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.
$8,255 / item
Colette End Table in Aluminium by Animate Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Colette End Table in Aluminium by Animate Objects. Dimensions: W 60 x D 60 x H 45 cm. Materials: Aluminium, brass-plated. Named in honor of Sidonie Gabrielle Colette, whose fearless...
Aluminum, Brass
$3,840Sale Price / set|20% Off
4 chrome and black leather Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen Dark Horse chairs
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Botium
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A set of 4 rare and beautiful Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen Dark Horse chairs in chrome and black leather for Botium, 1980s. The playful design el...
Chrome
$1,455 / item
Lasca Wall Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Lasca Wall Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 26 x D 18 x H 37 cm Materials: Cristallo quartzite and cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum Also availabl...
Quartz, Metal
$1,001 / item
Cut Smoked Black Small Vase by Studionudo
Located in Geneve, CH
Cut Smoked Black Small Vase by Studionudo Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 26 x H 24 cm. Materials: Clay. Different finishes and sizes are available. Prices may vary. Please contact us. ...
Clay
$2,800 / item
Onde Table — Natural, Black and Dark Walnut
Located in Singapore, SG
This Onde Desk variation, designed by Studio Kallang, features the studio's signature striking Black/Natural Onde Motif along with a rich, dark-stained teak body. Handcrafted in Ind...
Teak
1980s Postmodern Chairs by Samo, Ettore Sottsass Style, Black Enameled Metal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chair by French manufacturer Samo captures the bold spirit of 1980s Postmodern design. The striking U-shaped curved back formed from black enameled metal tubing creates a sculptural ...
Metal, Enamel
$6,885 / item
Cloud Mirror Side Table by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Cloud Mirror Side Table by Homa Dimensions: D 50 x H 0.4 cm Marble Block: 32 x 25 x 47 cm Materials: Smoke and Silver Mirror. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbu...
Mirror
$11,210 / item
Pivot Double Wall Lamp by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pivot double wall lamp by Gentner Design. Dimensions: D 140 x W 5 x H 40.6 cm. Materials: hand rubbed brass. Available in polished tarnished brass, dar...
Brass
Vermelha Chair, Campana Brothers for Edra, 2000s
By Campana Brothers, Edra
Located in Renens, CH
The Vermelha Chair by the Campana Brothers, stands out as a distinctive piece of contemporary design. Infused with inspiration from Bra...
Metal
Ward Bennett for Sasaki Japan - Crystal bowl Sengai's Picture of the Universe
By Ward Bennett
Located in St. Louis, MO
A post-modern Ward Bennett design for Sasaki Japan, clear lead crystal bowl with etched circle-triangle-square pattern, 1/2" thick rim. The circle-triangle-square is Sengai's pictur...
Crystal
80s Modern Cream Sphere Vase
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage 80s ceramic vase. High gloss cream glaze in a simple modern sphere shape.
Ceramic
Wall lighting Murano glass large XXL, Italy 1980
By AVMazzega
Located in La xara, VC
Murano Glass wall lighting or Flush Mount , Italy, Late 1980s These are Murano glass ceiling or wall lights with a gilt gold incrustation metal bracket, from the production of Mura...
Gold Leaf
Swedish Designer, Table Lamp, Stone, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A stone table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 6.25” H x 4.35” W x 3.25” W Dimensions of Shade (inches): 7” Top Diameter x 10” Bottom Dia...
Stone
$1,001 / item
Ampla 03 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ampla 03 Stoneware Clay Vase by SOIO Studio Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 20 cm Materials: Stoneware clay, matte glaze. SOIO Studio is a design studio based in Dubai creating sculptural coll...
Clay, Stoneware
$25,946 / 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
$317,126 / item
590 Million Years Love Table by Alina Alamorean, France
Located in Geneve, CH
590 Million Years Love Table by Alina Alamorean One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 90 x W 170 x H 82 cm. Materials: Granite and iron steel. This table can be used as an office desk. Diffe...
Granite, Steel, Iron
Achille Castiglioni Zanotta Servino Wine Bottle Cooler, Ice Bucket, Italy, 1987
By Achille Castiglioni, Zanotta
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful, minimalist, and quite rare postmodern floor-standing champagne, wine, and drinks cooler / ice bucket / bottle holder designed in 1987 by Achille Castiglioni and produced...
Metal
Large Vintage Sculptural Postmodern Ikebana Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Lutz, FL
Large vintage Post Modern Sculptural Ikebana vase by Keiko & David Hergesheimer of Catalpa Lane Pottery c.1990’s. Interesting cantilevered shape and lovely gradient glaze In shades o...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
Postmodern Grey Metal Set of Six Flush Mounts by Blauet, Barcelona, 1980s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty Postmodern Spanish Set of Six grey metal Flush Mounts by Blauet. Model: Birimbao-2. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Blauet during 1980s. ...
Metal
$814 / item
Mocap "white/white" Illusionistic Wall Clock
By Jan Paul
Located in Maastricht, NL
“Time is an illusion” Most wall-clocks have the same basic shape: round. Also the same looking time-indication by numbers or stripes. “MOCAP” steps away from the basic. It’s appeara...
Steel
$1,121 / 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
$7,741 / item
Mahogany Alter Table by Michael Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Mahogany Alter Table by Michael Wilson Dimensions: W 149.86 x D 36.83 x H 86.36 cm Materials: mahogany The Michael Wilson Studio was founded in the fall of 2000. The Japanese-Americ...
Other
C Shaped Side Table in Stainless Steel by Veliento
Located in Geneve, CH
C Shaped Side Table in Stainless Steel by Veliento. Dimensions: 40 x 30 x 60 cm Materials: Stainless Steel. All pieces are made to order. Custom f...
Metal, Stainless Steel
$2,254 / item
Melody Counter Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Melody Counter Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 95 cm. SH: 70 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Mustard, CV 10. Legs:...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Pair Vintage Italian Bronze Faux-Bamboo Side Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Side chairs cast in bronze to simulate natural bamboo construction, retaining irregular nodes and crossed branch stretchers beneath a ladder back. The naturalistic modeling reflects ...
Bronze
$4,002Sale Price|20% Off
Writing desk space age ORIX model produced by Molteni Italia 1970s
By Vittorio Parigi, Molteni & C
Located in Milano, Lombardia
iconic vintage space age design desk model Orix designed by Vittorio Parigi and Nanni Prina, production Molteni 1971. Orange-colored ABS plastic top, the chromed steel frame, tilting...
Chrome
Lily Table Lamp in Wood with Cotton Pleated Shade by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Lily Table Lamp in Wood with Cotton Pleated Shade by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 69 cm. Materials: Brushed oak or solid turned beech wood base paired with a premium pleated ...
Cotton, Wood
Danish Modern Decorative Porcelain Egg 1977
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful decorative porcelain egg by royal copenhagen circa 1977, excellent condition on a brass stand.
Porcelain
Michael Graves Postmodern Club or Lounge Chairs by David Edward Company
By David Edward, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Topeka, KS
We are offering here a large number of Michael Graves designed postmodern club chairs or lounge chairs produced by David Edward Company. We have p...
Fabric, Maple
German Postmodern Office Swivel Chair from Impac, 1992
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern office chair by the german manufacturer impac from the early 90s. a design that is strongly shaped by a postmodern design language and color world. Seat and backrest are ...
Wood
Postmodern Square Blue End Side Drink Table Memphis Style, Small
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Group
Located in New York, NY
A cool, chic, small royal blue side/end/drinks table, Postmodern period, Memphis style, after designer Marco Zanini, circa late-20th century, 1980s. A monochromatic table in wood and...
Laminate, Wood
21st Century by Ce Studio Coffee Table Steel Artisan Finish Custom
Located in Lecce, IT
Indoor-outdoor coffee table, elongated and curved cylindrical base, steel top.
Steel
German Black Kreuzschwinger Kitchen Barstool by Till Behrens, 1980s
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
An original Till Behrens Kreuzschwinger kitchen stools or bar stools in a rare black version.Elegant design classic by Prof. … Read more An...
Metal
A Memphis Milano Post-Modern Ceramic Vase By Marco Zanini for Bitossi
By Bitossi, Marco Zanini
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This Marco Zanini vase for Bitossi is a quintessential example of the Memphis Milano style, characterized by its bold colors, geometric shapes, and playful, innovative design. The va...
Ceramic
$262 / item
Plate Classic Almond Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Plate Classic Almond Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: Ø 18,4 x H 20,8 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel. Available in different color options. The PVC cord length is 200 cm. Pl...
Steel
Set of 4 Alessandro Albrizzi Chrome & Cognac Suede Director Chairs
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Exceptional set of four Alessandro Albrizzi director chairs featuring a crisp, architectural polished chrome frame paired with rich cognac suede (or nubuck-style) upholstery. The des...
Chrome
$1,950Sale Price|30% Off
Vetement Couture Limited Edition Calfskin Paperbag Clutch Messenger Bag, 2019
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vetement Couture limited edition calfskin paperbag clutch messenger bag, fall winter 2019. Numbered, limited edition.
Magnets
Modernist Architect Designed Dog House Bow Wow House by Robert Young Architect
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Modernist dog house designed by noted NYC and Hamptons based contemporary architect Robert Young. The dog house, known as the Bow Wow House, feat...
Plastic, Wood
Conrans Chrome Elliptical Sconce
Located in Riverdale, NY
Chrome Half Moon Up Light Elliptical Sconce retailed by Conran's in the 1980's in original box. Made in France. 15.5" x 8" deep x 3" high.
Chrome
Rare XXL Desk Lamp In The Postmodern Popart Memphis Style of Haba, 90s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Rare XXL desk lamp in the postmodern popart Memphis style of Haba, 90s Very nice and rare postmodern desk lamp from Haba from the 80s, 90s. The flexible lamp can serve both as a des...
Wood
1984 Woodcut Lithograph Screenprint & Collage by Roy Litchtenstein Estate
Located in San Diego, CA
Small and rare unframed woodcut , lithograph , screenprint and collage by the State of Roy Lichtenstain , two paintings ; green lamp 1984 . Introducing an exquisite piece of artistry...
Paper
Callimaco Limited Edition Black Version by Ettore Sottsass for Artemide, 1982
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Callimaco floor lamp mod. designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982 for Artemide. Limited edition, black version, emblematic lamp of Sottsass Radical Design that brings artistic and concep...
Steel
$3,597 / 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 125 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Numerated and signed by the artist. All...
Ceramic
$17,400 / set
Angelo Brotto for Esperia Large Pendants
By Esperia, Angelo Brotto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Brotto for Esperia, pendant lights, glass, brass, Italy, 1970s Exuding elegance in every aspect, Angelo Brotto's design captivates the eye. Suspended from a brass fixture, a ...
Brass
Vintage Table Lamp by Sacha Ketoff for Aluminor, France, 1980s
By Aluminor
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare, postmodern table lamp from the French manufacturer Aluminor based on a design by Sacha Ketoff from the 80s. This design was created in a competition as part of the exhibition "...
Metal
Fiorucci Canister Italy, c. 1980
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is a tall metal canister with a matching lid by Fiorucci, made in Italy circa the 1980s. The image is repeated on both sides.
Steel
Radical Memphis style table clock, lacquered metal, 1980s
Located in taranto, IT
Table clock in full Radical Memphis style, produced in the early 1980s, postmodern, made of lacquered metal, with white dial on black background. Designer's signature visible on the ...
Metal
Contemporary Aged Brass Chandelier, Tryst Six by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Polished Brass Chandelier, Tryst Six by Paul Matter Tryst chandelier explores the relationship between interlocked forms in perfect unio...
Brass
Maitland Smith Tessellated Fossil Stone and Brass Coffee Table Mid Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This wonderful coffee table is striking in its unusual shape and will make a statement in your home! Tessellated fossil stone and brass detailing make this a very special table.
Stone, Brass
Set of 5 Space Age Futuristic Octagonal Metal Stacking Dining Chairs by Fröscher
By Hartmut Engel, Fröscher Sitform
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 5 Rio chairs by Hartmut S. Engel for Froscher - Sitform, circa 1980s, Germany. Designer: HARTMUT S. ENGEL Brand: FRÖSCHER Product line: SITFORM Year: Circa 1980 IF Design Awa...
Steel
Beautiful People I Mirror in Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Beautiful People I Mirror in Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: D 18 x W 103 x H 130 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: Patinated ...
Bronze
$21,232 / item
Aniston 3 Seats Sofa by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Aniston 3 Seats Sofa by Domkapa Materials: Fiber, Black Texturized Steel. Dimensions: W 230 x D 97 x H 83 cm. Also available in different materials. Please contact us. Aniston...
Steel
Austrian Postmodern "Cocoon" Chandelier by EGLO Leuchten, 1990s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty Austrian "Cocoon" Chandelier. This Chandelier was designed during the 1990s in Austria by Eglo Leuchten. Original “Eglo” label still shows on the structure. This "Cocoon" Cha...
Metal
$2,871 / item
Domina II 90 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project
Located in Geneve, CH
Domina II 90 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project Dimensions: D 4/6 x Ø 90 cm. Materials: Leather, brushed brass, mirror, and wood. Available in different finishes and sizes. Please contac...
Marble
$8,528 / item
Josephine 230 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Josephine 230 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 103 x W 230 x H 83 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and wild silk. Available in all M...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$16,270 / item
Rockhound Cabinet by Laylo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Rockhound Cabinet by Laylo Studio Limited Edition Dimensions: D 50 x W 106.6 x H 91.4 cm. Materials: Steel, stainless steel, linoleum, oak, limestone. Deposited by prehistoric seas ...
Limestone, Steel, Stainless Steel
Oil on Canvas Portrait Painting, Unknown Danish Artist, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
This evocative portrait painting presents a male figure rendered in a dark, atmospheric style. The work is characterized by dramatic lighting and a rich background that shifts betwee...
Canvas
Rare set of Three Michael Graves Bent Wood and Steel Barstools
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare set of three steam-bent maple wood and steel framed post modern barstools designed by NYC architect and designer Michael Graves. Graves often featured a modernist aesthetic wit...
Steel
Sterling silver chain link bracelet
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Sterling silver chain link bracelet Beautiful silver bracelet that represents chains that can be used by both women and men, with an instinctive and easy opener. Length: 21 centimeters
Sterling Silver
$5,765 / item
Bud Table Lamp by Atelier Demichelis
Located in Geneve, CH
Bud table lamp by Atelier Demichelis Limited edition of 20 pieces, numbered and signed Dimensions: D 40 x H 71 cm Materials: Br...
Bronze