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.
Françoise See for Maison et Jardin, Large Oval steel Dining Table, circa 1970
Located in NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE, FR
A large oval dining table in aluminum and stainless steel by French designer Françoise See (born 1952), created for Maison et Jardin circa 1970. Measuring 300 cm in length, this is a...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
Contemporary Black Burnt European Oak Darling Dining Table by Dennis Kaiser
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Burnt European Oak Contemporary Darling Dining Table by Dennis Kaiser Dimensions: D 110 x W 270 x H 75 cm. Materials: European oak. Handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy. Customiza...
Oak
$4,445 / item
Metaverso Walnut Dining Table by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Metaverso Walnut Dining Table, 8 Seats, by Morica Design Dimensions: D 100 x W 220 x H 75 cm. Materials: Canaletto walnut, oxidized bronze. Available in 6, 8, or 10 seats. Table wi...
Metal
Vintage Postmodern Italian Glass Dining Table by Saporiti Italia, 1980s
By Saporiti
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
A vintage postmodern Italian glass dining table with enamel-finished column base, made for Saporiti Italia and produced in Italy during the 1980s. This round glass dining table featu...
Enamel, Chrome
Lorenzo & Stefani Ponte d’Acqua table for Pallucco - Italy, 1981
By Pallucco
Located in London, GB
Originally trained as an architect, Laura de Lorenzo spent years in industrial design before creating the ‘Ponte d’Acqua’ dining table. The influence is clear: precise lines, proport...
Metal
Pair of Travertine Post-Modern Dining Table Bases Pedestals
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Cool 1980’s polish travertine Post-Modern dining table or Console pedestal bases. In beautiful vintage condition. They can be used with a round, rectangular glass top for a dining ...
Travertine
Leonardo Dining Table by Daniele Daminelli, Hand-Carved Wood, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
Leonardo dining table by Daniele Daminelli (Italy, 2021) Capsule Colection REINASSANCE Dimensions: 400 x 93,5 x 81,5 cm Materials: Carved wood an...
Wood
$6,150 / item
Dream/Reality Dining Table by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dream/Reality Dining Table by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 87 x W 183 x H 76 cm Materials: Raw aluminum. The Dream/Reality dining table is a Six Dots take on a design...
Aluminum
Vintage Curtis Jere Brass Trefoil Clover Form 42" Dining or Center Table
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made by Curtis Jere in the US, this table features a wooden frame wrapped in sheets of brass to form its clover-like trefoil shape. Construction quality is excellent - h...
Brass
Post modern dining table by Roche Bobois, 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Rare post modern dining table with a black metal frame and a black glass top. Beautiful post modern design. Good overall condition with normal user traces on the glass. 1980s - It...
Metal
Italian Modern Table By Skitsch, Milan
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Table By Skitsch, Milan. Offered is a stunning Italian post modern dining table, console table or center table with scrolled ends. A most unusual rare design that's v...
Metal
Contemporary Riviera dinner table in lacquered metal and Travertine for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
$32,585Sale Price|32% Off
Documented 'Kono' Dining Table / Desk by Lella & Massimo Vignelli, 1984, Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare documented 'Kono' table, which works excellent as either a dining table or a desk, by Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli was designed in 1984 and this example created in the mid-to-late 1980s by Casigliani in Pisa, Italy. This rare example of the 'Kono' design features a monumental Black Granite slab for the top, two thick slabs of Imperial Red Granite which connect together to form one of the bases, and the Vignellis signature Patinated Copper cone which forms the other base. The 'Kono' design was normally made as coffee tables so it is quite rare to find examples made scaled up in dining table size. In addition, typical Kono tables were made with glass tops and a single slab granite base. This example however, the Vignellis selected Black Granite instead of the typical glass tops. Also, rather than using a rectangular single-slab base, this example features an L-shaped base constructed with two slabs that connect together along one angled edge. It still employs the cone-shaped patinated copper base typical of Kono tables, however this example is much larger of course than cocktail table versions. The Vignelli Center for Design Studies, which houses the artists’ archive, confirmed this table to be one of two known drawings by the Vignellis (a copy of the Vignelli sketch, which they provided, is included in the photo gallery) though it is unknown if the other table was ever produced, making this table potentially an important one-of-a-kind. The Black Granite top in lower light settings is dark, deep and mysterious. With direct sunlight its luminosity is intense - see the photo gallery for images of the table in direct sunlight from our skylight above. It glows, shines and shimmers with incredible vibrancy, similar to diamonds - to see it in person is quite exquisite and remarkable. While we only had it set up under our skylight for a couple hours, I would describe the experience as recharging - I felt like I had just spent a couple hours meditating, this would be incredible to wake up to every day before leaving to work. The Vignellis described the 'Kono' table as: “This design exploits the relationship between geometrical figures and material finishes." Over the course of their four-decade-long design practice, Lella and Massimo Vignelli collaborated on projects that ranged from product design and brand identity to interior and furniture design. Whether designing New York City’s subway map...
Granite, Copper
Mario Bellini Round 'Il Colonato' Table in Massive Red Persian Travertine 150cm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, 'Il Colonato' center or dining table, massive red Persian travertine, Italy, 1977 Designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1977, Il Colonato is a striking...
Travertine
Jordi Casablanca Muntañola Dining Table in Solid Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jordi Casablanca Muntañola, dining table, oak, Spain, 1979. Catalan designer Jordi Casablanca Muntañola (1940-2001) designed this table in...
Oak
BOX Italian Travertine Marble Dining Table Architectural Design by Joaquín Moll
By Joaquín Moll, Meddel
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
BOX Italian Travertine Marble Dining Table Architectural Design by Joaquín Moll BOX travertine marble dining table is a bold, architectural statement piece designed by Joaquín Moll f...
Crystal, Travertine, Marble, Metal, Iron
Contemporary Riviera Rectangle center table in Earth lacquered metal for Outdoor
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Travertine, Marble, Metal
White Carrara Marble and Brass Big O Table by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
White Carrara marble and brass big O Table by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 120 x H 72 cm Materials: Brass, white Carrara marble Also avail...
Carrara Marble, Brass
2x Original USM Haller Schreibtisch schwarz Esstisch Design Tisch
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten zwei wunderschöne und sehr gut erhaltene USM Haller Schreibtische mit schwarzer Tischplatte aus Holz zum Verkauf an. Der Preis versteht sich pro Stück. Der Neupreis des Ti...
Steel
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Superb Post modern gloss lacquer tan round oval dining table with 1 leaf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern gloss lacquer tan round dining table with 1 leaf. Taupe gloss Lacquered expanding oval dining table with one leaf that seats 4-6 chairs. Has curved popsicle shaped legs. ...
Wood, Lacquer
$22,227Sale Price|30% Off
Mario Bellini Italian Carrara Marble Oval Dining Table for Cassina, 70s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Puglia, Puglia
'Il Colonnato' oval dining table in white Carrara marble with evident gray veins by Mario Bellini for Cassina. The table features an...
Carrara Marble
1980s Sculptural DIA Dining Circular Oval Glass Table and 8 Chairs, Set of 9
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1980s dining set. The ultra rare set exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The lu...
Steel
Postmodern dining table by Belgochrom, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Striking postmodern design dining table consisting of a brushed aluminuml base with two matte glass table tops and a brass center piece. Manufactured by high end furniture company ...
Brass, Steel
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper Eros Rectangular Dining table- Executive desk
Located in Almelo, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper 'Eros,' large rectangular dining table or executive desk in black Marquina Marble, Italy, the 1970s. This stunning sculptural table, designed by Angel...
Marble
$18,773Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Angelo Mangiarotti Travertine Salmon Dining Table w/ Pedestal Base
Located in Basel, BS
Style of Angelo Mangiarotti designer 1970s round travertine dining table with sculptural pedestal signature Mangiarotti base This table and base are In spectacular condition, origin...
Travertine
Contemporary Riviera Bar Chair in Lacquered Ivory metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
$7,573 / item
Asami Dining Table by Kasanai
Located in Geneve, CH
Asami Dining Table by Kasanai Dimensions: D 91 x W 200 x H 76 cm. Materials: Lime plaster. Also available in different dimensions and colors. Please contact us. Natural Mortex minerals, clean lines and minimal detail: Asami epitomises Japanese design. This beautiful table has plenty of room to seat 8 people, so get your dinner party invitations...
Plaster
Contemporary Riviera Armchair in lacquered Ivory metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
1980s Postmodern Travertine Pedestal Base Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Such an elegant table. It’s really hard for me to believe this table is over 40 years old. The previous owner inherited it from her mother and sold it to me bc she runs an in house d...
Travertine, Marble, Soapstone, Metal
Ettore Sottsass City Dining Table for Memphis Milano, 1983
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass "City" dining table in black and brown spotted laminate with chrome plated steel legs. Very good condition with light scratches seen upon close inspection in raking ...
Steel, Chrome
Massa Sculptural Dining Table by Aeny Studio in Stainless Steel & Wood
Located in Geneve, CH
Massa Sculptural Dining Table by Aeny Studio. Signed and dated by Nayara Nascimento. Dimensions: W 335 x D 100 x H 74 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, wood, cellulose-mineral bronze c...
Stainless Steel, Other
$11,243 / item
Tribeca Dining Table by Giacomo Tomazzi Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Tribeca Dining Table by Giacomo Tomazzi Studio Dimensions: W 270 x D 110 x H 75 cm Materials: Wood. ABOUT Giácomo Tomazzi graduated in archite...
Wood
Contemporary Riviera Bar Chair in Lacquered Salmon metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
Contemporary Riviera Side table in lacquered metal and travertine for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
Acerbis 'I Menhir' Marble and Glass Dining Table by Acerbis and Stoppino, 1990's
By Giotto Stoppino, Lodovico Acerbis, Acerbis
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Acerbis 'I Menhir' Marble and Glass Dining Table by Acerbis and Stoppino, 1980's Post modern dining or dinette table with white and black marble base and steel column, with a round ...
Marble, Steel
Philippe Starck "Titos Apostos" Table 1985
Located in Naples, FL
Philippe Starck "Titos Apostos" Table Italy/France, 1985, Driade Folding table to pair with "Mickville Chairs" Suitable as a functioning table or wall art
Steel
Contemporary Monochromatic Dining Table in Custom Lacquered Wood & Brass Accents
Located in New York, NY
Defined by an elongated, softly rounded top and a pair of substantial cylindrical pedestals, this dining table brings a composed architectural rhythm to a clean, minimal form. The to...
Metal
Organic Modern Center Table Catus in Travertine Marble
Located in Lisbon, PT
Catus center table is unique in its conception with Organic Modern inspiration. Natural Stone is unrepeatable in its individuality, this way each Catus table is unique featuring the ...
Travertine, Marble, Metal
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Mix-Metals and Glass Dining Table by Rick Lee for DIA
By Kaizo Oto, Design Institute America
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A sculptural postmodern dining table or desk design by Rick Lee for Design Institute of America in 1993 The base is made out of mix metals (brass, chrome, br...
Brass, Stainless Steel, Chrome
Orsaydining table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, 1976.
By Knoll, Gae Aulenti
Located in Athens, Attiki
Orsay table by Gae Aulenti for Knoll International, 1976. A notable piece of mid-century modern furniture with a curved metal frame and a laminate top. The table is also known as «Mo...
Metal
Contemporary Riviera Day Bed in Lilac lacquered metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
$2,180Sale Price|37% Off
Curved Tessellated Stone Pedestal Dining Table with Oval Glass Top
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Late‑1980s “Nineteen‑Laties,” this sculpturally striking dining table is a masterclass in organic geometry and post‑modern elegance. Its base, hewn from tessellated Mactan coral ston...
Stone
1970s Italian Travertine Dining, Conference Table, Desk, Rectangle Post-Modern
By Willy Rizzo, Stone International
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Simple is so often better! This elegant rectangular dining table shows us that. Filled and polished travertine-marble, with just the right amount of attractive natural grain. And a b...
Travertine, Marble
$7,869Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Angelo Mangiarotti Cream Off White Marble Dining Table, Pedestal Base
Located in Basel, BS
One of a kind Angelo Mangiarotti designer 1970s round Solid marble dining table with sculptural pedestal signature Mangiarotti base This table and base are In very good vintage cond...
Marble
Postmodern Dining Table "Nodo" designed by Carlo Bartoli for Tisettanta
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a Postmodern Dining Table "Nodo" designed by Carlo Bartoli for Tisettanta. It features legs put together into a knot (Italian for knot is nodo, hence th...
Chrome
Johanna Grawunder Illuminated Dining Table by for Post-Design, 2001
Located in Vienna, AT
Very rare dining table (Wicked 64) by Johanna Grawunder for Post-Design Milan, 2001. Dimensions are 31.1" x 63" x 30" New York based designer/architect and former partner of Ettore Sottsass, Johanna Grawunder, designed this piece for her Lowrider collection very much in the spirit of the Italian Avant Garde. It's fully coated with rubber with a leather-ish smooth touch. The glass table top can be illuminated which casts a fairly mystical glow...
Steel
$1,440Sale Price|40% Off
Design Solid Beech Dining Table, Driade circa 1980
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
We like the graphic effect of this spacious dining table with its marquetry-adorned rectangular tabletop. Crafted from solid beechwood, both the perimeter and the four tapered conic...
Beech
Nissa Travertino Stone Contemporary Round Dining Table by Ivan Colominas
Located in Geneve, CH
Nissa Travertino Stone Contemporary Round Dining Table by Ivan Colominas Dimensions: Ø 120 x H 74,5 cm. Materials: Travertino stone. Available in Nero Marquinia, Travertino, Rosso A...
Travertine
$20,212Sale Price|25% Off
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker, 1960s Modern Design
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An architectural marvel in living form, this Cocobolo rosewood dining table by Don S. Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, commands attention as both functional object and sculptural stateme...
Cocobolo
Organic Modern Side Table Catus in Terrazzo Green Marble
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
MCM Milo Baughman Style Laminate Parsons Dining Table With Bar Table - Set of 2
Located in Chicago, IL
Mid Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Rectangular White Laminate Parsons Dining Table with Bar Table on Casters - 2 Peace Set The Mid Century Modern Milo Baughman Style Rectangula...
Laminate
Serenissimo Dining Table by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Acerbis, Italy, 1970s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Acerbis
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Serenissimo dining table is an iconic design by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Acerbis, dating from the 1970s. It features a square turquoise-green glass top paired with cylindri...
Metal, Steel
$4,927 / item
Prime Dining Table by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
Prime Dining Table by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 220 x D 120 x H 75 cm Materials: Base: Natural Leather, Top: Veneer. Also available in other dimensions. Please contact us. With ...
Leather
$2,434 / item
Nomos Dining Table by Norman Foster for Tecno, 1990s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
This dining table was designed by Sir Norman Foster for Tecno. Originally designed for use in his London office, this design became a succes and is a classic still for sale today. ...
Chrome
Contemporary Riviera Chair in Lacquered Sage metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
$30,530 / item
Untreatable Dining Table by ORFEO STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Untreatable Dining Table by ORFEO STUDIO Dimensions: W 300 x D 140 x H 75 cm. Material: Steel Finish: Patina finish Weight: 250 kg. About ORFEO STUDIO is an Italian design studio d...
Steel
M-K2519 Contemporary Sculptural Monolithic Oak Dining Table by Isac Elam Kaid
Located in Geneve, CH
M-K2519 Contemporary Sculptural Monolithic Oak Dining Table by Isac Elam Kaid Dimensions: W 125 x D 360 x H 75,6 cm Materials: Ebonized, sealed and lacquered european oak Object is ...
Wood, Oak
1980s Mid-Century Italian Postmodern Beige Marble Dining Table
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful Mid-Century Postmodern Beige Travertine Dining Table. Very solid pedestal base and top, both made of travertine. This stunning table has a minimalist aesthetic, and Italian...
Marble
$2,100Sale Price|44% Off
Round Baroque Style Metal Base and Glass Top Dining Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Crafted in the USA, the elegant wrought iron circular base features a circular top supported by 4 cabriole legs tied together with stretchers coming together in the center. Table base is in excellent condition. The glass top shows much wear and is used for photo purposes only. Price is for the base, only, glass can be included or not included. This base can make a wonderful entry foyer, center hall table. Garden table, garden dining table, patio or porch dining table for indoor or outdoor use. center table. Base: 34" diameter x 29.75" height. Metal dining table, round metal dining table,
Wrought Iron
Asthila Dining Table in Solid Oak, Oak Veneer and Lacquer by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Asthila Dining Table in Solid Oak, Oak Veneer and Lacquer by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 245 x D 110 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid Oak, Oak Veneer and Lacquer. You can customize the fini...
Oak, Wood, Hardwood, Lacquer