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.
Plywood and Upholstered Divani Sofa by Dainelli Studio Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Plywood and Upholstered Divani Sofa by Dainelli Studio Atelier Dimensions: W 280 x D 110 x H 68 cm Materials: Plywood, Wood, Upholstery. Sofa with a plywood base finished with a gl...
Wood, Upholstery, Plywood
$6,571 / item
Flame Sofa by Memoir Essence
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Sofa by Memoir Essence Dimensions: D 80 x W 220 x H 100 cm. Materials: Velvet TT, satin STN and lacquer. Also available in client's fabric. Please co...
Satin, Upholstery, Velvet, Lacquer
$8,037 / item
Josephine 230 Sofa by Munna
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
Howard Keith for HK Furniture 'Diplomat' Sofa in Light Brown Upholstery
By Howard Keith
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Howard Keith for HK Furniture, 'Diplomat' sofa, fabric, chrome-plated steel, United Kingdom, 1970s The ‘Diplomat’ sofa, designed by Howard Keith, exemplifies the sophisticated comfo...
Steel, Chrome
$5,996Sale Price|25% Off
I4 Mariani Postmodern Italian Molto + Di Maroon Leather Sofa Ammannati -Vitelli
By Titina Ammannati and Giampiero Vitelli, i4 Mariani
Located in Topeka, KS
Spectacular postmodern Italian Molto + Di maroon leather sofa by Tittina Ammannati & Vitelli Giampiero for I4 Mariani. Beautiful condition, keeping...
Leather, Foam, Wood
$3,658 / 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
Cassina 'Soriana' Cognac Leather Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Scarpa; Cassina; Tobia Scarpa; Afra Scarpa; Minimalist; Italian Design; Hollywood Regency; Post-modern; Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Soriana, reupholstered in aniline leather....
Chrome
Heli 3-Seater Leather Sofa by Otto Zapf for Knoll, 1980s
$5,618Sale Price / set|31% Off
1980, Fabrizio Ballardini for Arflex, 2 Couches Ribalta in Original Soft Fabric
By Arflex, Fabricio Ballardini
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach...
Metal
$3,900Sale Price|35% Off
3 Seater Chiclet Sofa with Side Tables
By Ray Wilkes
Located in Seattle, WA
3 seater chiclet sofa with black leather-top side tables, designed by Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller, circa 1970s. Sofa is in original blue & black wool fa...
Wool
Link-Bisque Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Outdoor Meditation Bed by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Bisque Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Outdoor Meditation Bed by SNOC Dimensions: Ø 200 x H 63 cm. Materials: Aluminium, wicker, and Luminesce fabric. Link-Bisque When desig...
Aluminum
$10,000 / set
RARE Pair of Curved Omnibus Sofas by Vladimir Kagan
Located in Las Vegas, NV
These curved Omnibus Sofas by Vladimir Kagan are RARELY seen and we just happen to have a pair. A gorgeous duet, each with 3 lucite support legs and gorgeous Joseph Noble Mohair. T...
Mohair, Lucite
Original GAO Sofa Couch Ligne Roset Cinna Jean Paul Laloy
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein cooles ausklappbares Zweisitzer Schlafsofa von Ligne Roset / Cinna zum Verkauf an. Das Modell heißt "GAO", wurde von Jean Paul Laloy ent...
Fabric
Vintage Postmodern Sofa by Preview, Reupholstered in Kelly Wearstler Velvet
By Preview
Located in Miami, FL
1980s Designer Preview sofa, masterfully reupholstered to keep the visual symmetry of the bold diagonal stripes in Sereno velvet fabric by Kelly Wearstler.
Velvet
Steve Chase “Amphibious” Style Sofa
By Steve Chase
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s, fully restored in 100% alpaca. One seat is firmer than the rest
Alpaca
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Two-seater Sofa for Gavina, Ivory Velvet, 1973
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
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 be...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
$4,480Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Herman Miller Chiclet Sofa
Located in Dallas, TX
Designed by Ray Wilkes for Herman Miller and first introduced in 1976, this eye-catching modular sofa made a lasting impression with bold, rounded-edge cushions and steel brackets that join the seat and back to allow for independent flexibility that provides a surprising level of comfort. It is known as the Chiclet sofa...
Metal
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Three-seater Sofa for Gavina, Ivory Velvet, 1973
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
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
$5,921 / item
RUA CHA Sofa by Clementine Caurier
Located in Geneve, CH
RUA CHA Sofa by Clementine Caurier Dimensions: D 95 x W 200 x H 74 cm. Materials: Ash, wool, and linen. RUA CHA sofa is based on a light, crossed structure in solid wood. The genero...
Wool, Linen, Ash
Koinor Free Motion Edit 2 Sofa Couch Ecksofa Leder Balkeneiche
By Koinor
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Ecksofa Edit 2 Free Motion von Koinor zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa besteht aus zwei Modulen, die sich flexibel anordnen lassen. Die Holzpodeste aus Balkeneic...
Leather, Oak
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Three-seater Sofa for Gavina, Ivory Linen, 1973
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” sofa for Gavina, wood and ivory linen, Italy, 1973. The Cornaro sofa represents a sublime exemplification of the harmony between...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
1970s Italian Minotti 3-Seater Sofa, Newly Upholstered
By Minotti
Located in Toronto, CA
Newly reupholstered Minotti sofa, its bold geometry complemented by the intricate design of the new textile. Roomy seating area makes way for creative lounging, while the open space ...
Steel
B&B Italia Sofa Diesis Leder weiß Couch Antonio Citterio Paolo Nava
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio, Paolo Nava
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes und äußerst hochwertiges Zweisitzer Sofa vom italienischen Traditionshersteller B&B Italia zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Antonio Citterio und Pa...
Aluminum, Steel
Egon Three-Seater Sofa in Leather, Horn, Wood & Upholstery by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Egon Three-Seater Sofa in Leather, Horn, Wood & Upholstery by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 102 x W 335 x H 72 cm. Materials: Horn, upholstery, leather, polyurethane foam, and goose dow...
Other
Sculptural Post-Modern Steel Sofa, France 1980s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Very unique and unusual sofa. Inspired by the Maria Pergay, Michel Boyer era. Sourced in the south of France. Postmodernism. The bench is made of multiple materials, creating a beautiful composition. The base of the sofa is made of steel and has a beautifully patinated leather seat. The back of the sofa is made of resin. Due to the green strokes, it is multi-dimensional. Even if it's a functional sofa, it merely looks like a piece of art. It can both be used as a stand-alone sofa or bench and could be the perfect addition to any residential project, but would also look great in any gallery or high-end retail shop. The minimalist design of this French sofa is perfect for any clientele that wants to create a unique kind of atmosphere. It has a very industrial, apocalyptic, and postmodern feel to it. It is for sure an eye-catcher! Please note that it is a heavy object. Check out Daddy Deco...
Steel
$4,625Sale Price / set|50% Off
1980s Modular Green Sculptural Curved Sofa Chaise Lounge, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1980s with this exquisite modular two piece chaise lounge sofa. The ultra rare lounger exudes an air of luxury and refinement. ...
Upholstery, Wood
Postmodern Canyon Sofa in Velvet 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
Original Rolf Benz Ecksofa Couch Onda beige creme Design Sofa
By Rolf Benz
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes dreiteiliges Rolf Benz Design Ecksofa inkl. Ottomane zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa ist mit hochwertigem hellen Stoff bezogen und besticht durch seine moderne ...
Fabric
Le Bambole Leather Sofa Design Mario Bellini 1978 for B&B Italia
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
cognac leather Le Bambole-seater Sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1978. Price per sofa, ONLY ONE SOFA STILL AVAILABLE! The Bambole series today is a true icon ...
Leather, Foam
Zanotta Onda Sofa by De Pas, D’Urbino, Lomazzi, Italy, 1985
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Toronto, CA
Onda means “wave,” and this one’s best caught in your living room. Dreamed up in 1985 by De Pas, D’Urbino, and Lomazzi for Zanotta, it captures the bold spirit of Italian postmodern ...
Steel
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Natural 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...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
French Bulbous Croissant Shaped Sofa in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, France, 1970s This remarkable leather sofa, designed and crafted in France during the 1970s, is a true representation of the era’s innovative and artistic approach to...
Leather
Original COR Jalis Sofa Couch Jehs & Laub Filz magenta Design
By COR, Jehs & Laub
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Design Sofa der Marke COR zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa ist bekannt unter dem Modellnamen "Jalis" und steht hier in einer sehr seltenen Ausführung mit pinkem ...
Felt, Wood
Vladimir Kagan “Arc” Sofa for Directional, 1990s
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan “Arc” Sofa for Directional, 1990s, fully restored in a wool velvet. Very good condition
Velvet
Post Modern Sculptural Pouf Sofa, 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Post Modern Sculptural Pouf Sofa, 1980. Newly upholstered in ultra plush mohair A post-modern sculptural pouf sofa is a unique and artistic piece of furnitu...
Mohair
$6,250Sale Price|50% Off
1980s Weiman Pucci Style Curved Tufted Channel Biomorphic Kidney Sofa
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The beautiful rare sofa is statement piece which is also extremely comfortable and packed with personality! Just look at the gorgeous curves on this beauty! Bright and vibrant Pucci ...
Upholstery, Wood
$7,450 / set
1990s Weiman Curved Abstract Sofas, Set of 2
By Weiman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, curved sofas you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best,...
Upholstery, Wood
Biomorphic Postmodern Sofa in the Style of Vladimir Kagan
Located in Culver City, CA
An absolutely stunning Postmodern sofa designed and created in the mid-1990s. This stunning sofa is evocative of Vladimir Kagan custom designs and would lend itself nicely to Mid-Century Modern and postmodern styling. This contemporary cloud style sofa...
Chenille
Cini Boeri, Sofa, ABS Plastic, Leather, Italy 1970s
By Cini Boeri
Located in High Point, NC
A two-seater black ABS plastic and white / light grey leather sofa, designed by Cini Boeri, and produced by Gavina, Knoll, 1970s. seat height 14”.
Leather, Plastic
Link-Terra Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Outdoor Meditation Bed by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Terra Wicker And Powder-Coated Aluminum Outdoor Meditation Bed by SNOC Dimensions: Ø 200 x H 63 cm. Materials: Aluminium, wicker, and Luminesce fabric. Link-Terra When designi...
Aluminum
$9,892 / item
White Connection Chair by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
White Connection Chair by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: ⌀ 110 x H 73 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. “Connection” chair. Once upon a time there wer...
Upholstery, Wood
Early “Bocca” Sofa by Studio65
Located in Chicago, IL
for Gufram c. 1970s, fully restored with original importer’s tag
Fabric
Postmodern Sofa "Comete" designed by Vladimir Kagan for Roche Bobois, France
By Vladimir Kagan, Roche Bobois
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a spectacular and rare modular sofa "Comete" designed by Vladimir Kagan for French Luxury Furniture manufacturer Roche Bobois. Kagan created this curved...
Ostrich Leather, Wood
Felicerossi Italian Post-Modern Sectional Sofa, 1970s
By Felicerossi
Located in Antwerp, BE
A rare Felicerossi Italian post-modern sectional sofa in brown and beige fabric upholstery, produced in the 1970s. This organically shaped modular model consists of three units that ...
Metal
$24,384 / item
Segno Leather Sofa 4 Seater by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Segno Leather Sofa 4 Seater by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 265 x D 90 x H 88 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply, with metal support. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts...
Foam, Wood
White Leather Barocco Sofa Model 1320 by Zanotta, Italy 1980
By Emaf Progetti, Zanotta
Located in Chicago, IL
White Leather Barocco Sofa Model 1320 by Zanotta, Italy 1980’s. Designed by Emaf Progetti. Original beautiful condition. Measures 26.5” tall 78” long 39” deep, seat height 16” seat...
Chrome
$10,720Sale Price|20% Off
'Cannaregio' Modular Sofa by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina, Italy, 1980s
By Cassina, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Antwerp, BE
'Cannaregio' sofa, a vibrant and versatile creation by Italian designer Gaetano Pesce for Cassina. Originally conceived in 1987, this sofa exudes playfulness, adaptability, and a bur...
Fabric
$24,182 / item
Trave Sofa by Umberto Bellardi Ricci
Located in Geneve, CH
Trave sofa by Umberto Bellardi Ricci Dimensions: D 24" x W 102" x H 16 in Materials: Dedar Boucle fabic, l-beam, brass Umbert...
Brass
Narco Teak Collection Short Divan by AMBER x IÑIGO CALLEJA
Located in Geneve, CH
Narco Teak Collection Short Divan by AMBER x IÑIGO CALLEJA Dimensions: W 110 x D 90 x H 80 cm. Materials: Dry Teak Trunks Base, charred and stained pitch black. Iñigo Calleja is an...
Teak
Rea Three-Seater Sofa in Splendido Velvet Upholstery, Horn & Wood by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Rea Three-Seater Sofa in Splendido Velvet Upholstery, Horn & Wood by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 95 x W 270 x H 86 cm. Materials: Horn, velvet, and wood. Cushions are not included. Pleas...
Other
Substantial Lounge Chairs in Delicate Striped Green Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chairs, fabric, Europe, 1970s/80s A robust and substantial pair of lounge chairs, exuding a playful charm through its distinct geometric form. The design of these chairs fea...
Fabric
$5,960Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Preview Purple Sculptural Biomorphic Cloud Sofa
By Preview
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, purple microfiber cloud sofa you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful sofa is statemen...
Upholstery, Wood
$6,299 / item
Postmodern Sculptural White Bouclé Sofa Amanecer
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
Sofa in White Bouclé. The Amanecer Sofa is a tribute to new beginnings. Its sculptural silhouette, soft yet structured, recalls the gentle rise of two hills catching the first lig...
Bouclé
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
Italian Modular Sofa by Piero Lissoni for Knoll Avio System with Marble Base
By Piero Lissoni, Knoll
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Designed by Piero Lissoni for Knoll, this rare configuration of the Avio modular sofa was produced in the 1980s and reflects the elegance of Italian modernism. Upholstered in soft iv...
Marble, Chrome
$19,253 / item
Morrison 3-Seater Sofa by Somaschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Morrison 3-Seater Sofa by Somaschini Dimensions: W 290 x D 109 x H 55 cm Materials: Solid wood and plywood structure padded with polyurethane foam in different densities. Seat cushio...
Fabric, Upholstery, Plywood
Vintage Boho Pencil Reed Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the sculptural elegance and organic allure of this stunning vintage pencil reed sofa. A captivating example of 1980s design artistry, this pi...
Fabric, Upholstery, Rattan
$5,750Sale Price / set|34% Off
1980s Sculptural Weiman Red Cloud Sofa Loveseat, Set of 2
By Weiman
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, cloud sofa set you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire Outstanding design is exhibited throughout....
Upholstery, Wood
MEMPHIS "LIDO" Sofa / Michele De Lucchi / PostModern
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1982, this superb object of functional decor will offer a comfortable seat to an eclectic interior, while also being a magnificent colorful accent to...
Steel
Contemporary Art Sofa - Nandì Verà by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. 20th century sofa from the De Curtis home in Lugano. Decorations and velvet in Pontoglio silk, exclusive design by the Author. Gold,...
Silk