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.
Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet in the Style of Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail bar with pair of bar stools, brass, chrome-plated steel, mirrored glass, stainless steel, glass, suede, cane, brass Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar in the style...
Steel, Stainless Steel
Post-Modern Italian Bar Unit with Cabinets and Bar Stools
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar unit, chrome, metal, glass, mirror, fabric, wood, Italy, 1970s This Italian bar from the 1970s combines several materials typical of the period, including chrome, metal, wood, g...
Metal, Chrome
$3,850 / item
Scandinavian Organic Shaped Stool in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Stool, elm, Scandinavia, 1970s This lovely stool reflects the organic and tactile design language of 1970s Scandinavia. Crafted in solid elm, it features a uniquely contoured seat t...
Elm
Bruno Rey for Dietiker Red Barstool
Bar Stools in Metal and Red Corduroy Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar stools, metal, velvet, Europe, 1970s. Exquisite barstools in red velvet upholstery. Due to the soft seat and back, these chairs provide a very pleasant seating comfort. The five...
Metal
Set of 4 Postmodern German Kreuzschwinger Bar Stools by Till Behrens, 1980s
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the Bar stool version. The further development of the free wing. The stools are made entirely of steel rods, which have been mounted ...
Metal
Set of Three Sculptural Wrought Iron and Leather Bar Stools, Brazil, Circa 1980s
Located in Peabody, MA
A set of three postmodern Brazilian bar stools, ca. 1980s, in leather and wrought iron with ceramic rondelle faces inset within the seat backs.
Wrought Iron
Postmodern Italian Folding Stool Chair from Enolinea, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Foldable stool by the Italian manufacturer Enolinea. A functional design with postmodern styling. The support is made of wood. The seat is coated with plastic and framed by black ru...
Plastic, Rubber, Wood
Pair of Alias Italy Black Chrome spaghetti stools by Giandomenico Belotti
By Giandomenico Belotti, Alias
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Alias Italy Black Chrome spaghetti stools by Giandomenico Belotti. Black rubber woven seat and back with a chrome tube frame. Made in Italy circa 1980. Located in Brooklyn NY...
Chrome
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican White Onyx / Marble
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool / side table; a hand sculpted stone from an incredibly particular stone; Mexican White Onyx, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials ...
Onyx
Neolithic Thinker Sculptural Stool Tezontle Volcanic Stone, Red
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Neolithic Thinker is a stool hand sculpted from red tezontle stone, a highly oxidized and porous volcanic rock endemic to Mexico. Its design draws from different historical reference...
Stone
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican Onyx Marble Conglomerate
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble and Mexican onyx conglomerate, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a ...
Onyx, Marble
A set of three postmodern bar stools by Martin, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A set of three vintage postmodern bar or counter stool featuring gilt metal frames and faux leather seating, probably circa late 1970s. The statement geometry of these pieces will a ...
Brass
Italian Set of Four Swivel Barstools in Ochre Yellow Leatherette
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of four barstools, chromed steel, leatherette, Italy, 1970s A set of post-modern 1970s Italian barstools. The seating element is a compact volume, upholstered in ochre yellow l...
Steel, Chrome
$1,480 / item
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
Single Amisco Stool
Located in New York, NY
Single Amisco stool
Metal
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican Green Onyx
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble and Mexican onyx conglomerate, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a ...
Onyx
$860 / item
Kawung Wood & Metal Counter Stool in Walnut
Located in New York, US
The Kawung is an homage to Indonesian traditional batik pattern that dates centuries, crafted with a solid wood frame and adorned with a touch of Javanese elegance. The luxurious cre...
Metal
Chainmail Camping Sculptural Stool, Nickel Plated Steel Finish, Hand Linked Mesh
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
This foldable camping stool exemplifies the fusion of utility and artistry within collectible design. Its unique seat, crafted from intricately woven chainmail, brings an unexpected ...
Steel
$960Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Memphis Style Bar Stools, Italy 1980s, a Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of bar height Italian post modern bar chairs inspired by Memphis Milano. Made of black lacquered steel with black moulded rubber seats and ...
Steel
$1,200Sale Price / set|33% Off
Pair of Lucite and Chrome Barstools by Luigi Bardini for Miniforms Italy, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Playful, sculptural, and unmistakably bold, this pair of Italian cantilever barstools by Luigi Bardini, designed in the 1970s for Miniforms Design. Each stool features a gracefully c...
Steel
Matteo Grassi Bar Stools in Dark Grey Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Matteograssi, bar stools, leather, metal, Italy, 1970s Postmodern set of stools in dark grey leather, designed by Matteo Grassi. The stools are completely covered in leather, which ...
Metal
$3,924 / item
Leather Tella Bar Stool by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather Tella Bar Stool by Madheke Dimensions: D 47.1 x W 41.1 x H 92.8 cm. Materials: Sculptural retro-inspired design, Double-cushioned leather seat with curved backrest, Sleek met...
Metal
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Niels Gammelgaard "Gasell" Child's Stool or High Chair for Ikea
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Memphis style children's high chair or stool with red plastic seat and footrest on gray powder-coated steel frame designed by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, circa 1990s.
Steel
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Italian Chrome Pipping Single Stool by Effezeta
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice cantilever tubular chrome single stool by Ezzefeta Italy , great condition all original circa 1980s.
Chrome
Design Institute of America, chrome and leather barstools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Postmodern swivel chrome and faux leather cantilever barstools by Design Institute of America . all original in very good condition. The seat back and seats are black… Height 39 inch...
Steel
Aurora stool, walnut solid wood finish, solid back, camel leather seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Aurora stool, walnut solid wood finish, solid back, off white textiles seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$3,600 / set
Pair of Chic Post-Modern Counter Height Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic post-modern counter height stools Cognac leather seats. Chrome footrests. Comfortable and sturdy. Great for a small counter. Sold as a pair only.
Chrome
$780 / item
Chair D
Located in Mérida, MX
The handwoven technique of the 'Petatillo' in Yucatan has been practiced for more than 50 years. Usually, it is woven with natural cane. This is one hundred percent artisan work, whi...
Nylon, Wood
$5,041 / item
Wave Stool & Side Table VII by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Stool & Side Table VII by Homa. Dimensions: D 28 x H 40 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Colour: Olive Green. Formed through an experimental glassblowing process, each Wave Stool...
Blown Glass
Postmodern German Kreuzschwinger Barstool by Till Behrens, 1980s
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the Bar stool version. The further development of the cantilever chair. The stools are made entirely of steel rods, which have been m...
Metal
Aurora stool, walnut solid wood finish, solid back black natural leather seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Post-Modern Style stool, black solid wood, cane back, camel leather seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Emilio Nanni Musmé Counter Stool for Fly Line, 1984
By Fly Line, EMILIO NANNI
Located in Miami, FL
Considered one of his first chair designs, the Musmé counter stool was designed by Emilio Nanni for Fly Line. The stool consists of a steel cantilevered frame...
Steel
Aurora stool, light honey solid wood, natural caning back, cream textile seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$3,200 / item
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Blue Calacite
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican Blue Calacite, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a modernist manner. The p...
Stone
$960Sale Price / set|20% Off
1980s Post-Modern Bar Stools by Giandomenico Belotti, White Metal
By Fly Line, Giandomenico Belotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Post modern bar stools in white enameled metal with spaghetti corded seats designed by Giandomenico Belotti for fly line. good condition. Located in Brooklyn NYC Dimensions...
Steel
Efebo Stacking Stool by Stacy Dukes for Artemide, Italy post modern, 4 avail
By Stacy Dukes, Artemide
Located in Chicago, IL
Efebo Seats designed by Stacy Duke for Artemide. Italy, 1960's Golden plastic. Priced individually. Four available. These sculptural white molded plastic stools were designed as c...
Plastic
$1,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Italian Bar Stools, 1980s - Set of Three
Located in Miami, FL
Set of three postmodern Italian barstools with black Naugahyde seats and silver lacquered frames with footrests.
Steel
Eric O'Leary Glazed Ceramic Stool
By Eric O'leary
Located in New York, NY
Glazed ceramic stool attributed to the American artist, Eric O'Leary ( 1949- ), circa 1980s, approximately 18 1/2 inches tall and 14 1/4 inches in diameter. 44 lbs. In 1972 the art...
Ceramic
$1,350 / set
Matteo Grassi Bar Stools in Grey Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Matteograssi, bar stools, leather, metal, Italy, 1970s Postmodern set of stools in grey leather, designed by Matteo Grassi. The stools are completely covered in leather, which is st...
Metal
Three Postmodern Counter Height Stools by Jorge Pensi for Mobles 114
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Three "Gimlet Stools" by Jorge Pensi ( Born 1946, Buenos Aires, Argentina) for Mobles 114 ( Barcelona, Spain) "Postmodern Counter Height Stools w...
Steel, Chrome
Sarapis Stools by Philippe Starck for Driade Set of 2
Located in Conversano, IT
Iconic and sculptural, these Sarapis model stools are among the most emblematic creations by Philippe Starck for Driade, produced in the 1980s. Designed with the unmistakable postmod...
Steel
$176 / item
Postmodern stools by Samo, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Postmodern red tubular metal stools by Samo. Attractive design. 1980s - France Plywood seats. Salvaged from a school, used as laboratory stools Dimensions: Height: 70cm Width: 4...
Metal
$2,091 / item
Carla Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods
Located in Geneve, CH
Carla Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: Teak wood A solid block of teak wood featuring an organic rippled texture hand-carved across its ...
Other
$1,034 / item
Black Stool 01 by Iranzo
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Stool 01 by Iranzo Dimensions: D 68 x H 48 cm. Material: Epoxy resin & polypropylene Also available in: White - at the same price Light pink / Blue / Pastel green / Signal ye...
Epoxy Resin
$2,091 / item
Bruna Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods
Located in Geneve, CH
Bruna Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: Teak wood A solid block of teak wood featuring an organic rippled texture hand-carved across its ...
Other
Stainless Steel, Horse Hair, Kutnu Fabric Lounge Stool by Studio Lugo
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel, Horse Hair, Kutnu Fabric Lounge Stool by Studio Lugo Dimensions: W 53 x D 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Stainless Steel, Horse Hair, Kutnu Fabric. Finishing: Matt Varnish....
Stainless Steel
$975 / item
Organic Postmodern Cow Furry Stool Ritmo
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
Playful. Perceptive. Percussive. Ritmo Stool. The Ritmo Stool takes its name from rhythm—not just as a beat, but as a way of being. With four bold cylindrical legs echoing in perfec...
Velvet
Postmodern German Kreuzschwinger Kitchen Barstool Till Behrens Meyer Stahlmöbel
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Till Behrens Kreuzschwinger kitchen stool or bar stool. Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the kitchen stool version. The further development of the cantilever chair. ...
Metal
Jade Green Round Moroccan Art Deco Upholstered Stool
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Art Deco Style stool in lime green and gold Moroccan style stool, vanity stool. A bold and glamorous Moroccan round ottoman or vanity stool in lime green upholstery, featuring a rai...
Fabric
$2,091 / item
Nala Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods
Located in Geneve, CH
Nala Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 45 cm Materials: Teak wood A solid block of teak wood featuring an organic rippled texture hand-carved across its o...
Other
Set of Four Vintage Postmodern Swiveling Bar Stools in Oak and Tawny Bouclé
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Durable, functional, and stylish set of four bar stools in oak with tawny bouclé seats and back rests (ca. 1980s, USA). Rectangular, boxy frame with sled base for added stability and...
Bouclé, Oak
Pair of Loewenstein Rush Seat Counter Stools
By Loewenstein
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Postmodern with a soft edge. This pair of counter-height stools by Loewenstein features rounded dowel legs, gently arched backs, and original handwoven rush seats that keep things gr...
Rush, Wood
ELEMENTOS Stool Set in Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ELEMENTOS Stool Set in Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc. Overall Dimensions: D 168 x W 168 x H 168 cm. Individual Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials:...
Pine
A Set of 3 POST-MODERN BAR STOOLS, in the style of MEMPHIS, France 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 3 high bar stools, Post-Modernist, Memphis, Eighties, circular and angular structures in anthracite lacquered square section steel, footrests and low backrests, red and yell...
Metal
$6,800 / set
Pair of French Wool Boucle Pouf Dining Stools
Located in New York, NY
Pair of beautiful hand crafted luxurious French dining height pouf/stools with long wool boucle upholstery. Old new stock /never used. Polished bronze hand cast sheep legs. Can be so...
Bronze
Monolit Stool & Side Table in Silver Modular Mirror Glass Bricks by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolit Stool & Side Table in Silver Modular Mirror Glass Bricks by Homa. Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 40 cm Unit Size: W 15 x D 15 x 40 cm (each). Materials: Glass Bricks, Silver Mi...
Mirror, Glass
$7,873 / item
Cherry Textured Stool by Mambo Jambo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Cherry Textured Stool by Mambo Jambo Studio Dimensions: D 33 x W 43.2 x H 43.2 cm. Materials: Cherry wood. Available in Cherry, Walnut, White Oak, and ...
Cherry