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.
$15,157 / item
Vesper 230B Pendant Lamp by Morghen Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vesper 230B Pendant Lamp by Morghen Studio Dimensions: 230 x 220 x 110 cm Materials: Blackened brass, Satin brass, LED light, Silicone Standard features: Light source: COB LED - 24v...
Brass
'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
$1,428 / item
4 Catalina Sergio Mazza Wall Light, Artemide
By Sergio Mazza
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Inspired by the shape of outdoor street lamps, this wall sconce embodies the essence of the most experimental Italian design. With its sinuous and refined silhouette, Sergio Mazza's ...
Metal
Large Post Modern Floor Lamp by William Lloyd Haynes Signed
Located in Elkton, MD
This standout piece of decor was masterfully sculpted from metal by William Lloyd Haynes in the 1990s. Its base proudly bears Haynes' signature, testifying to its authentic design pe...
Metal
$3,200 / set
Pair of Italian Monolith Floor Lamps
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
A pair of towering Postmodern Italian floor lamps in steel. The lamp heads adjust up and down the top third of the rail and articulate left and right. The halogen light is dimmable v...
Italian Murano Black Art Glass Dome Chandelier Pendant Light, Large
By Effetre International Company
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and relatively large modern style or Post-Modern period Italian Murano black art glass dome chandelier pendant light. Murano glass is predominantly black with clear and r...
Brass
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
Postmodern Spanish Chromed Table Lamp by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and cool Postmodern Chromed Table Lamp by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. This Table Lamp was made in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. Model M-1131. “Estiluz” original...
Metal
Large Brass Table Lamp Signed G. Autier France, 1970s
By G. Autier
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Exceptional 1970s handcrafted design table lamp base by G. Autier, France. High quality geometrical brass sculpture. Incised signature G Autier Measures: Brass body height 11.4" in...
Brass
Postmodern Titania Pendant For LUCEPLAN By Alberto Meda and Paolo Rizzatto 1980s
By Lucepan
Located in Čelinac, BA
Postmodern TITANIA Pendant Lamp By Alberto Meda and Paolo Rizzatto for Luceplan Italy 1980s
Aluminum
Axel Chay Phallus Table Lamp Blue Lacquered Steel Glass Postmodern
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Phallus table lamp by French designer Axel Chay is a sculptural and collectible design object that operates at the intersection of postmodern design, surrealist influence, and co...
Brass, Steel
$4,351 / item
Silk #19 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Silk #19 wall light by Margaux Leycuras One of a Kind. Signed and numbered. Dimensions: Ø 54 x H 58 cm Material: Ceramic, sandy stoneware platters with a porcelain slip finish. T...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Italian Postmodern Floor Lamp by Andrea Bastianello for Disegnoluce, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Filigree floor lamps from the Italian manufacturer Disegnoluce according to a design by Andrea Bastianello. A postmodern design with striking shape...
Metal
Beige Ceramic Josef Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige Ceramic Josef Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 41.5 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and ceramic. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaster options ...
Brass
TF410 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Two Orientable Tubular Diffusers by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
TF410 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Two Orientable Tubular Diffusers by Daluce Dimensions: D 13,4 x 6 x H 25,8 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in different finish options: light sa...
Brass
Vintage Postmodern Italian Nestore Table Lamp by Carlo Forcolini, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant table lamp from the Italian lighting manufacturer Artemide after a design by Carlo Forcolini from the late 1980s. The lights of the Nestore series impress with their eleganc...
Metal
$1,390 / item
Ne600 Mat Lamp by MLK Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Ne600 Mat 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, copper, or stai...
Stainless Steel
Postmodern White Metal Halogen Flush Mount by Blauet, Barcelona, 1980s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty Postmodern Spanish white metal Flush Mount or Wall Sconce by Blauet. Model: Birimbao-2. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Blauet during 1980s....
Metal
Vintage Postmodern Italian Zelig Table Lamp by Walter Monici for Lumina, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The table lamp version of the culinary of the Italian manufacturer Lumina after a design by Walter Monici from 1990. The elegance of the culinary is based on the game of asymmetry a...
Metal
Ostro Ecru Ceramic Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Ostro Ecru Ceramic Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 17 x W 31 x H 31 cm. Materials: Ceramic and glass. Available in different ceramic and marbl...
Marble
$10,723 / item
Tryst Three Chandelier by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Geneve, CH
Tryst three chandelier by Paul Matter. Materials: brass and porcelain finish glass. Dimensions: W 114.3 x H 182.8 cm. Wight: 15 kg. Tryst chande...
Brass
Italian Post Modern Amber Gold Silver Murano Glass Round Graphic Chandelier
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A bespoke innovative striking Italian light fixture, entirely hand made, a unique Modernist avant-garde design, with fine craftsmanship and rich materials. One hammered Murano glass ...
Brass, Silver Leaf
An Iconic RADICAL MODERNIST TABLE LAMP by BBPR, ed. ARTEMIDE, Italy 1970
By Studio BBPR
Located in PARIS, FR
An iconic table lamp, Minimalist, Modernist, Space-Age, structure in chrome-plated metal, thick glass with geometric reliefs, encircled with an aerial ...
Metal, Chrome
$1,866 / item
Medium Geo Sconce by The GoodMan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Geo Sconce by The GoodMan Studio Dimensions (May vary): ⌀ 28 x H 6 cm (with ⌀ 11 cm sphere) Materials: Glass, Metal, Silver Leaf Blown glass with silvered leaf glass pearl ce...
Metal, Other
Lune Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Lune Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 16 x H 23 cm. Base: H 20 cm. Materials: Ecru cotton and ceramic. Weight: 1,2 kg. El...
Ceramic, Cotton
$4,398 / item
Giotto Large Hanging Lamp by Roberto Paoli
Located in Geneve, CH
Giotto Large Hanging Lamp by Roberto Paoli Dimensions: Ø 140 x H 7 cm. Materials: Metal and polyethylene. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Available in three di...
Metal, Other
Top Top 125 Ultra Blue Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Top Top 125 Ultra Blue 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 2...
Steel
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
$1,914 / item
Ne1200 Pendant Lamp by MLK Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Ne1200 Pendant Lamp by MLK Furniture Dimensions: D 9 x W 120 x H 12 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, acrylic. Available in mat, or mat and mirror inside. Also available in brass, cop...
Stainless Steel
$5,052 / item
Cream Nebula Pendant Lamp by Mirei Monticelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Cream Nebula pendant lamp by Mirei Monticelli Dimensions: D 60 x W 60 x H 60 cm Materials: Banaca fabric Also available in hand-painted fabric. ...
Fabric
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
No. 11 Circle Blue Grey Contemporary Art Floor Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Light object, floor lamp, circle blue grey Handmade in brass, leather, wood and hand printed and painted linen. A dimmer is inlaid with leather. Dimensions: H 146 x W 27 x D 16 cm. T...
Brass
Beautiful 1970s Limburg glass ceiling lamp in octagon shape
Located in München, BY
Beautiful original 1970s glass ceiling lamp in an octagonal shape. The shade has a light gold tint and small air bubbles. Manufactured by Limburg. Very high-quality workmanship. Made...
Brass
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce '609' Table Lamps in White Aluminum & Cast Iron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, table lamps, model ‘609’, enameled aluminum, bakelite, cast iron, steel, Italy, 1973 A design by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, table lamp model 609 created...
Aluminum, Steel, Iron
$1,355 / item
Natural Stone Wall Sconce by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural stone wall sconce by Aver Dimensions: W 12 x D 15 x H 58 cm Materials: Natural rocks, high-quality cut crystals, jewelry chains, hand-blown glass, other. Also Available: Matt...
Stone, Crystal
Modernist Dome Top Table Lamp by Paul Mayen for Habitat
By Paul Mayen, Habitat International
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mod design table lamp designed by Paul Mayer for Habitat. The lamp features a black dome shade with a chrome base. The lamp accepts two standard siz...
Steel, Chrome
X-shaped table lamp, black ceramic, glazed and angled, handmade
By Manolo Eirin
Located in Carballo, ES
Handmade ceramic table lamp, designed and signed by the artisan Rulo and the artist Manolo Eirin. Vitrified piece in black. The electrical connection of the lamp is suitable for both...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Set of 2 Murano glass wall lamps by Aureliano Toso for Itre, 1975
By Aureliano Toso, ITRE
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
The 2 polychrome wall sconces offered here were made with the complex technique of incalmo, a technique used to heat join two or more pieces of blown glass, often of different colors...
Steel
AVMazzega style. Palm Beach Regency Murano glass pendant lamp, Italy, 1970s
By AVMazzega, Barovier&Toso, La Murrina, Novaresi, Carl Fagerlund
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Palm Beach Regency style Murano glass pendant lamp in the style of Angelo Vittorio Mazzega, Italy, 1970s. Composed of two translucent handmade, blown and molded glass diffusers with ...
Metal, Chrome
$1,105 / item
White Alabaster Pura Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
White Alabaster Pura Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 58 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and white alabaster. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaster o...
Alabaster, Brass
Vintage French Postmodern Pendant Lamp from Pylones, Paris, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage French Postmodern Pendant Lamp from Pylones, Paris, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark, Up to 250V (Europe/UK Standard)....
Plastic
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
Sputnik Chandelier with in Glass and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sputnik chandelier, brass, opaline glass, Europe, 1970s. This Sputnik chandelier features six exquisite glass globes. The fixture is an elegant and striking design with six gracefu...
Brass
$856 / set
White Brut Body Sconces by Di Fretto
Located in Geneve, CH
White Brut Body Sconces by Di Fretto Dimensions: W 26 x D 10 x H 27 cm Materials: White Faience The Body appliques are the 2 sides of the sculpture of a w...
Faience
Ennio Lucini for Harvey Guzzini Dh 'Cespuglio' Table Lamp
By Ennio Lucini, Harvey Guzzini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ennio Lucini for Harvey Guzzini DH (Design House), 'Cespuglio' table lamp, aluminum, acrylic, Italy, 1968 This provocative 'Cespuglio' table lamp (1968) is designed by Ennio Lucini ...
Aluminum
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
Rare Post Modern Mesh Flowers Design Single Sconce, 1980s, Belgium
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Rare Post Modern Mesh Flowers Design Single Sconce, 1980s, Belgium Very elegant and Minimalist wall lamp. Lamp is in very good condition. These lamps works with Halogen light bulb...
Metal
Dionysos Chandelier by Emilie Lemardeley, 21st Century, Brass & Hand-Blown Glass
Located in Clamart, FR
Chandelier in polished brass with hand-blown glass spheres. Artist: Emilie Lemardeley Handmade in France. Glass colors: dark teal blue and turquoise blue, light green, champagne...
Brass
Postmodern Spanish "Fina" Wood Table Lamp by Josep Llusca for Blauet, 1990s
By Blauet, Josep Llusca
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Fina" Beech Wood Table Lamp by Blauet. Model: B-1469 . This Table Lamp was designed by Josep Llusca for Blauet, S.A. This Table Lamp manufacture...
Textile, Beech
Pilolo Tobacco Alabaster Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Pilolo Tobacco Alabaster Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 11 x W 22 x H 42 cm. Materials: Alabaster. Available in different brass and alabaster options and finishes. Cus...
Alabaster
Vintage Postmodern Olympia Floor Lamp by Jorge Pensi for B.Lux, 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant floor lamp from the Spanish manufacturer B.Lux after a design by Jorge Pensi from the 80s. This floor lamp convinces with it's slender design language and the special materi...
Metal
$1,305Sale Price / set|25% Off
Postmodern Gold Pair of Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beautiful Postmodern Pair of Gold Metal and Glass Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1094 Gold plated. These Lamps were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Sp...
Metal
Set Of 2 Nueé Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamps by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Nueé Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamps by Grès Éditions Unique Pieces. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 30 x H 40 cm. Base: H 46 cm. Materials: Ecru cotton and ceramic. Weight: ...
Ceramic, Cotton
Contemporary Textured Brass Chandelier, Tryst Three by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Textured Brass Chandelier, Tryst Three by Paul Matter Tryst chandelier explores the relationship between interlocked forms in perfect union a...
Brass
Cirque 2 Drop Double Swagged Chandelier by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Sculptural, bold, and unmistakably modern, the 2 Drop Double Swagged Chandelier transforms any space into a statement. Handcrafted in our Georgia, USA studio, this artful fixture beg...
Steel
Barovier & Toso Table Lamp, Milk Glass Shade, Black Base, Italy 1993
Located in Hellouw, NL
Barovier & Toso, established in Murano, Italy, is one of the world’s most distinguished glassmaking companies with centuries of heritage in creating refined lighting and decorative g...
Glass
Memphis style. Post-Modern handmade ceramic floor lamp, Italy, 1980s
By Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi, Ettore Sottsass, George Sowden
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Memphis style handmade ceramic floor lamp, Italy, 1980s. Made by hand by joining various ceramic elements used in high voltage electrical towers as cable insulators. Different types of black and white ceramic insulators have been used, joined with glue cement and a central metal stem, creating a sculptural and geometric structure totally Memphis and Post-Modern style, with a certain brutalist air. Unknown author. Very much in the style of the creations and designs of Ettore Sottsass, Michele De Lucchi, Peter Shire, Shiro Kuramata, Sowden and Du Pasquier. Its design also reminds us of the well-known Shogun lamp...
Metal
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
Small Rio Travertine Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Rio Travertine Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 15.2 x H 17.8 cm Materials: Travertine. Available in Green Forest marble, Sandstone, Travertine, or White ...
Travertine
Contemporary Stainless Steel Conical Wall Light by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel Conical Wall Light by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 19 x D 20 x H 12 cm Materials: Stainless Steel Lost wax cast in solid stainless st...
Stainless Steel