1980s Postmodern Upholstered Cantilever Chairs With Chrome Finish - Set of 6
Located in Elkton, MD
Set of six 1980s postmodern cantilever chairs showcases iconic design with bold upholstered seats and backs. Two chairs feature armrests.
Metal
$1,797Sale Price|40% Off
1970 Estelle Laverne Inspired Lucite & Chrome Swivel Tulip Chairs, Pair
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Pair of original 1970 Lucite and chrome Post-modern swivel chairs, inspired by the designs of Estelle Laverne.
Metal, Chrome
$1,776Sale Price|20% Off
Bruno Mathsson for Dux Chrome Based Swivel Lounge Chair. 1 of 2
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Chicago, IL
This swivelling easy chair is a cross between the famous “Jetson” lounge chair and the “Karin” lounge chair by iconic Swedish designer, Bruno Mathsson for Dux of Sweden. All three ch...
Steel, Chrome
Set of 4 Alessandro Albrizzi Chrome & Cognac Suede Director Chairs
By Alessandro Albrizzi
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Exceptional set of four Alessandro Albrizzi director chairs featuring a crisp, architectural polished chrome frame paired with rich cognac suede (or nubuck-style) upholstery. The des...
Chrome
Pair of 1980s Postmodern Chrome Club Chairs by Bernhardt in Milo Baughman Style
By Bernhardt
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A wonderful pair of postmodern lounge chairs, circa 1970s–1980s, featuring dramatic chrome-plated cantilever bases that wrap elegantly around the barrel form. The original burnt ora...
Chrome
In The Style of Milo Baughman Chrome Base Curved Lounge Chair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Medina, OH
Please see pictures of detailed shots. Once this unique chair is reupholstered, it will be perfect for post-modern fans to add to a living room, office or lounge area.
Chrome
Italian postmodern dark blue velvet and chromed metal chairs with armrests 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern dark blue velvet and chromed metal chairs with armrests 1980s Set of four chairs with rectangular seat. The backrest extends to the floor, and is covered in deep d...
Metal
Postmodern Lucite + Chrome Folding Chairs (After Giancarlo Piretti), A Pair
By Marais international, (After) Gio Ponti, Yonel Lebovici, Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Round Top, TX
Fabulous pair of acrylic folding chairs in soft "barely" lavender. Designed with heavyweight chrome frames, and thick, bent acrylic seats and backs, in a Minimalist, Postmodern sty...
Chrome
Bruno Mathsson for Dux Chrome Based Swivel Lounge Chair. 2 of 2
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Chicago, IL
This swivelling easy chair is a cross between the famous “Jetson” lounge chair and the “Karin” lounge chair by iconic Swedish designer, Bruno Mathsson for Dux of Sweden. All three ch...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Luca Scocchetti for Poltrana Frau black leather on chrome lounge chairs
By Poltrona Frau, Luca Scacchetti
Located in Ferndale, MI
Post modern de constructed vision of a classic armchair .
Chrome
Ronald Schmitt Dining Chairs in Leather and Chrome - Three Available
By Ronald Schmitt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Priced individually per item/per chair. From the German manufacturer Ronald Schmitt and characterized by their high backrest and cantilever chromed metal frame. The padding is made f...
Chrome
$1,851Sale Price|20% Off
Unique Prototype Chair by Marcel Wanders with Chrome Flower Décor
By MARCEL WANDERS
Located in Doornspijk, NL
Unique piece by world famous Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. It was sold during a sample sale at MOOOI in Amsterdam in 2005. The chrome has a flower pattern. This chair never actuall...
Chrome
Kinetics Paolo Favaretto Giancarle Bisaglia Tubular Chrome Cantilever Arm Chairs
By Kinetics
Located in Stafford, TX
VINTAGE KINETICS PAOLO FAVARETTO TUBULAR CHROME CANTILEVER ARM CHAIRS! Very durable, heavy, solid and very comfortable! These clean easy and super strong! Chrome all in good conditi...
Chrome
Twelve cantilever black and white dining or conference chairs on chrome base
By Krug Furniture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Twelve practically new Krug Canada Dorso conference table or dining chairs . Excellent condition throughout seat upholstered in black vinyl or naugahyde , back rest in Kravet Italia...
Chrome
$923Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Anton Lorenz for Thonet "Ss33" Armchair in White + Chrome- One Chair
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning Anton Lorenz for Thonet Cantilevered Armchair in white. This is the Perfect opportunity to purchase just one as an accent chair! Only one chair available. Anton Lorenz (...
Chrome
Italian Chrome Plated Metal & Red Polyurethane dining Chairs, '90s, Set of 5
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This set i scomposed by 5 dining chairs. Chrome plated metal legs with 4 slats. Plastic feet. Monocoque seat in red soft polyurethane. Good condition: oxidation patina on the legs un...
Metal, Chrome
Set of Four Chrome Side Chairs by Romeo Rega, 1970s Green Suede
By Romeo Rega
Located in Queens, NY
Set of four contemporary Italian postwar design 1970s chrome side chairs with dark green suede upholstered seat and back panel (by ROMEO REGA). Matching game table is dealer referen...
Chrome
$2,590 / item
Vintage Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This 1970s chrome sling chair combines sleek, sturdy construction with a retro design. The chair features plush box cushions upholstered in light aqua leather. The chrome frame is so...
Chrome
$839Sale Price / set|20% Off
1990's Postmodern German Chrome Cantilever Arm Chairs - A Pair
By Herman Miller
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Postmodern pair of armchairs for sale. These were manufactured by design company Konig + Neurath in 1999, and are the Diva chairs. They were made in Germany, and have a Bauha...
Chrome
Set of Midcentury Italian Postmodern Black and Chrome Mesh Dining Chairs Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome set of four dining chairs made in Italy circa 1980s. They feature chrome frames, enameled mesh backs, and leather seats. Marked: ITALY.
Steel, Chrome
$3,715Sale Price / set|20% Off
4 chrome and black leather Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen Dark Horse chairs
By Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen, Botium
Located in Highclere, Newbury
A set of 4 rare and beautiful Rud Thygesen and Johnny Sorensen Dark Horse chairs in chrome and black leather for Botium, 1980s. The playful design elements of this postmodern seatin...
Chrome
Set of Eight Black Leather and Chrome steel Dining Room Chairs, Italy 1970s
By Gastone Rinaldi
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of Eight Black Leather and Chrome steel Dining Room Chairs, Italy 1970s These dining room chairs are a beautiful and iconic set of eight armchairs that were designed and produce...
Chrome
Chair Swivel Bar Stool White Plastic Chrome Italian Stefano Giovannoni Magis
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
- This iconic design is rotatable, adjustable in height and is made of high-quality materials. The seat is made of ABS (plastic) and the frame of chromium. - It is striking with a ...
Plastic
$1,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Mid-Century Modern Cube Form Lounge Chairs by Patrician After Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Patrician Furniture Co
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of black and chrome cube form lounge chairs, by the Patrician Furniture Company circa 1970's. The chairs feature angular chrome legs, with a cube form seat, of black vinyl ...
Chrome
Thank Lounge Chair in Chromed Metal & Upholstery With Armrests by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Thank Lounge Chair in Chromed Metal & Upholstery With Armrests by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 73 x W 75 x H 67 cm. Materials: Metal, wood, and upholstery. Available in different fin...
Metal
Pair of Postmodern Swivel Lounge Chairs in White Leather and Chrome, Italy 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find absolutely striking Mid Century Modern or early postmodern Swivel Lounge Chairs. They feature heavy, yet elegant round base done in stainless steel, wit...
Steel
Set of Four Chrome and Leather Dining Chairs by Gavina c 1960/1980's
By Cassina, Kazuhide Takahama
Located in New York, NY
Set of four leather and chrome dining chairs designed by Kazuhide Takahama for Cassina circa 1960-1970's. The chairs feature leather seats, arm rests and backs, on bright chrome fram...
Chrome
Hans Ullrich Bitsch Chairs Set of 6 Red Leather Chrome Metal Series 8600, 1980
By Kusch+Co, Hans Ullrich Bitsch
Located in Vienna, AT
Six dark red leather Hans Ullrich Bitsch chairs Series 8600, circa 1980 Wonderful dining room set of 6 oxblood red Hans Ullrich Bitsch chairs. Postmodern classics with thick sturdy ...
Chrome, Metal
Postmodern Italian Chromed Metal Lounge Armchair, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Very rare Postmodern armchair Made in Italy in the 80s Unknown designer and maker High quality
Metal, Chrome
LCCA Lounge Chair In Chrome Gold Aluminum & Ivory Beige Seat by Heilig Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
LCCA Lounge Chair In Chrome Gold Aluminum & Ivory Beige Seat by Heilig Objects Dimensions: D 72 x W 72 x H 77 cm. Materials: Aluminum and upholstery. Available in different finishes...
Aluminum
DIA Chrome and Pink Channel Back Dining Chairs, Design Institute America 1980
By Design Institute America
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of four sculptural post modern dining chairs by DIA, Design Institute America.
Ultrasuede
Postmodern Sling Chairs in the Style of Vecta Zermatt - a Pair
By Duncan Burke & Gunter Eberle 1, Vecta Group, Knoll, Milo Baughman
Located in Raleigh, NC
Postmodern pair of sling chairs in the style of Vecta Zermatt. This pair is made from tubular chrome frames. It gets its “sling” name from the upholstery that wraps around the slides...
Chrome
$463Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Design Chair by Pierantonio Bonacina, Italy, 1990's
By Pierantonio Bonacina
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Postmodern Modern Italian Design dining chair by Pierantonio Bonacina, made in Italy 1990's. Steer head bend bentwood pressed wood back with rattan woven seat on chrome metal base. C...
Metal, Chrome
Giancarlo Piretti, Original Plia Folding Chair for Anonima Castelli, 1967
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in London, GB
The Plia is one of Anonima Castelli's all-time landmarks and an iconic example of “Made in Italy” design. Over the years, he was awarded the “compasso d’oro adi” twice. Originally ...
Aluminum, Chrome
Giancarlo Piretti, Original Plia Folding Chair for Anonima Castelli, 1967
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in London, GB
The Plia is one of Anonima Castelli's all-time landmarks and an iconic example of “Made in Italy” design. Over the years, he was awarded the “compasso d’oro adi” twice. Originally ...
Aluminum, Chrome
1990s Postmodern Folding Chair in the Rodney Kinsman'd Style
By Rodney Kinsman
Located in Miami, FL
1990s Postmodern Folding Accent Chair in the Rodney Kinsman'd Style. Features a Memphis Group inspired design with a bent chromed frame with what seems to be faux leather seat and b...
Chrome
Set of 4 Impeccable Handkerchief Chairs by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 stacking 'Handkerchief' chairs designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International. This set was produced in 1991 and retains its original tags. Massimo and Lell...
Chrome
Giancarlo Piretti, Red Original Plia Folding Chair for Anonima Castelli, 1967
By Giancarlo Piretti
Located in London, GB
The Plia is one of Anonima Castelli's all-time landmarks and an iconic example of “Made in Italy” design. Over the years, he was awarded the “compasso d’oro adi” twice. Originally ...
Aluminum, Chrome
$695Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Italian Design Leather Dining Chair set by Segis, Italy 1990's
By Segis
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Modern Italian Design Leather Dining Chair set by Segis, made in Italy 1990's. Beautiful slender designed chairs. Marked with label, Segis. Beige thick sown leathe...
Metal, Chrome
$3,400
Angular Lounge Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s. Reupholstered in grey alpaca wool. Chrome legs.
Chrome
$2,644Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Italian Design Leather Dining Chair Set by Segis, Italy, 1990's
By Segis
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Italian design natural leather dining chair set of 7 chairs by Segis, made in Italy in the early 1990's. Thick natural leather on chrome metal frame. Well patinate...
Metal, Chrome
Nathalie chair designed by Nathalie du Pasquier for Memphis Milano ca. 1990
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Memphis Milano
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Nathalie chair designed by Nathalie du Pasquier for Memphis Milano, 1987 Manufactured by Memphis Milano, circa 1990 The French artist and designer Nathalie du Pasquier was one of t...
Steel, Chrome
Pair of Vintage Cognac Leather P40 Chairs by Vegni & Gualtierotti for Fasem
By Fasem International, Giancarlo Vegni & G. Gualtierotti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of vintage cognac leather P40 chairs by Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti for Fasem. Original labels under the seats. The frame rolls the back into the arms in one uni...
Steel, Chrome
Jay Spectre Eclipse Chair by Century
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Highland, IN
Designed by Jay Spectre for Century, the "Eclipse" lounge chair is a post-modern take on Deco design. Crafted of oak with a black lacquer finish, it features a terrific build quality...
Chrome
$1,183 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and chrome. Finish: Shorn white sheepskin and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Ava...
Chrome
$1,183 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and chrome. Finish: Wild white sheepskin and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Avai...
Chrome
$1,183 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and chrome. Finish: Wild brown sheepskin and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Avai...
Chrome
$1,183 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and chrome. Finish: Shorn brown sheepskin and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Ava...
Chrome
$1,183 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and chrome. Finish: Wild grey sheepskin and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Avail...
Chrome
$1,183 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and chrome. Finish: Shorn grey sheepskin and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Avai...
Chrome
$1,183 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and chrome. Finish: Wild black sheepskin and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Avai...
Chrome
$1,183 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and chrome. Finish: Shorn black sheepskin and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Ava...
Chrome
$1,229 / item
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 86 x W 87 x H 92 cm. Materials: Leather and chrome. Finish: Ocean Blue leather and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Available i...
Chrome
$1,229 / item
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 86 x W 87 x H 92 cm. Materials: Leather and chrome. Finish: Grass Green leather and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Available ...
Chrome
$1,229 / item
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 86 x W 87 x H 92 cm. Materials: Leather and chrome. Finish: Oak leather and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Available in diffe...
Chrome
$1,229 / item
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 86 x W 87 x H 92 cm. Materials: Leather and chrome. Finish: Crude Nature leather and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Available...
Chrome
$1,229 / item
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pampa Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 86 x W 87 x H 92 cm. Materials: Leather and chrome. Finish: Montana leather and chrome frame. Weight: 12 kg. Available in d...
Chrome
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.
With entire areas of our homes reserved for “sitting rooms,” the value of quality antique and vintage seating cannot be overstated.
Fortunately, the design of side chairs, armchairs and other lounge furniture — since what were, quite literally, the early perches of our ancestors — has evolved considerably.
Among the earliest standard seating furniture were stools. Egyptian stools, for example, designed for one person with no seat back, were x-shaped and typically folded to be tucked away. These rudimentary chairs informed the design of Greek and Roman stools, all of which were a long way from Sori Yanagi's Butterfly stool or Alvar Aalto's Stool 60. In the 18th century and earlier, seats with backs and armrests were largely reserved for high nobility.
The seating of today is more inclusive but the style and placement of chairs can still make a statement. Antique desk chairs and armchairs designed in the style of Louis XV, which eventually included painted furniture and were often made of rare woods, feature prominently curved legs as well as Chinese themes and varied ornaments. Much like the thrones of fairy tales and the regency, elegant lounges crafted in the Louis XV style convey wealth and prestige. In the kitchen, the dining chair placed at the head of the table is typically reserved for the head of the household or a revered guest.
Of course, with luxurious vintage or antique furnishings, every chair can seem like the best seat in the house. Whether your preference is stretching out on a plush sofa, such as the Serpentine, designed by Vladimir Kagan, or cozying up in a vintage wingback chair, there is likely to be a comfy classic or contemporary gem for you on 1stDibs.
With respect to the latest obsessions in design, cane seating has been cropping up everywhere, from sleek armchairs to lounge chairs, while bouclé fabric, a staple of modern furniture design, can be seen in mid-century modern, Scandinavian modern and Hollywood Regency furniture styles.
Admirers of the sophisticated craftsmanship and dark woods frequently associated with mid-century modern seating can find timeless furnishings in our expansive collection of lounge chairs, dining chairs and other items — whether they’re vintage editions or alluring official reproductions of iconic designs from the likes of Hans Wegner or from Charles and Ray Eames. Shop our inventory of Egg chairs, designed in 1958 by Arne Jacobsen, the Florence Knoll lounge chair and more.
No matter your style, the collection of unique chairs, sofas and other seating on 1stDibs is surely worthy of a standing ovation.