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.
Vintage Postmodern Curved Side Blue Leather Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage Post Modern Blue Leather Curvy Sculptural 3 Seat Leather Sofa. High quality soft and thick top grain leather in a rich teal blue color with curved sides, and single long seat...
Leather
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Velvet Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design set of two sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s, with a wooden frame featuring decorative bands...
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
Awesome Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Weiman Preview Bilbao Sculptural Sofas
By Vladimir Kagan, Weiman Preview Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the early 1990s by American design icon Vladimir Kagan, this pair of sofas was made by Weiman Preview, now known for their production of many iconic designs from Kagan, F...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Monumental 1980s 3 Piece Sofa by Steve Chase
By Martin Brattrud, Steve Chase, A. Rudin
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This MASSIVE 3 piece sofa by Steve Chase is a sight to behold. Measuring in at just under 15 feet across, it is a real statement maker. The slightly asym...
Fabric
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa /Daybed for American Leather
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Roanoke, VA
Beautiful "Matinee" sofa that doubles as daybed designed by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather. The sofa converts effortlessly into daybed by removing the bolster back and side bol...
Textile
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two Italian midcentury modern design three-seater sofa and two-seater sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s with solid wood fr...
Fabric, Wood
Postmodern 1990’s Sculptural Pink Leather Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage Post Modern Pink Leather Sculptural 3 Seat Leather Sofa. High quality soft and thick top grain leather in a light pinkish lavender color with angular shape, armrests extended...
Leather, Wood
$3,400Sale Price / item|20% Off
Superb All Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
All black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Sofa. Very fun Beautiful pop art long leather sofa. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in leather. Beautiful vintag...
Leather
Michel Ducaroy Ligne Roset Blue Leather Togo Corner Sofa France 1980s
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This authentic Michel Ducaroy design for Ligne Roset is the iconic Togo Ottoman, executed in France during the 1980s. The piece features supple Blue Leather upholstery, defining the ...
Leather
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
Gray Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low Loveseat Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gray 2 tone Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Loveseat Sofa. Very fun Beautiful pop art leather sofa. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in leather. Beautiful ...
Leather
Corbeille Leather Sofa by Francesco Binfare for Edra
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A post modern "Corbeille" Sofa by Francesco Binfare for Edra. Eight leather cushions are are held in place by an accordion style tubular metal frame. Original leather upholstery. Sou...
Metal
Postmodern Cloud Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
By Weiman Preview Furniture, Weiman, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Raleigh, NC
1980s cloud sofa attributed to Vladimir Kagan and produced by Weiman. Classic Kagan biomorphic shape. The seat has rounded ends and dramatic curves. The backrest curves with the sofa...
Fabric, Foam
Giovannetti Anfibio Sofa Bed by Alessandro Becchi
By Alessandro Becchi, Giovannetti
Located in Toronto, CA
An iconic shapeshifter, The Anfibio Sofa by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti (1970) is equal parts pop art and precision engineering, transforming from loungey leather nest to full-...
Metal
$5,875Sale Price|50% Off
Custom George Smith Espresso Tufted Leather Sofa
By George Smith
Located in New York, NY
An original custom made soft mottled dark espresso leather tufted with brass tacks and mahogany wood legs by famed bespoke British furniture maker, George Smith. Original label. Exc...
Leather, Hardwood
Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Sofa in Ivory White Bouclé by Directional, c. 1990
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Newly and professionally reupholstered Post Modern Nautilus sofa in ivory white bouclé by acclaimed designer Vladimir Kagan and made by Directional circa 1990. Known for his love of ...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Cloud Sofa, 2000
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Clound Sofa, 2000’s. Sofa is original white micro suede. Has 2 round plinth bases and 1 lucite leg in middle. There are a couple stains on...
Upholstery
Postmodern Gerard van den Berg Florence Sofa for Montis, Buck Leather
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg designed the Florence sofa for Dutch manufacturer Montis during the height of Postmodern experimentation with organic furniture forms. Known alternately as "The R...
Leather, Foam
1990s Vintage Leather Sofa
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Lovely 90s vintage Leather sofa. Interesting shape and style. Leather is a nice terracotta color. Sofa is heavy and solid. Shows some wear to the leather but it even and appropri...
Leather
A vintage biomorphic sofa in shearling, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage biomorphic curvy sofa, late 20th century. Upholstered in an off-white shearling bouclé, this piece represents the avant-garde of the postmodern design era, of which Russian...
Fabric, Wood
Post Modern Sofa by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll 1980's
By Knoll, Robert and Trix Haussmann
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Post Modern sofa designed by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll as part of The Lounge Seating series, circa 1980's. The upholstered box form sofa rests on an aluminum ...
Aluminum
$4,500Sale Price|50% Off
Postmodern Sculptural Curved Serpentine Sectional Snake Sofa
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Monumental serpentine snake sectional sofa in the style of Vladimir Kagan and Milo Baughman. This unique modular curved sofa consists of three interlocking sections reupholstered in ...
Upholstery, Ultrasuede, Wood
$9,000 / set
9 Piece Modular Scoop Swan Sofa by Henning Korch
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Great 9 piece Italian Post Modern modular sectional Swan sofa by Henning Korch. Comprised of 9 identical chair pieces that can be used individually or together. The arrangements ar...
Velvet
Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi Three-Seater Sofa
Located in Nashville, TN
Item Details: Two-Seater Green leather sofa. The leather cushions are embossed with “Matteo Grassi” and are held together by zippers. Creator: Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi ...
Leather
De Sede DS-125 Sofa by Gert Lange in cognac Leather, Switzerland, 1980s
By De Sede
Located in amstelveen, NL
Exceptional and highly sculptural DS-125 sofa by Gert Lange for De Sede, Switzerland, circa 1980s. This iconic model exemplifies De Sede’s mastery of leather craftsmanship and arch...
Leather
Italian 1970s Erasmo Sofa Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia Manner Living Room
Located in London, GB
This stunning and amazingly comfortable sofa in the manner of the iconic Erasmo sofa from Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia , is a beautiful example of 1970s Italian design. Curren...
Wood, Fabric
1980s Post Modern Italian Leather Sofa
By Chateau d'Ax
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Lovely Italian Post Modern Leather sofa. Literally looks like it was never sat on. Off white color. Perfect condition.
Leather
Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-Cal Basket Weave Rattan Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Uncommon Tanganika model basket weave rattan sofa designed by Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-Cal circa 1970’s. Three seat hand woven rattan sofa in an open basket weave pattern which extend...
Fabric, Rattan
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa/ Daybed for American Leather, Postmodern
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Vladimir Kagan "Matinee" sofa/ daybed produced by American Leather, 2007. Pewter leather with soft light grey backrest and grayish brown bolster pillows. Backrest easily lifts off t...
Leather, Upholstery
Rare Lodovico Acerbis 'Gem' Sofa in Black Leather and Acrylic
By Acerbis
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lodovico Acerbis for Acerbis, sofa, model 'Gem', leather, acrylic, chromed metal, Italy, 2002 True to its name, the Gem sofa by Lodovico Acerbis for Acerbis is a rare and refined ex...
Metal, Chrome
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscapes in Rich Beige Leather
By De Sede, Ubald Klug
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa elements, leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofas in leather by the Swiss manufacturer De Sede. The design for...
Leather
Diesis sofa for B&B by Paolo Nava and Citterio in white leather
By Antonio Citterio, Paolo Nava, B&B Italia
Located in Milano, IT
"Diesis" Two-Seater Sofa by B&B Italia - White Leather, Designed by Antonio Citterio and Paolo Nava, c. 2001 An icon of modern furniture design, this "Diesis" two-seater sofa by B&B ...
Metal, Steel
Vintage Vladimir Kagan Directional Cloud Sofa 1980s
Located in Chicago, IL
This spectacular Vladimir Kagan 'Cloud' sofa was produced by Directional Furniture in the 1980s and was just newly reupholstered in a gorgeous two toned velvet, and has the lucite ce...
Textile
Cloud Serpentine Sofas by Vladimir Kagan for Directional in Mohair
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. USA. Price is for the set. Contact us if you’d like to purchase a single item. Both reupholstered in green mohair. Lucite leg on bottom in the middle. Tagged. A classic of...
Mohair
Newly Upholstered Ligne Roset 3-Seater TOGO by Michel Ducaroy
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Toronto, CA
A vintage standout with unmistakable charm, this three-seater Togo sofa by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset brings a softer, more romantic twist to the iconic form. Newly upholstered i...
Fabric, Foam
1980s Postmodern 5-Piece Sectional Sofa by Flair, Bernhardt with Chaise & Corner
Made in the United States, this sofa was designed by the ultra-specialized design team at Flair, which was owned and operated by Bernhardt at the time. Featuring 5 sections, it has a...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,607Sale Price|20% Off
Cini Boeri Two-Seat Sofa for Knoll International, 1970s
By Cini Boeri, Knoll
Located in Den Haag, NL
Two-seat sofa designed by Cini Boeri for Knoll International. Upholstered in smooth black Leather. Model ''Brigadier'' Love the design, low and wide. So 1970s. The wooden base has re...
Leather
Large Gaetano Pesce for Cassina 'Cannaregio' Modular Sofa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gaetano Pesce for Cassina, sofa, model ‘Cannaregio’, multicolored upholstery, Italy, 1987 Large ‘Cannaregio’ sofa, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina. The 1987 design is playful,...
Fabric
Tatlin Centerpiece Spiral Sofa Bench by M. Cananzi & R. Semprini for Edra Italy
By Edra, Mario Cananzi & Roberto Semprini
Located in Izegem, VWV
The "Edra Tatlin" is a spiral sofa designed by Mario Cananzi and Roberto Semprini for the Italian brand Edra in 1989. Inspired by Vladimir Tatlin's unbuilt "Monument to the Third Int...
Chrome
Vintage Regency Velvet Curved Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This magnificent extra-long curved sofa is a masterpiece of Regency-inspired design, perfect for those seeking a statement of timeless elegance. Featuring a graceful serpentine silho...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Post Modern Italian Leather Alanda Sofa by Paolo Piva
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in Las Vegas, NV
SUPER RARE. These Paolo Piva Alanda sofas are rarely available in the US and NEVER IN THIS COLOR. This sofa is vintage patinated leather perf...
Leather
Vintage Post Modern Sofa by Preview
By Preview
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Rare and ultra coveted Vintage Preview sofa. The details, add so much interest and design flair. This collection has real designer feels. **We have this sofa as well as a 2 seat s...
Fabric
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
$2,125Sale Price|50% Off
Post modern beautiful beige leather 3 seat sofa by Busnelli
By Busnelli
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful soft Beige Leather 3 seat Sofa by Busnelli. Rare time capsule sofa in amazing condition. Great post modern design. circa 1980. Made in Italy. Located in Brooklyn NYC 28” H...
Leather
1980s Directional Five-Piece Chrome Frame Modular Sofa in Élitis Cotton Velvet
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning 1980s five-piece modular designer sofa by Directional, newly restored from the inside out. Each module is encased in polished chrome that defines the piece’s bold silhouet...
Chrome
Leather “Togo” Two-Seater Sofa Attributed to Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The "Togo" sofa was designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset in 1973. A truly collectible and iconic piece with a distinct scrunched and stitched leather design and tufted buttons....
Leather
Paul Evans Inspired Cubist Chrome Loveseat Or Sofa
By Karl Springer, Milo Baughman, R & Y Augousti, Paul Evans, (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Houston, TX
Paul Evans Inspired Cubist Chrome Loveseat Or Sofa. Offered is an outstanding Paul Evans style 62 inch loveseat or sofa with a stunning cubist design. This great piece retains the or...
Chrome
Elsie Crawford for Sintoform 'Carousel' Planter Sofa Bench in Fiberglass
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
Vladimir Kagan Matinee Sofa for American Leather
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Matinee sofa by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather, c.2000s, USA. Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) designed this sofa which converts into a daybed when the back rest is removed. His desig...
Leather, Upholstery
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscape in Olive Green Leather
By De Sede, Ubald Klug
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa element, patinated olive green leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofa in olive green leather by the Swiss manu...
Leather
$6,264 / item
Ut 01 Cowhide and Walnut Sofa by Sing Chan
Located in Geneve, CH
Ut 01 Sofa by Sing Chan Dimensions: W 76 x D 56 x H 67 cm Materials: Cowhide, North American Black Walnut, waxing. Sing Chan ( Chinese: 陈星宇/Xingyu Chen), the founder of SINGCHAN DE...
Upholstery, Walnut
1980s 3-Piece Biomorphic Curved Sofa By Preview
By Preview
Located in Bensalem, PA
This is one unique sofa, very comfortable. The shape is amazing would be the center focus point of any room Made by Preview Furniture
Upholstery
$6,400Sale Price|50% Off
Custom George Smith 2000s Black Tufted Leather Sofa
By George Smith
Located in New York, NY
An original custom made soft mottled black leather tufted with brass tacks and mahogany wood legs by famed bespoke British furniture maker, George Smith. Original label. Excellent co...
Leather, Hardwood
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' Curved Sofa in Turquoise Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' sofa, fabric, lacquered wood, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1980s A truly wonderful piece that breathes the elegance of Italian Post-Modern desig...
Steel, Chrome
Extra-Large Postmodern Animal Print Sofa, Germany, 1990s
By Bretz
Located in Rīga, LV
Striking postmodern sofa with a biomorphic silhouette and bold tiger-stripe patterned velour upholstery. The spring legs of the sofa create a gentle, bouncy feel when you sit on it. ...
Metal
De Sede Black Leather Sofa, 1970
By De Sede
Located in Chicago, IL
De Sede Black Leather Sofa, 1970. Original leather and each seat individually reclines.
Leather
Black Leather Italian Sofa Couch Black Leather Couch
Located in Rochester, NY
Black leather Italian Sofa couch. Gorgeous vintage piece!
Leather
Original Rolf Benz Sofa 3000 Zweisitzer Couch Creme Beige Design
By Rolf Benz
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eins von insgesamt zwei wunderschönen Rolf Benz Sofas des Modells "3000" zum Verkauf an. Bei diesem Modell handelt es sich um den etwas kürzeren Zweisitzer. In unseren and...
Fabric
Tito Agnoli Black Leather Sofa for Poltrona Frau
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing Timeless Luxury: Tito Agnoli's 1980s Italian Two-Seater Black Leather Sofa by Poltrona Frau Experience the epitome of sophistication with this Italian two-seater black l...
Leather
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ueli Berger, Eleonora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, 'Snake' sectional sofa, model 'DS-600', leather, Switzerland, 1970 Designed by Ueli Berger, Eleonora Ped...
Leather
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate 'Blop' Lounge Set in Original Fabric
By Rossi di Albizzate, Carlo Bartoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, pair of two-seat sofa with coffee table, model 'Blop', original velvet, lacquered wood, Italy, 1972 A postmodern design by Italian master of a...
Velvet