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.
"Tutti Frutti" Gaetano Pesce Fish Design Green Resin Bowl
Located in Brescia, IT
Tutti Frutti basket Green soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. With original box Excellent condiction.
Resin
$500Sale Price|20% Off
Swedish Postmodern Centerpiece Bowl by Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, 1990s
By Kosta Boda, Ulrica Hydman-Vallien
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful Postmodern Swedish art glass centerpiece bowl by artist and designer Ulrica Hydman-Vallien, circa 1990s, for Kosta Boda, Sweden. Centerpiece ...
Glass
Don Shepherd Style Iridescent Icescape Lettuce Art Glass Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A spectacular sculptural iridescent art glass centerpiece bowl composed as a dramatically unfurling head of lettuce or cabbage, its deeply modeled overlapping leaves terminating in i...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass
Haeger Rounded Edge Mauve Pink Postmodern Vide Poche
By Royal Haeger
Located in New York, NY
Postmodern Haeger vide poche catchall. Bold rounded edges make this a standout piece, mauve color is versatile and pairs nicely with many other colors. Perfect for a coffee table, dr...
Ceramic
Postmodern Gray Ceramic Braided Woven Abstract Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Stunning woven braided ceramic centerpiece bowl glazed in a wonderful shade of gray with some blue tones. Great size for a coffee table or entryway. Very unusual abstract shape, plea...
Ceramic
Elsa Peretti "Thumbprint" blue glass bowl for Tiffany Co .
By Elsa Peretti, Tiffany & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful deep blue glass bowl designed by Elsa Peretti, and made for Tiffany Co. signed
Glass
Postmodern Black Handcrafted Blown Glass Bowl, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Black glass centerpiece piece or bowl circa 1980s.
Glass
IBEX Glass Studio Post-Modern Memphis-Style Art Glass Pedestal Bowl, 1989
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking post-modern art glass bowl by Ibex Studio, executed in a bold Memphis-inspired palette. The wide conical bowl is rendered in translucent turquoise glass, edged with a contrasting magenta rim, and raised on a deep cobalt blue pedestal foot. The saturated color blocking, playful geometry, and sculptural silhouette exemplify the exuberant design language of the 1980s post-modern movement. Hand-blown and signed to the underside, this bowl functions equally well as a centerpiece, console accent, or standalone sculptural object. A strong example of American studio glass that bridges decorative arts and design history. #5147 Details: Maker: Ibex Studio Origin: United States Date: Circa 1989 Material: Hand-blown art glass Color: Turquoise bowl with magenta rim, cobalt blue foot Signature: Etched signature and date to underside Dimensions: 12.5” diameter x 8.25” height Condition: Very good vintage condition with light surface wear to base consistent with age IBEX Glass Studio was founded in 1985 by Dimitri Michaelides, Sam Stang...
Art Glass
Italy Post-Modern Mario Buccellati Silver Bowl Leaf
Located in Brescia, IT
This silver bowl of Mario Buccellati has an intense beauty and for this reason we can say that it can be a piece of art. The centerpiece is finely engraved, with details that reproduce the imprint of a leaf. On the back, we can see its feet that are made with the shape of two folded leaf. It is a really masterpiece of high Italian craftsmanship. The piece was made in 1980 but we can say that it is in excellent conditions. It has its original and elegant blu box...
Silver
Peter Shire ceramic/pottery bowl, " Splatter" pattern / design , signed dated .
By Peter Shire
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice and traditional work by the well known Los Angeles Artis Peter Shire.
Ceramic
Yellow Atoll Art Glass Dish by Anna Ehrner for Kosta Boda, 1980s
By Anna Ehrner
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Thick, heavy and lemon-colored small art glass bowl from Kosta Boda in Sweden. It was designed by Anna Ehrner in the mid 1980s. The bowl is called Atoll and it features swirl-work in...
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
Postmodern Memphis Style Glass Bowl from Montana, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Memphis Style Glass Bowl from Montana, 1980s
Glass, Plastic
$2,638 / item
Frosted Green Frooot Bowl by Maha Alavi Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Frosted Green Frooot Bowl by Maha Alavi Studio Dimensions: D 30 x H 33 cm Materials: Resin. Maha Alavi is a Tokyo-based Canadian industrial designer...
Resin
Alessi Round Polished Stainless Steel Tray Postmodern
By Alessi
Located in Bochum, NRW
Alessi Round Polished Stainless Steel Tray Postmodern. Round tray with a leased edge. Maker's mark on the bottom. Diameter 48cm. Good use condition with minor wear.
Stainless Steel
Massive Organic Form Art Glass Pedestal Bowl by David Thai
Located in San Diego, CA
This striking, large-scale studio art glass bowl is signed by David Thai and showcases his refined command of color, form, and surface texture. Executed in thick, hand-blown glass, t...
Art Glass
Signed Post Modern Glazed Ceramic Pattern Leaf Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designer: Signed Manufacturer: Signed Condition: Original Vintage Condition This signed Post Modern glazed ceramic bowl features a striking organic form with a bold black ground an...
Ceramic
Pair of David Tisdale Post Modern Memphis Bowls
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of David Tisdale post modern memphis bowls. Black one has hand inscribed signature.
Aluminum
Lotuso White Marble Decorative Bowl by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Lotuso White Marble Decorative Bowl by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 31 x W 31 x H 8 cm. Materials: White marble. Different marble and ceramic options available. Custom options available on request. Please contact us. Our mission is to encourage people to make their home the best place to be, to get inspired and to receive friends and family. Designed and manufactured by ourselves, we offer lightings to help people creating distinctive living spaces. Enhancing the authenticity of natural and organic materials using associations and contrasts. Extreme quality behind a facade of ultra-minimalism. We find our materials to the source to ensure we give the best value...
Marble
White Carrara Marble Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
White Carrara Marble Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: White Carrara Marble. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fin...
Marble
Uovo Bowl, Hand-Carved White Onyx & Black Marble, Post-Modern, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
This bowl explores balance through weight, surface, and elevation. Carved from solid white onyx, its gently concave form rests on three egg-shaped stone legs, lifting the piece and c...
Onyx, Stone
$439Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Bonbon Dish, English, Art Glass, Ornamental Bowl, Post Modern, C.1980
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage bonbon dish. An English, art glass ornamental bowl in post-modern taste, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Fascinating, unusual form catches the eye Di...
Art Glass
Onion Fruit Bowl, Designed by Nathalie du Pasquier in 1985 for Memphis Milano
Located in Beirut, LB
ONION fruit bowl, Designed by Nathalie du Pasquier in 1985 for the collection Memphis Milano, in Ceramic. The product is purchased with guarantee stamp. Printed on bottom: Memphis Mi...
Ceramic
Postmodern Decorative Center Bowl Signed by Japanese Artist Masuo Ojima. C 1980s
By Barneys New York, Masuo Ojima
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Ceramic Decorative Center Bowl Signed by Japanese Artist Masuo Ojima. C 1980s Featues a geopmetric pattern design, mottled purple wide rim, and a gold crackle glaze gilt ...
Ceramic
Postmodern Top Hat Champagne Bottle Cooler from Koziol, Germany, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Top Hat Champagne Bottle Cooler from Koziol, Germany, 1980s
Plastic
Riedel x Mesa Design Large Black Centerpiece Glass Bowl, Post-Modern Italy, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
A straight and large, 14 inches diameter postmodern centerpiece glass bowl from the 1980s. Crafted from deep black glass, this bowl stands out with its reduced, elegant design, featu...
Art Glass
Set of 5 Postmodern Flash One Series Bowl Set by Dorothy Hafner, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern set of bowls from the series flash one by rosenthal after a design by the artist dorothy hafner from 1982. the bowls are in very good condition without defects. Only one b...
Porcelain
Lino Sabattini Silverplated Bowls 1996
Located in Čelinac, BA
Silverplated Bowls by Lino Sabattini 1996.
Silver Plate
Luna Oak Tray by Applicata, Post-Modern Design, Oak, Sweden, 2024
Located in Geneve, CH
Luna Oak Tray by Applicata Dimensions: D 28 x W 28 x H 3.7 cm Materials: Oak. Available in oak, smoked oak, and black stained oak finishes. Applicata’s entire collection is based o...
Oak
Italian Murano Striking Glass Striped Bowl Signed by Lino Tagliapietra for Veart
Located in San Diego, CA
Majestic candy striped swirl bowl signed and dated , Veart 1989 by Lino Tagliapietra Italian Murano Blown glass, masterpiece very nice and clean condition no chips or cracks large pi...
Blown Glass
$5,026Sale Price|20% Off
$2,250 / item
Rumbled Aluminium Billet Bowl by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Rumbled Aluminium Billet Bowl by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 30 x D 23.7 x H 7 cm Materials: Aluminium Cut from solid billet aluminium and tumbled for 48hrs. The BILLET bowl is a he...
Aluminum
$548 / item
Avelaine Bowl by Cuit Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Avelaine Bowl by Cuit Studio One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 30 x W 35 x H 16 cm. Materials: Stoneware white crackled matt. Due to the handmade process of this item, each piece will be...
Stoneware
Dorothy Hafner Post Modern Art Pottery Bowl
Located in Highland, IN
This wonderful piece by Dorothy Hafner (b 1952) was hand made by the artist. Though originally trained as a sculptor and painter, Hafner is probably best known for the tableware she ...
Ceramic
Unique London Plane Long Bowl by Matt Kavanagh
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique London Plane Long Bowl by Matt Kavanagh. Signed by Matt Kavanagh. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 56 x D 19 x H 22 cm. Materials: London Plane, scorch & wax. Unique piece, h...
Hardwood
Large Porcelain Bowl by Jens Flemming Sörensen. Royal Copenhagen, Denmark 1980s
By Jens Flemming Sorensen, Royal Copenhagen
Located in Malmö, SE
A huge and rare eggshell shaped porcelain bowl. Designed by the noted Danish artist Jens Flemming Sorensen, for Royal Copenhagen, Denmark, in the 1980s. Excellent condition. Stam...
Ceramic, Porcelain
Orbit Bowl, Hand-Carved White Onyx with Blue Calacite Inlay, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A sculptural centerpiece carved from solid white Onyx, this bowl celebrates the quiet elegance of natural stone. Its soft oval silhouette reveals delicate mineral veining. A subtle b...
Onyx, Steel, Nickel
$1,130 / item
Faceted Low Bowl by Sophie Vaidie
Located in Geneve, CH
Faceted Low Bowl by Sophie Vaidie One Of A Kind. Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 14,5 cm. Materials: Brutal Beige stoneware with fine chamotte. In the beginning, ...
Stoneware
$1,256 / item
Symétrical Bowl 01 by Sophie Vaidie
Located in Geneve, CH
Symétrical Bowl 01 by Sophie Vaidie One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 32 x W 33 x H 20 cm. Materials: Brutal Beige stoneware with fine chamotte. In the beginning, there was a need to ma...
Stoneware
Postmodern Catch it all Steer Head Bowl By Nambe
By Nambe
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and rare bulls head bowl designed by Nambe circa 2000 , nice polished finish .
Aluminum
Art Deco Blue Glass Centerpiece Bowl by Rudolf Schrötter, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Poland, 1970s This is a thick and heavy blue glass bowl. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but overall it can be considered as in excellent...
Glass
$2,707 / item
Rope Bowl in Oak Wood by Yann Marot
Located in Geneve, CH
Rope Bowl in Oak Wood by Yann Marot Dimensions: D 40 x W 34 x H 26 cm Materials: Oak Born in Mayenne (France) in 1974. I have always been attracted by wood and all the creative pos...
Wood, Oak
Italian Postmodern Black High-Gloss Ceramic Bowl, 1980s, Italy
Located in New York, NY
A striking Italian black ceramic bowl with a high‑gloss finish, Post‑Modern design period, circa late 20th century (1980s–early 1990s), Italy. The piece features a circular silhouett...
Ceramic
Set of Three Post-Modern "Greentime" Garden Tools by Guzzini, New Old Stock
By Guzzini
Located in San Diego, CA
A brand new set of three post-modern "Greentime" garden tools by Guzzini, circa 1990s. The set is new old stock in original box and packaging. The set is in unused condition and each...
Lucite
Pyramid-shaped stacked ceramic ashtrays / centerpiece, Amalgames, France, 1980s
Located in Firenze, IT
Pyramid-shaped stacked ceramic ashtrays / centerpiece Amalgames, France, 1980s Set of 3 ashtrays / vide poche / centerpiece H 25 cm - 25 × 25 cm Conditions: excellent consistent ...
Ceramic
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
Unique London Plane Long Bowl 45 cm by Matt Kavanagh
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique London Plane Long Bowl 45 cm by Matt Kavanagh. Signed by Matt Kavanagh. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 45 x D 26.5 x H 19 cm. Materials: London Plane, scorch & wax. Unique ...
Hardwood
$605 / item
Mediterranean Bowl by Güler Elçi
Located in Geneve, CH
Mediterranean Bowl by Güler Elçi Dimensions: D 15.5 x H 7 cm Materials: Stoneware Ceramic, Food Safe Glaze. Güler Elçi is a ceramic artist based in Istanbu...
Stoneware
$662 / item
Paper Brass Bowl I by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper brass bowl I by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 25.4 x W 25.4 x H 12.7 cm Materials: tarnished brass Available in tarnished brass and darkened brass. The Paper Series embodies th...
Brass
Silver Plated Ice Bucket / Wine Cooler by Ambrogio Pozzi for Padova Argenti
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, circa 1970s. This is a silver plated brass ice bucket or wine cooler by Ambrogio Pozzi for Padova Argenti. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but i...
Silver Plate
Clear Crystal Tumb Print Bowl Designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co.
Located in Doraville, GA
A beautiful clear crystel tumb print bowl designed by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Company. The sticker is missing, but the bowl was probably manufactured by Archimede Seguso and m...
Blown Glass
$295Sale Price|46% Off
Large Michael Lax Polished Aluminum Bowl
By Michael Lax
Located in Chicago, IL
Large Michael Lax polished aluminum bowl Some wear on the interior center area as shown. Would be a good piece to possibly have polished.
Aluminum
Textured Handmade Ceramic Hygge Decorative Bowl by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Textured Handmade Ceramic Hygge Decorative Bowl by Maku Ceramic Unique piece Dimensions: Ø 25.4 x H 20.3 cm Materials: Ceramic, Stoneware, Clay “Unity Vase” – Handmade Sculptural Ce...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$753 / item
White Bowl by Sophie Vaidie
Located in Geneve, CH
White Bowl by Sophie Vaidie One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 20,5 x W 31 x H 16,5 cm. Materials: Beige chamotted stoneware and porcelain slip. In the begin...
Stoneware, Porcelain
champagner bowl by Philipp Starck for Alessi, italy
Located in Kiel, SH
high decorative champagner bowl attribute by Philippe Starck for Alessi. The bowl is in a good used condition with small signs of use and age.
Metal, Brass, Chrome
$1,359 / item
Elm Bowl by Vlad Droz
Located in Geneve, CH
Elm bowl by Vlad Droz. Dimensions: D 35 x H 30 cm. Materials: Elm. One of a kind. Elm Bowl by Russian Vlad Droz. This bowl is greenturned, charred, sandblasted and dyed. Vlad Droz...
Elm
Italian Postmodern Stainless Steel Fruit Bowl from Alessi, 1980s
By Alessi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Stainless Steel Fruit Bowl from Alessi, 1980s
Stainless Steel
Postmodern Dutch Fruit on Wheels Design Bowl by Arnout Visser Droog Designum 90s
Located in Hamburg, DE
A dynamic fruit bowl based on a design by Dutch designer Arnout Visser (Droog) from the early 1990s. “Fruit on Wheels”—the name says it all. A fruit bowl on wheels. A playful design...
Metal
Unique London Plane Sphere Bowl by Matt Kavanagh
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique London Plane Sphere Bowl by Matt Kavanagh. Signed by Matt Kavanagh. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 28 x D 28 x H 26 cm. Materials: London Plane, scorch & wax. Unique piece,...
Hardwood
Multicolored & Opaline Murano Glass bowl by Carlo Moretti, 2002
By Carlo Moretti, Moretti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Large collectible chalice or cup in opaline Murano glass with colored inserts. signature and date engraved on the base. a visible chip on the edge as shown in the photo.
Murano Glass