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Karl Springer Style Tessellated Smith Console Table by Maitland Smith
Karl Springer Style Tessellated Smith Console Table by Maitland Smith

Karl Springer Style Tessellated Smith Console Table by Maitland Smith

By Karl Springer, Maitland Smith, Robert Marcius

Located in Chattanooga, TN

. Vintage 1980s, Post Modern, tessellated stone console table attributed to Maitland Smith. The U-shaped

Category

Vintage 1970s Philippine Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Stone, Brass

American Post-War Pearl Tessellated Console Table
American Post-War Pearl Tessellated Console Table

American Post-War Pearl Tessellated Console Table

Located in Queens, NY

American Post-War design mother of pearl tessellated console table.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl

Maitland Smith Style Post-Modern Mactan Tessellated Stone Orb Pedestal Credenza
Maitland Smith Style Post-Modern Mactan Tessellated Stone Orb Pedestal Credenza

Maitland Smith Style Post-Modern Mactan Tessellated Stone Orb Pedestal Credenza

By Maitland Smith, Magnussen Furniture

Located in Chattanooga, TN

mirrored outline of the credenza. The post-modern design is perfectly complimented and contrasted by the

Category

Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Credenzas

Materials

Stone

Vintage Modern Enrique Garcel Tessellated Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Vintage Modern Enrique Garcel Tessellated Dining Chairs - Set of 6

Vintage Modern Enrique Garcel Tessellated Dining Chairs - Set of 6

By Enrique Garcel

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

This listing is for a set of Vintage Modern Enrique Garcel Tessellated Dining Chairs. Featuring a

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Stone

Tessellated Travertine Coffee Table
Tessellated Travertine Coffee Table

Tessellated Travertine Coffee Table

By Karl Springer

Located in Dallas, TX

Tessellated stone coffee table with a brass inlay and beveled edges.

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Square Tessellated Marble Pedestal
Square Tessellated Marble Pedestal

Square Tessellated Marble Pedestal

By Maitland Smith

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Clean and simple display pedestal. Pedestal is constructed of tessellated cream marble. The

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Pedestals

Materials

Marble

Graphic Tessellated Marble Coffee Table
Graphic Tessellated Marble Coffee Table

Graphic Tessellated Marble Coffee Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Coffee table in tessellated stone with graphic marble inlays, circa 1980s.

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Tessellated Stone Framed Mirror
Tessellated Stone Framed Mirror

Tessellated Stone Framed Mirror

Located in Denton, TX

Maitland-Smith style mirror frame with travertine and brass inlay.

Category

20th Century Philippine Post-Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Travertine

Graphic Tessellated Marble Side Table
Graphic Tessellated Marble Side Table

Graphic Tessellated Marble Side Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Side table in tessellated stone with graphic marble inlays, circa 1980s.

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern End Tables

Materials

Marble

Graphic Tessellated Marble Side Table
Graphic Tessellated Marble Side Table

Graphic Tessellated Marble Side Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Side table in tessellated stone with graphic marble inlays, circa 1980s.

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern End Tables

Materials

Marble

Graphic Tessellated Marble End Tables
Graphic Tessellated Marble End Tables

Graphic Tessellated Marble End Tables

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Pair of side tables in tessellated stone with graphic marble inlays, circa 1980s.

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern End Tables

Materials

Marble

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Top Pedestal
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Top Pedestal

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Top Pedestal

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Amazing postmodern iron pedestal. The top is comprised of a polished tessellated stone.

Category

1990s Philippine Post-Modern Pedestals

Materials

Stone, Iron

1980’s Tessellated Stone Mirror
1980’s Tessellated Stone Mirror

1980’s Tessellated Stone Mirror

By Maitland Smith

Located in Redding, CT

1980’s Tessellated stone mirror with scroll design. Most likely by Maitland Smith. Classic 80's

Category

Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Stone

Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Table Box
Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Table Box

Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Table Box

By Maitland Smith, Karl Springer, Casa Bique, Robert Marcius

Located in Houston, TX

Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Table Box. Offered is a very large decorative box of tessellated

Category

Vintage 1980s Philippine Post-Modern Decorative Boxes

Materials

Marble

1980s Postmodern Tessellated Stone Side Table
1980s Postmodern Tessellated Stone Side Table

1980s Postmodern Tessellated Stone Side Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Wow! What cool lines. The tessellated stone is in incredible condition. Various shades of beige and

Category

20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Tessellated Stone and Brass Elephant Sculpture
Tessellated Stone and Brass Elephant Sculpture

Tessellated Stone and Brass Elephant Sculpture

By Maitland Smith

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Tessellated stone and brass elephant sculpture attributed to Maitland Smith.

Category

Vintage 1980s Philippine Post-Modern Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Graphic Tessellated Marble Side Table, 1980
Graphic Tessellated Marble Side Table, 1980

Graphic Tessellated Marble Side Table, 1980

Located in Chicago, IL

Graphic Tessellated Marble Side/End/Drink tables, circa 1980. Tessellated stone with graphic marble

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern End Tables

Materials

Stone

1970s, Postmodern Tessellated Stone Arc Dining Table
1970s, Postmodern Tessellated Stone Arc Dining Table

1970s, Postmodern Tessellated Stone Arc Dining Table

Located in Chicago, IL

A custom made table from the 70s made of two different tessellated stones. The base is creamy taupe

Category

Vintage 1970s Post-Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Stone

Vintage Postmodern Tessellated Stone Triangle Credenza
Vintage Postmodern Tessellated Stone Triangle Credenza

Vintage Postmodern Tessellated Stone Triangle Credenza

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Fantastic vintage Postmodern credenza. Beautiful two tone tessellated stone in a chic angular shape

Category

1990s Philippine Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Stone

Maitland Smith Tessellated Occasional Table Midcentury
Maitland Smith Tessellated Occasional Table Midcentury

Maitland Smith Tessellated Occasional Table Midcentury

By Maitland Smith

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This Maitland Smith table is very interesting with it's columnar design and pink/tan color scheme.

Category

Late 20th Century North American Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Stone

Graphic Tessellated Marble Console Table, 1980
Graphic Tessellated Marble Console Table, 1980

Graphic Tessellated Marble Console Table, 1980

Located in Chicago, IL

Graphic Tessellated Marble/Stone console table, 1980      

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Marble

Casa Bique Tessellated Stone Brass Jewelry/Dresser Box, 1980
Casa Bique Tessellated Stone Brass Jewelry/Dresser Box, 1980

Casa Bique Tessellated Stone Brass Jewelry/Dresser Box, 1980

By Robert Marcius, Casa Bique

Located in Chicago, IL

Casa Bique Tessellated Stone Brass Jewelry/Dresser Box, 1980’s. Original condition Measures 9.25

Category

1990s Philippine Post-Modern Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Stone, Brass

1980s, Maitland Smith Tessellated Coffee Table Two Toned
1980s, Maitland Smith Tessellated Coffee Table Two Toned

1980s, Maitland Smith Tessellated Coffee Table Two Toned

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Amazing table made of tessellated stone in two colors. No chips or dings anywhere. The biomorphic

Category

Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Glass Top Circular Side Table
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Glass Top Circular Side Table

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Glass Top Circular Side Table

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Amazing postmodern tessellated stone side table. Features a beveled glass top which rests on three

Category

20th Century Philippine Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Glass

Outstanding Tessellated Stone Geometric Cocktail Table by Oggetti
Outstanding Tessellated Stone Geometric Cocktail Table by Oggetti

Outstanding Tessellated Stone Geometric Cocktail Table by Oggetti

By Oggetti

Located in Southampton, NJ

Outstanding and extremely rare vintage tessellated stone geometric studded "Tavola"

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Maitland Smith Modernist Sculptural Tessellated Stone Cocktail Table
Maitland Smith Modernist Sculptural Tessellated Stone Cocktail Table

Maitland Smith Modernist Sculptural Tessellated Stone Cocktail Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Rio Vista, CA

by Maitland-Smith with a sculptural waterfall design base in a post modern repeating style having a

Category

20th Century Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Karl Springer Attributed Tessellated Horn Console Table
Karl Springer Attributed Tessellated Horn Console Table

Karl Springer Attributed Tessellated Horn Console Table

Located in Astoria, NY

Karl Springer attributed modern lacquered tessellated horn waterfall console with evasive front lip

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Horn, Wood

Karl Springer Tessellated Stone “Tressle” Dining Table, 1970s
Karl Springer Tessellated Stone “Tressle” Dining Table, 1970s

Karl Springer Tessellated Stone “Tressle” Dining Table, 1970s

By Karl Springer

Located in Chicago, IL

Karl Springer Tessellated stone “Tressle” dining table, circa 1970s. All original with Karl

Category

Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Stone

Sculptural Tessellated Stone Floor Mirror by Marquis Collection
Sculptural Tessellated Stone Floor Mirror by Marquis Collection

Sculptural Tessellated Stone Floor Mirror by Marquis Collection

Located in Chicago, IL

A Postmodern, Memphis style tessellated stone freestanding floor mirror designed by Marquis

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Floor Mirrors and Full-Length Mirrors

Materials

Stone

Outstanding Tessellated Stone Geometric Cocktail Table by Oggetti
Outstanding Tessellated Stone Geometric Cocktail Table by Oggetti

Outstanding Tessellated Stone Geometric Cocktail Table by Oggetti

By Oggetti

Located in Southampton, NJ

Outstanding and extremely rare vintage tessellated stone geometric studded "Tavola" cocktail table

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Tessellated Stone Side Table with Brass Inlay
Tessellated Stone Side Table with Brass Inlay

Tessellated Stone Side Table with Brass Inlay

By Maitland Smith

Located in Denton, TX

End table made of tessellated stone with brass inlay.

Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Post-Modern End Tables

Materials

Travertine, Brass

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Glass Top Console Table
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Glass Top Console Table

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Glass Top Console Table

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Excellent vintage Postmodern Tessellated mactan and polished pink stone console table. Features a

Category

1990s Philippine Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Stone

Postmodern Tessellated Console Table, Maitland Smith
Postmodern Tessellated Console Table, Maitland Smith

Postmodern Tessellated Console Table, Maitland Smith

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Beautiful sunburst pattern console table by Maitland Smith. Excellent condition and can be used as an entry console or sofa table. Dimensions: 54"W × 16"D × 29"H Styles: Postmode...

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Travertine, Marble, Brass

1980s Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Biomorphic Coffee Table
1980s Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Biomorphic Coffee Table

1980s Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Biomorphic Coffee Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Oh I love this table. The tiled legs have been restored to a subtle stucco - clever way to repair this stunning vintage table:)

Category

Vintage 1980s Philippine Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Maitland Smith Vintage Tessellated Stone Travertine Box 1970s
Maitland Smith Vintage Tessellated Stone Travertine Box 1970s

Maitland Smith Vintage Tessellated Stone Travertine Box 1970s

By Maitland Smith

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

century. An elegant Post Modern style tessellated stone box, possibly marble or travertine with brass

Category

Late 20th Century Philippine Post-Modern Jewelry Boxes

Materials

Stone, Travertine, Marble, Brass

Postmodern Beige and Pink Tessellated Stone Coffee Table
Postmodern Beige and Pink Tessellated Stone Coffee Table

Postmodern Beige and Pink Tessellated Stone Coffee Table

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Elevate your space with the exceptional vintage postmodern coffee table. This table features a polished beige stone surface with a stunning pink stone border, creating a unique and c...

Category

1990s Philippine Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Tessellated Fossil Stone Cocktail Coffee Table by Maitland Smith
Tessellated Fossil Stone Cocktail Coffee Table by Maitland Smith

Tessellated Fossil Stone Cocktail Coffee Table by Maitland Smith

By Maitland Smith

Located in Peabody, MA

Cocktail table with tessellated fossil stone top of three conjoined disks inlaid with a brass trim

Category

Vintage 1970s Unknown Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Vintage Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Coffee Table
Vintage Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Coffee Table

Vintage Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Coffee Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Coffee Table If interested, please

Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Tessellated Stone Pedestal by Marquis of Beverly Hills
Tessellated Stone Pedestal by Marquis of Beverly Hills

Tessellated Stone Pedestal by Marquis of Beverly Hills

By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1

Located in San Diego, CA

A very nice large tessellated stone display pedestal by Marquis of Beverly Hills, circa 1990s. The

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Pedestals

Materials

Stone

Postmodern Pencil Reed & Pink Tessellated Stone Glass Top Side Table
Postmodern Pencil Reed & Pink Tessellated Stone Glass Top Side Table

Postmodern Pencil Reed & Pink Tessellated Stone Glass Top Side Table

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Amazing postmodern glass top side table. The base features a pencil reed with pink tessellated

Category

20th Century Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Glass

Postmodern Tessellated Pink and Beige Stone Glass Top Coffee Table
Postmodern Tessellated Pink and Beige Stone Glass Top Coffee Table

Postmodern Tessellated Pink and Beige Stone Glass Top Coffee Table

Located in Delray Beach, FL

The Postmodern Tessellated Pink and Beige Stone Glass Top Coffee Table is a fusion of art and

Category

20th Century Philippine Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass

Vintage Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Side Table
Vintage Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Side Table

Vintage Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Side Table

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Stone Side Table If interested, please inquire

Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern End Tables

Materials

Cast Stone

Zebra-Striped Tessellated Marble Coffee Table by Maitland-Smith, 1980s
Zebra-Striped Tessellated Marble Coffee Table by Maitland-Smith, 1980s

Zebra-Striped Tessellated Marble Coffee Table by Maitland-Smith, 1980s

By Maitland Smith

Located in London, London

Zebra-Striped Tessellated Marble Coffee Table by Maitland-Smith, 1980s A bold and sculptural

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Round Tessellated Stone Pedestal by Marquis of Beverly Hills
Round Tessellated Stone Pedestal by Marquis of Beverly Hills

Round Tessellated Stone Pedestal by Marquis of Beverly Hills

By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1

Located in San Diego, CA

A very nice round tessellated stone display pedestal by Marquis of Beverly Hills, circa 1990s. The

Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Pedestals

Materials

Stone

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Demi Lune Glass Top Console Table
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Demi Lune Glass Top Console Table

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Demi Lune Glass Top Console Table

Located in Delray Beach, FL

Exceptional vintage postmodern Demi lune, tessellated stone console table. Features a beveled glass

Category

1990s Philippine Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Stone

Late 20th Century Vintage Postmodern Tessellated Stone Console Table
Late 20th Century Vintage Postmodern Tessellated Stone Console Table

Late 20th Century Vintage Postmodern Tessellated Stone Console Table

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Introduce a bold statement piece to your home with this Vintage Postmodern Tessellated Stone

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Console Tables

Materials

Stone

1980's Postmodern Tessellated Mactan Stone Credenza Buffet Dry Bar
1980's Postmodern Tessellated Mactan Stone Credenza Buffet Dry Bar

1980's Postmodern Tessellated Mactan Stone Credenza Buffet Dry Bar

By Maitland Smith

Located in Lake Worth, FL

tessellated mactan stone credenza buffet dry bar Designed in the style of Maitland Smith and attributed to

Category

Antique 1880s Post-Modern Sideboards

Materials

Stone

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Brass Inlay Pedestal Tables, a Pair
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Brass Inlay Pedestal Tables, a Pair

Postmodern Tessellated Stone Brass Inlay Pedestal Tables, a Pair

By Magnussen Furniture

Located in Raymondville, TX

A pair of postmodern tessellated stone pedestal accent tables by Magnussen Presidential circa 1990

Category

1990s Post-Modern Pedestals

Materials

Stone, Brass

Sculptural Geometric Tessellated Marble Stone Brass Mirror Maitland Smith Style
Sculptural Geometric Tessellated Marble Stone Brass Mirror Maitland Smith Style

Sculptural Geometric Tessellated Marble Stone Brass Mirror Maitland Smith Style

By Maitland Smith, Magnussen Furniture

Located in Lambertville, NJ

Large handsome tessellated grey & black travertine fossil stone wall mirror by Magnussen

Category

Vintage 1980s Philippine Post-Modern Wall Mirrors

Materials

Stone, Brass

Tessellated Stone Console Game Table Checkers Chess Backgammon, 1970's
Tessellated Stone Console Game Table Checkers Chess Backgammon, 1970's

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

Category

Vintage 1970s Philippine Post-Modern Game Tables

Materials

Stone, Brass

Tessellated Stone with Brass Frame and Brass Base Mini Chest, 1970
Tessellated Stone with Brass Frame and Brass Base Mini Chest, 1970

Tessellated Stone with Brass Frame and Brass Base Mini Chest, 1970

By Maitland Smith

Located in Chicago, IL

Tessellated stone with brass frame and brass base mini chest/trunk, 1970.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Blanket Chests

Materials

Stone

Postmodern Design Tessellated Coconut Palm Wood Bench by Enrique Garcel
Postmodern Design Tessellated Coconut Palm Wood Bench by Enrique Garcel

Postmodern Design Tessellated Coconut Palm Wood Bench by Enrique Garcel

By Enrique Garcel

Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Of bold design and with unique surface texture and color this Postmodern bench by Enrique Garcel is sure to stand out. It is recently reupholstered and covered with Ralph Lauren Voya...

Category

Late 20th Century Colombian Post-Modern Benches

Materials

Wood, Fabric, Upholstery

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Post Modern Tessellated For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic post modern tessellated available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of stone, marble and glass, every post modern tessellated was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the post modern tessellated you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Each post modern tessellated bearing Mid-Century Modern hallmarks is very popular. A well-made post modern tessellated has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Maitland Smith, Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills and Oggetti are consistently popular.

How Much is a Post Modern Tessellated?

Prices for a post modern tessellated can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $200 and can go as high as $15,000, while the average can fetch as much as $1,748.

A Close Look at Post-modern Furniture

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

  • Emerges during the 1960s; popularity explodes during the ’80s
  • A reaction to prevailing conventions of modernism by mainly American architects
  • Architect Robert Venturi critiques modern architecture in his Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (1966)
  • Theorist Charles Jencks, who championed architecture filled with allusions and cultural references, writes The Language of Post-Modern Architecture (1977)
  • Italian design collective the Memphis Group, also known as Memphis Milano, meets for the first time (1980) 
  • Memphis collective debuts more than 50 objects and furnishings at Salone del Milano (1981)
  • Interest in style declines, minimalism gains steam

CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

  • Dizzying graphic patterns and an emphasis on loud, off-the-wall colors
  • Use of plastic and laminates, glass, metal and marble; lacquered and painted wood 
  • Unconventional proportions and abundant ornamentation
  • Playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art

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 Mendinia 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.