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.
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional c. 1990s. USA. Reupholstered in white boucle fabric.
Bouclé
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
1980s Weiman Curved Serpentine Sofa and Swivel Chairs, 3 Pieces
By Directional
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Original rare set of 3, 1980s Iconic serpentine cloud sofa and swivel chairs are packed with personality! Outstanding design is exhibited throughout the monumental form. The Vintage complete set are beyond stunning. Beautiful colors in ultra suede light...
Upholstery, Wood
Original Ligne Roset Sofa Ted Design Couch Peter Maly Dreisitzer
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Design Sofa von Ligne Roset zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Peter Maly, wurde bekannt unter dem Namen Ted und gilt als Neuinterpretation des Desig...
Metal
$1,362Sale Price|40% Off
Blonde Wood Sofa with Clothespin Shaped Accents In The Style of Stickley
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage blonde wood Mission style sofa with clothespin shaped accents along the armrests and back and wicker cane seat in the style of Stickley. Com...
Oak
1990s Weiman Royal Blue Cloud Serpentine Sofa
By Weiman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, cloud sofa you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful sofa is statement piece which is a...
Chrome
Contemporary Extra Long Taupe Leather Sofa with Dark Wood Design
Located in Queens, NY
Contemporary extra long sofa (11.5' wide) with taupe leather cushions and a polished dark wood frame and matching leather pillows (2 Matching armchair...
Leather, Wood
$14,572 / item
Medium Baixo Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Baixo Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 110 x W 250 x H 58 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery. 3 cushions included The Baixo sofa proposes a different way of sitting. An invitation to ...
Upholstery, Wood
$10,259 / item
Dune Two Seater Nube Sofa by Siete Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Nube sofa two seaters dune by Siete Studio Dimensions: D200 x W100 x H60 cm. Materials: Walnut, cushions, upholstery. Characterised by its round edges and soft white cushions, N...
Other
Vintage Boho Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Postmodern Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a rare and captivating vintage sofa, a striking example of Postmodern design by the iconic Ettore Sottsass for Knoll. This piece, reminiscent of Sottsass's influential "Ma...
Metal
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Three-seater Sofa for Gavina, Ivory Velvet, 1973
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” sofa for Gavina, wood and ivory velvet, 1973. The Cornaro sofa represents a sublime exemplification of the harmony between Japanese minimalism and Ultraration...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
"Keflavik" Sculptural Sofa by Sigurdur Gustafsson for Källemo AB, 2000s
By Källemo
Located in Rīga, LV
"Keflavik" sofa by Sigurdur Gustafsson for Källemo AB, 2000s. Signed and numbered 6/99. Solid mahogany, dark blue leather upholstery, black/blue steel back. An architectural central piece...
Metal
Phillipe Starck Sofa from the Clift Hotel, San Francisco
Located in Chicago, IL
Phillipe Starck Sofa from The Clift Hotel, San Francisco Wood frame with chrome feet caps and fluorescent detail on each leg. Reupholstered with cotton-poly fabric and bolster Dimens...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,655 / 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
$2,797 / item
Ash Ralph Single Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Ralph Single Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: W 80 x D 80 x H 65 cm. Materials: Teak Wood, Acrylic Rope, Sunbrella Fabric. Ralph-ash Collection consists of a lounge set, dining table ...
Fabric, Acrylic, Teak
Egon Three-Seater Sofa in Lamberto & Avion Fabrics by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Egon Three-Seater Sofa in Lamberto & Avion Fabrics by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 102 x W 300 x H 63 cm. Materials: Horn, fabric, polyurethane foam, and goose down. Cushions are not inc...
Other
$4,753 / item
Lighted RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Lighted 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 product i...
Other
$13,815 / item
Leather Mavis Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather Mavis Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 200 x D 87 x H 82 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply, with metal support. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts...
Metal
Jay Spectre Channeled Postmodern Sofa Loveseat
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jay Spectre Channeled Postmodern Sofa Loveseat This loveseat measures: 67 wide x 40 deep x 27.5 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 26.75 inches Good Vintage Co...
Upholstery
Jay Spectre Channeled Postmodern Sofa
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jay Spectre Channeled Postmodern Sofa This sofa measures: 88 wide x 39.5 deep x 26.25 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 26.25 inches Good Vintage Condition. ...
Upholstery
Pair of Weiman Post Modern Chaise Lounge Sofas in Tangerine Wool Upholstery
By Weiman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
There are pieces that furnish a room and there are pieces that alter its atmosphere entirely and this sculptural pair of Weiman chaises created at the height of American postmodernis...
Wool, Upholstery
$5,969 / 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
$26,790 / item
Wavy Sofa with Sphere Accents by Melis Tatlicibasi
Located in Geneve, CH
Wavy Sofa with Sphere Accents by Melis Tatlicibasi. Dimensions: W 250 x D 90 x H 75 cm. Materials: Natural wood base painted, Upholstery, detailed with spher...
Upholstery, Wood
$6,551 / item
Newman 2 Seat Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Newman 2 Seat Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 93 x W 150 x H 75 cm. SH: 43 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Emerald, CV09 upholstery, and bru...
Brass
$9,466 / item
Newman 230 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Newman 230 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 93 x W 230 x H 75 cm. SH: 43 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Steel Blue, CV27 upholstery, and bru...
Brass
Original Rolf Benz Ecksofa Dono 6100 Couch Design Sofa Leder rot
By Rolf Benz, DONÓ Design
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Rolf Benz Dono 6100 Ecksofa mit rotem Lederbezug zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa zeichnet sich aus durch seine moderne und praktis...
Leather, Wood
Pink Baba Sofa by Gisbert Pöppler, Upholstered Teak Frame, Germany
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink Baba Sofa by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: H 74 (SH43) x W 303 x D 140.5 cm Materials: Upholstered wooden frame, teak footings Like a friend that wan...
Upholstery, Teak
$10,993 / item
Josephine 280 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Josephine 280 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 103 x W 280 x H 83 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and wild silk. Available in all M...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$8,510 / item
Fuyu Two Seater Sofa by Lagu
Located in Geneve, CH
Fuyu two seater sofa by Lagu Designed by Ufuk Ceylan Dimensions: W 220 x D 130 x H 98 cm. Materials: Bouclé, Cotton, Fabric, Foam, Hardwood. The Fuyu Two Sea...
Fabric, Bouclé, Cotton, Foam, Hardwood
Original Brühl Amber Zweisitzer Sofa Couch Leder grau Design
By Brühl
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Design Sofa von Brühl aus der "Amber"-Serie zum Verkauf an. Die Armlehnen des Sofas lassen sich waagerecht umklappen, sodass eine bis zu 222cm lange Lieg...
Leather
$19,687 / 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
Zeus Sofa in Carmen Leather, Dark Horn & Lacquered Black Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Zeus Sofa in Carmen Leather, Dark Horn & Lacquered Black Wood by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 100 x W 300 x H 88 cm. Materials: Horn, leather, and wood lacque...
Other
Psyche Everis 900 Fabric Upholstery Meridien Sofa by Casa Casati
Located in Geneve, CH
Psyche Everis 900 Fabric Upholstery Meridien Sofa by Casa Casati Dimensions: D 100 x W 240 x H 70 cm. Materials: Beech wood, marine plywood, polyurethane, polyester fibre, foam, cot...
Other
Vintage Postmodern Sectional Sofa with 2 Side Tables, Set of 3
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Postmodern Curved Sectional Sofa with 2 Side Tables - Set of 3 The frame of this curvilinear sofa is crafted fully from wood. The postmodern original upholstery is in a very...
Upholstery
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
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
$9,751 / item
Yin & Yang Chairs by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Yin & Yang Chairs by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 75 x W 72 x H 84 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. PLYUS Furniture creates pieces in collectib...
Upholstery, Wood
$25,566 / 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
Original Rolf Benz Sofa Leder Design Couch dunkelgrün Zweisitzer
By Rolf Benz
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen und äuzßerst seltenen Zweisitzer vom deutschen Premiumhersteler Rolf Benz zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa besticht durch seine erstklassige Verarbeitung hochw...
Leather
$1,503 / item
Lace Burgundy Sofa with Cushion by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace Burgundy sofa with cushion by Mowee Dimensions: D 66 x W 135 x H 75.5 cm Material: Polyethylene, stainless steel Weight: 21 kg Also available in different colours and finish...
Stainless Steel, Other
Original Koinor Epos 2 Sofa Balkeneiche Design Couch Zweisitzer
By Koinor
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen sehr hochwertigen Zweisitzer aus Eiche und Leder vom deutschen Premiumhersteller Koinor zum Verkauf an. Das Modell "Epos 2" verfügt über zwei Sitze, die sich durch F...
Leather, Oak
Original Sofa de Sede DS-0040 Leder Design Zweisitzer schwarz
By De Sede
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Design Zweisitzer von de Sede zum Verkauf an. Das Modell nennt sich DS-0040 und besticht durch seine hochwertige Verarbeitung und seinen äußerst hohen ...
Chrome
Mauro Lipparini KRISTALL Collection Italian Loveseat Sofa for i4 Mariani
By i4 Mariani, Mauro Lipparini
Located in North Miami, FL
This exceptional heavy chrome, two-seat sofa is deep and comfortable with original fabric and leather straps - original label. The leather straps wrapped around the steel frame of t...
Chrome
$19,687 / 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
Original Koinor Epos 3 Sofa Balkeneiche Design Couch Zweisitzer
By Koinor
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen sehr hochwertigen Zweisitzer aus Eiche und Leder vom deutschen Premiumhersteller Koinor zum Verkauf an. Das Modell "Epos 3" verfügt über zwei Sitze, die sich durch F...
Leather, Oak
$19,687 / item
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Mizmaze Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Mizmaze 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 a...
Fabric
$2,856 / item
Koda Sofa by RALPH M
Located in Geneve, CH
Koda Sofa by RALPH M Dimensions: Module M: W 92 x D 115 x H 82 cm. Module L: W 92 x D 160 x H 82 cm. Medium Arm: W 20 x D 115 x H 82 cm. Materials: Solid beech, Fabric. Details: Fr...
Fabric, Beech
Original Giorgio Soressi Sofa Design Couch 1990 Leder Ottoman
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes und sehr seltenes Zwei-/ Dreisitzer Sofa aus den 1990er Jahren an. Der Entwurf stammt von Giorgio Soressi, dessen Werke sich international einer großen N...
Leather, Fabric
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 100 x W 195 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The Cal...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
Amphibious Outdoor & Indoor Sofa in Concrete Gray Paint by Jacob Egeberg
Located in Geneve, CH
Amphibious Outdoor & Indoor Sofa in Concrete Gray Paint by Jacob Egeberg Dimensions: D 220 x W 75 x H 85 cm. Materials: Styrofoam & soft PU foam, hard & elastic pigmented polyurethan...
Other
$41,072 / 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
Link-Bisque Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Three-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Bisque Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Three-Seater Outdoor Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 85,5 x W 230 x H 63 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Aluminium, wicker, and Luminesce fabric. ...
Aluminum
$6,155 / item
Object 075 Sofa by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 075 Sofa by NG Design Dimensions: W 228 x D 107 x H 78 cm Materials: Bouclé Fabric, Oak Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on demand. ...
Oak, Bouclé
$19,687 / 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
$9,235 / 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
Jules Heumann Sofa for Metropolitan Furniture
By Metropolitan, Jules Heumann
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sofa by California native Jules Heumann for the San Francisco based company, Metropolitan Furniture, c.1970's. The sofa features a lacquered white frame and newly upholstered cushion...
Mohair, Upholstery
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Razzle Dazzle Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa in Kvadrat Razzle Dazzle 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 leat...
Fabric
Original Asko Finnland Sofa Couch Esko Pajamies Dreisitzer Leder
By Asko, Esko Pajamies
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Dreisitzer von finnischen Traditionshersteller Asko aus den 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Esko Pajamies und gilt als wahrer Desi...
Leather, 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
$19,687 / 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