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.
Monumental Venini Tazebao Chandelier in Crystal and Sapphire Murano Glass, Italy
By Venini
Located in Almelo, NL
Monumental Venini “Tazebao” Chandelier in Crystal and Sapphire Murano Glass, Italy, 1980s A rare and monumental work by the renowned Murano glassmaker Venini, this Tazebao Grand Scu...
Crystal, Metal, Stainless Steel
$2,114Sale Price / set|40% Off
Postmodern Pair of Chandeliers by Estiluz by Leornado Marelli, Barcelona, 1980s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Pair of Chandeliers/Flushmounts by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: T-1166 Negro. These fixtures were manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) during 1980s. The conditio...
Metal
$47,798 / item
Georgina White Cascade Chandelier by 7Gods Studio, UK
Located in Geneve, CH
Georgina White Jabuticaba by 7Gods Studio Dimensions: D 35 x W 90 x H 150 cm Materials: Branch: Carbon fibre, Berry: Unglazed porcelain Weight: from 3-15 kg About: Taking the endur...
Porcelain, Carbon Fiber
$3,942 / item
PP01B Pendant Lamp L by Taiwan Lantern
Located in Geneve, CH
PP01B Pendant Lamp L by Taiwan Lantern Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 52 cm. Material: Walnut & bamboo frame, Hand-colored fabrics, Metal pipes, Leather lace, Handmade porcelain ceiling...
Metal
$1,941 / item
21.3 Cluster Porcelain Chandelier Lamp by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
21.3 Cluster porcelain chandelier lamp by Bocci. Dimensions: diameter 15.2 x height 300 cm. Materials: Porcelain, borosilicate glass, braided metal coaxial cable, electrical compon...
Steel, Nickel
$1,529 / item
Moon 20 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Moon 20 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 20 (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Black, Matt ...
Alabaster, Copper
Zero Small Pendant Lamp in Vegetable Tanned Leather & Polyacetal by UNIQKA
Located in Geneve, CH
Zero Small Pendant Lamp in Vegetable Tanned Leather & Polyacetal by UNIQKA Designed by Jacob de Baan Dimensions: D 33 x W 33 x H 16 cm. Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather, paper, a...
Other
TF511 Ceiling Lamp in Satin Brass with an Orientable Tubular Diffuser by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
TF511 Ceiling Lamp in Satin Brass with an Orientable Tubular Diffuser by Daluce Dimensions: Ø 16,6 x H 184 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in different finish options: light satin ...
Brass
$4,142 / item
Belfry Arm Custom Alabaster Pendant by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Belfry arm custom Alabaster pendant by Contain Dimensions: D16 x H22 cm Materials: brass structure and alabaster stone All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold ...
Alabaster, Brass
$5,965 / item
Mimosa Brass Pendant Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Mimosa Pendant Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 16 x W 126.4 x H 50 cm. Materials: Brass, glass. Available in black, white, or brass versions. Available in 35, 50, 85, or 150 cm...
Brass
$26,017 / item
Modulo Grid 11 Chandelier by Cto Lighting
By CTO Lighting
Located in Geneve, CH
Modulo grid 11 chandelier by CTO Lighting Materials: Satin brass with smoked kiln cast glass and opal glass shades. Also available in Bronze with smoked kiln cast glass and opal gl...
Brass
$3,706 / item
Giotto Medium Hanging Lamp by Roberto Paoli
Located in Geneve, CH
Giotto Medium Hanging Lamp by Roberto Paoli Dimensions: Ø 110 x H 7 cm. Materials: Metal and polyethylene. This product is suitable for indoor and outdoor use. Available in three d...
Metal, Other
$11,390 / item
Nuvol Chandelier 7 Lamps by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Nuvol chandelier 7 lamps by Contain Dimensions: D150 x W20 x H140 cm Materials: Brass structure and matte or glossy glass. Available in different finishes and dimensions. All our la...
Brass
$4,377 / item
HU01T Pendant Lamp L by Taiwan Lantern
Located in Geneve, CH
HU01T Pendant Lamp L by Taiwan Lantern Dimensions: D 57 x W 57 x H 50 cm. Material: Walnut & bamboo frame, Hand-colored fabrics, Metal pipes, Leath...
Metal
$13,108 / item
Aire Small Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Aire Small Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 12 (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, ...
Alabaster, Copper
$1,659 / item
Copper Large Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Copper Large Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 23 x H 16,5 (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Mat...
Alabaster, Copper
$41,679 / item
Voltige De Perles Chandelier by Ludovic Clément D’armont
Located in Geneve, CH
Voltige de Perles chandelier by Ludovic Clément D’armont. Dimensions: D 80 x W 80 x H 115 cm. Materials: blown glass, brass, LEDs. All our lamps can be wired according to each count...
Brass
Set Of 12 Meteorite Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 12 Meteorite Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster Dimensions: 12x ⌀ 20 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nicke...
Alabaster, Copper
$850Sale Price|29% Off
Modern Italian Chrome and Glass Suspension Light with Graduated Crossing Arms
By Marco Pagnoncelli
Located in Astoria, NY
Modern Italian Chrome and Glass Suspension Light, having 22 graduated crossing arms with miniature light bulbs to each end. 27" H x 38" W x 38" D. Provenance: From a Long Island Esta...
Chrome
$3,494 / item
73.3 Pendant by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
73.3 pendant by Bocci Dimensions: D 15.2 x H 300 cm Materials: brushed nickel round canopy Weight: 8 kg Also available in different dimensions and colours. All our lamps can b...
Other, Nickel
Churros Model 3 Pendant Light in Painted Wood, Metal & Vegetable Leather by KIMU
Located in Geneve, CH
Churros Model 3 Pendant Light in Painted Wood, Metal & Vegetable Leather by KIMU Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 16 x H 107 cm. Materials: Painted wood, powder-coated metal, and veget...
Metal
$8,025 / item
Dew Brass Suspension Lamp by Marsica Fossati
Located in Geneve, CH
Dew Brass Suspension Lamp by Marsica Fossati Dimensions: D 55 x H 55 cm. Materials: Brass or oxydised copper and murano glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. ...
Onyx, Marble
$3,235 / item
21.5 Porcelain Chandelier Lamp by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
21.5 Porcelain chandelier lamp by Bocci Dimensions: Diameter 15.2 x Height 300 cm Materials: Porcelain, borosilicate glass, braided metal coaxial cable, electrical components, bru...
Steel, Nickel
Noal Outdoor Suspension Lamp by Aggiolight & Studio Pasetti Lighting
Located in Geneve, CH
Noal Outdoor Suspension Lamp by Aggiolight & Studio Pasetti Lighting. Dimensions: D 33 x H 44 cm (Adjustable cable). Materials: Precision-crafted metal in a Satin Brass finish, H...
Metal, Brass
$3,400 / item
Menegario MENSOV06 Pendant Lamp by Mazzega 1946
Located in Geneve, CH
Menegario MENSOV06 Pendant Lamp by Mazzega 1946 Dimensions: D 80 x H 105 cm. Materials: Frame: Polished Chrome. Diffuser: Trasparent Blue Marine. Weight: 007 Kg. The roots of Mazze...
Chrome
Astral S1 Colors Pendant Lamp by Euroluce Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Astral S1 Colors Pendant Lamp by Euroluce Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 6 x H 18 cm. Materials: Plexiglass and aluminum. Available in different colors. Prices may vary. All our lamps can ...
Aluminum
$1,882 / item
Cloud Suspension, Hae Young Yoon
Located in Geneve, CH
Cloud suspensions - designed by Hae Young Yoon. Thin cotton fiber is blown into shape by seemingly weightless wire armatures. The delicate forms ar...
Cotton
Italian Murano Gilt Glass Chandelier, Post-Modern Style, Italy
Located in Queens, NY
Post-War Italian Venetian Murano gilt glass chandelier with multiple scroll arms emanating from a center shaft with a bowl bottom.
Glass
$7,036 / item
Kotka Chandelier by Cameron Design House
Located in Geneve, CH
Kotka Chandelier by Cameron Design House Dimensions: D 100 x H 13 cm. Materials: Dark-stained English oak, metal. Available in single or double v...
Metal
$23,875 / item
Aire Large Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Aire Large Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 90 x W 57 x H 18 (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, ...
Alabaster, Copper
$2,553 / set
Set Of 4 Raim Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 4 Raim Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 12 cm each (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Ma...
Alabaster, Copper
$1,164 / item
73.1 Pendant by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
73.1 Pendant by Bocci Dimensions: D11.6 x H300 cm Materials: brushed nickel round canopy Weight: 2.7 kg Also available in different dimensions and colors. All our lamps can be...
Other, Nickel
Suspension Quadrifoglio blanche de Gae Aulenti pour Harvey Guzzini
By Gae Aulenti, Harvey Guzzini
Located in Rouen, FR
Conçue en 1974 par Gae Aulenti pour Harvey Guzzini, la suspension Quadrifoglio est une pièce emblématique du design italien Space Age. Son diffuseur en acrylique blanc opalin aux fo...
Plastic
Iris Complex Array Brass and Alabaster Pendant Light by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Iris Complex Array Pendant Light by Christopher Boots Dimensions: D 90.7 x W 171 x H 97 cm. Materials: Brass, alabaster. Available in Aged Brass, Brushed Brass, Hand Rubbed Brass, o...
Alabaster, Brass
Crisalide Sculptural Pendant Lamp, designed and assembled in Italy by Dario
Located in Parma, IT
Metamorphosis and Rebirth........... Crisalide is a luminous sculpture that captures the magical moment of metamorphosis. Designer Dario Nasuti envisioned the bulb as a caterpillar i...
Steel
$4,071 / item
Mayu 01 Pendant Light by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Mayu 01 Pendant Light by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 38 x W 38 x H 40 cm Materials: White mesh fabric on transparent backing. Weight: 1.2kg Standard fixtures included Pendants: 1 x 80m...
Fabric
Mt Bross Elk Antler Series Iron Base Chandelier by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Mt Bross Elk Antler Series Iron Base Chandelier by The Peak Antler Dimensions: D 96.52 x H 68.58 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers, Rawhide & Mica Iron Base Based in, produced an...
Iron
Contemporary Multi-Arm Steel Tubing and Folded Steel Shade Chandelier
Located in York, CA
Concord Collection Edyth Chandelier: The Edyth multi-arm chandelier can be scaled to suit any environment. Steel shades are crisply folded around glass globes that are angled to dire...
Steel, Brass
Contemporary Burnt Brass Chandelier, Tryst Six by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Burnt Brass Chandelier, Tryst Six by Paul Matter Tryst chandelier explores the relationship between interlocked forms in perfect union a...
Brass
Glass & Chrome “Lightbulb” Pendant Lamp Attributed to Ingo Maurer
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oversized pendant lightbulb with ribbed chrome detail, attributed to Ingo Maurer, the "poet of light". Hardwire, can be rewired at your discretion. Cord is approx 18”.
Chrome
Sculptural Light No. 134, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 134 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 74 x W 18 x H 90 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Pair of White Tip Top Pendant Lights by Jørgen Gammelgaard, 1970s
By Design Forum, Jørgen Gammelgaard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of original Tip Top pendant lights designed by Danish architect and designer Jørgen Gammelgaard in the 1970s. Produced by Design Forum, these sculptural pendants exemplify Scand...
Metal, Aluminum
Maniko Pipo 20 White Alabaster Pendant Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Maniko Pipo 20 White Alabaster Pendant Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 8 x W 8 x H 36 cm. Materials: Alabaster, brass and silicone. Different sizes available. Custom options a...
Alabaster, Brass
$5,165 / item
Short Motive Brass Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti
Located in Geneve, CH
Short Motive Brass Ceiling Light by Atelier Areti Dimensions: D 13.5 x W 94.5 x H 68.4 cm. Materials: Brushed brass, white glass. Available in white, black, color, or brass. All ou...
Brass
No.24 A Yellow Charme Fringes Dip Dyed Pendant Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow Charme pendant lamp, Sander Bottinga. Dimensions: H 45 (can be customized) x W 38 x D 25 cm. Hand-sculpted in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose....
Brass
Blue Nebula Grande Hand Painted Pendant Lamp by Mirei Monticelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Nebula Grande hand-painted pendant lamp by Mirei Monticelli Dimensions: D 150 x W 50 x H 60 cm Materials: Banaca fabric Also available in hand-painted fabric. The lamp is made in banaca fabric and carefully constructed to create this intricate spiraling shape. The pliability of the constructed fabric lets it have a life on its own. They can also be reshaped to the owners liking. Mirei is a Milan-based multidisciplinary designer who started her career in her birth place, the Philippines. Working from her roots has exposed her to the world of traditional manufacturing and production of furniture, where everything is made by hand. This environment exposed her to the beautiful world of artisan crafts, but then gave her the yearning to explore state-of-the-art techniques that come from the western world – which led her to study at Politecnico di Milano with a Masters degree in Design and Engineering in 2017. In 2019, she founded Studiomirei. On the same year, she won the Salone Satellite special mention award for the Nebula lamp...
Fabric
Emily I Pendant in Steel with Dark Bronze Finish by MOSS Objects
By Moss Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Emily I Pendant in Steel with Dark Bronze Finish by MOSS Objects. Dimensions: W 35 x D 50 x H 18 cm. Materials: Steel, Dark Bronze Finish. This listing features handcrafted steel wi...
Steel
Large Brass & Stainless Steel Dome Pendant Lamp by Rock & Soar, 120 cm
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Dome Pendant Lamp by Rock and Soar Dimensions: D 120 x H 500 cm Materials: Brass, Stainless Steel, Anodised Brass Colour. 100 Wings, 8 Halo Lights. About: Founded by creative...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Aurata Sculptural Brass and Frosted Glass Pendant by Jan Garncarek
Located in Geneve, CH
Aurata Sculptural Brass and Frosted Glass Pendant by Jan Garncarek Dimensions: 21 x 22 x H 56 cm Material: Brass, frosted glass. Handcrafted by Jan Garncarek. Information: weight:10...
Brass
$5,765 / item
MMM Kingdom 8 Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
MMM Kingdom 8 Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: D 48 x W 80 x H 128 cm. Materials: Metal and Murano glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to t...
Metal
$29,900 / item
Cirque 4 Drop Swagged Chandelier by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Sculptural, bold, and unmistakably modern, the Cirque 4 Drop Swagged Chandelier transforms any space into a statement. Handcrafted in our Georgia, USA studio, this artful fixture beg...
Steel
Light Object 020.3 Pendant with 5 Lights in Brass by Naama Hofman
By Naama Hofman
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Object 020.3 Pendant with 5 Lights in Brass by Naama Hofman. Dimensions: W 97 x D 97 x H 73 cm. (height to order) Materials: Brass, Glass. Light: G9 LED light bulb. All our la...
Brass
$2,106 / item
Happy Beat Pendant Lamp by SKRYTA
Located in Geneve, CH
Happy Beat Pendant Lamp by SKRYTA Dimensions: Ø 30/55 x H 60 cm. Materials: Warp flax. Available in two sizes. Handmade of leftover warp in flax from a local carpet industry. All o...
Other
Torpedo Chandelier by Nason for AV Mazzega, Murano, Italy
By Aldo Nason, AVMazzega
Located in Rijssen, NL
Torpedo chandelier by ldo Nason for AV Mazzega. Manufactured in midcentury, circa 1970 (at the end of 1960s and beginning of 1970s). Handmade and hi...
Crystal, Chrome, Iron
$3,141 / item
Marevo Pendant Lamp by Yalanzhi Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Marevo Pendant Lamp by Yalanzhi Objects Dimensions: D 115 x W 115 x H 55 cm. Materials: Cellulose. Cellulose is a recycled material that was once f...
Other
Dune 8 Spiral Chandelier in Aluminum with Silver Anodized Finish by MOSS Objects
By Moss Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Dune 8 Spiral Chandelier in Aluminum with Silver Anodized Finish by MOSS Objects. Dimensions: W 75 x D 68 x H 80 cm. Materials: Aluminum with a Silver Anodized finish. This listing ...
Aluminum
Ca Rezzonico II 18 Lights Chandelier in Gold Plate & Murano Glass by Aggiolight
Located in Geneve, CH
Ca Rezzonico II 18 Lights Chandelier in Gold Plate & Murano Glass by Aggiolight. Dimensions: D 110 x H 160 cm. Materials: Gold Plate, Artisan Murano Glass. Equipped with 18 x E14 (M...
Gold Plate
$1,682 / item
Grono 9 Smuzhka Pendant Lamp by Yalanzhi Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Grono 9 Smuzhka Pendant Lamp by Yalanzhi Objects Dimensions: D 90 x W 90 x H 90 cm. Materials: Cellulose. Cellulose is a recycled material that was once forest. A high-quality, du...
Other
$18,380 / item
Large Jupe Solitaire Pendant Lamp by Naomi Paul
By Naomi Paul
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Jupe solitaire pendant lamp by Naomi Paul Dimensions: D 80 x H 44 cm Materials: Metal frame, Egyptian cotton cord. Color: Ecru. Available in other colors and in 4 sizes: D5...
Metal
$3,071 / item
Generator Pendant Lamp by G.Luce
Located in Geneve, CH
Generator Floor Lamp by G.Luce Dimensions: W 175 x D 20 x H 20 cm Materials: Satin Plexiglass Structure, Bronze Finish. 5 Hemispheres. Weight: 7.8 Kg. G.Luce is the result of a th...
Bronze