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.
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
$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
$1,480 / item
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
Custom Holland & Sherry White Bouclé Wool Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Custom Holland & Sherry white bouclé wool bench featuring a tapering oval body mounted on white oak ball feet. Also available C.O.M. International Orders: All international sales ar...
Bouclé, Oak
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
$5,450 / item
Maison Regain Grid Side Benches in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain benches, elm, France, 1970s Lovely benches by Maison Regain, a lovely example of French design from the 1970s. Made from solid elm wood, the benches emphasize clear co...
Elm
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
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
$1,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
1980s Waterfall Benches in a Green Moire Fabric in the Style of Karl Springer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A really nice pair of waterfall benches that will compliment any room. The green moire fabric is in wonderful shape. We can also upholster th...
Upholstery
Post Modern Lacquered Raspberry Accent Bench by B&B Italia. Circa 1990s
By B&B Italia
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Post Modern Lacquered Raspberry Accent Bench by B&B Italia. Circa 1990s Features a minimalist waterfall style desing with a rasberry color lacqured finish. In excellent ori...
Wood
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
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
Elsie Crawford for Sintoform Large 8-Seat 'Carousel' Sofa in Fiberglass
By Elsie Crawford, Sintoform
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Elsie Crawford for Sintoform, 'Carousel' sofa bench, fiberglass, United States, 1969 The Carousel sofa bench, designed by American artist Elsie Crawford for Sintoform, is a distinct...
Fiberglass
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
$1,766 / 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
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
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Classic Ripple Wave Bench by Laurinda Spear for Brayton International Ca. 1970's
By Laurinda Spear, Brayton International
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
$964 / 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
$5,472 / 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
$1,847 / 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
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
$1,301 / item
Burgundy Eustache Bench Natural Oak by HARTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Burgundy Eustache Bench Natural Oak by HARTO Dimensions: W 120 x D 40 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid wood, Wood veneered MDF, Velvet, Metal, Foam. Weight: 24.5 kg The Eustache bench i...
Metal
$10,736 / 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
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
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
L'ecorce Symmetrical Bench in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
L'ecorce Symmetrical Bench in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 180 x D 50 x H 52 cm. Materials: Solid Teak Wood, fabric. This listing features our Symmetrical L'ecorce Ben...
Wood, Hardwood, Teak
$6,808 / 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
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
$12,013 / 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
$29,395 / 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
$14,058 / 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
$4,763 / 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
$2,370 / item
A Folly Through the Trees Bench by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
A Folly Through the Trees Bench by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 48.5 x W 125 x H 42 cm Materials: Raw aluminum. This Unique bench was made as part of a sculptural ser...
Aluminum
$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
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
$2,939 / item
Fringes 140 Bench by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 140 Bench by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 140 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and fringes. Available in all Munna...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Charlotte Waterfall Bench
Located in Medina, OH
Bring some sophistication into any room with our Charlotte Waterfall Bench, in a beautiful white boucle fabric. These are hand-crafted by our upholstery shop in Medina, Ohio, and are...
Bouclé, Foam, Hardwood
Pair of Enrique Garcel Bone-Clad Stools or Benches, Karl Springer Style, 1980s
By Karl Springer, Enrique Garcel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Stylish pair of Enrique Garcel tessellated bone benches. Use them in the living room, or a bedroom. Separate them and use one in a foyer and another in the ...
Bone, Fabric, Resin
$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
$6,390 / 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
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...
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. Price...
Leather, Fabric
$2,928 / item
Mellow 140 Bench by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Mellow 140 Bench by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 140 x H 53 cm. SH: 53 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Green Duck Egg, CV19 upholstery. Availabl...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$15,081 / item
ZEP Bench in Leather by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON
Located in Geneve, CH
ZEP Bench in Leather by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON. Dimensions: W 120 x D 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Leather. Manufactured in France. Available in pony hair leather or suede leather. Please...
Leather, Upholstery
$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
$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
$8,946 / item
Medium Bench, Solid Wood by Sebastiano Zilio
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Bench, Solid Wood by Sebastiano Zilio Dimensions: W 202.8 x D 58.8 x H 40 cm. Materials: Solid Sungkai wood, About: Sebastiano Zilio Italy, 1969 Italian designer and artist...
Wood
Fenestra 180 Rectangular Bench in Warm Brown European Oak by Mokko Amsterdam
Located in Geneve, CH
Fenestra 180 Rectangular Bench in Warm Brown European Oak by Mokko Amsterdam Dimensions: D 45 x W 180 x H 45 cm. Materials: European oak. Available in different material options an...
Oak
$8,284 / item
Sculpted Leather Boe Bench by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpted Leather Boe Bench by Madheke Dimensions: D 60 x W 180 x H 40 cm. Materials: leather, brass. Finish options: Fabric Seat Coli CL 215371 Color 02 , Leather Side Classic Soft ...
Leather
Early 21st Century Fully Upholstered Postmodern Parson Style Bench with Cushions
By Parsons
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Early 21st Century Fully Upholstered Postmodern Bench with Cushions in the Parson Style. Features a classic fully-upholstered rectangular frame with straight legs that align ...
Upholstery, Wood
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
Ripple Bench by Laurinda Spear for Brayton International
By Laurinda Spear, Brayton International
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1990s. USA. reupholstered in Maharam felted wool
Wool
$20,229 / item
Salvante BS1 Bench by Piotr Dąbrowa
Located in Geneve, CH
Salvante BS1 Bench by Piotr Dąbrowa Unique Piece Dimensions: W 160 x D 40 x H 40 cm Materials: Calacatta Viola marble, walnut burl. Also available: Calacatta marble, Rosa Peralba mar...
Marble
$15,743 / item
LV Bench in Aluminum by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
LV Bench in Aluminum by Pietro Franceschini. Dimensions: W 160 x D 40 x H 44 cm. Materials: Aluminum, Fur. The LV edition is made of a chair, a stool, a lounge chair, a bench, and a...
Aluminum
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
$6,959 / item
Cuddle Bench in Natural Oak Veneer by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Cuddle Bench in Natural Oak Veneer by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 150 x D 40 x H 37 cm. Materials: Natural oak veneer. This listing features our Cuddle bench in its 37 cm height configu...
Oak
$3,543 / item
Melancholy Bench Seat by Saturday Yard Work
Located in Geneve, CH
Melancholy Bench Seat by Saturday Yard Work Dimensions: D 34 x W 65 x H 38 cm Materials: Aluminium, hand-dyed cotton, stainless steel chain. SATURDAY YARD WORK by Nathan Martin is a...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
$12,780 / 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: Travertino Paglierino and leather. Available in different marble and travertine opt...
Travertine
$12,525 / item
Large Day Bench, Solid Wood by Sebastiano Zilio
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Day Bench, Solid Wood by Sebastiano Zilio Dimensions: W 202.8 x D 78 x H 39 cm. Materials: Solid Sungkai wood, About: Sebastiano Zilio Italy, 1969 Italian designer and artis...
Wood