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.
$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
$1,756 / 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
$1,745 / 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
$1,816 / 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
$1,386 / item
Oleander Bellini High Stool by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Oleander Bellini High Stool by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 34 x W 34 x H 65/75 cm Materials: Timber / Stone tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 8kg Frame Finishes: Textura Black. ...
Stone, Steel
Vintage Modern Chrome Curved Back Tufted Bar Stools In Grey Italian Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Modern Chrome Flat Bar Curved Back Tufted Bar Stools in Steel Grey Italian Leather - Pair The sleek chrome flat bar base provides a contemporary t...
Chrome
$1,972 / item
Ducale BZ Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO
Located in Geneve, CH
Ducale BZ Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO Dimensions: W 53 x D 55 x H 110 cm Materials: Solid shaped steel with a chrome finish and eco-leather upholstery. Weight: 8 Kg. Enrico Girotti is ...
Steel
$1,999Sale Price / set|20% Off
1980s Postmodern Memphis Style Bar Stools
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage pair of Post-modern barstools for sale. Memphis style from the 1980s, and in excellent condition. They have a black metal frame and have been professionally reupholstered in ...
Metal
$4,207 / item
Layered Oak Wood Stool by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered oak wood stool by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 33 x W 30 x H 42 cm Materials: weathered oak Layered Series is the main theme and concept o...
Oak
$5,258 / item
Layered Steel Seat ii by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat II by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 33 x W 54 x H 66 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continue...
Stainless Steel
$2,976 / 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
$5,784 / item
Element Basalt Bulk Stool by Idaaf Architects
Located in Geneve, CH
Element Basalt Bulk Stool by Idaaf Architects Dimensions: W 85 x D 45 x H 55 cm Materials: basalt ‘Element’, which combines furniture of different functions, was created under the influence of the Georgian Oda house...
Other
$3,633 / item
Strict Small Stool by Veermakers
Located in Geneve, CH
Strict Small Stool by Veermakers Dimensions: L 42 x H 45-62 cm. Materials: Walnut Classic with a satin clear coat / Leather Shoulder Black. About: After years of successful collabo...
Walnut
$1,780 / item
Macaron Low Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Macaron Low Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 60 x W 60 x H 35 cm. Materials: Cork, foam. Toni Grilo delivers a gourmet piece, all in curves. Macaron stool brown cork evokes o...
Foam, Cork
$1,159 / item
Puffy Stool S by Phormy
Located in Geneve, CH
Puffy stool S by Phormy Dimensions: D 44 x W 66 x H 44 cm. Materials: Upholstery, powder coated steel base. Different materials and sizes available. PUFFY is softness and lightness dressed up in ten intriguing modules. Its usage is very wide. It will turn out great as a hallway seat...
Upholstery
$2,462 / item
Oak and Walnut Anh Barstool by ONON DETAILS
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak and Walnut Anh Barstool by ONON DETAILS Dimensions: W 41 x D 49 x H 72 cm. Materials: Walnut, Oak. ONON Details furnitures are chosen by famous design brand, domestic and inte...
Oak, Walnut
Sitiera Stool in Solid Wood, Olivo Thick Leather & Aged Bronze by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Sitiera Stool in Solid Wood, Olivo Thick Leather & Aged Bronze by Estudio Andean Dimensions: D 34 x W 34 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Bronze, leather, and solid wood. Stool craf...
Bronze
$3,322 / item
Mike Reclaimed Oak Stool by Fred and Juul
Located in Geneve, CH
Mike Reclaimed Oak Stool by Fred and Juul Dimensions: D 31 x W 36 x H 45 cm. Materials: Reclaimed oak and brass. This stool can also be used as a side t...
Brass
Steppe Stool in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Steppe Stool in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 8 + 4AP. Dimensions: D 46 x W 46 x H 45 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless steel. Ju...
Stainless Steel
$525 / 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: Black leather and black frame. Av...
Metal
Set Of 2 Mike Reclaimed Oak Stools by Fred and Juul
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Mike Reclaimed Oak Stools by Fred and Juul Dimensions: D 31 x W 36 x H 45 cm. Materials: Reclaimed oak and brass. This stool can also be used as a side table. Custom sizes,...
Brass
$2,103 / item
A Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo
Located in Geneve, CH
A Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo Dimensions: W 53 x D 41 x H 43 cm Materials: Mild steel powder coated. Jaclyn is a designer and maker based in London. Her background in set design informs her creative work as a designer. Colour and texture play an important role in developing each and every project. With a particular interest in the use of seating, Jaclyn looks at chairs not only as a functional object but rather as a study of body, shape and language. Her work incorporates unconventional design techniques that stretch far from traditional craftsmanship. Exploring new techniques and material driven processes such as metal forming and non-traditional upholstery, she builds on similar profiles and repetitive patterns in the aim of creating something timeless. Jaclyn’s work has been published in Arcipelago, Modern House, Dezeen, Vogue and Luncheon magazine. Represented by The Radford Gallery & Fels World gallery in London UK. Caselli 11-12 Gallery in Milan IT...
Steel
$1,565 / item
Silent Stump, Side Table / Stool by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Silent stump, side table / stool by Made By Choice (Seating object, functioning also as a table) Nordic Silence Collection with Katrín Ólína Dimensions:...
Ash, Cork
$5,390 / item
Wave Stool & Side Table II by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Stool & Side Table II by Homa. Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 36 cm . Materials: Blown Glass, Silver Mirror. Colour: Silver. Formed through an experimental glassblowing process,...
Blown Glass, Mirror
$14,593 / item
Bold Sofa by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Bold Sofa by Mohdern Dimensions: W 268 x D 102 x H 76 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is a refined furniture collection designed and produced by the Mohdern brand. The series inc...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
$3,490 / item
Assento Stool by Macheia
Located in Geneve, CH
Assento Stool by Macheia Handmade In Portugal. Dimensions: D 55 x W 75 x H 40 cm. Materials: Natural dried bulrush and galvanized iron. Inspired by Tanho, the most iconic piece of the Bunho technique, Assento is a hybrid between a sitting stool and a side table. The bulrush spiral extends into a metal arc that embraces the wheel into the metal structure. The low seat’s organic shape represents a release from the spiraling motion of the wheel. The Collection zooms in the Bunho technique - a unique portuguese basketry technique that shapes the natural fiber Bulrush (Schoenoplectrus Palla), into a intricate mesh of knots and stitches. Nowadays, the Bunho technique is kept by the hands and know-how of only two artisans in Europe, One of them is Manuel Ferreira...
Other, Iron
$1,685 / 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
Glenn Thinking Stool in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Blurring the lines of art and purpose, the Glenn Thinking Stool is a tribute to the artistry and uniqueness of handcraftsmanship. Perfect as an accent for a living room, the Glenn ...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint, Hardwood
$6,310 / item
Bogdan Bench by Studio Intervallo
Located in Geneve, CH
Bogdan bench by Studio Intervallo. Dimensions: W 180 x D 40 x H 46 cm. Materials: LINDEN solid wood, with colored decoration on the circumference. Other types of wood available ...
Wood
$7,003 / item
Tata Stool by Studio Uwe Gaertner
Located in Geneve, CH
Tata Stool by Studio Uwe Gaertner Dimensions: D 36 x W 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Brass and Kvadrat Vidar 4 (no. 972) fabric (94% new wool, and 6% nylon). Despite its small size, the ...
Brass
$84,143 / set
Set of 2 Run Through Me III Stools by the Async
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 run through Me III Stools by the Async Dimensions: D47 x W30 x W58 cm each Materials: Stainless Steel.
Stainless Steel
$5,258 / item
Layered Steel Seat XV by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat XV by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 37 x W 60 x H 84 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continue...
Stainless Steel
Pair of Vintage ‘Sarapis’ Metal Bar Stools by Philippe Starck for Driade, 1986
Located in Zagreb, HR
Pair of gorgeous, patinated vintage industrial bar stools by household name Philippe Starck for Italian manufacturer Driade. Designed in the 1986, the chairs are composed solely of m...
Metal
$1,637 / item
Prisma Stool by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Prisma Stool by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 45 cm Materials: Oak Wood. Four sleek prism-shaped legs support a top seat crafted from three layers of thick, dark brown ash...
Oak
$2,378 / item
Bone Bermuda Triangle Counter Stool by Odditi
Located in Geneve, CH
Bone Bermuda Triangle Counter Stool by Odditi Dimensions: D 42 x H 65 cm Materials: Petrified Wood Sculpted Seat, Limestone Composite, Steel Base The ‘Bermuda Triangle’ sculptural s...
Limestone, Steel
Vintage Postmodern Italian Bentwood Wave Bar Stools - Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Postmodern Italian Bentwood Wave Bar Stools - Pair This pair of vintage postmodern Italian bentwood wave bar stools exemplifies a unique blend of style and functionality. Cr...
Wood, Walnut
Penguin Bar Stool by Franco V, Hand-Crafted Steel & Carrara Marble
By Franco V
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Meticulously hand-crafted, this striking piece features a powder coated steel frame, Carrara marble seat and footrest. Seamlessly blending function with art, Its design draws inspi...
Carrara Marble, Steel
Postmodern Kreuzschwinger Barstool by Till Behrens for Meyer Stahlmöbel, 1980s
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Till Behrens Kreuzschwinger bar stool in the rare color black. Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the Bar stool version. The further development of the free wing. The s...
Metal
$4,207 / item
Layered Steel Seat IX by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat IX by Hyungshin Hwang. Dimensions: D 33 x W 27 x H 42 cm. Materials: stainless steel. Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who conti...
Stainless Steel
$2,988 / item
Bleached Tauari Tela Counter Stool by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Bleached Tauari Tela Chair by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 58 x H 84 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cotton, Weave, Plywood, Upholstery. Weight: 5,8kg / 12,7 lbs The Tela armchair is a mee...
Upholstery, Wood, Plywood
$2,928 / item
Bleached Tauari Gravatá Counter Stool by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Bleached Tauari Gravatá Counter Stool by Wentz Dimensions: D 52 x W 47 x H 90 cm Materials: Tauari Wood, Cane/Upholstery. Weight: 4,4kg / 9,7 lbs The Gravatá series synthesizes our ...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,386 / item
Sanguine Bellini High Stool by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Sanguine Bellini High Stool by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 34 x W 34 x H 65/75 cm Materials: Timber / Stone tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 8kg Frame Finishes: Textura Paperbar...
Stone, Steel
$5,258 / item
Layered Steel Seat IV by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat IV by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 33 x W 54 x H 81 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continue...
Stainless Steel
$7,027 / item
Unique Building Stool by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique building stool by Goons Dimensions: W 41 x D 26 x H 33 cm Materials: Oak. The Building Stool is one of goons’ most architectural pieces. Inspired by the Nordic Pavilion o...
Wood
Jagged Edge Stool in Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Jagged Edge Stool in Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 20 Pieces. Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 45 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless steel. Ju...
Stainless Steel
Flame Red Amélie Sit Up High Stool by Italo Pertichini
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Amélie Sit Up High Stool by Italo Pertichini Dimensions: D 49 x W 45 x H 95 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 6 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered versio...
Other
Anna Castelli Ferrieri Design in Years '80 for Kartell Set of Two Stools "Polo"
Located in Biella, IT
Anna Castelli Ferrieri design in years '80 for Kartell two stools "polo" in white, light grey and black color, in good vintage condition with light sign of use Anna Castelli Ferrieri (August 6, 1918 - June 22, 2006) was an Italian architect and industrial designer. She is most known for her influence in the use of plastics as a mainstream design material and her cofounding of Kartell, an Italian contemporary furniture company. Ferrieri was a pioneering architect, commonly associated with post war Italian Modern Design. Her design focused on technological innovation through the use of new materials, like plastic. Ferrieri created more than 50 architectural projects, but some of her most famous and iconic works are as follow; the Kartell headquarters (with it being made from brilliant red blocks), a residential building on Via Marchiondi in Milan, and several offices and factories in Alfa Romeo. All of these were created in collaboration with Ignazio Gardella.[1] Although, according to biographer Cristina Morozzi, Gardella took the recognition for projects that Ferrieri worked on because he wanted to be the master of his own studio.[9] In 1982, she created the first table...
Metal
$7,625 / item
Tamga American Walnut Stool by Tolga Sencer
Located in Geneve, CH
Tamga American Walnut Stool by Tolga Sencer Dimensions: D 55.5 x W 55.5 x H 40 cm. Materials: American walnut. Available in different wood options (m...
Walnut
$22,027 / item
Large Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern Dimensions: W 310 x D 133 x H 76 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is a refined furniture collection designed and produced by the Mohdern brand. T...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
Black Painted Brass Sculpted Chair with Seat Upholstered by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Painted Brass Sculpted Chair with Seat Upholstered by Misaya Dimensions: W 54 x L 58 x H 79 cm (seating: 63) Hand-sculpted chair in brass. The translation of Art Nouveau’s whi...
Brass
$2,498 / item
Tregony Stool by Riccardo Monte
Located in Geneve, CH
Tregony Stool by Riccardo Monte Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Oak. Riccardo Monte is a creative studio based in the Italian Alps. With the vision of creating a multi...
Oak
Cubic Shape Natural Ash Wood Side Table with Fiber Seating by Heilig Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Throne Stool in Natural Ash Wood And Synthetic Yarn by Heilig Objects Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Ash wood and synthetic yarn. Daniel Heilig. A young Hungarian-Ger...
Ash, Yarn
$3,418 / item
Layered Steel Seat VIII by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat VIII by Hyungshin Hwang. Dimensions: D 30 x W 33 x H 42 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who conti...
Stainless Steel
$7,500 / item
Pierre Chapo Stool 'S13A' in Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, stools, model 'S31A', solid elm, France, circa 1974 This S31A stool is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood ...
Elm
Patrick Naggar Rare Tabouret Stool Circa 1986 France
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare vintage tabouret stools designed by Patrick Naggar, circa 1986, for ARC International. Crafted in molded ebonized wood with electric blue enameled steel legs featuring a distinc...
Metal
$2,306 / item
Steel Ribbon Stool by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Steel Ribbon stool by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 50 x W 15 x H 43 cm Materials: stainless steel Available in steel and brass. An exercise in mini...
Stainless Steel
$944 / item
Vibe Sofa Stool by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Vibe Sofa Stool by DAaZ Dimensions: D 55 x W 85 x H 41 cm. Materials: Fabric, albizzia wood. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary an...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,342 / item
Chouchou Rose Stool by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Chouchou rose stool by Pulpo Dimensions: D35 x W30 x H43 cm Materials: ceramic Also available in different colours. Whether stool or storage table...
Ceramic
$2,156 / item
Brass Sculptural Log Stool - Small Size by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Sculptural Log Stool - Small size by Misaya Dimensions: W 22 x D 27 x H 44 cm Materials: Brass Also available: Different colors (gold, polished brass. black, painted brass) an...
Brass
$1,219 / item
High Ale Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Ale Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 55 x D 54 x H 107 cm Materials: Veneer, Leather, Soleta. With the intention of providing good taste and personality, Doimo deciphe...
Leather