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.
Italian Sculptural White Ceramic Cactus Table Lamp with Opaline Bulb, 1970s
Located in Toronto, CA
This sculptural Italian table lamp from the 1970s beautifully blurs the line between lighting and art. Crafted from glossy white glazed ceramic, the stylized cactus form cradles a la...
Ceramic
$616 / item
Bobina Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat
Located in Geneve, CH
Bobina Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 20 cm Materials: acrylic, steel fittings, LED light Also Available in BLUE, AMBER, SANDED TRANSPARENT ACRYLIC ...
Other, Steel
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Pao Table Lamp by Matteo Thun for Arteluce, 1980s
By Ron Rezek
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage mushroom table lamp designed by Matteo Thun for Arteluce, Made in Italy.
Metal
$953 / item
Dorica Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat
Located in Geneve, CH
Dorica Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat Dimensions: W 39.5 x D 15 x H 42 cm Materials: acrylic, bronze, LED light The Dorica lamp is a warm light luminaire for table that has two...
Steel, Other, Bronze
$2,301 / item
L 02 Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar
Located in Geneve, CH
L 02 Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar Handmade Dimensions: D 19 x H 35 cm (dimensions are approximate) Materials: Ceramic, white stoneware, pigments, matte glaze. Lampshade not inclu...
Ceramic
Large Saturn lamp by Vit Kellj – Italy 1970
Located in Girona, Girona
Large “Saturn” table lamp in oxidized nickel-plated metal and very thick Plexiglas shade (the rings on the shade are in stamped silver-plated metal). Design by : Vit Kellj Italy 1970
Metal
Postmodern Heron Desk Lamps by Isao Hosoe for Luxo, Norway, 1990s
By Luxo, Isao Hosoe
Located in Antwerp, BE
A set of adjustable “Heron” desk lamps, designed by Isao Hosoe for Luxo, Norway in 1994. The Heron is among Hosoe’s most celebrated designs, merging sculptural elegance with exceptio...
Plastic
$5,021 / item
Apertur Wall Light by Studio Lampent
Located in Geneve, CH
Apertur wall light by Studio Lampent Limited edition of 3 numbered and signed copies. Dimensions: W 52 x D 11.5 x H 52 cm Materials: Acrylic rods, certified LED light source, pinewoo...
Acrylic, Wood
Italiana Luce Dove Table Lamps by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo, pair
By Italiana Luce, Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
Italy, 1980s Pair of postmodern 'Dove' table lamps designed by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo for Italiana Luce. Adjustable bird-like polycarbonate and steel form. The lamp base c...
Steel
Nickel Plated Brass Invisible Chords Twist Table Lamp by Magic Circus Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Nickel Plated Brass Invisible Chords Twist Table Lamp by Magic Circus Editions Dimensions: H 66 x W 20 cm Materials: Solid brass, borosilicate tube and mouth blown glass. Weight: 5 ...
Brass
Nomad II:03 Table Lamp in White Sand Stoneware by Sofia Karnukaeva
Located in Geneve, CH
Nomad II:03 Table Lamp in White Sand Stoneware by Sofia Karnukaeva Dimensions: D 48 x W 25 x H 41 cm. Materials: Stoneware. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If ...
Stoneware
$3,800Sale Price|20% Off
Cressida Bell - 'Pithari' Table Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Hand-painted wooden base table lamp with matching shade adorned with red, and black. Cressida Bell is a British designer specialising in textiles and in...
Wood, Paint
$4,243 / item
HELIA Table Lamp by Glass Variations
Located in Geneve, CH
HELIA Table Lamp by Glass Variations Dimensions: W 22 x D 31 x H 40 cm Materials: Glass This new collection of HELIA table lamps is launched during P...
Glass
$2,789 / item
Jeanne 2 Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti
Located in Geneve, CH
Jeanne 2 Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti Dimensions: W 50 x H 60 cm Materials: Stoneware and wool This product is handmade, dimensions may vary. All our lamps can be wired according ...
Stoneware, Wool
$9,288 / item
Bronze & Paper Fulcrum Table Lamp by Resident
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze & Paper Fulcrum Table Lamp by Resident Dimensions: W 30 x D 15 x H 53.5 cm Materials: Bronze or Cork, Paper. Weight: 12 Kg. About: Founded by Simon James & Scott Bridgens in...
Bronze
White Marble Pipito Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
White Marble Pipito Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 40 cm. Materials: Cotton and white marble. Also available in different marble and wood options and finishes. C...
Marble
$709 / item
Dream/Reality Small Lamp by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dream/Reality Small Lamp by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: Custom Materials: Raw aluminum. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it wil...
Aluminum
Limited Edition Pagoda White Alabaster Lamp by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Pagoda Lamp by Henry Wilson Sold exclusively by Galerie Philia Limited Edition of 100 pieces Dimensions: W 65 x D 35 x H 51 cm Materials: White Alabaster ...
Alabaster
Unique Luminaries N5 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Luminaries N5 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 30.5 x D 30.5 x H 36.8 cm Materials: Ceramics, paper, and lamp parts. Colors: Beige. Custom dimensions and al...
Ceramic, Paper
$4,917 / item
Graphic Table Lamp by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Graphic Table Lamp by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: Base: D 25 x H 50 cm, Shade: 40 x 40 cm, Total Height: 100 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Since moving to Los A...
Ceramic
$1,662 / item
Stanza I Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar
Located in Geneve, CH
Stanza I Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar Handmade Dimensions: D 16.5 x W 18 x H 23 cm (dimensions are approximate) Materials: Ceramic, white stoneware. Made from criss-cross scratc...
Ceramic
Mushroom-shaped table lamp green Murano glass Vistosi 1960s
By Vistosi
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Elegant and iconic, this mushroom-shaped lamp is made of fine green Murano glass by the historic Vistosi glassworks. Featuring soft lines and enveloping luminosity, it embodies the p...
Art Glass
$3,313 / item
Pasteur Lamp in Tourmaline by Elyse Graham
Located in Geneve, CH
Pasteur lamp in Tourmaline by Elyse Graham Dimensions: W 38 x H 61 cm Materials: Plaster, Resin, Cotton rag Paper, brass, Nickel. Hardware: polished nickel-plated brass uno threade...
Brass, Nickel
No. 15 Circle Blue Green Grey Hand Painted Linen Table Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Light object, floor lamp, circle blue grey Handmade in brass, leather, wood, hand printed and painted linen. A dimmer is inlaid with leather Dimensions: H 55 x W 27 x D 16 cm. Th...
Brass
$1,220 / item
Stainless Steel Desk Lamp 1 by Georgiev Kiril
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel Desk Lamp 1 by Georgiev Kiril Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 35 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it wil...
Stainless Steel
Ramages Three Paper Light Sculpture by Papier à êtres
Located in Geneve, CH
Ramages Three Paper Light Sculpture by Papier à êtres One of a Kind Dimensions: D 45 x W 30 x H 60 cm. Materials: Paper. Available in wall lamp, table lamp, or chandelier versions. ...
Paper
Postmodern Reticulated Lamp in the Manner of J.Hoffman, Italy, 1980s
Located in Firenze, IT
Postmodern reticulated floor / table lamp in the manner of J.Hoffman’s Bieffeplast designs Italy 1980s Pop Art/ Cartoon style Plastic, neo...
Metal
Post-Modern hand-carved veined alabaster table lamp with clock, Italy, 1980s
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Post-Modern and Brutalist style alabaster table lamp with clock, Italy, 1980s. Made of hammered, hand-carved and sculpted veined alabaster, with a clock with brass details. Behind th...
Alabaster, Brass
Axel Chay Phallus Table Lamp Blue Lacquered Steel Glass Postmodern
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Phallus table lamp by French designer Axel Chay is a sculptural and collectible design object that operates at the intersection of postmodern design, surrealist influence, and co...
Brass, Steel
Vaughan Designs "Rutland" Glass Column Lamps, Pair
Located in Astoria, NY
Pair of Vaughan Designs "Rutland" Ice Block Glass Columnar Lamps, with chrome hardware ball finials. 25.5" H x 5" Diameter. Provenance: From an Upper East Side Townhouse.
Chrome
$1,487 / item
Ânfora M Table/Floor Lamp by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Ânfora M Table/Floor Lamp by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: Milky resin. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will ...
Resin
1990s Lampada Scultura Ecate Toni Cordero Artemide Design, Limited Edition
By Toni Cordero
Located in Biella, IT
Tony cordero design years '90 Italy production Artemide Milan, lamp Ecate series to-mi Limit edition for this lamp. the lamp have two (2) brass chain...
Brass, Bronze, Chrome
Pure Crystal Glass Onna Clear and Grande Amber Table Lamp by Studio Bojola
Located in Geneve, CH
Pure Crystal Glass Onna Clear and Grande Amber Table Lamp by Studio Bojola Dimensions: D 26 x H 47 cm Materials: Pure lead crystal glass. Color: Clear and Amber. Weight: 3 kg. ONNA...
Crystal
HS 1 Light Table Lamp with Antique Bronze Finish by Aggiolight
Located in Geneve, CH
HS 1 Light Table Lamp with Antique Bronze Finish by Aggiolight. Dimensions: D 38 x H 59 cm. Materials: Metal, Antique Bronze Finish. The HS collection is defined by its architectur...
Metal
Table lamp Gibigiana by Achille Castiglioni for Flos - 1980s
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Stunning Gibigiana lamp designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos in the 1980s. This table lamp features an adjustable mirror that reflects light from a source inside the lamp. The l...
Metal
$2,778 / item
Ivy Floor Lamp by G.Luce
Located in Geneve, CH
Ivy Floor Lamp by G.Luce Dimensions: D 40 x H 182 cm Materials: Steel frame in light satin gold finish and Emperador marble table, or satin bronze and Calacatta gold marble table...
Marble, Steel
Unique Luminaries N10 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Luminaries N10 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 17.8x D 17.8 x H 30.5 cm Materials: Ceramics, paper, and lamp parts. Colors: Beige. Custom dimensions and al...
Ceramic, Paper
$2,789 / item
Refuge #14 Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti
Located in Geneve, CH
Refuge #14 stoneware lamp by Elisa Uberti Limited Edition of 4 numbered pieces. Dimensions: H 50 cm. Materials: white stoneware. This product is handmade, dimensions may vary. ...
Stoneware
Stabile No. 100, Hand-Blown Glass and Brass Light by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Stabile no. 100 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 21 x W 30 x H 90 cm Materials: Hand-blown glass, handcrafted brass. Milla Vaahtera "My method emerged from a desire to bring more int...
Brass
$4,219 / item
Natural Stone Table Lamp by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural stone table lamp by Aver Dimensions: D 40 x H 85 cm Materials: Natural stone, metal. All our lamps can be wired according to each...
Stone, Crystal, Metal
$9,950 / item
Simple Shade 03 Table Lamp by Naomi Paul
By Naomi Paul
Located in Geneve, CH
Simple shade 03 table lamp by Naomi Paul Dimensions: D 30 x W 43 x H 57 cm Materials: Metal frame, Egyptian cotton cord. Colors: Ombré finish in Ecru and Rust. Available in other...
Metal
$8,102 / item
'Patroclo' Tablelamp by Gae Aulenti
By Gae Aulenti, Artemide
Located in Brussels, BE
Patroclo is much more than a lamp—it’s a true design icon by Gae Aulenti. A striking meeting of glass and metal, it blends transparency with strength in a way that feels both delicat...
Steel
White Travertine Medium Roma II Dodecagon Table Lamp by NASSI
Located in Geneve, CH
White Travertine Medium Roma II Dodecagon Table Lamp by NASSI Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 52 cm. Materials: Fine cotton lining, pure linen fabric in White. Base: White Travertine, ...
Brass
Black Ceramic Josef Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Ceramic Josef Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 41.5 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and ceramic. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaster options and finishes. Custom options available on request. Please contact us. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. The Josef table is the merge of a cylinder shape with a conical shape on top of where sits a cotton lampshade. Difusing a soft light, the Josef table lamp could be the perfect nightstand table lamp...
Brass
$1,022 / item
White Small Sonora Linen Table Lamp by NASSI
Located in Geneve, CH
White Small Sonora Linen Table Lamp by NASSI Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 48 cm. Materials: Lampshade: coated iron, warm white Cotton Lining. Base: wood-fired clay with beeswax finis...
Cotton, Clay
Unique Luminaries N2 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Luminaries N2 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 20.3 x D 20.3 x H 53.3 cm Materials: Ceramics, paper, and lamp parts. Colors: Beige. Custom dimensions and al...
Ceramic, Paper
Pagode Large Table Lamp in Oak Wood & Natural Japanese Paper by Heilig Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Pagode Large Table Lamp in Oak Wood & Natural Japanese Paper by Heilig Objects Dimensions: D 33 x W 33 x H 41,2 cm. Materials: Oak wood and natural Japanese paper. All our lamps can...
Oak, Paper
Italian Model On Off Table Lamp by Alberto Meda for Luceplan, 1990s
By Alberto Meda
Located in Hamburg, DE
Small table lamp by Luceplan based on a design by Alberto Meda. This lamp has a very special feature. Tilting the light turns it on or off. On Off is the basis of the design concept...
Plastic
Vintage Plaster Cactus Lamp With Globe Lamp Shade MCM Postmodern Retro 70s 80s
By Michael Taylor, John Dickinson, Richard Etts, Modeline Lamp Co.
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Vintage Cactus Plaster Lamp. The lamp is made out of plaster and the lampshade is made out of acrylic. Solid and very heavy. Color: Off White Condition: In great vintage condi...
Plaster
Cosa Nostra Light Sculpture in Acrylic Glass & Leather by Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Geneve, CH
Cosa Nostra Light Sculpture in Acrylic Glass & Leather by Barberini & Gunnell Limited Edition of 20 + 2 AP + 1 p. Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 27 cm. Materials: Acrylic glass and lea...
Leather, Glass, Acrylic
$2,243 / item
Torre Table Lamp by Algo Studio
By Algo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Torre table lamp by Algo Studio Designed by Diego Garza Dimensions: D 18 x W 17 x H 37 cm Materials: Plywood, MDF, PVA Glue, Sand, Steel. Also available in different colours. ...
Steel, Other
$2,534 / item
Sunda Light Sculpture by Frero Collective
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunda Light Sculpture by Frero Collective Dimensions: D 15 x W 20 x H 60 cm. Materials: Reclaimed stone, minerals, resin binder, plaster paint. Available in other finishes: Bone, Sienna, Terra, Oliva, and Lava. 11 kg. Sunda is a sophisticated lamp design that draws inspiration from the intricate structure of tectonic plates. This particular region represents a complex geological phenomenon, characterized by an oblique subduction transition zone between the Australian Plate and the Southeast Asian...
Stone
Medium Elephant Leg Parota Wood Lamp with Fabric Shade by Isabel Moncada
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Elephant Leg Parota Wood Lamp with Fabric Shade by Isabel Moncada Dimensions: Ø 53.5 x H 91 cm. Materials: Turned parota wood base and fabric-lined lampshade with fiberglass and polystyrene. Named Pata de Elefante...
Linen, Fiberglass, Polystyrene, Wood
$14,833 / item
Large Silica 1 Table Lamp by Dualismo
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Silica 1 Table Lamp by Dualismo Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 91 cm Materials: Polished Stainless Steel. About: Dualismo is an art and design studio creating work at the interse...
Stainless Steel
No. 21 Blue Fringes Dip Dyed Contemporary Art Table Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Charme table lamp, Sander Bottinga Dimensions: H 73 x W 38 x D 25 cm Handmade in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose. The movable arms makes it possibl...
Brass
Memphis "SUPER" Table Lamp by Martine Bedin, Colorful Design, 1981
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The Classic super lamp with rubber wheels by early Memphis inceptor Martine Bedin (France). Understated elegance meets Memphis eye-popping colour all-in-one! The lamps are by Marti...
Fiberglass, Rubber, Lacquer
$2,964 / item
Anthracite Janus Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Anthracite Janus Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio Dimensions: ⌀ 51 x H 59 cm Materials: Glazed Ceramic, Unfinished Brass, Linen This item is handmade, an...
Brass
$2,743 / item
Stone Rhodes Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Stone Rhodes Table Lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio Dimensions: ⌀ 51 x H 69 cm Materials: Glazed Ceramic, Unfinished Brass, Linen This item is handmade, and may exhibit variability withi...
Brass
$1,046 / item
Murano 40 Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Murano 40 Table Lamp by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 41 cm. Materials: Styrene acrylonitrile and metal. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. All our lamps can b...
Metal, Other
$13,810 / item
Pop Up Table Lamp by Soheila Mahmoodi
Located in Geneve, CH
Pop Up Table Lamp by Soheila Mahmoodi Dimensions: D 13 x W 35 x H 33 cm. Materials: Natural Italy Calacatta Viola marble, brass metal, and glass bubble. ...
Marble, Brass