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.
Dedar Amoir Libre Fabric, Lacquer Paint, Marua Bench By OMER OZTURK
Located in Geneve, CH
Dedar Amoir Libre Fabric, Lacquer Paint, Marua Bench By OMER OZTURK Dimensions: W 150 x D 50 x H 44.6 cm. Materials: Dedar Amoir Libre Fabric, Black Glossy Lacquer Paint. About: Des...
Fabric, Lacquer
$1,480 / item
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
Asa Bench – Sculptural Wood Bench, Walnut Oak or Burl Wood
Located in Baguim Do Monte, PT
The Asa Bench is defined by its calm geometry and refined material presence, crafted entirely in solid wood and available in walnut or burl wood. Its balanced proportions and clean a...
Walnut, Burl
Paris 2024 Special Edition Big Bench in Red Lacquered Wood by Kimy Gringoire
Located in Geneve, CH
Paris 2024 Special Edition Big Bench in Red Lacquered Wood by Kimy Gringoire. Dimensions: W 200 x D 40 x H 95 cm. Materials: Red Lacquered Wood. Part of the BIGLOVECABLES project, t...
Wood
Karl Springer Stainless Steel and Leather Bench, 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Karl Springer Stainless Steel and Leather Bench, 1980’s. Newly upholstered in green leather. Measures 20” tall 48” long 20” deep
Stainless Steel
$32,059 / item
Orbis Bench in Marble with Reflected Core by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbis Bench in Marble with Reflected Core by Homa. Dimensions: W 110 x D 42 x H 40 cm Marble Thickness: 2 cm. Materials: Green Marble and Cream-Honey Onyx, Mirror Polished Stainless...
Onyx, Marble, Stainless Steel
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Ostrich skin Leather Post modern waterfall bench coffee table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Ostrich skin Leather Post modern waterfall bench or coffee table. Nice Patina shows normal use and wear. Great Bench. Located in Brooklyn NYC. Measures 16" H x 46...
Leather, Wood
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Classic Ripple Wave Bench by Laurinda Spear for Brayton International Ca. 1970's
By Brayton International, Laurinda Spear
Located in New York, NY
Pure post modern style, executed with top quality craftsmanship. The wave , or ripple bench was designed by Laurinda Spear, and made by Brayton Industries, circa 1970's. This example...
Upholstery
“Ripples” Bench by Toyo Ito (b. 1941) for Horm, Italy, designed in 2003
Bench crafted from a combination of woods, including maple, beech, cherry, and walnut. The eponymous ripple effect flows across the entire surface, forming soft, circular depressions...
Beech, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
$795 / item
Toscana Chairs by Piero Sartogo for Saporiti
By Saporiti
Located in Dronten, NL
A nice pair of asymmetrical Toscana chairs designed in 1986 by Piero Sartogo for Saporiti . These chairs were designed in 1986 by Piero Sartogo and Nathalie Grenon for Saporiti Itali...
Leather, Burl, Maple
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Maurizio Peregalli Modernist Bench for Zues, Italy 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Modernist black lacquered steel and rubber bench by Maurizio Peregalli for Zeus, Italy. 1980s. Additional dimensions: Width 47” Depth 16-3/8” Height 16” Seat height (highest part o...
Steel
Caballito Piccolo Bench in Leather & Fabric by Oscar Maschera
Located in Geneve, CH
Caballito Piccolo Bench in Leather & Fabric by Oscar Maschera Dimensions: D 37 x W 70 x H 42 cm. Materials: Leather and fabric. Available in different sizes and materials. Prices an...
Leather, Fabric
$5,603 / item
Woven Short Bench 70 by Max Lipsey
Located in Geneve, CH
Woven Short Bench 70 by Max Lipsey Dimensions: D 54 x W 70 x H 46 cm. Materials: Steel, Kvadrat canvas, and fabric. Custom with Kvadrat Canvas and RAL colors...
Steel
$1,808 / item
Entreplanta Bench by Marta Ayala Herrera
Located in Geneve, CH
Entreplanta Bench by Marta Ayala Herrera Dimensions: D 40 x W 137 x H 45 cm. Materials: MDF. This piece can be customized in different wood option...
Other
$1,796 / item
Senufo Bench by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Senufo Bench by DAaZ Dimensions: D 47 x W 170 x H 45 cm. Materials: Albizzia wood, fabric. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and ...
Wood, Fabric
Giorgio Saporiti Design, Il Loft Tufted Leather Bench, Multi-color Chrome Legs
Located in Miami, FL
Giorgio Saporiti Design, Il Loft Tufted Leather Bench, Multi-color Chrome Legs Offered for sale is a Giorgio Saporiti design for Il Loft. This segmented, multi-colored leather upho...
Chrome
Limited Edition SSB01W Bench in MDF with Walnut Burl Veneer by sashaxsasha
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition SSB01W Bench in MDF with Walnut Burl Veneer Limited Edition of 5 + 2 A.P Dimensions: D 39 x W 175 x H 31,5 cm. Materials: MDF and walnut burl veneer. sashaxsasha is...
Other
$7,589 / item
Ever Bench by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Ever Bench by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: D 45 x W 190 x H 43 cm. Materials: Persian grey marble. Available in different marble and travertine options. Please c...
Marble
Galore 3 Seater Sprinkles Desert Yellow by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater sprinkles desert yellow by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 222 x W 83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring s...
Steel
$1,046 / item
Willow Bench by OK Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Willow Bench by OK Design Dimensions: D 45 x W 100 x H 44 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, willow wicker, MDF with ash veneer. Available in black or white frame. Please contact u...
Metal
$1,120Sale Price|60% Off
Post Modern gray leather fully upholstered leather Bench 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post Modern 1980s fully upholstered Bench in Beautiful dark gray leather upholstery. The bench is in very good condition. Has nice stitching and ribbed section. Wood frame very high ...
Leather
Red Acrylic Lucite Bench Cocktail Table
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial high-gloss red opaque acrylic/Lucite bench or cocktail table, in the Modern style or Postmodern period, circa late-20th to early 21st-century. Great as a ...
Acrylic, Resin, Lucite
Textured Uneven Sculptural Classic Coral Stone Seating by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Fractus sculptural seating by Andres Monnier. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 120 x L 50 x H 50 cm. Materials: Coralina clasica. Stone options availabl...
Stone
$14,394 / item
Tronco Bench by NITUSH AROOSH
Located in Geneve, CH
Tronco Bench by NITUSH AROOSH Dimensions: D 40 x W 150 x H 45 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Available in different finishes. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. Please contact us. Aroosh and Nitush Mahipal, the creative minds behind Nitush-Aroosh, were born and raised in New Delhi, India, amidst a vibrant cultural and artistic milieu. Their parents instilled in them a love of beauty and creativity from a young age, and they were fortunate to travel extensively to different parts of the world, where they were exposed to diverse forms of art, design, and architecture. From childhood, Aroosh and Nitush were captivated by the stainless steel available at their family’s factory, spending countless hours creating their toys and honing their skills. This fascination laid the foundation for their future design and art endeavors, eventually leading to the birth of Nitush-Aroosh. The Mahipal brothers use innovative techniques to create a crumbled effect on stainless steel, resulting in sculptural pieces that appear to be made of a different material altogether. Their sculptural objects, including furniture, lights, sculptures, and wall installations, are carefully crafted to invite the viewers to embark on self-discovery and introspection. The Mahipal brother’s maiden international art exhibition at the Marbella Art...
Stainless Steel
Polished and cast aluminium bench "Ok cupid" by Deon Rubi. Argentina, 2024.
By Deon Rubi
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Extruded, polished and cast aluminium bench "Ok cupid" by Deon Rubi. Argentina, 2024. Lucila Garcia de Onrubia (b. Buenos Aires, 1986) has worke...
Aluminum
$4,758 / item
Oracle Bellini 2040 Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Oracle Bellini 2040 Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 204 x W 54 x H 52.5 cm Materials: Timber / Upholstered tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 30kg Frame Finishes: Textura Pap...
Steel
Postmodern Italian 1980s Sofa, Two-Seat
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage 1980s Postmodern two-seat sofa. Sculpted beech frame with aluminum accents. Original warm yellow cream leather cushions. Very good condition, comfortable seat. Dimensions: 1...
Leather, Plywood
Contemporary Búzios Bench by Guto Indio da Costa, Brazil, 2015
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
The Buzios Bench is a unique and elegant piece of furniture designed by Brazilian industrial designer Guto Indio da Costa. The bench draws its inspirati...
Wood
William P. Taylor for Sintoform Square Planter Bench
Located in Waalwijk, NL
William P. Taylor for Sintoform, square planter bench, reinforced polyester, United States, 1970s A striking fusion of form and function, this sculptural planter bench, designed by ...
Fiberglass
Stainless Steel, Horse Hair, Kutnu Fabric Lounge Bench by Studio Lugo
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel, Horse Hair, Kutnu Fabric Lounge Bench by Studio Lugo Dimensions: W 148 x D 50 x H 45 cm Materials: Stainless Steel, Horse Hair, Kutnu Fabric. Finishing: Matt Varnish...
Stainless Steel
$11,479 / item
Woven Long Bench 190 by Max Lipsey
Located in Geneve, CH
Woven Long Bench 190 by Max Lipsey Dimensions: D 54 x W 190 x H 46 cm. Materials: Steel, Kvadrat canvas, and fabric. Custom with Kvadrat Canvas and RAL colors. Custom lengths in 20c...
Steel
$1,903 / item
Hatch Bench by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
Hatch Bench by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 200 x D 50 x H 45 cm Materials: Base: Aged Steel, Seat: Natural Leather With the intention of providing good taste and personality, Doimo...
Steel
Saporiti x Il Loft Button-Tufted Suede Bench
Located in Astoria, NY
Giorgio Saporiti for Il Loft Button-Tufted Purple Suede Upholstered Bench, flanked by beige and grey upholstery, atop chrome legs, marked to underside. 8.5" H x 63" W x 23" D. Proven...
Chrome
$30,097 / item
Ebonized Ashe Sculptural Bench by Michael Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Ebonized Ashe Sculptural Bench by Michael Wilson Dimensions: W 243.84 x D 60.96 x H 50.80 x seat H 30.48 cm Materials: ebonized ashe The Michael Wilson Studio was founded in the fal...
Other
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Alessandro Mendini Postmodern “Karina” Bench for Baleri Italia
By Baleri Italia, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Memphis era Karina bench by Alessandro Mendnini and part of the series Poesie d’Anticamera. Grey epoxy steel tube, perforated steel seat with blue felt cushion. Italy 1980s.
Steel
Limited Edition SSB01B Black Bench in MDF with Resin Coating by sashaxsasha
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition SSB01B Black Bench in MDF with Resin Coating by sashaxsasha Limited Edition of 6 + 2 A.P Dimensions: D 39 x W 175 x H 31,5 cm. Materials: MDF and resin. sashaxsasha...
Other
Calligraphic Sculpted Bench With a Refined Matte Brass Top by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Calligraphic Sculpted Bench With a Refined Matte Brass Top by Misaya Dimensions: W 158 x L 38 x H 40 cm Materials: Brass. Hand-sculpted brass bench. Misaya emulates Chinese ink pai...
Brass
$1,000Sale Price|60% Off
Maurizio Peregalli Modernist Bench for Zues, Italy, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Modernist black lacquered steel and rubber bench by Maurizio Peregalli for Zeus, Italy, 1980s.
Steel
$10,991 / item
Layered Steel Bench by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel bench by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 36 x W 180 x H 36 cm Materials: Stainless Steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continues...
Stainless Steel
1980s Steve Chase Waterfall Black Gold Floral Chintz Benches Stools , Set of 2
By Steve Chase
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, floral waterfall benches you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful stools stat...
Upholstery, Wood
Fragments Basalt Bench in Washington Black Basalt & Aluminum by Estudio Material
Located in Geneve, CH
Fragments Basalt Bench in Washington Black Basalt & Aluminum by Estudio Material. Dimensions: W 182.9 x D 43.2 x H 43.2 cm. Materials: Washington Black Basalt and Aluminum. Each Fra...
Stone, Aluminum
Italian Modern Sculptural Bench or Pouf by Moroso
Italian Modern Sculptural Bench Or Pouf By Moroso. This chic large Italian sculptural bench retains the original black wool type fabric with r...
Leather, Fabric
Paul Pallucco Attr. Panchetta Con Tavolino E Portariviste Postmoderno Anni 80
By Paolo Pallucco & Mireille Rivier
Located in Taranto, IT
Questa panchetta multifunzionale rappresenta perfettamente lo spirito del design postmoderno italiano degli anni Ottanta, con le sue forme scultoree e la combinazione di elementi pra...
Wood
Jolgorio Bench in Chuspata Fiber, Metal & Lacquered Oak by Joyful Objects Yes!
Located in Geneve, CH
Jolgorio Bench in Chuspata Fiber, Metal & Lacquered Oak by Joyful Objects Yes! Dimensions: D 50 x W 125 x H 48 cm. Materials: Metal, lacquered oak wood, and chuspata fiber. Availabl...
Metal, Other
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
Gomez Gazelle Bolster Bench
By Jose Gomez
Located in Saint Louis, US
This original handmade bench is a part of the Gomez originals inventory. Fashioned with black French natural nail heads. The wood bench hosts 10 full-down feather pillows outfitted with fine South African gazelle...
Leather, Wood
French Modern Parchment Bench by R & Y Augousti
Located in Houston, TX
French modern parchment bench by R&Y Augousti. This stunning bench has beautiful saber legs. This lovely postmodern French bench can also be used as a ...
Parchment Paper
Postmodern Pink Fabric Waterfall Bench
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Wonderful vintage postmodern waterfall bench. Feature a link fabric pleating around the edges.
Fabric
Tecton Bench in Travertine by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980
Located in Geneve, CH
Tecton Bench in Travertine by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980. Dimensions: W 170.5 x D 60 x H 44 cm. Materials: Travertine. This Bench is available in a selection of premium natura...
Travertine
$15,702 / item
Panchina Camel Antique Bench by Yukiko Nagai
Located in Geneve, CH
Panchina camel Antique bench by Yukiko Nagai Dimensions: D55 x W152 x H85 cm Material: Iron, Marble, Natural stone, Cement, Stucco Weight: 60 kg An old vintage bench...
Stone, Cement, Marble, Iron
Garouste & Bonetti Koala Bench, France 1980's
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in New York, NY
Koala Bench from the "En attendant les barbares" era, on bronze feet and upholstered in faux shearling.
Bronze
Mid-Century Italian Post Modern Bench in Gunmetal and Black Colors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek post modern design from Italy circa 1990's. It features heavy solid wood construction with gunmetal lacuer and black vinyl seat cushion. Very good overall condition.
Naugahyde, Wood
Italian Modern Leather Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Leather Bench. This stunning and sculptural Italian bench is most interesting and comfortable. This great Roche Bobois style benc...
Leather
Sculptural Post-Modern Steel Sofa, France 1980s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Very unique and unusual sofa. Inspired by the Maria Pergay, Michel Boyer era. Sourced in the south of France. Postmodernism. The bench is made of multiple materials, creating a beautiful composition. The base of the sofa is made of steel and has a beautifully patinated leather seat. The back of the sofa is made of resin. Due to the green strokes, it is multi-dimensional. Even if it's a functional sofa, it merely looks like a piece of art. It can both be used as a stand-alone sofa or bench and could be the perfect addition to any residential project, but would also look great in any gallery or high-end retail shop. The minimalist design of this French sofa is perfect for any clientele that wants to create a unique kind of atmosphere. It has a very industrial, apocalyptic, and postmodern feel to it. It is for sure an eye-catcher! Please note that it is a heavy object. Check out Daddy Deco...
Steel
Post Modern Leather Bench
Located in Denton, TX
Post Modern black leather bench with curved handle ends.
Leather, Wood
Bench by Joaquín Belsa Aldea – Barcelona 1970
Located in Girona, Girona
Bench in solid beech, waxed finish, seat in redone woven wicker. Model 214 Design by Joaquin Belsa Aldea Spain, Barcelona circa 1970
Wicker, Beech
Limited Edition Limo Bench in MDF with Blue Eucalyptus Veneer by sashaxsasha
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition Limo Bench in MDF with Blue Eucalyptus Veneer by sashaxsasha Limited Edition of 3 + 1 A.P Dimensions: D 39 x W 280 x H 36,5 cm. Materials: MDF and blue eucalyptus ve...
Other
$28,265 / item
Panca Bench by Tellurico
Located in Geneve, CH
Panca Bench by Tellurico Limited Edition Of 6 + 1 A.P. Pieces. Signed And Numbered. Dimensions: D 45 x W 140 x H 43 cm. Materials: Tala Noir marble and 15mm fumè glass. After gradu...
Marble
Art Deco Revival Upholstered Waterfall Bench by Thayer Coggin. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern / Art Deco Revival Upholstered Waterfall Bench by Thayer Coggin. Circa 1980s Features the original cream color upholstery with soft pastel pinks and teals tones al...
Upholstery
Modular Postmodern Seating System, Italy, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This modular seating system embodies the experimental character of Italian postmodern design of the 1980s, combining functional adaptability with strong geometric presence. Individua...
Metal
Enrique Garcel Postmodern Tessellated Horn Bench
Located in Bradenton, FL
Enrique Garcel Postmodern Tessellated Horn Bench. Bench features a tessellated coconut palm finish which gives it a rich, textured appearance. The design includes elegantly scrolling...
Wood, Textile