight: 0.6 kg Also available in different colours. Please con...
Brass, Steel
$6,297 / item
PP02B Pendant Lamp XL by Taiwan Lantern
Located in Geneve, CH
PP02B Pendant Lamp XL by Taiwan Lantern Dimensions: D 47 x W 47 x H 63 cm. Material: Walnut & bamboo frame, Hand-colored fabrics, Metal pipes, Leather lace, Handmade porcelain ceilin...
Metal
$731 / item
LL2 Forest Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
LL2 Forest Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: D 126 x W 9 x H 5 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel, aluminum and plastic. Available in different color options. The rod length is 2...
Aluminum, Steel
$28,001 / item
MMM Papillon 36 Chandelier by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
MMM Papillon 36 Chandelier by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 160 x H 186/211. Materials: Glass and metal. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it wil...
Metal
$290 / item
Radius Coral Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Radius Coral Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: Ø 10,4 x H 16 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel and oiled solid ash. Available in different color options. The PVC cord length is ...
Steel
$1,510 / item
Fleur Trama Ceiling Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Fleur Trama Ceiling Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 50 x H 50 cm. Materials: Metal and blown glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it w...
Metal
$2,962 / item
Stone Pollux 32 Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Stone Pollux 32 Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio Dimensions: ⌀ 56 x H 82 cm Materials: Glazed Ceramic, Unfinished Brass, Wax Paper This item is handmade, and may exhibit variabilit...
Brass, Other
$209 / item
Minty Bubble Lamp by Siup Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Minty bubble lamp by Siup Studio Dimensions: D14 x H16 cm Materials: glass and ceramics. One of a kind. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA ...
Ceramic, Glass
Anthracite Seneca 21 Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Anthracite Seneca 21 Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio Dimensions: ⌀ 36 x H 54 cm Materials: Glazed Ceramic, Unfinished Brass, Linen This item is handmade, and may exhibit variabili...
Brass
Postmodern Yellow Prism Shape Floor or Table Lamp from Heico, 1980s
By Heico
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern prism-shaped floor or table lamp by Heico. Shown here in yellow. These lamps feature the graphic shape of a prism. The color scheme further enhances the clean, minimalist...
Plastic
$18,148 / item
Large Jupe Solitaire Pendant Lamp by Naomi Paul
By Naomi Paul
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Jupe solitaire pendant lamp by Naomi Paul Dimensions: D 80 x H 44 cm Materials: Metal frame, Egyptian cotton cord. Color: Ecru. Available in other colors and in 4 sizes: D5...
Metal
$5,635 / item
Strate Stone Wall Light by Emilie Cathelineau
Located in Geneve, CH
Strate stone wall light by Emilie Cathelineau Dimensions: W 62.2 x D 8.7 x H 150 cm Materials: solid brass, Polycarbonate diffuser. Others finishes and dimensions are available. ...
Brass
$1,498 / item
Fleur Rugiada Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Fleur Rugiada Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 26 x H 28 cm. Materials: Metal and Murano glass. Available in two different sizes. All our lamps can be wired according to ...
Metal
Post Modern Murano glass triangle ceiling lamp by Sylcom, Italy, 1985
By Sylcom
Located in München, DE
Beautiful Italian ceiling lamp from the 1980s. Stunning postmodern design in the shape of a triangular pyramid. Manufactured by Sylcom. Made in Italy. Crafted from solid Murano glass...
Metal
$1,266 / item
Fly Glass Globe Wall Sconce by Lamp Shaper
Located in Geneve, CH
Fly Glass Globe Wall Sconce by Lamp Shaper Dimensions: D 20.5 x W 30.5 x H 33 cm. Materials: Brass and glass. Different finishes available: ra...
Brass
Longing for the Space Between Stars Purple Fabric Light by Batten and Kamp
Located in Geneve, CH
Longing for the Space Between Stars Purple Fabric Light by Batten and Kamp Dimensions: D70 x H100 cm Materials: Digital print on silk, Cast aluminium, han...
Granite, Aluminum
$1,208 / item
Tubus 50 Wall Light by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Tubus 50 wall light by Contain. Dimensions: D 3.2 x W 50 x H 7.5 cm. Materials: brass and 3D printed PLA structure. Available in different finishes. All our lamps can be wired...
Brass, Other
$25,561 / item
Silica 3 Floor Lamp by Dualismo
Located in Geneve, CH
Silica 3 Floor Lamp by Dualismo Dimensions: W 53 x D 53 x H 165 cm Materials: Polished Stainless Steel. About: Dualismo is an art and design studio creating work at the intersection...
Stainless Steel
$1,103 / item
Marquise Arabesque Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Marquise Arabesque Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 40 cm. Materials: Metal, and glass. Different finishes are available. All our lamps can be wired according to ea...
Metal
Terre White Grey Raw Textured Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Terre White Grey Raw Textured Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 30 x H 22 cm. Base: H 30 cm. Materials: Jute and ceramic. Weight: 2,4 kg. Al...
Ceramic, Jute
$941 / item
MMM Mata Wall Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
MMM Mata Wall Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: D 35 x W 31 x H 10 cm. Materials: Satin glass and marble. Different finishes and materials are available. All our lamps can be wired ...
Marble
Namibia Leather Cone Medium Lamp by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Namibia Leather Cone Medium Lamp by Cuero Design Dimensions: Ø 35 x H 25 cm. Materials: Leather, metal, and cord. Finish: Polo leather, black metal, and black cord. Available in dif...
Metal
Sycamore Maple Lampadaire Small Floor Lamp by Pauline Pietri
Located in Geneve, CH
Sycamore Maple Lampadaire Small Floor Lamp by Pauline Pietri Limited Edition. Dimensions: D 23 x Ø 11 x H 110 cm. Materials: Sycamore maple and natural oil. All our lamps can be wi...
Maple, Sycamore
$859 / item
Fleur Botte Table Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Fleur Botte Table Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: D 18 x W 25 x H 45 cm. Materials: Metal, crystal, and Murano glass. Different finishes are available. All our lamps can be wired a...
Crystal, Metal
$4,415 / item
10497 Table Lamp by Disderot
Located in Geneve, CH
10497 Table Lamp by Disderot Limited Edition. Designed by Michel Mortier. Dimensions: Ø 35,3 x H 58 cm. Materials: Lacquered aluminum and opaline. Delivered with authentication cer...
Aluminum
$4,728 / item
Roots Of Home Medium Table Lamp by Ruda Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Roots Of Home Medium Table Lamp by Ruda Studio Dimensions: W 60 x H 60 cm. Materials: wood base, straw inlay, metal lampshade, homespun canvas and straw....
Metal
Post-Modern Chrome Sputnik Chrome and Glass Floor Lamp TSAO Style
By TSAO Designs, Robert Sonneman
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
$1,591 / item
Pendolo Black Marble Floor Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Pendolo Black Marble Floor Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 20 x W 60 x H 179 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and black marble. Also available in different marble, wood and alabas...
Marble, Brass
$20,937 / item
Amsterdam School 9 Bricks Sconce by Former Matter
Located in Geneve, CH
Amsterdam School 9 Bricks Sconce by Former Matter Dimensions: W 32.4 x D 28.2 x H 27 cm. Materials: Solid Onyx, Weight: 21 Kg. By studying the history o...
Onyx
$1,475 / item
Generator Table Lamp by G.Luce
Located in Geneve, CH
Generator Table Lamp by G.Luce Dimensions: D 20 x H 48.6 cm Materials: Satin Plexiglass Structure, Bronze Finish. 5 Hemispheres. Weight: 2.1 Kg. G.Luce is the result of a thirty-y...
Bronze
$2,660 / item
Cosmos 04 Table Lamp by Noiro Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Cosmos 04 Table Lamp by Noiro Studio Dimensions: D 25 x H 22 cm. Materials: Glass. Handcrafted in New York City using the finest glass-blowing techniques, our Cosmos collection is a...
Glass
No.29 B Petrol Green-Blue Beige Small Contemporary Table Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 29 table lamp by Sander Bottinga Object size 1 Dimensions: W 21 x D 21 x H 57 - 71 cm Materials: Brass, wood, leather, viscose fringes Variations avai...
Brass
$2,614 / item
Dark Ruby L Pendant Light by Georgiev Kiril
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Ruby L Pendant Light by Georgiev Kiril Dimensions: D 30 x W 32 x H 26 cm. Materials: Blown glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it wi...
Blown Glass
$336 / item
SO5 Spot Black Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
SO5 Spot Black Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: Ø 10,4 x H 22 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel and oiled solid ash. Available in different color options. The PVC cord length i...
Steel
$232 / item
Top Top 125 Almond Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Top Top 125 Almond Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: D 9,5 x W 7,2 x H 27,3 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel. Available in different color options. The PVC cord length is 200 c...
Steel
$6,378 / item
Pivot Single Wall Lamp by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pivot single wall lamp by Gentner Design. Dimensions: D 40.6 x W 5 x H 39.3 cm. Materials: polished tarnished brass. Available in polished tarnished brass, darkened brass and hand ru...
Brass
No. 21 Blue Fringes Dip Dyed Contemporary Art Table Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Charme table lamp, Sander Bottinga Dimensions: H 73 x W 38 x D 25 cm Handmade in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose. The movable arms makes it possibl...
Brass
Fossil Coral Dome Flush Wall Light L by Marovo Island Traders
Located in Geneve, CH
Fossil Coral Dome Flush Wall Light L by Marovo Island Traders Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 16 cm. Materials: Brass, Fossil Coral. All our lamps can be wire...
Stone, Coral, Brass
$11,247 / item
Nymph Pendant Light by Laylo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Nymph Pendant Light by Laylo Studio Limited Edition Dimensions: D 50 x H 91.4 cm. Materials: Woven reed, blackened & brushed stainless steel. As related to insects, a nymph is sexua...
Steel
Random Wall Lamp, 21657, by Stillux Illuminazione
Located in Geneve, CH
Random Wall Lamp, 21657, by Stillux Illuminazione Dimensions: D 5.5 x W 16 x H 39 cm. Materials: Steel, iron, gold leaf, glass. Available in gold leaf, silver leaf, ant. gold leaf, ...
Steel, Iron, Gold Leaf
$1,905 / item
Esse Horizontal Pendant Lamp by Saadia Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Esse Horizontal Pendant Lamp by Saadia Design Dimensions: D 20 x W 42 x H 84 cm. Materials: Walnut and opaline glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold t...
Opaline Glass, Walnut
$1,475 / item
Large Misalliance Inox Suspended Light by Lexavala
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Misalliance inox suspended light by Lexavala Dimensions: D 16 x W 130 x H 8 cm Materials: stainless steel. There are two lenghts of socket covers, extending over the LED. ...
Stainless Steel
$3,357 / item
Silk #10 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Silk #10 wall light by Margaux Leycuras. One of a kind, signed and numbered Dimensions: Ø40 x H 43 cm Material: Ceramic, sandy stoneware platters with a porcelain slip finish. T...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
$4,473 / item
Oda Big Smoky Grey Acetato Black Floor Lamp by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Oda big smoky grey acetato black floor lamp by Pulpo Dimensions: D45 x H140 cm Materials: handblown glass coloured and steel. Also available in different finishes. A slender base ...
Steel
Orbis Wall Lamp, 21647, by Stillux Illuminazione
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbis Wall Lamp, 21647, by Stillux Illuminazione Dimensions: D 12 x W 19 x H 16 cm. Materials: Steel, iron. Available in ant. gold stone, ant. silver stone, or ivory stone. Please c...
Steel, Iron
$589Sale Price / set|40% Off
Set of "Delta" and "Disco" Table Lamps by Mario Bertorelle for JM RDM, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Set of two Postmodern Italian table lamps by Mario Bertorelle, from 1980s. These fixtures were made during the 1980s in Massanzago by JM RMD. Dimension "Delta" table lamp: H 30 cm (...
Plastic
$255 / item
Plate Spot Moss Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Plate Spot Moss Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: Ø 18,4 x H 20,8 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel. Available in different color options. The PVC cord length is 200 cm. Please ...
Steel
$1,917 / item
14.3 Pendant by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
14.1 single pendant by Bocci Dimensions: D 15.2 x H 300 cm Materials: Brushed nickel Weight: 5.5 kg Adjustable lengths, Other materials and dimensions can be ordered. All our ...
Nickel
$232 / item
Corner Small Coral Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Corner Small Coral Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: D 10,5 x W 13,5 x H 19 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel. Available in different color options. Available in two different s...
Steel
$290 / item
Big Moss Cap Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Moss Cap Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: Ø 16 x H 16,5 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel. Available in different color options. Available in two different sizes. The rod l...
Steel