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.
Italian Set of Eight Dining Chairs With Wavy Backrests in Saddle Leather, Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of eight bicolor dining chairs, saddle leather in brown and red-brown colors, walnut, Italy, 1970s These playful and well-proportioned dining chairs were made in Italy during th...
Leather, Walnut
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Six 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six 'Cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs in luxurious reddish brown leather ...
Leather, Plastic
Post-Modern Set of Six Italian Ash Wood Dining Chairs in Cognac Faux Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, ash, faux leather, Italy, 1970s A set of six Italian dining chairs from the 1970s, crafted in ash wood and upholstered in rich cognac faux leather. Defined by their e...
Faux Leather, Ash
Mario Bellini Set of Four 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Patinated Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of four armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, plastic, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was th...
Leather, Plastic
Maison Regain Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Solid Elm, Patinated Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain, set of eight dining chairs, cognac leather, solid elm, France, 1970s A set of eight Maison Regain dining chairs, designed in France during the 1970s, exemplifying the...
Leather, Elm
Italian Post-Modern Set of Six Dining Chairs in Walnut Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, walnut, Italy, 1980s A striking example of Italian design from the 1980s, these walnut chairs embody a refined balance between sculptural form and everyday...
Walnut
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of eight 'Cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs in luxurious reddish brown leathe...
Leather, Plastic
1970s Dining Set in Solid Pine with Table Chairs and Bench
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining ensemble consisting of a table, set of four chairs, and a bench, solid pine, Italy, 1970s This Italian dining suite, dating from the 1970s, exemplifies the period's renewed i...
Pine
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Set of Ten Dining Chairs in Walnut and Black Saddle Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, set of ten dining chairs, saddle leather, walnut, Italy, circa 1970 Set of ten dining chairs attributed to Italian designers Afra & To...
Leather, Walnut
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'Lira e Liuto' Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs, cognac leather, Italy, 1989 This set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs has beautiful cognac colored leather tha...
Leather
Maria Pergay Swivel Chairs in Stainless Steel and Cognac Leather
By Maria Pergay
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Maria Pergay, swivel chairs, stainless steel, reupholstered leather, France, 1970s These chairs are a prime example of the 1970s French design movement, which combine...
Stainless Steel
Tito Agnoli Set of Six 'Ilex' Dining Chairs in Solid Oak
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Tarpac Data International, set of six 'Ilex' dining chairs, oak, lacquered metal, Italy, 1980s This pristine set of six dining chairs exemplifies the furniture desig...
Metal
$1,400 / set
Matteo Grassi Dining Chairs in Leather and Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Matteo Grassi, set of four dining chairs, leather and steel, Italy, 1980s. Sophisticated set of four dining chairs designed by Italian designer Matteo Grassi in the 1980s. These cha...
Steel
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni Set of Twelve 'Monk' Dining Chairs
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, set of twelve 'Monk' dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, 1974. Set of ‘Monk’ chairs by renowned Italian designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Th...
Leather, Walnut
Italian Set of Four Dining Chairs in Wood and Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of four dining chairs, black lacquered wood, wood, Italy, 1970s Set of four dining chairs with interesting features, made in Italy in the 1970s. This design is unusual and speci...
Metal
Italian Dining Chairs in Steel and Ocher Yellow Leatherette
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, yellow leatherette, chrome, steel, Italy, 1970s Comfortable Italian dining chairs in yellow leatherette. The eye-catching colored upholstery emphasizes the round sha...
Steel, Chrome
Set of 4 Italian Post-Modern Black Lacquered High Back Dining Chairs, 1970s–1980
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Italian Post-Modern dining chairs, each built on a black lacquered tubular steel frame with a dramatically tall arched back. Vertical spindle rods fan from the curved top...
Steel
$559Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 2 Purple La Marie Chairs By Philippe Starck For Kartell, Made In Italy
Located in San Carlos, CA
For Sale: Iconic La Marie Chairs by Philippe Starck for Kartell Elevate your interior with this stunning set of 2 clear purple La Marie chairs. Designed by the renowned Philippe Sta...
Plastic
$142,000 / set
Paul Evans for Directional Sculpted Bronze Dining Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, dining chairs, model PE-106, epoxy bronzed resin over steel, fabric, United States, circa 1970 These dining chairs are designed by Paul Evans for Directi...
Bronze, Steel
Pair of 1970s Sculptural Geometric Chairs in Expressive Grain Wood and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gagglioli, pair of dining chairs, Alpi wood veneer, brass, reupholstered fabric, Rome, Italy, 1970s A strikingly postmodern and angular design, characterized by its bold geometric f...
Brass
Guido Faleschini for I4 Mariani Set of Eight 'Dilos' Dining Chairs Rose Velvet
By i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani, set of eight 'Dilos' dining chairs, part of the 'Pace Collection', beech, velvet, Italy, circa 1975 These 'Dilos' chairs are designed by the creativ...
Velvet, Beech
$720Sale Price / item|40% Off
Hans Ullrich Bitsch Set of 10 Red Blue Metal Chairs Series 8600
By Kusch+Co, Hans Ullrich Bitsch
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of ten/10 Hans Ullrich Bitsch chairs Series 8600, circa 1980 -Sold as individual pieces. 5 are red and 5 blue. Please combine. Wonderful dining room set of 10 red and blue metal chairs...
Metal, Chrome
$703Sale Price / set|20% Off
1980's Giandomenico Belotti Black Leather Dining Chairs, A Pair - Made in Italy
Located in San Carlos, CA
For Sale: Stunning Pair of Giandomenico Belotti Black Leather Dining Chairs Elevate your space with these gorgeous, high-end designer dining chairs crafted by the renowned Italian m...
Chrome
Dr. Glob Dining Chair Set by Philippe Starck for Kartell, Italy 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design Dr. Glob Dining Chair Set by Philippe Starck for Kartell. Made in Italy, 1980's / 90's period. Marked on the bottom. All black edition. Stackable. Black pla...
Metal
Set of Six Sculptural Mid Century Italian Post Modern Dining Chairs Set
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A lovely set of sculptural dining chairs from Italy circa 1980's. Well made heavy construction. Fabric is fair / good with fading, so r...
Steel
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Brown Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of eight 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of eight 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious brown l...
Leather, Plastic
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Six Postmodern Costantini Ello Dining Chairs Made in Italy c 1970/80's
By Constantini, Ello Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Heroic set of Post Modern, Hollywood Regency school black lacquered dining chairs made in Italy by Pieto Costantini, imported by Ello, circa 1970-1980's. The set consists of four s...
Leather, Wood
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 4 Midcentury Post Modern Black Dining Chairs by Pietro Costantini Italy
By Pietro Costantini, Ello Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Amazing Set of 4 midcentury Post Modern Dining Chairs by Italian Designer Pietro Costantini. Very delicate Post Modern Designed Black Lacquer dining chairs with upholstered Seats. Al...
Wood, Lacquer
Guido Faleschini for I4 Mariani Set of Ten 'Dilos' Dining Chairs
By Guido Faleschini, i4 Mariani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani set of ten 'Dilos' dining chairs, leather, beech, Italy, circa 1975 These 'Dilos' chairs are designed by the creative Italian designer Guido Faleschi...
Leather, Beech
$1,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti P40 Chairs for Fasem - Set of Three
By Giancarlo Vegni & G. Gualtierotti, Fasem International
Located in Miami, FL
Set of three P40 post modern dining arm chairs with black rubber seats and back on a black lacquered steel frame designed by Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti for Fasem.
Steel
$12,918Sale Price / set|25% Off
Angelo Mangiarotti for Agapecasa Oak Leather Dining Chairs 3T Model, Italy 2000s
By AgapeCasa, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of eight Italian post modern dining chairs model 3T designed by Angelo mangiarotti from 1978 with oak frame and leather seat. Produced by Agapecasa with the designer’s and manufa...
Leather, Oak
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Sixteen 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of sixteen 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious reddish bro...
Leather, Plastic
$4,176Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern 1980s Design Icon "Alice" Chairs by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Ita
By Cattelan Italia, Giorgio Cattelan
Located in Basel, BS
Fabulous set of Rare "Alice" chairs by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Italia, Postmodern 1980s. Made of Stitched red leather. Designed in 1984, iconic design by Cattelan Italia. Feat...
Metal
$2,397Sale Price|40% Off
1980s Post Modern Three-Legged Chrome Milan Chairs Set of Four
Located in Malibu, CA
This Fabulous Set of Four Postmodern, Chrome three legged chairs from Milan, Italy. circa 1980's. The Wonderful Original Fabric is on the upholstered seat cushions. Overall, they ar...
Chrome
Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau Pair of 'Movie' Armchairs in Saddle Leather
By Poltrona Frau, Mario Marenco
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau, pair of armchairs model 'Movie', lacquered metal, leather, Italy, 1984 Italian furniture designer Mario Marenco drew inspiration from cinema seats, ...
Metal
$3,041Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rennie Dining Chair Set by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, Italy, 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design 'RENNIE' Dining Chair set of 8 by Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina, made in Italy 1980's. Architectural design dining chairs in dark brown. The seat and b...
Faux Leather, Wood
Aurora stool, walnut solid wood finish, solid back, camel leather seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Modern Style Aurora Chair Sculpted in Walnut Finish Arms, leather back & seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Walnut Finish with Wooden Back and Textile
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Aurora stool, light honey solid wood, natural caning back, camel leather seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Set of 4 "Pan Am" Armchairs by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima
By RIMA, Gastone Rinaldi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Italian armchairs by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima. The design of the bucket seat celebrates the Pam Am logo. Gastone Rinaldi (1920-2006) was an Italian de...
Steel, Chrome
Marc Newson 'Kiss the Future' Chair in Green Molded Polypropylene
By Marc Newson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marc Newson for W & LT (Wild & Lethal Trash) retail stores, chair, part of the 'Kiss the Future' series, rotation molded polypropylene, Australia / Belgium, 1996-1997 Marc Newson (...
Plastic
Post Modern Stool in Walnut Finish, Cane Back Leather Seat Counter or Bar Height
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Italian Modern Cream Lacquered High Back Dining Chairs, Set of Four
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish set of four Italian Modern or Postmodern slatted high back dining chairs In the manner of Pietro Costantini By Tonon Italy Italy, Circa 1980s Cream lacquered ...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
Modern Style Aurora Chair Sculpted in Walnut Finish Arms, leather seating, cane
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Rare Pierre Chapo Set of Eight S11 Dining Chairs in Sipo Wood and Leather
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, rare set of eight dining chairs, model S11, sipo wood, leather, France, circa 1966 A set of eight chairs in solid sipo wood, which makes this set so rare, with cognac...
Leather, Wood
Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Side/Dining Chair, 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Marcel Breuer for Knoll Cesca Side/Dining Chair, 1980. We have 200 plus of these chairs available. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Chairs Measure 32" tall, 19" ...
Bouclé
Marc Newson 'Kiss the Future' Chair in Black Molded Polypropylene
By Marc Newson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marc Newson for W & LT (Wild & Lethal Trash) retail stores, chair, part of the 'Kiss the Future' series, rotation molded polypropylene, Australia / Belgium, 1996-1997 Marc Newson (...
Plastic
Set of 4 White Lacquer and Leather Pietro Costantini Italian Dining Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Four Italian dining chairs by Pietro Costantini, imported by Ello, circa 1970s/1980s. The curved seats are generous and comfortable, still in their original white leather upholstery....
Leather, Wood, Lacquer
Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Sculpted Solid Wood with Cane Back and Leather
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Pierre Chapo Sculptural 'S34' Chair in Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining chair model 'S34', elm, France, 1960s This asymmetrical chair with a twisted base is a true icon of Pierre Chapo's playful and solemn designs. The backrest is p...
Elm
Pietro Costantini for Ello Postmodern High Back Dining Chairs, Set of 8 (Italy)
Located in Round Top, TX
Set of Eight (8) Postmodern Italian Pietro Costantini Dining Chairs Designed for Ello August 19th, 2026 Update: Reupholstery Pending. These are currently being reupholstered in ivor...
Textile, Wood
Post-Modern LIBRA Dining Chairs by Christian Werner for Ligne Roset, France 1990
By Ligne Roset
Located in Wien, AT
Set of six LIBRA dining chairs designed by Christian Werner for Ligne Roset and manufactured in France in 1990. An elegant example of late 20th-century French design, the LIBRA model...
Aluminum
Post Modern Stool in Solid Wood, Caning Back and Seat, Counter or Bar Height
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Original 1984 "Costes" Dining Chairs by Philippe Starck for Driade — Set of 4
Located in Basel, BS
A set of 4 "Costes" chairs by Starck. Note: an additional pair of slightly lighter colored Costes chairs are also available in a separate listing. You could combine these 4 with t...
Metal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Dialogo Dessau' Dining Chairs
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Dialogo Dessau' dining chairs, chromed metal, plastic, Italy, 1974 The Dialogo Dessau chair, with its distinctiv...
Metal, Chrome
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner Pair of Dining Chairs in Red Leather
By Gilbert Steiner, Kwok Hoi Chan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner, pair of dining chairs, leather, lacquered steel, France, circa 1970 A postmodern design by Chinese designer Kwok Hoi Chan known for his works that are imm...
Leather
Aurora stool, light honey solid wood, natural caning back, cream textile seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Five pairs availabel Marco Maran Max Design ten dining chairs
By Knoll, Marco Maran
Located in Ferndale, MI
Sold by the pair five pairs are available "X3" chairs by Marco Maran for dining room or office. Manufactured by Max Design in Italy . I believe distributed by Knoll but not sure of...
Chrome
Italian Model Regia Dining Chairs by Antonello Mosca for Ycami, 1980s, Set of 8
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Italian Model Regia Dining Chairs by Antonello Mosca for Ycami. Black aluminum frames with black leather seats. Timeless post modern design. Very good condition 1980s - Italy Di...
Metal