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.
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
$2,920Sale Price / set|25% Off
Post-Modern hand-crafted Cocoon resin table lamps, Italy, 70s
By Achille Castiglioni, Tobia Scarpa, Flos
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
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
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
1980 Le Falene Arteluce Piero De Martini Italian Design Post Modern Table Lamp
Located in Brescia, IT
"The Moths" Table Lamp Piero De Martini Arteluce Italy, 1980s Red Enamel Frame White Fabric "Suncover" Shade New with original Arteluce Box Available Phalene hanging Lamp in yello...
Metal
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
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
$1,789Sale 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
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
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
Ron Rezek Table Lamp Orbit by for Bieffeplast, circa 1980
By Ron Rezek, Bieffeplast
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
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
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
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
Postmodern Philips Table Lamp 1980s
By Philips
Located in Čelinac, BA
Philips Postmodern Table Lamp Germany 1980s
Plastic
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
Innocente Gandini for Arredoluce 'Scultura' Table Lamp in Metal
By Arredoluce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Innocente Gandini for Arredoluce, ‘Scultura’ table lamp, model '14098', aluminum, chrome-plated steel, Italy, circa 1970 This rare Scultura table lamp, model 14098, was designed by ...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,318 / 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
$5,369Sale 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 Gold Table Lamps by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and cool Postmodern Pair of Gold Table Lamps by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. These Table Lamps were made in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. Model M-1131. “Estiluz”...
Metal
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
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
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
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
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
Table Lamp “Praxi” by Bruno Gecchelin for iGuzzini, Italy, 1982
By iGuzzini
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This is the iconic “Praxi” table lamp designed by Bruno Gecchelin for iGuzzini, Italy, in 1982. A hallmark of 1980s Italian industrial design, the lamp features a sleek, articulated ...
Aluminum, Metal
Ettore Sottsass Style Memphis Group Metal & Acrylic Lamp Set
By Memphis Group, Pierre Cardin, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Bensalem, PA
This listing is for the set please look at pictures for overall detail stunning black electroplatied metal with acrylic rings feel free to reach out with any questions
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
$465Sale Price|45% Off
Large post-modern ceramic table lamp by François Chatain, France 1990s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Large ceramic table lamp in post-modern style by François Chatain, France circa 1990. Highly vibrant colors and a very original style, the lampshade can be oriented and adjusted in h...
Brass
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
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
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
A BIG Red Lacquered SHABBY-CHIC POST-MODERN Geometric TABLE LAMP, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A very large and decorative table lamp (can be used as a floor lamp too), Art-Déco, Neo-Classical, Post-Modernist, with a square section base in golden metal, the body of the lamp be...
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
$3,885 / item
Vardo Table Lamp in Aluminum by Animate Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Vardo Table Lamp in Aluminum by Animate Objects. Dimensions: W 18 x D 18 x H 40 cm. Materials: Aluminum, Transparent Powder Coating, Beige Powder Coating. All our lamps can be wired...
Aluminum
$965 / item
Dorica Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat
Located in Geneve, CH
Dorica Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat Dimensions: W 39.5 x D 15 x H 42 cm Materials: acrylic, bronze, LED light The Dorica lamp is a warm light luminaire for table that has two...
Steel, Other, Bronze
$876Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Fontana Arte Three-Sixty Table Lamps
By Fontana Arte, Sir Norman Foster
Located in San Diego, CA
Hinged directional table lamp. Metal structure, base and ballast of zamac metal alloy, resin parabola, one on the arm and one of the shaft, allow each to rotate 300°.
Metal
80s Rare Set of Vintage Postmodern Brutalist Hivo Van Teal Table Lamps
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
80s Very Rare Set of Vintage Postmodern Memphis Geometric Distressed Glass & Gold Leaf Designer Hivo Van Teal Table Lamps - a Pair Extraordinary and Super Rare Pair of 80s Postmodern Glass and Iron, Stacked, Acid Washed, Distressed Table Lamps...
Metal, Gold Leaf
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
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
Mule Deer Antler Large Table Lamp by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Mule Deer Antler Large Table Lamp by The Peak Antler Dimensions: D 40.64 x H 45.72 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers, leather Based in, produced ...
Antler
Postmodern Spanish "Fina" Wood Table Lamp by Josep Llusca for Blauet, 1990s
By Josep Llusca, Blauet
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
$2,826 / item
Baume #3 White Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti
Located in Geneve, CH
Baume #3 White Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 50/55 cm. Materials: White stoneware. The diameter of this piece is approximate...
Stoneware
Rare early K-series (Oba- Q/Ghost) table lamp by Shiro Kuramata (Large)
Located in Centreville, VA
This masterpiece, K-series or another name Oba- Q, epitomizes Japanese post-modernism designed in 1972 by Shiro Kuramata, the Japanese legendary interior designer. Another name Oba ...
Acrylic
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
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
Art Nowo for Elmar Flototto, Germany Postmodern Cactus Lamp Set of Three ca 1990
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Art Nowo for Elmar Flototto, Germany Postmodern "SUCU" Cactus Lamps, ca 1990 The set consists of two larger lights measuring 30” high x 14” diameter, and one smaller light measuring...
Metal
Vintage Postmodern Glass & Metal Table Lamp, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Large table lamp in postmodern design language. Imposing table lamp with large glass diffuser. The base of the lamp is resolved into three supports that sit on a simple plate base. ...
Metal
Memphis Milano Tahiti Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Tahiti, a masterpiece by Ettore Sottsass, is an ironic lamp with a zoomorphic shape that recalls childhood games: a lamp is hidden in the head, ideal for lighting a table. The base w...
Metal
$1,422Sale Price|28% Off
Fontana Arte amber , white Italian table lamp “3064”, Daniela Puppa, glass steel
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing and beautiful table lamp, model 3064, designed by Daniela Puppa for Fontana Arte. Daniela Puppa reduces the piece to its basic forms, two inverted trapezoids make up the nec...
Steel, Iron