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.
Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe Glass Plate by Rosenthal, Germany
By Rosenthal, (after) Andy Warhol
Located in Bochum, NRW
Andy Warhol × Rosenthal Studio Line — Marilyn Monroe Limited Edition Plate, 1990s Striking limited‑edition Rosenthal Studio Line pla...
Glass
Post-Modern Murano Glass Vide-Poche Dish, Italy, 1990s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Beautiful Murano art glass square shaped vide-poche plate in deep red, cream white and black colors. Original label on both sides: "Chromia Glass. Hand made. Vetro di Murano". An ey...
Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass
Postmodern Italian Green Solid Marble Mortar & Pestle
Located in San Diego, CA
Postmodern Vintage solid green marble Mortar and Pestle Hand-Turned Modernist Design, circa 1980s, showcasing the warm grain, sculptural lines, and refined utility characteristic of ...
Marble
Pop Art Andy Warhol Self Portrait Square Glass Tray, Rosenthal, 1990s
By Rosenthal, (after) Andy Warhol
Located in Bochum, NRW
Self-portrait Curved Glass Tray, designed by the iconic artist Andy Warhol, edited by Rosenthal Studio Line. This glass tray is both a practical accessory and a captivating piece of ...
Glass
Bronze Patinated Vide-Poche, Mid Century, France.
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Elegant tripode vide-poche Garouste et Bonetti Era, circa 1980, France. Patinated bronze in good original condition. Dimensions: 10 cm H, 10 cm diameter. All purchases are covered by...
Bronze
Claudia Shuride Postmodern Glass Plate, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern decorative painted glass plate by Claudia Shuride.
Glass
Postmodern Ceramic Bowl, ca. 1980s
By Haeger
Located in New York, NY
A Modern style or Postmodern period stone white round ceramic bowl, circa 1980s, USA. Maker's mark on bottom as shown in image #15. Dimensions: 7" diameter. Black acrylic waterfall table...
Ceramic
Vintage Turned + Veneered Bowl Signed Unknown Asian Artist 1997
Located in Hyattsville, MD
A wonderful small bowl, seems turned and also veneered.
Wood
Rare Frosted Glass Low Dish Catch it All by Enzo Mari for Danese Milano NIB
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful minimalist frosted glass low bowl designed by Enzo Mari , for Danese circa 1980's New in an original box comes with brochure model 3119B Delos, a very rare find
Art Glass
Andrew Galvin Footed Tray, American Studio Art Glass
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage footed art glass tray features colorful Op-art fused glass design with purple, marigold yellow, forest green, and teal blue colored glass elements seamlessly fused in rectan...
Glass, Art Glass
Large Ceramic Catch All / Vide-Poche in the style of Georges Jouve
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Concave Ceramic "Rock Shaped" Catchall / Vide-Poche in the style of Georges Jouve / Not Marked - Artist Unknown "is it real or is it memorex" "internet says rocks are the hot...
Ceramic
Vintage Postmodern Porcelain Plate with Subvention Decor by René Fehr, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Postmodern Porcelain Plate with Subvention Decor by René Fehr for Lengsfeld Porzellan, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mar...
Porcelain
Giotto Stoppino For Kartell 1970 Italian Magazine Holder In Cream Plastic
Located in Miami, FL
Magazine holder designed by Giotto Stoppino (1926-1911) for Kartell. Stunning and very decorative piece, designed in Milano Italy by the architect Giotto Stoppino, back in the 1970....
Plastic
Sunburst Moll 1.0 Sculptural Tray in Hand Molded Resin by Szymon Keller
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunburst Moll 1.0 Sculptural Tray in Hand Molded Resin by Szymon Keller. Dimensions: W 46 x D 36 x H 5 cm. Materials: Hand molded resin. Available colors include Transparent, Sand M...
Resin
Decorative plate made of artistic glass by designer Alberto Churba
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Decorative art glass plate by designer Alberto Churba Decorative art glass plate designed by Alberto Churba. It features a circular shape with a slightly recessed center and a flat e...
Art Glass
Krupp & Giuliana Gramigna vide poche steel and attb Fontana Arte glass
By Giuliana Gramigna, Arthur Krupp, Fontana Arte
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice collaboration design in this low bowl / vide -poche for Arthur Krupp and Gillian Gramigna , the crystal insert is attributed to Fontana Arte .No Chips or cracks in glass .
Stainless Steel
1980's Postmodern Italian Travertine Soap Towel dish tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Exceptional vintage Italian Postmodern travertine bath accessories, dating to circa the 1980s. This sophisticated ensemble showcases the bold yet understated character of Italian des...
Travertine
$574
Vide-Poche
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Vide-poche in the format of a can cap, blue enameled porcelain, 20th century. Measures: D 27 cm, H 7 cm. Contact us before ordering to confirm product availability.
Porcelain
Lynn Chase “Jaguar Jungle” Porcelain Plates Set of 2 Animal Border with 24K Rim
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Lynn Chase “Jaguar Jungle” Porcelain Salad / Dessert Plates, Set of 2, Animal Border with 24K Gold Rim, Circa 1988 A striking and highly colle...
Porcelain
Vintage Murano Star Flower Shape Art Glass Dish, Italy
By Compagnia Di Venezia E Murano (C.V.M.)
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage hand crafted Murano star flower Art glass dish Italy. Stunning petaled flower or 6 pointed star-shaped hand blown glass dish in clear and pink, bl...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$505 / item
Soft Vide Poche by Sophie Parachey
Located in Geneve, CH
Soft vide poche by Sophie Parachey Dimensions: W 26 x D 12 x H 3.5 cm Materials: Sand stoneware, shiny camel glaze. Inspired by extended stays in ...
Stoneware
Set of 7 German Postmodern Flying Objects Series Soup Plates, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
German Postmodern Flying Objects Series Soup Plates by David Palterer and Sieger Design for Arzberg, 1990s, Set of 7, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an...
Ceramic
$6,000 / set
Garouste & Boneti Bronze Objects, France 1980's
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in New York, NY
Set of B&G bronze objects for Blome Overall 2-3/4x1-1/4
Bronze
Carol Lahy Fused Art Glass Decorative Square Vide-Poche or Ashtray, Signed
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Fused glass square vide-poche or ashtray has wide rim of deep amethyst purple color and complex central bowl with checkered pattern in the center, encircled by a blue band. All area...
Art Glass, Glass
Postmodern Hilton Series Plate from Rosenthal, 1980s
By Rosenthal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Hilton Series Plate from Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Ceramic S...
Ceramic
Modernist Copper Enamel Tray with Abstract Decor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Graphic Modernist rectangular tray or catch-all dish in enameled copper features colorful abstract decor in teal and copper colors with red and green accents. The underside of the t...
Metal, Copper, Enamel
A POST-MODERN Sculptural FRUIT PLATE by NICOLAS DEWAEL, Ed. FONDICA, 1980-1990
By Dewaël, Fondica
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and sculptural Fruit Plate (or Center Table Plate), Post-Modern, Shabby-Chic, Neoclassical, sculptural golden metal base, wide and thick suspended glass bowl fixed by a go...
Metal, Gold Leaf
Postmodern Glass Cake Plate, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Glass Cake Plate, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Glass Styles: Postmodern Color: Black Item Type: Vintage, Anti...
Glass
Vintage Murano Venetian Handblown Art Glass Cobalt Blue Ashtray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Gorgeous Vintage Murano Venetian handblown art glass flower shaped bowl or ashtray. Sculptural organic open flower form in cobalt blue art glass ashtray bowl. Use it as an ashtray...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Massimo Iosa Ghini "Twergi" for Alessi Postmodern Wooden Bowl Memphis Style
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Massimo Iosa Ghini Twergi for Alessi Postmodern Wooden Bowl Memphis Style Vintage - decoration - Italy Measures : 14cmx11.5cm H:9cm Material : Wood Wear consistent with age and use.
Wood
Mackenzie-Childs Black and White Plate or Dish, 1993
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful authentic designer plate or dish by designers' MacKenzie-Childs, circa 1990s, New York. A rare piece, hand-painted plate with a black and wh...
Art Glass
Shiny Camel Lali Small Vide Poche by Sophie Parachey
Located in Geneve, CH
Shiny Camel Lali Small Vide Poche by Sophie Parachey Dimensions: W 28 x D 24 x H 3.5 cm Materials: Stoneware. Inspired by extended stays in Central America, Sophie Parachey’s wo...
Stoneware
$193Sale Price|60% Off
White, Black and Blue Splash Glaze Vide Poche, 1980s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Eyecatching Danish modernist decorative vide poche bowl. Black and blue splash decor on crisp white base. Signed under base. Beautiful vintage condition...
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Queen Lace Cut Crystal Ashtray Trinket Dish with Etched Wild Geese, circa 1970s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Queen Lace Cut Crystal Ashtray Trinket Dish with Etched Wild Geese, circa 1970s A refined vintage crystal ashtray by Queen Lace, crafted in heavy clear cut glass with a bold square ...
Glass
Gilbert Portanier Alta Mira Porcelain Plate for Rosenthal, 1970s
By Rosenthal, Gilbert Portanier
Located in Berlin, DE
Gilbert Portanier’s “Alta Mira” porcelain plate for Rosenthal Studio-Line combines expressive ceramic art with the precision of German porcelain production. Abstract figures, calligr...
Porcelain
Set of Six Marilyn Monroe Curved Glass Plates in Warhol Style
By Andy Warhol
Located in Bochum, NRW
A set of six glass plates decorated with Marilyn Monroe's portrait made in the well-known Andy Warhol manner. Curved glass squared plate, screen-printed. Set of 6 Marilyn Monroe Pop...
Glass
Postmodern Gold Flecked Murano Glass Bowl / Vide-Poche, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This bowl or vide-poche is made in Murano glass and features gold fleck inclusion. It may show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be considere...
Gold Leaf
1994 Handcrafted Ceramic Bowl Signed by Luna Garcia
By Luna Garcia
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1994 Handcrafted ceramic bowl Signed by Luna Garcia. Large ceramic bowl in black glazed with polychrome dots and marked with a large inscription "DAGWOOD". Great to add to your col...
Ceramic
$377Sale Price|30% Off
Tapio Wirkaala "Porcelaine Noire" Centerpiece for Rosenthal Studio Linie, 1970s
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Centerpiece, fruit bowl, plate in black porcelain, vintage modernism, designed by Tapio Wirkkala for Rosenthal Studio Linie “Porcelaine Noire” serie...
Porcelain
Morbelli 24k Gold and White Porcelain Wall Plate "Planisfero Celeste", Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy by Morbelli, 1970s. It is made in white porcelain, which is decorated with 24k gold inlaid lamina. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of u...
Gold
Set of 3 Decorative Containers by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti '1974'
By Progetti, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A very cool and extremely versatile set of decorative objects designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Progetti in 1974. With melamine (hard plastic) bowls and vulancized rubber tops, the...
Plastic, Rubber
Sam Francis set of 4 limited edition ceramic plates , Museum of Contemporary Art
By Sam Francis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great set of 4 plates from original designs of well known artist Sam Francis , Made after for the Museum of Contemporary Art , Los Angeles .
Ceramic
Multicolored Murano Glass Plate by Berit Johansson for Salviati, 1991
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Murano glass centerpiece dish designed by Berit Johansson for Salviati in 1991. Signature of the maker engraved on the back. Perfect condition.
Murano Glass
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal, Large "Jungle" Porcelain Cover Plate / Dish
Located in København, Copenhagen
Gianni Versace for Rosenthal. Large "Jungle" porcelain cover plate / dish with gold decoration and green leaves. Late 20th century. In perfect condition. Measures: 38 x 2.8 cm. ...
Porcelain
Rene Magritte ceramic decorative plate , marked edition with original box .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful decorative plate made by Adage et Flammarion , for the Magritte Collection .edition 330/1000 Box measures 9.5 x 9.5 x 1 high . shows light ware and scratches in cardboard .
Ceramic
Gilbert Portanier Liguria Porcelain Wall Plate for Rosenthal, Germany
By Gilbert Portanier, Rosenthal
Located in Berlin, DE
Gilbert Portanier’s “Liguria” porcelain wall plate for Rosenthal Studio-Line turns a functional form into a richly layered ceramic artwork. Abstract and biomorphic motifs in red, blu...
Porcelain
Vintage Collectible Casino Monte Carlo Wine Tester in Pewter
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Casino Monte Carlo wine tester in Pewter with the fleur de Lys as a handle and the Monaco flag inside the bowl marked with the Casino Monte Carl...
Pewter
Vintage Large Earthenware Vide-Poche / Decorative Plate by Pino Castagna, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This catchall / vide-poche / decorative plate is made in glazed earthenware. It is signed by Pino Castagna. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show sl...
Earthenware
Lacquered Black with Colored Details Ceramic Vide-Poche by Ars Deruta, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy in 1970s - 1980s. This decorative plate is made in lacquered and hand-painted ceramic by Ars Deruta that is the artistic part of the historica...
Ceramic
Black and Yellow Ceramic Vide-Poche or Box attr. to Roberta Di Camerino, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This trinket bowl / vide-poche is made in black and yellow glazed ceramic, a combination of colors that is typical of Roberta Camerino's design. Produced and ...
Ceramic
Stephen Schlanser Postmodern Glass Ashtray
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Thick textured glass ashtray by Stephen Schlanser, c.1996, USA. This piece features a deep well with textured glass and one metal divot at one side to place a cigarette or other smok...
Metal
Tecton Tray in Travertine by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980
Located in Geneve, CH
Tecton Tray in Travertine by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980. Dimensions: W 26 x D 26 x H 6 cm. Materials: Travertine. This Tray is available in a selection of premium natural ston...
Travertine
Tecton Tray in Red Alabaster Limited Edition by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980
Located in Geneve, CH
Tecton Tray in Red Alabaster Limited Edition by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980. Limited Edition of 2 Pieces. Dimensions: W 26 x D 26 x H 6 cm. Materials: Alabaster. An exclusive l...
Alabaster
Velvet White Lali Big Vide Poche by Sophie Parachey
Located in Geneve, CH
Velvet White Lali big vide poche by Sophie Parachey Dimensions: W 37 x D 33 x H 4 cm Materials: Stoneware. Inspired by extended stays in Central America, Sophie Parachey’s work ...
Stoneware
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Tray
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Introduce a soft, sculptural touch to your interior with this distinctive vintage studio pottery tray. Hand-built using the slab technique, this ceramic piece exemplifies the playful...
Pottery
$494 / item
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Stack Trays by Henry Wilson Dimesions: W 25 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Bronze The stack trays are sold in a set of three that can be used togethe...
Bronze
$2,780 / item
Fall Blackened Ashtray by Cal Summers
By Cal Summers
Located in Geneve, CH
Fall Blackened Ashtray by Cal Summers Dimension: D 6.9 x W 15.2 x H 2 cm Materials: Stainless Steel Cal Summers is a British designer who makes bespoke handmade furniture and co...
Stainless Steel
Small Artificial Formations Concrete Plate by Davide Ronco
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Artificial Formations Concrete Plate by Davide Ronco Dimensions: D 45 x H 10 cm. Materials: Concrete. Available in white and black. Please contact us. Concrete, the most wid...
Concrete
$1,011 / item
Barchetta Hand Hammered Glass Tray by VUUN ITALIA
Located in Geneve, CH
Barchetta Hand Hammered Glass Tray by VUUN ITALIA Dimensions: D 25 x W 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Hammered, sandblasted, and curved float glass. VUUN Italia creates infinitely custom...
Glass
Shell II Table Centerpiece by Sophie Parachey
Located in Geneve, CH
Shell II table centerpiece by Sophie Parachey Dimensions: W 33 x D 43 x H 4.5 cm Materials: Sand stoneware, shiny camel glaze, Inspired by exten...
Stoneware