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.
$18,653 / item
Boomerang Sideboard by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Boomerang sideboard by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 200 x W 90 x H 50 cm Materials: walnut wood, metal, Negro Monterrey marble. Walnut with black electro-painted metal and Ne...
Marble, Metal
$380Sale Price|20% Off
Leather Desk Mail Letter Holder
Located in New York, NY
A brown leather and gold brass plate desk letter mail holder, Postmodern design, circa late-20th century. Hold mail, letters, or other correspondence.
Metal, Brass
$4,521 / item
Pilota Cord Brown Pearl Beige Lounge Chair by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Pilota cord brown pearl Beige lounge chair by Pulpo Dimensions: D 65 x W 75 x H 75 cm Materials: leather, cord, faux fur, wool, powder coated meta...
Metal
$13,807 / item
Grande Coco OR Suspension Lamp by Coralie Beauchamp
Located in Geneve, CH
Grande Coco OR Suspension Lamp by Coralie Beauchamp Dimensions: W 70 x D 70 x H 120 cm Materials: Fiberglass, Epoxy resin with anti-uv, a finish in M...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass
$16,364 / item
Tlaloc Wine Cabinet by Andres Gutierrez
Located in Geneve, CH
Tlaloc Wine cabinet by Andres Gutierrez Dimensions: D40 x W80 x H130 cm Materials: Body: solid white oak wood, Legs: white oak plywood. — Inspir...
Oak, Plywood
$104Sale Price|46% Off
Postmodern Cosmo Martini Cocktail Set of 2
Located in Toronto, ON
Super cool postmodern cocktail Glasses that can be used for martinis, cosmos, and other cocktails. This Memphis style glasses feature a rounded cylindrical base with a wide open tria...
Glass
Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti "Archipenko" Nightstands, PAIR
Located in North Miami, FL
Two drawers with black nickel metal semi-circular handles, soft close mechanism, shiny black lacquer over wood. Foil manufacturer's label to underside "Minotti Made in Italy"
Nickel
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti Italia Red Leather Lounge Chair, Italy, 1980s
By Vittorio Introini, Saporiti
Located in Almelo, NL
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti Italia red leather lounge chair, Italy, 1980s. A beautiful and comfortable lounge chair with sa...
Metal
$1,220 / item
Caramel Medium Sonora Linen Table Lamp by NASSI
Located in Geneve, CH
Caramel Medium Sonora Linen Table Lamp by NASSI Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 58 cm. Materials: Lampshade: coated iron, warm white Cotton Lining. Base: wood-fired clay with beeswax fi...
Clay, Cotton
Postmodern Industrial Dining Table Designed by Robert Josten
Located in Culver City, CA
This dining table is equal parts post modern and industrial modern and just oozes California modernism. This dining table or writing desk was designed by Robert Josten in the 1970's. Made of aluminum, this metal grille / grid style is a staple of Robert Josten's work. This dining table is a great transitional piece that could easily flex into any contemporary environment. The table has an almost Allsaints, industrial modern feel with a slight steampunk vibe as well. The table could also be used in an ultra modern environment and would look great in a new modern designed home. This piece could also be used as a retail display table...
Aluminum
Polished Chrome Ribbon Table Lamp, France 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Polished Chrome ribbon table lamp, France, late 20th century. Cool table or desk lamp, made out of light weight steel. Adds glamour to any decor. Same era as: Charlotte Perriand, J...
Chrome
$156Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Glass Pedestal Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Impactful piece of glass that brings lines and design to your décor. This postmodern piece consists of two pieces: Blown glass in a purple hue is conjoined and shaped into a V shaped...
Glass
Vasa Velizar Mihich acrylic abstract sculpture triangle multicolor signed.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nice and sweet multicolored triangle by the well known artist Vasa .
Acrylic
Onion Fruit Bowl, Designed by Nathalie du Pasquier in 1985 for Memphis Milano
Located in Beirut, LB
ONION fruit bowl, Designed by Nathalie du Pasquier in 1985 for the collection Memphis Milano, in Ceramic. The product is purchased with guarantee stamp. Printed on bottom: Memphis Mi...
Ceramic
$1,464 / item
Twist Echino Chandelier by LAFABLIGHT
Located in Geneve, CH
Twist Echino Chandelier by LAFABLIGHT Dimensions: D 87 x H 125 cm Materials: Wooden structure woven with ecru cotton, textile cable with metal/wood rosette. LAFABLIGHT was born from...
Metal
Postmodern Design "Peggy" Lounge Chair set by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Umberto Asnago
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design "Peggy" model Fauteuil Lounge Arm Chair set of 2 by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti. Made in Italy, 1980's. Black laquer frame with a pale flower fabric, all o...
Fabric, Wood
1980 Bieffeplast Postmodern Italian Design Black White Wall Lamp Sconces
By Bieffeplast
Located in Brescia, IT
Pair of Post Modern Sconces prod. Bieffeplast Italy, 1980 Black metal grind and white bent plexiglass Black and White metal wall frame The...
Metal
Vintage German Postmodern Metal Pendant Lamp from Cosack
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant perforated plate drawbar pendant lamp from the German manufacturer Cosack Leuchten from the 80s. Particularly striking about this lamp is the play with the transparency of t...
Metal
$5,439 / item
Horizon #5 Stoneware Lamp by Elisa Uberti
Located in Geneve, CH
Horizon #5 stoneware lamp by Elisa Uberti Unique Limited series of 8 numbered copies + 1 AP Dimensions: D 40 x W 20 x H 65 cm Materials: white Stoneware This product is handmade...
Stoneware
$1,696 / item
Eye of the Tiger Mirror
Located in Geneve, CH
Eye of the tiger mirror. Dimensions: W 132.2 x D 3.5 x H 79.6 cm Material: 4 mm faceted mirror on black painted MDF Weight: 10 kg. The Reflections Copenhagen Eye of the Tiger mirror illustrates the magnificence of light as it bounces back and meets the eye. Take a deep breath and enjoy the magic of Reflections Copenhagen mirror artworks...
Mirror
$14,400Sale Price / item|20% Off
Pair of 1980's Designer Sofas by Baker Furniture
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Taylor
Located in Las Vegas, NV
TWO AVAILABLE Absolutely stunning Pagoda style sofas by Baker Furniture Company. If you are looking for a gorgeous pair of installation ready sofas, look no further. This truly d...
Velvet, Wood
$1,250
Red Side Drinks Table
Located in New York, NY
A red geometric side/drinks table, Postmodern period, circa late-20th century. A chic red resin geometric side drinks table. Hue is a 'Coca-Cola' red. A great statement piece for a l...
Plastic, Resin
1980 Gigante for Zerbetto Postmodern Design Fluorescent Wall Lamp
By Boccato Gigante Zambusi, Zerbetto
Located in Brescia, IT
Boccato, Gigante, Zambusi for Zerbetto, 1981 Red wall lamp. Perfect working order. Excellent condition.
Metal
$1,208 / item
White Alabaster Edna Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
White Alabaster Edna Table Lamp by Simone & MarcelMarcel Dimensions: D 15 x W 44 x H 46 cm. Materials: Cotton, brass and white alabaster. Also available in different marbles and cer...
Alabaster, Brass
Gufram GUFRAMINI Bocca, 1:8 Scale by Studio 65
By Gufram Furniture, Studio 65
Located in Toronto, ON
Step into the enchanting world of GUFRAMINI, an awe-inspiring collection that distills the magic and timeless appeal of Gufram's most celebrated works into intricate miniature forms....
Foam
Post-Modern Waterfall Lucite Vanity Stool or Bench with Off White Leather Seat
Located in San Diego, CA
Super high quality post-modern waterfall lucite vanity stool or bench with off white leather seat, circa 1970s. The bench is in very good vintage condition with 1" thick lucite base;...
Lucite, Leather
$14,400Sale Price|20% Off
Karl Springer Goatskin Dining Table With Custom Chrome Drum Base
Located in Culver City, CA
This dining table is simply stunning. A goatskin dining table designed by Karl Springer from the 1980s features a creamy goatskin top with hides that are both tan and nude in color with slight color variations in the hides that only come with real goatskin pieces. This large goatskin top rests on a circular chrome drum base that is a custom base for the table. This stunning table came out of a prominent home in Century City and the provenance is available upon request. The dining table top still has the original Karl Springer paper label which was included in the original wrapping of the piece / order tag, which has been affixed to the bottom by the original owner for provenance. This wrapping tag has significantly faded with time, but you can still make out the name Karl Springer at the top (especially if you snap a photo and bump up the contrast). This dining table, as photographed, looks incredible with the Guido Faleschini for Pace Collection dining chairs -- which is the exact combination the family had been using since the 1980's. With the striking chrome base, this dining table would look great with Milo Baughman thinline...
Chrome
$2,560Sale Price / item|20% Off
Architectural Scale Glow Chandeliers Made in Italy by Pallucco circa 2000-2010
By Enrico Franzolini, Pallucco
Located in New York, NY
Incredible Italian design chandeliers, made in Italy by Pallucco, as part of their famous Glow series. This series was designed by Enrico Franzolini and Vincente Garcia Jimenez, thes...
Metal
Dorothy Hafner Flash Frisco Porcelain Coffee Service for Rosenthal Studio-Line
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Rare Flash Frisco coffee service designed by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal Studio-Line, Germany, during the 1980s. Dorothy Hafner's collaboration with Rosenthal produced some of the ...
Porcelain
Trolley / cart by Bieffeplast Padova 1970s
By Bieffeplast
Located in Athens, Attiki
Italian drinks and serving trolley by Bieffeplast Padova. Upper and lower removable and interchangeable tray sections as well as bottle storage.
Metal
Petite Brume Wall Light in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts
Located in Geneve, CH
Petite Brume Wall Light in Black Patinated Bronze by Jules Desdoigts. Dimensions: W 25 x D 10 x H 48 cm. Materials: Black-patinated bronze shell fixed to a black-patinated brass plat...
Brass, Bronze
$224Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Sculptural Brass and Black Ring Candle Holders, Postmodern, 1980s
Located in Toronto, CA
Strikingly architectural and refined, this pair of Postmodern candleholders exemplifies the sculptural sophistication of 1980s European design. Each piece features a bold black circu...
Metal, Brass
La Celebración Natural Floor Mirror in Chuspata Fiber by Joyful Objects Yes!
Located in Geneve, CH
La Celebración Natural Floor Mirror in Chuspata Fiber by Joyful Objects Yes! Dimensions: D 15 x W 140 x H 210 cm. Materials: Mirror, chuspata fiber, and ash wood. Available in diffe...
Other
Callimaco Limited Edition Black Version by Ettore Sottsass for Artemide, 1982
Located in Arezzo, Italy
Callimaco floor lamp mod. designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1982 for Artemide. Limited edition, black version, emblematic lamp of Sottsass Radical Design that brings artistic and concep...
Steel
Side Table with Hidden Compartment, Black Marble & Travertine, Sculptural
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Composed of black marble and travertine, this side table contrasts deep darkness with warm neutrality through its varicolored stone segments. The object is balanced by a subtle simpl...
Stone, Marble, Travertine, Onyx
Calligraphic Sculpted Console Table in Black Painted Brass by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Calligraphic Sculpted Console Table in Black Painted Brass by Misaya Dimensions: W 137 x L 39 x H 75 cm Materials: Brass Hand-sculpted brass console. Available in different brass fi...
Brass
Weishäupl Lounge Chair, Black Wood & Leather, Postmodern Design, 1980
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
An unusual and intelligently designed lounge chair in the postmodern style of the 80s. The frame of the chair, made of black wood, is fixed using tightly tensioned steel cables and a...
Leather
Javier Mariscal Post-Modern Bar Cart Hilton For Memphis , Italy, 1981
By Memphis Milano, Javier Mariscal
Located in Vienna, AT
Javier Mariscal Post-Modern Bar Cart Hilton For Memphis , Italy, 1981 Rare Memphis bar cart ‚Hilton’, trolley on smoothly running casters offering a ...
Steel
$1,348 / item
Oleander Bellini High Stool by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Oleander Bellini High Stool by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 34 x W 34 x H 65/75 cm Materials: Timber / Stone tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 8kg Frame Finishes: Textura Black. ...
Stone, Steel
Sideboard modular credenza Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani (Hermès) 1970's
By i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Gorgeous modular credenza, designed by Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani on commission from Hermès boutiques in the 1970s. The cabinet consists of two storage units with doors covered ...
Marble, Aluminum
Murano Multicolored Handblown Flower
By Murano 5
Located in Pasadena, TX
This flower is handblown. It was crafted in Murano, Italy. It is multicolored with 3 petals. Makes for a great gift.
Art Glass
David Goldhagen Cosmic Vortex Art Glass Pod on Stand
Located in Savannah, GA
A David Goldhagen art glass pod on stand entitled “Cosmic Vortex”. With dimmable backlight. Etched with signature, number and title. glass piece: 25 inches wide by 10 inches d...
Art Glass
Green Indio Marble and Black Steel Morse Shelf by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Indio marble and black steel morse shelf by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 21 x W 80 x H 87 cm Materials: Steel, Green Indio Marble Also available: Different marble and frame optio...
Marble, Steel
Kazuhide Takahama, Kazuki 3 Floor Lamp Italy 1976
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Elegant Kazuki 3 floor lamp designed by Kazuhide Takahama for Sirrah, Italy, circa 1976. The lamp features a sculptural metal frame wrapped in white stretch jersey fabric, creating ...
Metal, Chrome
Post Modern Low Profile Square Coffee Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Big on style but not on size, this petite low profile, Post Modern coffee table is perfect for that small space that needs a unique piece. The rounded square corners and bullet shape...
Wood
$1,714 / item
Organic Modern Side Table Catus in Lacquered Wood
Located in Lisbon, PT
Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, a country with a long crafts tradition, Mambo Unlimited Ideas' design team researches for innovation and creativity developments around...
Travertine, Marble, Metal
Horn Collection Post-Modern Dining Table Green Polyurethane Plastic 1970s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Horn Collection, dining table, lacquered polyurethane plastic, Germany, 1970s Created for the Horn collection in the seventies, this well-formed table is made entirely from polyuret...
Plastic
$313 / item
Mandala White Totem Lamp by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Mandala White Totem Lamp by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 30.48 x H 182.88 cm Materials: Engineered wood All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will...
Wood
Pharos Hand Sculpted Natural Stone Wall Lamp III by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Pharos Hand Sculpted Natural Stone Wall Lamp III by Aver Dimensions: D 8 x W 7 x H 75 cm. Materials: Natural stone, metal. Available in different metal finish options. Please contac...
Stone, Metal
$1,960Sale Price / set|20% Off
Champagne Flutes Glasses Italian Designer Carlo Moretti, Set of 10, 2 Sets Avail
Located in New York, NY
Two (2) sets of (10) available, as per listing. An exquisite, chic, and collectable set of ten (10) hand-crafted Italian Champagne flute gla...
Crystal
Vintage De Sede 600 “Non-Stop” Sectional Sofa, Taupe Suede
By De Sede, Eleanora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich, and Ueli Berger
Located in Toronto, CA
A true icon of 1970s design, the DS-600 “Non-Stop” sofa by De Sede is celebrated for its endlessly modular, serpentine silhouette. This vintage configuration features plush taupe sue...
Suede, Felt, Wood
POPSY candy small table in resin by MOĆI Collective
Located in Como, Italy
POPSI small table evokes a melting ice-pop, its glossy crystal-resin top alive with shifting tones that refract light like Roni Horn’s glass sculptures, s...
Metal
Val Saint Lambert green carved crystal vase.
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Val Saint Lambert green cut crystal vase. Green cut crystal vase. It features a cylindrical shape that widens slightly toward the top. The design features deep carving that creates a...
Art Glass
Folia Solid Oak and Cast Bronze Floor Lamp by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Folia Solid Oak and Cast Bronze Floor Lamp by Federico Stefanovich. Dimensions: W 54 x D 45 x H 125 cm. Material: Solid Oak, Cast Bronze, Brass. All our lamps can be wired according...
Brass, Bronze
Original Proust Armchair by Alessandro Mendini, Italy
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Historical piece of contemporary design, the Proust armchair with carved and hand painted wooden frame, fixed multicolored fabric hand- painted lining ...
Wood
$4,021 / item
Quartz Wall Light I by Aver
Located in Geneve, CH
Quartz wall light I by Aver Dimensions: W 7 x D 4 x H 100 cm Materials: Natural rocks, high-quality cut crystals, jewelry chains, hand-blown glass, other. Also Available: Matte Black...
Stone, Crystal
1990s Postmodern Glass Waterfall Sculptural Black Circular Wood Coffee Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Postmodern Glass Waterfall Edge Sculptural Coffee Table. Stunning table features a graceful waterfall edge opposite an end gracefully supported by a black pyramid on triangle foot, w...
Steel
1980s Pair of Post-Modern Swivel Lounge Chairs in Brown Suede & Plaid
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and American-Made during the Post-Modern period, this pair of chairs features great construction and a handsome look as a result of the design and upholstery used. Upholster...
Suede, Upholstery
Pierluigi Spadolini for 1P 'Boccio' Round Dining Table in Resin
By Permaflex, Pierluigi Spadolini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierluigi Spadolini for 1P (Permaflex), 'Boccio' dining table, polyurethane resin, Italy, 1972 This dining set is designed by Italian architect and designer (1922-2000) Pierluigi Sp...
Resin
Futura 2000 record art 1982
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Futura 2000 Record art 1982: A set of 4 individual record covers accompanied by their respective vinyl records. Each containing printed artwork on the reverse cover by the legendary...
Other