$18,500
H 77.25 in W 75 in D 15.75 in
MEMPHIS "CARLTON" Cabinet / Ettore Sottsass (Italy) / PostModern
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
laminate, a subversion of high and low. The vivid colors and seemingly random interplay of solids and
Laminate, Wood
Teodora Chair by Ettore Sottsass, 1984, Vitra Editions
By Ettore Sottsass, Vitra
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass designed the Teodora chair for Vitra Editions shortly after leaving the Memphis Group in 1985. Signed with decal manufacturer's label to underside: [Vitra 09.91]. ...
Acrylic, Laminate
$32,329
H 77.17 in W 74.81 in D 15.75 in
Carlton 30th Anniversary Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Design
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Ravenna, IT
Carlton is the most famous and iconic of all the objects designed for Memphis Milano. The piece was designed by Ettore Sottsass and first presented at the historic Memphis exhibition...
Laminate, Wood
$17,500
H 89.5 in W 69 in D 19 in
MEMPHIS "BEVERLY" Cabinet/Sideboard / Ettore Sottsass (Italy) / PostModern
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Ettore Sottsass considered the Beverly sideboard a pivotal piece for the first MEMPHIS collection. The diagonal upright support fabricated of birds-eye maple was meant to infer the p...
Chrome
Black Tree Console Shelf by Elisabeth Hertzfeld
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige tree console shelf by Elisabeth Hertzfeld Materials: Fenix Laminate Dimensions: D 35 x W
Laminate
$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 Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group, Marco Zanini, Memphis Milano
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and iconic Italian post-modern Donau Collection bed and matching nightstand designed by
Laminate, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Cantone Corner Shelves, Italy, 1981
By Zanotta, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dronten, NL
. Constructed with high-quality wood and featuring Sottsass’ characteristic the original "Bacterio" laminate
Silver
Bone Air Chair by Memphis Milano Designer Peter Shire
By Peter Shire
Located in Kansas City, MO
design in green, gray, and orange laminate with a purple seat cushion and grey backrest cushion. All
Upholstery, Laminate, Wood
$44,000
H 32.51 in W 94.51 in D 21.01 in
Paul Evans for Directional Rare 'Cityscape' 'Steel Hinged' Sideboard in Chrome
By Directional, Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
glass, chrome-plated steel, lacquered High Pressure Laminate, United States, 1970s This 'Steel Hinged
Steel, Chrome
'Side Table 10' Side Table by Peter Shire, 1984
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage side table by Peter Shire, 1984. Birch solid core plywood and Laminate. Exact dimensions
Laminate, Plywood
'Side Table 9' Side Table by Peter Shire, 1984
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage side table by Peter Shire, 1984. Birch solid core plywood and laminate. Exact dimensions
Laminate, Plywood
$3,000
H 8 in W 8 in D 8 in
MEMPHIS-style GRACIEUX ACCUEIL Lidded Box (1983) / Nathalie Du Pasquier (France)
By Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
its modern attitude and because it wasn’t “overwhelmed by the beauty of the past.” There, she met her
Chrome
Pyramid quartz watch by Seiko, Japan, 1980s
By Seiko
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Pyramid Quartz Clock produced in the 1980s by SEIKO, with its pyramidal shape, so unique, gives the object a futuristic character, but with a deeply retro soul. A timeless piece of d...
Plastic, Laminate
MEMPHIS "LIDO" Sofa / Michele De Lucchi / PostModern
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
contemporary interior. The structure in wood, metal, and plastic laminate is padded and upholstered in cotton
Steel
Vintage Postmodern White Illuminated Wall Unit Dry Bar Display Case
Located in Lutz, FL
1980’s Post Mod White Lacquered Wall Unit Dry Bar Display Cabinet. An incredible wall unit/dry bar
Metal
$87,000
H 77.76 in W 24.22 in D 24.22 in
Rare Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio 'PE72' Cabinet in Sculpted Bronze
By Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Paul Evans Studio, cabinet, model 'PE72', epoxy bronzed resin over laminate, smoked
Slate, Bronze, Steel
Ettore Sottsass Memphis Milano Diva Vintage Wall Mirror, Italy, 1984
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in Vienna, AT
A post-modern wall-mounted mirror, Model „Diva" designed in 1984 by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis
Glass, Mirror, Laminate, Wood
1980s Waterfall Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
-20th-century postmodern design. Constructed of stainless steel with a striped laminate finish, the
Stainless Steel
$15,300
H 69.3 in W 25.6 in D 19.69 in
Italian Postmodern Sculptural Wall Shelf by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta 1980
By Zanotta, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Manufacture: 1980 In style: Italian Postmodern, Memphis Materials & Techniques: laminate wood, chrome
Marble, Chrome
Set of 3 Day Bench, Pillow & Headrest by Bicci De Medici
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 day bench, pillow & headrest by Bicci de Medici Dimensions: 147 x 33 x H 33.7 cm Materials: Natural wood. Oiled. Mat finished. Linen pillow and headrest. Technique: Carve...
Linen, Wood
Circus Sideboard by Studio Roso
Located in Geneve, CH
Circus Sideboard by Studio Roso Dimensions: D177 x W75 x H47 cm Material: Wood, glass, steel Weight: 46 kg Studio Roso is a partnership between Sophie Nielsen and Rolf Knudsen...
Steel
Memphis Milano Tahiti Lamp by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
decorative laminate. Adjustable light point. Includes Certificate of Authenticity.
Metal
Rare Smoked Glass and Chrome Cabinet or Vitrine by Pierre Cardin
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large smoked glass and chrome cabinet or vitrine by Pierre Cardin. Three doors and six compartments. Can be backlighted (optional). A spectacular piece in any room.
Chrome
Black Pedestal Cube End Table
Located in New York, NY
A black gloss laminate veneered pedestal or cube end table, '70s Modern/Postmodern period, circa
Laminate, Wood
$7,194
H 33.08 in W 70.87 in D 16.54 in
Superstudio for Zanotta Quaderna 710 Console Black silkscreen print on white
By Superstudio, Zanotta
Located in London, GB
Superstudio for Zanotta Quaderna 710 Console Black silkscreen print on white plastic laminate H84 x
Plastic, Laminate
Ettore Sottsass "Cream" occasional table for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Skokie, IL
Cream end table in plastic laminate by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection. Applied
Plastic, Plywood
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
$3,900
H 78.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
MEMPHIS "TERMINUS" Floor Lamp / Martine Bedin (France) / early design MEMPHIS
By Martine Bedin
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
pragmatic décor object will add elegance and postmodernist flare to a modern living room, study, or entryway
Metal
Rare Smoked Glass and Chrome Cabinet or Vitrine by Pierre Cardin
By Pierre Cardin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large smoked glass and chrome cabinet or vitrine by Pierre Cardin. Three doors and six compartments. Can be backlighted (optional). A spectacular piece in any room.
Chrome
$2,875Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 29.5 in W 63 in D 33.5 in
"Big-Superbig" Desk Suite by Guido Faleschini for Mariani Via Pace Collection
By Pace Collection, i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
Located in Hanover, MA
***SALE*** Stylish and high quality executive office ensemble produced in 1976 by i4Mariani Italy, designed by architect Guido Faleschini and retailed in the USA through Pace Collec...
Chrome
Malabar Bookshop by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milan
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Ravenna, IT
Malabar is a cabinet-bookcase designed by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano in 1982 and purchased in 2000. Production number 21. Sold with certificate of Authenticity. Featuring she...
Metal
$67,649
H 72.45 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Contemporary Art Ceramic Totem Chocolate Piece Number 33/99 by Ettore Sottsass
By Mirabili, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
phenomenon in renewing the Art of Living with a modern feeling for the old.
Ceramic, Wood
$77,318
H 75.6 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Contemporary Art TOTEM Clair De Lune Light Blue White N/Edit. by Ettore Sottsass
By Mirabili, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Pistoia, IT
Limited edition of 29 pieces. From Primitive clay magma, by playing with shapes, Sottsass makes the “philosophy” of a state of mind visible and concrete: as if in the musical atmosph...
Ceramic, Wood
1980s Postmodern Marbleized Formica Wall Mirror
Located in Miami, FL
stone / marbleized pattern laminated frame with an arched top mirror. In excellent near mint original
Formica
$13,745
H 16.93 in W 18.51 in D 5.12 in
Ettore Sottsass for Alchimia “Capodanno” No. 71 Table Lamp, 1979
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Weesp, NL
laminate, the posts gleam in brass (structurally impossible at scale), and the beam remains gloriously
Brass
Irregular Mirror with Polished, Beveled Edge
Located in York, CA
The Concord mirror is part of our exploration into decorative objects. The unique shape features a bevelled edge and is available in custom dimensions as well as finishes.
Aluminum, Steel
$2,388Sale Price|40% Off
H 68 in W 19 in D 12.5 in
1980s Postmodern Lucite/Mixed Media Light Sculpture with Pedestal
Located in Miami, FL
, paper, and brass, over a multilayered lucite frame. The base is made out of pressed wood laminated with
Brass
'Rocket' Bookshelf by Peter Shire, 1986-1987
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Vintage bookshelf by Peter Shire, 1986-1987. Birch solid core plywood and Abet Laminati Laminate
Metal
Timeless Glow Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
: Laminated glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired
Glass
Euphoria Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Euphoria Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 12 x W 12 x H 25 cm. Materials: Laminated
Glass
Scarlet Sunset Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
: Laminated glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired
Glass
Mermaid Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Mermaid Table Lamp by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 35 cm. Materials: Laminated
Glass
$1,250
H 20 in W 8.25 in D 1.75 in
Howard Miller George Nelson 1984 Checkerboard Table Clock, "Tempo 21" Tower 3
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Kansas City, MO
) lacquered wood, laminate, acrylic, plastic, enameled aluminum literature: 'George Nelson: Architect
Aluminum
Postmodern Waterfall Console, 1980s, USA
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Custom postmodern waterfall console table in mauve laminate. Good condition with minor scratches
Laminate, Wood
$8,250
H 8 in W 20 in D 22 in
Air Conditioning Collection Lamp by Johanna Grawunder for Design Gallery Milano
By Design Gallery Milano, Johanna Grawunder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Collection for Design Gallery Milano. A rectangular wood form covered in anthracite-colored laminate with
Glass, Laminate, Wood
Multicolor Quilted Paper and Thread Wall Tapestry by Kelly Kozma
By Kelly Kozma
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Magma & Reef" is a one-of-a-kind wall-hanging statement piece as part of Kelly Kozma's newest collection "Watch Me Backflip". This large crafted piece is hand-sewn by the artist in ...
Textile, Tapestry, Thread, Paper
Vintage Postmodern Faux Coral Console Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
, a sophisticated sofa table, or an artful display surface in a modern living room. Presented in
Glass, Resin, Laminate, Wood
Plato Pouf No 1 by Yasemin Toygar
Located in Geneve, CH
Plato Pouf No 1 by Yasemin Toygar Dimensions: D 40 x H 46 cm Materials: Satin Brass, Marble, White Boucle Fabric Plato Collection Inspired by the geometric still life, Plat...
Marble, Brass
Plato Pouf No 2 by Yasemin Toygar
Located in Geneve, CH
Plato pouf no 2 by Yasemin Toygar Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 46 cm Materials: satin brass, marble and onyx, blue velvet fabric Plato Collection Inspired by the geometric s...
Marble, Onyx, Brass
Plato Pouf No 3 by Yasemin Toygar
Located in Geneve, CH
Plato Pouf No 3 by Yasemin Toygar. Dimensions: W 92 x D 40 x H 46 cm Materials: Satin Brass, marble and onyx, orange velvet fabric. Plato Collection Inspired by the geometr...
Onyx, Marble, Brass
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.
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
Alessandro Mendini, Michael Graves, Ettore Sottsass and other design luminaries contributed to this unusual collection of porcelain wares representing a time capsule of late-20th-century decorative art.
Aided by photos taken of the maestro in his Milan studio, we honor the influential design talent who died last month at 87.
Adam Charlap Hyman and Andre Herrero, rising young design talents, are debuting a new, eclectic line of textiles.