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.
Ton A.C. Alberts for RAAK 'Zodiac' Floor Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ton A.C. Alberts for RAAK Amsterdam, 'Zodiac' floor lamp, glass, wengé, metal, the Netherlands, 1970s This exceptional floor lamp, designed by Ton A.C. Alberts for RAAK Amsterdam in...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova 'Cometa' Floor Lamp in Perspex
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova, 'Cometa' floor lamp, model 'L026', acrylic, lacquered metal, chrome, Italy, design 1970 A funky and irresistibly charming floor lamp d...
Metal, Chrome
Sergio Asti for Martinelli Luce ‘Profiterole’ Floor or Table Lamp in Fiberglass
By Sergio Asti, Martinelli Luce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sergio Asti for Martinelli Luce, ‘Profiterole’, floor or table lamp, model ‘640’, fiberglass, plastic, Lucca, Italy, 1968 A captivating fusion of both functionality and artistic exp...
Plastic, Fiberglass
Olivier Mourgue for Disderot Flower Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Olivier Mourgue for Disderot, floor lamp, model '2093-150', chrome-plated metal, aluminum, France, 1967. An exquisitely distinctive floor lamp designed to captivate. Conceived by ...
Metal, Aluminum
1970s Cascading Waterfall Chrome Waterfall Floor Lamp Attr Sonneman
Located in Toronto, ON
Stunning chrome cascading waterfall floor lamp attributed to Robert Sonneman. It was made in the 1970s. T This table lamp has a gorgeous waterfall form which features five cascading ...
Brass
Post Modern George Kovacs Robert Sonneman Modern chrome floor Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Robert Sonneman Chromed Steel Tube bent Floor Lamp. Circa. 1970s Comes with light bulb. 120v plug H 46" L 24"
Steel, Chrome
Post modern Joe Colombo Floor lamp 3321 Black Gloss
By Joe Colombo, Oluce
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Joe Colombo Floor lamp 3321. Pre owned Coupe Floor Lamp in black adjustable, an original Joe Colombo design (circa 1967) for Oluce model 3321. Oluce's 1960s Coupe floor lamps pairs a...
Metal
Postmodern Banana Floor Lamp by Heico, Plastic, Germany, 1980s Design
By Heico
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp in the shape of a banana. An object in style of postmodern design and art movements like memphis. A unique object and rare eye-catcher. This lamp is shaped lik...
Plastic
Adjustable Brass Pharmacy Style Floor Reading Lamp att. to Koch and Lowy c 1980s
Located in New York, NY
Sleek adjustable pharmacy style floor lamp, in sophisticated satin brass finish. The lamp is adjustable in height ( 52.5" - 57" ) the shade tilts, and the vertical post swivels ton ...
Brass
Kooij Tol 3 Floor Lamp by Dirk van der Kooij
Located in Toronto, ON
Tol, Dutch for spinning top, is so named for its deceptive stance in suspended motion. The series of alternating totems sit comfortably—softly grounded in their obtuse proportions. T...
Brass
$728Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern German Lumibär Bear Floor Lamp by Klein & Leidig for Flötotto, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Lumibär is a design classic from Flötotto. The bright bear. Not just something for the children's room. The design is so simple that it also fits wonderfully as a light object...
Plastic
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric 3 Modules Wall Lamp for Cassina
Vintage Postmodern Olympia Floor Lamp by Jorge Pensi for B.Lux, 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant floor lamp from the Spanish manufacturer B.Lux after a design by Jorge Pensi from the 80s. This floor lamp convinces with it's slender design language and the special materi...
Metal
up-lighter Floor lamp Tronconi - design Barbieri & Marianelli - model 'Frack'
Located in Den Haag, NL
Vintage 1980s floor lamp designed by the Italian company Tronconi, designed by Barbieri and Marianelli, model 'Frack' Stylish and sleek design, design from 1984. The lamp consists o...
Metal
Vintage Space Age Papillona Floor Lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp by the Italian manufacturer Flos after a design by Afra & Tobia Scarpa from the 70s. This design convinces with its imposing height of almost 2m. The filigree ...
Metal
Meritalia Some of Us Lamp by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Created through a process that celebrates imperfection and unconventionality, the luminous objects by Edizioni del Pesce embody Gaetano Pesce's distinctive philosophy. Each luminous ...
Metal
Habitat Orange Mushroom Floor Lamp Acrylic Steel Space Age Postmodern Glow
Located in Lisboa, PT
This Habitat orange mushroom floor lamp is a striking example of postmodern design influenced by the iconic space age lighting aesthetics of the late 20th century. Combining sculptur...
Steel, Chrome
Rare Pop Art Tulip Floor Lamp in Green & Red Painted Metal by Peter Bliss 1980s
By Bliss
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and very cool British Pop Art floor lamp by Peter Bliss. For the collectors, design lovers and enthousiasts of pop art, we are offering this very rare and stylized tulip floo...
Metal
Gae Aulenti for Francesconi ‘Singa’ Lamp
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gae Aulenti for Francesconi, ‘Singa’ lamp, plastic, steel, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1975 This rare ‘Singa’ lamp is designed by Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti for Ita...
Steel, Chrome
Ico Parisi Palpebra Aluminium Table Lamp by Cassina
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ico Parisi Palpebra Matt Black Table Lamp by Cassina The creative flair of Ico Parisi in a playful invention of mimicry. This artistic lamp is engineered to open and close, mimicki...
Aluminum
A Radical MURANO Glass TABLE LAMP by FRANCO RAGGI, by FONTANA ARTE, Italy 1970
By Fontana Arte
Located in PARIS, FR
A large and airy table lamp, Post-Modernist, Shabby-Chic, Memphis, circular base in cast aluminum with integrated dimmer, 2 axes supporting 2 sheets of glass with white diffusing dec...
Metal, Chrome
Mario Botta for Artemide ‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Artemide, 'Shogun' floor lamp, aluminum, steel, Italy, 1986 Mario Botta referred to lamps as “people”. He said: "Shogun is a person. He has a head, body and feet, ...
Aluminum, Steel
1980s Stringa Floor Lamp by Hans Ansems for Luxo Italiana
By Luxo, Hans Ansems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Luxo BZ18 "Stringa" floor lamp in black by Hans Ansems with curved perforated shade and dimmer switch. The neck of the lamp adjusts in three places for a range of dynamic forms. In o...
Metal
Memphis style. Post-Modern handmade ceramic floor lamp, Italy, 1980s
By Shiro Kuramata, Michele de Lucchi, Ettore Sottsass, George Sowden
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Memphis style handmade ceramic floor lamp, Italy, 1980s. Made by hand by joining various ceramic elements used in high voltage electrical towers as cable insulators. Different types of black and white ceramic insulators have been used, joined with glue cement and a central metal stem, creating a sculptural and geometric structure totally Memphis and Post-Modern style, with a certain brutalist air. Unknown author. Very much in the style of the creations and designs of Ettore Sottsass, Michele De Lucchi, Peter Shire, Shiro Kuramata, Sowden and Du Pasquier. Its design also reminds us of the well-known Shogun lamp...
Metal
A Pair Of Travertine and Brass Floor Lamps By Michael Taylor
Located in London, GB
A Pair of floor lamps from the post modern era by American designer Michael Taylor, with travertine bases supporting a tapering stem with travertine sphere decorated with brass accen...
Travertine, Brass, Iron
Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova 'Cometa' Floor Lamp in Perspex and Aluminum
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, floor lamp, model 'Cometa' no. L026, acrylic, lacquered metal, chrome, Italy, 1970 Funky and easy to love floor lamp designed by Ettore Sottsass for ...
Chrome
Post-Modern Octaëder Floor Lamp or Light Object by Marcel Simons, 1993
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magical and rare Post-Modern Octaëder floor lamp or light object. Design by Marcel Simons. Striking Dutch design from the 1990s Made out of glass plates and yellow plastic pyramid in...
Glass
Polifemo Floor Lamp by Carlo Forcolini for Artemide, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
During the 1980s, Artemide produced an Italian postmodern floor lamp crafted by the renowned designer Carlo Forcolino. This lamp features...
Metal
Paul Evans Directional 'Cityscape' Floor Lamp in Chrome-plated Steel and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, 'Cityscape' floor lamp from the PE200 series, chrome-plated steel, brass, United States, 1970s This unique floor lamp from the 'Cityscape' (PE 200) line...
Brass
$4,800 / item
Ceiba Lamp
Located in Mérida, MX
The Ceiba lamp is a clay lamp handmade by artisans from Yucatan and designed by Chuch Estudio. The large scale clay as an ancestral tradition allowed the pr...
Clay
Pair of Floor Lamps/Torchieres by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, USA 1987
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Illuminate your space with this stunning pair of Floor Lamps/Torchieres by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, crafted in the USA in 1987. These sleek and modern lamps feature a strik...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Paul Evans for Directional 'Cityscape' Floor Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, 'Cityscape' floor lamp, model PE-4010 from the PE200 series, chrome-plated steel, brass, United States, circa 1975 This distinctive floor lamp from the ...
Brass, Steel, Chrome
Lumina Floor Lamp Walter Monici Italy Model "Zelig Terra"
By A. Monici, Lumina
Located in Den Haag, NL
Black counterweight floor lamp. Design by Walter Monici for Lumina Italy 1980 model ''Zelig Terra '' Very nice adjustable halogen floor lamp. Two-light intensities. Very flexible, it...
Metal
Mário Barbaglia and Marco Colombo Eco Floor Lamp for Italiana Luce
By Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo
Located in Miami, FL
Rare postmodern Eco floor lamp designed by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo for Italiana Luce. The lamp is telescopic with an adjustable height between 56” and 76”. The round lamp...
Metal
Floor Lamp, Brass-Plated Stainless Steel & Stone Sphere, Sculptural, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Hero Lamp is a sculptural floor lamp virtuously crafted in stainless steel with a brass plated finish which holds a stone globe that gives off a warm candle-like light. This unique...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,493Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Design Brass Fluted Torchiere Floor Lamp by Relco, Italy 1980's
By Relco Milano
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Italian Design Brass Fluted "TORCHIERE" Floor Lamp by Relco. Made in Milano, Italy, 1980's period. Marked on the dimmer switch. Design in the style of Terra A. Ton...
Brass
Vintage Ikea Torchiere Uplight Floor Lamp after Max Bill c 1970/80's
By IKEA
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated modern minimalist design, white on white floor lamp, made by Ikea, in the style of Max Bill, circa 1970/80's. The lamp features an elegant elongated vertical center p...
Metal
Winnie Floor Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Winnie Floor Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: ⌀ 45 x H 122 cm. Materials: Painted natural rattan frame structure completed with a printed cotton...
Wood, Lacquer, Cotton, Rattan
Adjustable Brass Floor Lamp with Saucer Shaped Shade
By Koch & Lowy, Cedric Hartman
Located in New York, NY
Unusual adjustable floor lamp, having a saucer shaped dome shade which tilts within its half circle cradle, all mounted on the adjustable brass vertical post. Executed in the manner ...
Brass
Italian Post-Modern Adjustable Floor Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bosi, Martini and Bertotti for Fratelli Martini, 'Art. 225/1' floor lamp, cast iron, lacquered aluminum, Italy, ca. 1974-1975 This Italian post-modern floor lamp stands as a light s...
Aluminum, Iron
Postmodern German Vela Sail Floor Lamp A. Engbert Franz Ringelhan for Rolf Benz
By Rolf Benz
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp by Rolf Benz based on a design by A. Engbert and F. Ringelhan from 1990. The design clearly shows its maritime inspiration. An abstract sailboat with an exagg...
Aluminum
Robert Sonneman "Echoes of Vienna" Floor Lamp for Kovacs, 1987
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
***only 1 lamp available *** Robert Sonneman "Echoes of Vienna" floor lamps for Kovacs, 1987. Dimmable, warm halogen light and iconic memphis-adjacent postmodern style. Aluminum be...
Metal, Aluminum, Steel, Stainless Steel
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Steel & Frosted Glass Floor Lamp after Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A super heavy and well made floor from the Postmodern 1990s era. It features stainless steel and frosted glass construction. Works with one Halogen bulb.
Stainless Steel
1980s Koch-Lowy Floor Lamp by Piotr Sierakowski
By Koch & Lowy, Piotr Sierakowski
Located in Oakland, CA
1980s Koch-Lowy floor lamp, cast iron base metal rod stem and adjustable painted aluminum shade. The main stem swivels from side to side and the shade can be turned 360 degrees. The...
Aluminum, Iron
Italian Post Modern Uplight Halogen Torchiere Floor Lamp att. to Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Richard Meier
Located in New York, NY
Sophisticated Post Modern Italian design halogen uplight, torchiere, floor lamp, attributed to Fontana Arte. The lamp features a thick etched glass vertical panel, which supports a b...
Metal
Valentí Spanish Floor Lamp in Black Stitched Saddle Leather
By Valenti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Valentí, floor lamp, saddle leather, iron, Barcelona, Spain, 1970s Quietly understated yet assertive floor lamp by Spanish company Valentí. Its stark geometry speaks volumes. A sing...
Iron
Rare G. Fantinato for Febo Luce 'Faro' Floor Lamp in Steel and Marble
Located in Waalwijk, NL
G. Fantinato for Febo Luce, 'Faro' floor Lamp, chrome-plated steel, Carrara marble, glass, Italy, 1970s A striking floor lamp designed by Italian designer G. Fantinato, titled Faro,...
Marble, Steel, Chrome
$840Sale Price|20% Off
Robert Sonnomen for George Kovacs, White Enamel Post Modern Halogen Floor lamp.
By George Kovacs, Robert Sonneman
Located in Chicago, IL
Robert Sonneman for Kovacs Lighting Torchiere floor lamp. White enamel over metal, halogen lighting element with glass cover. Rectangular shaped ste...
Metal, Enamel
Kazuhide Takahama Totem Floor Lamp, Sirrah Italy 1981
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare Kazuhide Takahama “Totem” floor lamp is one of his most sculptural and architectural lighting designs, designed in the late 70s for Sirrah...
Cement, Metal, Brass
Post Modern Adjustable Angle Poise Floor Lamp
By IKEA
Located in New York, NY
Interesting Post Modern age poise floor lamp, having an adjustable arm and pivoting head. The lamp is in very good, clean, working condition, it accepts a standard size halogen bulb....
Metal
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Large Sculptural Lamp in Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lorenzo Burchiellaro, table or floor lamp, aluminium, Italy, 1970s Sculptural and large lamp by Lorenzo Burchiellaro. Four triangular, bent aluminum sheets form a dynamic body to th...
Aluminum
Ico Parisi Iride Floor Aluminium Lamp Lower Version by Cassina
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ico Parisi Iride Floor Aluminium Lamp by Cassina Ico Parisi’s fascination with the integration of design, art and architecture led to the creation of a floor lamp in the 1970s re-ed...
Aluminum
Ferrerol Babin Polyshape Red Aluminium Floor Lamp by Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Ferrerol Babin Polyshape Red Aluminium Floor Lamp by Cassina SCULPTED GEOMETRIES The first project by Ferréol Babin for Cassina and the second chapter of the Patronage project, Pol...
Aluminum
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric 3 Modules Lamp for Cassina
E.T.A Floor Lamp by Guglielmo Berchicci for Kundalini
By Kundalini, Guglielmo Berchicci
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A striking and instantly recognisable Italian floor lamp, the E.T.A designed by Guglielmo Berchicci for Kundalini is one of the most iconic lighting pieces of the late twentieth cent...
Fiberglass
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric 2 Modules Wall Lamp for Cassina
Tom Dixon iconic stackable floor lamp-stool 'Jack' 1994 - DESIGN AWARD WINNER
By Tom Dixon
Located in The Hague, NL
The Jack Lamp, designed by Tom Dixon in 1994, is an iconic and playful design object that combines art, functionality, and innovation. This striking lamp, also known as the "sitting,...
Acrylic
Hala Zeist Halogen Arch Floor lamp 1980s Holland
By Hala Zeist
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Hala Zeist Arch Floor lamp . Halogen 12 volt 50 watt signed , Post Modern in style . Polish Aluminum . good condition . comes with a good working dimmer .
Aluminum
Pair 1987 Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Black Torchiere Floor Lamps
Located in Stafford, TX
Pair of 1987 Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Black Torchiere Floor Lamps! Both in overall great condition as seen. Message with questions.
Metal, Iron
Postmodern Vintage Black Floor Lamp by Carlo Forcolini 1989 for Artemide Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
A Postmodern vintage black floor lamp, which was designed by Carlo Forcolini 1989 for Artemide, Italy. It is labeled underneath the base: Art...
Metal