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.
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Glass Tile Lamp
Located in San Diego, CA
Original and unique table lamp, Postmodern in style (circa 1990s). Original piece that is minimal and modern. Bold in form and bright in color. This piece consists of an iron base that holds a handcrafted glass tile...
Glass
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
Small White Tensor Post Modern Adjustable Telescoping Eyeball Desk Lamp
By Tensor
Located in Chicago, IL
Quintessential post-modern 1990s white Tensor desk lamp with high-gloss hard plastic base and shade, and stainless steel neck. It has three set height...
Stainless Steel
$543Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Architectural Design Chrome Steel Perforated Metal Table Lamp, Italy
By IKEA
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Italian Design chrome steel perforated metal table lamp for IKEA, made in Italy 1980's. Architectural design table or floor lamp in perforated machine made steel m...
Metal
$1,260Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Postmodern Table Lamp Steel Base & Textured Glass
By Italamp
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful & rare table desk lamp, solid steel with a galvanized finish, with solid thick glass center decoration and dimmer switch, the shade its original to the lamp some wear due...
Steel
$3,817 / 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
$2,425 / 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
Rare Antonio Macchi For Arteluce Pair of '610' Table Lamps
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Antonio Macchi For Arteluce, pair of table lamps, model '610', chrome-plated steel, lacquered steel, lacquered aluminum, Italy, 1973 Antonio Cassia is an Italian industrial designer...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Vladimir Kagan Stalagmite Large Floor Lamp Modern Brass Bubble Light, 1970s, USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An exceptional and unique Vladimir Kagan (American, 1927-2016) Stalagmite floor lamp. Designed and created by Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc, USA. This functional floor lamp is circa 1971 and in working condition. Brushed brass-finished anodized aluminum, walnut With cord and wall plug, currently wired for American voltage Property from the Personal Collection of Vladimir Kagan Measures : (H: 37 3/4, W: 35 7/8, D: 16 in) Publication: Vladimir Kagan, The Complete Kagan...
Brass
Metal Mesh Table Lamp
Located in Toronto, CA
Perforated metal planes make this lamp a high tech addition to any tabletop. Its reflective surfaces bounce light around even when the bulb is off. A black marble base brings the shi...
Marble, Aluminum
Barovier & Toso Table Lamp, Milk Glass Shade, Black Base, Italy 1993
Located in Hellouw, NL
Barovier & Toso, established in Murano, Italy, is one of the world’s most distinguished glassmaking companies with centuries of heritage in creating refined lighting and decorative g...
Glass
Postmodern Italian 1980s Memphis Style Table Side Lamp, 1980s
By Martine Bedin, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful post-modern minimalist table or side lamp made in Italy in the 1980s, very much in the spirit of Memphis Milano design. The lamp is exceptionally well-made and solidly c...
Metal
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
Llamas Decorative Table Lamp in Polished Bronze & Glass by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Llamas Decorative Table Lamp in Polished Bronze & Glass by Estudio Andean Dimensions: D 30,5 x W 7 x H 34,5 cm. Materials: Bronze and glass. All our lamps can be wired according to...
Bronze
$4,212 / set
Ensemble of Three Floor Lamps, Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
Ensemble of three floor lamps - Sander Bottinga Light object - floor lamp - circle blue grey Handmade with Embroidery on Silk, brass, leather, wood, hand painted linen...
Brass
$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
"Rhino" Lamp by Christian Dufay for Abode, France 1994
Located in Hellouw, NL
The Rhino lamp by Christian Dufay for Abode stands as a striking exploration of form and material. This sculptural piece captures attention with its fluid curves and structural balance, offering an interplay between light and shadow that transforms any space. Design Drawing from both mid-century and contemporary influences, the lamp merges organic inspiration with minimalist design. Dufay’s creation recalls the ethereal quality of Isamu Noguchi’s lanterns...
Fabric
Glow Mini Tavolo Table Lamp by Pallucco, Red Lacquered Metal, Italy
By Pallucco
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A striking “Glow Mini Tavolo” table lamp by Pallucco, manufactured in Italy. Featuring an explosive sculptural composition of angular lacquered metal elements surrounding a central l...
Metal
$640Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Postmodern Halogen Desk Lamp by Robert Sonneman, Glass & Brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Postmodern design halogen desk lamp after Robert Sonneman for Kovacs. Use with halogen light bulb 60 watts max. Dimmer switch with knob to center of base. Dimensions: H 15.25 in. ...
Metal, Brass
Post Modern Studio Pottery Ceramic Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A post modern studio made ceramic lamp. Pillar shape silhouette with abstract splatter glaze. Two available with notable variations to glaze and size. One lamp base measures 16” and ...
Ceramic
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
Miro 1980s Post Modern Table Lamp by Murano Due
Located in New York, NY
Murano Due is a lighting company renowned for combining the ancient glassmaking traditions of Murano, Italy with modern technological innovations to create high quality, handcrafted ...
Metal
Italian Model Pao T2 Table Lamp Spare Glass by Matteo Thun for Arteluce 1990s
By Matteo Thun
Located in Hamburg, DE
Replacement glass for the large t2 table lamp version from the pao lamp series by matteo thun. a very rare replacement glass for the pao t2. Unfortunately, pao table lamps are somew...
Glass
Large Pebble table lamp by François Chatain, 1980s France.
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Large Pebble table lamp by François Chatain, 1980s France. Four ceramic pebbles, one gold and 3 off white. The angle of the shade is adjustable thanks to the brass ball joint mechani...
Ceramic
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
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
'Ecate' Table Lamp by Toni Cordero for Artemide, c.1990
By Artemide, Toni Cordero
Located in Surbiton, GB
A Postmodern 'Ecate' table lamp designed by Toni Cordero and produced by Italian lighting behemoth Artemide in the 1990's. A great example of postmodern design featuring a chrome c...
Bronze, Steel
Super Table Lamp by Martine Bedin Memphis, 1981
By Memphis Milano, Martine Bedin
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Super table lamp designed by Martine Bedin for Memphis in 1981. The project fits perfectly into the context of the birth of the Memphis movement, of which Bedin is one of the foundi...
Metal
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
Ettore Sottsass for Alchimia “Capodanno” No. 71 Table Lamp, 1979
Located in Weesp, NL
Step into a landmark moment in postmodern design with this Capodanno table lamp—an object that marks Ettore Sottsass’s decisive break from the austere functionalism of his Rationalis...
Brass
$1,102 / 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
$150Sale Price|50% Off
Vintage Post Modern Desk Lamp ... 1980s Adjustable Folding Task Light, Modular
Located in Chicago, IL
Folding post modern desk lamp made of high-impact plastic. Most likely by Marksman Brown, made in Taiwan. Marked Model #3870. 13 watt bulb, incl...
Plastic
$1,914 / 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
$1,055 / 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
Postmodern Halogen Table Lamp Style of Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Postmodern - Desk lamp - Memphis Designer Light Measures : 43x12cm H:38cm Materials : Glass - Metal Beautiful vintage postmodern halogen table lamp in the style of Robert Sonneman f...
Metal, Chrome
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
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
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
Maison Charles, France, Table Lamp Designed as a Corn Cob. 1960s/70s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Maison Charles, France. Table lamp designed as a corn cob with base and brass leaves. 1960s / 70s. Measures: 33 x 10 cm (ex socket). In excellent condition.
Brass
$3,771 / 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
Red Travertine Medium Roma 1 Square Table Lamp by NASSI
Located in Geneve, CH
Red Travertine Medium Roma 1 Square Table Lamp by NASSI Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 52 cm. Materials: Fine cotton lining, pure linen fabric in Yellow. Base: Red Travertine, nickel ...
Brass
Italian Postmodern Pao T2 Table Lamp by Matteo Thun for Arteluce, 1990s
By Arteluce, Matteo Thun
Located in Hamburg, DE
The large T2 table lamp from Matteo Thun’s Pao lighting series. Shown here in a rare version with a light-colored beech wood base. The Pao lamps are distinguished by their characte...
Metal
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
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
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
Gyros desk lamp by Emmanuelle Colboc for Artemide, 1980s
By Emmanuelle Colboc
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Spectacular desk lamp with a pendulum system, model Gyros designed by Emmanuelle Colboc in 1985. Produced and made in France by Megalit – Artemide. Memphis style white lacquered meta...
Steel
Post Modern Saturn Ring Table Lamp att. to Sonneman c 1970/80's
Located in New York, NY
Rare Post Modern Saturn table lamp attributed to Sonneman, or possibly Kovacs, circa 1970/80's. The lamp features three frosted glass rings, with a frosted glass dome top shade, supported by two metal columns, on a marble plinth base. The lamp has a high intensity halogen bulb...
Metal
$3,817 / 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
Explosion Proof Mining Lamp, 1970s Germany
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Incredible 1970s explosion proof mining lamp from Germany. To meet the criteria for the explosion proof rating, an enclosure must be able to contain any explosion originating within ...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass "Ashoka" Table Lamp, Postmodern Design, 1981
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
ASHOKA by Ettore Sottsass, which takes its name from the emperor of the Maurya Empire, resembles an unstable stack of playful geometric forms. Though it seems “de-structured,” the la...
Metal
$2,135 / 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
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
Cylindrical Plexiglass table lamp, 1970
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Cylindrical Plexiglass table lamp, 1970 Conditions:Good Materials: Plexiglass, Metal
Plexiglass
Small Elephant Leg Parota Wood Lamp with Fabric Shade by Isabel Moncada
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Elephant Leg Parota Wood Lamp with Fabric Shade by Isabel Moncada Dimensions: Ø 48.5 x H 74 cm. Materials: Turned parota wood base and fabric-lined lampshade with fiberglass and polystyrene. Named Pata de Elefante...
Wood, Linen, Fiberglass, Polystyrene
Lamp "Fuoco" by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, 2000s
Located in PARIS, FR
Rare Gaetano Pesce fuoco lamp for Meritalia. Very few items edited. Molded manufacturer's mark and signature to rooftop written : ‘L’architettura astratta ripetitiva standard globalizzante e legna da ardere? Gaetano Pesce Meritalia...
Epoxy Resin
Unique Luminaries N4 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram
By Maria Loram
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Luminaries N4 Sculptural Table Lamp by Maria Loram Dimensions: W 35.6 x D 21.6 x H 38 cm Materials: Ceramics, paper, and lamp parts. Colors: Gray. Custom dimensions and alter...
Ceramic, Paper
1980’s Postmodern Pall Table Lamp Designed By Raul Barbieri & Giorgio Marianelli
By Raul Barbieri and Giorgio Marianelli
Located in Norwich, England
Postmodern Pall table lamp designed in 1983 by Raul Barbieri & Giorgio Marianelli for Tronconi. Circa 1980's. The lamp is in excellent condition, with some very light signs of use. ...
Metal
Vintage Currey & Company Gilt Wood Table Lamp on Marble Stand
By Currey & Co.
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Currey & Company gilt wood table lamp on marble stand. Sleek design, pyramid finail, gold leaf table lamp with modern line. Hollywood Re...
Marble
Vintage Post Modern Atomic Copper & Aluminum Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition
Aluminum, Copper
Leonardi & Stagi 'Bowling' Table Lamp for Lumeform, Italy 1960s
By Lumenform, Cesare Leonardi and Franca Stagi
Located in Argelato, BO
Franca Stagi; Cesare Leonardi 'Bowling' table light, 1969 H. 25 cm, Ø 22 cm. Made by Lumenform, Scorzè. Sheet metal, painted yellow and white, clear glass, black plastic. Literature: Ferrari...
Metal