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.
Gionathan de Pas, Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi 'Joe' Lounge Chair in Leather
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gionathan de Pas, Donato D'Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi for Poltronova, 'Joe' glove lounge chair, cognac leather, brass-plated steel, Italy, 1970 This extraordinary chair, named the ‘Jo...
Brass, Steel
IPE Cavalli Italian Pair of Lounge Chairs in Colorful Striped Fabric
By Ipe Cavalli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
IPE Cavalli, pair of lounge chairs, fabric, steel, Italy, 1970s Exceptional lounge chairs by IPE Cavalli, crafted in Italy during the 1970s. With their bold presence and generous pr...
Steel
Pair of "Colefax" Swivel Lounge Chairs & Ottoman Made in the USA by Pearson
By Pearson Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant and exceptionally comfortable pair of vintage swivel lounge chairs with matching ottoman, manufactured by Pearson Furniture in High Point, North Carolina, circa 1980s. The...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Cassina Model 415 CAB Lounge Chairs in Terracotta Leather by Mario Belli
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
A rare pair of postmodern CAB 415 lounge chairs by Mario Bellini, made in Italy by Cassina c. 1990s. Upholstered in a rust-toned saddle leather, perfectly broken in by three decades...
Steel
Mario Bellini for Cassina Pianura Lounge Chairs in Walnut and Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, 'Pianura' lounge chairs with armrests, walnut, leather, Italy, 1971 The ‘Pianura’ lounge chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed in 1971, presents a ...
Leather, Walnut
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscapes in Patinated Cognac Brown Leather
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa elements, patinated cognac brown leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofas in a patinated leather by the Swiss m...
Leather
Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler 'Apollo' Lounge Chair in Leather
By Illum Wikkelsø, Ryesberg Møbler
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler, lounge chair model 'Apollo', leather, lacquered wood, Denmark, 1970s This distinctive lounge chair by Illum Wikkelsø is of high-quality both in t...
Leather, Wood
Vintage Ekornes Stressless Regent Leather Recliner Armchair with Ottoman, 1980s
Located in Berlin, DE
A distinctive vintage Stressless Regent reclining armchair with matching ottoman by Ekornes, dating from the 1980s. Made in Norway, the chair combines the exceptional comfort for whi...
Metal
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'Pianura' Lounge Chair in Walnut
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, 'Pianura' lounge chair, walnut, fabric, Italy, 1971 The ‘Pianura’ lounge chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed in 1971, presents a compact yet scul...
Fabric, Walnut
$975Sale Price|35% Off
Sculptural Lounge Chair Jaymar 1980s
By Jaymar
Located in Toronto, ON
Gorgeous pop art chair by Jaymar in a dark nylon like material. It's a blueish black fabric colour with slight prints/texturing on the fabric (see photos). This bold and modern chair...
Leather
Danish Pair of Armchairs in Oak and Chrome with Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Manufactured by Duba Møbelindustri, pair of armchairs, bent plywood, chrome-plated metal, fabric, Denmark, 1970s. Pair of Danish chairs manufactured by Duba Møbelindustri. The whol...
Fabric, Plywood
Vladimir Kagan 'Ellipse' Lounge Chair in Beige Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vladimir Kagan, 'Ellipse' lounge chair, alcantara, chrome-plated aluminum, United States, designed in 1976 and produced circa 1980 This 'Ellipse' lounge chair truly employs the desi...
Aluminum, Chrome
Dutch Post-Modern Camel Leather High Back Lounge Chair, 1990s
By Leolux, Jane Worthington
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Post-Modern lounge chair from the 1990s, fully upholstered in camel leather. The high, contoured back tapers toward the seat and broadens at the crown, giving the chair a sculp...
Leather
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate 'Blop' Lounge Set in Original Fabric
By Carlo Bartoli, Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, pair of two-seat sofa with pair of lounge chairs and coffee table, model 'Blop', original ve...
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
Joe Colombo for Comfort Lounge Chair 'Elda' in Black Leather and Fiberglass
By Comfort, Italy, Joe Colombo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Comfort, lounge chair ‘Elda’, fiberglass, leather, Italy, 1963 The ‘Elda’ chair is one of the most well-known designs of Italian designer Joe Colombo. This lounge ch...
Leather, Fiberglass
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Loveseat by B&B Italia, Suede, 1972
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Bellini's 'Le Bambole' lounge chair for B&B Italia is one of the most recognizable silhouettes of 1970s Italian design. The chair's fully upholstered, pillow-like form has ...
Leather
Joe Colombo for Comfort 'Elda' Lounge Chair in Red Leather and Fiberglass
By Comfort, Italy, Joe Colombo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Comfort, lounge chair ‘Elda’, fiberglass, leather, Italy, design 1963 The ‘Elda’ chair is one of the most well-known designs of Italian designer Joe Colombo. This lo...
Leather, Fiberglass
Rare Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Pair of Model 261 lounge chairs
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Knoll
Located in Round Rock, TX
Pair of Rare Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Model 261 lounge chairs c. 1970s Originally designed in the early 1930s, later refined by Mies in 1967 for executive interiors and introduce...
Leather, Oak
Gufram PRATONE Forever by Ceretti / Derossi / Rosso
By Gufram Furniture, Riccardo Rosso, Piero Derossi and Giorgio Ceretti
Located in Toronto, ON
Chair of soft polyurethane, upholstered in bouclé wool. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ceretti, Derossi and Rosso’s masterpiece, in 2021 Gufram introduced PRATONE® FOREVER, a ...
Wool, Bouclé
$2,800 / item
Pair Knoll Pfister Black Leather Lounge Chairs, 1980
By Knoll, Charles Pfister
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Knoll Pfister Black Leather Lounge Chair, 1980. Original black leather. We have 20 of these chairs available.
Leather
Italian Post Modern Sculptural Lounge Chair
Located in Las Vegas, NV
If you've been looking for an incredible, sculptural lounge chair that will be the center of attention, look no further. This chair is big on style and size, a truly gorgeous piece, ...
Polyester
Percival Lafer Post Modern Brazilian Black Leather Reclining Pony Lounge Chair
By Percival Lafer, Lafer
Located in Troy, MI
Percival Lafer "Pony" recliner in original black leather circa 1980s Super comfortable and innovative design with relaxed leather cushions and metal front T leg support Reclines org...
Metal
$1,540Sale Price|30% Off
Red & Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Red and black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Red Leather lounge chair. Very fun Beautiful pop art wide leather chair. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in thick le...
Leather
Radboud Van Beekum Lounge Chair Black Leather by for Pastoe Post Modern, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
FM62 lounge leather chair by Radboud Van Beekum for Pastoe Post Modern, 1980 Dutch minimalistic lounge chairs in black saddle leather. Designed with geometric precision, these chair...
Steel
$2,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Black Leather Flight High Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen
By Takashi Okamura and Erik Marquardsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Flight High Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for Nelo of Sweden. All Black leather chairs with black lacquer wood frames. Good vintage condition. Great desi...
Leather, Bentwood, Lacquer
$4,000 / set
Pair of Post Modern Swivel Chairs by Preview
By Preview
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A nice pair of all original Post Modern swivel chairs by Preview Furniture. The chairs are all original, left as found. The chairs are structurally sound and the fabric is in good ...
Fabric
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
White Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cream white Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather lounge chair with ottoman. Very fun Beautiful pop art long leather chair and foot rest. Has unique back supports and legs up...
Leather, Wood
Ekornes Stressless Stressless Lounge Chair & Ottoman, Navy Blue Leather & Steel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made by Danish company Ekornes, this chair and ottoman combo is part of their Stressless line of lounge chairs. Like their other chairs, this model is very comfortable and fully adju...
Steel, Chrome
Vintage Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Geoff Hollington for Herman Miller
By Herman Miller, Geoff Hollington
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a rare lounge chair and ottoman by Geoff Hollington for Herman Miller, 1989. The heavy duty construction is clad in supple black leather. It features a hidden under-arm rec...
Steel
Marco Zanuso for Arflex ‘Square’ Lounge Chair
By Marco Zanuso, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marco Zanuso for Arflex, 'Square' lounge chair, fabric, metal, wood, Italy, 1962 This eccentric chair by Marco Zanuso is well-executed embodying a solid construction. Characteristic...
Metal
Postmodern T Line Lounge Chairs by Arflex, Red Alcantara, Italy, 1982
Located in Den Haag, NL
Two iconic armchairs by Arflex Design Burkhard Vogtherr. Model T Line Beautiful Postmodern lounge chairs. Very good sitting comfort. In a very nice red color. The Alcantara fabric ...
Fabric
Mario Bellini Reupholstered 'Camaleonda' Lounge Chair with Ottoman White Boucle
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, reupholstered 'Camaleonda' lounge chair with ottoman, boucle, metal, Italy, design 1970 The iconic Camaleonda design is conceived by Italian master Mar...
Metal
Postmodern Italian Chromed Metal Lounge Armchair, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Very rare Postmodern armchair Made in Italy in the 80s Unknown designer and maker High quality
Metal, Chrome
Roche Bobois Pair of Lounge Chairs in Red and Patterned Upholstery
By Roche Bobois
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roche Bobois, pair of armchairs, fabric, chrome, France, 1970s These rare and wonderfully constructed chairs by Roche Bobois feature a solid construction of solely round shapes. The...
Chrome
Channel Tufted Chaise Lounge by Vladimir Kagan, 1980
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Directional white boucle channel tufted chaise lounge. Completely restored and reupholstered.
Bouclé
Johan Bertil Häggström Tubular Lounge Chair for Swed-Form, Sweden, 1970s
By Swed Furn, Johan Bertil Häggström
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A lounge chair by Johan Bertil Häggström for Swed-Form, produced in Sweden in the 1970s. An example of Swedish postmodern design, the piece is built around a tubular chrome frame tha...
Metal
Pair Curvy Leather Lounge Chairs Style of Gerard Van Den Berg Montis Post-Modern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A wildly curvaceous pair of deep seat lounge chairs or club chairs in stitched black leather on discreed crhromed metal feet. These chairs closely r...
Metal, Chrome
$6,400 / set
Pair of Cubic Lounge Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, black leather, wood, Northern Europe, 1980s The design of this pair of lounge chairs is characterized by a cubic frame. When seated you experience a pleasant ...
Leather, Wood
Joe Chair by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Poltronova Italy. Original. Restored.
By Poltronova, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Kansas City, MO
Original iconic "Joe" Chair designed by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D'Urbino, and Paolo Lomazzi for Poltronova, Italy, 1970s. Named after baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and shaped like an...
Steel
Meritalia Shadow Chair, Green by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
The "Shadow" chair by Gaetano Pesce is an innovative piece of design, crafted by Meritalia. Like many of Pesce's works, it plays with form, colour and texture, aiming to create a uni...
Leather, Resin, Latex
$1,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Mid-Century Modern Cube Form Lounge Chairs by Patrician After Baughman
By Patrician Furniture Co, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of black and chrome cube form lounge chairs, by the Patrician Furniture Company circa 1970's. The chairs feature angular chrome legs, with a cube form seat, of black vinyl ...
Chrome
$5,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Postmodern Kurve Lounge Chairs by Karim Rashid for Nienkamper c. 2000/2020
Located in New York, NY
Rare and important pair of Post Modern, Contemporary Kurve lounge chairs, designed by Karim Rashid, made in Canada for Nienkamper, circa 2000/2020. The chairs feature a sexy curvac...
Naugahyde, Bentwood
D’Urbino, Lomazzi and Mittermair for Zerodisegno Rare 'Volare' Chair
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Donato D'Urbino, Paolo Lomazzi and Thomas Mittermair for Zerodisegno Italy 'Volare' lounge chair, steel, Italy, 1992 A remarkable “Volare” lounge chair, designed in 1992 by Donato D...
Steel
Meritalia Senzafine Chair, Senza Blue by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
The "Endless" Chair. Colourful tangles that give life to a geometric and dynamic seat. A series of joyfully inconsistent seats designed by Gaetano Pesce, and a manifesto of Meritalia...
Plastic
Rare Luigi Colani for Fritz Hansen Lounge Chair in Orange Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Colani for Fritz Hansen, lounge chair, chrome-plated steel, metal, orange fabric, Denmark, 1970s The German industrial designer Luigi Colani was renowned for incorporating org...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Luciano Frigerio 'Rancero' Lounge Chair with ottoman in Padouk
By Luciano Frigerio, Frigerio Di Desio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio di Desio, 'Rancero' lounge chair with ottoman, alcantara, padouk, steel, leather, Italy, 1970s Crafted by Italian designer Luciano Frigerio in the 197...
Steel
Toshiyuki Kita Wink Charcoal Gray Leather Lounge Chair for Cassina, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Charcoal gray leather Wink lounge chair designed by Toshiyuki Kita for Cassina, 1980s. Wink rises out of the complex interweaving of Western ways and Asian influences, a versatile...
Leather
Bouloum Human Form Ergonomic Lounge Chair by Arcanas (Canada) Postmodern Chaise
By Arconas, Airborne International, Olivier Mourgue
Located in Round Top, TX
The eye-catching “Bouloum” chair was designed by Olivier Mourgue and manufactured by Arconas in Canada in the 1970s. This unique, pop-art style chair in the shape of a person is full...
Textile
Percival Lafer 'MP 87' Lounge Chair in Reddish-Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Percival Lafer, lounge chair, model ‘MP-87’, leather, chrome-plated steel, rope, Brazil, 1971 The MP-87 lounge piece is conceived by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer in the 1970s....
Steel, Chrome
1990s Salotti Post Modern Black Leather Chair
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1990s with this exquisite black leather chair. The ultra rare chair exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The luxurious chair is statement piece which is also extremely comfortable and packed with personality. The deep seat lend inviting comfort to the elegant and roomy silhouette. The distinctive craftsmanship frame that give this piece a delightful mid century design, assuring a striking proportioned profile view from all angles. The chair was individually produced and finished with the highest level of hand craftsmanship. The most accurate color shade can be seen in the detailed photos, allowing you to envision how the sofa will perfectly complement your space. The chair is in excellent vintage condition and very comfortable Ready immediate use from our climate controlled, smoke and pet free warehouse. Please view the video and images provided closely to confirm its condition and appearance. The listing is for the chair only. Complete the look with the matching love seat and chair...
Leather, Wood
$1,470Sale Price|20% Off
Storvik Rattan Lounge Chair by Carl Öjerstam for IKEA, 2001
By IKEA, Carl Öjerstam
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This expansive rattan lounge chair with its organic and absolutely timeless lines comes in excellent condition. The rattan weave was stretched over a solid bamboo frame and shows min...
Rattan
$5,400 / set
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Pair of Lounge Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Paulin for Artifort, pair of armchairs, model '442/3', grey upholstery and steel by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, the Netherlands, 1960s These comfortable chairs shows elegant ...
Steel
Vittorio Varo for Plan 'Zinzolo' Lounge Chair in Orange Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Varo for Plan Design Interior, 'Zinzolo' lounge chair, fabric, Italy, 1970s This superb Zinzola lounge chair is designed by the Italian Vittorio Varo. This design reflects ...
Fabric
Luigi Radaelli Italian Pair of 'Tartana' Lounge Chairs in Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Radaelli, pair of 'Tartana' lounge chairs, leather, beech, Italy, 1970s These postmodern Italian lounge chairs will surely grab the viewer's attention. The construction is ba...
Leather, Beech
$13,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Michael Wolk Miami Swivel Lounge Chairs for Directional in Ivory Boucle, a Pair
By Michael Wolk
Located in Culver City, CA
A sculptural pair of Michael Wolk “Miami” swivel lounge chairs, freshly reupholstered in a dreamy ivory bouclé that somehow manages to feel both cloud-soft and architecturally seriou...
Bouclé
Unique Sculptural Pair of Lounge Chairs in Metal and Red Leather, Italy 1960s
Located in Hellouw, NL
A bold architectural presence characterises this pair of vintage chairs, likely dating to the late 1960s or early 1970s. Sculptural and angular, they reflect the experimental energy ...
Steel
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Pair Nelo Wave Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for Nelo Sweden
By Takashi Okamura and Erik Marquardsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Nelo Wave Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for Nelo of Sweden. Gray and black patina leather chairs with black lacquer wood frames. Good vintage condition. Grea...
Leather, Bentwood, Lacquer
Frank Gehry Power Play Chair and Ottoman for Knoll, Signed, Great Condition
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Power play chair and ottoman designed by Frank Gehry for Knoll in very close to new condition. There are no chips, cracks or repairs to the wood slats...
Maple
Vintage Lounge Chair Made in England by George Smith
By George Smith
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful lounge chair designed and manufactured in England by George Smith. The piece is beautifully upholstered in a mustard yellow fabric with beautiful wavy patter. The chair i...
Brass
Post-Modern Italian Pair of Lounge Chairs in Chrome and Beige Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, chrome-plated metal, fabric, Italy, 1970s These captivating Italian lounge chairs from the 1970s are a playful and expressive example of postmodern design. Wi...
Metal, Chrome