$4,950
H 19 in W 32 in D 18 in
Vintage 'Donau' Collection Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini
By Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
The 'Donau' series was produced in very limited quantities by the Austrian furniture maker Franz Leitner.
Wood
$17,707
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 Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini
Located in Beograd, RS
It was designed by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner as a part of Donau Collection. This multipurpose cabinet is extremely functional, apart from being a true statem...
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 made from black-stained beech, ash and nickel-plated brass.
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
It was acquired directly from the family members of Franz Leitner, who have been since the 80s in their family properties.
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 "Pietat / Imitat / Ritual" series in the 1990s. The cabinet is made of hand-painted w...
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 Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Zagreb, HR
A rare Memphis design bookcase cabinet from the "Donau" series designed in 1986 by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for the Austrian furniture maker Leitner interiors design. The...
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
The “OTKA” wardrobe unit was designed by Borek Sipek for “Pietat/ Imitat/ Ritual” series produced by Leitner Interior Design in the 1990s. The unit is made of hand-painted wood and f...
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
It was acquired directly from the family members of Franz Leitner, who have been since the 80s in their family properties.
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
It was acquired directly from the family members of Franz Leitner, who have been since the 80s in their family properties.
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
It was acquired directly from the family members of Franz Leitner, who have been since the 80s in their family properties.
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, to design an entire collection. The result was the famous ‘Donau’ (Danube) collecti...
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
Pair of "Gudrun Am Leineufer" corner chairs by Borek Šípek for the “Pietat/ Imitat/ Ritual” series produced by Leitner Interior Design in the 1984s. They are made from maple and ash ...
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
Part of the 'Donau' series, the table was produced in a limited edition for only a short period of time by the Austrian furniture maker Franz Leitner. A quintessentially bold and rar...
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 Interior Design, Austria burled maple veneer, green lacquered metal.
Metal
Donau Secretaire by Ettore Sottsass Memphis Design
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ettore Sottsass; secretaire; cabinet; Italian design; Memphis design; A "Donau" writing desk, c. 1990, blue lacquered wood feet, blue lacquered interior, and Birdseye maple made ...
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 Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This rare Postmodern 'Donau' armoire by Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner (Austria) was executed from Birdseye Maple in 1986 and can serve equally as appropriately a...
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 Milano, Franz Leitner, 1986.
Metal
Ettore Sottsass 'Donau' Side Table, 1985
By Marco Zannini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in The Hague, NL
Part of the 'Donau' series, the table was produced in a limited edition for only a short period of time by the Austrian furniture maker Franz Leitner. A quintessentially bold and rar...
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 Austrian looking furniture. I believe this dates to the 1980s specifically 1986 an...
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 Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in București, B
The "Donau" nightstands were designed by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner in 1986. These Memphis pieces are part of the Donau Leitner Collection.
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 Marco Zanini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in BAARLO, LI
A set of four very rare 'Donau' chairs by Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Franz Leitner, Austria, 1980s. The wooden chairs are metallic green/anthracite and the back is made of bu...
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 Leitner, circa 1985.
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 Marco Zannini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Memphis end tables by Ettore Sottsass, Marco Zanini and Franz Leitner. For the Austrian furniture manufacturer Leitner, circa 1985.
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 between Leitner, Ettore Sottsass and Marco Zanini.
Metal
$1,650 / item
H 16.1 in Dm 11.5 in
'Plissé White Edition' Pleated Textile Table Lamp by Folkform for Örsjö
By Örsjö Industri AB
Located in Glendale, CA
'Plissé White Edition' pleated textile table lamp by Folkform for Örsjö. This unique table lamp was awarded “Lighting of the Year 2022” by Residence Magazine Sweden, who called it “...
Textile
Geometric Mid Century Open Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
Finished in Batavia Black with a Sandbar finish interior, this bookcase showcases rhythmic, crescent-shaped oval cut-outs that form an architectural silhouette—an homage to the sculp...
Wood
$9,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28 in W 85 in D 36 in
Stellar Pair Milo Baughman Yellow Leather Parsons Sofas Mid-Century Modern
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stellar pair of Milo Baughman yellow leather parsons sofas. This pair is in remarkable vintage condition with only light signs of age. The magnificent yellow leather has embroidere...
Leather
Pair of Delord & Garrault Floor to Ceiling Lamps
By Garrault-Delord
Located in Saint-Ouen, IDF
Pair of rare "Sol au plafond" (floor to ceiling) lamps, made of different section of metal tubes holding an enlightnen plexi globe. Adjustable height both at the top and bottom thank...
Metal, Chrome
$7,580 / item
H 70 in W 76 in D 12 in
Casey Lurie Studio Modern High "Primo" Shelving System in Walnut with Brass
By Casey Lurie
Located in Chicago, IL
“Shelving can be the most mundane thing you own, or it can be the beautiful bones of a room as pleasing to see as anything it displays. Casey Lurie’s Primo system would be the latter...
Brass, Stainless Steel, Metal
$14,000Sale Price|60% Off
H 79.5 in W 84 in D 108.5 in
Vintage 1949 Mid-Century Modern Custom L-Shaped Office Desk by George Nelson
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Lafayette, IN
This remarkable piece is a one-off desk/wardrobe/bar/bookcase/storage cabinet custom-designed by George Nelson in 1949 to match his Basic Cabinet Series (BCS) for Herman Miller. The ...
Aluminum
$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 Milano, Memphis Group
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
$88,500
H 56.5 in W 193 in D 45.625 in
Sculptural Wall-Mounted Teak Console in the Style of Ico Parisi, Italy
By Ico Parisi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An extraordinary and rare Mid-Century wall-mounted teak console, exquisitely crafted and evocative of the visionary work of Italian designer Ico Parisi. Strikingly sculptural and hig...
Steel
$8,027
H 55.12 in W 46.46 in D 16.93 in
Brutalist Style Italian Dry Bar made of Oak Wood, Hand-carved Drinks Cabinet
Located in Madrid, ES
Italian hand-carved oak wood bar cabinet with four folding doors and central interior shelf. Discover the essence of Italian style with our stunning contemporary oak wood bar cabin...
Wood
$12,500 / set
H 42.5 in W 40.5 in D 84.75 in
Ettore Sottsass & Marco Zanini for Leitner Donau Collection Bed and Nightstand
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and iconic Italian post-modern Donau Collection bed and matching nightstand designed by master architect and furniture designer Ettore Sottsass (Austria/Italy, 1917-2007) in c...
Laminate, Wood
$17,850
H 51 in W 43.75 in D 15.25 in
Barbarella Writing Desk / Secretary by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, 1966/1985
By Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass Barbarella cabinet for Poltronova, Italy. Designed in 1966, produced in 1985. The cabinet features three drawers over a drop-front writing surface concealing two draw...
Brass
$11,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 90 in D 35 in
Sensational Jack Lenor Larsen Velvet Sofa Milo Baughman Style Mid-Century Modern
By Jack Lenor Larsen, Swaim
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Sensational Milo Baughman style Swaim 3 seater sofa with luscious Jack Lenor Larsen Caravan Velvet Fabric. This magnificent sofa is in remarkable vintage condition with only light s...
Upholstery
$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 Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
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
$20,540
H 31.5 in W 23.63 in D 14.97 in
Ettore Sottsass Contemporary Modern Pair of Mod, "Demistella" Italian Consoles
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of demilune shape Console tables mod. "Demistella" designed by Ettore Sottsass. Composed of solid wood and three different marble pieces. Italy 1990s. Ettore Sottsass is one of...
Marble
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
Mandarin Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll (up to 30)
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Iconic Postmodern Mandarin chairs designed by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll in amazing period Uphostery original and in good condition. Black enamel steel legs and sculptural undulating ...
Steel
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.