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.
Fortuny Camouflage Style Fabric Over a Large Rectangular Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
An amazing custom wall mirror in Fortuny cotton fabric and beveled mirror. This cotton fabric is a Venetian interpretation of traditional camoufla...
Cotton, Mirror
Postmodern Pale Pink Formica and Brass Console Table with Wall Mirror, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s - 1980s. This set is made in formica and brass. They might show slight traces of use since they are vintage, but they can be considered as in very good original ...
Brass
Karl Springer Wall-Mounted Retractable Vanity/Shaving Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
A rare, large wall-mounted retractable shaving or makeup mirror by Karl Springer. Crafted in heavy polished chrome with brass accents, this mirror features a beautifully engineered ...
Brass, Chrome
$10,898 / item
Smoke and Silver Loop II Concave Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Smoke and Silver Loop II Concave Mirror by Homa. Dimensions: D 97 x H 7 cm. Materials: Silver and Smoke Mirror, Hanger: Brass. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbu...
Brass
Postmodern Wall-Mounted Entryway Mirror and Console Table with Glass Top
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This mirror features a multi-layered beech back, a varnished metal frame, a crystal top and a multi-color serigraphed mirror. It might show slight traces of use...
Crystal, Metal
Groove Bronze Median Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Groove Bronze Median Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Dimensions: D 4 x W 215 x H 185 cm. Materials: Okoumé wood, stainless steel, and mirror. Available in two different s...
Stainless Steel
$440Sale Price|53% Off
Large Post Modern Memphis Style Zebra & Wenge Wood Asymmetrical Wall Mirror
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Very cool and unusual asymmetrical Memphis style exotic wood wall mirror. This large mirror is made of thick slabs of irregularly shaped wenge wood and includes striped zebra wood on...
Mirror, Zebra Wood, Wood, Wenge
Contemporary Italian Postmodern Orange Copper Enamel Fiber Glass Round Mirror
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Italian entirely handcrafted as a sculptural artistic work, this round mirror of flat shape with an offset round mirrored plate acquires a modern interesting individuality, with the ...
Enamel, Gold Leaf
Flow Line II Contemporary Sculptural Silver and Black Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Flow Line II Contemporary Sculptural Silver and Black Mirror by Homa. Dimensions: W 46 x D 23 x H 14 cm Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier ...
Glass, Mirror
$17,926 / item
Deer Head Crest Antler Mirror by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Deer Head Crest Antler Mirror by The Peak Antler Dimensions: W 106.68 x D 60.96 x H 182.88 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Custom o...
Antler
Postmodern Oval Wall-Mounted Entryway Mirror and Console Table with Glass Top
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This mirror features a multi-layered beech back, a varnished metal frame, a crystal top and a multi-color serigraphed mirror. It might show slight traces of use...
Crystal, Metal
Limited Edition Blue Nebula Concave Multicolor Oxidized Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition Blue Nebula Concave Multicolor Oxidized Mirror by Homa Dimensions: D 97 x H 7 cm Materials: Concave Oxidized Mirror, Hanger: Brass. HOMA is a contemporary design ate...
Brass
Veletta Two-Sided Magnifying Make-Up Mirror in Brass, Horn & Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Veletta Two-Sided Magnifying Make-Up Mirror in Brass, Horn & Wood by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 13 x W 21 x H 35 cm. Materials: Horn, mirror, brass, and lacquered wood. Available in thr...
Brass, Other
Limestone Texture Wabi Sabi Decor Ceramic Small Wall Mirror by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Limestone Texture Wabi Sabi Decor Ceramic Small Wall Mirror by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: W 20,3 x H 30,4 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based cera...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware, Mirror
$2,750Sale Price|50% Off
Brueton Post Modern Reflection Two Stainless and Marble Mirror by J. Wade Beam
By J. Wade Beam, Brueton
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Striking looking and beautifully constructed Reflection Two Mirror designed by J. Wade Beam and made by high end furniture manufactuer, Brueton. This large mirror has a frame of poli...
Marble, Stainless Steel
Manitas Unique Floor Mirror in Black Marble & Glass Mirror by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Manitas Unique Floor Mirror in Black Marble & Glass Mirror by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 20 x W 90 x H 170 H cm. Materials: Black marble and glass mirror. Available i...
Marble
Lapis 13 Sculptural Silver Mirror with Handblown Glass by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lapis 13 Sculptural Silver Mirror with Handblown Glass by Homa Dimensions: W 35 x D 17 x H 40 cm Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based i...
Glass, Mirror
1960 Italy Post-Modern Smoked Mirror in Golden Wood Frame
Located in Brescia, IT
This stunning Post Modern mirror has a golden wood frame dated circa 1960. The giant smoked mirror has a clear mirror square in the center. The resu...
Mirror, Wood
Vintage Stacked Wood Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking large-scale wall mirror is a quintessential example of Postmodern architectural design, featuring a monumental frame with deep, stepped tiers. Crafted from wood with an...
Mirror, Wood
Postmodern Bronze Rectangular Wall Mirror by Giannobi, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s - 1980s. This mirror features a rose gold mirror with a brass aluminum frame. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be...
Aluminum
Narciso Dos Wall Mirror in Grey Quarry Stone & Glass Mirror by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Narciso Dos Wall Mirror in Grey Quarry Stone & Glass Mirror by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 5 x W 60 x H 160 H cm. Materials: Grey Quarry stone and glass mirror. Availa...
Stone
Bespoke Contemporary Italian Memphis Design Gold Turquoise Murano Glass Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Contemporary custom-made modern mirror, entirely hand-made in Italy, of organic stylized kite shape, that can be displayed horizontally or vertically. Of unique Memphis-inspired desi...
Brass, Silver Leaf
INO Large Wall Mirror in Polished Aluminum by Martens & Visser
Located in Geneve, CH
INO Large Wall Mirror in Polished Aluminum by Martens & Visser. Dimensions: D 5 x W 39 x H 50 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Mounting: easily hangs with a single attachment point. Cus...
Aluminum
Mirror 'Rondo 75', Gradient, in Stainless Steel by Zieta
Looking At You 2.0 Mirror in Cast Aluminum and Brass by Jordan Fleming
Located in Geneve, CH
Looking At You 2.0 Mirror in Cast Aluminum and Brass by Jordan Fleming. Limited series, strictly governed by a yearly cap to ensure artisanal quality. Dimensions: W 44 x D 5 x H 80 c...
Aluminum, Brass
Coexist Standing Mirror in Black Marble & Black Steel by Slash Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Coexist Standing Mirror in Black Marble & Black Steel by Slash Objects Dimensions: D 35,5 x W 66 x H 183 cm. Materials: Polished black marble, black steel. Slash Objects is an awar...
Marble, Brass
Stratos Quadro Red & Yellow Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Stratos Quadro Red & Yellow Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Special Edition of 11 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: D 4 x W 210 x H 170 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, mir...
Stainless Steel, Other
$4,289 / item
Domina II 120 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project
Located in Geneve, CH
Domina II 120 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project Dimensions: D 4/6 x Ø 120 cm. Materials: Leather, brushed brass, mirror, and wood. Available in different finishes and sizes. Please cont...
Brass
JMF Style Shagreen Framed Square Mirror by Ron Seff
By Ron Seff
Located in North Miami, FL
A beautiful cream toned shagreen skin frame on mahogany wood and beveled mirror. Perfect 42 inch square, heavy and important piece by Ron Seff. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FR...
Shagreen Stingray, Mirror, Wood
Punk Bronze Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Punk Bronze Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Special Edition of 7 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: D 16 x W 350 x H 350 cm. Materials: Leather, mirror, Okoumé wood, and po...
Leather, Mirror, Foam, Wood
$6,410 / item
Bronze, Steel Portal Mirror by Splady Art Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze, Steel Portal Mirror by Splady Art Studios Design by Tori Hermes Dimensions: W 14 x D 20 x H 29 cm. Materials: Steel, Bronze. ‘Portal Mirror’ invites us to look beyond the su...
Steel
Cutting Space Large Mirror in Polished Stainless Steel by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Cutting Space Large Mirror by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 25 x W 150 x H 60 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. With these stainless steel mirror polished mirrors, Toni Gril...
Stainless Steel
$3,461 / item
Bare Pink Wall Mirror by OOM Contemporary Glass
Located in Geneve, CH
Bare Pink Wall Mirror by OOM Contemporary Glass Dimensions: Ø 95 cm. Materials: Silver nitrate on 5 mm pink curved glass. Discover the Dome Collection, where glass artistry meets in...
Other
Limited Edition Wall Mirror by Billy Herrera for Cain Limited, #1/100
By Cain Limited
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning round wall mirror designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, California by Billy Herrera for Cain Limited. The piece is hand made in solid steel carefully working each grove...
Steel, Nickel
Punk Silver Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Punk Silver Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Special Edition of 7 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: D 16 x W 350 x H 350 cm. Materials: Leather, mirror, Okoumé wood, and po...
Leather, Mirror, Wood, Foam
Hipsteria Silver Maxi Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Hipsteria Silver Maxi Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Dimensions: D 4 x W 147 x H 231 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, mirror, and Poplar plywood. Available in three diffe...
Stainless Steel
Belcanto Cornice Silver Mini Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Belcanto Cornice Silver Mini Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Dimensions: D 3 x W 135 x H 135 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, mirror, Swarovski crystals, and fir wood. Ava...
Crystal, Stainless Steel
Stratos Red & Yellow Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Stratos Red & Yellow Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Special Edition of 11 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: D 4 x W 108 x H 250 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, mirror, MD...
Stainless Steel, Other
Rocket Silver Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Rocket Silver Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Special Edition of 7 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: D 16,5 x W 147 x H 320 cm. Materials: Mirror and Okoumé wood. Availab...
Mirror, Wood
$3,589 / item
Mooda Maple Round Mirror 30' by INDO-
Located in Geneve, CH
Mooda Maple round mirror 30´ by INDO- One of a kind Dimensions: Ø 88.9 x 10,2 cm Materials: Maple, Clear Mirror Also available in other dimensions and materials. Please contact us. ...
Glass, Mirror, Maple
Convex Floor Mirror in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Convex Floor Mirror in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: D 5 x W 80 x H 190 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum and mirror. A smooth and sinuous frame taking shape ...
Aluminum
Raggiera Gold Sole 1200 Bright Lighting Round Frameless Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Raggiera Gold Sole 1200 Bright Lighting Round Frameless Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 120 x H 3 cm Materials: gold, bronze mirror / oro, bronzo, specchio. Weight: 13 kg. Code: ...
Mirror
16 x 20" Le' stud Mirror in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Introducing the Le Stud Mirror, a bold, architectural wall mirror that celebrates texture, form, and irreverent style. This sculptural piece redefines the traditional mirror with i...
Mirror, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Crystal Rose Illuminated Mirror in Quartz and Agate by Sev Art Gallery
Located in Geneve, CH
Crystal Rose Illuminated Mirror in Quartz and Agate by Sev Art Gallery. Dimensions: W 60 x D 4 x H 60 cm. Materials: Mirror glass, natural quartz, white agate, epoxy resin, integrate...
Agate, Quartz
Guanto Wall Mirror in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Guanto Wall Mirror in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: D 5 x W 35 x H 80 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum and mirror. Funny expression of elegance and refinemen...
Aluminum
$16,734 / item
Narcisse Mirror by Emilie Lemardeley
Located in Geneve, CH
Narcisse mirror by Emilie Lemardeley. Dimensions: D 82 x H 115 cm. Materials: Hammered steel and mirror. Weight: 15 kg. As Narcisse who plunged into his reflection and drowned,...
Steel
Lapis 19 Sculptural Silver Mirror with Handblown Glass by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lapis 19 Sculptural Silver Mirror with Handblown Glass by Homa Dimensions: W 37 x D 20 x H 39 cm Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based i...
Glass, Mirror
Space Age Round Wall Mirror in Orange and White Lacquer, Custom Sci-Fi Inspired
By Jhon Ortiz
Located in Greenwich, CT
This bold, retro-futuristic wall mirror features a unique segmented frame finished in vibrant orange and crisp white high-gloss marine lacquer. Inspired by mid-century sci-fi aesthet...
Lacquer, Maple
Mirror, Stained Birch Wood by Mun Hau Production
Located in Geneve, CH
Perfume Cabinet, Stained Birch Wood by Mun Hau Production Dimensions: W 23 x D 12 x H 32 cm. Materials: Stained Birch Wood, Mirror. About Mun Hau Production is a Hong Kong woodwork...
Wood, Mirror
Contemporary Italian Black White Copper Geometric Murano Glass Modern Mirror
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques, Vévé Glass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A contemporary Murano glass creation, this wall mirror is entirely handcrafted with the fusion technique in 3 glass colors: black, white, and aventurine (a difficult technique where ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass, Plywood, Opaline Glass
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall mirror designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Pine
Custom Made Modern Forest Green Metal Mirror
Located in North Miami, FL
Heavy and fun deep green metal mirror in modern design and beveled mirror. ONE Mirror only available.
Metal
One Of a Kind Omen Wall Mirror in Pigmented Cement by Studio Noon
By Noon Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
One Of a Kind Omen Wall Mirror in Pigmented Cement by Studio Noon One Of a Kind Dimensions: D 8,9 x 76,2 x H 91,4 cm Material: Pigmented cement. Based in, produced and shipped from ...
Cement
Set of 5 "Gronda" 1970s Luciano Bertoncini for Elco coat rack mirrors
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Modular mirror/coat stand designed by Luciano Bertoncini and produced by Elco in the 1970s.u2028 Plastic box structure with a mirror composed of 2 parts on the front: the upper part ...
Mirror, Plastic
Livelli 1850 Wall Mirror with White Colored MDF by Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Geneve, CH
Livelli 1850 Wall Mirror with White Colored MDF by Barberini & Gunnell Limited Edition of 30 + 2 AP + 1 p. Dimensions: W 75 x H 185 cm. Materials: Mirror and MDF. Limited Edition, ...
Other
Smoke and Silver Half Mirror II in Clear Glass by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Smoke and Silver Half Mirror II in Clear Glass by Homa. Dimensions: D 115 x H 65 cm. Materials: Silver and Smoke Mirror. Please note: This listing includes the Smoke and Silver Mir...
Mirror
$4,615 / item
Barbican Mirror No.1 by a Space
Located in Geneve, CH
Barbican Mirror No.1 by A Space Dimensions: D8,89 x H38,1 x W44,45 cm Materials:Misc recycled. The design duo conceived the Barbican Collection over the spring/summer of 2020 wh...
Other
Sitiera Wall Mirror in Solid Wood, Aged Bronze & Aged Mirror by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Sitiera Wall Mirror in Solid Wood, Aged Bronze & Aged Mirror by Estudio Andean Dimensions: D 3,5 x W 40 x H 79 cm. Materials: Solid wood, aged bronze, and aged mirror. Wall mir...
Bronze
Geometric Gold Eclisse 900 Round Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Geometric Gold Eclisse 900 Round Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 90 x H 2.5 cm Materials: gold, bronze, mirror / oro, bronzo, specchio. Weight: 12 kg. Code: DS1021 Round frame...
Mirror
Unique Sita Wall Mirror - Clear Mirror on Wood Structure by Megarisiotis
Located in Geneve, CH
Sita Wall Mirror by Megarisiotis Dimensions: D 16,5 x W 30 x H 160 cm. Materials: Wood and mirror. Bespoke fabric is available upon request. Prices may vary. Please contact us. In ...
Wood, Mirror