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.
$12,071 / item
Oak and Walnut Bánh Chưng Sofa by ONON DETAILS
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak and Walnut Bánh Chưng Sofa by ONON DETAILS Dimensions: W 85 x D 295 x H 72 cm. Materials: Oak, Walnut, high quality fabric. ONON Details furnitures are chosen by famous design ...
Fabric, Oak, Walnut
B&B Italia Sofa Diesis Leder weiß Couch Antonio Citterio Paolo Nava
By Antonio Citterio, Paolo Nava, B&B Italia
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 un...
Aluminum, Steel
$5,583 / item
Pelican Sofa by The Cult
Located in Geneve, CH
Pelican Sofa by The Cult Dimensions: W 90 x D 90 x H 80 cm Materials: Upholstery, Leather/Automotive Vinyl Other colors are available. Please contact us f...
Other
$8,227 / 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
$15,197 / item
Lambert 3-Seater Sofa by Somaschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Lambert 3-Seater Sofa by Somaschini Dimensions: W 290 x D 103 x H 63 cm Materials: Solid wood and plywood structure padded with polyurethane foam in different densities. Pre-upholste...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
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
$15,537 / item
Copacabana Sofa by Duistt
Located in Geneve, CH
Copacabana Sofa by Duistt Dimensions: W 250 x D 98 x H 84 cm Materials: Zinc and Clayton Ivory. With a bohemian look, the Copacabana sofa is the perfect blend of unique style and c...
Fabric, Oak
$4,144 / 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
$24,213 / item
Victoria Sofa by Le Berre Vevaud
Located in Geneve, CH
Victoria Sofa by Le Berre Vevaud Dimensions: W 142 x D 67 x H 81 cm. Materials: Solid wood SIPO legs upholstered in Misia fabric Rayon de Lune For over 15 years, Raphaël Le Berre a...
Wood, Upholstery
Original Rolf Benz Ecksofa Dono 6100 Couch Design Leder braun
By Rolf Benz
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Rolf Benz Dono 6100 Ecksofa mit braunem Lederbezug zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa zeichnet sich durch seine moderne und praktisch...
Leather, Wood
$5,040Sale Price|30% Off
Two Seater Sofa by Michael Graves in Birdseye Maple and Black Fabric 1980s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Small, faceted sofa/settee designed by Michael Graves composed of a stained Birdseye Maple frame with ebony inlaid triangles and applied ebonized cylindrical decorations at the feet....
Fabric, Birdseye Maple
Sitiera 3-Seater Sofa in Ivory Velvet Upholstery & Aged Brass by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Sitiera 3-Seater Sofa in Ivory Velvet Upholstery & Aged Brass by Estudio Andean Dimensions: D 104,5 x W 206,5 x H 75,5 cm. SH: 44 cm. Materials: Steel, bronze, brass, and velvet. Ve...
Bronze, Steel, Brass
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Armchairs for Gavina, Ivory Linen, 1973, Set of 2
By Gavina, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” armchairs for Gavina, ivory linen, Italy, 1973, set of two The “Cornaro” armchair, designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1973 for Gavina, distills the essence of archit...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
New York Two Seater Sofa in Metal & Leather Upholstery by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
New York Two Seater Sofa in Metal & Leather Upholstery by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 88 x W 210 x H 70 cm. Materials: Metal, goose feathers, and leather upholstery. Available in di...
Metal
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
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
$4,800
Thayer Coggin Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
Experience the epitome of comfort and refined style with this Thayer Coggin sofa. Its luxurious beige fabric features subtle shimmering speckles that catch the light, adding a touch ...
Fabric
$12,318 / 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
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
$43,007 / item
Chocolate MRS 3 Sofa by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate MRS 3 Sofa by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 160 x W 310 x H 80 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. “MRS 3” sofa. With love to my favorite d...
Upholstery, Wood
$37,589 / item
DS-1025 Sofa by De Sede
By De Sede
Located in Geneve, CH
DS-1025 Sofa by De Sede Design: Ubald Klug Dimensions: D 91 x W 156 x H 70 cm Materials: SEDEX upholstery with wadding cushion. Stable, compact frame made of beech and board mater...
Leather, Foam, Beech
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Corner Modular Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Corner Modular Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 123 x W 123 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The C...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$12,494 / item
Louise 240 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Louise 240 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 110 x W 240 x H 83 cm. SH: 45 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Desert, CV03, and ref. Pale Pink, C...
Brass
$8,404 / 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
Éclat-Nightfall Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Éclat-Nightfall Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 93,5 x W 190 x H 67 cm. SH: 39 cm. Materials: Aluminium, rope, and Luminesce fabric. Antho...
Aluminum
$14,422 / item
Stone Chair by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Stone Chair by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 81 x W 115 x H 88 cm Materials: Wood, HR foam, polyester wadding, fabric upholstery. PLYUS Furniture creates pieces in collectible de...
Upholstery, Wood
$12,318 / item
Fabric Frank Sofa Bed by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric Frank Sofa Bed by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 247 x D 95 x H 80 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply SUSPENSIONS: Elastic belts in rubber and polypropylene SEATS: Polyuret...
Metal
$11,671 / item
Luke 240 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Luke 240 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 110 x W 240 x H 82 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet. Available in all Munna fabrics except Wild Silk....
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$2,726 / item
Slay Sofa by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Slay Sofa by DAaZ Dimensions: D 105 x W 338 x H 66 cm. Materials: Wood, fabric. 1 x Module A 1 x Module C Available in other modules combinations. Please contact us. DAaZ Furnitur...
Fabric, Wood
$12,318 / 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
$23,719 / item
Davis Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Davis Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 340 x D 100 x H 67 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. REMOVABLE PART...
Foam, Wood
$18,453 / item
Seduire Sofa by Memoir Essence
Located in Geneve, CH
Seduire Sofa by Memoir Essence Dimensions: D 125 x W 280 x H 80 cm. Materials: Brass and velvet upholstery. Seduire sofa is Memoir´s New launch, characterized by an organic and opul...
Brass
Postmodern 3-Seater Sofa "Newtone" by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Moroso, Italy 1989
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a magnificent postmodern sofa "Newtone" designed by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Moroso. Sofa has beautiful shape with down-dropping backrest which gives it e...
Aluminum
Contemporary Art Sofa - Consuetudine by Roberto Barni
By Mirabili, Roberto Barni
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sofa - wood, bronze sculptures 99 numbered and signed copies "The blindfold man is a metaphor of life and art: in “CONSUETUDINE” he represents the caryatids that support and delimit...
Bronze
Thank Two Seater Sofa in Chromed Metal & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Thank Two Seater Sofa in Chromed Metal & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 73 x W 150 x H 67 cm. Materials: Metal, wood, and upholstery. Available in different finishes, siz...
Metal
$10,284 / item
Looïs Bench by Studio Uwe Gaertner
Located in Geneve, CH
Looïs Bench by Studio Uwe Gaertner Dimensions: D 60 x W 210 x H 47 cm. Materials: Solid oak. DESIGN BY STUDIO UWE GAERTNER The furniture collection from Studio Uwe Gaertner is a ha...
Oak
$38,788 / 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
Vintage Contemporary Custom Built Biomorphic Boucle Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Indulge in luxury and sophistication with this vintage contemporary custom-built biomorphic boucle sofa. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it exudes American style with a ...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
Éclat-Bisque Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Three-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Éclat-Bisque Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Three-Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 93,5 x W 240 x H 67 cm. SH: 39 cm. Materials: Aluminium, rope, and Luminesce fabric. Anthon...
Aluminum
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Armchair for Gavina, Ivory Linen, 1973
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Carlo Scarpa “Cornaro” Armchair for Gavina, ivory linen, Italy, 1973 The “Cornaro” armchair, designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1973 for Gavina, distills the essence of architectural think...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
Post-Modern Italian Two Seat Sofa in Wood and Creme Colored Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, beech, fabric, Italy, 1970s This two-seat sofa dates from Italy in the 1970s and is designed in the style of Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The design is defined by clear proportions ...
Fabric, Beech
$14,222 / item
Hug Grey Sofa by Rejo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hug grey sofa by Rejo Studio Dimensions: D 315 x W 95 x H 76 cm Materials: Wooden structure, with Velvet Also available in different colours. Long comfortable hug. The hug sofa...
Velvet, Wood
Galore 3 Seater Sprinkles Desert Yellow by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater sprinkles desert yellow by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 222 x W 83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring s...
Steel
$21,533 / item
Linamore Davis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Linamore Davis Fabric Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 432 x D 100 x H 67 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. REMOVA...
Foam, Wood
Vintage Modular Leather Sofa by Eilersen, Denmark
By Eilersen 1
Located in Raleigh, NC
intage large modular sectional sofa in black leather. Manufactured by Eilersen, Denmark. This sofa is pure perfection in our book. If we could fit it in our home, we would absolutely...
Metal, Chrome
$36,331 / 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
$6,535 / 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
$16,925 / item
Dyoni Sofa by Moure Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Dyoni sofa by Moure Studio Dimensions: D 250x W 95 x H 76 cm Materials: cotton, linen, velvet, felt, Wood. Wide range of colors of feet and fabrics a...
Textile, Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Wood
$17,501 / item
Madeleine Round Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Madeleine Round Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 180 x W 180 x H 97 cm. SH: 43 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Satin, ref. Desert, CTS02 upholstery and piping, a...
Foam, Wood, Upholstery
$5,229 / 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
$12,647 / item
Célestine Sofa by Studio Uwe Gaertner
Located in Geneve, CH
Célestine Sofa by Studio Uwe Gaertner Dimensions: D 80 x W 225 x H 90 cm. Materials: Solid oak and Kvadrat Zero (no.001) fabric (65% cotton, 20% acrylic, 15% polyester). DESIGN BY S...
Fabric, Oak
$9,838 / 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
$11,753 / item
Small Baixo Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Baixo Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 105 x W 200 x H 58 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery. 2 cushions included The Baixo sofa proposes a different way of sitting. An invitation to c...
Upholstery, Wood
Pink Baba Daybed by Gisbert Pöppler, Upholstered Teak Frame, Germany
Located in Geneve, CH
Pink Baba daybed by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: H 82 (43) x W 250 x D 170 cm Materials: Upholstered wooden frame, teak footings Like a friend that wants to cuddle, Baba is an upholstered sofa series for lounging in complete comfort. The asymmetrical forms cater to a playful choice of sitting positions from formal to downright lounging while confidently inhabiting their environment and providing cozy sophistication. The low seating height and fluffy padded body make you want to sink into this chair and relish the moment. All of their upholstery pieces are COM prices. The prices do not include any fabric. Gisbert Pöppler studied architecture at California College of Arts and Crafts, San Francisco and Technische Universität, Berlin, graduating in 1996 with a Diplom Ingenieur. After completing his studies he spent several years working for various firms in Berlin, developing new architecture after the German re-unification. In 1999 Gisbert Pöppler founded Prinz–Pöppler, a partnership with architect Ilona Prinz – together creating office environments for start-up organizations filling the dynamic Berlin landscape...
Upholstery, Teak
$7,734 / item
Margaret 210 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Margaret 210 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 92 x W 210 x H 95 cm. SH: 48 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Lilac CV15. Available in all Munna fabri...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$7,593 / 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
$5,196 / 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
$14,222 / item
Hug Green Sofa by Rejo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hug green sofa by Rejo Studio. Dimensions: D 315 x W 95 x H 76 cm. Materials: wooden structure, with velvet. Also available in different colours. Long comfortable hug. The hug sofa...
Velvet, Wood
Cubic Seat Module in Marine Leather by Studio Christinekalia
Located in Geneve, CH
Cubit seat Module in Marine leather by Studio Christinekalia Dimensions: W 90 x D 90 x H 75 cm (seat height 45 cm). Materials: Plush Fabric, Marine Leather, wood. Christine Kali...
Leather, Fabric, Wood
$5,688 / item
Liquid Steel Labirint Sofa by Andrea Giomi
Located in Geneve, CH
Liquid Steel Labirint sofa by Andrea Giomi Dimensions: D 80 x W 60 x H 84 cm Materials: liquid steel. Andrea Giomi, was born in Castelfiorentino in t...
Steel