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.
Postmodern Moroccan Berber Pattern Black and Silver Beige Abstract Rug No Fringe
Located in New York, NY
The Rapture Collection is a high-end rug collection that includes 29 rug design options, in 155 design and rug color combinations, totaling 620 various design-color-size combinations...
Cotton, Polyester
Postmodern Rug by by Masland Carpets c 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Classic 1980's Hollywood Regency, Art Deco Revival, Post Modern style bespoke carpet, rug by noted American maker Masland. The carpet is constructed of spun nylon, it is in very goo...
Nylon
Postmodern “City” Rug by Zofia Rostad for Louis de Poortere
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A striking postmodern rug by the renowned Belgian manufacturer Louis de Poortere. Designed by Zofia Rostad, this "City" design is a bold example of late 20th-century design. Made fr...
Wool
Norden Hide Squiggle Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Norden Hide Squiggle Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio Dimensions: W 150 x L 210 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in different colors and size options. Prices may vary. ...
Wool
Neptune Squiggle Small Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Neptune Squiggle Small Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio Dimensions: W 135 x L 200 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in different colors and size options. Prices may vary...
Wool
$704Sale Price|28% Off
Vintage Postmodern Geometric Area Rug, circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern Geometric Area Rug. circa 1980s Features an abstract design on tufted wool in dark tones of greens, magenta, and cream around a black center. In excellent origin...
Wool
$1,399Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Berber Moroccan Rug with Color Block Design
Located in Dallas, TX
21066, vintage Berber Rehamna Moroccan rug with color block pattern and Cubist style. Drawing inspiration from Paul Klee, Sonia Delaunay, and Theo van Doesburg, this hand knotted woo...
Wool
$636Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Sculpted Blue White and Pink Foliage Rectangular Area Rug
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Exceptional vintage postmodern rectangular area rug. Features a vibrant display of pink, white and blue foliage on a black backdrop. Rug 6
Fabric
Modern Moroccan Berber Style Black and Cream Abstract Rug Fringe Optional
Located in New York, NY
The Rapture Collection is a high-end rug collection that includes 29 rug design options, in 155 design and rug color combinations, totaling 620 various design-color-size combinations...
Cotton, Polyester
$2,760Sale Price|53% Off
Vintage Turkish Purple Overdyed Rug, Bohemian Rhapsody Meets Maximalist Style
Located in Dallas, TX
60600 Vintage Turkish Purple Overdyed Rug, 06'07 x 09'10. Brace yourself for a beguiling dance of Bohemian Rhapsody entwined with Maximalist flair in the form of this hand-knotted w...
Wool
$8,526 / item
Santa Facile Deja Vu Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Santa Facile Deja Vu Edit Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 243 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W200 x L300, W243 x L300 cm. Atelier ...
Wool, Silk
$2,464Sale Price|20% Off
The Prism Illusion: A Vintage Dhurrie Masterpiece of Modern Opulent Geometry
Located in Dallas, TX
79607 Vintage Indian Dhurrie Rug, 06'00 x 09'00. The Prism Illusion: A Vintage Dhurrie Masterpiece of Modern Opulent Geometry. This handwoven cotton vintage Dhurrie is a study in cul...
Wool, Cotton
Large postmodern vintage pink, blue, cream carved geometric rug, 1980s American
Located in Hastings, GB
Large vintage postmodern pink, blue, black & cream geometric rug, with carved details, USA 1980s. Lovely colours and textures on this one. The photos show it looking a bit bumpy- th...
Wool, Polyester
No. 221 Hand-Knotted Textile Poster by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 221 Hand-knotted textile poster by Lyk Carpet Homage to the Bauhauswomen Dimensions: W 42 x L 82 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun woo...
Wool
$3,057 / item
Skin Rug - Brazillian designers collection
By Tri Design
Located in Londrina, Paraná
This rug was named Skin for representing different shades of people skin colors. It pays a homage to cultural diversity. This rug is produced in association with Tapetah. Reference ...
Polyester
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
Contemporary Hand Knotted Rug Designed by Chris Baisa for Delinear
By Chris Baisa
Located in San Diego, CA
Delinear Inc. was founded in San Francisco in 1996 by Chris Baisa, whose creative work spans textile, product and furniture design. Baisa’s Gridloc tables were sold at SFMOMA, The Ar...
Wool
$6,250Sale Price|26% Off
Missoni Post-Modern Striped Rug, circa 1980, Italy, Signed
By Missoni Home, Missoni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attention interior designers, this is the large rug you need for that high-profile cover-worthy room you're working on. This signed Missoni rug is from the 1980s Italy and in an oh-s...
Wool
Terra Cotta Earth Bamboo Carpet by Massimo Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Terra Cotta Earth Bamboo Carpet by Massimo Copenhagen Handwoven Materials: 50% New Zealand Wool, 50% Bamboo Dimensions: W 300 x H 400 cm Available colors: Nougat Rose, Cashmere, ...
Wool, Bamboo
$6,076 / item
Round Volcano Nuances Rug by Gandia Blasco
Located in Geneve, CH
Round Volcano Nuances Rug by Gandia Blasco Design by Patricia Urquiola Dimensions: W 250 x H 300 cm. Materials: Fiber composition: Felt base (75% wool + 2...
Wool, Natural Fiber
$10,080Sale Price|20% Off
The Chromatic Grid: A Modern Moroccan Masterpiece of Geometric Expression
By Paul Klee, Mark Rothko, Gunta Stölzl
Located in Dallas, TX
80697 Modern Moroccan Color Block Rug Inspired by Gunta Stolzl, 10'05 x 13'10. Presenting a resplendent testament to artistic audacity and daring creativi...
Wool
Sam Turner Cityscape The Rug Company Carpet in Chocolate Brown 100 Knot, c 2019
By The Rug Company, Sam Turner
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Cityscape rug by Sam Turner for The Rug Company. The rug was executed in rich chocolate brown with geometric rectangular lines, this example is in excellent original conditi...
Wool, Silk
$6,352 / item
Frame Brown Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Frame Brown Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo silk. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 ...
Wool, Silk, Bamboo
$6,352 / item
Almond Coral Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Almond Coral Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, ...
Wool, Bamboo
Vintage Hand-Knotted Rug, model "Orion" designed by Ottavio Missoni for Missoni
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a breathtaking postmodern rug designed by Ottavio Missoni for Missoni. Model "Orion" is an iconic piece designed as a patc...
Wool
$6,352 / item
Surf Blue Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Surf Blue Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 250...
Wool, Bamboo
$17,013 / item
Cocoon Large Rug by Art & Loom
Located in Geneve, CH
Cocoon large rug by Art & Loom Dimensions: D 304.8 x H 426.7 cm Materials: 100% New Zealand wool Quality (Knots per Inch): 80 Also available in differ...
Wool
Moss Green Squiggle Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Moss Green Squiggle Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio Dimensions: W 180 x L 245 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in different colors and size options. Prices may vary. C...
Wool
MEMPHIS "ARIZONA" Carpet / Nathalie Du Pasquier (France) / PostModern Rug
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Looking at ARIZONA by Nathalie Du Pasquier feels like standing in front of an abstract painting, where the sculptural forms of Memphis design seem to be flattened onto a two-dimensio...
Wool
Nougat Rose Earth Bamboo Carpet by Massimo Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Nougat rose earth bamboo carpet by Massimo Copenhagen. handwoven Materials: 50% New Zealand wWool, 50% Bamboo. Dimensions: W 300 x H 400 cm. Available colors: nougat rose, cashme...
Wool, Bamboo
$5,283 / item
No.18 Rug by Cappelen Dimyr
Located in Geneve, CH
No.18 Rug by Cappelen Dimyr Dimensions: D 230 x H 280 cm (excl. fringes) Materials: 85% wool, 15% cotton Colonnade no.09 & Rug no.18 is a grey-brown flat-w...
Wool, Cotton
Zabihi Collection Antique Persian Mahal Rug
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th-century soft mellow color room size mahal rug Details rug no. 9706 size 8' 8" x 10' 6" (264 x 320 cm)
Wool
$5,235 / item
Curve Volcano Nuances Rug by Gandia Blasco
Located in Geneve, CH
Curve Volcano Nuances Rug by Gandia Blasco Design by Patricia Urquiola Dimensions: W 200 x H 300 cm. Materials: Fiber composition: Felt base (75% wool + 2...
Wool, Natural Fiber
Eco-Friendly Regenerated Nylon Rabisco Rug by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Eco-Friendly Regenerated Nylon Rabisco Rug by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 350 x L 250 x H 3 cm Materials: eco-friendly regenerated nylon (ECONYL®) About: Studio Orth is a multidiscip...
Nylon
$9,999Sale Price|20% Off
Modern Moroccan Rug Inspired by Paul Klee, Cubism Meets Ultra Cozy
By Helen Frankenthaler, Paul Klee, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dallas, TX
80696 New Contemporary Moroccan Area rug with Post-Modern Style 10'05 x 13'09. Showcasing an expressive design, incredible detail and texture, this hand knotted wool contemporary Mor...
Wool
$13,677 / item
Lecourbe 1967 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D.
Located in Geneve, CH
Lecourbe 1967 Rug by Atelier Bowy C.D. Dimensions: W 240 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool, silk. Available in W140 x L220, W170 x L240, W210 x L300, W230 x L300, W240 x L300 cm. Atelier...
Wool, Silk
1980s Postmodern Unique Shape Floral Pink & Purple Rug 12’x9’
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning pick and violet floral postmodern custom wool rug signed on bottom
Wool
$3,120Sale Price|20% Off
New Post-Modern Transitional Pink-Gray Area Rug with Contemporary Feminine Style
Located in Dallas, TX
30330 New Modern Transitional Pink-Gray Area Rug with Contemporary Feminine Style, 09'00 x 11'08. Soft and sumptuous, this transitional area rug transforms any interior it graces int...
Wool, Silk
$7,500Sale Price|23% Off
Missoni Post-Modern Wool Rug, 1980s, Italy, Signed
By Missoni, Missoni Home
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attention interior designers, this is the rug you need for that high-profile cover-worthy room you're working on. This signed Missoni rug is from the 1980s Italy and in an oh-so-on-t...
Wool
Contemporary Abstract Afghan Square Rug
Located in New York, NY
21st century square one of a kind Afghan contemporary rug with a colorful abstract design. Measures:8.2" x 8.5".
Wool
No. 2 Freeplay Hand Knotted Rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 2 Freeplay hand knotted Rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet. Dimensions: L 180 x H 290 cm. Materials: 100% handspun, Tibetan highland new wool, obtained from living sheep, traditionally...
Wool
$1,079Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Berber Moroccan Boucherouite Rug with Bohemian Tribal Style
Located in Dallas, TX
21532 vintage Berber Moroccan Boucherouite rug with Bohemian Tribal style 03'03 x 04'10. Showcasing an expressive tribal design, incredible detail and texture, this hand knotted cott...
Wool, Cotton
$5,675
Turkish Konya Rug
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkish Konya rug.
Wool
Modern Berber Pattern Olive Green 7'10" Round Rug in Rayon Chenille
Located in New York, NY
The Rapture Collection is a high-end rug collection that includes 29 rug design options, in 155 design and rug color combinations, totaling 620 various design-color-size combinations...
Polyester
$2,906 / item
Gold/Orange Handwoven Tapestry by Calyah
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold/Orange handwoven tapestry by Calyah Unique piece Materials: Tibetan wool and silk. Dimensions: 170 x 65 x 1 cm Colour: gold/orange. Also available in red/yellow, white/blue...
Wool, Silk
$3,999Sale Price|20% Off
Chromatic Reverie: Turkish Tulu Masterpiece, Sacred Bloom of Modern Distinction
By Georgia O'Keefee, Judy Chicago
Located in Dallas, TX
51863 New Colorful Turkish Tulu Rug, 09'05 x 12'10. Radiant, daring, and unapologetically sensuous, this hand-knotted wool contemporary Tulu shag rug captures the spirit of modern ar...
Wool, Angora
$1,512Sale Price|61% Off
Colorful Vintage Berber Moroccan Azilal Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
20625 Vintage Boucherouite Moroccan Azilal Rag Rug, 03'05 x 06'02. Azilal rag rugs, also recognized as Azilal Boucherouite rugs, epitomize sustainable craftsmanship originating from ...
Wool
$6,352 / item
Rosè Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Rosè Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 250 x 35...
Wool, Bamboo
$4,599 / item
Relieff Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Relieff Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 250 x...
Wool, Bamboo
$5,199Sale Price|20% Off
The Modernist Mirage: A Contemporary Moroccan Masterpiece of Bauhaus Geometry
Located in Dallas, TX
53200 New Contemporary Moroccan Rug, 09'11 x 12'04. This striking contemporary Moroccan rug, hand knotted in wool in Turkey, is a confident dialogue between modernist design and artisanal tradition. Drawing clear inspiration from Cubist abstraction and Bauhaus rigor, the composition is unapologetically architectural—an intellectual textile created for interiors where design literacy and connoisseurship quietly command the room. It is not merely decorative; it is a statement of cultivated taste. The sumptuous field unfolds in a hypnotic all-over geometry: disciplined horizontal rows of concentric cubes...
Wool
$2,316Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Boujad Moroccan Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
74776 Vintage Red Boujad Moroccan Rug, 04'05 X 11'09. Discover the allure of Boujad rugs, originating from the vibrant city of Boujad in the Khouribga region—a once pivotal pilgrimag...
Wool
$16,463 / item
CF BP Bluepass by Caturegli Formica
Located in Geneve, CH
CF BP bluepass by Caturegli Formica Dimensions: W 225 x L 240 cm Materials: Wool Carpets as deep information Carpets are very common items. But it has never really been clear...
Wool
$3,638 / item
Ame Beige Goz Rug by Gandia Blasco
Located in Geneve, CH
Ame Beige Goz Rug by Gandia Blasco Design by Kengo Kuma Dimensions: W 176 x H 240 cm. Materials: Wool, teak wood. Weight: 11,18 kg Passion for life outdoors, a dream come true on ...
Wool, Teak
MEMPHIS GJS 1 Limited Edition Geometric-Shaped Rug / George J Sowden (Rare)
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
This striking & elegant carpet is from a Limited Edition of 36 units (ours is Edition # 5 of 36, hand signed by the artist/designer George J Sowden, one of the original MEMPHIS membe...
Wool
$1,360Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Berber Moroccan Azilal Rug with Contemporary Abstract Style
Located in Dallas, TX
74526 Vintage Berber Moroccan Rug with Contemporary Abstract Style. More than the asymmetrical beauty found in the geometric pattern, this hand-knotted wool contemporary abstract Mor...
Wool, Cotton
$6,944Sale Price|30% Off
New Purple Berber Beni Mrirt Moroccan High-Low Rug, 08'06 x 13'08
Located in Dallas, TX
21164 New Purple Beni Mrirt Moroccan High-Low Rug 08'06 x 13'08. This hand-knotted wool modern Beni Mrirt Moroccan rug is a splendid embodiment of the rich traditions of Moroccan wea...
Wool
MEMPHIS "CALIFORNIA" Carpet / Nathalie Du Pasquier / PostModern Rug
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
CALIFORNIA, the rug created by Nathalie Du Pasquier in 1983, reflects the designer’s creativity: it is a festival of different visual stimuli gathered over the years, presented here ...
Wool
Natural Shape Hand-Dyed Blanc Sable Ecru Corca Sheepskin Rug by Carine Boxy
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Shape Hand-Dyed Blanc Sable Ecru Corca Sheepskin Rug by Carine Boxy Dimensions: 195 x 135 cm Materials: Naturally dyed sheepskin. Size and color can be customized upon reques...
Sheepskin
$12,319Sale Price|29% Off
New Modern Blue Berber Beni Mrirt Moroccan Rug with Expressionist Style
Located in Dallas, TX
21168 Rare Modern Blue Beni Mrirt Moroccan Rug, 12'03 x 13'08. An exquisite masterpiece of modern Moroccan weaving, this hand-knotted wool Beni Mrirt rug is a portal to a dreamscape—...
Wool
$2,184Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Berber Moroccan Azilal Rug, Cozy Boho Chic Meets Tribal Enchantment
Located in Dallas, TX
21763 Vintage Neutral Moroccan Azilal Rug, 05'04 x 05'06. Step into the enchanting realm of Azilal rugs, where each strand tells a story meticulously crafted by skilled artisans amid...
Wool
$399Sale Price|20% Off
Distressed Vintage Turkish Sivas Rug with Industrial Postmodern Cubism Style
By Zeki Müren
Located in Dallas, TX
51895, Zeki Muren distressed vintage Turkish Sivas rug with Industrial Postmodern Cubism style. The versatility of this rug lies in its simple, colorful checkerboard design. Whether ...
Wool