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.
$667 / item
Black Biny Spot Wall Lamp by Jacques Biny
By Jacques Biny
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Biny Spot wall lamp by Jacques Biny Dimensions: D 19.8 x W 6.5 x H 15 cm Materials: Aluminum, Steel Also available: Different colors, with or without switch, with or without...
Aluminum, Steel
Italian Murano Glass Wall Light "Nausicaa 18" by Massimo Giacon for Artemide
Located in Barntrup, DE
Amazing wall lamp "Nausicaa 18" by Italian designer Massimo Giacon. Hand-crafted Murano glass lamp body in the shape of a vase. Manufactured in 1997 by Artemide, Milano/Venezia serie...
Metal
Set of 2 Three Edges Wall Lights by Square in Circle
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Three Edges Wall Lights by Square in Circle Dimensions: D 19 x W 50 x H 80 cm Materials:Brushed brass/ brushed grey metal/ white opaque diffuser Other finishes available. This sleek and modern picture light...
Metal, Brass
$1,950Sale Price|50% Off
French 1990s Sunburst Flush Light
Located in New York, NY
A French 1990s golden brass light with orange and tea colored resin prisms. Rewired. Six light sources.
Brass
$4,270 / item
Bone #13 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Bone #13 wall light by Margaux Leycuras One of a Kind, Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 6 x W 55 x H 50 cm Material: Ceramic, sand stoneware tops with a porcelain engobe finish....
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
Set of Seven Pantarei Wall Lights by Ernesto Gismondi Artemide
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A set of seven (7) unusual Pantarei wall or ceiling lights by Ernesto Gismondi. These are no longer in production and feature an unusual clam shell design and Memphis/futurist stylin...
Steel
$5,133 / item
Continuum 500 Wall Sconce by Lost Profile Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Continuum 500 Wall Sconce by Lost Profile Studio Dimensions: W 22 x D 9 x H 50 cm Materials: Brass, Glass, Aluminium, LED Finishes: Aged Brass (wa...
Aluminum, Brass, Other
$1,026 / item
Wireless Glans Table Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Wireless Glans Table Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 12,5 x H 29 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, ...
Alabaster, Copper
Post Modern Organic Italian Pair Geometric Beige Murano Glass Gold Leaf Sconces
Located in New York, NY
An elegant pair of Italian Murano glass wall sconces featuring a refined rectangular form composed of overlapping linear smoked hammered glass panels, embraced by a glass belt worked...
Brass, Gold Leaf
$2,496 / item
Vela Wall Sconce by WJ Luminaires
Located in Geneve, CH
Vela Wall Sconce by WJ Luminaires Dimensions: Ø 9 x H 19 cm. Materials: Aluminum and crystal. Available in different aluminum and cristal color options. Please contact us. All our...
Crystal, Aluminum
$1,600 / set
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine sconces / wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Dimensions of Back Plate (inches) : 9.5 x 2.25 x 1.08 (Height x Width x Depth). Socket takes E-14 b...
Pine
Random Wall Lamp, 21656, by Stillux Illuminazione
Located in Geneve, CH
Random Wall Lamp, 21656, by Stillux Illuminazione Dimensions: D 6 x W 2 x H 33 cm. Materials: Steel, iron, gold leaf. Available in gold leaf, silver leaf, ant. gold leaf, ant. silve...
Steel, Iron, Gold Leaf
Unique Prickly Pear Velvet 2 Opalines Wall Light by Mickael Koska
Located in Geneve, CH
UniquePrickly Pear Velvet 2 Opalines Wall Light by Mickael Koska Dimensions: Ø 24 cm x H 40 cm. Materials: Opaline glass, velvet finish, ceramic, and textile cord. All our lamps can...
Ceramic, Cord, Opaline Glass
Organic Shape, Slice of Twin Rose Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Petra I Twin Rose Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots Dimensions: D 12 x W 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Aged brass, slices of polished rose quartz. Available in clear, rose, or smoky qua...
Quartz, Brass
Pair of Thick Textured Glass and Brass Wall Lights by J.T. Kalmar, Austria, 1960
By J.T. Kalmar, Kalmar Lighting
Located in Rijssen, NL
Pair of wall light fixtures by J.T. Kalmar, Vienna, Austria, manufactured in circa 1960. The glass shows a beautiful ice-like texture, which gives a diffuse light effect and a nice p...
Brass
$1,225 / item
Rounded Corner Wall Light by Square in Circle
Located in Geneve, CH
Rounded Corner Wall Light by Square in Circle Dimensions: D 5 x W 7 x H 40 cm. Materials:Brushed brass/ medium bronze/ opaque perspex Other finishes available. A tall, rectangular bathroom wall light...
Brass, Bronze
$12,040 / item
Anvers Large Wall/Ceiling Lamp by CTO Lighting
By CTO Lighting
Located in Geneve, CH
Anvers Large Wall/Ceiling lamp by CTO Lighting Materials: satin brass with alabaster stone Also available in bronze with alabaster stone Dimensions: H 4.8 x W 54.5 cm All our lamps...
Alabaster, Brass
Pluto Sconce in Ceramic Stone and White Glass by Farrah Sit
By Farrah Sit
Located in Geneve, CH
Pluto Sconce in Ceramic Stone and White Glass by Farrah Sit. Dimensions: W 9 x D 11 x H 31 cm. Materials: Ceramic Stone and Hand-blown White Glass. Featured in Ceramic Stone. Also a...
Blown Glass, Ceramic
$4,270 / item
Silk #14 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Silk #14 wall light by Margaux Leycuras. One of a Kind, Signed and numbered. Dimensions: Ø55, H46 cm. Material: Ceramic, sandy stoneware platters with a porcelain slip finish. Th...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
Handmade Fan-Shaped Peach Glass Brushed Bronze Wall Mounted Lamp Maiko Carla Baz
By Carla Baz
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Fan-Shaped Peach Glass Brushed Bronze Wall Mounted Lamp Maiko Carla Baz Dimensions: Ø 35 x D 14 cm. Finish: Brushed Bronze Color: Peach Glass Weight: 3,5 kg. Available in d...
Bronze
$1,641 / item
Pair of Clear Glass Leaf Wall Sconces/lights, 1970
Located in Rijssen, NL
Beautiful leaf shaped wall sconces. The wall lights have a grey colored metal base with a thick leaf shaped clear pressed glass. Made in Germany, around 1970. One small base bulb pe...
Chrome
XL Murano Glass Wall Fixture, Italy, 1980
Located in Rijssen, NL
Wonderful multi colored Murano glass Light fixture manufactured in Murano, Italy 1980. With certification of originality (see images). In very good vintage condition. Each light re...
Murano Glass
MC400 Wall Lamp in Satin Brushed Brass by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
MC400 Wall Lamp in Satin Brushed Brass by Daluce Dimensions: D 6,1 x 15 x H 33 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in different finish options: light satin burnished brass, medium sati...
Brass
Geo Gemma Wall Light Installation by The GoodMan Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Geo Gemma Wall Light Installation by The GoodMan Studio Dimensions (May vary): Small ⌀ 15 x H 6 cm / ⌀ 21 x H 6 cm Medium ⌀ 23 x H 6 cm / ⌀ 28 ...
Metal, Other
$2,207 / item
Aaro Wall Lamp by Simon Schmitz
Located in Geneve, CH
Aaro wall lamp by Simon Schmitz Dimensions: D 16 x W 155 x H 64 cm Materials: Aluminum, steel All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be w...
Aluminum, Steel
Swedish Designer, Sconce, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, c. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and fabric wall light designed and produced in Sweden, circa 1970s. Fabric shade presents with some moderate staining staining. Wear consistent with age and use. Overall D...
Pine, Fabric
Pair of "TRYBECA" Sconces by Bernhard Dessecker for Ingo Maurer, Germany 1980's
By Ingo Maurer, Susanne and Bernhard Dessecker
Located in Cork, IE
One of two pairs available! Art Deco revival meets postmodern Memphis aesthetics! With symmetrical, streamlined wings of corrugated aluminum and vibrant smaragd green elements, thes...
Aluminum
$1,621 / item
L’applique Wall Lamp by Bosc Design
Located in Geneve, CH
L’applique Wall Lamp by Bosc Design Dimensions: W 15 x D 7 x H 30 cm Materials: Steel, Metal. Indoors or outdoors, the Zelliges wall light diffuses pleasant light, adding a colorfu...
Metal, Steel
$653 / item
Duono Cotton Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Duono Cotton Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 12 x W 24 x H 38 cm. Materials: Cotton. Custom options available on request. Please contact us. All our lamps can be wire...
Cotton
No.23 Blue Charme Fringes Dip dyed Contemporary Art Sconce Lamp, Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Charme sconce lamp, Sander Bottinga Dimensions: 50 x W 38 x D 27 cm. Hand-sculpted in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose. The movable arms makes i...
Brass
No. 23 B Green Charme Fringes Contemporary Art Sconce Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Green charme sconce lamp, Sander Bottinga. Dimensions: 50 x W 38 x D 27 cm. Handmade in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose. The movable arms makes it p...
Brass
$2,352Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Set of four large thick murano glass sconces by Mazzega. Italy 1980s
By Mazzega
Located in Catania, CT
Four large sconces made from thick murano glass in perfect vintage condition. Produced in Italy during the 80s. Full working with EU standard, adaptable on demand for USA standard.
Murano Glass
TF411 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with an Orientable Tubular Diffuser by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
TF411 Wall Lamp in Satin Brass with an Orientable Tubular Diffuser by Daluce Dimensions: D 16,6 x 10 x H 132 cm. Materials: Brass. Available in different finish options: light sati...
Brass
$1,680 / item
Square Slim 96 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Square Slim 96 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 8 x W 8 x H 96 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel...
Alabaster, Copper
Swedish Designer, Wall Lights, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine, moulded pine and off-white fabric wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 15” H x 8.5” W x 8.75” D Back Plate Dimensions (in...
Fabric, Pine
Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Pine, Rattan, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable pine and rattan wall light designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 16" H x 8" W x 11.5” D Backplate Dimensions (inches): 7.63" H x 5.5" W x ...
Rattan, Pine
Contemporary Aged Brass Swing Arm Wall Sconce, Flutter One by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Aged Brass Swing Arm Wall Sconce, Flutter One by Paul Matter The long rotating arms are attached to a vertical, wall-mounted spine that results in a Minimalist yet over...
Brass
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Pine, Fabric, Sweden, c. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine wood wall lights designed and crafted in Sweden, circa 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 11.5"H x 5.56"W x 8.37"D Dimensions of back plate (inches): 4.56" Di...
Fabric, Pine
Set of 2 Vintage Danish Metal Wall Lamps from Frandsen, 1994
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern wall lights from the Danish manufacturer Frandsen. A minimalist design. The metal lamp body has the simple shape of a quarter sphere. The lights have a cable outlet on th...
Metal
Swedish Designer, Wall Light, Pine, Rattan, Sweden, c. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine and rattan wall light designed in Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 15.25"H x 7.25"W x 9.62"D Backplate Dimensions (inches): 4.5" Diameter x 1.0" Depth Bulb Sp...
Rattan, Pine
$408 / item
Forest Block Wall Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Forest Block Wall Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: D 26 x W 10 x H 12,7 cm. Materials: Concrete, powder-coated steel and textile. Available in different color options. Please contact us...
Concrete, Steel
Contemporary Burnt Brass Wall Sconce, God Sconce by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Burnt Brass Wall Sconce, God Sconce by Paul Matter The God Sconce explores the relationship between two interlocked forms in perfect union and balance . A study of form...
Brass
$5,518 / item
Modulo Triple Wall Light by CTO Lighting
By CTO Lighting
Located in Geneve, CH
Modulo triple wall light by CTO lighting. Materials: satin brass with smoked kiln cast glass and opal glass shades. Also available in bronze with s...
Brass
Set of Two 'Filicudara' Sconces by Steve Lombardi für Artemide Italy 1980s
Located in München, BY
Set of two amazing Post-Modern sconces or candle holders 'Filicudara'. Designed by Steven Lombardi for Artemide, Italy, 1980s. Makers mark on each sconce. Each of the sconces will b...
Aluminum
Swedish Designer, Wall Lights, Pine, Rattan, Sweden, C. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine and rattan wall lights designed in Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 10.25"H x 7.18"W x 8.56"D Backplate Dimensions (inches): 4.62" Diameter x 1.0...
Rattan, Pine
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Glass, Lacquered Metal, Sweden, c. 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of glass and white-lacquered metal sconces/ wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 5.56"H x 8.43"W x 4.25"D Dimensions of Back ...
Metal
No. 20 Set of 3 Circle Blue Green Grey Wall Sconces by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Circle blue grey, wall sconce ensemble, Sander Bottinga Handmade in brass, leather, wood and linen. A dimmer is inlaid with leather. Also possible without a dimmer Dimensions: H 3...
Brass
Swedish Designer, Wall Lights, Green-Painted Pine, Sweden, C. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of green-painted pine wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 3.12"H x 15.75"W x 3.5"D Bulb Specification: E-14(European) Bulbs ...
Pine
Vintage Glashütte Limburg Wall Sconces, Brass and Opaline Glass, 1980s
Located in Almelo, NL
Vintage Glashütte Limburg Wall Sconces, Brass and Opaline Glass, 1980s These elegant wall lights / sconces were produced by Glashütte Limburg in Germany during the 1980s. Renowned f...
Metal, Brass
$3,950 / set
Pair Of Murano Glass Sconces By Mazzega
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in Houston, TX
Pair Of Murano Glass Sconces By Mazzega. Offered is a stunning pair of Murano sconces designed by Carlo Nason for Mazzega in the 1970's. These sconces have a central pearlized white...
Chrome
Ostro Black Ceramic Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Ostro Black Ceramic Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 17 x W 31 x H 31 cm. Materials: Ceramic and glass. Available in different c...
Ceramic, Glass
No. 23 Brown Charme Fringes Dip Dyed Contemporary Sconce Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Brown charme sconce lamp, Sander Bottinga Dimensions: 50 x W 38 x D 27 cm Handmade in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose. T...
Brass
Tiles Line Green Ceramic Decorative Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt
Located in Geneve, CH
Tiles Line Green Ceramic Decorative Wall Lamp by Violaine d'Harcourt Dimensions: D 5,4 x W 14 x H 29 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Wall light made in Portugal in collaboration with Dutch ...
Ceramic
Contemporary Aged Brass Swing Arm Wall Sconce, Flutter One by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary Aged Brass Swing Arm Wall Sconce, Flutter One by Paul Matter The long rotating arms are attached to a vertical, wall-mounted spine that results in a Minimalist yet over...
Brass
Organic Shape, Slice of Mono Rose Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Petra I Mono Rose Quartz Sconce by Christopher Boots Dimensions: D 10 x W 30 x H 30 cm. Materials: Aged brass, slices of polished rose quartz. Available in clear, rose, or smoky qua...
Quartz, Brass
$1,073Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Ceiling Light / Wall Light in the Style of Toshiyuki Kita, 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
A Post modern wall light, made in Italy during the Memphis Era, and therefore made, in the full taste of the 80s with vivid colors and playful s...
Metal
Wilo Mono Wall Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Wilo Mono Wall Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 6 x W 15 x H 15 cm Materials: Claypaste, terrazo, metal. Introducing the Wilo Mono, a striking indoor/outdoor Terrazzo...
Metal
$1,096 / item
Strip Wall Lamp by Square in Circle
Located in Geneve, CH
Strip wall lamp by Square in Circle, 2022 Dimensions: H 55 cm Projection: 12.5 cm Materials: brushed brass, glass tube, black marble This simple yet striking wall light is insp...
Bronze
$1,213Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Egisto Corner Sconces by Angelo Mangiarotti for Artemide
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Artemide
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This is a pair of Italian vintage wall lights with white sanded glass lampshade on a varnished metal frame. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight t...
Metal
$758 / item
Green Butterfly Wall Sconce by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Butterfly Wall Sconce by Dainte Dimensions: D 13.5 x W 28.5 x H 28 cm. Materials: Glass and brass. The Butterfly wall sconce features an elegan...
Brass