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 German Postmodern Alta Mira Series Ceramic Vase by Gilbert Portanier
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Alta Mira Series Ceramic Vase by Gilbert Portanier for Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. ...
Ceramic
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
$10,722 / item
Luca Coffee Table Small by Umberto Bellardi Ricci
Located in Geneve, CH
Luca coffee table small by Umberto Bellardi Ricci Dimensions: W 71.1 x D 109.24 x H 22.9 cm Materials: Travertine, bronze legs. Umberto Bellardi...
Travertine, Bronze
CAPITELLO Lounge Chair, Studio 65 for GUFRAM, Limited Edition Italy 1972
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare limited edition “Capitello” chaise lounge designed by Studio 65 for Gufram, originally designed in 1971. Marked 166/500, this iconic sculptural form reinterprets the capital of ...
Foam
$1,942 / item
Weaving Chair by hm-LI Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Weaving Chair by hm-LI Studio Dimensions: W 50 x D 51 x H 79.1 cm Materials: Choice of finish on Bent Ply Wood. Available Finishes: Blackened Oak, Walnut, Oak, Black Lacquer. Weavi...
Plywood
Post Rural Model Coffee Table by Studio Superego, Italy
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Post Rural model coffee table designed by Studio Superego for Superego Editions. Colored plexiglass table revisiting rural design. Biography Superego editions was born in 2006, perf...
Plexiglass
Neolithic Thinker Sculptural Stool Tezontle Volcanic Stone, Red
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Neolithic Thinker is a stool hand sculpted from red tezontle stone, a highly oxidized and porous volcanic rock endemic to Mexico. Its design draws from different historical reference...
Stone
Brass & Glass Chandelier by Vaughan Lighting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid brass and hand-blown glass lantern light designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom by Vaughan Designs. The piece has beautiful lines and is perfect for mid-century to ...
Brass
Vintage Cram's Political Terrestrial Illuminated Light-Up Globe on Mahogany Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage 16" Physical Political Terrestrial Light-up Globe by The George F. Cram Company, Inc (Indianapolis, IN, ca. 1980 - Upper Volta, Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe all present). Compose...
Metal
Pair of Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Chairs with Custom Ottomans
Located in Saint Louis, MO
These classic Vladimir Kagan Nautilus swivel lounge chairs are sculptural, comfortable and fun, and were recently professionally reupholstered in super soft curly camel. Modern with ...
Upholstery
No. 13 Circle Green, Grey Contemporary Art Wall Sconce by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Circle Blue Grey Wall Sconce by Sander Bottinga. Handmade in brass, leather, wood, and hand-printed and painted linen. Dimensions: H 35 x W 27 x D 23 cm. (A dimmer is inlaid with le...
Brass
Baume & Mercier Men's Calendar Watch in 18 kt Gold Vintage
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Baume & Mercier 18 kt Gold Vintage Men's Calendar Watch Beautiful Baume & Mercier 18 kt gold watch with tiger's eye dial and integrated calendar, lea...
Gold
$1,942 / item
Black Poodle Armchair by Mati Sipiora
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Poodle Armchair by Mati Sipiora Dimensions: D 53 x W 66 x H 70 cm Materials: Painted. Finish: Glossy Powder Coating Paint. Weight: 14KG (Steel) 13...
Paint
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
$156,124 / item
Vastra Dining Table in Breccia Medicea Marble by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Vastra Dining Table in Breccia Medicea Marble by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 266 x D 118 x H 74 cm. Materials: Breccia Medicea Marble. This listing features our Vastra Dining Table expe...
Marble, Breccia Marble
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Rectangular Glass Coffee Table in Black & Gray
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sleek post modern design from Italy circa early 90's. Textured resin over wood with clear glass top.
Glass, Wood
$200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Post-Modern Memphis Style Salt and Pepper Shakers by Olde Thompson
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice pair of post-modern Memphis style salt and pepper shakers by Olde Thompson, circa 1980s. The set is constructed of hard wood with colorful high lacquered paint. The pair ...
Wood
$2,566 / item
Domina I 80 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project
Located in Geneve, CH
Domina I 80 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project Dimensions: D 4/6 x Ø 80 cm. Materials: Calacatta Gold marble, brushed brass, mirror, and wood. Available in different finishes and sizes. ...
Marble, Brass
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
Early Arco lamp designed by Pier Giacomo & Achille Castiglioni for Flos, 1962
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Arco Floor lamp designed by Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos in 1962 manufactured by Flos, Italy ca. 1970, purchased by its prior owners in 1972. With early makers be...
Marble, Steel
Original Proust Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Italy
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Historical piece of contemporary design, the Proust armchair with carved and hand painted wooden frame, fixed multicolored fabric hand- painted lining ...
Wood
$20,201 / item
Lamb Chair by Vladimir Naumov
Located in Geneve, CH
Lamb Chair by Vladimir Naumov Dimensions: D 116 x W 119 x H 84 cm Materials: Faux Lamb Fur, Wood Customizable Size. Please contact us. Vladimir Naumov is a professional architect, ...
Faux Fur, Wood
Corsi Medusa Vase (Large), Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large Matte White "Medusa" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. * All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Variations in the hu...
Resin
Adrian Pearsall Post Modern Swivel Chair and Ottoman in Ivory White Bouclé
By Comfort Designs, Inc., Adrian Pearsall
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large 1980s Adrian Pearsall Post Modern swivel chair and swivel top ottoman freshly reupholstered in Ivory White Bouclé made b...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$14,691 / item
Walnut Cloud Table L by Veermakers
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut Cloud Table L by Veermakers Dimensions: W 185 x D 130 x H 30 cm. Materials: Walnut Classic with a satin clear coat / Walnut Rich Hi-gloss legs. About: After years of success...
Walnut
$1,770Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Design KORIUM KM1 Leather Armchair by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design KORIUM KM1 Leather Arm Chair by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi. Made in Italy, 1980's period. All dark blue grey leather armchair. Very comfortable lounge ch...
Leather
Bubble Glass Side Table by Panorammma, Hand-Blown, Post-Modern Design
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Bubble Glass Side Table embodies a retro-futuristic fantasy. Inspired by past visions of the future, it draws from mysterious tales of speculative technologies and flying saucers...
Glass
Dama in Venice, Solid Wood, Sideboard by Sebastiano Zilio
Located in Geneve, CH
Dama in Venice, Solid Wood, Sideboard by Sebastiano Zilio Dimensions: W 279.6 x D 49.2 x H 77.3 cm. Materials: Solid Sungkai wood, About: Sebastiano Zilio Italy, 1969 Italian desi...
Wood
Sofa and Armchairs Set by Percival Lafer, Customised in Brown Leather
Located in PARIS, FR
Born in São Paulo in 1936 into a family of Brazilian furniture manufacturers, Percival Lafer trained as an architect at the Mackenzie School before joining the family firm, Lafer S.A...
Leather, Wood, Foam
$1,106 / 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
$8,700Sale Price / set|40% Off
1990s Beige American Leather Curved Sectional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Extremely rare and one of kind postmodern three pieces sculptural sectional for American Leather. American Leather Studio metal button; American Leather Studio tag. This beautiful Butter color...
Leather, Wood
Abstract Geometric Painting by Jacques Clements, Circa Late 20th Century
Located in Peabody, MA
Angular modernist painting by the noted colorist Jacques Clements (1926-2019) of Rochester, NY, circa late 20th century.
Paint
Natural Shape Hand-Dyed Blanc Sable Ecru Corca Sheepskin Rug by Carine Boxy
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Shape Hand-Dyed Blanc Sable Ecru Corca Sheepskin Rug by Carine Boxy Dimensions: 195 x 135 cm Materials: Naturally dyed sheepskin. Size and color can be customized upon reques...
Sheepskin
Tetris Laguna Oak and Marble Console by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Tetris Laguna Oak and Marble Console by Morica Design Dimensions: D 49 x W 150 x H 75 cm. Materials: Laguna oak, White Carrara marble, metal. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Laguna O...
Marble, Metal
Terre Tobacco Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Terre Tobacco Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 30 x H 22 cm. Base: H 30 cm. Materials: Jute and ceramic. Weight: 2,4 kg. All our lamps can ...
Ceramic, Jute
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
Mod Travertine Up & Up Coffee Table Made in Italy c. 1970's
By Up & Up
Located in New York, NY
Voguish 1970's marble coffee table made in Italy by Up & Up. The table consists of two opposing triangular elements, which can be placed together to form a square coffee table, or pl...
Travertine
$6,604 / item
Ash Mirror II by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Mirror II by Homa Dimensions: D 80 x H 4 cm Materials: Smoke and Silver Mirror. Clear Glass. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The atelier’s trademark pro...
Mirror, Glass
$360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Crystal Candle Holders by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda Sweden
Located in San Diego, CA
Minimalist pair of crystal candle holders by Kjell Engman for Kosta Boda, circa 1990s. The pair are in great vintage condition with no c...
Crystal
Play Time Table by Panorammma, Hand-Carved Stone & Onyx, 70cm Diameter
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rounded pillars of blue calcite, pink marble, caramel onyx and green onyx carry a black marble top to create Play-time Table; An elegant rendition of children’s furniture. A piece m...
Stone, Onyx, Marble
$5,827 / item
Crema Tirreno Roll Ball Sink by Serafini
Located in Geneve, CH
Crema Tirreno roll ball sink by Serafini Special Edition Materials: Crema Tirreno marble. Dimensions: D 54.5 x H 14 cm Tap not included. Marmi Serafini is...
Marble
Sunburst Lung 1.0 Side Table in Hand Molded Resin by Szymon Keller
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunburst Lung 1.0 Side Table in Hand Molded Resin by Szymon Keller. Dimensions: W 25 x D 25 x H 50 cm. Materials: Hand-molded resin. Available in Transparent, Sand Matte, Honey Matt...
Resin
Basquiat Gold Griot Skateboard Deck 2019 (Basquiat skateboard deck)
By (after) Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Limited edition Basquiat Gold Griot Skateboard Deck c. 2019: Rare limited edition Basquiat skateboard deck published by The Broad Museum Los Angeles in conjunction with the estate of...
Wood
$952Sale Price|58% Off
1980s Art Deco Standing Mirror by Marquis Collection, Tessellated Stone
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1, Maitland Smith
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A spectacular Art Deco inspired mirror from the Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills, this monumental piece embodies the glamour and sculptural artistry for which the brand is renowne...
Stone
Postmodern Collectible Swatch Watch Keith Haring & Disney Collaboration NIB
By Swatch, (after) Keith Haring
Located in San Diego, CA
Very collectible never used Swatch after Keith Haring , great design never used.
Plastic
F.A. Porsche Designed Cast Aluminum Armchair / Side Chair for Ycami, Italy 1990
By Ferdinand A. Porsche, Ycami Collection, Philippe Starck, Driade
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Rare Boulevard Armchair designed by Ferdinand A. Porsche (F.A. Porsche) for Ycami Edizioni. Made in Italy in 1990. Cast aluminum construction, it features a maker's marking and desig...
Chrome, Aluminum
$1,871 / item
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Looking for Equilibrium Sculpture by MCB Ceramics Unique piece. Dimensions: D 20 x H 75 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Numerated and signed by the artist. All ...
Ceramic
$2,354Sale Price / set|20% Off
"Rennie" Set of Chairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, Kazuki Italy 1980
Located in Argelato, BO
Kazuhide Takahama, (1930-2010), Set of 6 dining chairs model "Rennie", Italy 1970 circa High backrest and wide seat upholstered in green fabric, the legs forming shelves in glossy bl...
Fabric, Wood
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
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Copper Tone Geometric Folding Room Divider by Robert Sonneman
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Post-Modern folding room divider designed by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs in the United States, circa 1990. This functional design features a quality-crafted brushed metal frame...
Steel
Large Vintage C. Jeré Post Modern Abstract Painted Steel & Copper Wall Sculpture
By C. Jeré Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large vintage Post Modern Curtis Jeré geometric or abstract brushed steel, black painted metal and copper wall sculpture. Signed and dated 1998. Overall very nice condition. Fits wel...
Steel, Copper
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
Vintage Red Pop Art APC Pouring Paint Can Bank
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A perfectly Pop Art 1980s pouring paint can piggy bank/sculpture. Metal paint can with a quarter-sized coin slot in its bottom appears to be defying gravity by resting on a pouring ...
Metal
Post Modern Shaped Canvas Painting by Joan Swanson, D. 1984
Located in Peabody, MA
Post modern shaped canvas work of a pink painted triangle by Southern California artist Joan Swanson, dated 1984. She is a well exhibited painter and sculptor who studied with the renowned minimalists John McCracken...
Paint
Contemporary F.ACE Golden Finish Aluminium Wall Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
F.ACE Aluminium Wall Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 6 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Aluminium The F.ACE Hook is a riff on our popular compass Hook. It is sand cast in solid Alumin...
Aluminum
Mid Century Floor Lamp Fackla, Ikea, Uplighter, Sweden, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Praha, CZ
- very nice style of lighting.
Plastic
Speckled Squiggle Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Speckled Squiggle Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio Dimensions: W 215 x L 305 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in different colors and size options. Prices may vary. Car...
Wool
Eames Molded Plywood Folding Screen, White Ash
By Charles and Ray Eames, Herman Miller
Located in Toronto, CA
The typical zig-zag format of a screen is brilliantly surpassed in this iconic design by Charles and Ray Eames, originally designed in 1946. Composed of six ten-inch sections of mold...
Wood, Ash
Black Strip Chairs by Gijs Bakker for Castelijn (Set of 6)
By Castelijn, Gijs Bakker
Located in North Charleston, SC
A set of 6 'Strip' black chairs by Gijs Bakker for Castelijn. In really good condition. Stackable.
Bentwood
Mia Wall Light in Ceramic with Glossy Lacquered Finish by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Mia Wall Light in Ceramic with Glossy Lacquered Finish by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 16 x D 11.5 x H 30 cm. Materials: Handmade ceramic structure finished in high-quality colored ...
Ceramic, Lacquer
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