To many people, postmodern design is synonymous with the Memphis Group. This Italian collaborative created the most radical and attention-getting designs of the period, upending most of the accepted standards of how furniture should look. Today, the Memphis Milano brand, which is managed by Alberto Bianchi Albrici, still produces designs created by the group between 1981 and 1988.
The Memphis story begins in 1980, when Ettore Sottsass, then a beacon of Italian postmodernism, tapped a coterie of younger designers to develop a collection for the Milan Furniture Fair the next year, determined that all the new furniture they were then seeing was boring. Their mission: Boldly reject the stark minimalism of the 1970s and shatter the rules of form and function. (Sottsass’s Ultrafragola mirror, designed in 1970, embodied many of what would become the collective’s postmodern ideals.)
The group decided to design, produce and market their own collection, one that wouldn’t be restricted by concerns like functionality and so-called good taste. Its debut, at Milan’s 1981 Salone del Mobile, drew thousands of viewers and caused a major stir in design circles.
So as a record of Bob Dylan’s “Stuck Inside of Mobile” played on repeat, they took their name from the song, devised their marketing strategy and plotted the postmodern look that would come to define the decade of excess — primary colors, blown-up proportions, playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art. A high-low mix of materials also helped define Memphis, as evidenced by Javier Mariscal’s pastel serving trays, which feature laminate veneer — a material previously used only in kitchens — as well as Shiro Kuramata’s Nara and Kyoto tables made from colored glass-infused terrazzo.
An image of Sottsass posing with his collaborators in a conversation pit shaped like a boxing ring appeared in magazines all over the world, and Karl Lagerfield furnished his Monte Carlo penthouse entirely in Memphis furniture. Meanwhile, members like Andrea Branzi, Aldo Cibic, Michele de Lucchi, Nathalie du Pasquier, Kuramata, Paola Navone, Peter Shire, George Sowden, Sottsass and his wife, journalist Barbara Radice, went on to enjoy fruitful careers.
Some people think of the Milan-based collective as the design equivalent to Patrick Nagel’s kitschy screenprints, but for others Memphis represents what made the early 1980s so great: freedom of expression, dizzying patterns and off-the-wall colors.
Eventually, the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990s minimalism, and Memphis fell out of fashion. Sottsass left the group in 1985, and by 1987, it had disbanded. Yet decades later, Memphis is back and can be traced to today’s most exciting designers.
“As someone who was born in the 1980s, Memphis at times feels like the grown-up, artsy version of the toys I used to play with,” says Shaun Kasperbauer, cofounder of the Brooklyn studio Souda. “It feels a little nostalgic, but at the same time it seems like an aesthetic that’s perfectly suited to an internet age — loud, colorful and utilizing forms that are graphic and often a little unexpected.”
Find a collection of Memphis Milano seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Javier Mariscal Post-Modern Bar Cart Hilton For Memphis , Italy, 1981
By Javier Mariscal, Memphis Milano
Located in Vienna, AT
Javier Mariscal Post-Modern Bar Cart Hilton For Memphis , Italy, 1981 Rare Memphis bar cart ‚Hilton’, trolley on smoothly running casters offering a ...
Steel
Manhattan Trolley by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Manhattan trolley in metal and glass by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Trolley in metal and colour...
Metal
Hilton Metal and Glass Trolley, by Javier Mariscal for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Javier Mariscal, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Hilton trolley in lacquered metal and crystal glass, designed in 1981 by Javier Mariscal. He was born in Valencia in 1950. In 1971 he moved to Barcelona to study Graphic Design at the Elisava School. There he came into contact with comic book writers and illustrators of the time, such as Mique Beltrán, Daniel Torres and Sento. Together they set up "El rollo enmascarado", a group specialized in underground comics. In the 1980s, he worked as interior designer. In these he collaborated with Memphis Among his best known works are Cobi, the mascot for the 1992 Olympic...
Metal
Mathieu Matégot 'Trolley' for GUBI
By Mathieu Matégot, Gubi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mathieu Matégot 'Trolley' for GUBI Originally designed by Mathieu Matégot in 1953, the 'Trolley' is an authorized re-edition by GUBI. Executed using Matégot's Rigitulle method of...
Steel
Hyatt Side Table by Ettore Sottsass, Chrome & Wood, Post-Modern Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Imposing and superb, Hyatt by Ettore Sottsass evokes the structure of the classical column with the “capital” equal to the base. A side table that certainly does not go unnoticed for...
Metal, Chrome
Midentury Modern Wood Rolling Bar Cart, Italy 1960s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage Wood and Brass Rolling Bar Cart, Italy 1960s Rare 1960s Italian vintage rolling bar cart features a solid wood frame veneered in dark walnut wood, it exudes warmth and sophi...
Iron
Mid-Century Modern Italian Brass Bar Cart, 1970s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Midcentury brass bar cart, circa 1970s. It is versatile in size and can be used as a bar or serving cart or as an additional storage space in an office. It has four bottle holders at...
Brass
Italian 1970's Post Modern Swiveling Bar Cart in Chrome and Smoked Glass
By Milo Baughman
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
A sophisticated and versatile example of Italian 1970s design, this swiveling bar cart (or drinks trolley) features a sleek, minimalist chrome frame with the distinctive ability to p...
Chrome
Vintage BRF Italy Modern Rolling Bar Cart
Located in Doylestown, PA
Uniquely designed modern lacquered wood and chrome two-tier Italian bar cart by BRF. It sits on four fully rotational casters making it very easy to maneuver. The large platform styl...
Chrome
Small Italian Midcentury Bar Cart
Located in London, GB
This lovely little drinks trolley was made in Italy in the 1950s. Made from brass and metal, the top shelf is clear glass and the bottom shelf has champagne coloured glass. Lovely...
Metal, Brass
Ettore Sottsass City Dining Table for Memphis Milano, 1983
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass "City" dining table in black and brown spotted laminate with chrome plated steel legs. Very good condition with light scratches seen upon close inspection in raking ...
Steel, Chrome
$1,309Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.71 in W 29.14 in D 20.08 in
Bamboo and Rattan Bar Trolley with Scalloped Detail, 1960s
Located in London, GB
Bamboo and Rattan Bar Trolley with Scalloped Detail, 1960s The bottom tier comprises a shelf in woven rattan and three bottle compartments. The top is covered in rattan matting with a scalloped gallery made in steam bent cane...
Bamboo
Ettore Sottsass 'Ivory' Pedestal for Memphis Milano
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dallas, TX
Ettore Sottsass 'Ivory' Pedestal for Memphis Milano, 1985.
Laminate
$25,012
H 28.75 in W 96.07 in D 56.7 in
Arquitectonica 1984 Madonna Table Desk Memphis Milano Postmodern Miami Sottsass
By Memphis Milano, Arquitectonica, Memphis Group
Located in Munster, NRW
Madonna table by Arquitectonica Miami for Memphis Milano, 1984. Iconic an extremely rare postmodern piece and one of the only Memphis Group productions whose design was commissione...
Wood
$739
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Italian Modern Bar Cart or Side Table Game by Marcello Siard for Longato, Italy
By Collezioni Longato, Marcello Siard
Located in Lucija, SI
White plastic Trolley, model Game, was designed by Marcello Siard and produced by Longato Italy and made in early '70s. This gorgeous, multifunctional piece...
Plastic, Fiberglass
Italian Modern Brass Bar Cart
By Cesare Lacca, Maison Baguès, Gio Ponti, Maison Jansen
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Brass Bar Cart. Offered is a handsome Hollywood Regency two tiered brass serving cart, bar cart or trolley. This functional oval cart is large and features two glass s...
Brass
Post Modern Lucite Serving Bar Cart Table on Wheels circa 1970's
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in New York, NY
Two tier rolling bar serving cart in thick lucite. This well crafted cart features an overhanging top shelf, with cut beveled edges, over a smaller shelf. This example is in very fi...
Lucite
Modern Italian Black Faux-Bamboo Rolling Bar Cart
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chic Italian rolling bar cart having a black anodized metal faux bamboo frame. Hollywood Regency design with a modern twist. Constructed with two tiers inset with black tempered glas...
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 31.5 in D 16.93 in
Manhattan Trolley by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Manhattan trolley in metal and glass by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Trolley...
Metal