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.
Vintage Postmodern Textured Coca-Cola "After the Theatre" Advertising Pub Mirror
Located in Beirut, LB
A charming and highly nostalgic piece of vintage Americana wall decor, this advertising bar mirror replicates Coca-Cola's celebrated turn-of-the-century marketing graphic, "After the...
Mirror, Wood
$1,866Sale Price / item|20% Off
Square Mirror Model "Optical" Designed by Alessandro Mendini for Glas, Italy
By Alessandro Mendini, Glas Italia
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1990s. This is a limited edition. The mirror was designed by Alessandro Mendini with Sanchita Ajjampur, a famous Indian fashion designe...
Mirror
$12,321 / item
36” Rim Frame Gradient Mirror by Phillip Jividen
Located in Geneve, CH
36” Rim Frame Gradient Mirror by Phillip Jividen Dimensions: Ø 91 x H 3.20 cm Materials: Aluminium, Glass Mirror is customizable in both color and dimensions. Additionally, it is ava...
Aluminum
Set Of 2 Nympha Wall Mirrors in Steel and Black & White Marble by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Nympha Wall Mirrors in Steel and Black & White Marble by Andres Monnier Unique Pieces Dimensions: D 5 x W 60 x H 100 cm. Materials: Marble, steel, and glass mirror. Availab...
Marble, Steel
$10,909 / item
Smoke and Silver Loop I Concave Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Smoke and Silver Loop I Concave Mirror by Homa. Dimensions: D 97 x H 7 cm. Materials: Silver and Smoke Mirror, Hanger: Brass. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul...
Brass
Milano Stone Bronze 1250 Round Frameless Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Milano Stone Bronze 1250 Round Frameless Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 125 x H 1.5 cm Materials: bronze mirror / bronzo, specchio. Weight: 13 kg. Code: DS1075 Round frameless...
Bronze
$1,462Sale Price|30% Off
Rare Post-Modern Wall Mirror by Rimadesio, Glass, Italy, Circa 1984
By Rimadesio
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Large and very rare rectangular mirror in the manner of Piet Mondriaan by Italian glassmanufacturer Rimadesio. Itlay, 1980s Measures 157 cm x 86 cm x 2 cm Can be hung vertically or h...
Glass
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine wall mirror designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Pine
$10,396 / item
Orbis Mirror with Marble Frame by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbis Mirror with Marble Frame by Homa. Dimensions: W 82 x D 2 x H 120 cm. Materials: Bronze mirror, Green, Burgundy and Cream Marble. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based i...
Marble, Bronze
Modern Multifaceted Glass Wall Mirror, Belgium, 1990
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking Belgian wall mirror distinguished by its refined multifaceted glass frame and elegant vertical proportions. Measuring 76 cm in width and 108 cm in height, this piece offer...
Mirror, Plywood
Eryn Burnt Brass Contemporary Art Mirror by Samuel Costantini
Located in Geneve, CH
Eryn brass mirror by Samuel Costantini Dimensions: D30 x H3 cm Materials: brass, mirror A circle branch wrapped in ivy. Made entrely of brass a...
Brass
Medium Walnut Wood Eye Mirror by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Walnut Wood Eye Mirrors by Morica Design Dimensions: D 4 x W 104 x H 68 cm Materials: Mirror, Canaletto walnut. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Laguna Oak, or Oak wood. Please...
Mirror, Wood
Arciduca Wall Mirror with Gold-Plated Wooden Frame by Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Geneve, CH
Arciduca Wall Mirror with Gold-Plated Wooden Frame by Barberini & Gunnell Limited Edition of 15 + 2 AP + 1 p. Dimensions: W 45 x H 75 cm. Materials: Mirror, gold-plated wood, and MD...
Other, Gold Plate
Original Signed Karl Springer Large Wall Hanging Mirror in Tessellated Horn
Located in North Miami, FL
This rare and signed large Karl Springer mirror in tessellated horn with deco style accents. It is very heavy and beveled mirror which makes this a wonderful and impressive scale mir...
Horn, Mirror
$1,026Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Bronze Rectangular Wall Mirror by Giannobi, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s - 1980s. This mirror features a rose gold mirror with a brass aluminum frame. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be...
Aluminum
$10,909 / item
Smoke and Silver Loop II Concave Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Smoke and Silver Loop II Concave Mirror by Homa. Dimensions: D 97 x H 7 cm. Materials: Silver and Smoke Mirror, Hanger: Brass. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbu...
Brass
Custom Made Modern Forest Green Metal Mirror (TWO Available)
Located in North Miami, FL
There are TWO (2) available of these heavy and fun deep green metal mirrors in modern design and beveled mirror. ONE Mirror is located in our East ...
Metal
Erasmo Square Wall Mirror in Dark Horn & Lacquered Black Glossy Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Erasmo Square Wall Mirror in Dark Horn & Lacquered Black Glossy Wood by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 10 x W 100 x H 100 cm. Materials: Horn, mirror, and lacquered wood. Colours and shades...
Other
$8,214 / item
Lunar X-Large Hand-Sculpted Mirror, Laurene Guarneri
Located in Geneve, CH
Lunar X-large hand-sculpted mirror, Laurene Guarneri Limited edition. Handmade. Materials: Sky blue colored mirror, dark blue colored mirror, da...
Glass, Mirror
Oeuf Contemporary Signed Ceramic Mirror by Renzo Maar
Located in Geneve, CH
Oeuf Contemporary Signed Ceramic Mirror by Renzo Maar Handmade Dimensions: D 24 x W 24 x H 7 cm (dimensions are approximate) Materials: Ceramic, white stoneware, enamel, mirror. Cus...
Ceramic
$1,855 / item
Vulcano 900 Round Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Vulcano 900 Round Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 90 x H 2.5 cm Materials: Dark Grey Mirror. Weight: 9 kg. Code: DS1032 Round frameless mirror with a textured finish made from s...
Silver
Geometric Gold Eclisse 900 Round Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Geometric Gold Eclisse 900 Round Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 90 x H 2.5 cm Materials: gold, bronze, mirror / oro, bronzo, specchio. Weight: 12 kg. Code: DS1021 Round frame...
Mirror
Mini Ondara Sculptural Mirror in Silver Coated Glass by Dace Sūna
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Ondara Sculptural Mirror in Silver Coated Glass by Dace Sūna. Dimensions: D 13 x W 39 x H 51 cm. Materials: Silver Coated Glass, Protective spray, Stainless Steel hooks. Ondar...
Stainless Steel
Geometric Silver Eclisse 900 Round Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Geometric Silver Eclisse 900 Round Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 90 x H 2.5 cm Materials: silver, graphite, mirror / argento, grafite, specchio. Weight: 9 kg. Code: DS1022 Se...
Silver
Atlas Itinera Insula II 120 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project
Located in Geneve, CH
Atlas Itinera Insula II 120 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project Dimensions: D 3/5 x Ø 120 cm. Materials: Black powder painted iron, Nero Marquina marble, brushed brass, mirror, and wood. ...
Marble, Brass
$4,235 / item
Bronze Stone Eclisse 1200 Round Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronze Stone Eclisse 1200 Round Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 120 x H 2.5 cm Materials: bronze, mirror / bronzo, specchio. Weight: 25 kg. Code: DS1023S Semi-circular mirror w...
Mirror
ECHO Oval Wall Mirror in Polished Aluminum by Martens & Visser
Located in Geneve, CH
ECHO Oval Wall Mirror in Polished Aluminum by Martens & Visser. Dimensions: D 7 x W 58 x H 73 cm. Materials: Aluminum. This ECHO mirror is available in two standard oval sizes: ...
Aluminum
$2,975 / item
Orizzonte 70160 Long Gold Oval Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Orizzonte 70160 Long Gold Oval Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: W 160 x D 70 x H 2.5 cm Materials: Gold, mirror / oro, specchio. Weight: 9 kg. Code: DS1007 Oval mirror with positiv...
Gold
Rainbolwa Mirror By Greg Palombo. Inspired by Ettore Sottsass Ultrafragola
Located in Hurricane, UT
This mirror is part of the Ultra-Rainbowla mirror series by American furniture maker Greg Palombo. The mirror is inspired by Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Milano Movement and the b...
Wood, Lacquer
Pop Art Style Green Teal Circular Plastic Wall Mirror 1990s Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Post-Modern Pop Art style wall mirror circular like from plastic and mirror in bold green teal color 1990s Italy. A wonderful colorful wall mirror in very good condition with steppe...
Mirror, Plastic
$896Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Square Wall Mirror with Floral Motifs on Beige Metal Frame, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This mirror features an electroformed metal frame, which is decorated with floral motifs. It might show slight traces of use since it's vintage but it can be c...
Metal
Postmodern umbrella shaped wall mirror, L'isola che non c'è, Italy 1980s
Located in Firenze, IT
Postmodern umbrella shaped wall mirror Neverland, Italy 1980s mirror, metal H 71 cm - 63 × 3 cm Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Metal
Molten Wall Mirror in Sand-Cast Aluminum by Jacob Egeberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Molten Wall Mirror in Sand-Cast Aluminum by Jacob Egeberg Dimensions: D 18 x W 88 x H 120 cm. Materials: Sand-cast aluminum and mirror. Like a glimpse into an active volcano or a fu...
Aluminum
Brass, Stainless Steel, Wool X-Miroir Mirror by Duen Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass, Stainless Wool X-Miroir Mirror by Duen Studio Limited Edition of 8 Dimensions: W 144 x D 29.7 x H 106.6 cm Materials: Brass, Stainless Steel, Wool. About: Duenstudio was fo...
Brass, Stainless Steel
$606Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Round Silver Steel Wall Mirror Attributed to Sergio Mazza, Italy
By Sergio Mazza
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This mirror features a steel frame. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in excellent original cond...
Steel
Perfumer Large Wall Mirror With Hand-Molded Bronze Frame by Vogel Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Perfumer Large Wall Mirror With Hand-Molded Bronze Frame by Vogel Studio Dimensions: Ø 53,7 x H 80,7 cm. Materials: Cast bronze and mirror. Available in three different sizes. Price...
Bronze
Contemporary Black Slate Mirror "Narcisse" by Frédéric Saulou
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Slate Mirror "Narcisse" by Fre´de´ric Saulou Designer: Fre´de´ric Saulou. Materials: Black slate, black perfect mirror. Dimensions: 190 x 50 x 4 cm. Edition of eight. Signed and numbered. “While wandering in the streets I have been observing buildings construction toward the sky and found myself eagerly interested in slate material and ornamental stones. I am wondering about Post-Industrial...
Slate
Morphed Mini Wall Mirror in Aluminum, Ash & Mirrored Glass by Medium Small
Located in Geneve, CH
Morphed Mini Wall Mirror in Aluminum, Ash & Mirrored Glass by Medium Small Dimensions: D 4.5 x W 35.6 x H 35.6 cm. Materials: Aluminum, ash, and mirrored glass. Morphed is a visuali...
Aluminum
$18,458 / item
Tuna Kvarn Mirror by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Tuna Kvarn Mirror by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 11 x W 165 x H 95 cm. Materials: Cast brass with patinated effect, clear mirror. 100 kg. After creating the bookcase Into the Woods t...
Brass
$18,949 / item
Endo Mirror by Vetralia
Located in Geneve, CH
Undo Mirror by Vetralia Designed by Leo De Carlo Dimensions: W 66 x D 5 x H 121 cm Materials: Engraved golden mirror, golden leaf coated wood. VETRALIA Functional Art based in Veni...
Mirror, Wood
Irregular Mirror with Polished, Beveled Edge
Located in York, CA
The Concord mirror is part of our exploration into decorative objects. The unique shape features a bevelled edge and is available in custom dimensions as well as finishes.
Aluminum, Steel
Diomira Oval Wall Mirror in Burnished Brass & Horn Details by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Diomira Oval Wall Mirror in Burnished Brass & Horn Details by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 10 x W 65 x H 100 cm. Materials: Horn, mirror, and brass. Colours and shades of horn processed b...
Brass, Other
Lapis 7 Sculptural Silver Mirror with Handblown Glass by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Lapis 7 Sculptural Silver Mirror with Handblown Glass by Homa. Dimensions: W 29 x D 15 x H 50 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. Colour: Silver. Shaped by hand, heat, and br...
Glass, Mirror
Limited Edition Blue Nebula Concave Multicolor Oxidized Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition Blue Nebula Concave Multicolor Oxidized Mirror by Homa Dimensions: D 97 x H 7 cm Materials: Concave Oxidized Mirror, Hanger: Brass. HOMA is a contemporary design ate...
Brass
$12,578 / item
Abyss Wave Curved Glass Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Abyss Wave Curved Glass Mirror by Homa. Limited Edition Dimensions: W 65 x D 10 x H 130 cm. Materials: Oxidized Mirror. Multicolor. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Is...
Mirror
$2,730 / item
Vulcano 1200 Round Mirror by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Vulcano 1200 Round Mirror by Disain1971 Dimensions: D 120 x H 2.5 cm Materials: dark grey, mirror / grigio scuro, specchio. Weight: 13 kg. Code: DS1033 Round frameless mirror wit...
Silver
$10,909 / item
Smoke and Silver Concave Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Smoke and Silver Concave Mirror by Homa. Dimensions: D 97 x H 7 cm. Materials: Silver and Smoke Mirror, Hanger: Brass. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The ...
Brass
Abbas Wall Mirror in Varnished Aluminium by Joana Teixeira
Located in Geneve, CH
Abbas Wall Mirror in Varnished Aluminium by Joana Teixeira. Dimensions: D 8 x W 45 x H 45 cm. Materials: Varnished Aluminium. The Abbas wall mirror is made in aluminium through the...
Aluminum
$9,054 / item
Drop of Silver on Copper VII Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Drop of Silver on Copper VII Mirror by Homa. Dimensions: W 49 x D 5 x H 49 cm Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. Copper Frame. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Is...
Copper
Bindoo Nitya Square Wall Mirror in Aluminum & Glass Mirror by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Bindoo Nitya Square Wall Mirror in Aluminum & Glass Mirror by altreforme Design by Kumar La Noce Studio Dimensions: D 4 x W 60 x H 60 cm. Materials: Aluminum, paint, and glass mirror...
Aluminum
JMF Style Shagreen Framed Square Mirror by Ron Seff
By Ron Seff
Located in North Miami, FL
A beautiful cream toned shagreen skin frame on mahogany wood and beveled mirror. Perfect 42 inch square, heavy and important piece by Ron Seff. THIS ITEM IS LOCATED AND WILL SHIP FR...
Shagreen Stingray, Mirror, Wood
$991 / item
Boudoir Small Wall Mirror by Tero Kuitunen
Located in Geneve, CH
Boudoir small wall mirror by Tero Kuitunen Material: glass mirror, mdf board, textile fringes. Dimensions: ⌀ 38 x H 2 cm Also Available: Different Size, models and colors. Playful wall mirrors with fringe...
Textile, Mirror
Selfportrait, Make-up Mirror - I.Innocenti & G.Laboratore
Located in Geneve, CH
The appeal of the Silk Road – the route which connected the East to the West, reaching as far as Venice –is brought back to life by this object inspired by Chinese fans, where the mi...
Mirror
$8,856 / item
Drop of Silver on Copper I Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Drop of Silver on Copper I Mirror by Homa Dimensions: W 49 x D 5 x H 49 cm Materials: Blown Glass. Silver Mirror. Copper Frame. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istan...
Glass
Bindoo Kama Triangular Wall Mirror in Aluminum & Glass Mirror by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Bindoo Kama Triangular Wall Mirror in Aluminum & Glass Mirror by altreforme Design by Kumar La Noce Studio Dimensions: D 4 x W 60 x H 60 cm. Materials: Aluminum, paint, and glass mir...
Aluminum
$7,677 / item
Small Arizona Estremoz Marble Mirror by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Arizona Estremoz Marble Mirror by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 4 x W 81 x H 95 cm. Materials: Estremoz marble, polished brass, bronze mirror. 40 kg. Available in other finishes. ...
Marble, Brass
$2,952 / item
Nefertiti Mirror by Elina Ulvio
Located in Geneve, CH
Nefertiti Mirror by Elina Ulvio. Dimensions: W 49 x D 5 x H 55 cm. Materials: Curly birch plywood, mirror, polished steel, crystal glass, painted birch. A play of basic shapes unite...
Steel
16 x 20" Le' stud Mirror in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Introducing the Le Stud Mirror, a bold, architectural wall mirror that celebrates texture, form, and irreverent style. This sculptural piece redefines the traditional mirror with i...
Mirror, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$11,038 / item
Abyss Rose Contemporary Sculptural Mirror by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Abyss Rose Contemporary Sculptural Mirror by Homa Dimensions: D 97 x H 7 cm Materials: Convex Oxidized Mirror. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The atelier’...
Mirror
Michelangelo Mirror by Studio 2046, Carved Wood & Brass, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
Michelangelo Mirror by Daniele Daminelli (Italy, 2021) Capsule Colection Reinassance Dimensions: D120 cm Materials: Carved wood, glossy lacquered ...
Brass