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.
$11,035 / item
Osani Mirror by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Osani Mirror by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 9 x W 110 x 110 cm. Materials: Ebony veneer, aged gold leaf, clear mirror. 25 kg. The Osani Circle photograph was taken by Belgian anthrop...
Gold Leaf
$8,935 / item
Small Drip Mirror 02 by Forma Rosa Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Drip Mirror 02 by Forma Rosa Studio Dimensions: D 5 x W 45.7 x H 30.5 cm. Materials: Cast bronze. Available in polished brass or polished nickel finishes. The Drip Mirrors de...
Bronze
$37,642 / item
Baltic Iris Mirror by Tom Palmer
Located in Geneve, CH
Aegean Iris mirror by Tom Palmer Dimensions: D 120 x H 5 cm Mterials: Glass, Resin Also Available: Other sizes and variations available. The Iris mir...
Glass, Resin
$29,137 / item
Piero Mirror by Fred and Juul
Located in Geneve, CH
Piero Mirror by Fred and Juul Dimensions: D 14 x W 60 x H 180 cm. Materials: Aluminum and mirror. Custom sizes, materials or finishes are available. Ple...
Aluminum
$5,813 / item
Raw Mirror by Atelier V&F
Located in Geneve, CH
Raw Mirror by Atelier V&F Limited Edition Of 8+2AP Pieces. Dimensions: D 16 x W 180 x H 50.5 cm. Materials: Goatskin offcuts and mirror. Inspired by the earth goddess Gaia,「Revelati...
Goatskin, Mirror
Light Gold Mirror With Ultramarine Blue Decor by Emilie Lemardeley
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Gold Mirror With Ultramarine Blue Decor by Emilie Lemardeley Dimensions: D 17 x W 57 x H 70 cm. Materials: Glass and mirror. Designed as jewellery fo...
Glass, Mirror
$2,850
Greek Key Chrome Mirror
By Romeo Rega, Maison Jansen, Maison Baguès
Located in Houston, TX
Greek Key Chrome Mirror. Offered is a great Post-Modern rectangular chorme mirror with a Greek key perimeter. This stunning versatile chrome mirror, possibly Italian, can be used in ...
Chrome
$4,293 / item
Orient Wall Sculpture by Myriam Hubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Orient wall sculpture by Myriam Hubert. Dimensions: W 60 x H 83 cm. Materials: 'Glass marquetry' with mirror inlays. Intended for residential and ho...
Glass
$12,346 / item
Radiance Wall Mirror by Memoir Essence
Located in Geneve, CH
Radiance Wall Mirror by Memoir Essence Dimensions: D 14 x W 100 x H 100 cm. Materials: Polished brass, gold leaf and clear mirror. Memoir Essence Interiors has been writing its memo...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$15,572 / item
Glass Repeated Mirror i by OS and OOS
By Oskar Peet and Sophie Mensen
Located in Geneve, CH
Glass repeated mirror I by OS And OOS Dimensions: 108 x 151 x 6.5 cm. Materials: grey, green and rosé glass, champagne metal spacers and bronze mirroring foil. Studio OS ? OOS is de...
Glass
Post Modern Lily Flowers Wall Mirror by Richard Sandoval for Windsor Art
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Designer: Richard Sandoval Manufacturer: Windsor Art This striking Post Modern wall mirror by Richard Sandoval for Windsor Art captures the bol...
Brass
$3,829 / item
Lunar Small Hand-Sculpted Mirror, Laurene Guarneri
Located in Geneve, CH
Lunar small hand-sculpted mirror, Laurene Guarneri Limited edition. Handmade. Materials: Sky blue colored mirror, dark blue colored mirror, dark...
Glass, Mirror
$1,123 / item
Small Prix Hand-Sculpted Mirror by Laurene Guarneri
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Prix hand-sculpted mirror by Laurene Guarneri Limited edition Handmade Materials: mirror Sizes: ø 17 x 70 cm (Could be made to order in other dimensions) Hang hook suppli...
Mirror
Vintage Contemporary Tessellated Bone Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An exceptional vintage Contemporary wall mirror. Chic tessellated bone in a stunning Postmodern design. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Bone, Mirror
Karl Springer Patinated Embossed Leather Mirror, C. 1980s
Located in Westport, CT
An exceptional vintage mirror designed by Karl Springer in the 1980s, showcasing the luxurious materials and refined craftsmanship that defined his work. The substantial frame is ful...
Leather, Mirror
Italian 1970's Italian metal mirror Wave model Lorenzo Burchiellaro 1970's
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Large undulating mirror designed and made in the 1970s by Lorenzo Burchiellaro. The work was made from two sheets of solid aluminum skillfully bent and machined on the surface to pr...
Sheet Metal
Post-Modern Mirror Inlaid With Capiz Shell
By Casa Bique, R & Y Augousti, Karl Springer, Enrique Garcel, Maitland Smith
Located in Houston, TX
Post-Modern Mirror Inlaid With Capiz Shell. Offered is a stunning Karl Springer inspired black resin mirror inlaid with circular pieces of capiz shell around the entire front. This v...
Shell, Resin
Post-Modern Geometric Diamond Shaped Mirror
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post-Modern wall-mirror, circa late 20th century. This geometric diamond-shaped mirror features silver and gold accents, making for an attractive and functional wall display. Please...
Metal
Atlas Itinera Insula V 90 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project
Located in Geneve, CH
Atlas Itinera Insula V 90 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project Dimensions: D 3/5 x Ø 90 cm. Materials: Black powder painted iron, copper, black leather, mirror, and wood. Available in diff...
Copper
Special edition Orbis Round Mirror, Brass Frame, Bevel and Bespoke Illumination
Located in London, London
Special edition Orbis™ round bevelled mirror with a floating reflective handcrafted brushed brass frame frame and bespoke illumination. This special edition of a classic Alguacil &a...
Brass
Contemporary Ceramic Mirrors by Natasha Dakhli
Located in London, GB
Natasha Dakhli Mirrors Guelâa, 2022 Material: Glazed stoneware Dimension: H 52 x 31 cm The carved mirror is a piece part of a small wall sculpture...
Enamel
$3,225 / item
Puddle Large Wall Mirror by Studionudo
Located in Geneve, CH
Puddle Large Wall Mirror by Studionudo Dimensions: Ø 63 x H 138,5 cm. Materials: Leather and mirror. Different materials and sizes are available. Dimensions may vary. Please contact...
Leather, Mirror
Decorative Op Art Post Modern Wall Mirror by Hal Bienenfeld c 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional decorative, Post Modern, Op Art style wall mirror by noted glass/mirror artist Hal Bienenfeld, circa 1970's. The mirror features a silvered mirror ground, with tinted bow...
Mirror
Punk Bronze Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Punk Bronze Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Special Edition of 7 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: D 16 x W 350 x H 350 cm. Materials: Leather, mirror, Okoumé wood, and po...
Leather, Mirror, Foam, Wood
Postmodern Murano Glass Mosaic Biomorphic Mirror, Italy, circa 1990s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Postmodern Murano Glass Mosaic Biomorphic Mirror, Italy, circa 1990s Dimensions: 42" H x 37" W x 3" D Inset Mirror: 39" H x 26" W A striking example of postmodern design, this l...
Composition
1980 Paolo Portoghesi Postmodern Italian Design Black White Wood Wall Mirror
Located in Brescia, IT
Paolo Portoghesi Wall Mirror 1988 Black and White Laquered Wood Frame Limited edition for an Italian magazine. Mirror in perfect condiction. "Paolo Portoghesi" impressed on the ba...
Wood
A Luxurious SHABBY-CHIC Brass WALL MIRROR, WILLY RIZZO Style, France 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant small square wall mirror of excellent quality, Post-Modernist, Memphis, Shabby-Chic, with a square section frame in gold and brown metal, varnished, to be attributed, Fran...
Brass
$5,361 / item
Barbican Mirror No.4 by A Space
Located in Geneve, CH
Barbican Mirror No.4 by A Space Dimensions: D45,72 x W20,32 x H40,64cm Materials: Misc recycled. The design duo conceived the Barbican Collection over the spring/summer of 2020 ...
Other
Large Scena Olympic Murano Mirror by Nikolai Kotlarczyk
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Scena Olympic Murano Mirror by Nikolai Kotlarczyk. Dimensions: D 3 x W 60 x H 90 cm. Materials: silvered carved glass, golden carved polished steel. Nembro marble (base) Al...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
$1,044 / item
Vulcano 600 Round Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Vulcano 600 Round Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 60 x H 2.5 cm Materials: Dark Grey Mirror. Weight: 4 kg. Code: DS1031 Round frameless mirror with a textured finish made from s...
Silver
A Luxurious SHABBY-CHIC Elm & Metal WALL MIRROR, WILLY RIZZO Style, France 1970
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
A luxurious rectangular wall mirror, Post-Modernist, Memphis, Shabby-Chic, with a frame decorated with a glowing leather-style elm burl veneer between 2 raised borders in chrome-plat...
Metal
Philippe Starck Yellow Acrylic Wall Mirror by Kartell, Italy
Located in Astoria, NY
Philippe Starck for Kartell "Francois Ghost" Yellow Acrylic Wall Mirror, marked "Francois Ghost / Kartell / with Starck" ro reverse. Mirror plate: 23.25" H x 17.75" W; overall: 31" ...
Mirror, Acrylic
Cicogne French Contemporary Ceramic Mirror by Renzo Maar
Located in Geneve, CH
Cicogne French Contemporary Ceramic Mirror by Renzo Maar Signed Dimensions: W 33 x H 30 cm Materials: Enameled ceramic (white stoneware), glass. Reminiscent of the french movement o...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glass, Mirror
Lion In Frost Manner Marble Lucite Brass Mirror 1970s Postmodern
Located in London, GB
This striking mirror, manufactured by popular 1970s acrylics company Lion in Frost, features two thick lucite and raw edge carrara marble corner pieces with brass fixings, strongly r...
Carrara Marble, Brass
Sole Bio French Contemporary Ceramic Mirror by Renzo Maar
Located in Geneve, CH
Sole Bio French Contemporary Ceramic Mirror by Renzo Maar Signed Dimensions: Ø 40 cm Materials: Enameled ceramic (white stoneware), glass. Reminiscent of sun mirrors like those of b...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Glass, Mirror
Italian postmodern mirror, black glass mirror, 1980s screen-printed mirror, Memphis
Located in bari, IT
This wall mirror is an Italian-made piece, stylistically dating to the late 1970s or the 1980s based on its graphic language: a figurative silhouette rendered using a halftone screen...
Mirror
1980s Postmodern Design Italian Wall Wood Mirror
Located in Brescia, IT
Wall Mirror Italy, 1980 Wood frame Glass in perfect condiction
Glass, Wood
$1,766 / item
Large Handcrafted Oak Furrow Shelf Mirror
Located in London, GB
The handcrafted “Furrow” mirror with dovetailed shelf is a bold and sculptural statement piece, designed and handmade in England using traditional techniques and the finest quartersa...
Oak
$4,780 / item
Orizzonte 1500 Silver Round Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Orizzonte 1500 Silver Round Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 150 x H 2.5 cm Materials: silver, mirror / argento, specchio. Weight: 35 kg. Code: DS1014 Round mirror with positive...
Silver
Post-Modern Blonde Birch Wall Mirror, Rectangular Design, USA, 1980
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern blonde birch wall mirror. Mirror can hang vertical or horizontal. Rectangle blonde mirror Frame. Glass is thick and beveled on corners no scratches. Made circa 1980 in US...
Mirror, Birch
Vintage Faux Shagreen Round Mirror - Coastal Palm Beach Regency
By Maitland Smith, Karl Springer
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A stylish circular wall mirror finished in faux shagreen. The textured surface and refined organic finish are reminiscent of luxury designs by Karl Springer, Maitland-Smith, and R & ...
Mirror
Belcanto Cornice Silver Mini Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Belcanto Cornice Silver Mini Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Dimensions: D 3 x W 135 x H 135 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, mirror, Swarovski crystals, and fir wood. Ava...
Crystal, Stainless Steel
Forest Silver Median Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Forest Silver Median Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Dimensions: D 20 x W 190 x H 185 cm. Materials: Okoumé wood, stainless steel, and mirror. Available in two different ...
Stainless Steel
Groove Bronze Median Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Groove Bronze Median Modular Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Dimensions: D 4 x W 215 x H 185 cm. Materials: Okoumé wood, stainless steel, and mirror. Available in two different s...
Stainless Steel
Stratos Quadro Red & Yellow Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Stratos Quadro Red & Yellow Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Special Edition of 11 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: D 4 x W 210 x H 170 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, mir...
Stainless Steel, Other
Stratos Red & Yellow Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture
Located in Geneve, CH
Stratos Red & Yellow Maxi Sculptural Wall Mirror by GTG Design Couture Special Edition of 11 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: D 4 x W 108 x H 250 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, mirror, MD...
Stainless Steel, Other
Fracture Mirror by Simon Johns
By Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
Made of glass and smashed gypsum cement, the Fracture Mirror references the striations and accidental geometries of sedimentary stone. This statement m...
Cement
Post Modern Octagonal Beveled Mirror
By Fontana Arte, Max Ingrand, VECA, Pietro Chiesa
Located in Houston, TX
Post Modern Octagonal Beveled Mirror.. This stunning large Modernist octagonal mirror was created with a multiple beveled perimeter surrounding the central mirrored panel. Stunning!
Mirror
Beautiful People III Mirror in Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Beautiful People III Mirror in Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: D 12 x W 175 x H 140 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: Patinate...
Bronze
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Birch, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A round burnished birch wall mirror, designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Mirror, Birch
Vintage Italian ‘Onda’ Wall Mirror by Nanda Vigo for Glas Italia
By Nanda Vigo
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare Italian ‘Onda’ wall mirror designed by Nanda Vigo for Glas Italia in the 1980s. The oval mirror glass gracefully rests upon a satin glass frame, rendered in a muted aqua hue t...
Glass, Mirror
$1,520Sale Price|20% Off
Unique piece, Large mirror by Mario Eichmann, Switzerland 1984 Post Modern
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
A unique piece, a very large triangular mirror by Swiss artist Mario Eichmann. The lozenge-shaped frame is partially painted with a surrealist decoration. Created for the "Hommage...
Wood
JMF Style Shagreen Framed Square Mirror by Ron Seff
By Ron Seff
Located in North Miami, FL
A beautiful cream toned shagreen skin frame on mahogany wood and beveled mirror. Perfect 42 inch square, heavy and important piece by Ron Seff. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FR...
Shagreen Stingray, Mirror, Wood
Jeu Des Right Eye Timber Hardwood Wall Mirror by Marco Calhau
Located in Geneve, CH
Jeu Des Right Eye Timber Hardwood Wall Mirror by Marco Calhau Dimensions: D 20 x W 30 x H 70 cm. Materials: Timber hardwood, and mirror. All pieces are handmade and under order at o...
Hardwood
Modern Multifaceted Glass Wall Mirror, Belgium, 1990
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking Belgian wall mirror distinguished by its refined multifaceted glass frame and elegant vertical proportions. Measuring 76 cm in width and 108 cm in height, this piece offer...
Mirror, Plywood
Crystal Rose Illuminated Mirror in Quartz and Agate by Sev Art Gallery
Located in Geneve, CH
Crystal Rose Illuminated Mirror in Quartz and Agate by Sev Art Gallery. Dimensions: W 60 x D 4 x H 60 cm. Materials: Mirror glass, natural quartz, white agate, epoxy resin, integrate...
Agate, Quartz
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A round pine wall mirror designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Pine
Guanto Wall Mirror in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Guanto Wall Mirror in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: D 5 x W 35 x H 80 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum and mirror. Funny expression of elegance and refinemen...
Aluminum
$1,044 / item
Dune 600 Round Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Dune 600 Round Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 60 x H 2.5 cm Materials: beige, mirror. Weight: 4 kg. Code: DS1041 Round frameless mirror with a textured finish made from speci...
Mirror
Small Walnut Wood Eye Mirror by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Walnut Wood Eye Mirrors by Morica Design Dimensions: D 4 x W 73 x H 48 cm Materials: Mirror, Canaletto walnut. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Laguna Oak, or Oak wood. Please c...
Mirror, Wood