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.
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
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
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
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 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
Pair of Vintage Minimalist Cerused Oak Stools, USA 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of vintage minimalist cuved and cerused oak stools, USA 1980s A sculptural and minimalist pair of stools crafted in the United States, circa 1980. Made from solid oak, each pie...
Oak
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
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
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
Single Amisco Stool
Located in New York, NY
Single Amisco stool
Metal
$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
$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
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
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
$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
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$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
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
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
Giandomenico Belotti - Alias Set of 4 Red Fly Line Spaghetti Dining Side Chairs
By Giandomenico Belotti, Alias
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Giandomenico Belotti (1922-2004), these Spaghetti chairs are quite comfortable with their PVC spaghetti straps on steel bases. A most successful design by Belotti, they a...
Steel
$980Sale Price / set|45% Off
Pair of Post-Modern Lucite Barstools by Hill Mfg, circa 1980
By Charles Hollis Jones, Hill Manufacturing
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic pair of Post-Modern lucite barstools are by Hill Manufacturing and in the style of Charles Hollis Jones and Lion in Frost. Featuring a steel base with foot wrest, and lucite frame with black vinyl seat cushion. *Note, we had a set of 6 but 4 have now sold, so we have 2 barstools left. Priced as a pair, contact us if you wish to purchase a single. This pair of Hill Mfg lucite...
Steel
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
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, drawing on a medieval-modern aesthetic that blends ancient craftsmanship with co...
Steel
$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
$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
$720Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$2,700Sale Price|22% Off
Charles Hollis Jones Lucite and Chromed Steel Vanity Swivel Stool, c 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking 1970s Lucite vanity stool by Charles Hollis Jones, the celebrated “Mister Lucite” whose innovative designs helped define the Hollywood Regency aesthetic. This sculptural p...
Chrome
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
Chess Stool/ Sculptural Side Table (Concave)
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Two hand-turned wooden pieces with an elegant piano polish lacquer play together as sculptural stools or side table sets.
Resin, Wood
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
Set of 4 Design Institute of America Brass Stools in the Style of Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Design Institute America
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Elegant and luxurious set of four cantilevered brass stools in the style of Milo Baughman made by Design Institute of America ("DIA") newly professionally reupholstered in super soft...
Brass
$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
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Three Postmodern Memphis Style Bar Stools, Italy, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Three bar height Italian Postmodern bar chairs inspired by Memphis Milano. Made of black lacquered steel with black moulded rubber seats and backs.
Steel
Set of 3 Design Institute of America Brass Stools in Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1980
By Design Institute America, Milo Baughman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Super sexy set of three Post Modern counter or bar stools manufactured in the 1980s by Design Institute of America ("DIA") in the style of Milo Baughman. Cantilevered brass stools with long horizontal foot rests. The look is modern, upscale and luxurious. Light and airy but very sophisticated. Fully restored seat with new cushioning. Newly professionally upholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. The fabric ventilates well making it great for all climates. Cozy in the cold and cool and airy in the heat. The bouclé is also rated highly durable ( over 50k double rubs). These DIA stools...
Brass
Pair of Alias Italy Black Chrome spaghetti stools by Giandomenico Belotti
By Alias, Giandomenico Belotti
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
$940Sale Price / set|20% Off
2 Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast Italian Postmodern Tokyo Bar Counter Stools 35"
By Bieffeplast, Rodney Kinsman
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of circa 1980's Italian postmodern Bauhaus style "Tokyo" chairs / counter bar stools, designed by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast of Padova, Italy. Gray metal tubular frame with ...
Metal
Tecton Stool in Travertine or Teak by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980
Located in Geneve, CH
Tecton Stool in Travertine or Teak by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980. Dimensions: W 45 x D 45 x H 44 cm. Materials: Travertine and Teak wood. This stool is available in a selectio...
Travertine
$2,608 / item
Coleman Counter Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Coleman Counter Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 54 x W 44 x H 95 cm. SH: 70 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Vivid Chenille, ref. Moss, VIC13....
Brass
Garouste & Bonetti Koala Bronze Leg Stools, France 1980's
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in New York, NY
Classic Garouste & Bonetti Koala stool from the "En attendant les barbares" era, on bronze legs and upholstered in faux shearling.
Bronze
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
$8,092 / 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
$2,053 / item
Brass Sculpted Brass Chair, Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass sculpted brass chair, Misaya. Dimensions: W 54 x L 58 x H 79 cm (seating: 63). Hand-sculpted chair in brass.
Brass
Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Finish and Fabric Stool, circa 1980s
By Knoll, Warren Platner
Located in Oakland, CA
Architect Warren Platner designed stool constructed of nickel-plated steel and fabric for Knoll. Hand crafted by Matricola of Italy for Knoll, the frame is resist welded and the plat...
Steel, Nickel
$1,847 / item
Marco Bar Stool by Dawid Konieczny
Located in Geneve, CH
Marco Bar Stool by Dawid Konieczny Dimensions: D 36 x W 40 x H 88 cm. Materials: Black steel and fabric. Different fabric options on request. Made in Poland. Please contact us. D...
Steel
$881 / item
Radical Design White Bouclé Stool Furia
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
There’s a fire that doesn’t need to roar to be felt—an inner intensity that simmers beneath the surface. The Furia Stool captures that quiet force. With its soft, rounded body and as...
Bouclé
$11,957 / item
Hand-Carved Oak Edition Lounge Stool by Studio Lugo
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Carved Oak Edition Lounge Stool by Studio Lugo Dimensions: W 53 x D 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Oak, Stainless Steel, Horse Hair, Kutnu Fabric. Finishing: Matt Varnish. Weight: 18 k...
Stainless Steel
$1,932 / item
Mellow 70 Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Mellow 70 Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 70 x W 70 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Antique Pink, CV28 upholstery. Available in...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
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
$1,062 / item
Brutus Stool by 101 Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Brutus stool by 101 Copenhagen Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl Dimensions: L 60 / W 30 /H 54 cm Materials: fiber concrete Inspired...
Concrete
$1,038 / item
Noel Bar Chair by Thorup Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Noel Bar Chair by Thorup Copenhagen Dimensions: D 43.5 x W 51 x H 89 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, fair grey wool. Available in other colors. Please contact us. Thorup Copenhagen...
Stainless Steel
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
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Rodney Kinsman Tokyo Stool for Bieffelplast, Italy 1980s
By Bieffeplast, Rodney Kinsman
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Tokyo counter stool made of a satin black steel frame, curved black polyurethane backrest and a red naugahyde cushioned seat. The footrest maintains the plastic tube...
Steel
$1,896 / item
Medium Pouf! Leather Stool by Nestor Perkal
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium pouf! leather stool by Nestor Perkal Dimensions: W 83 x D 75.5 x H 35 cm Materials: Leather, poplar plywood, suede. Available in other colors and in 3 sizes. The POUF! collection is made up of three seats made of leather and suede. They look like diamonds, minerals or the footprints of an animal in the soil. They are suitable for home furnishing, in the office or in a public place. Genuine italian vegetable...
Leather, Suede, Poplar, Plywood
$1,630 / item
Txt.02 Stool by Txt.Ure
Located in Geneve, CH
Txt.02 stool by Txt. Ure Dimensions: Ø 64 x H 40 cm. Materials: Tulle natural fiber with natural finish. For interior and exterior use (under covered spaces). Txt. ure was the first design project to reintroduce the Mexican weaving...
Other
$990 / item
Object 064 Stool by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 064 stool by NG Design Dimensions: D38 x H45 cm Materials: Powder coated steel, Boucle upholstery Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colo...
Steel
3 Sturdy Swiss Made Heavy Quality Black Leather & Steel High Bar Stools, 1980s
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
3 Sculptural Swiss post modern bar stools. Top quality Swiss Made in the 1980s. Black Leather seat with a diameter of 34cm (13.38inch) on...
Steel
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, drawing on a medieval-modern aesthetic that blends ancient craftsmanship with co...
Steel
$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
$11,933 / item
Comma V1 Stool by Simone Fanciullacci
Located in Geneve, CH
Comma V1 stool by Simone Fanciullacci Limited edition of 150 pieces. Signed and numbered. Dimensions: D 34 x W 34 x H 38 cm Materials: green patina bronze Co...
Bronze