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 Pair of White Glass Metal Wall Sconces by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty Postmodern Spanish Pair of White metal White glass Wall Sconces by Blauet. Model: Maria 250 White/White. These Wall Lights were made in Barcelona (Spain) by Blauet during 1990...
Metal
$1,166 / item
Small Drop Brass Wall Sconce Two by Lamp Shaper
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Drop Brass Wall Sconce Two by Lamp Shaper Dimensions: D 15.5 x W 14 x H 41 cm. Materials: Brass. Different finishes available: raw brass, aged ...
Brass
Lune Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Lune Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 16 x H 23 cm. Base: H 20 cm. Materials: Ecru cotton and ceramic. Weight: 1,2 kg. El...
Ceramic, Cotton
$1,575 / item
Small Geo Sconce by The GoodMan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Geo Sconce by The GoodMan Studio Dimensions (May vary): ⌀ 21 x H 6 cm (with ⌀ 8 cm sphere) Materials: Glass, Metal, Silver Leaf Blown glass with silvered leaf glass pearl cent...
Metal, Other
$793 / item
Tabu P Wall Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Tabu P Wall Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 10 x D 10 x H 21 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum Also available in Polished Cast Bras...
Metal
$1,108 / item
Alba Simple Wall Alabaster Light by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Alba Simple Wall Alabaster Light by Contain Dimensions: D 15 x H 9.5 cm. Materials: alabaster structure and optical lens. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If so...
Alabaster
Three Fontana Arte Wall Lights, Gianni Celada, 1980
By Gianni Celada, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of three large Postmodern wall lights designed by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1980. Set at an angle of 45° these large wall lights (model ‚Sisten‘) are made of chromed and la...
Steel, Chrome
TF410 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Two Orientable Tubular Diffusers by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
TF410 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Two Orientable Tubular Diffusers by Daluce Dimensions: D 13,4 x 6 x H 25,8 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in different finish options: light sa...
Brass
$1,166 / item
Natural Stone Wall Sconce by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural stone wall sconce by Aver Dimensions: W 12 x D 15 x H 58 cm Materials: Natural rocks, high-quality cut crystals, jewelry chains, hand-blown glass, other. Also Available: Matt...
Stone, Crystal
$1,563 / item
Frame Miroir Small Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt
Located in Geneve, CH
Frame Miroir Small Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt Dimensions: D 11 x W 24 x H 35 cm. Materials: Lacquered steel and paper. Wall light in lacquered steel, made in Portugal, bulb in...
Steel
$980 / item
Mod Glass Globe Wall Sconce by Lamp Shaper
Located in Geneve, CH
Mod Glass Globe Wall Sconce by Lamp Shaper Dimensions: D 14 x W 18 x H 38 cm. Materials: Brass and glass. Different finishes available: raw br...
Brass
Art Deco Revival. Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s
By Hispania CH, Bassano, Cerámicas BONDIA, Capo Di Monte
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Art Deco Revival and Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s. Each wall light is made of black glazed ceramic in the shape of a hand holding a spherical diffuser. The diffuse...
Ceramic, Paint, Blown Glass, Art Glass
$1,155 / item
Pilolo Brass Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Pilolo Brass Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 11 x W 22 x H 42 cm. Materials: Brass and alabaster. Available in different brass and alabaster options and finishes. Custo...
Alabaster, Brass
Set of 2 Murano glass wall lamps by Aureliano Toso for Itre, 1975
By ITRE, Aureliano Toso
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
The 2 polychrome wall sconces offered here were made with the complex technique of incalmo, a technique used to heat join two or more pieces of blown glass, often of different colors...
Steel
$1,528 / item
Quartz Wall Sconce I by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Quartz wall sconce I by Aver Dimensions: W 4 x D 17 x H 35 cm Materials: Natural rocks, high-quality cut crystals, jewelry chains, hand-blown glass, other. Also Available: Matte Blac...
Stone, Crystal, Other
Set of 3 Postmodern German Wandering Finger Wall Lamps by Ingo Maurer, 1990s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Wandering Finger is a delicate wall lamp by the lighting designer Ingo Maurer. The materials and workmanship are of high quality, you can see the...
Metal
No. 13 Circle Green, Grey Contemporary Art Wall Sconce by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Circle Blue Grey Wall Sconce by Sander Bottinga Handmade in brass, leather, wood, and hand-printed and painted linen. A dimmer is inlaid with leathe...
Brass
Ostro Green Ceramic Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Ostro Green Ceramic Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 17 x W 31 x H 31 cm. Materials: Ceramic and glass. Available in different ceramic and marble options and finishes. C...
Ceramic, Glass
Contemporary Stainless Steel Conical Wall Light by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel Conical Wall Light by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 19 x D 20 x H 12 cm Materials: Stainless Steel Lost wax cast in solid stainless st...
Stainless Steel
$3,380 / item
Bone #12 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Bone #12 wall light by Margaux Leycuras One of a Kind, Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 6 x W 44 x H 39cm Material: Ceramic, sand stoneware tops with a po...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
$1,480Sale Price|57% Off
William Leslie Light Sculpture Signed 1994
By William Leslie
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Beautiful large paper & burlwood light sculpture. Signed William Leslie 1994. Gorgeous dramatic design with multiple curves that looks great from any an...
Resin, Wood, Paper
Fontana arte and Candle, E770, red wall light, Murano Opaline glass, Italy, 1980
By Candle
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
Candle and Fontana Arte are two glass factories of Murano Island. Both from special background, they have featured this rare model of outside wall light. Made out of a red lacquered ...
Aluminum
$1,143 / item
Pearl Plus Brillance Wall Light by Lisa Allegra
Located in Geneve, CH
Pearl plus brillance wall light by Lisa Allegra Dimensions: W 25.5 x D 24 x H 17 cm. Materials: Clay. Available in different finishes: pearl, dusty pink, and blackened gold. Al...
Clay
Postmodern Italian White Pair of Wall Sconces by Targetti Sankey, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern White Metal Pair of Wall Sconces or Flush Mounts by Targetti Sankey. Model: 376 Blanco. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Italy during 1980s These fixt...
Metal
Single Sconce by Jean-Pierre Vitrac for Verre Lumière
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This elegant wall light (Model 20572Y) designed by Jean‑Pierre Vitrac for Verre Lumière in the 1980s is a superb example of late‑modern French lighting. It has a lacquered metal fr...
Metal
$4,270 / item
Silk #19 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Silk #19 wall light by Margaux Leycuras One of a Kind. Signed and numbered. Dimensions: Ø 54 x H 58 cm Material: Ceramic, sandy stoneware platters with a porcelain slip finish. T...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$1,190 / item
Three Edges Wall Light by Square in Circle
Located in Geneve, CH
Three Edges Wall Light by Square in Circle Dimensions: D19 x W50 x H8 cm Materials: Brushed brass/ brushed grey metal/ white opaque diffuser Other finishes available. This sleek and modern picture light...
Metal, Brass
$1,656 / item
Quartz and Bronze Wall Light I by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Quartz and Bronze Wall Light I by Aver Dimensions: W 18 x D 16 x H 27 cm Materials: Natural rocks, high-quality cut crystals, jewelry chains, hand blown glass, other. Also Available:...
Stone, Crystal, Other
Possess Sculptural Wall Lamp, designed and assembled in Italy by Dario Nasuti
Located in Parma, IT
Conceptual Inspiration: Surrealism and the Capture of Light "Possess" is a sculptural wall sconce that skillfully straddles the line between avant-garde design and surreal art. The ...
Metal
Tiles Line Cream Ceramic Decorative Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt
Located in Geneve, CH
Tiles Line Cream Ceramic Decorative Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt Dimensions: D 5,4 x W 14 x H 29 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Wall light made in Portugal in collaboration with Dutch ...
Ceramic
Pharos Hand Sculpted Natural Stone Wall Lamp III by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Pharos Hand Sculpted Natural Stone Wall Lamp III by Aver Dimensions: D 8 x W 7 x H 75 cm. Materials: Natural stone, metal. Available in different metal finish options. Please contac...
Stone, Metal
$1,528 / item
Quartz Wall Sconce II by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Quartz wall sconce II by Aver Dimensions: W 14 x D 16 x H 55 cm Materials: Natural rocks, high-quality cut crystals, jewelry chains, hand-blown glass, other. Also Available: Matte Bl...
Stone, Crystal, Other
$1,862Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of "Cocktail" Jill Wall Lamps by King and Miranda for Arteluce, 1980s
By Arteluce, Perry King and Santiago Miranda
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beautiful pair of Italian White Wall Sconces from 1980s. These pieces were made during the 1980s in Italy by Perry King and Santiago Miranda. The name of the manufacturer "Arteluce"...
Metal
$2,006 / item
Lightpulse Wall Light by Studio Lampent
Located in Geneve, CH
Lightpulse wall lamp by Studio Lampent Dimensions: D 53 x W 53 x H 13 Materials: Acrylic, wood. Weight: 4,5 kg. Customizable frame wood type (oak, ash, birch, etc) and color. "Ligh...
Acrylic, Wood
Contemporary Unique Form Triple Clear Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Petra I Triple Clear Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots Dimensions: D 12 x W 30 x H 60 cm. Materials: Aged brass, slices of polished clear quartz. Available in clear, rose, or smoky...
Quartz, Brass
Petite Brume Wall Light in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts
Located in Geneve, CH
Petite Brume Wall Light in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts. Dimensions: W 25 x D 10 x H 48 cm. Materials: Black-patinated bronze shell fixed to a black-patinated brass plat...
Brass, Bronze
$1,003 / item
28sp Wall Lamp by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
28sp wall lamp by Bocci Dimensions: Diameter 16.5 x H 11.5 cm Materials: blown glass, electrical components, metal mounting plate Lamping: : 1.5w LED or 20w xenon. Non-dimmable. ...
Metal, Steel, Nickel
$1,400Sale Price|50% Off
French 1980s Space Age Wall Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A pair of French Space Age wall lights composed of polished brass fixtures and frosted glass shades. Newly Rewired with one candelabra socket each.
Brass
$525Sale Price|40% Off
Murano Due wall lighting 24 ct Gilt gold , Italy 1990
By Murano Due
Located in La xara, VC
Murano Due lighting is highly sought after for several compelling reasons: • Exceptional Artistic Craftsmanship: Murano Due lights are made using centuries-old hand-blown glass tech...
Murano Glass
Italian Postmodern Aton Barra Wall Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare wall lamp from the italian manufacturer artemide after a design by ernesto gismondi from the 80s. a technical design made of aluminum and black plastic. The lamp can be mounted...
Metal
Göran Slöjdare, Wall Light, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall light designed and produced by Göran Slöjdare, Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 9.75” H x 5.75” W x 5” D Back Plate Dimensions (inches): 9.75” H x 4.95” W ...
Pine
$1,295 / item
Tabu G Wall Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Tabu G Wall Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 17.5 x D 16 x H 35 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum Also available in Polished Cast Br...
Metal
$2,777 / item
Kavanagh WS Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Kavanagh WS Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 12 x W 6 x H 53 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, ...
Alabaster, Copper
$3,255 / item
Big Aurum Blue Glass Sconces by Alex de Witte
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Aurum blue glass sconces by Alex de Witte Dimensions: D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: Mouth blown glass It can be purchased as an ensemble or individual...
Blown Glass
$1,213 / item
Capsule Golden Wall Light by Square in Circle
Located in Geneve, CH
Capsule Golden wall light by Square in Circle Dimensions: D5 x W5.5 x H40 cm Materials:Brushed brass/ opaque glass Other finishes available. Perfect ...
Brass
$1,341 / item
Alba Monocle Exterior Wall Light by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Alba Monocle Exterior Wall Light by Contain Dimensions: D 8 x W 8 x H 10 cm. Materials: Brass, 3D printed PLA structure and optical lens. Available in d...
Brass, Other
$1,901 / item
A25-190 Wall Lamp by Disderot
Located in Geneve, CH
A25-190 Wall Lamp by Disderot Limited Edition. Designed by Alain Richard Dimensions: Ø 19 x H 28 cm. Materials: Lacquered metal. Delivered with authentication certificate. Made in ...
Metal
Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Wall Light, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and moulded pine-veneer wall light designed by Hans-Agne Jakobsson and produced by Elysett AB, Sweden, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 10.25” H x 6” W x 9.25” D Back Plat...
Pine
Terre Tobacco Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Terre Tobacco Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 30 x H 22 cm. Base: H 30 cm. Materials: Jute and ceramic. Weight: 2,4 kg. All our lamps can ...
Ceramic, Jute
$3,372 / item
Chalk #2 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Chalk #2 wall light by Margaux Leycuras One of a Kind, Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 6 x W 46 x H 38cm Material: Ceramic, sand stoneware tops with...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
$1,423 / item
Lasca Wall Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Lasca Wall Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 26 x D 18 x H 37 cm Materials: Cristallo quartzite and cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum Also availabl...
Quartz, Metal
Delphe White Cream Matt Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Delphe White Cream Matt Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 32 x H 26 cm. Base: H 35 cm. Materials: Ecru cotton and ceramic. Weight: 2,8 kg. D...
Ceramic, Cotton
Contemporary Aged Brass Wall Sconce, Goddess Sconce by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Aged Brass Wall Sconce, Goddess Sconce by Paul Matter The Goddess Sconce explores the relationship between two interlocked forms in perfec...
Brass
Michelle Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Michelle Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 40 x H 20 cm. Base: H 30 cm. Materials: Jute and ceramic. Weight: 4,7 kg. Elect...
Ceramic, Jute
$875 / item
Giaco Wall Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Giaco Wall Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 18 x D 12 x H 23 cm Materials: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum Al...
Crystal, Metal, Steel
$840 / set
White Brut Body Sconces by Di Fretto
Located in Geneve, CH
White Brut Body Sconces by Di Fretto Dimensions: W 26 x D 10 x H 27 cm Materials: White Faience The Body appliques are the 2 sides of the sculpture of a w...
Faience
Pair of Sconces or Ceiling Lamps by Mario Bellini for Artemide, 1970s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Pair of Sconces or Ceiling Lamps by Mario Bellini for Artemide, 1970s, Italy Lampshade is in good condition and very clean. This lamp works with E27 light bulb Wired and suitable t...
Plastic, Parchment Paper
$4,270 / item
Silk #17 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Silk #17 wall light by Margaux Leycuras One of a Kind. Signed and numbered. Dimensions: Ø 51 x H 56 cm. Material: Ceramic, sandy stoneware platters with a porcelain slip finish. ...
Ceramic, Porcelain
$10,979 / item
Pivot Double Wall Lamp by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pivot double wall lamp by Gentner Design. Dimensions: D 140 x W 5 x H 40.6 cm. Materials: hand rubbed brass. Available in polished tarnished brass, dar...
Brass
$550Sale Price / item|20% Off
Toso wall lighting yellow gold murano glass sign, Italy 1990
Located in La xara, VC
Toso lighting is highly sought after for several compelling reasons: • Exceptional Artistic Craftsmanship: Toso lights are made using centuries-old hand-blown glass techniques from ...
Brass