A Set of 4 MEMPHIS POST-MODERN CHAIRS, Italy 1980
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 4 Post-Modernist chairs, Memphis, Bauhaus, metal structures with square section and
Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Chairs
Metal
A Set of 4 MEMPHIS POST-MODERN CHAIRS, Italy 1980
By Willy Rizzo
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 4 Post-Modernist chairs, Memphis, Bauhaus, metal structures with square section and
Metal
A Set of 4 MEMPHIS POST-MODERN CHAIRS by EMILIO NANNI for FLY-LINE, Italy 1980
By Fly Line
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 4 stackable chairs, Post-Modernist, Constructivist, Memphis, complex geometric structures
Metal
1980s Post-Modern Memphis Style Chairs, 3 Pairs Available
By Memphis Group
Located in Miami, FL
1980s Post-Modern Memphis Style chairs- 3 Pairs available Offered for sale is a pair of 1980s
Metal
Post modern chair 80s Memphis movement, Ettore Sottsass spirit
By Philippe Starck, Pierre Sala, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Paris, FR
Post modern chair 80s Memphis movement, spirit of Ettore Sottsass, Starck, Ettore Sottsass, Pierre
Metal
Memphis Style Vintage Beech Animal Zebra Side Chair Italy, 1980s
By Memphis Milano
Located in Vienna, AT
Memphis style vintage beechwood chair or side chair with zebra pattern upholstery Italy, 1980s. A
Fabric, Beech
Post modern Memphis dining chairs in bouclé, 1980s
Located in Zaandam, NL
Gorgeous set of 6 memphis dining chairs in turquoise with white bouclé upholstery on metal wire
Metal, Chrome
Post Modern Memphis Style Club Lounge Chair by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in New York, NY
Pure 1980's Postmodern, memphis influence lounge, arm chair. Gutsy tapered legs support the
Upholstery, Wood
$3,277Sale Price|30% Off
Charles Hollis Jones Postmodern Memphis Inspired Lounge Chair
By Memphis Group
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Memphis-inspired asymmetric sculptural lounge chair with unique tri-color design and acrylic legs
Leather, Wood
Memphis Milano Palace Chair by George J. Sowden
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
The solemnity and essentiality of Palace by George J. Sowden make this chair a true icon of the
Wood, Lacquer
Set of 8 Post Modern Multi-Colored Memphis Style Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 8 American Memphis-style (early 90s) metal framed side chairs with multicolored upholstered
Metal
$1,950Sale Price / set|35% Off
Set of 6 Post Modern tan gloss Lacquer curved dining chairs made in Italy
By Memphis Milano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of (6) Post Modern Tan / cream Gloss Lacquer curved tall back dining chairs Memphis Milano
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Three Whimsical Sawaya and Moroni Post Modern Memphis Style Occasional Chairs
By Luigi Serafini, Sawaya & Moroni
Located in Ferndale, MI
Milan Italy . Post modern Memphis style chairs always brings a smile to my face . Circular backrest has
Steel
1980ies Palace chair designed by George Sowden for Memphis Milano
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
1980ies Memphis Milano Palace chair in colored lacquered wood designed by George Sowden, 1983
Plywood
$3,000Sale Price / set|25% Off
Set of 6 post modern dining chairs by Peter Handler Studio
By Peter Handler, Memphis Milano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of six post modern dining chairs from Peter Handler Studio with anodized aluminum frames with
Aluminum
Kim Chair by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis-Milano, 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Renens, CH
The Kim chair was designed by the Italian architect Michele de Lucchi in 1987: De Lucchi was one of
Steel
1980s Memphis Style Slipper Chairs by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, a Pair
By Milo Baughman, Memphis Milano
Located in Roanoke, VA
restrained, idealized Modernism, Baughman designed a small collection of 11 colorful, post-modern pieces and
Textile
Set of 8 + 1 post modern Memphis style dining chairs, 1980s by Lübke
By Lübke
Located in Zaandam, NL
Wonderful set of 8 + 1 "Memphis" post modern dining chairs by Lübke, Germany 1980s in the rare
Metal
$5,997Sale Price / set|50% Off
Set of 4 Italian Post-Modern / Memphis Dining Chairs by Massimo Iosa Ghini
By Massimo Iosa Ghini
Located in New York, NY
Set of 4 Italian Post-Modern / Memphis Bolidist "Velox" dining chairs by Massimo Iosa Ghini for
Steel
Nathalie chair designed by Nathalie du Pasquier for Memphis Milano ca. 1990
By Memphis Milano, Nathalie du Pasquier
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Nathalie chair designed by Nathalie du Pasquier for Memphis Milano, 1987 Manufactured by Memphis
Steel, Chrome
Kim Steel and Plywood Chair Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Original 1980s
By Memphis Group, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Kim chair designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1987. Made of unique shaped black steel frame and bent
Steel
Set of 4 post modern wood and wool chairs, Italy 1970s
By Vico Magistretti, Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group
Located in ECHT, NL
Set of 4 post modern design dining chairs. Quality made chairs made from solid wood. The seats have
Wool, Wood
Glouchester chair by George Sowden for Memphis Milano
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano
Located in Ravenna, IT
Sowden per Memphis Milano nel 1986. Come per molti pezzi della collezione Memphis, il nome del pezzo è
Wood
$1,200Sale Price / item|40% Off
Post modern Anna Anselmi for Bieffeplast chair white metal rubber tubular frame
By Memphis Milano, Bieffeplast, Anna Anselmi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
for (1) Chair Each chair measures H 30" W 24" Depth 20"
Metal
MEMPHIS "FIRST" Chair / Michele De Lucchi (Italy) / Postmodern Chair
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The Most Popular MEMPHIS Chair!!! FIRST is an iconic and sculptural creation conceived by Michele
Metal
Sottsass Inspired Memphis Milano Chair, Italy, 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
Playful and sophisticated, this Memphis-style chair captures the essence of postmodern design with
Steel
KFF Trix Memphis chair by Karl Friedrich Förster, 1988
By Karl Friedrich Förster, KFF
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This Memphis-style Trix chair features a black metal frame and a natural-colored seat and backrest
Metal
1980s Sculptural Coned Leopard Velvet Steel Swivel Stools Chairs
By Memphis Group
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, velvet leopard print, swivel stools you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful set is s...
Steel
KFF Trix Memphis Chair by Karl Friedrich Förster, 1988 Sottsass Postmodern
By Karl Friedrich Förster, KFF
Located in Munster, NRW
This Memphis-style Trix chair features a metal frame and a natural-colored seat and backrest. The
Steel
Vintage Memphis Milano Cassini Style Tall Ladder Back Chairs, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Memphis Milano Cassini Style Tall Ladder Back Chairs, Pair Offered for sale is a pair of
Metal
Memphis Sculptural in Pink Velvet & Black Legs Dining Chair Vértigo
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
The Vértigo Dining Chair captures the tension between chaos and control. With its sharp silhouette
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Memphis Sculptural in Pink Velvet & Blue Legs Dining Chair Vértigo
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
The Vértigo Dining Chair captures the tension between chaos and control. With its sharp silhouette
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Memphis Sculptural in Pink Velvet & Red Legs Dining Chair Vértigo
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
The Vértigo Dining Chair captures the tension between chaos and control. With its sharp silhouette
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
$2,393Sale Price / set|53% Off
Post modern Memphis style artistic writing desk and chair, Germany 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group, Gaetano Pesce
Located in ECHT, NL
Unique artistic writing desk and chair. The frame is made from steel and wrought iron in different
Metal
$2,355Sale Price / set|20% Off
Memphis Style Lacquered Iron Black Leatherette Four Chairs Set, Italy, 1980
By Philippe Starck
Located in Madrid, ES
Set of four contemporary chairs attributed to Philip Stark. The chairs are composed of a black
Iron
A Sculptural POSTMODERN MEMPHIS chair, in the style of PIERRE SALA, France 1980
By Pierre Sala
Located in PARIS, FR
A sculptural postmodern chair, construction of geometrical pieces of wood based on 3 legs, straight
Wood
Bone Air Chair by Memphis Milano Designer Peter Shire
By Peter Shire
Located in Kansas City, MO
Peter Shire bone chair designed and made in the Studio of Peter Shire, 1983. Only two of these
Upholstery, Laminate, Wood
Set of 4 Sottsass Inspired Memphis Style Dining Chairs
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
influenced by the bold aesthetic of Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group. Designed in the 1980s, the chairs
Metal
Chair First by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano, Italy, 1981
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
An iconic First chair designed in 1981 by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano. This celebrated
Metal
Pair of Steel Italian Memphis Architectural Chairs Attributed to Mario Botta
By Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of steel Italian Memphis architectural chairs attributed to Mario Botta. Extreme design with
Steel
$2,614Sale Price|20% Off
Les Amisco Memphis Ellipse Metal and Black Leather Rocking Chair
By Les Industries Amisco
Located in Basel, BS
Fantastic, and very Rare MCM Post-Modern, Memphis style rocker made in Canada by Les Amisco in the
Metal
1980s Italy Post-Modern Salmistraro Augusto Mandelli Walter Selva
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Rare Post-modern Memphis style chair designed by Augusto Mandelli and Walter Selva for Salmistraro
Leather, Velvet
1980s Ettore Sottsass Inspired Memphis Style Black Wood Frame Rocking Chair
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fun Ettore Sottsass inspired Memphis style rocking chair with bent, black ebonized wood frame. This
Upholstery, Wood
5 Postmodern Memphis Milano Style Chairs from the 1980s
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
5 Memphis Milano style chairs, newly upholstered with a beautiful blue-green color fabric. Black
Metal
Memphis Design Postmodern Geometrical Stackable Dining Chairs by KFF 80s Germany
By KFF, Karl Friedrich Förster
Located in Zagreb, HR
One of seven steel and plywood postmodern chairs designed in the 1980s in Germany by Karl Friedrich
Metal
Postmodern Memphis Style Chair with Red Faux Leather Upholstery, 1980s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
A unique vintage postmodern Memphis Milano style dining or accent chair, made from metal, with a
Metal
$1,591Sale Price / set|20% Off
KFF Trix Memphis set of two dining chairs by Karl Friedrich Förster, 1988
By KFF, Karl Friedrich Förster
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
classic chairs. The chairs are all characterized by typical KFF features and a connection to the Memphis
Metal
"First" Wood and Metal Chair, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Beirut, LB
Striking and bold, this chair designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1983 for Memphis will be a superb
Metal
Set of 4 Memphis Style Postmodern Dining Chairs in Purple and Yellow
Located in Zagreb, HR
Set of four vibrant postmodern vintage dining chairs with high backrests upholstered in purple
Metal
Set of Four Memphis Wooden Curved Back Dining Chairs with Warm Gray Seats
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Ettore Sottsass inspired Memphis style wood dining chairs with curved back rests and warm
Upholstery, Wood
Set of 4 Postmodern Memphis Era Thonet Vienna Stackable Dining Chairs, 90s
By Thonet
Located in Zagreb, HR
Set of four exceptionally rare and collectible, postmodern Memphis design original Thonet dining
Metal
Pair of Vintage Ikea Postmodern Memphis MAXMO Metal Dining Chairs, 1980s IKEA
By IKEA
Located in Zagreb, HR
Set of two vintage 1980s Ikea MAXMO white and yellow metal dining chairs. Rare and collectible
Metal
1980s Set of Four Harvink "Zino" Memphis Style Dining Chairs w/ Triangular Backs
By Harvink
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Memphis style tall black painted wooden triangle-back dining chairs with original fabric seats on
Metal
Set of 6 Memphis style postmodern powder-coated iron dining chairs, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
A set of 6 Memphis style postmodern dining chairs, USA 1980s. Heavy powder-coated iron or steel
Iron
1 of 20 Postmodern Memphis Era Thonet Vienna Stackable Signed Dining Chairs, 90s
By Thonet
Located in Zagreb, HR
Exceptionally rare and collectible, postmodern Memphis design original Thonet dining chairs
Metal
1 of 20 Postmodern Memphis Era Thonet Vienna Stackable Signed Dining Chairs, 90s
By Thonet
Located in Zagreb, HR
Exceptionally rare and collectible, postmodern Memphis design original Thonet dining chairs
Metal
1 of 20 Postmodern Memphis Era Thonet Vienna Stackable Signed Dining Chairs, 90s
By Thonet
Located in Zagreb, HR
Exceptionally rare and collectible, postmodern Memphis design original Thonet dining chairs
Metal
Set of Six Memphis Tripod Dining Chairs in the Manner of Michele De Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A set of six Memphis dining chairs in the manner of Michele de Lucchi. The steel frame is powder
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.
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.