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.
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Ostrich skin Leather Post modern waterfall bench coffee table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Ostrich skin Leather Post modern waterfall bench or coffee table. Nice Patina shows normal use and wear. Great Bench. Located in Brooklyn NYC. Measures 16" H x 46...
Leather, Wood
$7,800 / item
Parchment Bench Attr. Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Houston, TX
Parchment Bench attributed to Jean-Michel Frank composed of a wood frame veneered in goatskin and newly upholstered in ecru-cream-colored mohair.
Goatskin, Mohair, Wood
Paul Pallucco Attr. Panchetta Con Tavolino E Portariviste Postmoderno Anni 80
By Paolo Pallucco & Mireille Rivier
Located in Taranto, IT
Questa panchetta multifunzionale rappresenta perfettamente lo spirito del design postmoderno italiano degli anni Ottanta, con le sue forme scultoree e la combinazione di elementi pra...
Wood
Ludmila Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ludmila Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 100 x D 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not in...
Foam, Wood
Opera Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Opera Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 120 x D 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not incl...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood, Beech
Red Acrylic Lucite Bench Cocktail Table
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial high-gloss red opaque acrylic/Lucite bench or cocktail table, in the Modern style or Postmodern period, circa late-20th to early 21st-century. Great as a ...
Acrylic, Resin, Lucite
$2,375 / item
A Folly Through the Trees Bench by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
A Folly Through the Trees Bench by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 48.5 x W 125 x H 42 cm Materials: Raw aluminum. This Unique bench was made as part of a sculptural ser...
Aluminum
$1,120Sale Price|60% Off
Post Modern gray leather fully upholstered leather Bench 1980s
By Milo Baughman, Memphis Milano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post Modern 1980s fully upholstered Bench in Beautiful dark gray leather upholstery. The bench is in very good condition. Has nice stitching and ribbed section. Wood frame very high ...
Leather
Dedar Amoir Libre Fabric, Lacquer Paint, Marua Bench By OMER OZTURK
Located in Geneve, CH
Dedar Amoir Libre Fabric, Lacquer Paint, Marua Bench By OMER OZTURK Dimensions: W 150 x D 50 x H 44.6 cm. Materials: Dedar Amoir Libre Fabric, Black Glossy Lacquer Paint. About: Des...
Fabric, Lacquer
Andrée Putman (FR 1915-2013): Banc Eléphant, teakwood and cast aluminum
Located in Zemst, BE
Bench by Andrée Putman High quality interior bench "Banc éléphant" Created and designed in 1992 for the Bordeaux CAPC museum. Made out of casted aluminium and originale asian teak...
Aluminum
Asa Bench – Sculptural Wood Bench, Walnut Oak or Burl Wood
Located in Baguim Do Monte, PT
The Asa Bench is defined by its calm geometry and refined material presence, crafted entirely in solid wood and available in walnut or burl wood. Its balanced proportions and clean a...
Walnut, Burl
$1,480 / item
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
Babylone Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Babylone Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 122 x D 40 x H 48 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not i...
Foam, Beech
Louise Bench in Oak, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Louise Bench in Oak, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 120 x D 45 x H 43 cm. Materials: particle board, oak, and HR foam. Fabric is not included. Please co...
Foam, Wood, Oak
Enjoy The Silence Bench in Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Enjoy The Silence Bench in Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: D 72 x W 170 x H 170 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: Patinated ca...
Bronze
Unda One Of a Kind Bench in White Quarry Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Unda One Of a Kind Bench in White Quarry Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 70 x W 160 x H 60 cm. Materials: White quarry stone. Available in different finishes and ...
Stone
Zveva Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Zveva Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 100 x D 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not incl...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood, Beech
Miss Lo Bench in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Miss Lo Bench in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 160 x D 38 x H 75 cm. Materials: Stained Rattan stems, Plywood seat, and HR foam. Fabric is not...
Foam, Rattan, Plywood
$1,758 / item
Senufo Bench by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Senufo Bench by DAaZ Dimensions: D 47 x W 170 x H 45 cm. Materials: Albizzia wood, fabric. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and ...
Wood, Fabric
$5,450 / item
Maison Regain Grid Side Benches in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain benches, elm, France, 1970s Lovely benches by Maison Regain, a lovely example of French design from the 1970s. Made from solid elm wood, the benches emphasize clear co...
Elm
$1,769 / item
Entreplanta Bench by Marta Ayala Herrera
Located in Geneve, CH
Entreplanta Bench by Marta Ayala Herrera Dimensions: D 40 x W 137 x H 45 cm. Materials: MDF. This piece can be customized in different wood option...
Other
$9,827 / item
N2v Bench by Aaron Scott
Located in Geneve, CH
N2V Bench by Aaron Scott Dimensions: D 34.5 x W 122 x H 41 cm Materials: bleached cherry. Also available in other woods: lacquered cherry, bleached walnut, walnut. Brooklyn-...
Cherry
$966 / item
Sister Stool by Nick Sugihara
Located in Geneve, CH
Sister Stool by Nick Sugihara Dimensions: D 19.05 x W 33.02 x H 83.82 cm. Materials: Oiled cherry. Available in cherry, oak, and walnut. Please contact us. Sugihara Fine Furniture...
Cherry
$14,089 / item
Limited Edition DUSK Bench in Aluminum by Toshiki Omatsu
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition DUSK Bench in Aluminum by Toshiki Omatsu. Limited Edition. Dimensions: W 140 x D 50 x H 41 cm. Materials: Metal (Aluminum). Unlike iron and other materials, aluminum...
Aluminum
Postmodern Italian 1980s Sofa, Two-Seat
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage 1980s Postmodern two-seat sofa. Sculpted beech frame with aluminum accents. Original warm yellow cream leather cushions. Very good condition, comfortable seat. Dimensions: 1...
Leather, Plywood
Bench by Joaquín Belsa Aldea – Barcelona 1970
Located in Girona, Girona
Bench in solid beech, waxed finish, seat in redone woven wicker. Model 214 Design by Joaquin Belsa Aldea Spain, Barcelona circa 1970
Wicker, Beech
$5,484 / item
Woven Short Bench 70 by Max Lipsey
Located in Geneve, CH
Woven Short Bench 70 by Max Lipsey Dimensions: D 54 x W 70 x H 46 cm. Materials: Steel, Kvadrat canvas, and fabric. Custom with Kvadrat Canvas and RAL colors...
Steel
$1,863 / item
Hatch Bench by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
Hatch Bench by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 200 x D 50 x H 45 cm Materials: Base: Aged Steel, Seat: Natural Leather With the intention of providing good taste and personality, Doimo...
Steel
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Classic Ripple Wave Bench by Laurinda Spear for Brayton International Ca. 1970's
By Brayton International, Laurinda Spear
Located in New York, NY
Pure post modern style, executed with top quality craftsmanship. The wave , or ripple bench was designed by Laurinda Spear, and made by Brayton Industries, circa 1970's. This example...
Upholstery
$38,424 / item
Five Dimensions Decorative Bench by KV Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Five Dimensions Decorative Bench by KV Design Dimensions: D 160 x W 47 x H 47 cm. Materials: Walnut, Epoxy Resin, Stainless Steel. Limited Edition of 1 + 3. KV Design is a team of ...
Stainless Steel
$46,109 / item
Vertigo IV Sculptural Bench by Pol Quadens
Located in Geneve, CH
Vertigo IV Sculptural Bench by Pol Quadens Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 120 x W 400 x H 250 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. Pol Quadens was born in Brussels. His father was active in the fields of composites the metal industry, and the world of materials, therefore, surrounded Pol since his early childhood. After his artistic studies, he starts restoring vintage cars. This experience has allowed him to gain strong practical skills and a deep knowledge of all materials. In 1987, he made his first creations and production of objects. His sensitivity and passion for the arts led him to create functional artworks. His CD shelf...
Stainless Steel
Jolgorio Bench in Chuspata Fiber, Metal & Lacquered Oak by Joyful Objects Yes!
Located in Geneve, CH
Jolgorio Bench in Chuspata Fiber, Metal & Lacquered Oak by Joyful Objects Yes! Dimensions: D 50 x W 125 x H 48 cm. Materials: Metal, lacquered oak wood, and chuspata fiber. Availabl...
Metal, Other
$12,039 / item
Ash Kyra Bench by Nish Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Kyra Bench by Nish Studio Dimensions: W 51.5 x D 207 x H 47.5cm. Materials: Carbon stained + Sand Blasted Ash **Price without cushion. N I S H is a Cape Town based Fashion and ...
Other
Calligraphic Sculpted Bench With a Refined Matte Brass Top by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Calligraphic Sculpted Bench With a Refined Matte Brass Top by Misaya Dimensions: W 158 x L 38 x H 40 cm Materials: Brass. Hand-sculpted brass bench. Misaya emulates Chinese ink pai...
Brass
$4,773 / item
Lighted Out Glacé Bench by Alessandro Mendini
Located in Geneve, CH
Lighted Out Glacé Bench by Alessandro Mendini Dimensions: D 125 x W 180 x H 50 cm. Seat Height: 50 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 27 kg. This product is suitable for indoor an...
Other
Giorgio Saporiti Bench by Il Loft, Button-Tufted Purple Suede, Italy
Located in Astoria, NY
Giorgio Saporiti for Il Loft Button-Tufted Purple Suede Upholstered Bench, flanked by beige and grey upholstery, atop chrome legs, marked to underside. 8.5" H x 63" W x 23" D. Proven...
Chrome
Italian Postmodern Leather Bench
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spectacular 1980s Italian Postmodern bench. The bench is constructed of steel that’s powder coated in a metallic gray and the cushion is a soft li...
Modular Postmodern Seating System, Italy, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This modular seating system embodies the experimental character of Italian postmodern design of the 1980s, combining functional adaptability with strong geometric presence. Individua...
Metal
$6,974 / item
Cuddle Bench in Natural Oak Veneer by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Cuddle Bench in Natural Oak Veneer by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 150 x D 40 x H 37 cm. Materials: Natural oak veneer. This listing features our Cuddle bench in its 37 cm height configu...
Oak
French Modern Parchment Bench by R & Y Augousti
Located in Houston, TX
French modern parchment bench by R&Y Augousti. This stunning bench has beautiful saber legs. This lovely postmodern French bench can also be used as a ...
Parchment Paper
Tecton Bench in Travertine by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980
Located in Geneve, CH
Tecton Bench in Travertine by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980. Dimensions: W 170.5 x D 60 x H 44 cm. Materials: Travertine. This Bench is available in a selection of premium natura...
Travertine
$2,382 / item
Surf Walnut Bench by Jean-Baptiste Van Den Heede
Located in Geneve, CH
SURF walnut bench by Jean-Baptiste Van den Heede Dimensions: L 118 x D 34 x H 43 cm Materials: walnut. The wooden SURF version proposes a stool with different woods to your liki...
Walnut
Italian Modern Sculptural Bench or Pouf by Moroso
Italian Modern Sculptural Bench Or Pouf By Moroso. This chic large Italian sculptural bench retains the original black wool type fabric with r...
Leather, Fabric
Giorgio Saporiti Design, Il Loft Tufted Leather Bench, Multi-color Chrome Legs
Located in Miami, FL
Giorgio Saporiti Design, Il Loft Tufted Leather Bench, Multi-color Chrome Legs Offered for sale is a Giorgio Saporiti design for Il Loft. This segmented, multi-colored leather upho...
Chrome
Maurizio Peregalli Modernist Bench for Zues, Italy 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Modernist black lacquered steel and rubber bench by Maurizio Peregalli for Zeus, Italy. 1980s. Additional dimensions: Width 47” Depth 16-3/8” Height 16” Seat height (highest part o...
Steel
$1,851 / item
Acid Spale Bench by Twenty Second Factory
Located in Geneve, CH
Acid Spale Bench by Twenty Second Factory Dimensions: D 24 x W 89 x H 37 cm Materials: Wood, metal. The Acid "Spale" Bench, is a unique piece crafted from reclaimed railroad ties in...
Metal
Alessandro Mendini Postmodern “Karina” Bench for Baleri Italia
By Alessandro Mendini, Baleri Italia
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Memphis era Karina bench by Alessandro Mendnini and part of the series Poesie d’Anticamera. Grey epoxy steel tube, perforated steel seat with blue felt cushion. Italy 1980s.
Steel
Besho One Of a Kind Bench in Travertine Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Besho One Of a Kind Bench in Travertine Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 40 x W 130 x H 50 cm. Materials: Travertine. Available in different finishes and material ...
Travertine
$10,758 / item
Layered Steel Bench by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel bench by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 36 x W 180 x H 36 cm Materials: Stainless Steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continues...
Stainless Steel
$6,823 / item
Brick Bench by Idaaf Architects
Located in Geneve, CH
Brick Bench by Idaaf Architects Dimensions: D 35 x W 190 x H 55 cm. Materials: Solid oak. ‘Brick’ is the first attempt by Idaaf Architects workshop to create a new building material. White the process of selecting its textures is at the initial stage and the research process is ongoing, we used it's shape to create various decorative elements for the interior. Born and based in Tbilisi, Nana Zaalishvili...
Oak
$3,656 / item
Marmoset Bellini 1340 Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Marmoset Bellini 1340 Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 134 x W 54 x H 52.5 cm Materials: Timber / Upholstered tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 20 kg Frame Finishes: Textura ...
Steel
Hanabishi Bench, Stained Birch Wood by Mun Hau Production
Located in Geneve, CH
Hanabishi Bench, Stained Birch Wood by Mun Hau Production Dimensions: W 158 x D 32 x H 45 cm. Materials: Stained Birch Wood, Stained Birch Plywood, Wood inlay - oak, sapele, birch. ...
Wood
$29,458 / item
Ebonized Ashe Sculptural Bench by Michael Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Ebonized Ashe Sculptural Bench by Michael Wilson Dimensions: W 243.84 x D 60.96 x H 50.80 x seat H 30.48 cm Materials: ebonized ashe The Michael Wilson Studio was founded in the fal...
Other
$3,829 / item
Skay Rumbo Bench by Jean-Baptiste Van Den Heede
Located in Geneve, CH
Skay Rumbo bench by Jean-Baptiste Van den Heede Dimensions: L 118 x D 31 x H 42 cm Materials: white beech, textile. Also available: other textiles available. The upholstered Ru...
Textile, Beech
$32,020 / item
Lazarim Bench by Andre Teoman Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Lazarim Bench by Andre Teoman Studio Dimensions: W 110 x D 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Bronze, Rafia Introducing the Lazarim Collection, a tribute to one of Portugal's most traditional ...
Bronze
$33,813 / item
Special Edition Gor Bench II by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Special Edition Gor bench by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 60 x W 160 x H 50 cm Materials: wood, leather, bronze. Bronze with white Sonora leather benc, intervened in lacquer ...
Bronze
Paratinga Bench in Pequi Wood by Hugo França, Post-Modern Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Paratinga Bench in Pequi Wood by Hugo França Dimensions: D 220 x W 550,4 x H 130 cm. Materials: Pequi wood. Dimensions may vary. Please contact us. Atelier Hugo França's principle...
Wood
The Bendy Bench in European Pitch Pine Fine Plywood by Standard Practice
Located in Geneve, CH
The Bendy Bench in European Pitch Pine Fine Plywood by Standard Practice. Limited Edition. Dimensions: W 120 x D 50 x H 70 cm. Materials: European Pitch Pine Fine Plywood. Available...
Hardwood, Pine, Plywood
$20,271 / item
Salvante BS1 Bench by Piotr Dąbrowa
Located in Geneve, CH
Salvante BS1 Bench by Piotr Dąbrowa Unique Piece Dimensions: W 160 x D 40 x H 40 cm Materials: Calacatta Viola marble, walnut burl. Also available: Calacatta marble, Rosa Peralba mar...
Marble
Maurizio Peregalli Modernist Bench for Zues, Italy, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Modernist black lacquered steel and rubber bench by Maurizio Peregalli for Zeus, Italy, 1980s.
Steel