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1980s Curved Post Modern Sofa by Directional
1980s Curved Post Modern Sofa by Directional

1980s Curved Post Modern Sofa by Directional

By Directional

Located in Chicago, IL

Stunning near mint condition 1980's Biomorphic Kidney Bean sofa by Directional. Comes in it's

Category

Vintage 1980s American Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood, Bentwood

Mid-Century Post Modern Curved L Shaped Cloud Sectional Sofa by Directional
Mid-Century Post Modern Curved L Shaped Cloud Sectional Sofa by Directional

Mid-Century Post Modern Curved L Shaped Cloud Sectional Sofa by Directional

By Directional

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A sleek & stunning L shaped sectional sofa with incredible design lines. This well built sofa is by

Category

Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric

John Mascheroni Curved Sofa
John Mascheroni Curved Sofa

John Mascheroni Curved Sofa

By John Mascheroni

Located in Chicago, IL

its elegantly curved silhouette. Upholstered in a rich ochre boucle fabric, the sofa exudes a warm

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Bouclé

Vintage Regency Velvet Curved Sofa
Vintage Regency Velvet Curved Sofa

Vintage Regency Velvet Curved Sofa

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This magnificent extra-long curved sofa is a masterpiece of Regency-inspired design, perfect for

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

Oscar Curve Modular Sofa by DUISTT
Oscar Curve Modular Sofa by DUISTT

Oscar Curve Modular Sofa by DUISTT

Located in Geneve, CH

Oscar Curve Modular Sofa by DUISTT Dimensions: W 265 x D 125 x H 84 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric

Category

2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Postmodern Curved Side Blue Leather Sofa
Vintage Postmodern Curved Side Blue Leather Sofa

Vintage Postmodern Curved Side Blue Leather Sofa

By American Leather, Preview

Located in Lutz, FL

Vintage Post Modern Blue Leather Curvy Sculptural 3 Seat Leather Sofa. High quality soft and thick

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

Belong Curve Sofa by Memoir Essence
Belong Curve Sofa by Memoir Essence

Belong Curve Sofa by Memoir Essence

Located in Geneve, CH

Belong Curve Sofa by Memoir Essence Dimensions: D 130 x W 270 x H 75 cm. Materials: Velvet SCSS

Category

2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Satin, Upholstery, Velvet, Lacquer

Curved Velvet Hollywood Regency Sofa, Italy, 1970s
Curved Velvet Hollywood Regency Sofa, Italy, 1970s

Curved Velvet Hollywood Regency Sofa, Italy, 1970s

By Marzio Cecchi

Located in Antwerp, BE

Italian glam couch in luxurious blue velvet, attributed to Marzio Cecchi. A striking detail is the

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Brass

Postmodern Sculptural Curved Serpentine Sectional Snake Sofa
Postmodern Sculptural Curved Serpentine Sectional Snake Sofa

Postmodern Sculptural Curved Serpentine Sectional Snake Sofa

By Milo Baughman

Located in Lambertville, NJ

unique modular curved sofa consists of three interlocking sections reupholstered in a neutral taupe tone

Category

1990s Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Ultrasuede, Wood

Sublime Fully Restored Art Modern Curved Back Brown Leather Sofa Part of Suite
Sublime Fully Restored Art Modern Curved Back Brown Leather Sofa Part of Suite

Sublime Fully Restored Art Modern Curved Back Brown Leather Sofa Part of Suite

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

leather Art modern two-seat sofa which is part of a large suite As mentioned this is part of a suite

Category

20th Century English Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Leather

1990s Weiman Curved Abstract Sofas, Set of 2
1990s Weiman Curved Abstract Sofas, Set of 2

1990s Weiman Curved Abstract Sofas, Set of 2

By Weiman

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, curved sofas you could hope to find. This is

Category

1990s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1980s 3-Piece Biomorphic Curved Sofa By Preview
1980s 3-Piece Biomorphic Curved Sofa By Preview

1980s 3-Piece Biomorphic Curved Sofa By Preview

By Preview

Located in Bensalem, PA

This is one unique sofa, very comfortable. The shape is amazing would be the center focus point of

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

Curved Serpentine Sofa by Directional Furniture
Curved Serpentine Sofa by Directional Furniture

Curved Serpentine Sofa by Directional Furniture

By Directional

Located in Culver City, CA

of contemporary, post modern, or Mid-Century Modern environment-- its subtle lines also lend itself

Category

1990s Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric

RARE Pair of Curved Omnibus Sofas by Vladimir Kagan
RARE Pair of Curved Omnibus Sofas by Vladimir Kagan

RARE Pair of Curved Omnibus Sofas by Vladimir Kagan

By Vladimir Kagan

Located in Las Vegas, NV

These curved Omnibus Sofas by Vladimir Kagan are RARELY seen and we just happen to have a pair. A

Category

20th Century Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Mohair, Lucite

Grey Curved Upholstery Sofa with Solid Oak Base by Obstacles
Grey Curved Upholstery Sofa with Solid Oak Base by Obstacles

Grey Curved Upholstery Sofa with Solid Oak Base by Obstacles

Located in Geneve, CH

the subtle curve that shapes the upholstery. The sofa’s structure is formed by a solid oak frame. The

Category

2010s Spanish Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Oak

Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' Curved Sofa in Turquoise Upholstery
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' Curved Sofa in Turquoise Upholstery

Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' Curved Sofa in Turquoise Upholstery

By Mauro Lipparini, Saporiti

Located in Waalwijk, NL

, 1980s A truly wonderful piece that breathes the elegance of Italian Post-Modern design. This design by

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Steel, Chrome

1980s Weiman Pucci Style Curved Tufted Channel Biomorphic Kidney Sofa
1980s Weiman Pucci Style Curved Tufted Channel Biomorphic Kidney Sofa

1980s Weiman Pucci Style Curved Tufted Channel Biomorphic Kidney Sofa

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

The beautiful rare sofa is statement piece which is also extremely comfortable and packed with

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1980s Weiman Curved Serpentine Sofa and Swivel Chairs, 3 Pieces
1980s Weiman Curved Serpentine Sofa and Swivel Chairs, 3 Pieces

1980s Weiman Curved Serpentine Sofa and Swivel Chairs, 3 Pieces

By Directional

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Original rare set of 3, 1980s Iconic serpentine cloud sofa and swivel chairs are packed with

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

1980s Vintage Curved Cloud Sofa by Preview, Upholstered in Ochre Bouclé
1980s Vintage Curved Cloud Sofa by Preview, Upholstered in Ochre Bouclé

1980s Vintage Curved Cloud Sofa by Preview, Upholstered in Ochre Bouclé

By Preview

Located in Chicago, IL

A sculptural three-seat sofa by Preview. This iconic piece features Kagan’s signature sweeping

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Bouclé

Contemporary Bronze and Mohair Velvet Curved Sofa by Pierre Salagnac, France
Contemporary Bronze and Mohair Velvet Curved Sofa by Pierre Salagnac, France

Contemporary Bronze and Mohair Velvet Curved Sofa by Pierre Salagnac, France

By Pierre Salagnac

Located in London, GB

Élan Curved Sofa by Pierre Salagnac Material: 24K gold-plated bronze, mohair velvet Dimensions: 240

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Gold, Bronze

1980s Modular Green Sculptural Curved Sofa Chaise Lounge, Set of 2
1980s Modular Green Sculptural Curved Sofa Chaise Lounge, Set of 2

1980s Modular Green Sculptural Curved Sofa Chaise Lounge, Set of 2

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

appearance. Showcasing some of the best designs of the Post Modern era from one of the most iconic designers

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Postmodern Curved Back Queen Sleeper Retro Patterned Upholstered Sectional Sofa
Postmodern Curved Back Queen Sleeper Retro Patterned Upholstered Sectional Sofa

Postmodern Curved Back Queen Sleeper Retro Patterned Upholstered Sectional Sofa

By Carson's Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Postmodern Sculptural Curved Back Queen Sleeper Retro Patterned Upholstered Sectional Sofa by

Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

1980s Weiman Customized Curved Serpentine Sectional
1980s Weiman Customized Curved Serpentine Sectional

1980s Weiman Customized Curved Serpentine Sectional

By Weiman

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

. Showcasing some of the best designs of the Post Modern era from one of the most iconic designers of the 20th.

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Vintage Large Two-Piece Postmodern Curved Sectional
Vintage Large Two-Piece Postmodern Curved Sectional

Vintage Large Two-Piece Postmodern Curved Sectional

Located in Medina, OH

be perfect. But who doesn't love a good curved sofa?? This sofa is unique and won't come by too often

Category

Vintage 1980s Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric

1990s Preview Weiman Curved Serpentine Sectional
1990s Preview Weiman Curved Serpentine Sectional

1990s Preview Weiman Curved Serpentine Sectional

By Weiman Preview Furniture

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

the best designs of the Post Modern era from one of the most iconic designers of the 20th Centuries.

Category

1990s North American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Metal

1990s Beige American Leather Curved Vladimir Kagan Sectional
1990s Beige American Leather Curved Vladimir Kagan Sectional

1990s Beige American Leather Curved Vladimir Kagan Sectional

By Vladimir Kagan

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Leather. Kagan's updated design for American Leather Studios recollects one of his earlier 1960's sofa

Category

1990s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Leather, Wood

1980s Thayer Coggin Chenille Modular Curved Sectional Slipper Chairs
1980s Thayer Coggin Chenille Modular Curved Sectional Slipper Chairs

1980s Thayer Coggin Chenille Modular Curved Sectional Slipper Chairs

By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Rare postmodern three pieces curved modular sectional attributed to Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Midcentury Post Modern De Sede Gray Leather Loveseat 2 Seat Curved Sofa
Midcentury Post Modern De Sede Gray Leather Loveseat 2 Seat Curved Sofa

Midcentury Post Modern De Sede Gray Leather Loveseat 2 Seat Curved Sofa

By De Sede

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Midcentury post modern De Sede gray leather loveseat 2 seat curved back sofa. Very unique half moon

Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Post-Modern Loveseats

Materials

Leather, Foam, Wood

Italian Modern Curved Sculptural Loveseat or Sofa
Italian Modern Curved Sculptural Loveseat or Sofa

Italian Modern Curved Sculptural Loveseat or Sofa

By Ico Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti, Federico Munari, ISA Bergamo

Located in Houston, TX

Italian Modern curved sculptural loveseat or sofa. This stunning Italian Federico Munari inspired

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Loveseats

Materials

Stainless Steel

Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern
Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern

Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern

Located in Geneve, CH

Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern Dimensions: W 280 x D 127 x H 76 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery

Large Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern
Large Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern

Large Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern

Located in Geneve, CH

Large Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern Dimensions: W 310 x D 133 x H 76 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Stools

Materials

Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery

Paolo Gucci White Leather Curved Sofa & Table Set, Formitalia 1991
Paolo Gucci White Leather Curved Sofa & Table Set, Formitalia 1991

Paolo Gucci White Leather Curved Sofa & Table Set, Formitalia 1991

By Formitalia, Paolo Gucci

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Sculptural curved sofa and matching side table showcase Paolo Gucci's sophisticated approach to

Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Loveseats

Materials

Chrome

Curved canapé sofa by Rodolfo Dordoni for Moroso, Italy 1980s
Curved canapé sofa by Rodolfo Dordoni for Moroso, Italy 1980s

Curved canapé sofa by Rodolfo Dordoni for Moroso, Italy 1980s

By Rodolfo Dordoni, Moroso

Located in ECHT, NL

Postmodern design curved sofa. Designed by Rodolfo Dordoni for Moroso in the eighties. Part of the

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Canapes

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Postmodern Curved 2 Piece Sectional Sofa By Carsons Newly Reupholstered
Postmodern Curved 2 Piece Sectional Sofa By Carsons Newly Reupholstered

Postmodern Curved 2 Piece Sectional Sofa By Carsons Newly Reupholstered

By Carson's Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Postmodern Curved 2 Piece Sectional Sofa By Carsons Newly Reupholstered in Champagne Velvet Circa

Category

Mid-20th Century American Post-Modern Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Velvet, Wood

Sentient Baashe Curved Sectional Sofa
Sentient Baashe Curved Sectional Sofa

Sentient Baashe Curved Sectional Sofa

Unavailable|$11,800 / item

Sentient Baashe Curved Sectional Sofa

By SENTIENT

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This subtle, curved sectional sofa comes in two parts. The elegant design sits upright and the soft

Category

2010s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Upholstery

Curved French Sofa in Champagne Blush Velvet
Curved French Sofa in Champagne Blush Velvet

Curved French Sofa in Champagne Blush Velvet

Located in Milan, IT

1960s inspired curved sofa with brass leg details, upholstered with champagne blush soft velvet

Category

2010s Turkish Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Bilboa Curved Sofa in Royal Blue, attributed to Vladimir Kagan
Midcentury Bilboa Curved Sofa in Royal Blue, attributed to Vladimir Kagan

Midcentury Bilboa Curved Sofa in Royal Blue, attributed to Vladimir Kagan

By Vladimir Kagan

Located in Staten Island, NY

Postmodern Vladimir Kagan Bilbao sofa by Preview. The sofa is covered with ultra suede and is very

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Ultrasuede

Post-Modern 3-Piece Curved Sectional Cloud Sofa
Post-Modern 3-Piece Curved Sectional Cloud Sofa

Post-Modern 3-Piece Curved Sectional Cloud Sofa

By Vladimir Kagan

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

This listing is for a Post-Modern 3-Piece Curved Sectional Cloud Sofa. Featuring three pieces that

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

Post Modern Undulating Four Section Curved Semi Circular Sectional Sofa
Post Modern Undulating Four Section Curved Semi Circular Sectional Sofa

Post Modern Undulating Four Section Curved Semi Circular Sectional Sofa

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This four piece sectional sofa has incredible design lines from the 1990's. The fabric is dated and

Category

Late 20th Century North American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

Midcentury Italian Post Modern Curved Sectional Sofa in L-Shape by Weiman
Midcentury Italian Post Modern Curved Sectional Sofa in L-Shape by Weiman

Midcentury Italian Post Modern Curved Sectional Sofa in L-Shape by Weiman

By Weiman

Located in Philadelphia, PA

An awesome vintage sofa with an Italian design aesthetic. This was made in the 1980's by Weiman and

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Velvet Curved Sofa
Velvet Curved Sofa

Velvet Curved Sofa

Located in Antwerp, BE

Curved velvet sofa on brass cast feet Luxurious silver velvet upholstery - magenta lining. Italy

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Brass

Postmodern Curved sofa
Postmodern Curved sofa

Postmodern Curved sofa

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This sofa has a wonderful Postmodern look. The fabric on this sofa is worn and re-upholstery is

Category

Mid-20th Century North American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Ultrasuede

Vintage Curved Sofa / Sectional
Vintage Curved Sofa / Sectional

Vintage Curved Sofa / Sectional

Located in Houston, TX

Amazing mid-century / Post Modern curved sofa / sectional with tufted backing. Sadly origin and

Category

Vintage 1970s Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Vintage Postmodern Black Curved Sofa
Vintage Postmodern Black Curved Sofa

Vintage Postmodern Black Curved Sofa

By Directional

Located in Lutz, FL

Vintage Post Modern Curved Kidney Bean Shaped Sofa in black Miore pattern fabric with channel

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Curved White Alpaca Velvet Sofa
Curved White Alpaca Velvet Sofa

Curved White Alpaca Velvet Sofa

By Vladimir Kagan

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Large curved sofa inspired by Italian mid-century design, USA, c.1980s. Its sensuous curves and

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Alpaca, Velvet, Wood

Curved White Alpaca Velvet Sofa
Curved White Alpaca Velvet Sofa

Curved White Alpaca Velvet Sofa

By Vladimir Kagan

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Large curved sofa inspired by Italian mid-century design, USA, c.1980s. Its sensuous curves and

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Alpaca, Velvet, Wood

Thayer Coggin Curved Serpentine Sofa
Thayer Coggin Curved Serpentine Sofa

Thayer Coggin Curved Serpentine Sofa

By Thayer Coggin

Located in Southampton, NJ

A curvy sculptural serpentine sofa. From the Prodigy line by Thayer Coggin no longer in production

Category

Early 2000s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Foam, Polyester, Wood

Curved 1980's Wave Sofa
Curved 1980's Wave Sofa

Curved 1980's Wave Sofa

Located in Chicago, IL

Four pc. asymmetrical curved sofa. Sculptural wave like back. Newly upholstered with Italian Bouclé

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Bouclé

1980’s Postmodern Curved Kidney Bean Shaped Sofa
1980’s Postmodern Curved Kidney Bean Shaped Sofa

1980’s Postmodern Curved Kidney Bean Shaped Sofa

By Directional

Located in Lutz, FL

back c.1980’s. In the style of Vladimir Kagan. Beautiful post mod sofa with subtle curved shape

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric

Vintage postmodern curved pastel sofa, USA 1980s- two available
Vintage postmodern curved pastel sofa, USA 1980s- two available

Vintage postmodern curved pastel sofa, USA 1980s- two available

Located in Hastings, GB

Post modern pastel curvaceous Kagan style sofa, USA 1980s. Matching pair available- selling

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Curved Armless Sofa by Weiman in a Sensual Velvet Fabric
Curved Armless Sofa by Weiman in a Sensual Velvet Fabric

Curved Armless Sofa by Weiman in a Sensual Velvet Fabric

Located in Houston, TX

Amazing curved kidney lounge sofa in a deep brown velvet fabric produced by Weiman Furniture

Category

1990s Unknown Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Velvet

Vintage Biomorphic 3 Pc Curved Sectional Sofa
Vintage Biomorphic 3 Pc Curved Sectional Sofa

Vintage Biomorphic 3 Pc Curved Sectional Sofa

Located in West Hartford, CT

Colorful groovy biomorphic vintage 3 pc curved sectional sofa upholstered in a navy, orange and

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

Curved Sofa in the Style of Vladamir Kagan, 1980s, 2 Available
Curved Sofa in the Style of Vladamir Kagan, 1980s, 2 Available

Curved Sofa in the Style of Vladamir Kagan, 1980s, 2 Available

By Vladimir Kagan

Located in Chicago, IL

A 1980s curved sofa in the style of Vladamir Kagan. This sofa has a kidney shaped seat with a

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Textile

Drexel Heritage Curved Floral Sofas in Upholstery with Wood, a Pair
Drexel Heritage Curved Floral Sofas in Upholstery with Wood, a Pair

Drexel Heritage Curved Floral Sofas in Upholstery with Wood, a Pair

By Heritage Furniture

Located in Chicago, IL

Lovely sofas with original down cushions that are so so comfortable. The legs are wood (see photo

Category

20th Century American Post-Modern Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

Vintage Postmodern Kagan Style Curved Three Piece Sectional Sofa
Vintage Postmodern Kagan Style Curved Three Piece Sectional Sofa

Vintage Postmodern Kagan Style Curved Three Piece Sectional Sofa

By Vladimir Kagan

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Postmodern Kagan Style Curved Three Piece Sectional Sofa This vintage postmodern Kagan

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Sectional Sofas

Materials

Upholstery

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Curved Post Modern Sofa For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal curved post modern sofa for your home. Each curved post modern sofa for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using fabric, upholstery and wood. Find 27 options for an antique or vintage curved post modern sofa now, or shop our selection of 2 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect curved post modern sofa — we have versions that date back to the 20th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century are available. A curved post modern sofa, designed in the style, is generally a popular piece of furniture. You’ll likely find more than one curved post modern sofa that is appealing in its simplicity, but Weiman, Carsons and Comfort Design Furniture produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Curved Post Modern Sofa?

A curved post modern sofa can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $6,450, while the lowest priced sells for $2,500 and the highest can go for as much as $12,000.

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.

Finding the Right Seating for You

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.