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.
$1,250Sale Price|72% Off
Fontana Arte Daniela Puppa and Franco Raggi 1980s Crystal Flush Light
By Daniela Puppa and Franco Raggi, Fontana Arte
Located in New York, NY
An original 1988 Fontana Arte model # 2792 flush ceiling light composed of a mate gun metal frame and a cobalt blue tiered glass crystal shade with decorative chrome pointed finial. ...
Metal
Organic Form Contemporary Sculptural Branch Brass Chandelier by Morghen Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Dafne pendant light sculpted by Morghen Studio Materials: Grinded brass, LED Light, silicone Dimensions: 130 x 70 x 60 c...
Brass
$2,343Sale Price|20% Off
Carlo Nason Postmodern Italian Murano Glass Chandelier for Mazzega, 1970s
By AVMazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful Murano glass chandelier, made by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in the 70s, the chandelier is composed of sixteen cylindrical cannuoli and a blown glass disc, the structure is in ...
Steel
$1,089 / 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
Italian Postmodern Iridescent Murano Glass Cone Table Lamp, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty Murano glass Cone shape Table Lamp. This fixture was made and manufactured during the 1980s in Italy. This Table Lamp is equipped with one light socket (E27). A professional e...
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
$4,288 / 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
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric Floor Lamp for Cassina
$768Sale Price|33% Off
Postmodern Black Chandelier by Estiluz by Leornado Marelli, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Chandelier/Flushmount by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: T-1166 Negro. This fixture was manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) during 1980s. The condition is excellen...
Metal
Lune Matte Speckled Grey Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Lune Matte Speckled Grey 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. ...
Ceramic, Cotton
Beautiful 1970s Limburg Smoked Glass Ceiling Lamp in Octagonal Shape
Located in München, BY
Beautiful original 1970s smoked glass ceiling lamp in an octagonal shape. The shade has a light brown tint. Manufactured by Limburg. Very high-quality workmanship. Made in Germany. ...
Brass
Robert Sonneman Saturn Desk or Table Lamp Postmodern
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Very cool and iconic brass and glass Saturn desk lamp from the 1980s designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs. This lamp has a round glass disc with a domed top that's supported...
Metal
$1,101 / item
Green Marble Pura Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Marble Pura Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 58 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and green marble. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaster options...
Marble, Brass
Pair of Chrome and Glass Wall Lamps in the Style of Gino Sarfatti, Italy, 1970s
By Arteluce
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This pair of chrome and glass wall lamps was produced in Italy in the 1970s and recalls the elegant, refined design language often associated with Gino Sarfatti. Each lamp features a...
Metal
Totem Floor Lamp by Kazuhide Takahama for Sirrah, Italy 1982 - Old version
By Kazuhide Takahama, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Argelato, BO
Kazuhide Takahama, "Totem" floor lamp for Sirrah, Italy, 1982 It is an authentic style icon, which combines refined Japanese essentiality with great Italian design. The result is on...
Stone, Metal
$562 / item
Lune Raw Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Lune Raw 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. Electrical syste...
Ceramic, Cotton
Caterpillar, Floor Lamp Sculpture, Vincent Darré and Ludovic Clément d’Armont
Located in Geneve, CH
Caterpillar, floor lamp sculpture, Vincent Darré and Ludovic Clément d’Armont Blown glass, textile, brass. Dimensions: 22 x 105 x 30 cm. Created in cooperation with designer Vin...
Brass
Vintage "Yuki" floor lamp by Paolo Francesco Piva for Stefano Cevoli, 1980
Located in Den Haag, NL
Lamp produced in the 1980s by Stefano Cevoli based on a design by Paolo Francesco Piva. model Yuki Hemispherical base in black painted metal. Double stem in black painted metal that ...
Metal
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
$2,788 / item
Kavanagh WS Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Kavanagh WS Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 12 x W 6 x H 53 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, ...
Alabaster, Copper
$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 luxurious finely crafted polished bronze floral wall lights by the Italian lighting maker, Fratelli Martini. Newly Rewired. A 6th availab...
Bronze
$3,269 / item
Big Aurum Blue Glass Sconces by Alex de Witte
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Aurum blue glass sconces by Alex de Witte Dimensions: D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: Mouth blown glass It can be purchased as an ensemble or individual...
Blown Glass
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce '609' Table Lamp in White Aluminum and Cast Iron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, table lamp, 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
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
$43,826 / item
Untitled II Sculptural Floor Lamp by Aeny Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled II Sculptural Floor Lamp by Aeny Studio. Signed and dated by Nayara Nascimento. Dimensions: W 45 x D 63 x H 195 cm. Materials: Recycled steel, cellulose-mineral bronze compo...
Steel, Other
$1,675 / item
Quartz and Bronze Wall Light I by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Quartz and Bronze Wall Light I by Aver Dimensions: W 18 x D 16 x H 27 cm Materials: Natural rocks, high-quality cut crystals, jewelry chains, hand blown glass, other. Also Available:...
Stone, Crystal, Other
1980 Bieffeplast Postmodern Italian Design Black White Wall Lamp Sconces
By Bieffeplast
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of Post Modern Sconces prod. Bieffeplast Italy, 1980 Black metal grind and white bent plexiglass Black and White metal wall frame The...
Metal
$1,371 / 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
$1,183 / item
Anaka Table Lamp by Saadia Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Anaka Table Lamp by Saadia Design Dimensions: D 28 x W 28 x H 46 cm. Materials: Wood, linen, and rope. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it wi...
Linen, Rope, Wood
Mid Century Floor Lamp Fackla, Ikea, Uplighter, Sweden, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Praha, CZ
- very nice style of lighting.
Plastic
$5,484 / item
Horizon #5 Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti
Located in Geneve, CH
Horizon #5 stoneware lamp by Elisa Uberti Unique Limited series of 8 numbered copies + 1 AP Dimensions: D 40 x W 20 x H 65 cm Materials: white Stoneware This product is handmade...
Stoneware
No. 31 G Natural Linen Uni Dark Beige Contemporary Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 31 G Dark Beige Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga Dimensions: D 44 x W 68 x H 50 cm. Materials: Brass, leather, wood, and dip-dyed colored viscose. Handmade in brass, leather, wood,...
Brass, Other
1990s Multicolored Lucite and Chrome Time Tunnel Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic cylindrical table lamp with blue and red lucite rings, a mesh interior, and a chrome frame that gives perfect 1990s vibes! In very good vintage condition with wear con...
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
$843 / 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
Pair of Pearl Necklace Pendant Lights, Ludovic Clément D’armont
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of pearl necklace pendant lights - Ludovic Clément d’Armont Every creation of Ludovic Clément d’Armont can be made to order in any requested dimensions. Please contact us for c...
Brass
$1,429 / item
Paper Lamp in Aluminium by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper Lamp in Aluminium by Six Dots Design. Unique Piece. Dimensions: W 25 x D 20 x H 45 cm. Materials: Raw aluminum. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold t...
Aluminum
Mario Tsai, Aluminium Champagne Painted Tsai Table Lamp by Cassina
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mario Tsai, Aluminium Champagne Painted Tsai Table Lamp by Cassina UNIT OF LIGHT A collection of modular metal lamps in which the base unit alludes to the shape of a brick. A simpl...
Aluminum
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
$1,148 / item
Pearl Plus Brillance Wall Light by Lisa Allegra
Located in Geneve, CH
Pearl plus brillance wall light by Lisa Allegra Dimensions: W 22.5 x D 24 x H 17 cm. Materials: Clay. Available in different finishes: pearl, dusty pink, and blackened gold. All our...
Clay
Dramatic Over Scale Post Modern Plaster Floor Lamp c 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic oversize ceramic floor lamp of bulbous form with contrasting dark toned, textured glaze at the upper section, which appears to drip down onto the smooth creme colored bottom...
Plaster
$984 / item
Mod Glass Globe Wall Sconce by Lamp Shaper
Located in Geneve, CH
Mod Glass Globe Wall Sconce by Lamp Shaper Dimensions: D 14 x W 18 x H 38 cm. Materials: Brass and glass. Different finishes available: raw br...
Brass
Vintage Italian Totem Terra Floor Lamp by Valerio Bottini for Foscarini, Late90s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare floor lamp from the Italian manufacturer Foscarini based on a design by Valerio Bottini from the late 90s. By playing with open and closed surfaces, this design appears particu...
Metal
Small Misalliance Ral Ultramarine Suspended Light by Lexavala
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Misalliance ral ultramarine suspended light by lexavala. Dimensions: D 16 x W 70 x H 8 cm Materials: powder coated aluminium. There are two lenghts of socket covers, exten...
Aluminum
$8,366 / item
Continuum 900 Wall Sconce by Lost Profile Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Continuum 900 Wall Sconce by Lost Profile Studio Dimensions: W 38 x D 12 x H 90 cm Materials: Brass, Glass, Aluminium, LED Finishes: Aged Brass (w...
Aluminum, Brass, Other
$13,311 / item
MMM Leaf 12 Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
MMM Leaf 12 Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 150 x H 104/179 cm. Materials: Glass and metal. Different metal finishes are available. All our lamps can be wired according t...
Metal
Powder Blue Cupole 80 Hanging Lamp by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue Cupole 80 Hanging Lamp by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: Ø 80 x H 40 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in three sizes. Prices may vary. This product is suitable for...
Other
Postmodern Heron Lamp by Isao Hosoe for Luxo
By Isao Hosoe
Located in Oslo, NO
Iconic table lamp designed by Isao Hosoe for the Norwegian lamp maker Luxo. Moulded plastic in a lacquered silver coating. The lamp is fully working and in ...
Plastic
Postmodern Heron Desk Lamps by Isao Hosoe for Luxo, Norway, 1990s
By Luxo, Isao Hosoe
Located in Antwerp, BE
A set of adjustable “Heron” desk lamps, designed by Isao Hosoe for Luxo, Norway in 1994. The Heron is among Hosoe’s most celebrated designs, merging sculptural elegance with exceptio...
Plastic
Yellow Murano Wall Light Sconce by Vetri Handblown Glass 1990s Italy modernist
By Vetri
Located in London, GB
A 1990s modernist wall light by Murano. The yellow thick round plaque is handblown by artisans in Italy and it fixes on the wall or ceiling and the glass opaline glass sits on top....
Glass, Murano Glass
Italian Modern Murano Glass Table Lamp
By Giusto Toso, Angelo Lelii, Leucos, Mazzega, Arredoluce
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Murano Glass Table Lamp . Offered is a striking Post-Modern Murano glass lamb by Vetro Eseguito Da Maestri. This most unusual scul...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
1980s American Modernist Designer Postmodern Metal and Acrylic Floor Lamp
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Wonderful postmodern floor lamp featuring organic movement with industrial materials. Nice vintage floor lamp in metal and acrylic. Floor switch Dimensions include shades. Shades ar...
Iron
Postmodern Vintage Black Floor Lamp by Carlo Forcolini 1989 for Artemide Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
A Postmodern vintage black floor lamp, which was designed by Carlo Forcolini 1989 for Artemide, Italy. It is labeled underneath the base: Art...
Metal
$2,624 / item
Chestnut Cicero 26 Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Chestnut Cicero 26 Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio Dimensions: ⌀ 41 x H 66 cm Materials: Glazed Ceramic, Unfinished Brass, Linen This item is handmade, and may exhibit variability...
Brass
$25,522 / item
Trina Chandelier by Valentina Giovando
Located in Geneve, CH
Trina Chandelier by Valentina Giovando Dimensions: D 60 x H 120 cm. Materials: Iron, Glass, Sequins, Fabric. Valentina Giovando, Lives and works in Sarzana, in Liguria, and for ove...
Iron
Postmodern White Metal Set of Eight Flush Mounts by Blauet, Barcelona, 1980s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty Postmodern Spanish Set of Eight white metal Flush Mounts or Wall Sconces by Blauet. Model: Birimbao-2. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Bl...
Metal
Bloom Clay Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Bloom Clay Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 16.5 x H 17.8 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Available in Egg White, Blush Pink, and Charcoal Black. Please contact u...
Clay, Stoneware
NUA Floor Lamp in Japanese Paper and Stainless Steel by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON
Located in Geneve, CH
NUA Floor Lamp in Japanese Paper and Stainless Steel by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON. Dimensions: W 320 x D 220 x H 150 cm. Materials: Japanese paper and mirror-polished stainless steel. Man...
Stainless Steel
$2,015 / item
A25-190 Wall Lamp by Disderot
Located in Geneve, CH
A25-190 Wall Lamp by Disderot Limited Edition. Designed by Alain Richard Dimensions: Ø 19 x H 28 cm. Materials: Lacquered metal. Delivered with authentication certificate. Made in ...
Metal
Postmodern W.O. Table Lamp by Sacha Ketoff for Aluminor, France, 1980s
By Sacha Ketoff
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare, postmodern table lamp from the French manufacturer Aluminor after a design by Sacha Ketoff from the 80s. This draft was created in a competition as part of the exhibition "Lum...
Metal