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.
Postmodern Black and White Abstract Figurative Ceramic Sculpture by Jack Charney
Located in Troy, MI
Unique ceramic sculpture by Jack Charney Santa Fe New Mexico circa 1990 Abstract ceramic figure with elongated limbs in a dynamic contorted form Finished with a hand-painted black s...
Ceramic, Pottery
Hollywood Regency Faux Tusk Sculpture Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of vintage Hollywood Regency style faux tusk sculpture. It is part of a matching decorative pair crafted from tessellated stone or marble with a polish...
Stone, Brass
Monumental Sergio Bustamante 'Sol Eclipse' Papier Mâché Wall Sculpture, 1997
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Monumental wall-mounted sculpture executed in painted papier-mâché by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante (b. 1949). Titled "Sol Eclipse" (Solar Eclipse), this large-scale composition f...
Paper
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By Salvador Dalí, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H. cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from “Femme á la téte rose” 1935 (...
Brass
Large Barrett DeBusk Postmodern Iron Sculpture / Valet Stand. Circa 1990s.
Located in Miami, FL
Large Barrett DeBusk Postmodern Iron Sculpture / Valet Stand. Circa 1990s. Signed by the artist. Features a male figure formed with iron wire and painted in black. I good original condition with signs of wear consistent with age and history. There is some oxidation at the base and some minor scratches in the paint in other areas. Please see close up pictures for more details. About the Artist Barrett Debusk (American 1955...
Iron
A monumental bronze female nude sculpture by Somchai, circa 1970
Located in View Park, CA
A monumental nude sculpture of a femme torso in bronze by Hattakitkosol Somchai, signed, circa 1970. A striking rarity of Somchai’s oeuvre, this piece stands at nearly twenty-six inc...
Bronze
$344Sale Price|28% Off
1980s Postmodern David Fisher for Austin Productions Faces of Love Sculpture
By Austin Prod
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern David Fisher for Austin Productions Faces of Love Sculpture. Stamped in the back by the manufacturer and Dated 1980. “Face of Love” ceramic s...
Plaster
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By Salvador Dalí, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H. cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from ...
Brass
$128,000 / set
Rare Pair Anthony Redmile Palm Tree Sculptures
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 1970s Antony Redmile bespoke steel palm trees featuring ostrich eggs, agate cabochons, and octagonal black-lacquered wood bases. A seldom encountered form, reflecting the mor...
Agate, Stainless Steel
Italy Cast Bronze Figurine Man Sculpture by Aron Demetz Title Ricordo
By Aron Demetz
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense bronze sculpture was made by the well known Italian artist, Aron Demetz, in 2004, Italy. This is a lost wax bronze hand painted. The title is "Ricordo" translated in "Me...
Bronze
Pair of 1987 David Fisher “Mysterious I & II” Sculptures for Austin Productions
By David Fisher, Austin Productions
Located in Stafford, TX
Pair of 1987 David Fisher “Mysterious I & II” Sculptures for Austin Productions An iconic pair of Postmodern figurative bust sculptures titled “Mysterious I” and “Mysterious II,...
Acrylic, Plaster, Wood
A bronze figurative sculpture after Henry Moore, signed, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A bronze figurative sculpture depicting an abstract female body, upon a pink marble plinth, signed by artist, probably mid to late 20th century. Thi...
Marble, Bronze
1980 Italy Abstract Bronze Sculpture Ottorino Tonelli Giulietta Juliet
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Ottorino Tonelli. Ottorino Tonelli was born in 1948 in Carrara, where he lives and works. After having ...
Bronze, Aluminum
1980 Italy Post-Modern Rodica Tanasescu Bronze Abstract Sculpture Insieme
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Rodica Tanasescu. The title "Insieme" Together Rodica Tanasescu was born in Rumania and now lives in and works in Mestre, (Venezia, It...
Bronze
Italy Cast Bronze Man Figurine Sculpture by Aron Demetz Il grande freddo
By Aron Demetz
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense bronze sculpture was made by the well known Italian artist, Aron Demetz, in 2004, Italy. This is a lost wax bronze hand painted. The title is "Il grande freddo" translat...
Bronze
$395 / item
Post Modern Display Mannequin
Located in Riverdale, NY
Post Modern Display Mannequin from a Japanese store formerly located on Madison Ave, NY. Articulated fiberglass mannequin body has screws at join...
Metal
Italy Bronze Cast Figurine Sculpture by Aron Demetz Verso te
By Aron Demetz
Located in Brescia, IT
This intense bronze sculpture was made by the well known Italian artist, Aron Demetz, in 2004, Italy. This is a lost wax bronze hand painted. The title is "Verso te" translated in "T...
Bronze
Postmodern Plaster Nude by David Fisher for Austin Productions, circa 1981
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Sleek, glamorous, and graceful Nude by David Fisher for Austin Productions, 1981. Beautiful detail in this postmodern icon. Stand on black plinth base...
Cast Stone
1980 Italy Post-Modern Bronze Abstract Sculpture by Alfredo Cifani Title Eos
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Alfredo Cifani. Title "EOS" Alfredo Cifani was born in 1939 in Fermo, the Southern part of Italy, lives and works in Milan. He is a pai...
Bronze
$1,575 / item
Bronze Lighter by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze lighter by Rick Owens Dimensions: L 11.5 x W 5.5 x H 3 cm Materials: Bronze Weight: 0.45 kg Available in Black and Nitrate finish. Rick ...
Bronze
$1,780Sale Price|65% Off
Abstract lifesize ceramic sculpture by Dieter Eichelmann, Germany 1980s
Located in ECHT, NL
Handcrafted ceramic sculpture. The sculpture is made from several tiles that form a human figure. The tiles are fixed to a wood back. Dieter Eichelmann Born: 1946 in Bardenberg -...
Ceramic, Clay
Set of 2 Two Head Sculptured Dolls by Studio Mano
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Two Head Sculptured Dolls by Studio Mano. Dimensions: W 11.5 x D 8 x H 13 cm. Materials: Porcelain white clay and clear gloss glaze, Santa Fe clay, or Brown clay. Studio M...
Ceramic
Stoneware Clay, Ceramic Unbound Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Clay, Ceramic Unbound Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska Dimensions: W 32 x D 13.8 x H 17.5 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Unglazed ceramic sulface. Weight: 1,9 kg. Al...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$272Sale Price|53% Off
1980s Postmodern Female Face Ceramic Sculpture in the Austin Productions Style
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Large scale, Postmodern / 1980s Art Deco revival Female Head Ceramic Sculpture in the Austin Productions Style. Circa 1980s Features a flatten female head figure molded on a...
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Dominican Carved Varnished Wooden Hand Sculpture/Cigar Holder
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 20th century dominican hand-carved varnished wooden hand sculpture/cigar holder By: unknown Material: wood Technique: carved, hand-carved, ...
Wood
Contemporary Abstract Fragmented Male Torso Resin Sculpture, Vitruvian, TMS 2005
Located in San Diego, CA
A striking contemporary abstract fragmented male torso sculpture from the Vitruvian Collection, dated 2005. This sculptural work presents the human form in a deconstructed and spiral...
Resin
1980 Italy Post-Modern Cristina Roncati Bronze Abstract Sculpture Cavaliere
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Cristina Roncati. The title "Cavaliere del mistero" Knight of the mistery Cristina Roncati was born in...
Bronze
Large Mother and Child Ceramic Postmodern Sculpture by Vanguard USA, Circa 1980
Located in Fairfield, CA
A large vintage postmodern ceramic sculpture of a mother and child. Lovely simplified form, finished in a glossy white glaze. Made in the USA by Vanguard, marked on the bottom. Measu...
Ceramic
$1,130 / item
Incense Object by Henry D'ath
Located in Geneve, CH
Incense object by Henry D'ath Dimensions:D55 x W20 x H6 cm Materials:Wood, Calligraphy Ink Piece is handmade by artist. Henry d’ath is a new zealand born, hong kong based art...
Wood
Post-Modern Figurative Sculpture in Plaster, Bone-White Finish, USA
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
This striking late 20th-century sculpture captures a quiet moment of introspection through a simplified, figurative form. Rendered in a crisp, bone-white finish, the piece features a...
Plaster
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Curtis Jere Post Modern Table Sculpture of Brass Chrome and Marble c. 1985
By C. Jeré Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Curtis Jere table sculpture featuring a chrome ball on a brass ribbon like arm anchored by a strong marble base. This Post Modern Curtis Je...
Marble, Brass, Chrome
Postmodern Dancing Couple Ironwood Solid Wood Carved Sculpture
By Henry Moore
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A postmodern solid wood carved sculpture depicting a dancing couple. The curved abstract stylization is reminiscent to the sculptures created by modern sculptor Henry Moore. The simp...
Wood
Postmodern Black Ceramic Ibex Sculpture by Haeger
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your decor with the Haeger Ibex Ceramic Sculpture. Crafted in deep black ceramic, this piece captures the majesty of the Ibex with a contemporary twist. Haeger's meticulous c...
Ceramic
1980 Italy Post Modern Abstract Kinetic Bronze Sculpture The Dove Colomba
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Bruno Chersicla, a well known artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbered edition of 500 pieces; we c...
Bronze
Lucido Costello Original Hand Made Iron Sculpture
Located in North Miami, FL
This lovely hand made iron sculpture is part of a set (male and female) - completely original by Lucido Costello, a well renowned heavy iron sculpture artist in Barcelona, Spain. Co...
Metal
Postmodern Curtis Jere Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Unique Curtis Jere sculpture of a kissing couple. Black steel sculpture with whimsical sleek lines casting great shadows throughout the day. Matte black finish topped of with gold ba...
Metal
$7,842 / item
Concrete and Clay Totem 160 by Frederic Texier
Located in Geneve, CH
Concrete and Clay Totem 160 by Frederic Texier Dimensions: W 40 x D 25 x H 160 cm. Materials: Concrete coated with lime and cement. Color: Cray. Artist Frédéric Texier expresses ...
Concrete, Cement
$22,800Sale Price|20% Off
Rare 1986 Limited Edition Gufram Multipli Cactus, Signed & Numbered 1257 of 2000
By Gufram Furniture, Guido Drocco and Franco Mello
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rare and highly collectible limited edition Gufram 'Cactus' coat / hat rack sculpture designed by Guido Drocco and Franco Mello, part of the legendary Italian Radical Design and Po...
Polystyrene
Stoneware Clay, Unglazed Ceramic Ethereal Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneware Clay, Unglazed Ceramic Ethereal Sculpture by Aleksandra Krasnopolska Dimensions: W 25.5 x D 19 x H 35 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Unglazed ceramic sulface. Weight: 5,6 k...
Ceramic, Clay, Stoneware
$1,575 / item
Golden Edition, Unique Bronze Lighter by Rick Owens
By Rick Owens
Located in Geneve, CH
Golden Edition - unique bronze lighter by Rick Owens Dimensions: L 11.5 x W 5.5 x H 3 cm Materials: Bronze The gold edition is an exclusivity of Gale...
Bronze
Bronze Abstract Vintage Sculpture Vanni Viviani Monumentalmente Vostro The Pear
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Vanni Viviani, a well known artist of years 80' in Italy. This is a multiple of a numbered edition of 1000 pieces; we ca...
Bronze
Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini Italian Silver-Plated "Musk" Sculpture 1970s
By Gio Ponti, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian sculpture ‘Cuckolded Mask” in silver-plated metal designed by Gio Ponti for Argenteria Sabattini with the manufacturer’s mark engraved, Italy 1970s Please note that the item...
Silver Plate
$2,511 / item
Sculpture Bloomen 14 by Zanellazine Ceramics
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpture Bloomen 14 by Zanellazine Ceramics Dimensions: W 26 x D 23 x H 43 cm Materials: Red and white clay, Green semi-refractorie clay. About: Giovanna Zighetti, ceramist and se...
Ceramic
Murano Powder Blue Handblown Flower
By Murano 5
Located in Pasadena, TX
This flower is handblown. It was crafted in Murano, Italy. It is powder blue with 5 petals. Makes for a great gift.
Art Glass
Cloud with Bronze Sticks Marble Sculpture by Tom Von Kaenel
Located in Geneve, CH
Cloud with bronze sticks marble sculpture by Tom Von Kaenel Dimensions: D 25 x W 20 x H 30 cm Materials: Marble Tom von Kaenel, sculptor and painter, was born in Switzerland in ...
Marble
Vintage Oversized Crystal Pencil Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oversized pencil sculpture in crystal (ca. 1980s/1990s, USA). Good, vintage condition with a couple of small edge flecks present, as shown. C6 marking present near the eraser. Maker ...
Crystal
20th Century Post-Modern Glazed Ceramic Penis/Phallic Sculpture, United Kingdom
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 20th century Post-Modern painted and glazed ceramic penis/phallic sculpture, United Kingdom By: unknown Material: ceramic, paint, enamel, clay ...
Enamel
Nova Sculpture in Deep Blue Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Nova Sculpture in Deep Blue Bio-Based Resin by Waves.STUDIO Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 35 cm. Materials: Bio-based resin. Nova is a unique design where a deep blue hue meets white pattern...
Resin
Pedro Friedeberg Snake Bar / Server / Table / Candle Holder / Sculpture, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg Snake bar, Mexico, c. 1970s. Made of carved and gilt wood, antique statuary, and glass. The stretched out hands hold the round removable glass tray and the upper han...
Glass, Wood
An art glass apple sculpture, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A gorgeous art glass sculpture or paperweight depicting an apple, Italy 20th century. Tones of aqua and amber double walled color, and leaf infused with gold dust.
Art Glass
Late 20th Century Carved Varnished Wood Decorative Feminine Sculpture, Brazil
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 20th century varnished wood decorative feminine sculpture with carved abdominal void, Brazil By: unknown Material: wood Technique: carved, hand-carved, hand-crafted, varnished ...
Wood
$14,063 / item
October Sculpture by Carri
Located in Geneve, CH
October Sculpture by Carri Dimensions: W 73 x D 5 x H 90 cm Materials: Onyx. B 1995 Fernanda Carri ́s intimate practice spans painting, sculpture, ceramics, and textile, while her ...
Onyx
Oxidized bronze Green Blue Metallized Mini Totem by Frederic Texier
Located in Geneve, CH
Oxidized bronze Green Blue Metallized Mini Totem by Frederic Texier Dimensions: W 10 x D 12 x H 43 cm. Materials: Concrete coated with bronze powder and then oxidized. Color: Oxidiz...
Concrete, Bronze
Postmodern White Glazed Porcelain Glove Mold by Rosenthal
By Rosenthal
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This mold is made in glazed porcelain. It was inspired by those ones designed by Gio Ponti for Ginori. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight t...
Porcelain
$1,883 / item
Artefacto 03 by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Artefacto 03 by Federico Stefanovich Dimensions: D 19 x W 47 x H 36 cm. Material: Brass. Available in a smaller size: D 10 x W 26 x H 20 cm. Federico Stefanovich presents himself as...
Brass
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Sculptural Pawn Shape Brass Paperweight Made in England
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and whimsical brass paperweight that adds personality and style to your office or décor. The weighty piece is signed “Made in England” and adds style to any place. A great ...
Brass
1980 Italy Post-Modern Rodica Tanasescu Bronze Abstract Sculpture Muse
Located in Brescia, IT
This artwork was created by the Italian artist Rodica Tanasescu. The title " Musa" Muse. Rodica Tanasescu was born in Rumania and now lives in and works in Mestre, (Venezia, Italy)....
Bronze
$50,227 / item
Brummit Fir Christmas Tree Sculpture by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Brummit Fir Christmas Tree Sculpture by The Peak Antler Dimensions: W 132.08 x D 132.08 x H 396.24 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers Based in, produced and shipped from the US. ...
Antler
Murano Orange Handblown Flower
By Murano 5
Located in Pasadena, TX
This flower is handblown. It was crafted in Murano, Italy. It is an orange swirl with 3 petals. Makes for a great gift.
Art Glass
1985 Vintage Post Modern Abstract Bronze Sculpture the Moon
Located in Brescia, IT
This is an interesting multiple artwork signed by the author Maurizio Bonora, a talented artist of years 80' in Italy. The other side of the moon. This is a multiple of a numbered ed...
Bronze