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.
Roger Tallon for Erco 'Spot' Table Lamp
By Roger Tallon
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Tallon for Erco, 'Spot' table lamp, plastic, aluminum, metal, France, 1972. This table lamp is an iconic design by the French designer Roger Tallon. The black and white lamp features bright red details and can be attached to a table top. The name of these industrial lamps is fitting as they resemble professional (much larger...
Metal, Aluminum
Postmodern Italian Washington Table Lamp by Jean Michel Wilmotte, 1980s
By Lumen Center
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table lamp from the Italian manufacturer Lumen Center Italia based on a design by architect and designer Jean Michel Wilmotte from the 80s. This is the old, original versi...
Metal
A BIG Red Lacquered SHABBY-CHIC POST-MODERN Geometric TABLE LAMP, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A very large and decorative table lamp (can be used as a floor lamp too), Art-Déco, Neo-Classical, Post-Modernist, with a square section base in golden metal, the body of the lamp be...
Metal
Pine Table Lamp, Sweden 1970s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
Swedish design pine table lamp, 1970s This table lamp features a turned wooden base with intricate grooves and curves, characteristic of Scandinavian craftsmanship from that era. Th...
Pine
$3,998 / set
Set of 2 Mushroom Lamps by Casa Alfarera
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Mushroom lamps by Casa Alfarera Dimensions: D25 x H45.7 cm Materials: Stoneware, brass Each piece is unique. Variations might occur from item to item. All our lamps can be ...
Brass
Iconic “La Lune Sous Le Chapeau” Table Lamp by Man Ray
By Man Ray
Located in Weesp, NL
Discover the Iconic “La Lune Sous Le Chapeau” Table Lamp New‑Old‑Stock, 1980s, Sirrah Italy — Designed by Man Ray Illuminate Your Space with Surrealist Elegance Step into a world...
Metal
Post-Modern Table Lamp by Jonas Hilde, 1980s
By Jonas Hidle, Høvik Lys
Located in Oslo, NO
Wonderful and minimalist table lamp on a brass frame with revolving lampshade. Designed by Jonas Hidle and made by Høvik Lys AS, Norway, circa 1980 second half. The lamp is a remarka...
Brass
$3,836 / item
Vardo Table Lamp in Aluminum by Animate Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Vardo Table Lamp in Aluminum by Animate Objects. Dimensions: W 18 x D 18 x H 40 cm. Materials: Aluminum, Transparent Powder Coating, Beige Powder Coating. All our lamps can be wired...
Aluminum
Postmodern Pair of Gold Table Lamps by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and cool Postmodern Pair of Gold Table Lamps by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. These Table Lamps were made in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. Model M-1131. “Estiluz”...
Metal
Postmodern Swiss Model Lucifer Table Lamp by Hannes Wettstein for Belux, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very rare table or wall lamp from the Swiss manufacturer Belux based on a design by Hannes Wettstein from the early 1990s. Have official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalog...
Metal
Vintage Postmodern German Table Lamp, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Filigree low-voltage halogen table lamp. A very technical design. Reduced to the bare essentials. The inclination of the two rods can be adjusted manually using a hole in the base a...
Metal
Resin and Fiberglass Table Lamp Postmodern Style by Steve Zoller
By Steve Zoller
Located in Doornspijk, NL
American artist Steve Zoller is unique in his use of color, elemental shapes and flamboyant style. In 1993 he made this beautiful table lamp together with...
Epoxy Resin, Plexiglass
An Iconic RADICAL MODERNIST TABLE LAMP by BBPR, ed. ARTEMIDE, Italy 1970
By Studio BBPR
Located in PARIS, FR
An iconic table lamp, Minimalist, Modernist, Space-Age, structure in chrome-plated metal, thick glass with geometric reliefs, encircled with an aerial ...
Metal, Chrome
Orbis Table Lamp in Marble with Brass Lighting Fixture by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbis Table Lamp in Marble with Brass Lighting Fixture by Homa. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 40 cm. Materials: Marble, Green and Honey Onyx, Brass. All our lamps can be wired accordi...
Marble, Onyx, Brass
$450 / set
1980s Sand Swirl Ceramic Table Lamps
Located in Grand Rapids, MI
USA, 1980s 1980s Sand Swirl Ceramic Table Lamps. Nice texture and soft color on these. They come with new off white linen empire shades. DIMENSIONS: Ceramic body is 8.5" Diameter x 1...
Ceramic, Linen
TF200 Table Lamp In Satin Brass with Black Marble Base by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
TF200 Table Lamp In Satin Brass with Black Marble Base by Daluce Dimensions: Ø 14 x H 40,5 cm. Materials: Brass and marble. Available in different finish options: light satin burni...
Marble, Brass
Mini Sky Set Sculptural Table Lamp in Glass and Stainless Steel by Dace Sūna
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Sky Set Sculptural Table Lamp in Glass and Stainless Steel by Dace Sūna. Dimensions: D 32 x W 39 x H 38 cm. Materials: Glass, Stainless Steel, LED. All our lamps can be wired ...
Stainless Steel
A POST-MODERN Sculptural TABLE LAMP by CAZENOVE, Ed. FONDICA, 1980-1990
By Fondica
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and sculptural table lamp, Post-Modern, Shabby-Chic, Memphis, circular base decorated with leaves on top of which a vertical axis with a neoclassical design is planted, th...
Metal, Gold Leaf
Set of Two Table Lamps Giocasta Notte by Andrea Anastasio for Artemide 1990s
Located in München, BY
Set of two amazing table lamps. Model 'Giocasta Notte'. Designed by Andrea Anastasio for Artemide, Italy, 1990s. Executed in metal and Murano glass, each lamp comes with 2 x E14 / E12 Edison screw fit bulb sockets. They are wired, in working condition and run both on 110 / 230 volt. Max. 40 Watt each socket. Each socket can be switched on/off separately. Delivery without bulbs. Our lights are checked, cleaned and suitable for use in the USA. For usage in US you would only have to change the plug or get a holiday converter if needed. Dimensions: Height: 18.11 in. (46 cm) Width: 7.88 in. (20 cm) Depth: 7.09 in. (18 cm) Net weight of both lamps ca. 4 KG Condition: Good original vintage condition. Wear consistent with use and age. Three of the decorative Murano rods...
Metal, Chrome
Swedish Designer, Table Lamp, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine table lamp, designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 15.5" H x 9" Diameter Bulb Specifications: E-26 Bulb Number of Sockets: 1
Pine
Mago Lamp in Aluminium and Frosted Glass by Animate Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Mago Lamp in Aluminium and Frosted Glass by Animate Objects. Dimensions: W 18 x D 18 x H 28 cm. Materials: Aluminium, Frosted Glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each cou...
Aluminum
Memphis Milano Super Lamp, Yellow by Martine Bedin
By Martine Bedin, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Floor or table lamp in structural polyurethane and metal. Demonstrating the playful spirit of Memphis, Martine Bedin's Super can be dragged along like a puppy on a leash (with a bac...
Metal
$10,510 / item
Vesper Pendant Lamp by Morghen Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Vesper Pendant Lamp by Morghen Studio Dimensions: 190 x 80 x 80 cm Materials: Satin brass, LED light, Silicone. Standard features: Light source: COB LED - 24v DC - 12w - 2700k - dim...
Brass
$2,240Sale Price|20% Off
Carlo Nason for Mazzega Cumulus Glass Totem Lamp
By Carlo Nason, AVMazzega
Located in New York, NY
Significant Italian lamp designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega. The ball top rests on a bright chrome color, which attaches to the elegant elongated base. Each section can be independently illuminated, or both can be lit simultaneously, for maximum effect. Original, clean, working and free of damage. Classic piece from the golden age of Modernist Italian lighting...
Chrome
$400Sale Price|20% Off
Paolo Rizzatto Costanza D13 Table or Desk Lamp for Luceplan
Located in Miami, FL
Designed by Paolo Rizzatto, the D13 Costanza lamp eliminates a warm pleasant light through the matte white plastic shade. The lamp is dimmable by touchin...
Aluminum
$1,250 / set
Vintage Boho Glazed Ceramic Lamps - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking pair of table lamps beautifully captures the sophisticated energy and bold color contrasts defining Postmodern design of the 1980s. Each lamp features a graceful, overs...
Brass
1980s Postmodern Black and White Table Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning 1980s postmodern table lamp by Be Yang in the Memphis Milano style. A black metal base, black stem with white geometric accents, white painted metal conical shade, and ma...
Metal
1980 Tender Romolo Lanciani Tronconi Italian Postmodern Design Glass Table Lamp
Located in Brescia, IT
"Tender" Romolo Lanciani Tronconi Italy, 1980 White Frosted Glass Shade Clear Blue Metal and White Metal Base Perfect condiction Perfect working order
Metal
Italian Modernist Table lamps in Glass and Metal by Tre Ci Luce, 1980s, Set of 2
By Cesare Lacca, Gio Ponti, Tre Ci Luce Vega
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Wonderful pair of Italian Design table lamps, manufactured in the 1980s (Space Age era) by Tre Ci Luce, design attributed to Cesare Lacca. There are original manufacturers label insi...
Metal
$975Sale Price|35% Off
Pair of Memphis Milano style Post modern steel squiggle dome lamps in Black
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Memphis style Post modern steel squiggle lamps Black finish with large steel dome shades. Good vintage condition. Both Lamps work fine with a sta...
Steel
Italian Postmodern Iridescent Murano Glass Cone Table Lamp, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty Murano glass Cone shape Table Lamp. This fixture was made and manufactured during the 1980s in Italy. This Table Lamp is equipped with one light socket (E27). A professional e...
Metal
Ingo Maurer Bibibibi Table Lamp
By Ingo Maurer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A whimsical table lamp by Ingo Maurer, signed, BiBiBiBi, made in Germany.
Aluminum
A Radical OP-ART KINETIC TABLE LAMP Sculpture by ANDRE GALATY, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A sculptural table lamp, Kinetic, Post-Modernist, Shabby-Chic, openwork cubic base forming a kinetic sphere in solid steel, of exceptional quality, by A...
Metal
LOP Big Rectangle Red by BằNG - Unboring Object
Located in Geneve, CH
LOP Big Rectangle Red by BằNG - Unboring Object Dimensions: W 24 x D 25.5 x H 60 cm. Materials: acrylic, stainless steel, matte opal glass. Light bulb included and replaceable: E14...
Stainless Steel
$1,413 / item
Big Rio Clay Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Rio Clay Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 30.5 x H 35.6 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Available in Egg White, Blush Pink, and Charcoal Black. Please contact...
Clay, Stoneware
Italian Modern Murano Glass Table Lamp
By Mazzega, Giusto Toso, Leucos, Angelo Lelii, Arredoluce
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Murano Glass Table Lamp . Offered is a striking Post-Modern Murano glass lamb by Vetro Eseguito Da Maestri. This most unusual scul...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Postmodern Futurist Doom Mushroom Plastic Accent Table Lamp
Located in Van Nuys, CA
1960s Space Age illuminating modern mushroom acrylic accent table lamp with warm soft ambient light. Measures 10" diameter x 9" tall.
Plastic, Acrylic
Lampe "Trefili" by Michele De Lucchi, 1993
Located in PARIS, FR
Lampe Michele de Lucchi "Trefili" édition Produzione privata, 1993 H 38.5 × L 25 P 17cm. La lampe est dans un état impeccable proche de neuf.
Metal
Blue Lucite Chrome Desk Lamp, Italy, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
Delicate perspex table lamp, Italy, circa 1980 featuring a bended blue Lucite slab with chromed metal hardware. It's adjustable in height and in very good ...
Metal, Chrome
Pair Chrome Lucite Table Lamps 1970s Hollywood Regency Postmodern Minimalism
Located in London, GB
An impressive and elegant tall pair of octagonal steel chromium table lams with lucite details. This minimal pair of table lamps with a mirror polish surfaces is giving that wow eff...
Chrome
LOP Big Square Electric Pink by BằNG - Unboring Object
Located in Geneve, CH
LOP Big Square Electric Pink by BằNG - Unboring Object Dimensions: W 24 x D 25.5 x H 24 cm. Materials: Casted acrylic, stainless steel, matte opal glass. Light bulb included and re...
Stainless Steel
LOP Small Square Red by BằNG - Unboring Object
Located in Geneve, CH
LOP Small Square Red by BằNG - Unboring Object Dimensions: W 18 x D 19.5 x H 18 cm. Materials: Casted acrylic, stainless steel, matte opal glass. Light bulb included and replaceabl...
Stainless Steel
Bendable Post Modern Tube Desk Task Lamp in the Style of Anders Pehrson, 1980's
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Post Modern tubular task desk lamp in the style of Swedish designer Anders Pehrson. This highly functional linear table lamp features a sleek tubular shade that is bendable to direct the light beam as desired. This black high gloss lamp...
Plastic
Table Lamp by Alessandro Mendini, Studio Alchimia, Italy, 1980s, Pink and Blue
By Alessandro Mendini, Gruppo Alchimia
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Postmodern table lamp designed by Alessandro Mendini for Studio Alchimia / Gruppo Alchimia. Very good condition with few if any signs of wear. Pink and blue lacquered aluminum w...
Aluminum, Steel
Pimlico Table Lamp in Solid Beech with Lacquer and Linen by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Pimlico Table Lamp in Solid Beech with Lacquer and Linen by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 32 x H 49 cm. Materials: Hand-turned solid beech wood finished in a premium glossy lacquer. ...
Wood, Beech, Lacquer
1970s Constructivist / Modernist Design Table Lamp in White
Located in Oakland, CA
1970s constructivist / modernist design table lamp with a aluminum body finished in a white lacquer, the rectangular acrylic shade produces a soft light via two light sockets that ca...
Metal, Aluminum
Mario Botta, 'Shogun' Postmodern Table Lamps, Artemide Milano, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Pair of postmodern table lamps by the famous architect Mario Botta. The adjustable lampshade in painted metal reproduces the hat of the ...
Metal
$911Sale Price / set|29% Off
Pair of Postmodern Italian Iridescent Murano Glass Fan Table Lamps, 1980s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Pair of fan-shaped lamps in iridescent murano glass.
Metal
80s Pop Art Desk Lamp in the Postmodern Memphis Style
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
80s Pop Art desk lamp in the postmodern Memphis Style 80s 90s Postmodern desk lamp that can be extended to different heights. In the base there is a screw...
Metal
Art Glass Sculptural Table Lamp by William Olivier for Antiques Mc, France, 2009
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
The creator is William Olivier, a lover of glass, wood and steel. These piece has been made in 2009. This is a beautiful Art glass work that could be, as the same time a sculpture a...
Stainless Steel
Italian Modern Glazed Ceramic Lamp
By Sciolari Lighting, Leucos, Stilnovo, Gaetano Sciolari
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Glazed Ceramic Lamp. Offered is a lovely Italian organic modern shell shaped lamp realized with a beautiful gray glazed ceramic. Our sculptural Hollywood Regency lamp ...
Ceramic
Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs Postmodern Halogen Desk Lamp, White, USA, 1980
By Robert Sonneman, George Kovacs
Located in San Carlos, CA
A sculptural postmodern desk lamp by Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs, produced in the late 1980s. The white enameled metal body is carried on twin columnar supports rising from an ...
Metal
Pair of Gibigiana Lamps, Designed by Achille Castiglioni for Flos, Italy 1980
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
A pair of Gibigiana lamps, designed by Achille Castiglioni in 1980. Enameld steal and aluminium, plastic. Manufactured by Flos in the early to mid 19...
Steel
INGO MAURER & TEAM Table lamp, model Alizz T. Cooper, Circa 2010
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Skokie, IL
INGO MAURER & TEAM Table lamp, model Alizz T. Cooper, Germany, circa 2010. Out of production. Ingo Maurer and team's, Alizz T. Cooper, a serpentine lamp ingeniously crafted from...
Aluminum
$1,522Sale Price|56% Off
Stilux Milano Pop Art Yellow and White Table Lamp
By Stilux
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This extremely rare and unusual Stilux Milano Space Age Saturn table lamp was designed and manufactured in Italy in the late 1960s-early 1970s. The lamp features a tulip shaped base ...
Aluminum
Biomorphic Post-Modern Freeform Ribbon Motif Plaster Table Lamp by Jaru, 1980's
By Jaru
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Very unique Post Modern biomorphic table lamp by Jaru. This sculptural abstract form lamp features a neutral tone finish with metallic gold accen...
Plaster
Post Modern Desk lamp by Nuova Veneta Lumi, Italy 1980s
By Veneta Lumi
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Italian Desk lamp .Black Metal . Post Modern in style Manufactured and signed Nuova Veneta Lumi, 1980s
Metal
Doug Spalding Studio Pottery Robot Night Light Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this whimsical ceramic robot sculpture night light by Michigan based artist, Doug Spalding. It features handmade construction, ...
Ceramic
1980s White and Cream Gammalux Gooseneck Lamp, Made in Italy
By Gammalux
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1980s Gammalux ITALIA, Made in Italy. In good working condition with some minor imperfections to paint on base including one chip of paint approximately 1/8 inch in diameter. The ...
Metal
Tukiainen Aimo Ossi Kalevi, Table Lamp, Copper, Finland, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A freeform copper table lamp designed by Tukiainen Aimo Ossi Kalevi and produced by Oy Moonlight, Finland, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inche...
Metal, Copper