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.
Fidji Pouf in Rattan and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Fidji Pouf in Rattan and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 50 cm. Materials: rattan and HR foam. Fabric is not included. Please contact us for further information and...
Rattan, Foam
Ambrogio Tresoldi e Alberto Salvati Wardrobe Cabinet in Purple Blue Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati, cabinet / wardrobe, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati began their careers at the Politecnico di Milano under ...
Wood
Vintage Organic Modern Ceramic Table Lamp, USA, c1980s
Located in Oakland, CA
Gorgeous matte white organic modern vintage ceramic table lamp c1980s by unknown Bay Area artist. From the estate of ceramist, Pat Hill. Signed on bottom. **measurements are withou...
Ceramic
$1,400Sale Price / set|42% Off
Post-Modern Dining Table Set by Driade & Ycami, Glass & Aluminum
Located in Miami, FL
Kitchen Table Set, Modern dining table and 4 chair set attributed to Driade & Chairs by Ycami. The sleek and stylish post modern table attributed to the renowned Italian company Driade boasts a round frosted glass top poised atop three legs crafted from cast aluminum. The sloping legs, with their elegantly tapered bodies, serve as a defining characteristic of design aesthetic, giving the table a blend of sophistication and refinement. The legs are similar in design to those of the "M" table by designer Philippe Starck. Included are uniquely designed set of 4 dining chairs by Ycami having gorgeous sculptural case...
Aluminum
Tubular Steel S 828 Chaise Longue Rocking Chair by Torben Skov for Thonet
By Thonet
Located in Hamburg, DE
Chaise longue or rocking lounger from the renowned tubular steel furniture manufacturer Thonet based on a design by the Danish designer Torben Skov from the 80s. The special feature...
Metal
1980s Italian Fior Di Pesco Marble Postmodern Vintage Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A classical marble with a muted, tonal palette of soft grey with tints of rose and teal, strongly accented by stunning veins in pearl white, blush, raisin, and the rich peach that gi...
Marble
Three Mid Century Spun Fiberglass Cube Tables by Russell Woodard circa 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Three spun fiberglass cube table bases by Russell Woodard circa 1970's in original yellow finish. The cube bases originally had glass tops, we have sh...
Fiberglass
1980s, Post Modern Black Lacquer Coffee Table in the Roger Rougier Style
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage, large scale post modern sculptural Black Lacquer Coffee Table with a Triangular Glass top in the of Roger Rougier's Style. Circa 1980s. Features a glossy lacquered six inch...
Glass, Lacquer
Gigi Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Gigi Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 60 x D 75 x H 83 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not inc...
Foam, Beech
Winnie Floor Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Winnie Floor Lamp in Rattan, Wood and Printed Cotton by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: ⌀ 45 x H 122 cm. Materials: Painted natural rattan frame structure completed with a printed cotton...
Wood, Lacquer, Cotton, Rattan
Rima Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Rima Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 80 x D 85 x H 70 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not inc...
Foam, Beech
$775Sale Price|46% Off
Vintage Modernist White Glass and Red Metal Grid Ceiling Pendant Light
Located in Amityville, NY
A vintage modernist or post-modern pendant ceiling light. A white glass cylinder diffuser shade floats inside a red painted metal ring, perforated into a grid or windowpane pattern. ...
Metal
Miss Lo Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Miss Lo Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 73 x D 68 x H 82 cm. Materials: Stained rattan, plywood seat, and HR foam. Fabric is not inc...
Rattan, Foam, Plywood
$18,480 / item
Lattice Armchair, Luminous Grid by Pestacle Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Lattice Armchair, Luminous Grid by Pestacle Studio Dimensions: W 40 x D 20 x H 30 cm Materials: Brown velvet, Lime, Baltic Wood. About: Pestacle Studio is a Montreal-based creativ...
Velvet, Wood
Cloud Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional in Mohair
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. USA. Reupholstered in green mohair. Lucite leg on bottom in the middle. Tagged. A classic of postmodern design.
Mohair
Tubular Steel “Z” Chair by Les Industries Amisco, 1970's
Located in Lisboa, PT
This chair was designed and produced by Les Industries Amisco, a French Canadian company, maker of the popular "paper clip" stools, during the 1970's. It has a "Z" shape iron structu...
Metal, Iron
$1,500 / item
Martine Bedin Super Memphis Milano Postmodern
By Memphis Group, Martine Bedin
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Famous Super lamp deigned by Martine Bedin. Six light bulb along with its back. With wheel and movable. Iconic one in Memphis Milano and 1980s Postmodern designs.
Stainless Steel
Percival Lafer 'MP 87' Lounge Chair in Reddish-Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Percival Lafer, lounge chair, model ‘MP-87’, leather, chrome-plated steel, rope, Brazil, 1971 The MP-87 lounge piece is conceived by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer in the 1970s....
Steel, Chrome
$2,473Sale Price|20% Off
Jan Ekselius Style Postmodern Space Age Accent/ Dining Chair, 1960s
By Jan Ekselius
Located in Basel, BS
This is an absolutely beautiful Postmodern sculptural upholstered accent lounge chairs, Jan Ekselius style. This Memphis Milano fitti...
Metal
Niels Gammelgaard "Gasell" Child's Stool or High Chair for Ikea
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Memphis style children's high chair or stool with red plastic seat and footrest on gray powder-coated steel frame designed by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, circa 1990s.
Steel
$1,493Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Design Brass Fluted Torchiere Floor Lamp by Relco, Italy 1980's
By Relco Milano
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Italian Design Brass Fluted "TORCHIERE" Floor Lamp by Relco. Made in Milano, Italy, 1980's period. Marked on the dimmer switch. Design in the style of Terra A. Ton...
Brass
Bitossi Ceramiche Blue Sun Figure by Aldo Londi
By Bitossi, Aldo Londi
Located in Toronto, ON
From Aldo Londi’s Rimini Blu series, this radiant sun-faced figure glows with hand-stamped motifs and crystalline glaze, equal parts folk charm and modernist icon. All Bitossi ceram...
Ceramic
Pair Eileen Gray Ecart International Transat Black Leather Lounge Chairs
By Ecart International, Eileen Gray
Located in Houston, TX
France, 1970s. Ecart International re-edition: wood, leather, nickel pleated metal. Between 1926 and 1928, Eileen Gray collaborated with Jean Badovici on the creation of an architec...
Nickel
Table Top World Globe in Lapis and Brass Elegant Pietra Dura World Globe
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Table Top World Globe in Lapis and Brass Elegant Pietra Dura World Globe in Lapis enamel and Brass finish with coloured stones for the countries Underneath the globe there is a com...
Brass
Italian Postmodern Koncord Series Espresso Maker by Walter Capp, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Koncord Series Espresso Maker by Walter Capp for Vev Vigano, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional ...
Plastic
Pair of Italian Post Modern Leather Stools by Chateau D'ax
By Chateau d'Ax
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition These Italian Post Modern leather stools by Chateau d’Ax, c.1980’s, bring that unmistakable “sink-in” comfort with a clean, architectural silho...
Leather
$4,850 / item
Empat Arched Console Table Hunter Green
Located in New York, US
Elegant, deep detailing gives the Empat console table a sculptured appearance that makes it an artistic accent as well as a functional table. Its graceful arches add interest without...
Resin, Plywood
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Grey Three Drawer Dresser Tall Boy
By Kazuhide Takahama, Ettore Sottsass, Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This vintage 1980s Postmodern dresser is a striking statement piece featuring three stacked drawers and a clean-lined silhouette. Its sleek design and rich finish embody the bold, so...
Wood
$33,500Sale Price|20% Off
Richard Meier for Knoll International Architectural Rocking Chaise, 1982, Signed
By Richard Meier, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking and exceptionally rare rocking chaise designed by Richard Meier for Knoll International (circa 1982), this sculptural lounge piece beautifully captures Meier’s architectur...
Leather, Wood
Italian Modern Polished Travertine Pedestal
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Polished Travertine Pedestal. Offered is an Italian Post Modern Mangiarotti style travertine pedastal with beautiful variegation and a highly polished surface. This lo...
Travertine
Vintage Vladimir Kagan Directional Cloud Sofa 1980s
Located in Chicago, IL
This spectacular Vladimir Kagan 'Cloud' sofa was produced by Directional Furniture in the 1980s and was just newly reupholstered in a gorgeous two toned velvet, and has the lucite ce...
Textile
The Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Japanese, 1969
Located in Devon, GB
Issued for the first Japanese release of the film in 1969, this fantastically bizarre Japanese B2 poster offers some of the best artwork created to promote the Beatles' 1968 hit psyc...
Paper
Ramses Wissa Wassef wall wool tapestry , signed Label
By Ramses Wissa Wassef Workshop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very nice and colorful hand woven tapestry. This beautiful sample of Egyptian weaving bears what we read artist Karina Ali and done under direction of Sophie Habib Gorgi , according...
Wool
Pastoe Dining Table in Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining or center table, lacquered wood, The Netherlands, 1970s Crafted by Pastoe, this geometric table stands as a testament to modern design sensibilities. This pedestal dining tab...
Wood, Lacquer
Post Modern Memphis Design Rare Tea Kettle by Rolf Sinnemark for Rorstrand
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and beautiful ceramic teapot, circa 1980s, Made in Sweden designed by Rolf Sinnemark for Rorstrand highly collectible in great condition no chips or cracks, incredible geometric...
Porcelain
Unique Arctic Circle Series Sculpture #1 in Glass and Driftwood by Szkło Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Arctic Circle Series Sculpture #1 in Glass and Driftwood by Szkło Studio. One of a Kind. Dimensions: Available upon request. Materials: Hand-blown glass, driftwood. Coordinat...
Glass, Blown Glass, Driftwood
Noe Duchaufour-Lawrence Steel and Upholstered "Borghese" Sofa
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Borghese sofa by Noé Duchaufour Lawrance. Designed in 2018 and Inspired by the stone pines of the Villa Borghese in Roma. The metal structure reproduces the network of branches and s...
Fabric
Large Barrett DeBusk Postmodern Iron Sculpture / Valet Stand. Circa 1990s.
Located in Miami, FL
Large Barrett DeBusk Postmodern Iron Sculpture / Valet Stand. Circa 1990s. Signed by the artist. Features a male figure formed with iron wire and painted in black. I good original condition with signs of wear consistent with age and history. There is some oxidation at the base and some minor scratches in the paint in other areas. Please see close up pictures for more details. About the Artist Barrett Debusk (American 1955...
Iron
Roche Bobois Mah Jong Large Sofa (18-Piece Set)
By Roche Bobois
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Roche Bobois "Mah Jong" – Modular corner sofa, designed by Hans Hopfer, 2000s A modular arrangement consisting of 12 seats and 6 backrests, configured in a corner layout. Designed by...
Cotton, Satin, Velvet
Post Modern Molded Fiberglass Molar Sofa by Wendell Castle
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Postmodern Molar sofa, by Wendell Castle, executed in saturated red molded fiberglass. This example is in good condition, however does have a repaired flaw at the front of one...
Fiberglass
Bridget Low Cabinet in Natural Rattan by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Bridget Low Cabinet in Natural Rattan by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 110 x D 35 x H 100 cm. Materials: Natural stained rattan and wrapped rattan. Fabric is not included. Please co...
Rattan
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Warm Sage Colored Suede
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘Snake’ DS-600, suede, felt, Switzerland, 1970s A design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland. This De Sede modular Sn...
Suede, Felt
Sculptural Chair, Recycled/Reclaimed Metal & Steel, Post-Modern, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Fisherman Chair reveals itself as foreign, almost alien-like. The piece seems to have been recovered from the bottom of the ocean on a lost planet. It is generative in the sense that...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
Italian chaise lounge model Wave by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 1974
Located in Piacenza, Italy
Postmodern chaise longue Wave model designed by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti. A timeless piece, characterized by a steel structure and a minimalist aesthetic in perfect postmodern style. The chair cushion...
Steel
$280Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Ikea Krokig Modular Coat Rack Annie Huldén & Sanna Dahl Postmodern Memphis
By IKEA
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Ikea krokig modular coat rack designed by Annie Huldén & Sanna Dahlman. Coat hanger rack postmodern Memphis style. Ikea Kids or Adults. Dimensi...
Steel
Finnish Designer, Small Chest of Drawers, Pine, Finland, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A small pine chest of drawers designed and produced in Finland, c. 1970s.
Pine
Tizio Adjustable Black Table Lamp from Richard Sapper for Artemide, 1972
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This is a highly sought-after adjustable table lamp, designed by the renowned Richard Sapper for the prestigious Italian design brand Artemide. Originally conceived and manufactured ...
Aluminum
Italian Post-Modern Adjustable Floor Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bosi, Martini and Bertotti for Fratelli Martini, 'Art. 225/1' floor lamp, cast iron, lacquered aluminum, Italy, ca. 1974-1975 This Italian post-modern floor lamp stands as a light s...
Aluminum, Iron
Ettore Sottsass Model 585 Oxblood Red Ceramic Vase, Il Sestante, Italy, 1961
Located in Dronten, NL
An exceptional example of Ettore Sottsass’ early ceramic production, this striking vase—model 585—was designed in 1960 and realized circa 1961 by the Società Ceramica Toscana di Figl...
Ceramic
Matteo Grassi Bar Stools in Dark Grey Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Matteograssi, bar stools, leather, metal, Italy, 1970s Postmodern set of stools in dark grey leather, designed by Matteo Grassi. The stools are completely covered in leather, which ...
Metal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two Italian midcentury modern design three-seater sofa and two-seater sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s with solid woo...
Fabric, Wood
$438Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Bonbon Dish, English, Art Glass, Ornamental Bowl, Post Modern, C.1980
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage bonbon dish. An English, art glass ornamental bowl in post-modern taste, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Fascinating, unusual form catches the eye Di...
Art Glass
Ovni Uovo Black Marble Glass Sculptural Coffee Table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Ovni Uovo Sculptural Coffee Table presents a retro-futurist fantasy. Performing as a past vision of the future Ovni Uovo constructs over mysterious tales of speculative technolog...
Stone, Marble
1980s Post Modern Italian Leather Sofa
By Chateau d'Ax
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Lovely Italian Post Modern Leather sofa. Literally looks like it was never sat on. Off white color. Perfect condition.
Leather
Credenza / Sideboard, Hand-Carved White Onyx, Sculptural Design, Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Carved from solid onyx, the Eoli Credenza is a sculptural storage piece shaped by the idea of wind in motion. Its form recalls slow, continuous forces: erosion, pressure, flow. The...
Onyx
Postmodern Italian Sectional Sofa in Blue and Off-White Dots Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa, fabric, brushed metal, Italy, 1970s A postmodern design of Italian origin with an ingenious construction comprised of three seating elements and five/six loose backres...
Metal
$13,800 / set
Streamlined Modern Living Room Set with Sofas and Ottoman in Green-Blue Patterned Upholstery and Chromed Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric, chromed metal, Italy, 1970s A striking and generously proportioned living room set from the 1970s, this set embodies the sleek elegance characteristic of the era. Desi...
Metal, Chrome
$3,336 / item
Dream/Reality Bar Cart by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dream/Reality Bar Cart by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 54 x W 35 x H 71 cm Materials: Raw aluminum. The Dream/Reality Bar Cart is a playful and practical piece, perfe...
Aluminum
Corbeille Leather Sofa by Francesco Binfare for Edra
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A post modern "Corbeille" Sofa by Francesco Binfare for Edra. Eight leather cushions are are held in place by an accordion style tubular metal frame. Original leather upholstery. Sou...
Metal
Maitland Smith Fossilized Coral Tessellated Stone Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Absolutely stunning dining table from the 80s. It is made of tessellated fossilized coral in a beautiful floral pattern. The colors are beige and salmon. The original owner (a furnit...
Stone, Travertine, Marble