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.
$3,871 / item
Laço Table Lamp by Giulio D'Amore
Located in Geneve, CH
Laço Table Lamp by Giulio D'Amore Dimensions: D 18 x W 24 x H 25 cm. Available in these materials and finishes: - Ash, Jet black - Ash, White - Ash, Natural - Walnut, Natural Base...
Ash, Walnut
Brown Medium Table Lamp in Stoneware with Hand-Painted Glaze by Lucas Huillet
Located in Geneve, CH
Brown Medium Table Lamp in Stoneware with Hand-Painted Glaze Lucas Huillet Unique Piece Dimensions: D 21 x W 38 x H 38 cm. Materials: Glazed stoneware. Lucas Huillet is an artisan d...
Stoneware
$753 / item
Medium Sonora Rattan Table Lamp by NASSI
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Sonora Rattan Table Lamp by NASSI Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Lampshade: coated iron, Natural rattan, cotton trimmings Base: wood-fired clay with beeswax fi...
Clay, Cotton, Rattan
$4,800 / set
Post-Modern Memphis-Style Floorlamps, 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dynamic pair of 1980s sculptural Memphis-style floor lamps. Both with a black enameled L-shaped body with a wooden base. Each lamp has its own unique abstract linear elements that attach from the lamps' base to the head, both in different colors of blue and red and feature a yellow ring attached to the stem and head. Very similar to the designs of Ettore Sottsass and Gianfranco Frattini. Beautiful abstract pieces that will enrich a contemporary interior, and stand out in a living room, study, or bedroom, infusing a colourful flair. Very rare pieces...
Metal
$2,459 / item
Ninfea Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar
Located in Geneve, CH
Ninfea Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar Handmade Dimensions: D 11 x W 18 x H 36 cm (dimensions are approximate) Materials: Ceramic, white stoneware. Made from criss-cross scratched clay, this lamp-sculpture looks something like an old car headlamp, an antique dummy...
Ceramic
$1,045Sale Price / set|24% Off
Spanish Postmodern Pair of "Scorpio" Table Lamps by Fase, Madrid, 1980s
By Fase
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pair of "Scorpio" table lamps by Fase, from 1980s. These pieces were made during the 1980s in Madrid by “Fase”. And there was sort production of this model "Scorpio". “Fase” origina...
Metal
Pair of Post Modern off White Ivory Ceramic Lamps on Lucite Bases, circa 1985
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Elegant pair of Post Modern ceramic lamps with channeled details set atop lucite bases. A great choice for a room full of neutrals, this pair of 1980s ceramic lamps exudes a clean and calming elegance with its soft ceramic texture and channeled details. Large ceramic globes. Lucite bases add a sense of air and glow when lamps are in use. Paired with natural linen lamp shades but given the lamps' neutral color, the pair does very well with almost any lamp shade color or texture. These Post Modern lamps are in great condition and ready to ship. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory. Photographed along with and also currently available in our shop: Vladimir Kagan Post Modern Marilyn sofa...
Brass
$3,824 / item
Original L4 Ceramic Table Lamp by Daniel Orozco
Located in Geneve, CH
Original L4 ceramic table lamp by Daniel Orozco Material: Ceramic. Dimensions: D 30 x H 50 cm White ceramic table lamp, with white peaks and palm screen. Handmade by Mexican artisan...
Ceramic
Brun Foncé Vase in Deep Brown Glazed Ceramic by Gazar Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Brun Foncé Vase in Deep Brown Glazed Ceramic by Gazar Studio Unique Piece Dimensions: Ø 22 x H 44 cm. Materials: Clay with deep brown glaze. Dimensions may vary. Please contact us....
Clay
$1,022 / item
Biny Table Lamp by Jacques Biny
By Jacques Biny
Located in Geneve, CH
Biny table lamp by Jacques Biny Dimensions: D 18.5 x W 32.5 x H 32.5 cm Materials: aluminum, steel All our lamps can be wired acco...
Aluminum, Steel
$717 / item
Small II Sonora Rattan Table Lamp by NASSI
Located in Geneve, CH
Small II Sonora Rattan Table Lamp by NASSI Dimensions: W 27 x D 27 x H 49 cm. Materials: Lampshade: coated iron, Natural rattan, cotton trimmings Base: wood-fired clay with beeswax ...
Clay, Cotton, Rattan
$3,234 / item
Chub Mush Lamp by Kilzi
Located in Geneve, CH
Chub Mush lamp by Kilzi Dimensions: Top shade: D 55 x W 26 x H 22 cm, Lower shade: D 23 x W 23 x H 22 cm. (Total Height 40cm). Materials: Fiberglass, St...
Stainless Steel
Otero Table Lamps Model 2748 by Rodolfo Dordoni for Fontana Arte - Two Available
By Fontana Arte, Rodolfo Dordoni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Priced per lamp. May be purchased separately. Model 2748 "Otero" Table Lamps by Rodolfo Dordoni for Fontana Arte. Features stunning cut glass lamp made up of several different piec...
Glass
Postmodern Michael Taylor Style Plaster Twist Lamps, a Pair
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful Plaster Twist lamps in the manner of Michael Taylor. Unique pink finish! Awesome postmodern design and styling! Shades and harps for st...
Ceramic
Obsidian Silver Lamp II in Mirror and Glass with Brass Lighting Fixture by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Obsidian Silver Lamp II in Mirror and Glass with Brass Lighting Fixture by Homa. Dimensions: W 42 x D 13 x H 40 cm. Materials: Blown Glass, Silver Mirror, Brass Lighting Fixture. Al...
Brass
$1,070 / item
Popcorn Lamp Down in Ceramic by Liliana Silva
Located in Geneve, CH
Popcorn Lamp Down in Ceramic by Liliana Silva. Signed by Liliana Silva. Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 55 cm. Materials: Ceramic, Fabric lampshade. The “Pop...
Ceramic
Mezquite Sculptural Pine Wood Table Lamp with Linen Shade by Isabel Moncada
Located in Geneve, CH
Mezquite Sculptural Pine Wood Table Lamp with Linen Shade by Isabel Moncada Dimensions: Ø35.5 x H 68.5 cm. Materials: Linen and pine wood. When burnt using the Japanese technique Sh...
Linen, Pine
$729 / item
Oak Pipito Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Pipito Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 40 cm. Materials: Cotton and oak. Also available in different marble and wood options and finishes. Custom options avai...
Cotton, Oak
$1,788 / item
Wendu Table Lamp by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Wendu Table Lamp by DAaZ Dimensions: D 46 x H 68 cm. Materials: Aluminum, fabric. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the U...
Aluminum
$188 / item
Moon Table Lamp by KNGB
Located in Geneve, CH
Moon Table Lamp by KNGB Dimensions: W 20 x H 20 cm Material: Wood, LED LED 2700°k 7w integrated. KNGB, design studio has been based in Roubaix since 2014, within the former heart of...
Wood
Brown Small Table Lamp in Stoneware with Hand-Painted Glaze by Lucas Huillet
Located in Geneve, CH
Brown Small Table Lamp in Stoneware with Hand-Painted Glaze Lucas Huillet Unique Piece Dimensions: D 19 x W 31 x H 32 cm Materials: Glazed stoneware. Lucas Huillet is an artisan des...
Stoneware
Pure Crystal Glass Tello Clear and Piccolo Table Lamp by Studio Bojola
Located in Geneve, CH
Pure Crystal Glass Tello Grey and Piccolo Clear Table Lamp by Studio Bojola Dimensions: D 18.5 x H 21 cm Materials: Pure lead crystal glass. Color: grey and amber. Weight: 1.5 kg. ...
Crystal
Lovoa Trichilioides Tree African Walnut Nivra Table Lamp by Hodan Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Lovoa Trichilioides Tree African Walnut Nivra Table Lamp by Hodan Design Dimensions: W 72 x D 20 x H 10 cm Materials: Lovoa Trichilioides Tree African Walnut. Finish color: Charred b...
Walnut
$6,460 / set
Set of 2 Mush Lamps by Kilzi
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 mush lamps by Kilzi Dimensions: tall: Top shade: D 35 x W 29 x H 28 cm, Lower shade: D 29 x W 21 x H 31 cm (total height 55 cm). Chub: Top shad...
Stainless Steel
Black Swan Table Lamp in Brass, Aluminum & Steel by Studio Marine Breynaert
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Swan Table Lamp in Brass, Aluminum & Steel by Studio Marine Breynaert. Dimensions: Ø 26 × H 42 cm. Materials: Solid brass with expanded stainless steel shade, Thermo-coated alu...
Gold, Brass, Stainless Steel, Aluminum
$3,869 / item
Atom Table Lamp by Giulio D'Amore
Located in Geneve, CH
Atom Table Lamp by Giulio D'Amore Dimensions: D 17 x W 23 x H 21 cm. Available in these materials and finishes: - Ash, Jet black - Ash, White - Ash, Natural - Walnut, Natural Base...
Ash, Walnut
Animal Facetté Paper Light Sculpture by Papier à êtres
Located in Geneve, CH
Animal Facetté Paper Light Sculpture by Papier à êtres One of a Kind Dimensions: D 28 x W 28 x H 50 cm. Materials: Paper. Available in rabbit, moose, elephant, and mouse versions. P...
Paper
Beige Large Table Lamp in Stoneware with Drops Effect Glaze by Lucas Huillet
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige Large Table Lamp in Stoneware with Drops Effect Glaze by Lucas Huillet Unique Piece Dimensions: D 25 x W 41 x H 45 cm. Materials: Stoneware and drop-effect glaze. Lucas Huille...
Stoneware
$1,470 / item
Pavlova Paper Light Sculpture by Papier à êtres
Located in Geneve, CH
Pavlova Paper Light Sculpture by Papier à êtres One of a Kind Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 35 cm. (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Craft paper. Available in 35 and 50 cm heights. Ple...
Paper
$25,217 / item
Helle Oak LED Floor Lamp by Bowen Liu
Located in Geneve, CH
Helle Oak LED Floor Lamp by Bowen Liu Dimensions: D 10 x W 8.5 x H 67 cm Materials: White Oak, Artisan Bent Glass, Integrated LED, Stainless Steel Based in, produced and shipped fr...
Other, Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel, Marble X-Lampe Felure Table Lamp by Duen Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel, Marble X-Lampe Felure Table Lamp by Duen Studio Limited Edition of 8 Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 35 cm Materials: Stainless Steel and Marble Bulb: (LED included) 5W...
Marble, Stainless Steel
The Writer's Beacon Aluminium Table Lamp by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
The Writer's Beacon Aluminium Table Lamp by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition, numbered & signed. Dimensions: W 26 x D 26 x H 30 cm. Materials: Aluminium. All our lamps can be wire...
Aluminum
Limited Edition Pagoda White Alabaster Lamp by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Pagoda Lamp by Henry Wilson Sold exclusively by Galerie Philia Limited Edition of 100 pieces Dimensions: W 65 x D 35 x H 51 cm Materials: White Alabaster ...
Alabaster
White Travertine Medium Roma II Dodecagon Table Lamp by NASSI
Located in Geneve, CH
White Travertine Medium Roma II Dodecagon Table Lamp by NASSI Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 52 cm. Materials: Fine cotton lining, pure linen fabric in White. Base: White Travertine, ...
Brass
Pinnacle of Aphelion Aluminum Table Lamp by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
Pinnacle of Aphelion Aluminum Table Lamp by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition, numbered & signed. Dimensions: W 36 x D 36 x H 40 cm. Materials: Aluminium. All our lamps can be ...
Aluminum
$611 / item
Lingara Table Lamp by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Lingara Table Lamp by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 20.32 x D 20.32 x H 40.64 cm Materials: FRP All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired...
Other
$1,940 / item
Toupie Chrome Table Lamp by Sophia Taillet
Located in Geneve, CH
Toupie Chrome Table Lamp by Sophia Taillet Dimensions: D 16 x W 22,5 x H 22,5 cm. Materials: Polished aluminum. This piece is available in different colors and sizes. Prices may var...
Aluminum
New Edition 2025 Medium Sonora Rattan Table Lamp by NASSI
Located in Geneve, CH
New Edition 2025 Medium Sonora Rattan Table Lamp by NASSI Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Lampshade: coated iron, Natural rattan, cotton trimmings Base: wood-fired cla...
Clay, Cotton, Rattan
Pure Crystal Glass Nina Amber and Grande Table Lamp by Studio Bojola
Located in Geneve, CH
Pure Crystal Glass Onna Clear and Grande Amber Table Lamp by Studio Bojola Dimensions: D 26 x H 47 cm Materials: Pure lead crystal glass. Color: Amber. Weight: 4.5 kg. NINA, inspir...
Crystal
$3,471 / item
Beran Antique Brass Small Table Lamp by Bert Frank
Located in Geneve, CH
Beran Antique Brass Small Table Lamp by Bert Frank Dimensions: Ø 26 x H 28 cm. Materials: Brass and alabaster. Base finish: Satin black. Available in two different sizes. Available ...
Alabaster, Brass
White Marble Flutita Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
White Marble Flutita Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 40 cm. Materials: Cotton and white marble. Also available in different marble and wood options and finishes. ...
Marble
$1,117 / item
28t Color Table Lamp by Bocci
Located in Geneve, CH
28t Color table lamp by Bocci Dimensions: Diameter 16.5 x Height 16.5 cm Materials: blown glass, black flexible cord with brass base and dial cont...
Metal, Steel, Nickel
$12,426 / item
Bigflow Lamp in Red Lacquered Wood by Kimy Gringoire
Located in Geneve, CH
Bigflow Lamp in Red Lacquered Wood by Kimy Gringoire. Dimensions: W 82 x D 22 x H 76 cm. Materials: Red Lacquered Wood. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold...
Wood
$2,165 / item
Pablo Table Lamp by Daniel Schneiger
Located in Geneve, CH
Pablo Table Lamp by Daniel Schneiger Dimensions: D 23 x W 23 x H 51 cm Materials: Wood and resin Shade is not included. Custom finishes are available. CAST\: A collection of new lig...
Resin, Wood
Brown Large Table Lamp in Stoneware with Hand-Painted Glaze by Lucas Huillet
Located in Geneve, CH
Brown Large Table Lamp in Stoneware with Hand-Painted Glaze Lucas Huillet Unique Piece Dimensions: D 25 x W 41 x H 45 cm. Materials: Glazed stoneware. Lucas Huillet is an artisan de...
Stoneware
$3,918 / item
Tall Mush Lamp by Kilzi
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall Mush Lamp by Kilzi Dimensions: Top shade: D 35 x W 29 x H 28 cm, Lower shade: D 29 x W 21 x H 31 cm. (Total height 55 cm). Materials: Fiberglass, ...
Stainless Steel
Obsidian Table Lamp in Mirror and Glass with Brass Lighting Fixture by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Obsidian Table Lamp in Mirror and Glass with Brass Lighting Fixture by Homa Dimensions: W 42 x D 31 x H 40 cm. Materials: Blown Glass, Smoke Mirror, Bra...
Brass
$2,328 / item
Stella di Mare Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar
Located in Geneve, CH
Stella di Mare Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar Handmade Dimensions: D 20 x H 48 cm (dimensions are approximate) Materials: Ceramic, white stoneware. Lampshade not included. Made of...
Ceramic
2 Postmodern 1980s Memphis Style Uplighter Floor Lamps, Torchiere, Italy, 1980s
By Martine Bedin, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of post-modern minimalist floor lamps, made in Italy in the 1980s and very much in the spirit of Memphis Milano design. We have two identical floor lamps available, as well as...
Metal
No. 32 Handcrafted Marble Embroidery One Circle Table Lamp by Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 32 Table Lamp by Sander Bottinga Dimensions: D 31 cm x W 40 cm x H 68 cm Materials: brass, wood, marble embroidered design in silk, viscose, cotton, leather. Circle available in...
Brass
Fungo Table Lamp with a Black Hemispherical Lampshade by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Fungo Table Lamp with a Black Hemispherical Lampshade by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 40 x H 65 cm Materials: Black, Gold, Bronze / Nero, Oro, Bronzo. Weight: 9 kg. Code: DL1022 Tabl...
Bronze
Pure Crystal Glass Tello Green and Grande Amber Table Lamp by Studio Bojola
Located in Geneve, CH
Pure Crystal Glass Tello Green and Grande Amber Table Lamp by Studio Bojola Dimensions: D 26 x H 26 cm Materials: Pure lead crystal glass. Color: Green and amber. Weight: 3.5 kg. T...
Crystal
Orbital Array Aluminium Table Lamp by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbital Array Aluminium Table Lamp by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition, numbered & signed. Dimensions: W 20 x D 20 x H 35 cm. Materials: Aluminium. All our lamps can be wired acco...
Aluminum
Mademoiselle Hors De Sa Robe Paper Light Sculpture by Papier à êtres
Located in Geneve, CH
Mademoiselle Hors De Sa Robe Paper Light Sculpture by Papier à êtres One of a Kind Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 45 cm. (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Craft paper. Available in 45 a...
Paper
$1,365 / item
White Alabaster Peona Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
White Alabaster Peona Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 61 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and white alabaster. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaster ...
Alabaster, Brass
$1,070 / item
Venice Rialto Table Lamp by Morici
Located in Geneve, CH
Venice Rialto Table Lamp by Morici Dimensions: W 21 x D 21 x H 46 cm, Lampshade H 20 cm Materials: Wood, inlay veneer. Finish : Gloss brushed polyester. With a clean, minimalist des...
Wood
Fulcrum Table Lamp in Brass & Mirrored Silver Glass by Bianco Light + Space
Located in Geneve, CH
Fulcrum Table Lamp in Brass & Mirrored Silver Glass by Bianco Light + Space Dimensions: D 28 x W 13 x H 30 cm. Materials: Brass and glass. Available in different finish options. Pri...
Brass
Nickel Plated Brass Invisible Chords Twist Table Lamp by Magic Circus Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Nickel Plated Brass Invisible Chords Twist Table Lamp by Magic Circus Editions Dimensions: H 66 x W 20 cm Materials: Solid brass, borosilicate tube and mouth blown glass. Weight: 5 ...
Brass
$2,328 / item
L 01 Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar
Located in Geneve, CH
L 01 Ceramic Table Lamp by Renzo Maar Handmade Dimensions: D 18 x H 36 cm (dimensions are approximate) Materials: Ceramic, white stoneware. Lampshade not included. This lamp is a tr...
Ceramic
VF210 Table Lamp In Satin Brass & Blown Glass by Daluce
Located in Geneve, CH
VF210 Table Lamp In Satin Brass & Blown Glass by Daluce Dimensions: Ø 22 x H 32 cm. Materials: Brass and glass. Available in different finish options: light satin burnished brass, ...
Brass