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.
$13,164 / item
Hughes 240 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Hughes 240 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 95 x W 240 x H 95 cm. SH: 44 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery, gloss ebony wood veneer upper ...
Brass
$11,978 / item
Maverick 280 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Maverick 280 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 120 x W 280 x H 90 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Trevira Velvet, ref. Light Grey, TRV19. Available in all Mu...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$10,087 / item
Olive Two Seater Nube Sofa by Siete Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Olive Two Seater Nube Sofa by Siete Studio Dimensions: D200 x W100 x H60 cm. Materials: Walnut, cushions, upholstery. Characterised by its round edges and soft white cushions, Nube ...
Other
$10,408 / item
Object 085 Sofa by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 085 Sofa by NG Design Dimensions: W 290 x D 110 x H 60 cm Materials: Velveteen Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on demand. Our firs...
Other
Glenda Settee in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Glenda Settee in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 8 + 4AP. Dimensions: D 78 x W 173 x H 72 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless steel. ...
Stainless Steel
21st Century Conde Sofa in Bouclé by Mavo Atelier, Handmade in Portugal
By Mavo Atelier
Located in Trofa, PT
Evoking a bold and charismatic presence, the Conde Sofa showcases a robust, geometric profile, softened by gentle curves that add architectural lightness to the sofa’s visual weight....
Brass
TEND Sofa in Boucle Fabric, Wood and Steel by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON
Located in Geneve, CH
TEND Sofa in Boucle Fabric, Wood and Steel by CHRISTOPHE PERICHON. Dimensions: W 200 x D 100 × H 70 cm. Materials: Pierre Frey water-repellent bouclé fabric, wood structure, and brus...
Metal, Steel
Superonda sofa, Archizoom & Associati, Poltronova 1970s
By Archizoom Associati, Poltronova
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Superonda sofa, Archizoom & Associati, Poltronova 1970s. Superonda is distinguished by its bold absence of a body. At the center of its design are two sinuous waves, precisely sculpt...
Faux Leather, Foam
$47,915 / item
Magno Eucalyptus Sofa by Palena Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Magno Eucalyptus Sofa by Palena Furniture Dimensions: W 309.88 x D 104.14 x H 78.74 x Seat H 41.91 cm Materials: Eucalyptus, Black Lacquer, Plush Velvet Upholstery Available in cust...
Other
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
$1,954 / item
Black Along Birch Sofa by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Black 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 be ...
Birch
Kafka Sofa, Solid Oak, and Leather by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore
Located in Geneve, CH
Kafka Sofa, Solid Oak, and Leather by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore Dimensions: W 200 x D 95 x H 70 cm. Material: solid wood, leather upholstery, stainless steel. Wood finishes: Arctic, We...
Stainless Steel
$14,133 / 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
$49,176 / item
Magno American Walnut Sofa by Palena Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Magno American Walnut Sofa by Palena Furniture Dimensions: W 309.88 x D 104.14 x H 78.74 x Seat H 41.91 cm Materials: American Walnut, Black Lacquer, Plush Velvet Upholstery Availab...
Other
$10,935 / item
Oscar Curve Modular Sofa by DUISTT
Located in Geneve, CH
Oscar Curve Modular Sofa by DUISTT Dimensions: W 265 x D 125 x H 84 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric Inspired by the curved lines poetry of Oscar Niemeyer’s architecture, OSCAR modular ...
Fabric
Low Lita Love 10th Anniversary Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Low Lita Love 10th Anniversary Low Sofa by OTTO Studio Unique Piece. Designed by Paola Navone. Dimensions: D 80 x W 118 x H 70 cm. Seat Height: 36 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight...
Other
$6,854 / item
Dwell 2 Seater Sheepskin Moonlight by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Dwell 2 seater sheepskin moonlight by Warm Nordic. Dimensions: D137 x W66 x H 73 cm. Material: sheepskin upholstery, solid smoked or white oiled oak legs, wooden frame, foam, sprin...
Sheepskin, Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Oak
$19,464 / 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
Two seater sofa – Spain 1970
Located in Girona, Girona
Two-seater sofa, stripped and waxed solid pine wood, original canvas back system, new ‘Astrakhan’ wool cushions. Spain circa 1970
Fabric, Pine
$7,141 / 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
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
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
$7,565 / item
Figueroa 3 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Figueroa 3 Seat Sofa by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 90 x W 230 x H 90 cm. Materials: Brushed stainless steel, InsidherLand Blend Ref. 5 fabric. 95 kg. Available in different fabrics. ...
Stainless Steel
$14,214 / item
Gothic Sofa by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Gothic Sofa by DAaZ Dimensions: D 123 x W 292 x H 101 cm. Materials: Wood, leather. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape...
Leather, Wood
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
Afrodite Three-Seater Sofa in Belsuede Fabric, Horn & Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Afrodite Three-Seater Sofa in Belsuede Fabric, Horn & Wood by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 95 x W 270 x H 86 cm. Materials: Horn, fabric, and wood with satin brass effect. Cushions are no...
Other
$12,013 / 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
$10,986 / item
Josephine 230 Sofa by Munna in Baby Blue Cottton Velvet
Located in Geneve, CH
Josephine 230 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 103 x W 230 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
Mario Bellini Taupe “Le Bambole” Two-Seater Sofa for B&B Italia, 1976
Located in Vicenza, IT
“Bibambola” sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Original vintage version from 1976, recently reupholstered by the previous owner with a light grey fabric. This comfortab...
Cotton, Foam
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Three-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Three-Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 100 x W 235 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The Cal...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
Original Rolf Benz Plura Sofa Design Couch Leder Zweisitzer grau
By Rolf Benz
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Rolf Benz Plura Zweisitzer Sofa in dunkelgrauem Leder zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa besticht durch seine vielfältige Verstellba...
Steel
Vintage Postmodern Three-seater Sofa in Red Wool and Black Metal, 1980s Italy
Located in Zagreb, HR
Vintage postmodern three-seater sofa in red wool upholstery with a black metal frame. Features a playful design and dismountable construction. Produced in Italy in the 1980s. Overa...
Metal
$23,132 / item
Fabric Panis Deep Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric Panis Deep Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 236 x D 152 x H 70 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEATS: pol...
Foam, Wood
2x Brühl Alba Zweisitzer Sofa 55/70 neuwertig Design Couch 165cm
By Brühl
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten insgesamt 2 sehr gut erhaltene und nicht/ kaum benutzte original Brühl Alba Zweisitzer Sofas in einem modernen dunkelgrau zum Verkauf an. In dieser Anzeige handelt es sich...
Fabric
$4,699 / 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
Ecksofa Brühl Alba Design Sofa Couch mit Recammiere grau
By Brühl
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes dunkelgraues Ecksofa von Brühl zum Verkauf an. Das Modell "Alba" zeichnet sich durch zahlreiche Verstellmöglichkeiten aus. So lassen sich Liegeflächen ve...
Fabric
$18,856 / item
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet and brushed brass. Available in all M...
Brass
Beige Baba Sofa by Gisbert Pöppler, Upholstered Teak Frame, Germany
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige 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...
Upholstery, Teak
Heracles Sofa in Dark Brown Oak, Patinated Bronze & Linen Fabric by OZA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Heracles Sofa in Dark Brown Oak, Patinated Bronze & Linen Fabric by OZA Design Dimensions: D 90 x W 200 x H 65 cm. SH: 38 cm. Materials: Dark brown oak, bronze, and linen. Availabl...
Bronze
$17,091 / item
Upholstery Hendon Sofa by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Upholstery Hendon Sofa by Madheke Dimensions: D 101 x W 180 x H 80 cm. Materials: Veneered raised base with slender brass-accented legs, Tapered arms with integrated dual-level canti...
Leather, Upholstery
$9,307 / 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
$5,639 / item
Nicole 3 Seats Sofa by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Nicole 3 Seats Sofa by Domkapa Materials: Velvet (Neva 2206), black texturized steel. Dimensions: W 230 x D 105 x H 90 cm. Also available in different materials. Please contact u...
Steel
$4,699 / item
Pumpkin Orange RAP Sofa by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange 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 pr...
Other
$12,013 / 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
$4,699 / item
Sweet Fuchsia Big Kroko Sofa by Marcantonio
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia 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 o...
Other
$6,201 / item
Monsieur T 2 Seat Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Monsieur T 2 Seat Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 75 x W 150 x H 73 cm. SH: 45 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Classic Leather, ref. Dark Ruby, CL05 upholstery, and wa...
Foam, Wood, Leather, Walnut
$8,367 / 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
$12,013 / 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
$5,330 / item
Juliet 1 Seats Sofa by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Juliet 1 seats sofa by Domkapa Materials: Black texturized steel, natural leather (Desna Polvere). Dimensions: W 95 x D 86 x H 73 cm. Also available ...
Steel
$7,565 / item
Sandor Armchair by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Sandor Armchair by Madheke Dimensions: D 80 x W 85 x H 70 cm. Materials: leather, brass. Finish options: Fabric Seat Coli CL 215371 Color 02, Leather Back Classic Soft Olive, Leathe...
Leather
Perfidia 3-Seater Sofa in Ébano Wood, Leather & Aged Brass by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Perfidia 3-Seater Sofa in Ébano Wood, Leather & Aged Brass by Estudio Andean Dimensions: D 80 x W 194 x H 73 cm. Materials: Steel, bronze, brass, Seike wood, and leather. Availa...
Brass, Bronze, Steel
$25,275 / 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
$15,131 / item
Embryo Sofa by Studio Christinekalia
Located in Geneve, CH
Embryo sofa by Studio Christinekalia Dimensions: W 200 x D 320 x H 78 cm (seat height 43 cm). Materials: Wood, Macro Plush Fabric. Evolved from the s...
Fabric, Wood
$4,504 / item
Moss 1800 Sofa by Artu
Located in Geneve, CH
Moss 1800 sofa by Artu Pavel Vetrov Dimensions: W 180 x D 82 x H 76 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery Other colors and materials available. Soft, flowin...
Upholstery, Wood
$19,670 / item
Leather Tora Sofa by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather Tora Sofa by Madheke Dimensions: D 260 x W 101 x H 95 cm. Materials: Sofa back and arms upholstered in leather, Soft-edged walnut base and surround with a central arc and sli...
Leather
$5,204 / item
C&B Gold Camaleonda Modules
Located in London, England
Listed price is per module. Three units are available and can be purchased separately. This is a vintage item in its original fabric, showing signs of use, including smoke staining ...
Steel
$29,528 / item
Fabric and Cuoio Stilt Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric and Cuoio Stilt Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 224 x D 96 x H 75 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and cuoio. SUSPENSIONS: rub la plume ber and polypropylene belts SEA...
Wood
$26,341 / 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
$35,432 / item
Yvy Sofa by Kelly Boukobza
Located in Geneve, CH
Yvy Sofa by Kelly Boukobza Dimensions: W 300 x D 110 x H 75 cm Materials: Natural Wood Base (Walnut) or black. Available Finishes : Dedar and Pierre Frey fabrics. Kelly Boukobza is...
Wood
$5,295 / 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