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.
1970s Club Chair in Teak and Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Club chair, leather, teak, Europe, 1970s This streamlined Post-Modern lounge chair is expressed by clear lines and pronounced geometric forms. The construction is based on a hexagon...
Leather, Teak
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
Red & Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Red and black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather lounge chair. Very fun Beautiful pop art wide leather chair. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in thick leathe...
Leather
Longue Chair Zyklus By Peter Maly For COR 1980s
By Peter Maly
Located in Čelinac, BA
Peter Maly Zyklus Longue Chair For COR 1980s
Chrome
Pair Eileen Gray Ecart International Transat Black Leather Lounge Chairs
By Eileen Gray, Ecart International
Located in Houston, TX
France, 1970s. Ecart International re-edition: wood, leather, nickel pleated metal. Between 1926 and 1928, Eileen Gray collaborated with Jean Badovici on the creation of an architec...
Nickel
Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler 'Apollo' Lounge Chair in Leather
By Ryesberg Møbler, Illum Wikkelsø
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
Mario Bellini for Cassina 'Pianura' Lounge Chair in Walnut
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
De Sede 'DS-31' Swivel Armchair in Black Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, lounge chair model 'DS-31', leather, chrome-plated metal, Switzerland, 1970s A design by De Sede that features a simple yet stately construction. A comfortable sitting expe...
Leather
$1,200Sale Price|20% 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
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
Mario Marenco for Comfortline 'Nova' Lounge Chair in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Comfortline, lounge chair, leather, molded polyurethane, Italy, 1980s A postmodern club chair created by the Italian designer and actor Mario Marenco (1933-2019). ...
Leather, Fiberglass
Vivai Del Sud Superstar Lounge Chair in Olive Green Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vivai Del Sud, 'Superstar' lounge chair, fabric, Italy, 1970s A splendid design by Vivai del Sud, known as the Superstar, is distinguished by its organic layout and substantial size...
Fabric
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
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
“Bird of Paradise” Vintage Leather Chair by Pieter van Velzen for Leolux
By Leolux
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An expressive and sculptural lounge chair designed by Dutch designer Pieter van Velzen for Leolux in the early 2000s. Known as the “Bird of Paradise” or Paradijsvogel, this distincti...
Metal
Post-Modern Italian Lounge Chairs in Checkered Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chairs, fabric, Italy, 1970s This exceptional lounge chair stands as a prime example of postmodern design, characterized by its unconventional form and bold, angular shapes c...
Fabric
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
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
Postmodern Wire Lounge Chair Armchair Sälen, Knut & Marianne Hagberg, Ikea, 1982
By K and M Hagberg, IKEA
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful wire loungechair with armrests from the 1980s. This is the model „Sälen“, designed in 1982 by Knut & Marianne Hagberg for Ikea Sweden. The chair has been produced for on...
Metal, Steel
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
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
Marco Zanuso for Arflex ‘Square’ Lounge Chair
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
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
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
"The Monroe" Lucite Lounge Chair by Aaron R. Thomas, USA 1990
By Aaron R. Thomas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Lucite lounge chair designed and manufactured in the United States in 1999 by Aaron R. Thomas for Design Lush for the ICFF furniture fair. The chair...
Fabric, Lucite
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
All Gray Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
All light gray Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather lounge chair. Very fun Beautiful pop art wide leather chair. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in thick soft ...
Leather
$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
$1,400 / item
Chrome Frame Lounge Chair After Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Chic and stylish club, lounge chair having bright chrome D shaped continuous arm, leg elements, and upholstered seats and back rests. The chair is in very...
Chrome
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Loveseat by B&B Italia, Suede, 1972
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Bellini's iconic 'Le Bambole' loveseat for B&B Italia showcases the revolutionary soft form design that defined 1970s Italian modernism. The distinctive curved silhouette c...
Leather
Diego Mattu for 1P Pair of 'Malù' Lounge Chairs in Beige Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Diego Mattu for 1P, pair of 'Malù' lounge chairs, fabric, ABS plastic, Italy, 1969 Diego Mattu's Malù creation introduces exceptionally cozy lounge chairs...
Fabric, Plastic
$2,304Sale Price|58% Off
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
Italian Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, leather, aluminum, Italy 1970s A lounge chair made in Italy in the 1970s. This chair strongly represents the essence of furniture design of the 1970s, going beyond the...
Aluminum
70s Mario Bellini Cassina "Pianura" style Oak Two Seater Sofa Loveseat (2 of 2)
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning masterpiece 1970s Italian Two-Seater Loveseat Sofa in the manner of the Cassina Mario Bellini Pianura chair, in Oak wood and incredible striped cushions. This sofa is Modu...
Upholstery, Oak
Post-Modern French Pair of Lounge Chairs in Brushed Steel & Grey Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, brushed steel, fabric, France, 1970s These armchairs are a prime example of the 1970s French design movement, which emphasized modernism and industrial materi...
Steel
$2,205Sale Price / set|30% Off
Beautiful Brown Remy Lounge Chairs for Bernhardt, "Pair"
By Jeffrey Bernett, Florence Knoll, Bernhardt Design
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Pair of Jeffrey Bernett designed remy swivel lounge chairs with saddle brown upholstery on a self returning chrome bases. Heavy, solid, and well made chairs showing little use. Manuf...
Chrome
$6,792 / item
Pitufi Teak Wood Lounge Chair by Heaps & Woods
Located in Geneve, CH
Pitufi Teak Wood Lounge Chair by Heaps & Woods Dimensions: W 89 x D 70 x H 90 x Seat H 40 cm Materials: Teak wood + natural loom. Cushion included. The Pitufi Chair is a stripped ba...
Other
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
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair For Kartell 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair for Kartell 1980s
Fabric, Plastic
Vladimir Kagan for Directional "Hurricane" Lounge Chair
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vladimir Kagan for Directional "Hurricane" Lounge Chair. Outlandish and crazy! This one makes a statement! In it's original fleshy pink Boucle Fabric!
Upholstery
Post-Modernist "Eldorado" lounge chairs, Mats Theselius, Källemo, Sweden, 2002
Located in Östermalm, Stockholms län
Pair of Iconic post-modernist lounge chairs by Mats Theselius, model called “Eldorado”. Designed in 2002 , these chairs are number 235 and 236 in a series of 360. Built from etched ...
Brass
$1,575Sale Price|55% Off
1990s De Sede Ds 151 by Jane Worthington Swivel Chaise
Located in Waxahachie, TX
De Sede. Jane Worthington. A DS 151 Recliner manufactered by De Sede in Sweden. As the chair is a reproduction of the human form the ergonomic aspects are a pur...
Faux Leather
A Fauteuil à Corbeille Bronzed Steel Chair By Raymond Morales, France, Ca. 1990s
Located in Peabody, MA
A rare Fauteuil à Corbeille or “Flower Basket” chair by the French sculptor Raymond Morales (1926-2004). The chair seat and back are comprised of hundreds of stamped steel rosettes i...
Steel
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
Weiman Barrel Lounge Swivel Chair + Swivel Ottoman
By Weiman
Located in Dallas, TX
A stylish Vladimir Kagan-inspired Weiman barrel lounge swivel chair and ottoman from the 1980s, refinished by the Selby House in a resilient Yarn ...
Wool, Cotton
$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
European Lounge Chair in Dark Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, leather, metal, Europe, 1980s This comfortable lounge chair lays full focus on strong lines and the combination of two materials. Upholstered in dark brown leather and resting on two u-shaped legs...
Metal
Pair American Modernist "High Sticking" Black Chairs Frank Gehry for Knoll 1992
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
Located in Portland, OR
A good pair American Port-Modernist "High Sticking" sculptural chairs by Frank Gehry for Knoll International in black, designed in 1992. One of the most celebrated architects of th...
Maple
Early 90's Production Getsuen & Rose Lounge Chairs Masanori Umeda for Edra Italy
By Masanori Umeda, Edra
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Pair of early 1990's production Getsuen & Rose Flower lounge chairs by Japanese designer Masanori Umeda for Edra Italy 1990 Very rare to find 2 early production examples now combine...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,274Sale Price|30% 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
Italian Cubic Lounge Chair in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, leather, Italy, 1970s This striking lounge chair comes in a black leather upholstery that gives the room a vibrant and interesting touch. The design is further charact...
Leather
Pair of Eastside Club Lounge Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll, 1980s
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Eastside Club Lounge Chairs by Ettore Sottsass for Knoll, 1980s Post modern classic design by Memphis founder Ettore Sottsass. The Eastside drew inspiration from Biedermeier ...
Metal, Aluminum
$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
Frank Gehry Power Play Chair and Ottoman for Knoll, Signed, Great Condition
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
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
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
Rare Feltri Chair by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Cassina
Located in Wien, AT
This iconic chair has been featured on numerous online platforms dedicated to modern art and design collecting. It represents a refined synthesis between artwork and functional objec...
Fabric, Felt
Contemporary 3x4 Stainless Steel chair by Brazilian Designer Rodrigo Ohtake, 1/4
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
3x4 lounge chair by Rodrigo Ohtake 1/4 limited edition.
Steel
Vintage Puzzle Chairs, Birch Plywood by David Kawecki, Postmodern, 1990s
Located in San Antonio, TX
Two vintage sculptural David Kawecki puzzle chairs made of birch plywood, circa 1990s. 30" x 24" x 32" x 18.5 "David Kawecki is a designer who c...
Plywood
Joe Colombo for Comfort 'Elda' Lounge Chairs in Red Leather and Fiberglass
By Comfort, Italy, Joe Colombo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Comfort, lounge chairs ‘Elda’, fiberglass, leather, Italy, design 1963 The ‘Elda’ chair is one of the most well-known designs of Italian designer Joe Colombo. This l...
Leather, Fiberglass
Vladimir Kagan "Papa Bear" Swivel Rocking Chair, in Boucle, Directional, 1980's
Located in Culver City, CA
Vladimir Kagan for Directional “Papa Bear” Wingback Swivel Lounge Circa 1980s There are chairs… and then there are Kagan's. This iconic “Papa Bear” wingback lounge chair, designed ...
Bouclé
Hans Hopfer 'Mah Jong' Sectional Sofa Lounge Chair by Roche Bobois, France 1990s
Located in Wien, AT
In 1971, Hans Hopfer created the Mah Jong Sofa for Roche Bobois: a system of fully modular floor units that champion complete freedom of form and function. Avant-garde at the time of...
Fabric
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