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.
Small Dans Les Branches Paper Suspension Light by Papier à êtres
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Dans Les Branches Paper Suspension Light by Papier à êtres One of a Kind Dimensions: D 30 x W 90 x H 25 cm. Materials: Craft paper. Available in 90, 110, and 120 cm lengths. P...
Paper
$2,153 / item
MMM Mansion Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
MMM Mansion Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 35 cm. Materials: Velvet fabric and metal. Different metal finishes are available. All our lamps can be wired accordin...
Metal
Venini Tesuto Suspension Chandelier, Murano Glass, Italy, Circa 1970
Located in Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, FR
Italian world most famous glass factory, Venini company is set on Murano Island. It mastered the blowing techniques and different other like this tesuto technique. Probably designed...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$77,675 / item
Georgina Magnolia Stright Pendant Lamp by 7Gods Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Georgina Magnolia Stright Pendant Lamp by 7Gods Studio Dimensions: D 40 x W 150 x H 40 cm Materials: Branch: Carbon fibre, Flower: Hand beaten brass Weight: from 6-20 kg About: Tak...
Carbon Fiber
$26,087 / item
L 2400 Drops Pendant Lamp B by Tanuj Arora
Located in Geneve, CH
L 2400 Drops Pendant Lamp B by Tanuj Arora Dimensions: D 51 x W 240 x H 133 cm. Materials: Hand Blown, Borosilicate Glass, Cut Glass, Solid Brass. The weig...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Set Of 12 Glans Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 12 Glans Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 12,5 x H 19 cm each (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold,...
Alabaster, Copper
Churros Model 2 Pendant Light in Painted Wood, Metal & Vegetable Leather by KIMU
Located in Geneve, CH
Churros Model 2 Pendant Light in Painted Wood, Metal & Vegetable Leather by KIMU Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 16 x H 69 cm. Materials: Painted wood, powder-coated metal, and vegeta...
Metal
Atmospheric Lighting Globe Set of 2 60/45 Pendant Lamp by Studio Lugo
Located in Geneve, CH
Atmospheric Lighting Globe Set of 2 60/45 Pendant Lamp by Studio Lugo Dimensions: W 60-45 x D 8 x H 18.6 cm Materials: Lacewood Veneer, Stainless Steel, Horse Hair. Finishing: Matt V...
Stainless Steel
$1,247 / item
Glans Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Glans Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 12,5 x H 19 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Bl...
Alabaster, Copper
Churros Model 4 Pendant Light in Painted Wood, Metal & Vegetable Leather by KIMU
Located in Geneve, CH
Churros Model 4 Pendant Light in Painted Wood, Metal & Vegetable Leather by KIMU Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 10 x H 69 cm. Materials: Painted wood, powder-coated metal, and vegetable-...
Metal
Luna Modular Pendant with Linear Track System by Aggiolight
Located in Geneve, CH
Luna Modular Pendant with Linear Track System by Aggiolight. Dimensions: Overall W 170 x D 35 x H 40.5 cm (Max adjustable drop 200 cm). Shape A: D 35 x H 30.5 cm. Shape B: D 28 x H 4...
Metal, Nickel
Branch 15 Sculptural Porcelain and Bronze Pendant Lamp by Isabel Moncada
Located in Geneve, CH
Branch 15 Sculptural Porcelain and Bronze Pendant Lamp by Isabel Moncada Dimensions: Ø 135 x H 160 cm. Materials: Cast bronze, blown glass and turned brass. Weight: 20 kg. The image...
Brass, Bronze
Patrone Recessed Ceiling Light by Thorup Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Patrone Recessed Ceiling Light by Thorup Copenhagen Dimensions: D 6 x H 12 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in other colors. Please contact us. Thorup Copenhagen is an independent D...
Brass
$11,979 / item
Ozark Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Ozark Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 60 x H 72 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Blac...
Alabaster, Copper
$10,425 / item
Pharos Hand Sculpted Natural Stone Pendant I by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Pharos Hand Sculpted Natural Stone Pendant I by Aver Dimensions: D 190 x W 14 x H 14 cm. Materials: Natural stone, metal. Available in different metal finish options. ¨Please contac...
Stone, Metal
Tube Pendant 01 with 2 Light Tubes in Brass by Naama Hofman
By Naama Hofman
Located in Geneve, CH
Tube Pendant 01 with 2 Light Tubes in Brass by Naama Hofman. Dimensions: W 106 x D 81 x H 53 cm. Materials: Brass, Acrylic tube. Light: flexible LED strip light. All our lamps can b...
Brass
Dune 16 Cluster Chandelier in Silver Anodized Aluminum by MOSS Objects
By Moss Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Dune 16 Cluster Chandelier in Silver Anodized Aluminum by MOSS Objects. Dimensions: W 73 x D 148 x H 97 cm. Materials: Aluminum with a Silver Anodized finish. This listing features ...
Aluminum
$4,349 / item
Sculptural Light No. 34 by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 34 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 13 x W 60 x H 82 cm Materials: glass, brass In 2020 Milla Vaahtera started a series of un...
Brass
$3,506 / item
Kavanagh Small Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Kavanagh Small Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 12,5 x H 50 (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, M...
Alabaster, Copper
$1,435 / item
Copper Small Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Copper Small Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 18,5 x H 16,5 (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, M...
Alabaster, Copper
$7,025 / item
28.7 Pendant Lamp by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
28.7 Pendant lamp by Bocci Dimensions: Diameter 30.5 x Height 300 cm Materials: blown glass, braided metal coaxial cable, electrical components, brushed nickel canopy. Lamping: : 1.5w LED or 20w xenon. Non-dimmable. Coax: adjustable. 3000mm (10’) standard / up to 30500mm (100’) maximum Also available in different sizes. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. 28.7 is a random configuration of seven 28 pendants...
Metal, Steel, Nickel
$2,306 / item
Moon 28 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Moon 28 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 28 (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Black, Matt ...
Alabaster, Copper
Mt Elbert Elk & Mule Deer Series Antler Chandelier by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Mt Elbert Elk & Mule Deer Series Antler Chandelier by The Peak Antler Dimensions: D 182.88 x H 182.88 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers Based in, produced and shipped from the US...
Antler
$37,055 / item
10.000 Nodi Chandelier by Valentina Giovando
Located in Geneve, CH
10.000 Nodi Chandelier by Valentina Giovando Dimensions: D 80 x H 160 cm. Materials: Iron, Crystals, Fabric. Valentina Giovando, Lives and works in Sarzana, in Liguria, and for ov...
Crystal, Iron
Bello Mio Chandelier by Valentina Giovando, Post-Modern Italian Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Bello Mio! Chandelier by Valentina Giovando Dimensions: D 125 x H 50 cm. Materials: Iron, Fiberglass, Galvanized Iron Mesh. Valentina Giovando, Lives and works in Sarzana, in Lig...
Iron
$7,542 / item
Anel 80 Pendant Lamp by WJ Luminaires
Located in Geneve, CH
Anel 80 Pendant Lamp by WJ Luminaires Dimensions: Ø 80 x H 500 cm. Materials: Aluminum and crystal. Available in different metal and glass color options. The wire length is 500 cm...
Crystal, Aluminum
$5,307 / item
Ring 76 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Ring 76 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 76 x H 200 cm Materials: Alabaster All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to ...
Alabaster
Brass Twinkle Jewel Light Pendant Lamp by Magic Circus Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Twinkle Jewel Light Pendant Lamp by Magic Circus Editions Dimensions: H 35 x W 40 cm Materials: Solid brass. Weight: 5 kg Available finishes: -Brass : polished lacquered, poli...
Brass
$2,635 / item
Moon 32 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Moon 32 Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 32 (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Black, Matt ...
Alabaster, Copper
Set Of 6 Triangular Tube Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 6 Triangular Tube Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster Dimensions: 6x ⌀ 90 x H 70 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin ...
Alabaster, Copper
Hala Zeist Halogen Ceiling Lamp, Black Metal, 1980s Post-Modern Design
By Hala Zeist
Located in Den Haag, NL
Love this ceiling lamp .so stylish . Black Metal . Hala Zeist . 1980s Adjustable in any direction . Halogen . Comes with a pull down switch . Signed Hala Zeist
Metal
Ballons Ceiling Light, 21601, by Stillux Illuminazione
Located in Geneve, CH
Ballons Ceiling Light, 21601, by Stillux Illuminazione Dimensions: D 24 x H 46 cm. Materials: Glass, gold leaf. Available in gold leaf, silver leaf, velvet black, or mat silver. Ple...
Gold Leaf
Lattice Pendant Lamp, Textile and Concrete by Pestacle Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Lattice Pendant Lamp, Textile and Concrete by Pestacle Studio Dimensions: Flower Bulb: L 26-29 x H 14-16 cm, Structure on Cable: D 5-6 x H 9-10 cm Materials: Textile, Concrete. All...
Concrete
$5,507 / set
Set Of 6 Glans Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 6 Glans Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 12,5 x H 19 cm each (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, ...
Alabaster, Copper
$1,188 / item
Rain Balls Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Rain Balls Pendant Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 14 x H 18 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt...
Alabaster, Copper
$1,035 / item
Balance Chandelier by The Light Factory
Located in Geneve, CH
Balance Chandelier by The Light Factory. Dimensions: W 91.4 x D 20.3 x H 43.2 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel or refined metal hardware and opal glass globes. A refined mid-centu...
Metal, Steel
Here Comes the Sun Medium White and Copper Pendant Lamp by Bertrand Balas
Located in Geneve, CH
Here comes the sun medium white and copper pendant lamp by Bertrand Balas Dimensions: D 25 x H 25 cm Materials: Aluminum Available in different sizes and colors. All our lamps ...
Aluminum
$953 / item
Pulse 64Hz Sculptural Pendant Light by Radar
Located in Geneve, CH
Pulse 64Hz Sculptural Pendant Light by Radar. Dimensions: Diameter 40 x H 20 cm. Materials: Reinforced Plaster of Paris, available in matte white or raw. G9 LED system with a brass b...
Metal, Brass
Dune 16 Spiral Chandelier in Silver Anodized Aluminum by MOSS Objects
By Moss Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Dune 16 Spiral Chandelier in Silver Anodized Aluminum by MOSS Objects. Dimensions: W 100 x D 162 x H 105 cm. Materials: Aluminum with a Silver Anodized finish. This listing features...
Aluminum
$235 / item
Top Top 125 Black Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Top Top 125 Black 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 200 cm...
Steel
$2,459 / item
Jung Pendant Lamp by INDO-
Located in Geneve, CH
Pol Console Table by INDO- Dimensions: Ø 30.5 x H 45.7 cm. Materials: Satin brass. Each piece is carefully handcrafted by our team using natural materials and traditional processes....
Brass
Dune 4 Curve Chandelier in Aluminum with Silver Anodized Finish by MOSS Objects
By Moss Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Dune 4 Curve Chandelier in Aluminum with Silver Anodized Finish by MOSS Objects. Dimensions: W 59 x D 75 x H 35 cm. Materials: Aluminum with a Silver Anodized finish. This listing f...
Aluminum
The Object in Motion Let´s Dance Ceiling Lamp V2 by Magic Circus Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
The Object in Motion Let´s Dance Ceiling Lamp V2 by Magic Circus Editions Dimensions: W 12 x H 28 cm, Ø 12 cm. Materials: Solid brass and mouth blown glass. Weight: 1.5 kg Color: N...
Brass
Emily V10 Vertical Chandelier in Steel with Dark Bronze Finish by MOSS Objects
By Moss Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Emily V10 Vertical Chandelier in Steel with Dark Bronze Finish by MOSS Objects. Dimensions: W 160 x D 160 x H 365 cm. Materials: Steel, White Oak, Dark Bronze Finish. This listing f...
Steel
Postmodern White Murano Glass Pendant Ascribable to Mazzega, Italy
By Mazzega
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. It is in Murano glass. This pendant is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in very good original condit...
Blown Glass
Light Object 001 Pendant with 1 Light Tube in Brass by Naama Hofman
By Naama Hofman
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Object 001 Pendant with 1 Light Tube in Brass by Naama Hofman. Dimensions: W 30 x D 28 x H 64 cm. Materials: Metal, Acrylic tube. Light: flexible LED strip light, 10W, 24V. Al...
Brass
$7,025 / item
28.7 Pendant by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
28.7 pendant by Bocci Dimensions: D 20.3 x H 300 cm Materials: diameter brushed nickel canopy Weight: 8 kg Also available in different dimensions. Al...
Nickel
Brass and Aquamarine Etched Glass Bowl Pendant in the Style of Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This pendant light is made in brass and aquamarine etched glass. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered a...
Brass
11 Spheres Bronze And Hand Blown Colored Glass Chandelier by Emilie Lemardeley
Located in Geneve, CH
11 Spheres Bronze And Hand Blown Colored Glass Chandelier by Emilie Lemardeley Limited Edition of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 65 x W 165 x H 100 cm. Materials: Bronze and hand-blown glas...
Bronze
$4,530 / item
21.7 Pendant by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
21.7 Pendant by Bocci Dimensions: D20.3 x H300 cm Materials: Brushed nickel, round canopy. Weight:4.1 kg Also available in different dimensions. All our lamps can be wired acc...
Nickel
Murano Glass and Varnished Metal Pendant by Toni Zuccheri for Venini, Italy
By Toni Zuccheri, Venini
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1975 - 1979. Made in varnished and chrome-plated metal and Murano glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered...
Metal
57.61 Pendant by Bocci, White Opaline Glass, Post-Modern, Canada
Located in Geneve, CH
57.61 pendant by Bocci Dimensions: D70.7 x H300 cm Materials: white powder coated round canopy Weight: 110 kg Also available in different dimensions and colours. All our lamps c...
Other
$5,024 / item
28.5 Pendant Lamp by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
28.5 pendant lamp by Bocci Dimensions: Diameter 20.3 x Height 300 cm Materials: blown glass, braided metal coaxial cable, electrical components, brushed nickel canopy. Lamping: : 1.5w LED or 20w xenon. Non-dimmable. Coax: adjustable. 3000mm (10’) standard / up to 30500mm (100’) maximum Also available in different sizes. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. 28.5 is a random configuration of five 28 pendants...
Metal, Steel, Nickel
$8,472 / item
57.7 Pendant by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
57.7 Pendant by Bocci Dimensions: D 20.3 x H 300 cm Materials: white round canopy. Weight: 11 kg Also available in different dimensions and colours. All our lamps can be wired...
Other
Sculptural Light No. 131, Handblown Glass and Brass, by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light no. 131 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 50 x W 90 x H 75 cm Materials: Handblown glass, handcrafted brass. Sculptural Lights are handmade light fixtures that functi...
Brass
Sunshine Peak Mule Deer Antler Chandelier by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunshine Peak Mule Deer Antler Chandelier by The Peak Antler Dimensions: D 96.52 x H 68.58 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers Based in, produced a...
Antler
$13,002 / item
Beran Brushed Brass Chandelier 4 by Bert Frank
Located in Geneve, CH
Beran Brushed Brass Chandelier 4 by Bert Frank Dimensions: Ø 58 x H 100 cm. Materials: Brass and alabaster. Available in two different sizes. Available in different finishes and ma...
Alabaster, Brass
Elongated Leaf-Like Branching Shape Contemporary Brass Pendant by Morghen Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Dafne Pendant Lamp by Morghen Studio Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 300 cm Materials: Silvered brass finish and Satin brass for the lampshade’s interior....
Other
No. 17 Set of 3 Circle Bue Green Grey Pendant Lamps by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Ensemble of three circle pendant lights by Sander Bottinga Light object, ceiling lamp, circle blue grey Handmade in brass, leather, wood and hand print...
Brass
$4,530 / item
21.7 Porcelain Chandelier Lamp by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
21.7 Porcelain chandelier lamp by Bocci Dimensions: Diameter 20.3 x Height 300 cm Materials: Porcelain, borosilicate glass, braided metal coaxial cable, electrical components, bru...
Steel, Nickel