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.
$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
$7,800 / item
Parchment Bench Attr. Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Houston, TX
Parchment Bench attributed to Jean-Michel Frank composed of a wood frame veneered in goatskin and newly upholstered in ecru-cream-colored mohair.
Goatskin, Mohair, Wood
Ludmila Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ludmila Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 100 x D 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not in...
Foam, Wood
Opera Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Opera Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 120 x D 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not incl...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood, Beech
Babylone Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Babylone Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 122 x D 40 x H 48 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not i...
Foam, Beech
Enjoy The Silence Bench in Cast Bronze by William Guillon
Located in Geneve, CH
Enjoy The Silence Bench in Cast Bronze by William Guillon Hand Sculpted, Dated and Signed Dimensions: D 72 x W 170 x H 170 cm (custom dimensions upon request) Materials: Patinated ca...
Bronze
$1,480 / item
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
Zveva Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Zveva Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 100 x D 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not incl...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood, Beech
$1,120Sale Price|60% Off
Post Modern gray leather fully upholstered leather Bench 1980s
By Milo Baughman, Memphis Milano
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
Louise Bench in Oak, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Louise Bench in Oak, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 120 x D 45 x H 43 cm. Materials: particle board, oak, and HR foam. Fabric is not included. Please co...
Foam, Wood, Oak
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
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
Andrée Putman (FR 1915-2013): Banc Eléphant, teakwood and cast aluminum
Located in Zemst, BE
Bench by Andrée Putman High quality interior bench "Banc éléphant" Created and designed in 1992 for the Bordeaux CAPC museum. Made out of casted aluminium and originale asian teak...
Aluminum
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
Miss Lo Bench in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Miss Lo Bench in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 160 x D 38 x H 75 cm. Materials: Stained Rattan stems, Plywood seat, and HR foam. Fabric is not...
Foam, Rattan, Plywood
$2,275Sale Price|30% 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
$14,159 / item
Limited Edition DUSK Bench in Aluminum by Toshiki Omatsu
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition DUSK Bench in Aluminum by Toshiki Omatsu. Limited Edition. Dimensions: W 140 x D 50 x H 41 cm. Materials: Metal (Aluminum). Unlike iron and other materials, aluminum...
Aluminum
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
$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
$1,778 / 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
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
$1,766 / 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
Italian Postmodern Leather Bench
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spectacular 1980s Italian Postmodern bench. The bench is constructed of steel that’s powder coated in a metallic gray and the cushion is a soft li...
$4,680 / 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
$5,511 / 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
$971 / item
Sister Stool by Nick Sugihara
Located in Geneve, CH
Sister Stool by Nick Sugihara Dimensions: D 19.05 x W 33.02 x H 83.82 cm. Materials: Oiled cherry. Available in cherry, oak, and walnut. Please contact us. Sugihara Fine Furniture...
Cherry
$1,029 / 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
$3,674 / item
Oracle Bellini 1340 Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Oracle Bellini 1340 Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 134 x W 54 x H 52.5 cm Materials: Timber / Upholstered tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 20 kg Frame Finishes: Textura Bl...
Steel
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
$1,860 / item
Acid Spale Bench by Twenty Second Factory
Located in Geneve, CH
Acid Spale Bench by Twenty Second Factory Dimensions: D 24 x W 89 x H 37 cm Materials: Wood, metal. The Acid "Spale" Bench, is a unique piece crafted from reclaimed railroad ties in...
Metal
$4,797 / item
Lighted Out Glacé Bench by Alessandro Mendini
Located in Geneve, CH
Lighted Out Glacé Bench by Alessandro Mendini Dimensions: D 125 x W 180 x H 50 cm. Seat Height: 50 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 27 kg. This product is suitable for indoor an...
Other
$1,872 / 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
$12,099 / item
Ash Kyra Bench by Nish Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Kyra Bench by Nish Studio Dimensions: W 51.5 x D 207 x H 47.5cm. Materials: Carbon stained + Sand Blasted Ash **Price without cushion. N I S H is a Cape Town based Fashion and ...
Other
Ibuju 04 Extra Large Bench in Colombian Woven Yaré Natural Fiber by Fango Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ibuju 04 Extra Large Bench in Colombian Woven Yaré Natural Fiber by Fango Studio Dimensions: D 45 x W 250 x H 43 cm. Materials: Colombian woven yaré natural fiber Available in diff...
Natural Fiber
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
$38,616 / item
Five Dimensions Decorative Bench by KV Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Five Dimensions Decorative Bench by KV Design Dimensions: D 160 x W 47 x H 47 cm. Materials: Walnut, Epoxy Resin, Stainless Steel. Limited Edition of 1 + 3. KV Design is a team of ...
Stainless Steel
$29,605 / 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
$1,050Sale Price|30% 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
Besho One Of a Kind Bench in Travertine Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Besho One Of a Kind Bench in Travertine Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 40 x W 130 x H 50 cm. Materials: Travertine. Available in different finishes and material ...
Travertine
Silva Bench in Basalt Stone & Black Stained, Burned Walnut by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Silva Bench in Basalt Stone & Black Stained, Burned Walnut by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 60 x W 180 x H 70 cm. Materials: Basalt stone and walnut. Available in differ...
Stone
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
$6,857 / item
Brick Bench by Idaaf Architects
Located in Geneve, CH
Brick Bench by Idaaf Architects Dimensions: D 35 x W 190 x H 55 cm. Materials: Solid oak. ‘Brick’ is the first attempt by Idaaf Architects workshop to create a new building material. White the process of selecting its textures is at the initial stage and the research process is ongoing, we used it's shape to create various decorative elements for the interior. Born and based in Tbilisi, Nana Zaalishvili...
Oak
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
$1,568 / item
Tema Bench by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Tema Bench by DAaZ Dimensions: D 37 x W 165 x H 45 cm. Materials: Ash wood. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and revel in the ma...
Wood
Giorgio Saporiti Bench by Il Loft, Button-Tufted Purple Suede, Italy
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
Unda One Of a Kind Bench in White Quarry Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Unda One Of a Kind Bench in White Quarry Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 70 x W 160 x H 60 cm. Materials: White quarry stone. Available in different finishes and ...
Stone
Hanabishi Bench, Stained Birch Wood by Mun Hau Production
Located in Geneve, CH
Hanabishi Bench, Stained Birch Wood by Mun Hau Production Dimensions: W 158 x D 32 x H 45 cm. Materials: Stained Birch Wood, Stained Birch Plywood, Wood inlay - oak, sapele, birch. ...
Wood
$5,605 / item
Small Perlude Teak Bench by Caroline Voet
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Perlude teak bench by Caroline Voet Dimensions: 50 x 120 x H 43 cm Materials: Teak Also available in oak natural, seating oak black, seating walnut natural. The Perlude benche...
Teak
“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
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
$6,436 / item
Ruins Bench in Resin and Plaster by Szymon Keller
Located in Geneve, CH
Ruins Bench in Resin and Plaster by Szymon Keller. Dimensions: W 180 x D 30 x H 50 cm. Materials: Resin, plaster, fibers. Available in Green, Brown, Terracotta and White. Please con...
Resin, Plaster
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
Paratinga Bench in Pequi Wood by Hugo França, Post-Modern Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Paratinga Bench in Pequi Wood by Hugo França Dimensions: D 220 x W 550,4 x H 130 cm. Materials: Pequi wood. Dimensions may vary. Please contact us. Atelier Hugo França's principle...
Wood
$12,800 / item
Wave Bench in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Wave Bench by Brent Warr is a bold sculptural statement, merging functional design with artistic form. Its undulating backrest and bulbous legs echo a whimsical interpretation of...
Fabric, Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
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
Post Modern Leather Bench
Located in Denton, TX
Post Modern black leather bench with curved handle ends.
Leather, Wood
Ibuju 01 Small Bench in Colombian Woven Yaré Natural Fiber by Fango Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ibuju 01 Small Bench in Colombian Woven Yaré Natural Fiber by Fango Studio Dimensions: D 45 x W 120 x H 43 cm. Materials: Colombian woven yaré natural fiber Available in different ...
Natural Fiber
$9,876 / item
N2v Bench by Aaron Scott
Located in Geneve, CH
N2V Bench by Aaron Scott Dimensions: D 34.5 x W 122 x H 41 cm Materials: bleached cherry. Also available in other woods: lacquered cherry, bleached walnut, walnut. Brooklyn-...
Cherry
$2,040
Aria Waterfall Bench
Located in Medina, OH
Bring some sunshine into any room with our Aria Waterfall Bench. These are hand-crafted by our upholstery shop in Medina, Ohio, and are comprised of the highest quality materials. ...
Wool, Foam, Hardwood
$875Sale Price|30% 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