$4,950
H 19 in W 32 in D 18 in
Vintage 'Donau' Collection Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini
By Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
quantities by the Austrian furniture maker Franz Leitner.
Wood
$20,492
H 82.68 in W 43.31 in D 17.72 in
Memphis Cabinet or a Bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini, 1986
By Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Beograd, RS
designed by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner as a part of Donau Collection. This
Glass, Wood
Unavailable
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
"Ritual - The Herm" Side Table by Bořek Šípek for Franz Leitner, 1990
By B. Sipek
Located in București, B
This "Ritual - The Herm" side table was designed by Bořek Šípek for Franz Leitner in 1990. It is
Brass
Unavailable
H 82.68 in W 43.31 in D 17.72 in
"Donau" Cabinet by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner, 1986
By Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in București, B
In 1986, Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini were invited by Austrian furniture producer Franz Leitner
Metal
Unavailable
H 86.62 in W 67.33 in D 19.69 in
Postmodern "Po Lam" Cabinet by Bořek Šípek for Franz Leitner, 1990
By B. Sipek
Located in București, B
The "PO LAM" cabinet was designed by Borek Sipek and produced by Leitner Interior Design for the
Copper
Unavailable
H 82.68 in W 43.31 in D 17.72 in
Bookcase Cabinet Donau, Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner, 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini
Located in Zagreb, HR
and Marco Zanini for the Austrian furniture maker Leitner interiors design. The bookcase is made
Metal
Unavailable
H 80.71 in W 66.93 in D 9.85 in
Postmodern "Otka" Wardrobe Unit by Bořek Šípek for Franz Leitner, 1990
By B. Sipek
Located in București, B
by Leitner Interior Design in the 1990s. The unit is made of hand-painted wood and features brass
Glass, Wood
Unavailable
H 82.68 in W 43.31 in D 17.72 in
"Donau" Cabinet by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Leitner, 1986
By Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in București, B
In 1986, Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini were invited by Austrian furniture producer Franz Leitner
Metal
Unavailable
H 28.75 in W 39.38 in D 27.56 in
"Donau" Prototype Blue Table by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Leitner, 1986
By Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in București, B
In 1986, Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini were invited by Austrian furniture producer Franz Leitner
Birdseye Maple
Unavailable
H 27.96 in W 31.5 in D 23.63 in
"Donau" Prototype Green Table by Ettore Sottsass&Marco Zanini for Leitner, 1986
By Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in București, B
In 1986, Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini were invited by Austrian furniture producer Franz Leitner
Birdseye Maple
Unavailable
H 40.56 in W 42.13 in D 84.65 in
"Donau" Single Bed by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Leitner, 1986
By Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in București, B
In 1986, Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini were invited by Austrian furniture producer Franz Leitner
Birdseye Maple, Burl
Unavailable
H 33.86 in W 27.17 in D 15.75 in
Pair of "Gudrun Am Leineufer" Corner Chairs by Bořek Šípek for Leitner, 1984
By B. Sipek
Located in București, B
produced by Leitner Interior Design in the 1984s. They are made from maple and ash wood, painted light blue
Maple, Beech
Sold
H 22.5 in W 18.5 in D 16 in
Rare Memphis Small Cabinet by Ettore Sottsass from the Donau Line by Leitner
By Sottsass Associati
Located in San Diego, CA
short period of time by the Austrian furniture maker Franz Leitner. A quintessentially bold and rare
Metal
Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zannini Donau Writing Desk and Chair
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zannini, “Donau” writing desk, circa 1986 Produced by Franz Leitner
Metal
Donau Secretaire by Ettore Sottsass Memphis Design
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
. 1990, blue lacquered wood feet, blue lacquered interior, and Birdseye maple made by Leitner. Ettore
Metal
Sold
H 82.25 in W 35.5 in D 25.5 in
'Donau' Postmodern Armoire by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Leitner, 1986
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare Postmodern 'Donau' armoire by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner (Austria
Metal
Desk/ Bureau and Chair Designed by Sottsass and Zanini 1986
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Berlin, Berlin
. The collection was labelled 'DONAU', produced by Franz Leitner in very small numbers. Produced in
Metal
Ettore Sottsass 'Donau' Side Table, 1985
By Marco Zannini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in The Hague, NL
short period of time by the Austrian furniture maker Franz Leitner. A quintessentially bold and rare
Metal
Sold
H 19 in W 19.75 in D 19.75 in
Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Leitner the Donau Collection Pieces
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A collaboration between Marco Zanini and Ettore Sottsass for the Leitner Company produced this very
Sold
H 22.45 in W 21.26 in D 13.39 in
Pair of "Donau" Nightstands by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Donau Leitner
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini
Located in București, B
The "Donau" nightstands were designed by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner in 1986
Metal
Sold
H 33.47 in W 21.26 in D 21.26 in
Set of 4 Memphis Donau Dining Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for Leitner, 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini
Located in BAARLO, LI
A set of four very rare 'Donau' chairs by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner, Austria
Wood, Burl
Sold
H 82 in W 43.5 in D 18 in
Rare Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini, Austria, circa 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zannini
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini and Franz Leitner. For the Austrian manufacturer
Burl, Wood
Sold
H 22.5 in W 19 in D 16 in
Rare Memphis End Tables by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini. Austria, 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zannini
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Memphis end tables by Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini and Franz Leitner. For the Austrian
Burl, Wood
Donau writing desk by Ettore Sottsass for Sottsass Associati.
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Amsterdam, NL
In association with the furniture maker Franz Leitner, this writing desk was a colloboration
Metal
$33,735 / item
H 31.5 in W 86.62 in D 98.43 in
Horizon Double Bed, by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Horizon Double bed designed in 1984 by Michele De Lucchi, in plastic laminate, with optional cotton bedspread (designed by Ettore Sottsass) optional. Michele De Lucchi was born in 1...
Plastic
$1,890 / item
H 19.3 in W 18.71 in D 3.23 in
Carlton Wood Miniature Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Here you are shown an authentic and perfect reproduction of the Carlton bookcase, originally designed in 1981 by Ettore Sottsass. The vivid colors and seemingly random interplay of s...
Wood, Plastic
$7,594Sale Price|30% Off
H 78.75 in W 80.32 in D 13.78 in
Suvretta Bookcase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
“Suvretta” is a Romansh word (language spoken in Engadine) that means: “above the small forest”. Like rows of overlapping trees, the books placed on the green shelves of Suvretta tak...
Laminate, Wood, Plywood, Scrap Wood
Sold|$11,900
H 31 in W 76 in D 35 in
Ettore Sottsass Tartar console table for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Chicago, IL
Tartar table designed by Ettore Sottsass, 1985. Memphis Milano label. The Tartar table encapsulates Ettore Sottsass’s distinctive style, his focus on geometric forms, and the patter...
Laminate
$2,810 / item
H 15.75 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Cream End Table by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Cream end table in plastic laminate by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: End table in plastic laminate. Collection: Memphis Milano Designer:...
Plastic
Gae Aulenti bed mod. ‘Tennis’ for Gavina, Italy 1972
By Gavina, Gae Aulenti
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Large king size bed by Gae Aulenti mod. ‘Tennis’ for Gavina, Italy 1972. Unique and iconic bed from the ‘Tennis‘ series referring to the round shapes and the typical stitching patter...
Leather, Wood
$2,890 / item
H 25.6 in W 19.69 in D 24.81 in
Kristall End Table, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Kristall end table in plastic laminate, lacquered wood and metal. Designed in 1981, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano. Michele De Lucchi was born in 1951 in Ferrara and gradu...
Wood, Plastic
$3,480 / item
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 16.93 in
Manhattan Trolley by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Manhattan trolley in metal and glass by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Trolley in metal and coloured glass. Collection: Memphis Milano De...
Metal
$18,541 / item
H 78.75 in W 80.32 in D 13.78 in
Suvretta Plastic Bookcase, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Suvretta bookcase in plastic laminate was originally designed in 1981, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated...
Plastic
$216,978
H 113 in W 40.16 in D 20.87 in
20th Century, Ettore Sottsass "Tower Furniture" Series Wall Cabinet
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Turin, Turin
Ettore Sottsass grew up in Turin, and graduated in architecture from the Turin Polytechnic in 1939. In 1947, he founded his own studio in Milan. In 1956, Sottsass moved to New York w...
Metal
$13,475 / item
H 14.97 in Dm 42.92 in
Park Lane Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Park Lane coffee table in fiberglass & marble by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Coffee table in fiberglass and marble. Collection: Memphis...
Fiberglass
$31,715 / item
H 90.56 in W 100.01 in D 19.69 in
Malabar Sideboard by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Malabar sideboard with cupboard in plastic by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Sideboard with cupboard in plastic laminate. Shelves in plasti...
Plastic
$33,000 / item
H 30.71 in W 76.78 in D 33.47 in
Tartar Table, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Tartar Table in laminated wood was originally designed in 1985, by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano. Ettore Sottsass was born in Innsbruck in 1917. In 1939 he graduated in archite...
Wood
Asteroid Lamp by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy, 1968
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Melbourne, VIC
The Asteroid Lamp is indeed a remarkable piece of design created by Ettore Sottsass in 1968. Ettore Sottsass was a prominent Italian designer and architect known for his innovative a...
Metal
$10,487 / set
H 92.52 in W 70.87 in D 17.72 in
Radical Design Kubirolo Cabinets by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy, 1960s
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Milan, IT
Scarce set of 7 Kubirolo modular shelving system by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova. The elements can be positioned in several ways, from full horizontal to vertical, creating differe...
Plastic, Wood
Maurice Calka for Leleu-Deshays, "Boomerang" Desk, France, 1970
By LeLeu Deshays, Maurice Calka
Located in New York, NY
“Boomerang” desk designed by Maurice Calka for Leleu. Marked: "CREATION M. CALKA EDITION LELEU DESHAYS" This desk was exhibited in the museum show "Leleu 50 ans de mobilier et de d...
Metal
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.