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.
$2,749Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Planter from Kettal, Spain, Emiliana Design Studio
By Kettal
Located in Vienna, Austria
The "Zigzag" Planter L is from Kettal s collection of decorative objects for outdoors. Designed by Emiliana Design Studio in Spain. This planter has a robust metal structure that ...
Steel
$5,969 / item
Aarde Square Brown Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Aarde Square Brown Planter by Indigenus Designed by Sebastian Herkner Dimensions: W 75 x H 68 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 90 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Please c...
Stone
Anodised Aluminium Planter / Vessel Multi-Coloured from Cosmos collection
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Cosmos extends the exploration into manually anodised aluminium pieces. Building on the success of Grow-UP planters for MCQ in 2021, the collection showcases abstract anodising dye p...
Aluminum
$549 / item
Lace Burgundy 50 High Pot by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace Burgundy high 50 pot by Mowee Dimensions: Ø55 x H112 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 9 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (Lacquered...
Stainless Steel, Other
$515 / item
Light Red Mr. Bot Table Lamp by GlocalDesign
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Red Mr. Bot Table Lamp by GlocalDesign Dimensions: D 27 x W 37 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This product is suita...
Other
Terra Tall XS Sandstone Planter With Natural Wood Base by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Terra Tall XS Sandstone Planter With Natural Wood Base by Indigenus Designed by Laurie Wiid van Heerden Dimensions: W 45,2 x H 92,1 cm. Materials: Stone and wood. Weight: 37 kg. Dif...
Stone
$687 / item
Cubo 25 LED Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Cubo 25 LED Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 25 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. All our lamps can be wired ac...
Other
$2,428 / item
Pebble XS Black Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble XS Black Planter by Indigenus Designed by Yabu Pushelberg Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 49 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 25 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Please contac...
Stone
Pr. Spun Fiberglass Planters att. to The Woodard Furniture Company c. 1960's
Located in New York, NY
Pair of spun fiberglass planters made by the Woodard Furniture Company, circa 1960's. Both are in very good, clean original, ready to use condition, showing only light cosmetic wear,...
Fiberglass
Pair of Large Detroit Studio Modernist Blue Cement Planter Pots or Garden Stools
Located in Ferndale, MI
Pair of cast cement planter pots or garden stools. Blue dyed and natural toned cement swirl together to create one of a kind garden art . Quite heavy . Priced and selling as a pair .
Cement
$549 / item
Lace Grey High 50 Pot by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace Grey High 50 pot by MOWEE Dimensions: Ø55 x H112 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 9 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (Lacquered or ...
Stainless Steel, Other
Anodised Aluminium Planter / Vessel Multi-Coloured from Cosmos collection
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
This particular planter has been sold. It can be reproduced in the same colours and a similar pattern. Otherwise other planters in the same style are available. Cosmos extends the e...
Aluminum
$721 / item
Pumpkin Orange Blos Pot by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Blos Pot by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 42 x W 55 x H 32 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Please contact us. Our stor...
Other
$4,628 / item
Bhaca Small Terracotta Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Bhaca Small Terracotta Planter by Indigenus Designed by Andile Dyalvane Dimensions: Ø 87,3 x H 67,8 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 65 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Pl...
Stone
Italian post-modern elongated rectangular wooden planter with wheels, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post-modern elongated rectangular wooden planter with wheels, 1980s Planter entirely made of wood with wheels. The structure has an elongated rectangular shape, on one side t...
Metal
Sand Container Large Sculptural Planter in Quartz Sand by Jacob Egeberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Sand Container Large Sculptural Planter in Quartz Sand by Jacob Egeberg Dimensions: Ø 45 x H 50 cm. Materials: Quartz sand. Available in three different size options. Prices may var...
Other
$5,671 / item
Threebù 4 Totem Lighted Pot by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Threebù 4 Totem Lighted Pot by Marcantonio Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 180 cm. Materials: Polyethylene and metal. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This product...
Metal, Other
$6,553 / item
Aarde Tall Sandstone Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Aarde Tall Sandstone Planter by Indigenus Designed by Sebastian Herkner Dimensions: W 75 x H 108 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 110 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Plea...
Stone
Light White Davide Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Light White Davide Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: D 30 x W 35 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This product is suit...
Other
$721 / item
Sweet Fuchsia Blos Pot by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Blos Pot by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 42 x W 55 x H 32 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Please contact us. Our stori...
Other
$2,875 / item
Pebble Midi Sandstone Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble Midi Sandstone Planter by Indigenus Designed by Yabu Pushelberg Dimensions: Ø 61 x H 60 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 40 kg. Different colors an...
Stone
$5,889 / item
Soma Tall White Stone Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Soma Tall White Stone Planter by Indigenus Designed by Laurie Wiid van Heerden Dimensions: Ø 79,2 x H 130 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 120 kg. Available in natural/oiled wood or st...
Stone
Terra Square White Planter With Natural Wood Base by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Terra Square White Planter With Natural Wood Base by Indigenus Designed by Laurie Wiid van Heerden Dimensions: W 60,2 x H 70 cm. Materials: Stone and wood. Weight: 70 kg. Different ...
Stone
$5,889 / item
Pebble Tall Terracotta Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble Tall Terracotta Planter by Indigenus Designed by Yabu Pushelberg Dimensions: Ø 74,5 x H 120 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 86 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Ple...
Stone
$5,889 / item
Pebble Tall Brown Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble Tall Brown Planter by Indigenus Designed by Yabu Pushelberg Dimensions: Ø 74,5 x H 120 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 86 kg. Different colors and...
Stone
Terry Balle, Large Studio Acrylic/Resin, Vase/Sculpture/ Optical Planter, Signed
By Terry Balle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great, large optical resin vase /planter for the known artist Terry Balle, signed in bottom Balle as shown.
Resin, Plastic, Acrylic
$3,150 / item
Argil Grey Wave Pot by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Argil Grey Wave Pot by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in standard and lacquered colors. This product is suitable for indoo...
Other
$721 / item
Saffron Yellow Blos Pot by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Saffron Yellow Blos Pot by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 42 x W 55 x H 32 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Please contact us. Our stor...
Other
Terra Square XS White Planter With Oiled Wood Base by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Terra Square XS White Planter With Oiled Wood Base by Indigenus Designed by Laurie Wiid van Heerden Dimensions: W 45,2 x H 52,5 cm. Materials: Stone and wood. Weight: 32 kg. Differe...
Stone
$630 / item
Flame Red Secret Pot by Rosaria Rattin
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Secret Pot by Rosaria Rattin Dimensions: D 47 x W 44 x H 52 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Please contact us. Our stori...
Other
$515 / item
Light White Jumpie Table Lamp by Goran Lelas
Located in Geneve, CH
Light White Jumpie Table Lamp by Goran Lelas Dimensions: D 25 x W 23 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This product is suita...
Other
Terra Tall White Planter With Oiled Wood Base by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Terra Tall White Planter With Oiled Wood Base by Indigenus Designed by Laurie Wiid van Heerden Dimensions: W 60,2 x H 130 cm. Materials: Stone and w...
Stone
$721 / item
Flame Red Blos Pot by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Blos Pot by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 42 x W 55 x H 32 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Please contact us. Our stories h...
Other
$5,671 / item
Metallic Gold Giò Tondo Pot by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Metallic Gold Giò Tondo Pot by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: Ø 110 x H 92. Materials: Lacquered polyethylene. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Please contact us...
Other
Light Red Kokò Table Lamp by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Red Kokò Table Lamp by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 22 x W 26 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This product is su...
Other
$1,088 / item
Merry Cubo 40 Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Merry Cubo 40 Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: D 43 x W 43 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene and polyester fabric. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. All ou...
Other
$572 / item
Merry Cubo 20 Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Merry Cubo 20 Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 20 cm. Materials: Polyethylene and polyester fabric. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. All ou...
Other
$1,317 / item
Flame Red 44 Y Pot by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red 44 Y Pot by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: D 44 x W 44 x H 90 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This product is suitable for in...
Other
Charming Ivory Il Vaso Medium Pot by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Charming Ivory Il Vaso Medium Pot by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 20 x W 89 x H 74 cm. Materials: Lacquered polyethylene. Available in three sizes. Available in standard, lacque...
Other
$6,553 / item
Aarde Tall White Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Aarde Tall White Planter by Indigenus Designed by Sebastian Herkner Dimensions: W 75 x H 108 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 110 kg. Different colors...
Stone
$220Sale Price|20% Off
Polished Silver Plate Thick Walled Planter by Gunther Lambert
Located in San Diego, CA
Small polished silver plated thick walled planter by Gunther Lambert, circa 1980s. The piece is signed on the underside, in good vintage condition and ...
Silver Plate, Chrome
$4,165 / item
Stone Planter by Casa Alfarera
Located in Geneve, CH
Stone Planter by Casa Alfarera Dimensions: Ø 45.72 x H 76.20 cm Materials: Available on request Each piece is unique. Variations might occur from item to item. Casa Alfarera Santo D...
Brass
Pair of Vintage Triangular Travertine Planters, Italy, 1980s
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Pair of Triangular Travertine Planters, Italy, 1980s Fabulous Pair of Post modern Travertine planters / jardinieres. Triangular in shape, one is taller than the other. Italian, Ci...
Travertine
Very Large Mactan Stone or Fossil Stone Planter, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Beautiful and very large vase, fabricated in Italy in the 80's. This very rare vase is made of rough edged brick motif Mactan stone or Fossil Stone. Made with stunning craftsmanshi...
Travertine
Soma Medium Oiled Wood And Black Stone Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Soma Medium Oiled Wood And Black Stone Planter by Indigenus Designed by Laurie Wiid van Heerden Dimensions: Ø 73,3 x H 100 cm. Materials: Wood and stone. Weight: 75 kg. Available in...
Stone
Italian White and Beige Glazed Ceramic Cache Pot and Vase by Bucci, 1980s, 2
By Laboratorio Pesaro, Franco Bucci
Located in Varese, Lombardia
A glazed stoneware vase/planter designed by Franco Bucci for LP Laboratorio Pesaro, dating from the 1970s. The reactive glaze showcases Bucci’s signature color palette. This non-uni...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Italy Hand-Carved Oak Wood Column in Post Modern Style
By DD Dimore
Located in Brescia, IT
This engaging contemporary wooden made column has the surface finely hand sculpted in solid oak wood and then it is finished in moka color. The result is a stunning piece that is an ...
Oak
Anodised Aluminium Planter / Vessel Multi-Coloured from Cosmos collection
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Cosmos extends the exploration into manually anodised aluminium pieces. Building on the success of Grow-UP planters for MCQ in 2021, the collection showcases abstract anodising dye p...
Aluminum
Anodised Aluminium Planter / Vessel Multi-Coloured from Cosmos collection
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Cosmos extends the exploration into manually anodised aluminium pieces. Building on the success of Grow-UP planters for MCQ in 2021, the collection showcases abstract anodising dye p...
Aluminum
$641 / item
Lace White 65 Pot by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace white 65 pot by MOWEE Dimensions: Ø71 x H76 cm Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 9 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (Lacquered or retroi...
Stainless Steel, Other
$802 / item
Pumpkin Orange Large S-Pot by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Large S-Pot by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: Ø 46 x H 65 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in two sizes. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Please c...
Other
$4,010 / item
Gumball Planter by Casa Alfarera
Located in Geneve, CH
Gumball Planter by Casa Alfarera Dimensions: Ø 45.72 x H 76.20 cm Materials: Available on request Each piece is unique. Variations might occur from item to item. Casa Alfarera Santo...
Brass
$2,875 / item
Pebble Midi Brown Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble Midi Brown Planter by Indigenus Designed by Yabu Pushelberg Dimensions: Ø 61 x H 60 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 40 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Please cont...
Stone
$5,889 / item
Pebble Tall Sandstone Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble Tall Sandstone Planter by Indigenus Designed by Yabu Pushelberg Dimensions: Ø 74,5 x H 120 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 86 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Please contact us. Pebble is characterised by its soft organic form suitable for any style and environment. The Pebble follows an asymmetrical design with a beautiful play on negative space. Inspired by nature, the partnership between Yabu Pushelberg and Indigenus sought to honour this muse by celebrating the amorphous forms found in nature, translating the soft forms into a family of concrete planters. Despite its size, the Pebble contributes in abundance to the look and feel of any space. Designed to stand together or independently, the Pebble planters...
Stone
$3,150 / item
Jet Black Wave Pot by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black Wave Pot by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in standard and lacquered colors. This product is suitable for indoor...
Other
$5,889 / item
Pebble Tall Grey Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble Tall Grey Planter by Indigenus Designed by Yabu Pushelberg Dimensions: Ø 74,5 x H 120 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 86 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Please co...
Stone
$5,889 / item
Pebble Tall Black Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Pebble Tall Black Planter by Indigenus Designed by Yabu Pushelberg Dimensions: Ø 74,5 x H 120 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 86 kg. Different colors and...
Stone
$5,041 / item
Bhaca Medium Terracotta Planter by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Bhaca Medium Terracotta Planter by Indigenus Designed by Andile Dyalvane Dimensions: Ø 77,9 x H 95,3 cm. Materials: Stone. Weight: 80 kg. Different colors and sizes are available. Please contact us. The Bhaca is a completely personal and original range of stone planters that reflect ceramicist Andile Dyalvane’s connection to his Xhosa roots while celebrating his mastery of an elemental material of choice – clay. Bhaca - meaning scarification - is a traditional Xhosa method of finely cutting the skin (usually on the cheeks) to mark initiation, clan identification, or healing. Andile desires to preserve and share his cultural roots of this ancient tradition by cutting into clay and pushing open the cuts where they intersect as if to open the flesh. The Bhaca has been electronically scanned and scaled from smaller clay vessels...
Stone
$744 / item
Lace Burgundy Planter by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace Burgundy planter by Mowee Dimensions: D50 x W120 x H76 cm Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 13.5 kg. Also available in different colours and finishes. (Lac...
Stainless Steel, Other
Terra Through Black Planter With Oiled Wood Base by Indigenus
Located in Geneve, CH
Terra Through Black Planter With Oiled Wood Base by Indigenus Designed by Laurie Wiid van Heerden Dimensions: W 122,2 x H 85 cm. Materials: Stone and wood. Weight: 95 kg. Different ...
Stone