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.
Mario Bellini Set of Four 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Patinated Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of four armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, plastic, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was th...
Leather, Plastic
Maria Pergay Swivel Chairs in Stainless Steel and Cognac Leather
By Maria Pergay
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Maria Pergay, swivel chairs, stainless steel, reupholstered leather, France, 1970s These chairs are a prime example of the 1970s French design movement, which combine...
Stainless Steel
Italian Post-Modern Set of Six Dining Chairs in Walnut Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, walnut, Italy, 1980s A striking example of Italian design from the 1980s, these walnut chairs embody a refined balance between sculptural form and everyday...
Walnut
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Sixteen 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of sixteen 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious reddish bro...
Leather, Plastic
Tito Agnoli Set of Six 'Ilex' Dining Chairs in Solid Oak
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Tarpac Data International, set of six 'Ilex' dining chairs, oak, lacquered metal, Italy, 1980s This pristine set of six dining chairs exemplifies the furniture desig...
Metal
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Brown Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of eight 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of eight 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious brown l...
Leather, Plastic
Post-Modern Italian Dining Chairs in Walnut and Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of dining chairs, walnut, cognac leather, Italy, 1970s. Set of six sculptural chairs that feature dramatic architectural backrests, each composed of four rounded, pillar-like ve...
Leather, Walnut
$1,400 / set
Matteo Grassi Dining Chairs in Leather and Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Matteo Grassi, set of four dining chairs, leather and steel, Italy, 1980s. Sophisticated set of four dining chairs designed by Italian designer Matteo Grassi in the 1980s. These cha...
Steel
$142,000 / set
Paul Evans for Directional Sculpted Bronze Dining Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, dining chairs, model PE-106, epoxy bronzed resin over steel, fabric, United States, circa 1970 These dining chairs are designed by Paul Evans for Directi...
Bronze, Steel
Guido Faleschini for I4 Mariani Set of Eight 'Dilos' Dining Chairs Rose Velvet
By Guido Faleschini, i4 Mariani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani, set of eight 'Dilos' dining chairs, part of the 'Pace Collection', beech, velvet, Italy, circa 1975 These 'Dilos' chairs are designed by the creativ...
Velvet, Beech
Italian Dining Chairs in Steel and Ocher Yellow Leatherette
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, yellow leatherette, chrome, steel, Italy, 1970s Comfortable Italian dining chairs in yellow leatherette. The eye-catching colored upholstery emphasizes the round sha...
Steel, Chrome
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Dialogo Dessau' Dining Chairs
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Dialogo Dessau' dining chairs, chromed metal, plastic, Italy, 1974 The Dialogo Dessau chair, with its distinctiv...
Metal, Chrome
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'Lira e Liuto' Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs, cognac leather, Italy, 1989 This set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs has beautiful cognac colored leather tha...
Leather
Pair of Post-Modern Dining Chairs in Solid Ash Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of dining chairs, ash, Europe, 1980s Striking pair of dining chairs, made in Europe in the 1980s. These chairs showcase beauty and strength due to their material, solid ash woo...
Ash
$559Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 2 Purple La Marie Chairs By Philippe Starck For Kartell, Made In Italy
Located in San Carlos, CA
For Sale: Iconic La Marie Chairs by Philippe Starck for Kartell Elevate your interior with this stunning set of 2 clear purple La Marie chairs. Designed by the renowned Philippe Sta...
Plastic
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of eight 'Cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs in luxurious reddish brown leathe...
Leather, Plastic
Pietro Costantini for Ello Postmodern High Back Dining Chairs, Set of 8 (Italy)
Located in Round Top, TX
Set of Eight (8) Postmodern Italian Pietro Costantini Dining Chairs Designed for Ello This exquisite set of dining chairs features high, exaggerated slatted backrests and a uniquely...
Textile, Wood
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Post Modern Cantilever Swing Chairs by Herbert and Jutta Ohl for Rosenthal Linie
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Rare set of 4 1980s Post-Modern Cantilever Swing Chairs. Designed in 1982 by Herbert and Jutta Ohl for German Manufacturer Rosenthal Studio Lini...
Metal
$720Sale Price / item|40% Off
Hans Ullrich Bitsch Set of 10 Red Blue Metal Chairs Series 8600
By Hans Ullrich Bitsch, Kusch+Co
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of ten/10 Hans Ullrich Bitsch chairs Series 8600, circa 1980 -Sold as individual pieces. 5 are red and 5 blue. Please combine. Wonderful dining room set of 10 red and blue metal chairs...
Metal, Chrome
Italian Set of Four Dining Chairs in Wood and Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of four dining chairs, black lacquered wood, wood, Italy, 1970s Set of four dining chairs with interesting features, made in Italy in the 1970s. This design is unusual and speci...
Metal
Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue, Italy 1980's
By Cidue
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue. Made in the 1980's in Italy. Slender black lacquered metal frame with grey stained rush woven seats. They all shows signs of...
Metal
Guido Faleschini for I4 Mariani Set of Ten 'Dilos' Dining Chairs
By i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani set of ten 'Dilos' dining chairs, leather, beech, Italy, circa 1975 These 'Dilos' chairs are designed by the creative Italian designer Guido Faleschi...
Leather, Beech
Post-Modern Slatted High Back Dining Room Chairs by Pietro Costantini, 1980s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant set of six Post-Modern slatted high back dining room chairs. Design by Pietro Costantini. Striking Italian design from the 1980s. The clear lacquered maple frame...
Leather, Maple
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Six Postmodern Costantini Ello Dining Chairs Made in Italy c 1970/80's
By Ello Furniture, Constantini
Located in New York, NY
Heroic set of Post Modern, Hollywood Regency school black lacquered dining chairs made in Italy by Pieto Costantini, imported by Ello, circa 1970-1980's. The set consists of four s...
Leather, Wood
Dr. Glob Dining Chair Set by Philippe Starck for Kartell, Italy 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design Dr. Glob Dining Chair Set by Philippe Starck for Kartell. Made in Italy, 1980's / 90's period. Marked on the bottom. All black edition. Stackable. Black pla...
Metal
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner Dining Chair in Red Leather
By Kwok Hoi Chan, Gilbert Steiner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner, dining chair, leather, lacquered steel, France, circa 1970 A postmodern design by Chinese designer Kwok Hoi Chan known for his works that are immediately ...
Steel
6 Post-Modern Arrben Italy 'Canasta' Armchairs Leather Enameled Tubular Steel
By Arrben
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Post-Modern set of six (6) 'Canasta' armchairs by Arrben of Italy, in stitched thick saddle-leather mounted on enameled tubular steel frames. N...
Steel
Set of 4 Sculptural High Back Dining Chairs, Europe 1980s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This stunning set of dining chairs embodies an era of bold, sculptural furniture with a focus on comfort and organic form. Postmodernism in the 1980s embraced a playful approach to d...
Wood, Fabric
Set of Four Post-Modern "Anziano" Dining Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By John Hutton, Donghia
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice set of four post-modern "Anziano" dining chairs by John Hutton for Donghia, circa 1990s. The chairs are made of beech bentwood construction with black hairpin metal legs....
Steel
Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau Pair of 'Movie' Armchairs in Saddle Leather
By Poltrona Frau, Mario Marenco
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau, pair of armchairs model 'Movie', lacquered metal, leather, Italy, 1984 Italian furniture designer Mario Marenco drew inspiration from cinema seats, ...
Metal
Postmodern King dining chairs by Belgochrom - set of 6
By belgochrom
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of six very rare and impressive high back dining room chairs manufactured by Belgochrom. The chairs consist of fine brushed meteal frames upholstered with the original fabric ca...
Metal
Guido Faleschini for I4 Mariani Pair of 'Dilos' Dining Chairs in Rose Velvet
By Guido Faleschini, i4 Mariani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani, pair of 'Dilos' dining chairs, part of the 'Pace Collection', beech, velvet, Italy, circa 1975 These 'Dilos' chairs are designed by the creative Ita...
Velvet, Beech
Rare Pierre Chapo Set of Eight S11 Dining Chairs in Sipo Wood and Leather
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, rare set of eight dining chairs, model S11, sipo wood, leather, France, circa 1966 A set of eight chairs in solid sipo wood, which makes this set so rare, with cognac...
Leather, Wood
Set of Six Sculptural Mid Century Italian Post Modern Dining Chairs Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A lovely set of sculptural dining chairs from Italy circa 1980's. Well made heavy construction. Fabric is fair / good with fading, so r...
Steel
Black leather italian dining chairs, 1980s - set of 6
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage black leather dining chairs by Frag Italy. Beautiful and timeless design dining chairs, a great and less costly alternative for Cassina, with a more distinctive look. Ful...
Leather
$1,764Sale Price / set|30% Off
Bruce Sienkowski "Eli Armchair" for Charlotte, USA 1991, a Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Rare pair of Eli armchairs with maple wood seat, back and arms attached to a black powder coated steel base. Designed by Bruce Sienkowski for Charlott...
Steel
$2,991Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rennie Dining Chair Set by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design 'RENNIE' Dining Chair set of 8 by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, made in Italy 1980's. Architectural design dining chairs in dark brown. The seat and b...
Faux Leather, Wood
Vintage dining chairs by Belgo chrom, set of 6 - 1980s
By belgochrom
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of six elegant dining room chairs manufactured by Belgochrom. Nicely designed metal frames with elegant legs. Upholstered in a mint green alcantara with brushed steel frames. B...
Metal
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner Pair of Dining Chairs in Red Leather
By Kwok Hoi Chan, Gilbert Steiner
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner, pair of dining chairs, leather, lacquered steel, France, circa 1970 A postmodern design by Chinese designer Kwok Hoi Chan known for his works that are imm...
Leather
Aurora stool, walnut solid wood finish, solid back, camel leather seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Side/Dining Chair, 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Side/Dining Chair, 1980. We have 200 plus of these chairs available. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Chairs Measure 32" tall, 19" ...
Bouclé
Modern Style Aurora Chair Sculpted in Walnut Finish Arms, leather seating, cane
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$13,555Sale Price / set|20% Off
Angelo Mangiarotti for Agapecasa Oak Leather Dining Chairs 3T Model, Italy 2000s
By AgapeCasa, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of eight Italian post modern dining chairs model 3T designed by Angelo mangiarotti from 1978 with oak frame and leather seat. Produced by Agapecasa with the designer’s and manufa...
Leather, Oak
$465Sale Price / item|28% Off
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Stacking Chairs, Signed, 19 Avail
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Massimo Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Post-Modern design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International is called the 'Handkerchief' stacking chair, labelled underneath with early production (original...
Steel
Set of Six Ettore Sottsass for Knoll 'Mandarin' Dining Chairs in Memphis & Navy
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Italian architect Ettore Sottsass, this set of chairs was manufactured by Knoll, resulting in extraordinary quality. Featuring a sculptural ribbon style main body, they r...
Enamel, Steel
Aurora stool, walnut solid wood finish, solid back, off white textiles seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$7,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 8 Post Modern Dining Chairs, Powder Coated Tan and Ivory Boucle, 1980's
Located in Culver City, CA
These chairs are what happens when wabi-sabi restraint elopes with full-blown postmodern maximalism. Each one has been professionally powder-coated in the most delicious shade of war...
Steel
Aurora stool, light honey solid wood, natural caning back, cream textile seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Stunning Leather & Wood Dining Chairs by Arnold Merckx for Arco, c.1980
By Arnold Merckx, Arco
Located in Den Haag, NL
5 Postmodern Dining chairs signed by Arco, The Netherlands, Grey oak and Black saddle leather chairs, 1980s unusual armchair designed by Dutch architect. Arnold Merckx Sculptural an...
Oak
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 black metal enameled frames. In original condition with some wear and scratching con...
Metal
Five pairs availabel Marco Maran Max Design ten dining chairs
By Knoll, Marco Maran
Located in Ferndale, MI
Sold by the pair five pairs are available "X3" chairs by Marco Maran for dining room or office. Manufactured by Max Design in Italy . I believe distributed by Knoll but not sure of...
Chrome
Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Walnut Finish with Wooden Back and Textile
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Italian Model Regia Dining Chairs by Antonello Mosca for Ycami, 1980s, Set of 8
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Italian Model Regia Dining Chairs by Antonello Mosca for Ycami. Black aluminum frames with black leather seats. Timeless post modern design. Very good condition 1980s - Italy Di...
Metal
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 4 Midcentury Post Modern Black Dining Chairs by Pietro Costantini Italy
By Pietro Costantini, Ello Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Amazing Set of 4 midcentury Post Modern Dining Chairs by Italian Designer Pietro Costantini. Very delicate Post Modern Designed Black Lacquer dining chairs with upholstered Seats. Al...
Wood, Lacquer
Aurora stool, black solid wood, black caning back, black natural leather
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Sculpted Solid Wood with Cane Back and Leather
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Pierre Chapo Sculptural 'S34' Chair in Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining chair model 'S34', elm, France, 1960s This asymmetrical chair with a twisted base is a true icon of Pierre Chapo's playful and solemn designs. The backrest is p...
Elm
Post-Modern LIBRA Dining Chairs by Christian Werner for Ligne Roset, France 1990
By Ligne Roset
Located in Wien, AT
Set of six LIBRA dining chairs designed by Christian Werner for Ligne Roset and manufactured in France in 1990. An elegant example of late 20th-century French design, the LIBRA model...
Aluminum
Roger Rougier Set of 6 Post Modern Dining Chairs, 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Rougier set of 6 Postmodern dining chairs, 1980. Original upholstery.
Stainless Steel
Post modern dining chairs by Pietro costantini, 1980s, set of 6
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Very chic italian high back dining chairs designed by Pietro Costantini. Elegant curved lacquered wood backrests and upholstered with black leather. Cool 'fan shaped' designe. La...
Leather, Wood