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.
Grassi&Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzoni Set of Eight 'Pasqualina' Dining Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Grassi&Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzoni, set of eight 'Pascqualina' dining chairs, leather, steel, Italy, 1980s The Pasqualina armchair, designed by Grassi & Bianchi for Enrico...
Steel
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
Grassi&Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzoni Set of Ten 'Pasqualina' Dining Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Grassi&Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzoni, set of ten 'Pascqualina' dining chairs, leather, steel, Italy, 1980s The Pasqualina armchair, designed by Grassi & Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzon...
Steel
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
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
Nienkamper for De Sede Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Leather and Chromed Metal
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Nienkamper for De Sede set of eight dining chairs, leather, chromed metal, Switzerland, 1970s These dining chairs combine generous leather upholstery with a clean tubular steel fram...
Metal, Chrome
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 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
Rare Set of 8 Bruno Rey Sculptural Dining Chairs for Kusch & Co., 1970s
Rainer Daumiller Pair of Dining Chairs in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals Sawmill, pair of dining chairs, pine, Denmark, 1970s Beautiful, organic and natural dining chairs in solid pine by Danish Rainer Daumiller in the 1970...
Pine
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
$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
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
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
Mario Bellini Dining Chairs Set cab 412 cab 413 by Cassina, Black Leather, 1985
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful set of 12 dining chairs by Mario Bellini 1980's; 2x cab 413 and 10x cab 412 by Cassina. We have a total of 4x cab 413 and 12x cab 412 at the moment, please inquire if you ...
Steel
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
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
Set of 5 Postmodern Memphis Style Dining Chairs, Black and Turquoise, 1980s
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
A set of five postmodern dining chairs from the 1980s, designed in the spirit of the Memphis Milano movement. The frames are made of black powder-coated steel rod, bent into a playfu...
Metal
Mario Bellini Cassina Cab 412 + Cab 413 - 12 Black Leather Dining Chairs, 1980
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful set of 12 dining chairs by Mario Bellini 1980's; 2x cab 413 and 10x cab 412 by Cassina. We have a total of 4x cab 413 and 12x cab 412 at the moment, please inquire if you ...
Steel
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
$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
1980s Vintage Italian Dining Chairs by Carlo Bartoli for Matteo Grassi
By Carlo Bartoli, Matteo Grassi
Located in Wesseling, DE
Beautiful vintage Italian dining chairs designed by Carlo Bartoli for Matteo Grassi in the 1980s. These elegant chairs feature finely upholstered seats and backs paired with slender ...
Metal
$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
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Six ‘CAB 412 & 413’ Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six chairs models ‘CAB 412’ and ‘CAB 413’, leather, plastic, Italy, design 1979 This set combines ‘CAB 412’ chairs and two ‘CAB 413’ armchairs, fin...
Leather, Plastic
Set of 4 Belgo Chrom Postmodern Armchairs, Black and Blue Alcantara, 1980s
By belgochrom
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Set of four Belgo Chrom postmodern armchairs from the 1980s, with the graphic look that made this decade so much fun. Brushed steel frames, a flat steel arm rail that runs around the...
Steel
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Six Postmodern Costantini Ello Dining Chairs Made in Italy c 1970/80's
By Ello Furniture, Constantini
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
$1,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti P40 Chairs for Fasem - Set of Three
By Fasem International, Giancarlo Vegni & G. Gualtierotti
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
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
$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
Italian Set of Six Geometric Armchairs in Stained Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six armchairs, stained beech, leatherette, Italy, 1970s Simplistic yet elegant Italian set of six dining chairs. Straight geometric lines ar...
Faux Leather, Wood
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 4 Midcentury Post Modern Black Dining Chairs by Pietro Costantini Italy
By Ello Furniture, Pietro Costantini
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
Original 1984 "Costes" Dining Chairs by Philippe Starck for Driade — Pair
Located in Basel, BS
A pair of definitive masterpieces of 1980s post-modern Italian design. Designed by the legendary Philippe Starck in 1984, the "Costes" chairs were originally conceived for the bustl...
Metal
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 10
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 10 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in dark green leather. They are very comfortable. The set consists of 8 r...
Leather
Set of Four Chrome and Leather Dining Chairs by Gavina c 1960/1980's
Located in New York, NY
Set of four leather and chrome dining chairs designed by Kazuhide Takahama for Cassina circa 1960-1970's. The chairs feature leather seats, arm rests and backs, on bright chrome fram...
Chrome
Pair Sheraton Chairs by Robert Venturi for Knoll. 1986, Signed
By Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of two Robert Ventura and Denise Scott Brown Sheraton Chairs for Knoll. Produced in 1986. Both examples are signed with the original Knoll labels.
Wood, Leather
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner Pair of Dining Chairs in Red Leather
By Kwok Hoi Chan, Gilbert Steiner
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
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
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
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
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
Set of Four Castelijn ‘Harmonica’ Dining Chairs by Mazairac and Boonzaaijer
By Castelijn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 1980's, Post Modern dining chairs by noted Dutch design duo Mazairac and Boonzaaijer. Karel Boonzaaijer and Pierre Mazairac began their collaborative work at Pastoe and t...
Metal
Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue, Italy 1980's
By Cidue
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue. Made in the 1980's in Italy. Slender black lacquered metal frame with grey stained rush woven seats. They all shows signs of...
Metal
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
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Dialogo Dessau' Dining Chairs
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
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
$4,017Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern 1980s Design Icon "Alice" Chairs by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Ita
By Giorgio Cattelan, Cattelan Italia
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
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 by Simonini: Customizable Walnut Wood & Leather Seat
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
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
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
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
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 6 Birch Bentwood Stacking Chairs by Thonet, Made in Germany
By Thonet
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of six stackable chairs, made of birch bentwood, will make a unique and comfortable set of dining chairs. German engineering meets design. Rare to have such a large set in...
Plastic, Birch, Bentwood
Set of Six Stainless Postmodern Dining Chairs by Arthur Umanoff in Art Deco Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A matching set of six armchair dining chairs made by Arthur Umanoff. They feature stainless & aluminum construction with naugahyde covered padded seat cushions. Clean & ready to use ...
Stainless Steel
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
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
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Walnut & Cognac Saddle Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, dining chairs, saddle leather, walnut, Italy, circa 1970 Set of eight dining chairs attributed to Italian designers Afra & Tob...
Leather, 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
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