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.
Elegant Burgundy Brushed Brass Oyster Wall Mounted Lamp With Rod by Carla Baz
By Carla Baz
Located in Geneve, CH
Elegant Burgundy Brushed Brass Oyster Wall Mounted Lamp With Rod by Carla Baz Dimensions: Ø.30 x H.78 x D.9 CM Weight: 2 kg Material: Brass, Blown ...
Brass
Hans-Agne Jakobsson, Wall Lights, Brass, Glass, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of two-armed brass and yellow-coloured glass wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.5” H x 14” W x 9.25” D Back Plate Dimensions ...
Brass
$4,249 / item
Bone #19 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Bone #19 wall light by Margaux Leycuras. One of a Kind, Signed and numbered. Dimensions: Ø56 cm. Material: Ceramic, sand stoneware tops with a porcelain engobe finish. The piece ...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
Italian Murano Glass Wall Light "Nausicaa 18" by Massimo Giacon for Artemide
Located in Barntrup, DE
Amazing wall lamp "Nausicaa 18" by Italian designer Massimo Giacon. Hand-crafted Murano glass lamp body in the shape of a vase. Manufactured in 1997 by Artemide, Milano/Venezia serie...
Metal
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: Ecru cotton and ceramic. Weight: 4,7 kg....
Ceramic, Cotton
$801Sale Price|44% Off
Single Corrugation Sconce / Wall Light in Natural Ash and Brushed Aluminium
By Tino Seubert
Located in London, GB
Single sconce made from natural ash veneered plywood (clear coated) and brushed aluminium tube (first image). This discounted listing is for this material / colour combination only a...
Aluminum
Shogun wall lamp by Mario Botta for Artemide , 1980s
By Mario Botta, Artemide
Located in Athens, Attiki
The Shogun wall lamp was designed in the 1980s by Italian designer Mario Botta for the manufacturer Artemide. It is known for its distinctive design, which combines geometric shapes ...
Metal
Post Modern Roxter Eyeball Spotlight Desk Lamp Model 7039, circa 1970s
By Roxter Lighting
Located in New York, NY
Cool architectural, classic eyeball, spotlight, style desk, table lamp(s) which can also mount to the wall and function as a sconce. Classic Roxter / Tensor Model 7039, having a ball...
Metal
Pharos Hand Sculpted Natural Stone Wall Lamp I by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Pharos Hand Sculpted Natural Stone Wall Lamp I by Aver Dimensions: D 11 x W 8 x H 120 cm. Materials: Natural stone, metal. Available in different metal finish options. Please contac...
Stone, Metal
$2,118Sale Price|37% Off
Maison Charles Fusee Wall Sconce in Polished and Matt Nickel Plate
Located in London, GB
This stunning wall sconces by Maison Charles was made in this century but to the exact original design by Jacques Charles in the late 60s and early 70s. Part of the renowned Inox col...
Brass
$2,554 / item
Folia Wall Lamp by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Folia Wall Lamp by Federico Stefanovich. Dimensions: W 29 x D 7 x H 38 cm. Material: Cast Bronze, Brass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it ...
Brass, Bronze
$6,257 / item
Teardrop Marble Wall Lamp by Atra Design
By ATRA
Located in Geneve, CH
Teardrop marble wall lamp by Atra Design. Dimensions: D 28 x W 15 x H 38 cm Materials: White Onyx Marble, brass Atra Design We are Atra, a furniture b...
Marble, Brass
$1,277 / item
Chromolapse Wall Light by Studio Lampent
Located in Geneve, CH
Chromolapse Wall Light by Studio Lampent Dimensions: D 35 x W 45 x H 12.5 cm Materials: Acrylic sheets, oak frame, LED lights. For customization requests, feel free to contact us. ...
Acrylic, Oak, Wood
Post Modern Organic Italian Pair Geometric Beige Murano Glass Gold Leaf Sconces
Located in New York, NY
An elegant pair of Italian Murano glass wall sconces featuring a refined rectangular form composed of overlapping linear smoked hammered glass panels, embraced by a glass belt worked...
Brass, Gold Leaf
Mia Wall Light in Ceramic with Glossy Lacquered Finish by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Mia Wall Light in Ceramic with Glossy Lacquered Finish by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 16 x D 11.5 x H 30 cm. Materials: Handmade ceramic structure finished in high-quality colored ...
Ceramic, Lacquer
$1,950Sale Price|50% Off
French 1990s Sunburst Flush Light
Located in New York, NY
A French 1990s golden brass light with orange and tea colored resin prisms. Rewired. Six light sources.
Brass
Early Edition Mario Botta Black&White 'Fidia' Wall Applique Artemide Italy, 1986
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
The simple geometry found in Mario Botta’s buildings is also reflected in this lamp — Fidia, designed by Botta for Artemide in 1986 as a wall lamp features a clear, reduced geometr...
Metal, Aluminum
$1,600 / set
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine sconces / wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Dimensions of Back Plate (inches) : 9.5 x 2.25 x 1.08 (Height x Width x Depth). Socket takes E-14 b...
Pine
Orbe Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbe Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 20 x H 28 cm. Base: H 30 cm. Materials: Jute and ceramic. Weight: 2,7 kg. Electrica...
Ceramic, Jute
Italian Designer, Wall Lights, Metal, Glass, Italy, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of chrome metal and coloured glass wall lights, designed and produced in Italy, 1970s. Overall Dimensions: 10.5" H x 4.25" W x 4.5" D Backplate Dimensions (inches): 1.38" H ...
Metal
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, c. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine wood wall lights designed and crafted in Sweden, circa 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.5"H x 5.56"W x 8.37"D Dimensions of back plate (inches): 4.56" Di...
Fabric, Pine
$1,787 / item
Bide Large Wall Light by Bert Frank
Located in Geneve, CH
Bide large wall light by Bert Frank Dimensions: H 6 x D 28 cm Materials: brass and alabaster Available finishes: Brass and Alabaster All our lamps ca...
Alabaster, Brass
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, C. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine wood wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, circa 1970s. Backplate presents with light wear as illustrated. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall Dimensio...
Pine, Fabric
$1,207 / item
Alba Monocle Wall Light by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Alba Monocle 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
$2,196 / item
Aaro Wall Lamp by Simon Schmitz
Located in Geneve, CH
Aaro wall lamp by Simon Schmitz Dimensions: D 16 x W 155 x H 64 cm Materials: Aluminum, steel All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be w...
Aluminum, Steel
Swedish Designer, Sconce, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, c. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and fabric wall light designed and produced in Sweden, circa 1970s. Fabric shade presents with some moderate staining staining. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall D...
Pine, Fabric
$1,613 / item
L’applique Wall Lamp by Bosc Design
Located in Geneve, CH
L’applique Wall Lamp by Bosc Design Dimensions: W 15 x D 7 x H 30 cm Materials: Steel, Metal. Indoors or outdoors, the Zelliges wall light diffuses pleasant light, adding a colorfu...
Metal, Steel
Post Modern Organic Italian Pair Geometric Beige Murano Glass Gold Leaf Sconces
Located in New York, NY
An elegant pair of Italian Murano glass wall sconces featuring a refined rectangular form composed of overlapping linear smoked hammered glass panels, embraced by a glass belt worked...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$917 / item
Luno Brass Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Luno Brass Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 13 x W 27 x H 27 cm. Materials: Brass and alabaster. Available in different brass and alabaster options and finishes. Custom ...
Alabaster, Brass
Swedish Designer, Wall Lights, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine, moulded pine and off-white fabric wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 15” H x 8.5” W x 8.75” D Back Plate Dimensions (in...
Fabric, Pine
Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Pine, Rattan, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable pine and rattan wall light designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 16" H x 8" W x 11.5” D Backplate Dimensions (inches): 7.63" H x 5.5" W x ...
Rattan, Pine
$4,249 / item
Bone #13 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Bone #13 wall light by Margaux Leycuras One of a Kind, Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 6 x W 55 x H 50 cm Material: Ceramic, sand stoneware tops with a porcelain engobe finish....
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
Set of 2 Vintage Danish Metal Wall Lamps from Frandsen, 1994
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern wall lights from the Danish manufacturer Frandsen. A minimalist design. The metal lamp body has the simple shape of a quarter sphere. The lights have a cable outlet on th...
Metal
MC400 Wall Lamp in Satin Brushed Brass by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
MC400 Wall Lamp in Satin Brushed Brass by Daluce Dimensions: D 6,1 x 15 x H 33 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in different finish options: light satin burnished brass, medium sati...
Brass
$1,799 / item
AD 1930 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
AD 1930 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 9 x W 15 x H 70 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt...
Alabaster, Copper
Brume Wall Light in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts
Located in Geneve, CH
Brume Wall Light in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts. Dimensions: W 30 x D 15 x H 85 cm. Materials: Black-patinated bronze shell fixed to a black-patinated brass plate, with...
Bronze, Brass
$2,340Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Set of four large thick murano glass sconces by Mazzega. Italy 1980s
By Mazzega
Located in Catania, CT
Four large sconces made from thick murano glass in perfect vintage condition. Produced in Italy during the 80s. Full working with EU standard, adaptable on demand for USA standard.
Murano Glass
$1,633 / item
Pair of Clear Glass Leaf Wall Sconces/lights, 1970
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful leaf shaped wall sconces. The wall lights have a grey colored metal base with a thick leaf shaped clear pressed glass. Made in Germany, around 1970. One small base bulb pe...
Chrome
XL Murano Glass Wall Fixture, Italy, 1980
Located in Rijssen, NL
Wonderful multi colored Murano glass Light fixture manufactured in Murano, Italy 1980. With certification of originality (see images). In very good vintage condition. Each light re...
Murano Glass
Pfaffikon Sculptural Marble and Brass Wall Lamp by Jan Garncarek
Located in Geneve, CH
Pfaffikon Sculptural Marble and Brass Wall Lamp by Jan Garncarek Dimensions: D 12 x W 25 x H 46 cm Material: Brass, glass, Carrara marble. Information: weight: 7 kg / 33 lb voltage:...
Marble, Brass
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Glass, Lacquered Metal, Sweden, c. 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of glass and white-lacquered metal sconces/ wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5.56"H x 8.43"W x 4.25"D Dimensions of Back ...
Metal
$3,018 / item
Planette Wall 18 Alabaster Wall Light by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Planette Wall 18 Alabaster Wall Light by Contain Dimensions: Ø 18 x H 22 cm. Materials: Alabaster and brass. Also available in different finishes and dimensions (Ø12 cm / Ø16,5 ...
Alabaster, Brass
Articulated Pole Wall Sconce in Polished Nickel by The Light Factory
Located in Geneve, CH
Articulated Pole Wall Sconce in Polished Nickel by The Light Factory. Dimensions: W 12.7 x D 17.8 cm – 76.2 cm x H 96.5 cm. Materials: Polished Nickel. A tall, articulating wall sc...
Nickel
$986 / item
Square Slim 32 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Square Slim 32 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 8 x W 8 x H 32 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel...
Alabaster, Copper
Swedish Designer, Wall Lights, Green-Painted Pine, Sweden, C. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of green-painted pine wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 3.12"H x 15.75"W x 3.5"D Bulb Specification: E-14(European) Bulbs ...
Pine
$975 / 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
$2,960 / item
Sigil Crest Wall Sconce by NITUSH AROOSH
Located in Geneve, CH
Sigil Crest Wall Sconce by NITUSH AROOSH Dimensions: Ø 22 x H 45 cm. Materials: Stainless steel and selenite. Available in different finishes. All our lamps can be wired according ...
Stainless Steel, Other
One of the Four Wall or Ceiling Lamp by Motoko Ishii for Staff, 1970s
By Staff Leuchten, Motoko Ishii
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of the four rare wall or flushmount ceiling lamps by Motoko Ishii for Staff Lighting Company, Germany. Heat-resistant resin, metalized base and 4 clear glass shades. Beautiful design, reflective lamps in all directions. Typical design from the 1970s. The lamp received the IF design award in 1974 for her design. Dimensions (cm): 28 H x 32 W x 32 D Dimensions (inch): 11.02 H x 12.60 W x 12.60 D Heavy quality and in perfect condition. Cleaned, well-wired and ready to use. The fixture can be disassembled and the glass bowls can be individually wrapped for easy transport. Please notice the price for one piece. Motoko Ishii, a leading Japanese lighting...
Steel, Chrome
Medium Misalliance Ral Jet Black Wall Light by Lexavala
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Misalliance ral jet black wall light by Lexavala Dimensions: D 16 x W 100 x H 8 cm Materials: powder coated aluminium. There are two lenghts of socket covers, extending o...
Aluminum
$4,423 / item
Flow Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
Flow Sconce by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: W 40.64 x D 22.86 x H 76.2 cm Materials: Plaster with LED Based in, produced and shipped from the US. All our lamps can be wired...
Other
Geo Gemma Wall Light Installation by The GoodMan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Geo Gemma Wall Light Installation by The GoodMan Studio Dimensions (May vary): Small ⌀ 15 x H 6 cm / ⌀ 21 x H 6 cm Medium ⌀ 23 x H 6 cm / ⌀ 28 ...
Metal, Other
$11,981 / item
Anvers Large Wall/Ceiling Lamp by CTO Lighting
By CTO Lighting
Located in Geneve, CH
Anvers Large Wall/Ceiling lamp by CTO Lighting Materials: satin brass with alabaster stone Also available in bronze with alabaster stone Dimensions: H 4.8 x W 54.5 cm All our lamps...
Alabaster, Brass
Pair of Thick Textured Glass and Brass Wall Lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1960
By Kalmar Lighting, J.T. Kalmar
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of wall light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in circa 1960. The glass shows a beautiful ice-like texture, which gives a diffuse light effect and a nice p...
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: Jute and ceramic. Weight: 1,2 kg. Electrica...
Ceramic, Jute
$6,371Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Postmodern panel of 9 sconces in pulegoso murano glass, Mazzega 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in Catania, CT
Composed of 9 Murano glass wall lamps produced by Mazzega in the 1970s. They can be installed as a panel or separately as 9 individual sconces. Full working with EU standard, adaptab...
Murano Glass
$4,307 / item
Wall Sconce by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Wall sconce by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 10 x W 16.5 x H 10 cm Materials: brass All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for ...
Brass
$557 / item
Lune Raw Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Lune Raw 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. Electrical syste...
Ceramic, Cotton
$1,648 / item
Frame Wood Small Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt
Located in Geneve, CH
Frame Wood Small Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt Dimensions: D 11 x W 24 x H 35 cm. Materials: Wood and paper. Wall light in mahogany wood, made in Portugal, bulb included: E14 Led...
Paper, Wood
$1,021 / item
Wireless Glans Table Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Wireless Glans Table Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 12,5 x H 29 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, ...
Alabaster, Copper
Wilo Mono Wall Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Wilo Mono Wall Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 6 x W 15 x H 15 cm Materials: Claypaste, terrazo, metal. Introducing the Wilo Mono, a striking indoor/outdoor Terrazzo...
Metal