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.
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
Vico Magistretti for O-Luce 'Atollo' First Edition '233' Table Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for O-Luce, 'Atollo' lamp, first edition model '233', aluminum, Italy, 1977 The Atollo lighting object, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1977, stands as one of his m...
Aluminum
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
$2,914Sale Price / set|25% Off
Post-Modern hand-crafted Cocoon resin table lamps, Italy, 70s
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of sculptural hand-crafted cocoon table lamps, Italy, 1970s. Formed by several varnished pine wood elements of different shapes and sizes, creating two curious columns of a cert...
Resin, Wood, Pine
Beautiful Table Lamp in Dark and White Alabaster 1980s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Beautiful Table Lamp in Dark and White Alabaster 1980s A wonderful table lamp in both dark and white alabaster. Great slender and sophisticated post-modern design with a base in dar...
Alabaster
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 cubical base and an ovoïd body with a final cylindrical lampshade, by Philippe Barbier, France 1970...
Metal
$1,786Sale Price|20% Off
Huge Venini Post-Modern handl-blown murano glass table lamp. Italy, 1970s
By Venini
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Large Italian table lamp made of thick Murano glass, manufactured by Venini in the 70s, Venice. Mushroom-shaped, handcrafted in soft cream-tone glass with swirling details in white a...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
$2,056 / item
Wireless Cala Table Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Wireless Cala Table Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 22 x H 20 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Mat...
Alabaster, Copper
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
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide First Edition 'Sintesi' Red Clamp Light
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, multi-way clamp lamp, model 'Sintesi Faretto Morsetto', first edition, coated iron, coated steel, aluminum, rubber, plastic, Italy, design 1976 The fo...
Metal, Iron
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
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
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
Postmodern Philips Table Lamp 1980s
By Philips
Located in Čelinac, BA
Philips Postmodern Table Lamp Germany 1980s
Plastic
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
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
Mario Botta Pair of Vintage 'Shogun' Table Lamps for Artemide, 1986
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Tilburg, NL
Exceptional pair of iconic vintage 'Shogun' Table Lamps by architect and designer Mario Botta (1943) for Artemide 1986. Straight from the first owners, these table lamps have always...
Metal
Pipe Dream Table Lamp, Multicolor sculptural postmodern functional art, light
By Luft Tanaka
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rough and tumble yet inherently sculptural, the Pipe Dream Series reveals the raw beauty of industrial materials. Composed of aluminum pipes and fittings, each piece exposes its stru...
Aluminum
A SHABBY-CHIC BAROQUE NEO-CLASSICAL Sculptural Bronze TABLE LAMP, France 1980.
By Philippe Anthonioz
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and sculptural very large table lamp (or small floor lamp) of organic, plant inspiration, Post-Modernist, Neo-Baroque, rectangular base and vertical axis with sculpted bronze body with gunmetal patina, in the spirit of Philippe Anthonioz...
Bronze
Pair of 'Canna Fiorita' Table Lamps by Castiglioni & Menghi for Fontana Arte
By Roberto Menghi, Fontana Arte
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
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
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
Sergio Giobbi & Patrizia Innocenti 'Sfera' Table Lamp in Yellow Acrylic
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sergio Giobbi and Patrizia Innocenti for Metalmobili, 'Sfera' table lamp, acrylic, chrome-plated steel, cast aluminum, Italy, 1971 This radical designed table lamp is created by the...
Chrome, Aluminum, Steel
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
Grenat Foncé Table Lamp in Deep Burgundy Glazed Ceramic by Gazar Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Grenat Foncé Table Lamp in Deep Burgundy Glazed Ceramic by Gazar Studio Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 13 x H 37 cm. Materials: Clay with deep burgundy glaze. All our lamps can be wire...
Clay
Post Modern Memphis Alsy Style Squiggle Form Black Metal Table Lamp c. 1980/90s
Located in New York, NY
Wiggly, and squiggly Post Modern, Memphis school table lamp made in the USA, attributed to Alsy, circa 1980/90's, unsigned. The lamp is in very good, original, clean and working cond...
Metal
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
Pr. Italian Post Modern Table Lamps by Pier Ramella by Arteluce for Flos 1980's
By Arteluce, Pier Giuseppe Ramella
Located in New York, NY
Incredible pair of Italian Postmodern design table laps, designed by Pier Giuseppe Ramella, made by Arteluce for Flos, circa 1980's. These chic lamps feature flying saucer like tops...
Metal
$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
Limited Edition Shouting Lights Sculptural Lamp 2 in Bordeaux by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition Shouting Lights Sculptural Lamp 2 in Bordeaux by Tamara Barnoff. Limited Edition of 5. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 59 x D 57 x H 34 cm. Materials:...
Granite
$611 / item
Lingara Lamp by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Lingara Lamp by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 20.32 x D 20.32 x H 40.64 cm Materials: FRP All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for t...
Other
Vintage Pair Shogun Table Lamps by Mario Botta for Artemide, 1986
By Mario Botta
Located in Round Rock, TX
Pair of Fully Marked Mario Botta Table Lamps, Italy, 1980s This exceptional pair of postmodern table lamps is fully marked and designed by Mario Botta, one of Italy’s most influenti...
Metal
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
Tabla table lamp by Mario Barbaglia & Marco Colombo for Italiana Luce, 1988.
By Italiana Luce, Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo
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
Ron Rezek Table Lamp 1980s
By Ron Rezek
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Post-modern table lamp by Los Angeles lighting designer Ron Rezek, c.1980s. The lamp features a black enameled metal frame and removable black shade with polished brass ring accent t...
Metal
Skymning (Twilight) Lamp by Ehlén Johansson, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Hanover, MA
Skymning (Twilight) lamp by Ehlén Johansson, 1990s for Ikea, Sweden. Chrome, brass, and opaline glass shade. Single Edison screw socket takes a 60 watt lightbulb.
Chrome, Brass
$720Sale Price|20% Off
Ernesto Gismondi “Sintesi” Desk Lamp for Artemide, 1970s, One Available
Located in Miami, FL
Adjustable Sintesi desk or table lamp in black lacquer by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide. Italy 1970s. Sold individually. One available.
Steel
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
Postmodern Italian Ala Table Lamp by Rodolfo Bonetto for Iguzzini, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table lamp from the Italian manufacturer Iguzzini according to a design by Rodolfo Bonetto from the 1980s. A highly flexible and changeable design based on the game with ...
Metal
Mini Bigflow Lamp in Resin and Steel by Kimy Gringoire
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Bigflow Lamp in Resin and Steel by Kimy Gringoire. Dimensions: W 18 x D 10 x H 25 cm. Materials: Resin and Steel. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold ...
Steel
Rare Postmodern Helix Glass Table Lamp in the Manner of Karl Springer
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful rare and elegant glass staircase , helix table lamp in green glass with lucite base and chrome fittings in perfect working condition. no chips or cracks.
Chrome
Paolo Salvi Table Lamp in Travertine and Chromed Metal
By Paolo Salvi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paolo Salvi, table lamp, travertine, chromed metal, Italy, 1970s This stunning table lamp features a solid travertine base, showcasing its beautiful natural layers and unique textur...
Metal, Chrome
Ron Arad Aerial Light for One Off, UK 1982
Located in Chicago, IL
Ron Arad Aerial Light for One Off, UK (1982) Rare, robotic lamp designed by Ron Arad, adjustable via a wireless controller. The controller features a printed manufacturer’s mark: "On...
Aluminum, Steel, Wire
$1,316 / item
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat
Located in Geneve, CH
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 12 cm Materials: opaline acrylic, bronze, bulit in dimmer switch and warm LED light. Fittings also av...
Bronze, Other
Ron Rezek Verdigris Table Lamp
By Ron Rezek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Postmodern table lamp by Los Angeles lighting designer Ron Rezek, c.1980s. The lamp features a verdigris copper frame and removable shade with polished brass ring accent that sits at...
Copper, Brass
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
$3,500 / item
Ron Rezek Galvanized Steel Table Lamp
By Ron Rezek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Postmodern table lamp by Los Angeles lighting designer Ron Rezek, c.1980s. The lamp features a galvanized steel frame and removable steel shade with brass ring accent that sits at th...
Brass, Steel
$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
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
Orbis Table Lamp in Marble with Brass Lighting Fixture by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbis Table Lamp in Marble with Brass Lighting Fixture by Homa. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 40 cm. Materials: Marble, Green and Honey Onyx, Brass. All our lamps can be wired accordi...
Marble, Onyx, Brass
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
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
1980s Pair Postmodern Op Art Deco Halo Rougier Style Ellipse Table Lamps
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Pair of 1980s Vintage Art Deco Postmodern White Ceramic Halo Roger Rougier Style Ellipse Table Lamps Mid Century Modern meets Nuevo Deco. These ceramic ellipse shape table lamps...
Ceramic
Gabriella Crespi, Very Large "Fungo" Table Lamp, Brass, Acrylic, Italy, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A very large "Fungo" brass and acrylic table lamp designed and produced by Gabriella Crespi, Artist's Studio, Italy 1970s. Lamp features signatures on both the lampshade and on the ...
Brass
Adjustable Post Modern Halogen Desk Lamp by Holtkotter Made in Germany c. 1980's
By Holtkoetter
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Post-Modern style desk lamp by noted German maker Holtkotter, circa 1980's. The lamp features several adjustments, including a swivel and tilt point at the base, as well...
Brass
$5,358Sale Price|20% 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 Pair of "Bonsai" Wood Table Lamps by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Gran Bonsai" Pair of Beech Wood Table Lamps by Blauet. Model: B1458-15 Natural / Chrome. These Table Lamps were designed by Josep Llusca for Bla...
Metal
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
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Carlo Nason for Mazzega Cumulus Glass Totem Lamp
By AVMazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in New York, NY
Significant Italian lamp designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega. The ball top rests on a bright chrome color, which attaches to the elegant elongated base. Each section can be independently illuminated, or both can be lit simultaneously, for maximum effect. Original, clean, working and free of damage. Classic piece from the golden age of Modernist Italian lighting...
Chrome
Bendable Post Modern Tube Desk Task Lamp in the Style of Anders Pehrson, 1980's
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Post Modern tubular task desk lamp in the style of Swedish designer Anders Pehrson. This highly functional linear table lamp features a sleek tubular shade that is bendable to direct the light beam as desired. This black high gloss lamp...
Plastic