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.
1970s Red Plastic Perpetual Calendar
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic example of 1970s mod design, this bright red plastic perpetual wall calendar delivers bold graphic impact. Molded from glossy red plastic with white printed labels, the c...
Plastic
3D Decorative Wall Cladding Modular System by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
3D Decorative Wall Cladding Modular System by De Castelli. Dimensions: Module W 20 x D 3 x H 20 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, Copper, Brass. Design by R&D De Castelli. 3D Wall...
Metal, Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel
$2,463 / item
Dorico Wall Cladding System by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Dorico Wall Cladding System by De Castelli. Dimensions: Module W 20 x D 5 x H 200 cm (max. 292 cm). Materials: Stainless steel, Copper, Brass. Design by Francesco Forcellini. Availa...
Metal, Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel
Calman Shemi Listed Artist Postmodern Abstract Metal Wall Sculpture
By Calman Shemi
Located in Charleston, SC
Calman Shemi (Argentina/Israel, b. 1939), Musical Notes #9, Painted Steel Wall Piece, 1995, signed and numbered 9/9. Provenance: Purchased from Circle Gallery February 29, 1996. Thi...
Metal, Enamel
Deus Ex Machina Wave Wall Panel in Bio-Based Uncoated MDF by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
Deus Ex Machina Wave Wall Panel in Bio-Based Uncoated MDF by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 120 x H 120 cm. Materials: Bio-based uncoated MDF. Arno Hoogland is a futurist, artist...
Other
Prime Walnut, Any Metal, Any Leather Reed Pull-up Bar by Eternal Creek
Located in Geneve, CH
Prime Walnut, Any Metal Reed Wall Bar by Eternal Creek Dimensions: W 78 x D 49 x H 34 cm Materials: Wood: Prime Walnut / Black Ash / Light Ash Leather: Shadow Black / Saddle Brown /...
Metal
Wooden wall art sculpture, abstract, English 20th century
Located in Sherborne, GB
A beautiful sculptural wall piece that is both dynamic and pleasing to the eye. Skilfully made by carving wood and assembling in a structure. I don't know who the artist is, but thi...
Oak
Large Wall Sculpture Silver-Colored Metal Safety Pin Post Modern
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, large wall sculpture , silver-colored metal safety pin is styled similarly to oversized fashion jewelry, made of steel in silver paint. An oversized safety p...
Steel
Set of Four Modernist Gold Gilt "Face" Wall Plaques by Marlo for MAC
By MAC
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and unique set of four modernist gold gilt "face" wall plaques by Marlo for MAC, circa 1980s. The plaques are in very good vintage condition with no chips or cracks and ...
Ceramic
Large Vintage C. Jeré Post Modern Abstract Painted Steel & Copper Wall Sculpture
By C. Jeré Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
Located in St. Louis, MO
Large vintage Post Modern Curtis Jeré geometric or abstract brushed steel, black painted metal and copper wall sculpture. Signed and dated 1998. Overall very nice condition. Fits wel...
Steel, Copper
$12,273 / item
Mohs Small Tabernacle by Studio Intervallo
Located in Geneve, CH
Mohs Small Tabernacle by Studio Intervallo Dimensions: W 30 x D 53 x H 75 cm Materials: Wooden structure, covered with marbled cotton paper. Mohs is a special element, which ari...
Wood
$511 / item
Hobnail Tile Wall Piece by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Hobnail tile wall piece by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: steel Hand-formed from a sheet of steel, emphasizing the material’s pliable characteristics expre...
Steel
Wax Clock Altar Sculptural Wall Candle Holder
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A candle holder rendered in blood red steel is mounted onto the wall as an altar panel painting that folds closed to simulate a medical cabinet. The candle supported by the metal str...
Stainless Steel, Nickel
$557Sale Price|20% Off
Glazed Terracotta Vessel Tile Panel by Gustav Heinkel for Majolika Karlsruhe
By Majolica Manufactory of Karlsruhe, Gustav Heinkel
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Germany by Gustav Heinkel for Majolika Karlsruhe, 1970s. It is made in glazed and hand-painted earthenware. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces o...
Earthenware
$47,721 / item
Sedimenti Wall Cladding System by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Sedimenti Wall Cladding System by De Castelli. Dimensions: W 280 x D. 5.5 x H 300 cm. Materials: Copper, Brass. Design by BoattoMartino Studio. The price is for the composition in t...
Metal, Brass, Copper
Deus Ex Machina Talbot Wall Panel in Bio-Based Uncoated MDF by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
Deus Ex Machina Talbot Wall Panel in Bio-Based Uncoated MDF by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 120 x H 120 cm. Materials: Bio-based uncoated MDF. Arno Hoogland is a futurist, arti...
Other
$13,389 / item
Eclissare Illuminated Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio
Located in Geneve, CH
Eclissare Illuminated Wall Sculpture by Aura Carpio Dimensions: D 100 x H 5 cm. Materials: Copper. This piece can be produced in customized sizes and finishes upon request. Please ...
Copper
$48,581 / item
White Bronze Mural by Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
White Bronze Mural by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: W 102.87 x D 121.92 x H 38.58 cm Materials: Sculpted concrete and plaster with a hand-painted and liquid metal finish Base...
Concrete, Other, Metal, Bronze
Beige Textured Concrete Post Modern Bloom Mural By Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
Bloom Mural by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: W 269.24 x H 172.72 cm Materials: Sculpted concrete and plaster with a hand-painted finish Based in, produced and shipped from th...
Concrete, Other
$12,145 / item
Circular Mural by Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
Circular Mural by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: D 91.44 x H 3.81 cm Materials: Geometric wood canvas with a plaster, resin and a hand-painted liquid metal finish Based in, pr...
Metal, Other, Gold
Pontos Wall Sculpture, Solid Wood and Metal by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore
Located in Geneve, CH
Pontos Wall Sculpture, Solid Wood and Metal by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore Dimensions: W 70 x D 80 x H 150 cm. Material: solid wood, mirror, metal. Wood finishes: Arctic, Wenge, Black, H...
Metal
Hexagram Nr. 03.1 Wall Panel in White Flocked Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
Hexagram Nr. 03.1 Wall Panel in White Flocked Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 70 x H 70 cm. Materials: White flocked pressed wood. Arno Hoogland is a futurist, art...
Wood
C. Jere 90s Mixed Media PostModern Memphis Geometric Abstract Wall Sculpture Art
By C. Jeré Artisan House, Curtis Jeré
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Exquisite, Vibrant, Signed 1997 C. Jere Postmodern, Geometric, Mixed Media, Abstract Wall Sculpture. Rare to market, this remarkable artwork features an array of geometric shapes, ...
Metal, Brass
Mixed Metal Modernist Wall Mount Sculpture by R. Berger, 1993
By Paul Evans, Ray Berger
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular wall mount Cityscape style sculpture signed R. Berger, dated 1993. This piece consists of 8 separate segments, of varying sizes (approx. 36 H x 8 W x 4 D each) which can ...
Brass, Copper, Chrome
ST Tropez Mural by Olivia Cognet, Ceramic Wall Sculpture, Post-Modern
Located in Geneve, CH
ST Tropez Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 320 x H 210 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious mome...
Ceramic
Wall Candle Holder, Stainless Steel, Sculptural Post-Modern, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A candle holder rendered in stainless steel is mounted onto the wall as an altar panel painting that folds closed to simulate a medical cabinet. The candle supported by the metal structure is pierced by nails at different heights marking time intervals in a contemporary rendition of the ancient...
Stainless Steel, Nickel
Set Of 95 Wall Sculpture in Platinum Porcelain by Natalya Sevastyanova
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 95 Wall Sculpture in Platinum Porcelain by Natalya Sevastyanova. Dimensions: L 365 x H 198 cm. Materials: Porcelain. Based in, produced, and shipped from the US. Available in...
Porcelain
$8,065 / item
Ravinala Wall Sculpture by Myriam Hubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Ravinala wall sculpture by Myriam Hubert Dimensions: W 100 x H 100 cm. Materials: 'Glass marquetry' with mirror inlays. Intended for residential and...
Glass
Nerone & Patuzzi Sculptural Wooden Wall Panel for NP2, 1973
By Nerone and Patuzzi, Gruppo NP2
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Nerone & Patuzzi sculptural wooden wall panel for NP2, sapele wood, Italy, 1973. This untitled sculpture panel, created by Nerone & Patuzzi around 1970, is a unique piece crafted fr...
Sapele Wood
Nerone & Patuzzi Sculptural Wooden Wall Panel for NP2, 1973
By Gruppo NP2, Nerone and Patuzzi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Nerone & Patuzzi sculptural wooden wall panel for NP2, sapele wood, Italy, 1973. This untitled sculpture panel, created around 1970, features linear, curved, concentric, and tri...
Sapele Wood
Walnut Wood Mural by Olivia Cognet, Post-Modern Design, France, 120 cm
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut Wood Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 250 x H 120 cm Materials: Walnut. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious mom...
Walnut
OI Oval Wall Mirror in Painted Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
OI Oval Wall Mirror in Painted Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 60 x H 110 cm. Materials: Painted pressed wood and mirror. Arno Hoogland is a futurist, artist, and...
Wood, Mirror
$24,290 / item
Gold Wave Wall Sculpture by Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Wave Wall Sculpture by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: W 50.8 x D 15.24 x H 60.96 cm Materials: Sculpted in concrete and plaster with a liquid metal finish Based in, produ...
Concrete, Metal, Other
$3,684 / item
Mini Mural by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Mini Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 28 x H 32 cm Materials: Stone. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious moment captu...
Stone
American Studio Craft Wall Mirror by Alan S. Kushner
Located in Hanover, MA
Custom woodwork decorative wall mirror created by artist Alan S. Kushner of Philadelphia circa 1990. Signed "AK" carved on back of bottom triangle. Overall dimensions: 72 inches high by 46 inches wide by 5 inches deep. Framed mirror dimensions: 46 inches high by 24 inches wide by 5 inches deep. Please note that the artist's intention was for the mirror to be displayed with the zebra wood arrow on the bottom pointing downward and the 'fishtail' on top. We know this because on the backside of the mirror are two wedge cut blocks for mounting in a corresponding wall bracket or Z clip. For the purposes of our photography it was not possible to stand the mirror on the point so all our photos show it upside down. Alan Kushner (1949-2008) was a self-taught woodworker and furniture maker who exhibited his designs primarily in and around Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland during the 1980's and 1990's. In 1991 he participated in the summer exhibition "In Our Circle" at the James Michener...
Mirror, Tulipwood, Zebra Wood
$1,120Sale Price|20% Off
Mod Op Art Plywood, Glass and Fiberglass Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Black and silver circles and dots alternate with mirror to form a checkerboard mirror surface. Very decorative modernist item, works well with Clas...
Mirror, Fiberglass, Plywood
Laddie John Dill abstract wall sculpture , pigment and glass mount art .
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing abstract work by the well known artist Laddie John Dill. signed in back and date .
Glass
$196,000Sale Price|20% Off
Hard Edge New York School Ab Ex Oil on Canvas Painting by Dennis Ashbaugh 1976
By Dennis Ashbaugh
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hard Edge New York School Ab Ex Oil on Canvas Painting by Dennis Ashbaugh 1976 Signed. Stunning work by the superstar contemporary NY artist, Dennis Ashbaugh. From his early series...
Canvas, Paint
$30,683 / item
Manhattan Mural by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Manhattan Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 80 x H 140 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious momen...
Ceramic
Citrus Nr. 08.3 Wall Panel in Terra Flocked Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
Citrus Nr. 08.3 Wall Panel in Terra Flocked Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 40 x H 80 cm. Materials: Terra flocked pressed wood. Arno Hoogland is a futurist, artis...
Plywood
Prime Walnut, Any Metal, Bow Pull-up & Dip Station by Eternal Creek
Located in Geneve, CH
Prime Walnut, Any Metal, Bow Pull-up & Dip Station by Eternal Creek Dimensions: W 118 x D 72.8 x H 245 cm Materials: Wood: Prime Walnut / Black Ash / Light Ash Metal: Brushed Brass ...
Metal
$15,085 / item
Jeros Mural in Marble & Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Jeros Mural in Marble & Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 5 x W 180 x H 110 cm. Materials: Steel and marble. Available in different finishes and material options. Prices may vary. Different customization options are available on request. Please contact us. Architectural wall-mounted mural composed of multiple carved stone panels...
Marble, Steel
$36,819 / item
San Francisco Mural by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
San Francisco Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 150 x H 110 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious ...
Ceramic
Avantgarde Art Work in pun punctured metal by Yugoslav artist Ljubomir Rajcevic
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a striking piece of avantgarde art work done in metal by a Yugoslav artist Ljubomir Rajčević. This exceptional piece features a breathtaking minimal est...
Metal
Prime Walnut, Any Metal Reed Wall Bar by Eternal Creek
Located in Geneve, CH
Prime Walnut, Any Metal Reed Wall Bar by Eternal Creek Dimensions: W 85 x D 20 x H 246 cm Materials: Wood: Prime Walnut / Black Ash / Light Ash. Metal: Brushed Brass / Stainless Ste...
Metal
Wall Mount Wave Sculpture by Curtis Jere c. 1980's
By Curtis Jeré
Located in New York, NY
Chic post modern wall mount sculpture by Jere, for Artisan House, circa 1980's. The sculpture features a dramatic wave form frame with angular hanging elements. This example is in ve...
Brass
1988 Bas-Relief “Butt Shot” Post-Modern Wall Sculpture
Located in Montréal, CA
This large-scale pyrofoam bas-relief titled 'Butt Shot' is a striking example of postmodern fashion-inspired sculpture. Executed as a high-relief wall work, the piece captures the ba...
Foam, Polystyrene, Paint
$23,012 / item
New York Mural by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
New York Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 110 x H 40 cm Materials: Ceramic. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a precious moment...
Ceramic
Klaverblad Nr. 08.1 Wall Panel in Ultramarine Blue Plywood by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
Klaverblad Nr. 08.1 Wall Panel in Ultramarine Blue Plywood by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 75 x H 110 cm. Materials: Plywood. Klaver Series consists of wall panels that explore...
Plywood
Wormhole Nr. 02.2 Wall Panel in Grey Painted Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
Wormhole Nr. 02.2 Wall Panel in Grey Painted Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 60 x H 60 cm. Materials: Painted pressed wood. Arno Hoogland is a futurist, artist, an...
Wood
$6,090 / item
Art Déco Jungle Wall Sculpture by Myriam Hubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Art Déco jungle wall sculpture by Myriam Hubert. Dimensions: W 60 x H 83 cm. Materials: 'Glass marquetry' with mirror inlays. Intended for residen...
Glass
Persp. Diamond 07 Wall Panel in Flocked Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
Persp. Diamond 07 Wall Panel in Flocked Pressed Wood by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 60 x H 60 cm. Materials: Black and white flocked pressed wood. Arno Hoogland is a futurist,...
Wood
Fratturato IV Painting Wall Sculpture by Kris Lamba Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Fratturato IV Painting Wall Sculpture by Kris Lamba Studio Dimensions: W 65 x D 10 x H 65 cm Materials: Ceramic and pigments on framed panel. Weight: 3 Kg. Kris Lamba was born in Lo...
Ceramic
Olivia Cognet's Deep Green Stone Mural: Post-Modern Design from France
Located in Geneve, CH
Stone Mural by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: D 5 x W 330 x H 260 cm Materials: Stone Base, Glazed Deep Green. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot...
Stone
Set Of 3 Cyclone Center Wall Decorations by TOR-Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 3 Cyclone Center Wall Decorations by TOR-Design Dimensions: Left: W 80 x H 120 cm. Middle: W 130 x H 120 cm. Right: W 80 x H 120 cm. Materials: Oak and birch plywood. The Cy...
Birch, Oak
$1,464 / item
Nest Birdhouse by Baka Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Nest Birdhouse by Baka Studio Limited Edition Dimensions: D 40 x W 60 x H 20 CM Materials: Wood, plastic. Bird Nest is a wall piece: a blackened wooden sphere paired with a flat fro...
Plastic, Wood
$14,888 / item
Tree Labyrinth Wall Decoration by TOR-Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Tree Labyrinth Wall Decoration by TOR-Design Dimensions: W 143 x L 143 cm. Materials: Oak, linden, and birch plywood. Our family-owned company, Tor Design, was founded by Dmitrii So...
Other
Curtis Jere Unique Starburst Urchin Style Brass Wall Sculpture 5ft
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Bensalem, PA
Very unique eye grabbing Curtis Jere original wall sculpture please look at pictures for overall detail. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
One of a Kind Rectagular Brownish Tone Decorative Oject by MANUFACTURE XXI
Located in Geneve, CH
Panneau Décoratif Vestigia One of a Kind by MANUFACTURE XXI Dimensions: W 50 x D 40 x H 70 cm. Materials: Recycled cellulose. Weight: 8 kg. VESTIGIA panel are characterised by a ra...
Other
Post Modern Metal Abstract Wall Art Sculpture Signed Curtis Jere 1991
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Make a bold artistic statement with this original 1991 signed Curtis Jere postmodern metal wall sculpture. Featuring dramatic geometric forms, a richly textured verdigris finish, and...
Metal, Brass