Modern Chess Board with Pieces El Ajedrez by Javier Mariscal
By Javier Mariscal
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Chess figures and board designed by Javier Mariscal on the occasion of the Olympic Games of
Metal
Candy Chess Table by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Candy Chess Table by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Resine. This chess
Resin
Chess Stool/ Sculptural Side Table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Two hand-turned wooden pieces with an elegant piano polish lacquer play together as sculptural stools or side table sets.
Resin, Wood
Chess Coffee Table 1 by Pilar Zeta
Located in Geneve, CH
Chess Coffee Table 1 by Pilar Zeta Limited Edition of 20 + 2AP pieces. Materials: Marble, aluminum
Marble, Aluminum, Metal
Chess Stool/ Sculptural Side Table (Concave)
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Two hand-turned wooden pieces with an elegant piano polish lacquer play together as sculptural stools or side table sets.
Resin, Wood
Chess Piece Sculpture 2 by Pilar Zeta
Located in Geneve, CH
Chess Piece Sculpture 2 by Pilar Zeta Limited Edition of 10 + 2AP pieces. Materials: Carrara
Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble
Chess Piece Sculpture 4 by Pilar Zeta
Located in Geneve, CH
Chess Piece Sculpture 4 by Pilar Zeta Limited Edition of 10 + 2AP pieces. Materials: Carrara
Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble
Chess Piece Sculpture 1 by Pilar Zeta
Located in Geneve, CH
Chess Piece Sculpture 1 by Pilar Zeta Limited Edition of 10 + 2AP pieces. Materials: Carrara
Marble, Travertine, Carrara Marble
Chess Piece Sculpture 3 by Pilar Zeta
Located in Geneve, CH
Chess Piece Sculpture 3 by Pilar Zeta Limited Edition of 10 + 2AP pieces. Materials: Carrara
Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble
$14,537 / item
H 17.72 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Candy Translucent Amber Resin Chess Table by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Candy Chess Table by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Resin. Available in
Resin
Vintage Signed Oversized Ceramic White Pawn Chess Piece Sculpture
Located in West Chester, PA
Vintage Large Signed Ceramic White Pawn Chess Piece Sculpture. The color is white even though some
Ceramic
$2,450
H 2.75 in W 16.5 in D 16.5 in
Michael Graves Postmodern Chess and Checkers Set, Maple Wood, 1990
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Michael Graves Postmodern Chess and Checkers Set. Original postmodern Michael Graves chess and
Resin, Wood
$1,035
H 17.72 in W 9.85 in D 9.85 in
Chess Stool/ Sculptural Side Table, Convex, in black piano finish
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
stools or side table sets. Directly referencing chess pieces, these stools luidically evidence objet's
Resin, Wood
$5,200
H 5.75 in W 18 in D 18 in
Michael Graves Postmodern Chess and Checkers Set Game Maple Wood Restored 1999
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in North Miami, FL
This original Postmodern Michael Graves chess set with checkers pieces has been fully restored with
Velvet, Wood
$21,162 / set
H 67.33 in W 11.42 in D 11.42 in
Set Of 2 Chess Sculptures in Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Chess Sculptures in Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 8
Stainless Steel
Modernist Boxed Wood Chess Pieces
Located in New Windsor, NY
A fine boxed set of carved wood modernist chessmen. The two sets are made of hardwood and sculpturally carved into very stylized forms. One set is in a blonde wood natural finish and...
Wood
Michael Graves Postmodern Chess and Checkers Set, Signed
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Miami, FL
Original Michael Graves chess and checkers set made of two tone maple wood. The chess pieces are
Maple
Chess Set Designed by Michael Graves Postmodern
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful set designed by Michael Graves, in credible design, with a Memphis Postmodern era look. Signature of his great designs.
Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 40 in D 17.75 in
Tessellated Stone Console Game Table Checkers Chess Backgammon, 1970's
By Maitland Smith
Located in Rochester, NY
Tessellated stone mosaic design console table w/ reversible chess / checkers / backgammon brass
Stone, Brass
Kiln-Formed Art Glass Chess Set with 24-Karat Gold Game Pieces
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Cold-worked art glass chess set, circa 1995. This set includes a full size board and all game
Gold
Sold
H 28 in W 27 in D 20 in
Freeform Organic Chess Table One of a Kind Craftsman Sculptural Wood Table
By Wendell Castle
Located in San Diego, CA
An incredible piece of art wood sculpted chees table one of a kind piece wood sculpted circa 1990's solid heavy beautiful .
Wood
Chess Stool/ Sculptural Side Table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
stools or side table sets. Directly referencing chess pieces, these stools luidically evidence objet's
Resin, Wood
African Hand Carved Stone Chess Set 1980
Located in Weesp, NL
This unique 1980 stone hand cut chess set was a gift from the government of Kenya to the Italian
Stone
Chess Stool/ Sculptural Side Table (Concave)
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Two hand-turned wooden pieces with an elegant piano polish lacquer play together as sculptural stools or side table sets.
Resin, Wood
Chess Stool/ Sculptural Side Table (Concave)
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Two hand-turned wooden pieces with an elegant piano polish lacquer play together as sculptural stools or side table sets.
Resin, Wood
Michael Graves Postmodern Chess and Checkers Set
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Original postmodern Michael Graves chess and checkers set. Maple wood chess and checkers set with
Maple
XL Marble Chess Set + Artisan Wood Board
Located in Round Top, TX
Extra large carved pink and black marble pieces with an artisan made oversized 22"W x 22"D chess
Marble
Michael Graves Postmodern Chess and Checkers Set, Signed
By Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern chess and checkers set rendered in two-tone maple, with composite pieces, designed by
Composition
Postmodern Lucite or Plexiglas Black and White Chess Set
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Very stylish chess board and game pieces made of Lucite. The board has been elegantly folded on
Lucite, Plexiglass
Vintage Italian Marble Chess Board with Hand Carved Pieces
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage heavy alabaster chess set complete board in beige and black marble with elaborately hand
Marble, Soapstone
Vintage Marble Chess Board with Hand Carved Turquoise Onyx Pieces
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage mid 20th century Mexican stone marble chess set complete board in white and brown marble
Marble, Stone, Onyx
Sold
H 0.5 in W 21 in D 21 in
Japanese "TomoKazu" Inlaid Marquetry Chess of Checkers board, Japan, circa 1980s
By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
Located in Miami, FL
Post-Modern Japanese chessboard or checkerboard. Rendered in an intricate inlay marquetry of walnut
Birch, Maple, Walnut, Burl
Sold
H 29.93 in Dm 29.14 in
Vintage English Flamed Walnut Chess Table with Marble Inset Board Hidden Drawer
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
marble chess board A very good looking well made and function piece of furniture, extremely decorative
Walnut
Sold
H 0.75 in W 10.75 in D 10.75 in
Semi Precious Stone Chess Set in Brown and Cream with Hand Carved Game Pieces
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
chess set is complete and includes each of the original hand-crafted pieces. The square board is quite
Stone, Onyx
Massimo Morozzi "Tangram" Chess Table for Cassina
By Massimo Morozzi
Located in Chicago, IL
game board and chess pieces.
Acrylic
$6,500
H 18 in W 12 in D 12 in
Echo III Slender Side Table/Stool in Rosé Transparent Solid Resin by Ian Cochran
By Ian Cochran
Located in New York, NY
Echo III Side Table in Rosé by Ian Alistair Cochran Represented by Tuleste Factory Solid Resin W 12" x L 12" x H 18" Like its predecessor, the Dew Drops, the Echo Series is a col...
Resin
$5,118 / item
H 56.11 in W 25.6 in D 19.1 in
Arcate sideboard, in Canaletto walnut by Accardibuccheri Medulum for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Il settimanale Arcate fa parte di una collezione esclusiva che include comodini e comò, ideata dal rinomato studio milanese Accardi Buccheri per il brand MEDULUM. La scocca, realizza...
Walnut
Modern Counter Stools in Walnut, Cicely Collection
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
These walnut counter height cicely stools are beautifully constructed from solid walnut in Ohio, USA. This stool was style-spotted at the Spring 2022 High Point Market. These stools ...
Walnut
Pair of 70s Style Italian Bamboo and Brass Table Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Monumental size Bamboo lamps. Crafted in Italy and made to order, these lamps are modern and chic. Production lead time 2-4 weeks. Base diameter 8 inches, hat diameter 20 inches, he...
Brass
$7,200 / item
H 14 in Dm 36 in
Grand Mid-Century Flush Mount Uplight Ceiling Lamp from Filmcasino Vienna, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
We are delighted to present this stunning bowl-shaped pendant light / uplight plafoniere / flush mount light fixture dating back to the 1950s. (Actually there were three pieces avail...
Metal, Aluminum, Brass
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Chile Stool This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern...
Wood, Oak
Russian Gardner Porcelain Chess Set
By Francis Gardner
Located in Delft, NL
Francis Gardner porcelain chess set A Russian chess set in Caricature, representing the Czarist Army, 1970s. Made by the Porcelain factory "Gardner", founded by the Englishman in 1...
Wood, Porcelain
$17,916
H 33.08 in W 27.56 in D 33.08 in
Brazilian Lounge Chair Martin Eisler & Carlo Hauner - "Costela" Forma, 1950s
By Forma, Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler
Located in Rosendahl, DE
This rare Costela Lounge Chair by Carlo Hauner and Martin Eisler, produced by Forma in the 1950s, features solid wood ribs paired with a vintage leopard-patterned teddy fabric. A tru...
Steel
$20,321 / set
H 29.53 in W 46.86 in D 35.83 in
Pair of Bambola Armchairs by Mario Bellini, Italy 1970s
By Mario Bellini
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of Bambola armchairs designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1972. Upholstered in a pink Toile de Jouy-style fabric with pastoral scenes. Fully padded structure with no ...
Fabric
$39,695
H 8.67 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Italian Sterling Silver Chess Board, Chess Game, Sodalite Marble
By Arval Argenti Valenza
Located in VALENZA, IT
Impressive sterling silver chess board medieval style chess set. The chess board, made by ARVAL ARGENTI VALENZA, was made in white marble and sodalite is supported by a STERLING SIL...
Marble, Sterling Silver
$1,800 / item
H 26 in W 18 in D 18 in
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Bertu Counter Stool, Cicely Modern Sheepskin Counter Stool, White Oak This Modern Cicely Counter Stool with Sheepskin Seat is beautifully constructed from solid white oak in Ohio, ...
Sheepskin, Wood, Oak
$2,500 / item
H 29 in Dm 19 in
Organic Modern Small Table Lamp Natural Wood Handmade Ivory Fluted Shade
By Isabel Moncada
Located in San Antonio, TX
PATA DE ELEFANTE SMALL table lamp was designed for the Atomic collection by Mexican artist Isabel Moncada. Named Pata de Elefante –Elephant's Foot– for the prominent shape at its ba...
Wood, Fabric, Linen, Fiberglass
Crackle Textured Handmade Ceramic Mushroom Lamp, Blue
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Every mushroom lamp is hand-made and hand-painted by Ethan Streicher, the founder and designer behind the Streicher Goods brand in Brooklyn, NY. The lamp's silhouette is simple and c...
Brass
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican Green Onyx
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble and Mexican onyx conglomerate, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a ...
Onyx
The 'Matisse' Etagere
Located in London, GB
The 'Matisse' wrought iron side table. A hand made and patinated wrought iron etagere with whimsical Matisse style cut-out decoration. Made to order based on a 1960s original. Avail...
Wrought Iron
$3,963
H 3.55 in W 20.67 in D 20.67 in
Antique Victorian Staunton Chess Pieces Set + Italian Marble Giltwood Chessboard
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this extremely rare original Victorian Staunton chess set with fine Italian marble giltwood chessboard A truly stunning and highly collectable ...
Marble
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.