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.
Koinor Free Motion Edit Sofa Design Couch Leder braun Balkeneiche
By Koinor
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Zweisitzer Sofa "Edit - Free Motion" von Koinor zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa besteht aus einem Holzpodest in der Optik "Balkeneiche" und zwei elektrisch vers...
Leather, Oak
$8,273 / item
Upholstery Gentle Bed End by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Upholstery Gentle Bed End by Madheke Dimensions: D 50 x W 180 x H 60 cm. Materials: leather, brass. Finish options: Leather Naturalle Whisky, Fabric Cushions Rust Plain 04 & Medium ...
Leather, Upholstery
Le Bambole Leather pouf foot rest Design Mario Bellini 1978 for B&B Italia
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Le Bambole leather pouf or foot rest, designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Price for the foot rest only ! The Le Bambole Sofas are available i...
Leather, Foam
Vintage Leolux “Bora” / “Bora Bora” Leather Sofa
By Leolux
Located in North Charleston, SC
A sculptural vintage leather sofa by Dutch design house Leolux, model Bora (often referred to as Bora Bora), originally designed by Axel Enthoven in 1983. Celebrated as one of the br...
Leather
Postmodern Canyon Sofa in Bouclé and Brass by Mavo Atelier, Handmade in Portugal
By Mavo Atelier
Located in Trofa, PT
The Canyon Sofa is defined by bold contours, softened edges, and thoughtful asymmetry. Its composition is inspired by the fluidity and depth of natural landforms, translated into a s...
Brass
$4,692 / item
Renner Carver Chair by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Renner Carver Chair by Madheke Dimensions: D 54.9 x W 58.8 x H 75.9 cm. Materials: Leather-clad body with leather lacing detail at back, Stitched highlights on leather-clad body, Fab...
Brass
$2,954 / set
Postmodern Clou sofa by Cor, 1990s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Striking postmodern design sofa model 'Clou' by Cor and designed by Wulf Schneider. Well designed and upholstered with high quality blue leather on chrome bases. The three seater ...
Leather
$2,376Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Three Seater Sofa with Vintage Uphosltery
Located in Freehold, NJ
This postmodern three seater sofa features vintage white patterned upholstery with removable cushions and unique oversized armrest. Dimensions: 84.5w 35.25d 30h 26ah 17sh Condition...
Upholstery
$26,061 / item
Floating Bouclé Sofa by Dennis Kaiser
Located in Geneve, CH
Floating Bouclé Sofa by Dennis Kaiser Dimensions: D 110 x W 320 x H 75 cm. Materials: Alpaca wool bouclé fabric. Handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy. Customization is available on request...
Upholstery, Foam
$14,525 / item
N2 Tête À Tête by Aaron Scott
Located in Geneve, CH
N2 TÊTE À TÊTE by Aaron Scott Dimensions: D 43.5 x W 124.5 x H 43.5 cm Materials: Walnut. Brooklyn-based designer Aaron Scott was raised in the ...
Walnut
Ducaroy Ligne Roset Sofa Set in Brown Perspex with Black Leather
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Berlin, BE
A modular suite designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset, France. The set, consisting of a sofa and two lounge chairs, is made of a brown perspex frame with black leather upholster...
Leather, Lucite
Elsie Crawford for Sintoform Large 8-Seat 'Carousel' Sofa in Fiberglass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Elsie Crawford for Sintoform, 'Carousel' sofa, fiberglass, United States, 1969 The Carousel sofa bench, designed by American artist Elsie Crawford for Sintoform, is a distinctive ei...
Fiberglass
$11,240 / item
Fringes 280 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 280 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 100 x W 280 x H 91 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and fringes. Available in all Munna...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$5,225 / item
Latitude Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Latitude Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 260 x D 90 x H 89 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Particle boards panels, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle boards panels. Seat s...
Fabric, Beech
Ward Bennett for Brickel Sofa
By Brickfield Furniture Company, Ward Bennett
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Ward Bennett for Brickel Sofa This sofa measures: 69 wide x 31 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height of 15 and arm height of 22 inches About Photos: We take our photos in a con...
Upholstery, Wood
Kyokusen Fully Upholstered Monolithic Sofa by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Kyokusen Fully Upholstered Monolithic Sofa by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 134 x W 250 x H 77 cm. Materials: Metal, wood, and upholstery. Available in different finishes, sizes, and ...
Metal
Robert Venturi Grandma Sofa in the Original Tan / Taupe Leather for Knoll.
By Robert Venturi, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
A single Robert Venturi matching leather Grandma Sofa manufactured by Knoll, 1980s. Very good original condition. No tears or scuffs to the leather. Light signs of use. Minimal hone...
Leather
$41,639 / item
Tau Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Tau Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 551 x D 90 x H 75 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. REMOVABLE PARTS: ...
Foam, Wood
Robert Thibier Two Seat Sofa with Gold Painted Metal Frame
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Robert Thibier two-seat sofa, gold-painted steel, fabric, France, 1960s/1970s This exceptional two-seat sofa by Robert Thibier is a rare example of French design from the 1960s and ...
Fabric
$2,706 / item
Ash Whale Single Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Whale Single Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: W 86 x D 84 x H 66 cm. Materials: Teak Wood. The Whale-ash Collection features an elegant and robust design style inspired by the form of...
Teak
Post Modern “Mayan” Sofa Designed By Harvey Probber, 1980s
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Original 1983 Harvey Probber “Mayan” Sofa. This iconic design epitomizes the expressiveness of postmodernism in the 1980s. The original black...
Mohair, Foam, Wood
$9,414 / item
Jabba Sofa Composition by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Jabba Sofa Composition by RALPH M Dimensions: W 320 x D 175 x H 80 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Particle boards panels, Fabric. Details: Frame: Solid beech and particle boards pane...
Fabric, Beech
$20,069 / item
Jell Sofa in Light Green Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Light Green Fabric by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego leathers and f...
Stone
$7,268 / item
Fringes 2 Seat Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 2 Seat Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 100 x W 165 x H 91 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Antique pink, CV28 upholstery, and Ant...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$11,831 / item
Onigiri Sofa by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Onigiri Sofa by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: W 100 x D 100 x H 83 cm Materials: Upholstery, metal and cushion. Taking inspiration from day to day shapes and objects I come up with this ...
Metal
Cobra/Pipeline sofa by P. Hjort-Lorenzen & Johannes Foersom for Erik Jørgensen
By Peter Hiort-Lorenzen, Erik Jørgensen, Johannes Foersom
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The sofa refers to early modernist forms of the Bauhaus period (Perriand), as well as mid-century Scandinavian designs (Nanna Ditzel), adding bold pop era concepts and unexpected fabrics. This Cobra/Pipeline...
Stainless Steel
$4,023 / item
Fidji Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Fidji Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 210 x D 92 x H 86-107 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Fabric, Plywood. Details: Frame: Plywood panels and solid beech supports. Seat springing: Int...
Fabric, Beech, Plywood
$7,268 / item
Fringes 2 Seat Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 2 Seat Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 100 x W 165 x H 91 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and fringes. Available in all Mu...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$11,831 / item
Armless High Backrest Upholstery Sofa by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Onigiri Sofa by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 83 cm Materials: Upholstery, metal. Available in White, Green, and Orange. Please contact us. Taking inspiration from day-...
Metal
Original Walter Knoll Sofa Jason 391 Wildleder beige Design
By Walter Knoll
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Zwei- bis Dreisitzer Sofa vom deutschen Qualitätshersteller Walter Knoll zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa, das den Modellnamen "Jason 391" trägt, ist mit hochwer...
Leather
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Uniform Melange Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Uniform Melange Fabric by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego le...
Fabric
$41,603 / item
Lignum Novum Sofa by Justus Knut Schomann
Located in Geneve, CH
Lignum Novum Sofa by Justus Knut Schomann Dimensions: W 150 x D 90 x H 75 cm Materials: Econit Wood, FSC wood, Sanded. Weight: 100 Kg. Justus Kn...
Wood
$20,069 / item
Jell Sofa in Red Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Red Fabric by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego leathers and fabrics. ...
Stone
$7,363 / item
Chestnut Lupin Sofa by Nelson Araujo
Located in Geneve, CH
Chestnut Lupin Chair by Nelson Araujo Dimensions: D 89 x W 89 x H 56 cm Materials: Wood, foam, Kvadrat Gentle 2 fabric. Available in Misty Beige, Chestnut, Mustard, and Forest color...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$20,069 / item
Jell Sofa in Blue Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Blue Fabric by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego leathers and fabrics....
Stone
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Right Modular Daybed by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Right Modular Daybed by SNOC Dimensions: D 180 x W 97,5 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
Acer 180 Sofa in European Oak & Burgundy Wool by Mokko Amsterdam
Located in Geneve, CH
Acer 180 Sofa in European Oak & Burgundy Wool by Mokko Amsterdam Dimensions: D 70 x W 180 x H 32 cm. Materials: European oak and wool. Available in different material options and d...
Wool, Oak
$35,162 / item
Beige MRS 1 Sofa by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige MRS 1 Sofa by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 160 x W 310 x H 80 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. “MRS 1” sofa. With love to my favorite desig...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,845 / item
Malva Green Big Kroko Sofa by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Malva Green Big Kroko Sofa by Marcantonio Dimensions: D 63 x W 167 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 22 kg. Also available in biobased polyethylene of ...
Other
Plywood and Upholstered Cheope Sofa by Dainelli Studio Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Plywood and Upholstered Cheope Sofa by Dainelli Studio Atelier Dimensions: W 180 x D 80 x H 67 cm Materials: Plywood, Wood, Upholstery. Sofa with a plywood base finished with a glo...
Upholstery, Wood, Plywood
$14,573 / item
Saddle Leather Mara Sofa by Lorenza Bozzoli
Located in Geneve, CH
Saddle Leather Mara Sofa by Lorenza Bozzoli Dimensions: D 94 x W 180 x H 82 cm. Seat Height: 52 cm. Materials: Polyethylene, wadding, rubber, and acrylic. Weight: 60 kg. Available i...
Other
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional c. 1990s. USA. Reupholstered in white boucle fabric.
Bouclé
$20,069 / item
Jell Sofa Black Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego Studio leathers and fabrics. Availab...
Stone
Sculptural Postmodern 3-Seater Sofa "Fantasy Island" designed by Kurt Bayer
By Kurt Bayer
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare magnificent postmodern 3-seater sofa "Fantasy Island" designed by Kurt Bayer. The sofa is done in teak, buffalo leather and steel, creating ...
Steel
Grande 320 Five Seater Dark Bronze And Diablo Upholstery Sofa by Casa Casati
Located in Geneve, CH
Grande 320 Five Seater Dark Bronze And Diablo Upholstery Sofa by Casa Casati Dimensions: D 100 x W 320 x H 85 cm. Materials: Beech wood, marine plywood, polyurethane, polyester fibr...
Other
$7,847 / item
Beige Madina Chair by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige Madina Chair by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 64 x W 68 x H 90 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. “Madina” chair. ...
Upholstery, Wood
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Sprinkles Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Sprinkles Fabric by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego leathers...
Fabric
$20,069 / item
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Gentle Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Gentle Fabric by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego leathers an...
Fabric
$4,845 / item
Milky White RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 80 x W 170 x H 75 cm. Seat Height: 36 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 35 kg. Available in different color options. This produ...
Other
Kolho Two Seater Natural, Cognac Leather by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Kolho two seater natural, cognac leather by Made by Choice with Matthew Day Jackson Kolho Collection Dimensions: 130 x 60 x 70 cm Materials: Plywood (Upholstery Category 1) Al...
Birch, Plywood
$2,015 / item
Natural Along Birch Sofa by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Along birch sofa by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 52 x W 150 x H 87 x SH 45 cm Materials: birch wood. Also available in other colors and with seat cushion. Along can b...
Birch
$6,043 / item
Galore 3 Seater Vintage Rose by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater Vintage rose by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D222 x W83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring system. Weigh...
Steel
$10,601 / item
Upholstery Cammo Sofa by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Upholstery Cammo Sofa by Madheke Dimensions: D 100 x W 160 x H 75 cm. Materials: Sleek architectural silhouette with plush, tailored upholstery, Base finished in leather with continu...
Leather
$5,796 / item
Animal Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Animal Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: W 180 x D 110 x H 85 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Plywood. In its French workshop, Ralph M. creates and crafts person...
Beech, Plywood
$1,843Sale Price|40% Off
Graphic sofa by Strässle, Switzerland, 1980s
Located in Lyon, FR
Gorgeous sofa from Strässle, made in Switzerland in the 1980, in its original graphic and colorful fabric, perfect to give you a shot of vitamins ! Very good condition. Dimensions : Sofa : L160, H79, P90 Matching reclining...
Fabric
$9,419 / item
Fried Egg Sofa Sheepskin Moonlight by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa sheepskin moonlight by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 186 x W 68 x H 68 cm Material: Sheepskin upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available in different co...
Sheepskin, Teak
$48,009 / item
Rialto Sofa by Laurameroni
Located in Geneve, CH
Rialto Sofa by Laurameroni Dimensions: W 264 x D 86 x H 75 cm Materials: Cachemire Loro Piana Altai 037 Paprika, gray travertine stone legs. Upholstered sofa featuring four legs in ...
Travertine
$8,242 / item
Ernest Sofa by Dare Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ernest sofa by Dare Studio Dimensions: W 180 x D 90 x H 70 x seat H 40 cm Materials: fabric, oak Also available in 3-seat sofa The Ernest sofa is a...
Fabric, Oak
$31,273 / item
White Memory Sofa by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
White Beige Memory Chair by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 90 x W 240 x H 85 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery “Memory” sofa. Collection "Memory" ins...
Upholstery, Wood
$3,675 / item
Hendar Chair by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Hendar Chair by Madheke Dimensions: D 52.5 x W 61.8 x H 74 cm. Materials: Leather wrapped backrest with stitched detail, Fabric upholstered seat, Tapered leather finished legs with k...
Brass