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.
Two large 1980s Leucos Paralume table lamps, made in Italy height 73 cm 28.7
By Leucos
Located in München, DE
A pair of large, original 1980s Leucos Paralume table lamps. Beautiful minimalist Italian design. Designed by Leucos Design Lab in 1983. Both the base and the shade are made of mouth...
Milk Glass
Post-Modern hand-crafted Cocoon resin table lamps, Italy, 70s
By Tobia Scarpa, Flos, Achille Castiglioni
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of sculptural hand-crafted cocoon table lamps, Italy, 1970s. Formed by several varnished pine wood elements of different shapes and sizes, creating two curious columns of a cert...
Resin, Wood, Pine
Salvador Dalí Drawers Lamp by BD Barcelona, Pale Limewood, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Salvador Dalí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Drawers lamp designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Carved structure in pale varnished limewood. Lampshade in beige linen. Measures: 30 x 30 x 87 H cm Sculpture-lamp drawers A stan...
Wood
Pair of "Ziggurat" Table Lamps by Shigeaki Asahara for Stilnovo, Italy 1980s
Located in Utrecht, NL
The “Ziggurat” table lamp model is an elegant example of Italian-Japanese design collaboration. Designed in the 1980s by Shigeaki Asahara for the iconic Italian lighting manufacturer...
Metal, Brass
Rare Pair of Post-Modern Adjustable 'Orbit' Lamps by Ron Rezek
By Ron Rezek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare pair of adjustable 'Orbit' lamps by Ron Rezek, circa 1980. High-end Post-Modern design featuring adjustable height swing arms and 2 light intensity settings: full, half, off. T...
Aluminum, Steel
Postmodern Pair of "Bonsai" Wood Table Lamps by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Gran Bonsai" Pair of Beech Wood Table Lamps by Blauet. Model: B1458-15 Natural / Chrome. These Table Lamps were designed by Josep Llusca for Bla...
Metal
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Mid Century Cast Plaster Cactus Table Lamps by Bon Art
Located in New York, NY
Tres chic pair of cast plaster cactus table lamps, in very fine original condition. Both lamps are in working condition, original shades included, but s...
Plaster
$1,500 / item
Martine Bedin Super Memphis Milano Postmodern
By Memphis Group, Martine Bedin
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Famous Super lamp deigned by Martine Bedin. Six light bulb along with its back. With wheel and movable. Iconic one in Memphis Milano and 1980s Postmodern designs.
Stainless Steel
1 (of2) ART-DECO NEOCLASSICAL Lacquer TABLE LAMP by PHILIPPE BARBIER France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and singular table lamp, Pop, Post-Modernist, Psychedelic, Shabby-Chic, in lacquered metal in shades of khaki, with cylindrical lampshade, by Philippe Barbier, France 1970...
Metal
$138Sale Price / set|78% Off
Spanish White Pair of Table Lamps by Fase, Model "Bambina", 1980s
By Fase
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Iconic piece of Spanish design by Fase from 1980s. Model "Bambina", also is called as Bambino. This pair of table lamps also have the possibility of hanging on the wall as wall scon...
Plastic
$324 / item
Amber Magma Lamp by Mana
Located in Geneve, CH
Amber Magma Lamp by Mana Dimensions: D 19.5 x W 16.5 x H 27 cm. Materials: Recycled pet from post-consumer plastics, mainly discarded bottles/single use food packaging, collected and...
Plastic
Seguso style. Post-Modern Scavo Murano glass table lamps, Italy, 1980s.
By De Majo, Venini, F. Fabbian, AVMazzega, Seguso Vetri d'Arte
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Neoclassical and Post-Modern style handmade Murano glass table lamps in the style of Seguso, Italy, 1980s. Each piece is composed of an amphora-shaped or jar-shaped aquamarin...
Metal
Postmodern Spanish "Fina" Wood Table Lamp by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Fina" Beech Wood Table Lamp by Blauet. Model: B-1485 Natural. This Table Lamps was designed by Josep Llusca for Blauet, S.A. This Table Lamp was...
Beech, Textile
Winnie Table Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Winnie Table Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 57 cm. Materials: Painted natural rattan frame structure completed with a printed cotton ...
Rattan, Lacquer, Wood
Post-Modern Table Lamps by Gae Aulenti, Chrome & Acrylic, Italy, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of 1970s Italian "Quadrifoglio" Table Lamps by Gae Aulenti for Harvey Guzzini Exude classic Italian Space Age sophistication with this stunning, rare pair of "Quadrifoglio" (Fou...
Chrome
A POP POST-MODERN Lucite TABLE LAMP by MARIE-CLAUDE DE FOUQUIERES France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
DESCRIPTION: An exceptional and sculptural monolythic table lamp or night light, Post-Modernist, Pop, Space-Age, in a block of massive yellow amber fractal resin, illuminated transpa...
Lucite, Plexiglass
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce '609' Table Lamps in White Aluminum & Cast Iron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, table lamps, model ‘609’, enameled aluminum, bakelite, cast iron, steel, Italy, 1973 A design by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, table lamp model 609 created...
Aluminum, Steel, Iron
Post Modern Picasso Facial Silhouette Inspired Table Lamps c. 1990
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Alluring pair of Picasso inspired post modern facial silhouette table lamps. Modern. Eccentric. Similar in sculptural form to Frederic Weinberg pieces. Inject interest and curiosity ...
Metal
LV-426 Table Lamp in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
LV-426 Table Lamp in Patinated Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: Ø 15 x H 90 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: Patinated cast br...
Bronze
$1,299 / item
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat
Located in Geneve, CH
Anden I Opaline Acrylic Table Lamp by Studio Orbeat Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 12 cm Materials: opaline acrylic, bronze, bulit in dimmer switch and warm LED light. Fittings also av...
Bronze, Other
Lovoa Trichilioides Tree African Walnut Torva Table Lamp by Hodan Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Lovoa Trichilioides Tree African Walnut Torva Table Lamp by Hodan Design Dimensions: W 60 x D 20 x H 10 cm Materials: Lovoa Trichilioides Tree African Walnut. Finish color: Charred b...
Walnut
$2,784 / item
Baume #3 White Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti
Located in Geneve, CH
Baume #3 White Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti Limited Edition Of 2 Pieces + 1 AP Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 50/55 cm. Materials: White stoneware. The diameter of this piece is approximate...
Stoneware
Mule Deer Antler Large Table Lamp by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Mule Deer Antler Large Table Lamp by The Peak Antler Dimensions: D 40.64 x H 45.72 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers, leather Based in, produced ...
Antler
Ingo Maurer, Glatzkopf Table Lamp, Design M, Set of 2, Germany, 1981
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Krefeld, DE
Ingo Maurer, Glatzkopf Table Lamp, Design M, Germany, 1981, Set of 2 Rare early “Glatzkopf” table lamps designed by Ingo Maurer in 1981 and produced by Design M, Munich. This set of ...
Steel
Lily Table Lamp in Wood with Cotton Pleated Shade by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Lily Table Lamp in Wood with Cotton Pleated Shade by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 69 cm. Materials: Brushed oak or solid turned beech wood base paired with a premium pleated ...
Cotton, Wood
$2,866 / item
Mesia Ceramic Table Lamp by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Mesia Ceramic Table Lamp by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 38 cm Materials: Ceramics, Glass Available colors: Amber / Green All our lamps can be wired according to each cou...
Ceramic, Glass
Set of 2 Vintage Italian Postmodern Meridiana Table Lamps by Paolo, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Set of 2 Vintage Italian Postmodern Meridiana Table Lamps by Paolo Francesco Piva for Stefano Cevoli, 1980s Two elegant table lights from the Italian manufacturer Stefano Cevoli aft...
Metal
80s Rare Set of Vintage Postmodern Brutalist Hivo Van Teal Table Lamps
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
80s Very Rare Set of Vintage Postmodern Memphis Geometric Distressed Glass & Gold Leaf Designer Hivo Van Teal Table Lamps - a Pair Extraordinary and Super Rare Pair of 80s Postmodern Glass and Iron, Stacked, Acid Washed, Distressed Table Lamps...
Metal, Gold Leaf
Ecorce Table Lamp in Ceramic, Copper and Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ecorce Table Lamp in Ceramic, Copper and Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 37 x H 60 cm. Materials: Handmade ceramic structure detailed with a premium copper finish, cotton sha...
Copper
$3,500 / item
Ron Rezek Galvanized Steel Table Lamp
By Ron Rezek
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Postmodern table lamp by Los Angeles lighting designer Ron Rezek, c.1980s. The lamp features a galvanized steel frame and removable steel shade with brass ring accent that sits at th...
Brass, Steel
Unique Luminaries N12 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Luminaries N12 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 15.2 x D 15.2 x H 38 cm Materials: Ceramics, paper, and lamp parts. Colors: Black/Brown. Custom dimensions a...
Ceramic, Paper
$1,392 / item
Charlie CHATAMBG Table Lamp by Mazzega 1946
Located in Geneve, CH
Charlie CHATAMBG Table Lamp by Mazzega 1946 Dimensions: W 28 x D 28 x H 50 cm. Materials: Polished Chrome. Diffuser: White. Weight: 012 Kg. The roots of Mazzega1946 are in Murano,...
Chrome
$2,150 / item
Ceiba Lamp
Located in Mérida, MX
This lamp reads as a small ceramic totem that lives somewhere between the domestic object and sculpture. Its compact, archetypal conical silhouette can evoke a popular mexican tree k...
Clay, Resin
$638 / item
Nuit Table Lamp by Studio Indigene
Located in Geneve, CH
Nuit Table Lamp by Studio Indigene Dimensions: ⌀ 21 x H 28 cm Materials: Reclaimed Teak Wood, Brass. Colors Brown, Natural Wooden, Brass Finish. Echoing the archetypical form of a t...
Stainless Steel
No. 11 Circle Blue Grey Contemporary Art Floor Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Light object, floor lamp, circle blue grey Handmade in brass, leather, wood and hand printed and painted linen. A dimmer is inlaid with leather. Dimensions: H 146 x W 27 x D 16 cm. T...
Brass
Pair of 1980s Italian Murano Glass Cone Table Lamps
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Elegant pair of Murano glass lamps crafted in the 1980s with a striking conical form. Each lamp is made with clear and white glass featuring black speckled details that create a refi...
Murano Glass
Caterpillar, Floor Lamp Sculpture, Vincent Darré and Ludovic Clément d’Armont
Located in Geneve, CH
Caterpillar, floor lamp sculpture, Vincent Darré and Ludovic Clément d’Armont Blown glass, textile, brass. Dimensions: 22 x 105 x 30 cm. Created in cooperation with designer Vin...
Brass
$870Sale Price / set|45% Off
Postmodern Pair of "Delta" Table Lamps by Mario Bertorelle for JM RDM, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique Italian pair of table lamps by Mario Bertorelle, from 1980s. These pieces were made during the 1980s in Massanzago by JM RMD. These table lamps are named Delta. Delta is the ...
Plastic
$1,543 / item
Green Marble Peono Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Marble Peono Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 40.6 x H 61 cm. Materials: Brass, acrylic and green marble. Also available in differ...
Marble, Brass
Posidoni Bronze and Handblown Glass Table Lamp, 2 Lights, by Emilie Lemardeley
Located in Geneve, CH
Posidoni Bronze and Handblown Glass Table Lamp, 2 Lights, by Emilie Lemardeley Handmade Dimensions: D 28 x W 35 x H 78 cm. Materials: Bronze, hand-blown glass. Posidoni was born fro...
Bronze
Pair of Late 20th Century Two Handles Jar Ceramic Table Lamps
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of large late 20th century two handles jar ceramic table lamps. C 1980s Feature a modernist interpretation of a traditional two handles water j...
Ceramic
Pair of Arfai Ceramic Table Lamps Portugal 1990s
Located in Debrecen, HU
Elegant pair of Portuguese ceramic table lamps produced by Arfai Ceramics in the 1990s. These sculptural lamps combine clean geometric lines with handcrafted ceramic surfaces, creati...
Ceramic, Fabric
$1,079 / item
White Alabaster Pura Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
White Alabaster Pura Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 58 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and white alabaster. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaster o...
Alabaster, Brass
$2,784 / item
Zenith #2 Lamp by Elisa Uberti
Located in Geneve, CH
Zenith #2 Lamp by Elisa Uberti Limited series of 8 numbered copies + 1AP Dimensions: W 25 x D 15 x H 50 cm Materials: White Stoneware. This product is hand...
Stoneware
$2,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Post-Modern table lamps by Bruno Gecchelin for Skipper and Pollux, Italy, 1980s
By Bruno Gecchelin, Skipper and Pollux
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Italian table lamps attributed to Bruno Gecchelin, 1980s. Made of perforated metal lacquered in black and circular glass diffuser finished in 4 different tones, embodying the...
Metal
Tabla table lamp by Mario Barbaglia & Marco Colombo for Italiana Luce, 1988.
By Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo, Italiana Luce
Located in Athens, Attiki
Tabla table lamp by Mario Barbaglia & Marco Colombo for Italiana Luce, 1988. Tabla has an extendable adjustable arm, made of lightweight polycarbonate plastic, that pivots on the pea...
Metal
Memphis Style Modern Bedside Lamps Table Lamp Black White Glass 1990s
Located in Vienna, AT
Memphis Style Post- Modern style bedside lamps or table lamps from black and white glass and brassed metal 1990s Italy. Fantastic bedside lamps or table lamps from black and white gl...
Glass
Lovoa Trichilioides Tree African Walnut Lumen Table Lamp by Hodan Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Lovoa Trichilioides Tree African Walnut Lumen Table Lamp by Hodan Design Dimensions: W 73 x D 20 x H 10 cm Materials: Lovoa Trichilioides Tree African Walnut. Finish color: Charred b...
Walnut
$1,295 / set
Postmodern Plaster Table Lamps, a Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of postmodern urn shaped table lamps made of plaster. Shoulders are embossed with a textured pattern of green and light blush hexagons. Below, the body is concertina shaped, p...
Linen, Plaster
Bloom Clay Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Bloom Clay Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 16.5 x H 17.8 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Available in Egg White, Blush Pink, and Charcoal Black. Please contact u...
Clay, Stoneware
$1,392 / item
Gemelle #1 Recycled Clay Lamp by Elisa Uberti
Located in Geneve, CH
Gemelle #1 Recycled Clay Lamp by Elisa Uberti Unique Piece Dimensions: D 15 x W 34 x H 51 cm. Materials: Clay. This product is handmade; dimensions may vary. Please contact us. Aft...
Clay
$5,850 / set
Pair of Murano Glass Lamps by Vetri
Pair of Murano glass lamps by Vetri. Large pair of Postmodern Murano glass pyramid or triangular shaped lamps. This unusual and rare pair of Italian lamps was manufactured by Vetri, ...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Set of 2 Complementary Pêle-mêle Table Lamps by Daniel Schneiger
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Complementary Pêle-Mêle Table Lamps by Daniel Schneiger One of a Kind. Shade not included. Dimensions: D 15,3 x W 23 x H 45,8 cm (each). Materials: Cast from gypsum plaster....
Plaster
Beige Ceramic Josef Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige Ceramic Josef Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 41.5 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and ceramic. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaster options ...
Brass
No. 21 Pink Fringes Dip Dyed Contemporary Art Table Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink charme table lamp, Sander Bottinga Dimensions: H 73 x W 38 x D 25 cm Handmade in brass, leather, wood and dip dyed colored Fringes in viscose. The movable arms makes it pos...
Brass
$956Sale Price / set|25% Off
Pair of French Postmodern Table Lamps by Robert Kostka Enameled Forest Green
Located in San Diego, CA
Fantastic rare pair of enameled forest green Memphis era postmodern table lamps, by Robert Kostka excellent condition hard to find. screw top to put shades . freshly rewired to US st...
Metal
$1,090 / item
Green Marble Pura Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Marble Pura Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 58 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and green marble. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaster options...
Marble, Brass
Small Rio Travertine Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Rio Travertine Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 15.2 x H 17.8 cm Materials: Travertine. Available in Green Forest marble, Sandstone, Travertine, or White ...
Travertine
Serge Roche Attr. Banana Leaf Table Lamps, a Pair
By Serge Roche
Located in Bradenton, FL
A pair of postmodern ‘banana leaf’ table lamps attributed to Serge Roche. Plaster vases are pressed to give the look of earthenware and are decorated...
Plaster
White Alabaster Josef Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
White Alabaster Josef Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 41.5 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and white alabaster. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaste...
Alabaster, Brass