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.
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
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6
By Paolo Piva
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in black leather. They are very comfortable. Good condition 1980s - Italy ...
Leather
$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
Set of Four 1980s Castelijn SLA Dining Chairs, Black Leather & Wood
By Gijs Bakker, Castelijn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Four postmodern dining chairs by Dutch manufacturer Castelijn, attributed to acclaimed designer Gijs Bakker, circa 1980s. These distinctive pieces showcase the harmonious blen...
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
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Sixteen 'Cab' 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
$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
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
$2,500 / set
Peter Danko Bodyform Stacking Chairs, Set of 5
By Peter Danko
Located in Mckinney, TX
The simplicity of form and function reveals itself in this curvy creation by Peter Danko. With a list as long as your arm of museum acquisitions and permanent collections, as well as...
Maple
Set of 4 Post Modern 1970s Italian Chrome & Wood Dining Chairs - DIA Style
By Design Institute America, Milo Baughman
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic Post Modern Italian design, set of four hi-back chrome frame dining chairs, with concentric designed oak seats. Unknown designer, often attributed to DIA or Design Insutute o...
Chrome
Ettore Sottsass Greek Chairs One of Seven Grey Bieffeplast, Italy, 1980
By Ettore Sottsass, Bieffeplast
Located in Vienna, AT
One of Seven Ettore Sottsass Greek Chairs Grey Bieffeplast, Italy, 1980. Sold and priced per piece. Very rare light grey chairs made from lacquered ...
Steel
$1,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
Lella and Massimo Vignelli Handkerchief Chairs for Knoll, Set of Four
By Knoll, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Miami, FL
Black high-gloss lacquered Handkerchief chairs on black lacquered frames by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. In 1968 Vignelli was contracted by Knoll to re-envision the corpo...
Steel
$495Sale Price / item|23% 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
$1,000 / set
Four 1980s Postmodern High Back Parsons Chairs
Located in Raymondville, TX
A late 20th century set of four postmodern style Parsons dining side chairs. Featuring a high back and curved scroll top with button detail. Fully upholstered in heavy woven jacquard flamestitch fabric...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$2,280Sale Price / set|43% Off
Red Hans Ullrich Bitsch Chairs Series 8600 Two Pairs
By Kusch+Co, Hans Ullrich Bitsch
Located in Vienna, AT
Two pairs of red Hans Ullrich Bitsch chairs Series 8600, circa 1980. Postmodern classic with perforated backrest and seat and highly delicate metal joints. Very good original conditi...
Chrome, Metal
Frag Italy 6 Stitched Leather Side Chairs Style of Mario Bellini Post-Modern
By Mario Bellini, Frag
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An Italian set of four six (6) off-white stitched leather side or dining chairs by design company Frag. Made in Italy as marked. 100% leather. Similar in style to the Cassina leather...
Leather
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
$2,318Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Design "SANDOWS" Chairs by Rene Herbst
By René Herbst, Ecart International
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Modernism Design "SANDOWS" Cord Chairs by Rene Herbst for Ecart International. Made in France in the 1980's period. These are classic modernist 1930's German Bauha...
Steel
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post Modern Stool in Walnut Finish, Cane Back Leather Seat Counter or Bar Height
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
$1,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti P40 Chairs for Fasem - Set of Three
By Fasem International, Giancarlo Vegni & G. Gualtierotti
Located in Miami, FL
Set of three P40 post modern dining arm chairs with black rubber seats and back on a black lacquered steel frame designed by Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti for Fasem.
Steel
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
Aurora stool, walnut solid wood finish, solid back black natural 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
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Black Ebonized 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
Handkerchief Chairs in White by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Post Modern a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Iconic design by Massimo Vignelli for Knoll. These ethereal chairs, seeming floating in air are fully labeled with an embossed Knoll, Vignelli design and a paper Knoll Label. This...
Fiberglass
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post Modern Stool in Solid Wood, Caning Back and Seat, Counter or Bar Height
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
Pair of Postmodern Leather Chairs by Giancarlo Vegni for Fasem, Italy 1984
By Giancarlo Vegni, Fasem International
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Postmodern Dining Chairs designed by Giancarlo Vegni for Fasem. The chairs are done in cognac saddle leather featuring minimal design and slee...
Steel
Black leather dining chairs by Arper italy, 1980s - set of 4
By Arper
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage black leather dining chairs with chrome rings by Arper italy. High quality dining chairs with a timeless design from the 1980s. 1980s - italy Very good condition Dimensio...
Chrome
Postmodern Italian Pietro Costantini for Ello Klismos Dining Chairs
By Pietro Costantini, Ello Furniture
Located in Stafford, TX
1990s Italian Pietro Costantini for Ello “Klismos” Dining Chairs — Set of Eight This elegant set of eight 1990s Italian Klismos dining chairs, designed by Pietro Costantini for Ello...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Italian Dining Chairs in Red Saddle Leather and Stained Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, saddle leather, stained beech, Italy, 1970s This lovely pair of dining chairs embodies an austere aesthetic, yet the meticulous choice of materials and exceptional cr...
Leather, Beech
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Brown Leather
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
$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
Postmodern blue leather dining chairs italy, 1980s set of 8
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage vibrant blue leather dining chairs with armrests. High quality and sturdy stiched leather dining chairs with a timeless design. Good condition 1980s - Italy Dimensions: ...
Leather
Peter Danko Bodyform Stacking Bentwood Barstools, set of 3
By Peter Danko
Located in Mckinney, TX
The simplicity of form and function reveals itself in this curvy creation by Peter Danko. With a list as long as your arm of museum acquisitions and permanent collections as well as ...
Maple
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$4,246Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern 1980s Design Icon "Alice" Chairs by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Ita
By Cattelan Italia, Giorgio Cattelan
Located in Basel, BS
Fabulous set of Rare "Alice" chairs by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Italia, Postmodern 1980s. Made of Stitched red leather. Designed in 1984, iconic design by Cattelan Italia. Feat...
Metal
Set of 4 Sottsass Inspired Memphis Style Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Graphic and sculptural, this striking set of four Postmodern dining chairs from Italy is strongly influenced by the bold aesthetic of Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group. Designed ...
Metal
Set of Four Chrome and Leather Dining Chairs by Gavina c 1960/1980's
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
$796Sale Price / item|20% Off
Modern Style Aurora Chair Sculpted in Walnut Finish No Arms, Upholstered Seat
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
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Sculpted Black Ebonized Solid Wood
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
$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
Pair of Mario Bellini Cab 413 Armchairs in Leather for Cassina, Italy, 1970s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in München, Bavaria
Iconic Mid-Century Italian design: A pair of Cab 413 armchairs by Mario Bellini, designed in 1977 for Cassina in cognac-colored leather. A steel frame is wrapped in thick saddle leat...
Steel
$961Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Anton Lorenz for Thonet "Ss33" Armchair in White + Chrome
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! Anton Lorenz (1891–1966) was a design pio...
Chrome
Post Modern Zeta Dining Chairs by Martin Haksteen for Harvink, The Netherlands
By Harvink
Located in Almelo, NL
Post Modern Zeta Dining chairs by Martin Haksteen for Harvink, The Netherlands 1980s Tripod post-modern design dining chairs, model 'Zeta' designed ...
Steel
$1,062Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Design Leather Dining Chairs, Italy 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design Leather Dining Chair set of 4. Made in Italy, 1980's. Grey leather seat on black gloss lacquered wood bend base. In the style of Afra and Tobia Scarpa desig...
Leather, Wood
$500Sale Price / set|79% Off
Italian Post-Modern Wood, Leather, Stainless Dining Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Miami, FL
Italian Post-Modern Wood, Leather, Stainless Dining Chairs, Set of 4 Offered for sale is a set of four black Italian Post Modern dining cha...
Stainless Steel
Dr Glob Chairs Philippe Starck Grey Kartell, Italy, 1990
Located in Vienna, AT
Kartell Dr. Glob set of four grey modern chairs designed by Philippe Starck. The Dr. Glob chair was designed by the acclaimed designer Philippe Starck for Kartell in Italy. Phillipe...
Steel
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Sculpted Walnut Finish with Cane 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
Pair of Postmodern Leather Chairs S-91 by Giancarlo Vegni for Fasem, Italy 1984
By Fasem International, Giancarlo Vegni
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Postmodern Dining Chairs, model S-91 designed by Giancarlo Vegni for Fasem. The chairs are done in cognac saddle leather featuring minimal des...
Steel
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post-Modern Style stool, black solid wood, cane 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
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'CAB 413' Dining Chair in Dark Grey Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, armchair, model 'CAB 413', leather, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was the way Bellini uses le...
Leather
$3,165 / set
Suspiral Chairs by Luigi Serafini
Located in London, GB
Lacquered metal structure and fabric upholstery. Produced by Sawaya & Moroni, Italy.
Steel
$2,016Sale Price / set|42% 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
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner Dining Chair in Red Leather
By Gilbert Steiner, Kwok Hoi Chan
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
1970s Post-Modern Chrome and Glass Dining Set by Daystrom, 4 Pieces
By Daystrom Furniture, Chromcraft, Giotto Stoppino, Bassett Furniture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Exuding bold elegance and unapologetic mid-century charm, this four-piece dining ensemble encapsulates 1970s modernist glamour. A quartet of sculptural Daystrom “scoop” chairs—sinuou...
Chrome
Vintage pink 'linda' dining chairs by Arrben, 1980s - set of 4
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage 'linda' pink leather and metal dining chairs by Arrben Italy. Flashy pink colour. Good condition. 1980s - Italy Dimensions: Height: 75cm Seat height: 45cm Width: 50cm Dep...
Metal
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
1970s Post Modern Black Vinyl and Chrome Daystrom Scoop Chairs
By Giotto Stoppino, Chromcraft, Daystrom Furniture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Exuding bold style and structural elegance, this carefully curated set of four chairs by Daystrom presents a textbook example of mid-century modern ambition executed in chrome and vi...
Chrome
Set of 4 "Pan Am" Armchairs by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima
By Gastone Rinaldi, RIMA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Italian armchairs by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima. The design of the bucket seat celebrates the Pam Am logo. Gastone Rinaldi (1920-2006) was an Italian de...
Steel, Chrome