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.
Contemporary Stool by Objects of Common Interest, Metamorphic Rock, Purple
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A solid rock formation sitting upon a tray on casters as an elemental gesture for creating a resting element. The rock is a familiar yet surprising material mass, semitransparent, so...
Steel
$20,281 / item
Gradient 02 Stool / Side Table by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Gradient 02 Stool / Side Table by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 50 cm Materials: Black Stained Oak, Chestnut Wood, Ash Wood and Beech Wood. The idea behind this design wa...
Wood, Chestnut, Oak
$1,787 / set
Pair of contemporary pink and light blue stools
Located in Milano, IT
Immerse yourself in the elegance of modern design with this refined pair of stools, expertly crafted to combine utility and aesthetic pleasure. The stools feature a sturdy brass tubu...
Brass
Kalle Langsjö, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine stool, designed and produced by Kalle Langsjö, Sweden, c. 1970s.
Pine
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s.
Pine
Candy Columns by Sabine Marcelis, various sizes and colours
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Multi use Candy Column by Sabine Marcelis TYPE Freestanding table ENVIRONMENT Indoor MATERIAL Polyester resin FINISH mat / polished DIMENSIONS / WEIGHT PRICE (excl. VAT & shipping...
Resin
$3,777 / item
Strict Counter Stool by Veermakers
Located in Geneve, CH
Strict Counter Stool by Veermakers Dimensions: L 42 x H 82,5-65 cm. Materials: Oak Classic with a satin clear coat / Leather Shoulder Cognac. About: After years of successful colla...
Oak
$2,969 / item
Fringes Counter Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes Counter Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 54 x W 57 x H 90 cm. SH: 70 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, nickel, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Steel Blue, CV27. ...
Nickel
vintage italian table & stool set by Raul Barbiere & Gabriella Montaguti for Rex
By Rexite, Raul Barbieri
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Black red, green and yellow swivel stool by Raul Barbiere for Rexite. Made in Italy - 1980 's Dimensions: 36 cm diametre seating 70 cm heigh 46 cm low Material: Rubber an...
Plastic, Rubber
TORO Stool in Tzalam with Natural Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
TORO Stool in Tzalam with Natural Finish by Daniel Couttolenc. Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 47 cm. Materials: Tzalam wood. The TORO Stool by Daniel Couttolenc blurs the line between ...
Hardwood
$2,466 / item
Olympia Counter Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Olympia Counter Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 55 x W 58 x H 90 cm. SH: 70 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Emerald, CV09...
Brass
$1,783 / item
Macaron High Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Macaron High Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 45 cm. Materials: Cork, foam. Toni Grilo delivers a gourmet piece, all in curves. Macaron stool brown cork evokes ...
Foam, Cork
Limited Edition Curule Seat Stool in Stainless Steel by sashaxsasha
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition Curule Seat Stool in Stainless Steel by sashaxsasha Limited Edition of 8 + 2 A.P Dimensions: D 42 x W 74x H 51 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. sashaxsasha is a des...
Stainless Steel
Dartagnan Sbiancata Ash Counter Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Dartagnan Sbiancata Ash Counter Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 53.5 x W 50.5 x H 80.5 cm. Materials: Rosso Bulgaro leather, Sbiancata ash. ...
Leather, Ash
Pair of post modern Black leather Chrome Bar stools style of Mart Stam
By Mart Stam
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of post modern Black leather and Chrome bar or Counter stools in the style of Mart Stam. Black leather seat and back with a chrome tube frame with footrest. Made in Italy circa ...
Chrome
ELEMENTOS Earth Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ELEMENTOS Earth Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Sandblasted Pine. Earth is firmness, stability—a force...
Pine
Post Modern Milo Baughman Parsons Style Bench in Ivory White Bouclé, circa 1980s
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A most alluring Milo Baughman Parsons style Post Modern bench newly reupholstered in super soft and inviting ivory bouclé. The Parsons style in upholstery - consisting of covering every surface with upholstery - not only exudes upper crust elegance but also delivers exquisite comfort from top to bottom. Whether in a dressing room, bedroom, bathroom next to a large bathtub, or in an Entry or Vestibule, this Post Modern Parsons style bench...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$2,346 / item
Olympia Bar Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Olympia Bar Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 55 x W 58 x H 100 cm. SH: 80 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Emerald, CV09. R...
Brass
$4,326 / item
Spira Rosso Levanto Stool by Etamorph
Located in Geneve, CH
Spira Rosso Levanto Stool by Etamorph Dimensions: Ø 30 x H 46 cm. Materials: Rosso Levanto. Masterfully crafted from a monolithic block of marble and manually honed. ETAMORPH is a ...
Stone
$7,375 / item
Classic Travertine Unfilled Chunky Stool by Etamorph
Located in Geneve, CH
Classic Travertine Unfilled Chunky Stool by Etamorph Dimensions: Ø 36 x H 46 cm. Materials: Classic Travertine Unfilled. Chunky stands as a sculptural masterpiece. The variation of ...
Stone, Travertine
Pair of Postmodern Italian Round Bamboo Stools in the style of Agnoli
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s - 1970s. These rare stools feature a bamboo frame. They are vintage, therefore they might show slight traces of use, but they can be considered in mint condition...
Bamboo
Arquivo Counter Stool by Rosana Sousa
Located in Geneve, CH
Arquivo Counter Stool by Rosana Sousa One Of A Kind Dimensions: D 42 x W 35,5 x H 67 cm. Materials: Oak and walnut. Every piece is one-of-a-kind due to the availability of raw mate...
Oak, Walnut
Contemporary Resin Stool or Side Table by Sabine Marcelis, matte, Ice Lavender
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sabine Marcelis’ new ice-lavender SOAP column stools in matte resin TYPE Freestanding table ENVIRONMENT Indoor MATERIAL Polyester resin FINISH mat...
Resin
$3,160 / item
Solid Wood Japanese Coffee Table by Taller Batán
Located in Geneve, CH
Solid Wood Japanese Coffee Table by Taller Batán Dimensions: W 180 x D 40 x H 20 cm Materials: solid wood. Finishes: blackened pine. Weight: 12 kg. Japanese Coffee Table Having li...
Wood
$5,794 / item
White Layered Oak Wood Stool I by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
White layered oak wood stool I by Hyungshin Hwang. Dimensions: D 33 x W 54 x H 69 cm. Materials: oxidized red oak. Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang,...
Oak
Organic Postmodern Sculptural Brown Velvet 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
Karl Springer Style Ivory Bouclé Soufflé Pouf
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Post modern Karl Springer style Soufflé pouf ottoman aptly named for its similarity in form to a French Soufflé. Brass square base with rounded corner...
Brass
$4,788 / item
Sanayi313 Stool by Sanayi 313
Located in Geneve, CH
Sanayi313 Stool by Sanayi 313 Unique Piece Dimensions: W 37 x D 37 x H 50 cm Materials: Ash Veneer SANAYI313 is an Istanbul-based interdisciplinary practice co-founded by two b...
Ash
$1,688 / item
Fringes Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and fringes. ...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$5,531 / item
White Layered Ash Wood Stool I by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
White layered ash wood stool I by Hyungshin Hwang. Dimensions: D 36 x W 54 x H 54 cm. Materials: oxidized ash. Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who...
Ash
Artisan Stool in French Oak & Zinc Shorn Shearling by Paloma Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Artisan Stool in French Oak & Zinc Shorn Shearling by Paloma Editions Dimensions: D 30,5 x W 45,7 x H 45,7 cm. Materials: French Oak & Zinc Shorn Shearling. The Artisan Stoo...
Oak, Sheepskin
Nestle Foot Stool Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Nestle Foot Stool by Brent Warr is a tactile blend of whimsy and sculptural sophistication. Its exaggerated legs and rounded silhouette are crafted from a wood core and shaped us...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Medium Pausa Oak Stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Pausa oak stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte Dimensions: D 27 x W 35 x H 65 cm Materials: oak wood Available in burnt oak version and in 3 sizes. Pausa is a series of s...
Oak
BLEO Stool III in Red Oak Wood with Cream Wash Tint by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
BLEO Stool III in Red Oak Wood with Cream Wash Tint by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 42 cm. Materials: Red Oak Wood Also available in black finish and Tzalam wood up...
Hardwood
ELEMENTOS Water Stool Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ELEMENTOS Water Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Black Finish by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Sandblasted Pine. Water flows, adapts, and transforms....
Pine
$2,346 / item
Chouchou Cobalt Stool by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Chouchou cobalt stool by Pulpo. Dimensions: D35 x W30 x H43 cm. Materials: ceramic. Also available in different colours. Whether stool or storage table, piece of column...
Ceramic
$1,436 / item
Single Block Wood Batan C Stool by Taller Batán
Located in Geneve, CH
Single Block Wood Batan C Stool by Taller Batán Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 45 cm Materials: Single block wood. Finishes: White cedar, blackened cedar (yakisugi), encino (mexican o...
Wood
$4,421 / item
Radical Postmodern Lacquered Green Barstool Poderío
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
True confidence doesn’t ask for attention—it commands it. The Poderío Barstool embodies that quiet authority. With its cylindrical form and assertive geometry, it stands grounded, fi...
Wood, Lacquer
$478 / item
Txt.16 Chimpestle Stool by Txt.Ure
Located in Geneve, CH
Txt.16 stool by Txt.Ure Dimensions: W 45 x D 35 x H 35 cm. Materials: Tule natural fiber with natural finish. Popularly known as chimpestles, the txt.16 draws on the ingeniuty of pre-Hispanic seating solutions. Made of bounded tule, the pieces are customizable in size and length, with a traditional carrying handle. They function as low seating for indoor and outdoor, as well as decorative objects. For interior and exterior use (under covered spaces). Txt. ure was the first design project to reintroduce the Mexican weaving style of the knotted tule technique. Once in danger of disappearing, the txt. 01 tabouret or in Nahuatl the tolli-icpalli knotting method, now gives structure to signature works from the txt. ure Tule Collection, developed with master artisans to achieve durability and contemporary scale. Drawing on more than two years of research and development, the Tule Collection encourage the wider awareness of Mexican craft...
Other
$1,688 / item
Fringes Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Steel ...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Four Glamorous Brass and Grey Barstools, Midcentury, France, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Brass and grey barstools, midcentury, France, 1970s Beautiful restored brass barstools with grey corduroy top that swivels. Adds glamour to any room. Pi...
Brass
Post modern cantilevered set of chrome and black vinyl barstools, circa 1990s
Located in Houston, TX
Post modern cantilevered set of chrome and black vinyl barstools, circa 1990s. Chrome has been cleaned and the stools are in very good condition. Structurally sound. 38.5” H x 16” ...
Chrome
$3,064 / item
Fringes 110 Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 110 Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 110 x W 110 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and fringes. Available in all Munn...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$1,448 / item
txt.13 High Stool by Txt.Ure
Located in Geneve, CH
txt.13 Stool by Txt.Ure Dimensions: Ø 56 x H 50 cm. Materials: Tulle natural fiber with natural finish. For indoor and outdoor use (under covered spaces). Please contact us. Txt. ure was the first design project to reintroduce the Mexican weaving...
Other
$1,436 / item
Single Block Wood Faces Stool by Taller Batán
Located in Geneve, CH
Single Block Wood Faces Stool by Taller Batán Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 45 cm Materials: Single block wood. Finishes: White cedar, blackened cedar (yakisugi), encino (mexican oak...
Wood
$3,483 / item
Efesto Stool by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Efesto Stool by De Castelli Dimensions: W 36 x D 42 x H 45 cm Materials: Polished Stainless Steel Other versions are available, please contact us for any request. More than mere fur...
Stainless Steel
Postmodern Leather Bar Stools designed by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Poltrona Frau
By Massimo Iosa Ghini, Poltrona Frau
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find stunning postmodern swivel bar stools, model "Alo", designed by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Poltrona Frau. Each chair is stamped by the manufacturer beneath ...
Steel
$526 / item
Pampa Leather Counter Stool by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pampa Leather Counter Stool by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 47 x W 47 x H 65 cm. Materials: Leather and metal. Finish: Chocolate leather and black frame....
Metal
$3,005 / item
Brass Trator Stool by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Trator Stool by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 46 x D 44 x H 52 cm Materials: Cast metal. Finishes: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum. About: Studio Orth is a multidis...
Metal
Sculptural Wooden Ashanti Stool by Interior Craft
Located in Greensboro, NC
A post modern interpretation of African Ashanti Stools by American furniture company Interior Crafts. Very sturdy and sculptural. Reach out for alternate shipping quotes depending o...
Wood
Pair of Italian Post Modern Leather Stools by Chateau D'ax
By Chateau d'Ax
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition These Italian Post Modern leather stools by Chateau d’Ax, c.1980’s, bring that unmistakable “sink-in” comfort with a clean, architectural silho...
Leather
Amazing Post modern Set of 3 stools Made from Solid color plexiglass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Amazing Unique Post modern set of Stools in solid color fabricated plexiglass. Beautiful 3 Stools very colorful large solid joined plexiglass Very Unique. (1) blue (1) green and (1) ...
Plexiglass, Acrylic, Lucite
$466 / item
Black Trifolium Stool by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Black trifolium stool by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Leather, Steel Also Available: Different colors and other frame color available. OX DENMARQ is a...
Steel
$1,029 / item
Object 092 Stool by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 092 Stool by NG Design Dimensions: W 43 x D 50 x H 110 cm Materials: Powder Coated Steel, Bouclé Fabric Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and co...
Steel
$1,747 / set
Set of 2, Halikko Bar Stools by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Halikko bar stools by Made By Choice Dimensions: 40 x 34 x 66 cm Materials: solid oak Standard finishes: natural wood / painted black. Also available: upholstery in ...
Oak
$1,125 / item
Imbuia Cardume Stool by Andreas Anwander
Located in Geneve, CH
Imbuia Cardume Stool by Andreas Anwander Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 45 cm Materials: Solid Imbuia Wood. Weight: 2,5 kg. Stackability in the unconventional way A fish is just a sid...
Wood
$1,819 / item
Timber Stool Maple by Onno Adriaanse
Located in Geneve, CH
Timber Stool Maple by Onno Adriaanse Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 40 x W 29 x H 45 cm Materials: Maple wood, clear matte coating Also available in Color: Indigo blue, purple-red...
Coating, Maple
$1,759 / item
Knot Solid Red Oak Stool by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Knot Solid Red Oak Stool by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 33 x W 33 x H 45 cm Materials: Red oak. Available in Natural, Dark Brown, and Black colors. Please contact us. The Knot Stool ...
Oak
$1,600 / set
Minimal Leather Chrome Cantilever Bar Stools
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of sleek, minimal, post-modern bar stools feature flat bar chrome, cantilever bases with cream leather upholstery.
Chrome
$2,981 / item
Imaginary Object Stool by Joana Teixeira
Located in Geneve, CH
Imaginary Object Stool by Joana Teixeira Limited Edition Dimensions: D 28 x W 35 x H 47 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Joana Teixeira was born in Oporto and graduated in industria...
Stainless Steel