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.
Barovier & Toso Crystal Glass Flush Mount
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Barovier&Toso, ceiling light, brass, crystal glass, Italy, 1980s An elegant flush mount by Barovier & Toso, expertly crafted in Italy from finely textured crystal glass. The...
Brass
Mariyo Yagi for Sirrah 'Garbo' Chandelier in Nylon
By Sirrah, Mariyo Yagi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mariyo Yagi for Sirrah, 'Garbo' chandelier, metal, nylon, Italy, 1976 Enchanting 'Garbo' fringe chandelier designed by Japanese designer Mariyo Yagi and manufactured by Sirrah. The ...
Metal
$1,165 / item
Several Glass Amber Pedant Lights, Doria, 1960s
Located in Rijssen, NL
1 of the18 Cascade lamps in a bubble design, model 4309, manufactured by Doria. It is suitable especially for high ceilings and lounge areas. The four large glass bubbles create a be...
Metal
1970s Glamorous Guido Polloni Chandelier in Colored Glass (50cm/19.6in)
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Polloni chandelier, glass, Italy, 1970s This exquisite chandelier by glass artist Guido Polloni is crafted in Italy in the 1970s. This light embodies the extreme glamour and b...
Glass
Vintage Wrought Iron Chandelier Candleholder by Ehlén Johansson for Ikea, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Wrought Iron Chandelier Candleholder by Ehlén Johansson for Ikea, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 I have ...
Wrought Iron
Chandelier, Hand-Linked Chainmail Cobweb, Steel, Post-Modern, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A fusion of medieval craftsmanship and modern gothic elegance, the Chainmail Cobweb Chandelier evokes the ethereal beauty of a spider’s web. Meticulously handcrafted from interwoven ...
Steel
$1,165 / item
Postmodern Modern Black Round Chandelier Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of postmodernism and experience pure elegance with our breathtaking black chandelier decorated with crystals. This work of art of lighting m...
Crystal, Metal
Charles And Ray Eames Dot Pattern Light Suspension 6 Spheres Lamp by Cassina
By Charles and Ray Eames, Cassina
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Charles And Ray Eames Dot Pattern Light Suspension 6 Spheres Lamp by Cassina ICONIC PATTERN Initially created for a textile design competition launched in 1947 by the Museum of Mod...
Aluminum
Pendant Chandelier, Hand-Linked Chainmail Droplet, 80cm, Steel, Brass Finish
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web in a brass finish hugs the lamp’s canopy; as the knit becomes tighter, th...
Steel
Vintage Postmodern Balart Ceiling Lamp by Jorge Pensi for B.Lux, 1980s
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant ceiling light from the Spanish manufacturer B.Lux after a design by Jorge Pensi from the late 1980s. A postmodern design. This lamp convinces with its elegant design languag...
Metal
Rare Arteluce Acrylic Glass Chandelier, Italy, 1970s
By Arteluce
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This extraordinary chandelier by the renowned Italian lighting manufacturer Arteluce is a true collector’s piece and a striking example of 1970s Space Age design. With its sculptural...
Metal
Santa Fe Matteo Thun for Memphis Milano
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Santa Fe by Matteo Thun for Memphis Milano. Ceramic pendant lamp. Light is E26 or E27. Shade size is F 30/H 20 cm. cable 120cm.
Ceramic
Postmodern Modern Silver Chrom Round Chandelier Art Nouveau XXL
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of postmodernism and experience pure elegance with our breathtaking silver/chrome chandelier decorated with crystals. This work of art of li...
Crystal
Italian Post Modern Slide Sunday Design Pendant Lamp
By Slide
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Post Modern Slide Sunday Pendant Lamp, Italy 2010 The Sunday pendant lamp is a design icon crafted by Slide using rotational molding technology in polyethylene, a material that is 1...
Plastic
$775Sale Price|46% Off
Vintage Modernist White Glass and Red Metal Grid Ceiling Pendant Light
Located in Amityville, NY
A vintage modernist or post-modern pendant ceiling light. A white glass cylinder diffuser shade floats inside a red painted metal ring, perforated into a grid or windowpane pattern. ...
Metal
Beautiful 1970s Limburg glass ceiling lamp in octagon shape
Located in München, BY
Beautiful original 1970s glass ceiling lamp in an octagonal shape. The shade has a light gold tint and small air bubbles. Manufactured by Limburg. Very high-quality workmanship. Made...
Brass
Vintage French Postmodern Pendant Lamp from Pylones, Paris, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage French Postmodern Pendant Lamp from Pylones, Paris, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 This piece has an attribution mark, Up to 250V (Europe/UK Standard)....
Plastic
Zefiro3 Arteluce Frosted Glass Pendant 80s 90s Style
By Arteluce, Pier Giuseppe Ramella
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Frosted glass pendant lamp designed by Pier Giuseppe Ramella for Arteluce. It was designed in the late early 90s. Made of blue and white frosted glasses. Gentle light is shining thro...
Steel
Paper Milk Medium Pendant Light in Ash Wood & Industrial Rice Paper by KIMU
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper Milk Medium Pendant Light in Ash Wood & Industrial Rice Paper by KIMU Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 55 x H 39 cm. Materials: Ash wood and rice paper. Available in different sizes. Prices may vary. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. Please contact us. “In Taiwanese life, the most overlooked thing is the lamp... it's hard to find old Taiwanese lamps...
Ash, Paper
Austrian Postmodern Pair of "Cocoon" Chandeliers by EGLO Leuchten, 1990s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty Pair of Austrian "Cocoon" Chandeliers. These Chandeliers were designed during the 1990s in Austria by Eglo Leuchten. Original “Eglo” label still shows on the structure. These...
Metal
Post Modern Murano Chandelier in the style of Ponti for Venini
Located in New York, NY
Brightly colored art glass chandelier made in Murano, Italy, in the style of Gio Ponti, for Venini, circa 1980/90's. The chandelier features eight arms, in polychrome saturated col...
Art Glass
Beautiful 1970s Limburg glass ceiling lamp in octagon shape
Located in München, BY
Beautiful original 1970s glass ceiling lamp in an octagonal shape. The shade has small air bubbles. Manufactured by Limburg. Very high-quality workmanship. Made in Germany. Mounts d...
Brass
$5,401 / item
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Marina Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 46 x H 26 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
$3,450 / item
Kinetic Ingo Maurer 'Ilo Ilu' Light Sculpture
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ingo Maurer for Ingo Maurer GmbH, kinetic light sculpture model 'Ilo Ilu', steel, wood, plastic, metal, glass, Germany, 1986. This eccentric light sculpture named ‘Ilo Ilu’ is desig...
Metal, Steel
$7,500 / item
Serge Castella Chandelier, circa 2000, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Large "Spring" chandelier by Serge Castella. Custom-made. Signed and numbered. Metal and plaster. France, circa 2000. Excellent condition. Serge Castella Interiors focuses on Antique...
Metal
1980s Post-Modern White Metal Cone Pendant Light, Matégot Style
By Mathieu Matégot, Memphis Group
Located in Copenhagen, DK
French vintage perforated metal wide cone pendant from the 1980s. Post-modern atomic age piece in the style of Mathieu Matégot and the Memphis group. Crisp white shade with bright re...
Metal
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Folia Cast Bronze and Brass Ceiling Lamp by Federico Stefanovich. Dimensions: W 117 x D 224 x H 21 cm. Material: Cast Bronze, Brass. All our lamps can be wired according to each cou...
Brass, Bronze
Sculptural Light No. 130, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 130 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 55 x W 95 x H 75 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Sculptural Light No. 132, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 132 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 44 x W 95 x H 70 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
$5,646 / item
Halo 62 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Halo 49 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 62 x H 7 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bla...
Alabaster, Copper
$4,165 / item
Mottle Two Glass Globe Pendant by Lamp Shaper
Located in Geneve, CH
Mottle Two Glass Globe Pendant by Lamp Shaper Dimensions: D 15.2 x W 29.2 x H 127 cm. Materials: Brass and glass. Available in raw brass, aged brass, burnt brass, or brushed brass. ...
Brass
Sculptural Light No. 133, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 133 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 60 x W 90 x H 90 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Artemide Capsule Pendant Light by Ross Lovegrove, White Glass, 2010
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Artemide Pendant "Capsule" by Ross Lovegrove, White Glass, 2010 White glass pendant " Capsule " designed by Ross Lovegrove for Artemide. Designed and launched in the 2010 this desig...
Blown Glass, Silicone
Ca Rezzonico I 12 Lights Chandelier in Gold Plate and Murano Glass by Aggiolight
Located in Geneve, CH
Ca Rezzonico I 12 Lights Chandelier in Gold Plate and Murano Glass by Aggiolight. Dimensions: D 120 x H 160 cm (+ 100 cm adjustable chain). Materials: Gold Plate, Artisan Murano Glas...
Gold Plate
Austrian Postmodern Set of Six "Cocoon" Chandeliers by EGLO Leuchten, 1990s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and beauty Set of Six Austrian "Cocoon" Chandeliers. These Chandeliers were designed during the 1990s in Austria by Eglo Leuchten. Original “Eglo” label still shows on the str...
Metal
$82,939 / item
Georgina Magnolia Cascade Pendant Lamp by 7Gods Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Georgina Magnolia Cascade Pendant Lamp by 7Gods Studio Dimensions: D 70 x W 150 x H 120 cm Materials: Branch: Carbon fibre, Flower: Hand beaten brass Weight: from 6-20 kg About: Ta...
Carbon Fiber
Paper Milk Large Pendant Light in Ash Wood & Industrial Rice Paper by KIMU
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper Milk Large Pendant Light in Ash Wood & Industrial Rice Paper by KIMU Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 70 x H 45 cm. Materials: Ash wood and rice paper. Available in different sizes. Prices may vary. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. Please contact us. “In Taiwanese life, the most overlooked thing is the lamp... it's hard to find old Taiwanese lamps...
Ash, Paper
$2,240 / item
Marquise Opus Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Marquise Opus Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 45 x H 40 cm. Materials: Glass and metal. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will ...
Metal
Powder Blue Cupole 80 Hanging Lamp by Giò Colonna Romano
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Blue Cupole 80 Hanging Lamp by Giò Colonna Romano Dimensions: Ø 80 x H 40 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in three sizes. Prices may vary. This product is suitable for...
Other
Light Object 033 Pendant Lamp in Waxed Brass by Naama Hofman
By Naama Hofman
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Object 033 Pendant Lamp in Waxed Brass by Naama Hofman Dimensions: W 65 x H 220 cm. Materials: Brass, Glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to t...
Brass
No. 31 G Natural Linen Uni Dark Beige Contemporary Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 31 G Dark Beige Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga Dimensions: D 44 x W 68 x H 50 cm. Materials: Brass, leather, wood, and dip-dyed colored viscose. Handmade in brass, leather, wood,...
Brass, Other
No. 31 G Beige Uni Gold Color Contemporary Art Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 31 F Beige Gold Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga Dimensions: D 44 x W 68 x H 50 cm. Materials: Brass, leather, wood, and dip-dyed colored viscose. ...
Brass, Other
$17,400 / set
Angelo Brotto for Esperia Large Pendants
By Esperia, Angelo Brotto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Brotto for Esperia, pendant lights, glass, brass, Italy, 1970s Exuding elegance in every aspect, Angelo Brotto's design captivates the eye. Suspended from a brass fixture, a ...
Brass
Stilnovo UFO pendant, Stilnovo, 1980
By Stilnovo
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
UFO suspension of a big milky opalescent globe made by the Italian brand Stilnovo in the 1980's. Light pendant for ceiling.
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Milk Glass, Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
$3,675 / item
Fleur Edera 8 Chandelier by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Fleur Edera 8 Chandelier by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 75 x H 70 cm. Materials: Satin borosilicate glass and metal. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to ...
Metal
$1,026 / item
Mini Quartz Drop Lamp by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Quartz Drop Lamp by Aver Dimensions: D 8 x H 16 cm Materials: White quartz, ceramic, metal. A series of lamps molded in a lively, imperfect, and organic ceramic texture, in con...
Quartz, Metal
Circolo Cotton Pendant Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Circolo Cotton Pendant Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 50 x H 150 cm. Materials: Cotton, brass and silicone. Custom options available on request. Please contact us. All our ...
Brass
$625 / item
Frank Ligtelijn for RAAK 'Globe' Pendants
By RAAK, Frank Ligtelijn, Peill & Putzler
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Frank Ligtelijn for RAAK Amsterdam by Peill & Putzle, B 1040-20 'Globe' Pendants, glass and aluminum, Netherlands, 1970s. Striking pendants d...
Aluminum
AVMazzega style. Palm Beach Regency Murano glass pendant lamp, Italy, 1970s
By Carl Fagerlund, AVMazzega, Barovier&Toso, La Murrina, Novaresi
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Palm Beach Regency style Murano glass pendant lamp in the style of Angelo Vittorio Mazzega, Italy, 1970s. Composed of two translucent handmade, blown and molded glass diffusers with ...
Metal, Chrome
$1,283 / item
Twist Etiola Pendant Lamp by LAFABLIGHT
Located in Geneve, CH
Twist Etiola Pendant Lamp by LAFABLIGHT Dimensions: D 80 x H 30 cm Materials: Wooden structure woven with ecru cotton, textile cable with metal/wood rosette. LAFABLIGHT was born fro...
Metal
Top Top 125 Ultra Blue Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Top Top 125 Ultra Blue Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: D 9,5 x W 7,2 x H 27,3 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel. Available in different color options. The PVC cord length is 2...
Steel
Extra Large Misalliance Ex Pure White Suspended Light by Lexavala
Located in Geneve, CH
Extra Large Misalliance Ex pure white suspended light by Lexavala. Dimensions: D 16 x W 160 x H 8 cm. Materials: powder coated shade with details made of brass or stainless steel. ...
Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel
$5,390 / item
Haumea Amorph Silver Smoke XL Pendant by Eloa
Located in Geneve, CH
Haumea Amorph silver smoke XL pendant by Eloa No UL listed Material: glass, steel, silver, LED Bulb Dimensions: D35 x W47 x H32 cm Also available in differ...
Glass
Multicolor blown glass and brass contemporary chandelier light Emilie Lemardeley
Located in Geneve, CH
Dionysos Multiple Spheres Ceiling Lamp by Emilie Lemardeley Limited Edition of 8 Dimensions: D 220 x W 55 x H 60 cm Materials: Brass, hand blown glass (40 spheres). The Dionysos lig...
Brass
$4,316 / item
Sculptural Light No. 67 by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 67 by Milla Vaahtera. Dimensions: W 85 x L 40 x H 60 cm. Materials: glass, brass. In 2020 Milla Vaahtera started a series of unique sculptural lights made o...
Brass
Set of 2 U & I Ceiling Lights by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 U & I Ceiling Lights by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 7.6 x H 106.7 cm (I Light), D 22.8 x H 91.4 cm (U Light). Materials: Claypaste, metal. Introducing our U...
Metal
$1,470 / item
Alba Top Pendant by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Alba top pendant by Contain Dimensions: D 15x H 100 cm (custom leght) Materials: Brass, 3D printed PLA structure and optical lens. Also available i...
Brass, Other
Single-Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier 120 cm, brass finish
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web hugs the lamp’s canopy, as the knit gets tighter the chainmail envelopes ...
Steel
$1,283 / item
Bright Breeze Pendant Lamp by Nordic Tales
Located in Geneve, CH
Bright Breeze Pendant Lamp by Nordic Tales Designed by Jonas Hoejgaard Dimensions: Ø 23 x H 23 cm. Materials: Glass and brass. Finish: Crema textile cord. Dimensions may vary. All o...
Brass
$1,878 / item
Ne1200 Pendant Lamp by MLK Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Ne1200 Pendant Lamp by MLK Furniture Dimensions: D 9 x W 120 x H 12 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, acrylic. Available in mat, or mat and mirror inside. Also available in brass, cop...
Stainless Steel