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.
$5,456 / item
A24-1500 Wall Lamp by Disderot
Located in Geneve, CH
A24-1500 Wall Lamp by Disderot Limited Edition. Designed by Alain Richard Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 150 cm. Materials: Lacquered metal. Delivered with authentication certificate. Made i...
Metal
$1,892 / item
A25-270 Wall Lamp by Disderot
Located in Geneve, CH
A25-270 Wall Lamp by Disderot Limited Edition. Designed by Alain Richard Dimensions: Ø 27 x H 28 cm. Materials: Lacquered metal. Delivered with authentication certificate. Made in ...
Metal
Green and Light Blue Tube With Globes And Cones Wall Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Green and Light Blue Tube With Globes And Cones Wall Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 20.5 x W 13.5 x H 32 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal. Available in other colors. Please ...
Metal
$3,459 / item
Float Two Arm Brass Dome Wall Sconce by Lamp Shaper
Located in Geneve, CH
Float Two Arm Brass Dome Wall Sconce by Lamp Shaper Dimensions: D 117 x W 74 x H 109.5 cm. Materials: Brass. Different finishes available: raw brass, aged brass, burnt brass and bru...
Brass
$2,902 / item
Light Vanilla Banana Leaf Wall Lamp by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Vanilla Banana Leaf Wall Lamp by Marcantonio Dimensions: D 53 x W 34 x H 183 cm. Materials: Polyethylene, metal, and nickel-plated brass. This product is suitable for indoor a...
Metal, Brass, Other, Nickel
Lightsome Warm White Wall Lamp by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Lightsome Warm White Wall Lamp by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D25 x W33 x H22 cm Material: Lacquered steel, Solid brass Weight: 0.6 kg Also available i...
Brass, Steel
$3,355 / item
Ash #11 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash #11 wall light by Margaux Leycuras One of a Kind, Signed and numbered Dimensions: Ø44 x H48 cm. Material: Ceramic, black stoneware with burnished gold glaze. The piece is sig...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Contemporary Aged Brass Wall Sconce, Plus One Large Lamp by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Aged Brass Wall Sconce, Plus One Large Lamp by Paul Matter PLUS Series is a new range of appliqués by Paul Matter that feature a ...
Brass
No. 13 Circle Green, Grey Contemporary Art Wall Sconce by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Circle blue grey, wall sconce, Sander Bottinga Handmade in brass, leather, wood and hand printed and painted linen. A dimmer is inlaid with leather. Also possible without a dimmer D...
Brass
TF460 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Orientable Two-Element Diffuser by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
TF460 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with Orientable Two-Element Diffuser by Daluce Dimensions: D 20 x 12,5 x H 17,5 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in different finish options: light sa...
Brass
$1,851 / item
Small Org Wall Lamp by Sebastian Summa
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Org wall lamp by Sebastian Summa Dimensions: D 7.3 x W 8.5 x H 105cm Materials: aluminum, opaline glass Available in 2 sizes: 105cm, 150cm. All our lamps can be wired acc...
Aluminum
Lune Matte Speckled Grey Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Lune Matte Speckled Grey 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. ...
Ceramic, Cotton
Ostro Sea Ceramic Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Ostro Sea 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. Cus...
Ceramic, Glass
$1,474 / item
Ostro Marble Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Ostro Marble Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 17 x W 31 x H 31 cm. Materials: Marble and glass. Available in different ceramic and marble options and finishes. Custom op...
Marble
Alcove Marin Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt
Located in Geneve, CH
Alcove Marin Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt Dimensions: D 7 x W 12 x H 33 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Wall light made in Portugal, bulb included: LED E14 1W non-dimmable. Available in...
Ceramic
Vertical Arrangement, Off-White Onyx and Brass Light Sculpture by Marie Jeunet
Located in Geneve, CH
Cascade Light Sculpture by Marie Jeunet Dimensions: D 8.5 x W 17 x H 46 cm Materials: Pure white Onyx, brushed brass. --MARIE JEUNET-- From grandpare...
Onyx, Brass
79 Wall Lamp in Brass, Aluminum & Steel with 18k Gold by Studio Marine Breynaert
Located in Geneve, CH
79 Wall Lamp in Brass, Aluminum & Steel with 18k Gold by Studio Marine Breynaert. Dimensions: W 21 x D 12.5 x H 46 cm. Materials: Solid brass with expanded stainless steel shade, The...
Aluminum, Gold, Brass, Stainless Steel
$4,655 / item
Atmos Pop Wall Light by Emilie Cathelineau
Located in Geneve, CH
Atmos Pop Wall Light by Emilie Cathelineau Dimensions: D 80 cm Materials: Solid brass, Polycarbonate diffuser. Others finishes and dimensions are available. All our lamps can b...
Brass
$986 / item
Pink Charme Sconce Lamp, Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink charmed sconce lamp, Sander Bottinga Dimensions: 50 x W 38 x D 27 cm Handmade in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose. The...
Brass
Modern Handcrafted Brushed Copper Oyster Wall Mounted Lamp With Rod by Carla Baz
By Carla Baz
Located in Geneve, CH
Modern Handcrafted Brushed Copper Oyster Wall Mounted Lamp With Rod by Carla Baz Dimensions: D 9 x W 30 x H 78 cm. Materials: Brushed copper. Weight: 2 kg. Available in Brushed Bras...
Copper
Contemporary Manolo Eirin Enormous Wall Sconce Hand Crafted Ceramic off White
By Manolo Eirin
Located in Carballo, ES
Large ceramic wall sconce, designed and signed by Rulo and Manolo Eirin. Interior and exterior vitrified in white, which allows a greater projection of light on the wall. The electrical connection of the lamp is suitable for both the American and European markets (The bulb is not included). The wall lamp is designed both for the interior of a space and for the exterior, with a hole for the fall of rainwater. The piece includes a 6.5W waterproof led panel...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$1,253 / item
Cone Wall Light by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Book XL double wall light by Contain Dimensions: D 12 x H 22 cm Materials: Brass. Available in different finishes. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sol...
Brass
$4,249 / item
Silk #18 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Silk #18 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
Organic Shape, Slice of Twin Rose Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Petra I Twin Rose Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots Dimensions: D 12 x W 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Aged brass, slices of polished rose quartz. Available in clear, rose, or smoky qua...
Quartz, Brass
Set Of 2 Deneb Powdery White Cream Ceramic Table Lamps by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Deneb Powdery White Cream Ceramic Table Lamps by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 32 x H 26 cm. Base: H 35 cm. Materials: Ecru cotton and ceramic. Weight...
Ceramic, Cotton
LV Wall Sconce in Cast Aluminum by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
LV Wall Sconce in Cast Aluminum by Pietro Franceschini. Dimensions: W 13 x D 13 x H 60 cm. Materials: Cast aluminium. This listing features the LV Wall Sconce in its cast aluminum v...
Aluminum
Pair of Smoked glass wall lamps 20620, Verre Lumière ed., circa 1975
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Smoked glass wall lamps 20620, Verre Lumière ed., circa 1975
Metal
$1,532 / item
Globe Dual Wall Sconce by Schwung
Located in Geneve, CH
Globe Dual Wall Sconce by Schwung Dimensions: W 15 x D 33 x H 92.2 cm Materials: Brass, Opal glass Weight: 2.1 kg Finishes available: Black gunm...
Brass
Collection Labirinto Wall Lamp, Metal and Crystal, NCL 149 by JAGO
Located in Geneve, CH
Collection Labirinto Wall Lamp, Metal and Crystal, NCL 149 by JAGO Dimensions: D 26 x H 63 cm. Materials: Metal, Crystal. Available coverings: Gold, Chrome, Bronze. Bulbs: 10*G4 Al...
Crystal, Metal
$6,373 / item
Pivot Single Wall Lamp by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pivot single wall lamp by Gentner Design. Dimensions: D 40.6 x W 5 x H 39.3 cm. Materials: polished tarnished brass. Available in polished tarnished brass, darkened brass and hand ru...
Brass
$2,020 / item
Array Twin Opal Wall Lamp by CTO Lighting
By CTO Lighting
Located in Geneve, CH
Array twin opal wall lamp by CTO Lighting Materials: bronze with satin brass details and opal glass shade. Dimensions: W 82.5 x D 12 x H 35 cm All ou...
Brass, Bronze
Red and Pink Parallel Tubes Wall Light, Four Elements, by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Red and Pink Parallel Tubes Wall Light, Four Elements, by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 10.7 x W 12 x H 50 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal. Available in other colors. Please contac...
Metal
$10,553 / item
Large Cave Wall Lamp by Naomi Paul
By Naomi Paul
Located in Geneve, CH
Large cave wall lamp by Naomi Paul Dimensions: D 50 x W 102 x H 58 cm Materials: Metal frame, Egyptian cotton cord. Color: Olive and Green Gold inside edge. Available in other co...
Metal
$7,175 / item
A24-2200 Wall Lamp by Disderot
Located in Geneve, CH
A24-2200 Wall Lamp by Disderot Limited Edition. Designed by Alain Richard Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 220 cm. Materials: Lacquered metal. Delivered with authentication certificate. Made i...
Metal
$877Sale Price / set|55% Off
Wall lighting Glass murano multicolor pair by Zonca , Italie 1980s
By Zonca
Located in La xara, VC
Large pair of Post-Modern wall lamps by Zonca. The design of this lamp is a typical example of the post-modern style of the 80s. The fan-shaped Murano glass takes up the pastel color...
Murano Glass
Italian wall or ceiling lamp Altrove, Carlotta de Bevilacqua for Artemide, 1990s
By Artemide, Carlotta de Bevilacqua
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian wall or ceiling lamp Altrove Carlotta de Bevilacqua for Artemide, 1990s Wall or ceiling lamp mod. Altrove rectangular in shape. It has an aluminum frame that contains the mir...
Metal
Fossil Coral Dome Flush Wall Light L by Marovo Island Traders
Located in Geneve, CH
Fossil Coral Dome Flush Wall Light L by Marovo Island Traders Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 16 cm. Materials: Brass, Fossil Coral. All our lamps can be wire...
Stone, Coral, Brass
The Shape Wall Lamp, 21520, by Stillux Illuminazione
Located in Geneve, CH
The Shape Wall Lamp, 21520, by Stillux Illuminazione Dimensions: D 11 x W 9.5 x H 7 cm. Materials: Steel, satin brass. Available in nickel, chrome, satin nickel, black nickel, coppe...
Steel, Brass
Alcove Tinto Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt
Located in Geneve, CH
Alcove Tinto Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt Dimensions: D 7 x W 12 x H 33 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Wall light made in Portugal, bulb included: LED E14 1W non-dimmable. Available in...
Ceramic
Nice LED & Ambient Wall Light in Antique Bronze by Aggiolight
Located in Geneve, CH
Nice LED & Ambient Wall Light in Antique Bronze by Aggiolight. Dimensions: W 30 x D 37 x H 32 cm. Materials: Antique Bronze. The Nice wall light is a versatile hybrid fixture desig...
Bronze
No.23 Blue Charme Fringes Dip dyed Contemporary Art Sconce Lamp, Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Charme sconce lamp, Sander Bottinga Dimensions: 50 x W 38 x D 27 cm. Hand-sculpted in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose. The movable arms makes i...
Brass
IP Link Double 1300 Polished Brass Wall Light by Emilie Cathelineau
Located in Geneve, CH
IP link double 1300 polished brass wall light by Emilie Cathelineau Dimensions: D 4.5 x W 5 x H 1300 cm Materials: Solid brass, polished brass, LED, polycarbonate. Others finishes...
Brass
$9,833 / item
Gong Sculptural Wall Sconce by MATLIGHT Milano
Located in Geneve, CH
Gong Sculptural Wall Sconce by MATLIGHT Milano Designed by LC Atelier. Dimensions: D 10 x W 68 x H 68 cm. Materials: Alabaster and bronze. Handmade In Italy. All our lamps can be wi...
Alabaster, Bronze
No.23 A Yellow Charme Fringes Dip Dyed Sconce Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow Charme sconce lamp, Sander Bottinga Dimensions: 50 x W 38 x D 27 cm Handmade in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose. The movable arms makes it po...
Brass
$754 / item
Clear Butterfly Wall Sconce by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Clear Butterfly Wall Sconce by Dainte Dimensions: D 13.5 x W 28.5 x H 28 cm. Materials: Glass and brass. The Butterfly wall sconce features an elegant...
Brass
Nueé Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions
Located in Geneve, CH
Nueé Matte Cream White Ceramic Table Lamp by Grès Éditions Unique Piece. Dimensions: Lampshade: Ø 30 x H 40 cm. Base: H 46 cm. Materials: Ecru cotton and ceramic. Weight: 3,2 kg. Di...
Ceramic, Cotton
$1,381 / item
Pirouette V1 Wall Light by Emilie Cathelineau
Located in Geneve, CH
Pirouette V1 Wall Light by Emilie Cathelineau Dimensions: D 9 x W 11 X H 18.6 cm Materials: Solid brass, Satin graphite. Pirouette is a unique little wall lamp, both decorative and...
Brass
$5,596 / set
Set of 2 Sconces Conche by Serge Mouille
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 sconces conche by Serge Mouille Dimensions: D40 x W21 x H20 cm Materials: brass, steel, aluminium One of a King. Numbered. Also available in different color. All our...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
$3,680 / item
Scones Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Scones lamp by Olivia Cognet Materials: Ceramic. Dimensions: D 20 x H 30 cm Non electrified. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of ar...
Ceramic
Stainless Steel Atmospheric Lighting Wall Lamp by Studio Lugo
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel Atmospheric Lighting Wall Lamp by Studio Lugo Dimensions: W 36 x D 15.7 x H 60 cm Materials: Stainless Steel, Horse Hair. Finishing: Matt Varnish. Weight: 10 kg. All...
Stainless Steel
$1,497 / item
Fleur Rugiada Wall Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Fleur Rugiada Wall Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: D 17 x W 25 x H 26 cm. Materials: Metal and Murano glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the U...
Metal
Alcove Porto Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt
Located in Geneve, CH
Alcove Porto Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt Dimensions: D 7 x W 12 x H 33 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Wall light made in Portugal, bulb included: LED E14 1W non-dimmable. Available in...
Ceramic
Organic Shape, Slice of Twin Clear Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Petra I Twin Clear Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots Dimensions: D 12 x W 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Aged brass, slices of polished clear quartz. Available in clear, rose, or smoky q...
Quartz, Brass
$1,311 / item
Blackened Gold Iliakos Wall Light by Lisa Allegra
Located in Geneve, CH
Blackened Gold Iliakos wall light by Lisa Allegra Dimensions: W 12 x D 8 x H 54 cm Materials: Ceramic Additional I...
Other
Set of 2 Stadium Round Wall Lights by Square in Circle
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 stadium round wall lights by Square in Circle Dimensions: D 6 x W 11 x H 35 cm Materials:Brushed brass/ white frosted glass Other finishes available. A long, rounded bathro...
Brass
$1,834 / item
Frame Wood Medium Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt
Located in Geneve, CH
Frame Wood Medium Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt Dimensions: D 11 x W 28 x H 42 cm. Materials: Wood and paper. Wall light in mahogany wood, made in Portugal, bulb included: E14 Le...
Wood, Paper
$1,172 / item
Fleur Anfora Wall Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Fleur Anfora Wall Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: D 24 x W 15 x H 40 cm. Materials: Metal, Murano glass, and balloton crystal. Different finishes are available. All our lamps can b...
Crystal, Metal
Sconce 2 Rotating Arms 1 Straight 1 Curved by Serge Mouille
Located in Geneve, CH
Sconce 2 rotating arms 1 straight 1 curved by Serge Mouille Dimensions: D175 x H70 cm Materials: Brass, Steel, Aluminum One of a King. Numbered. Also available in different color. A...
Aluminum, Brass, Steel
No. 33 Handcrafted Marble-Like Embroidered Circle Wall Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 33 Wall Lamp by Sander Bottinga Dimensions: D 25 cm x W 31 cm x H 40 cm Materials: brass, wood, marble embroidered design in silk, viscose, cotton, leather. Circle available in ...
Brass
$2,147 / item
Fleur Deco Wall Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Fleur Deco Wall Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: D 25 x W 60 x H 147 cm. Materials: Hammered poured glass. Dimensions may vary. All our lamps can be wired according to each country....
Glass