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.
$2,205 / item
Saddlestool Backless Stool/Perch by A. Jacob Marks
Located in Geneve, CH
Saddlestool Backless Stool/Perch by A. Jacob Marks Dimensions: W 37 x D 39 x H 52 cm. Materials: Natural Walnut. SDA Also available in different materials. Saddlestool is a backle...
Walnut
$4,328 / 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
Set of 2, Airisto Side Tables/ Stools, Stained Black by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, airisto side tables/ stools, stained black by Made By Choice with Joanna Laajisto Dimensions: D35 x H45 cm Materials: solid ash. Finishes: natural ash / painted black ...
Wood, Ash
$5,646 / 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
$2,053 / item
Object 02 Noir Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 02 noir seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 95 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï co...
Velvet, Cork
$1,766 / item
Natú Stool by Frau Caze
Located in Geneve, CH
Natú Stool by Frau Caze Dimensions: D 35 x W 54 x H 36.5 cm. Materials: Oiled walnut, natural leather. Although Berlin has been her home for many years, Carolin – the designer behi...
Leather, Walnut
$6,836 / 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
$2,310 / item
Burnt Black Tables / Stools by Touch With Eyes
Located in Geneve, CH
Burnt Black Tables / Stools by Touch With Eyes Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 45 cm Materials: Wood washed out by the sea. Weight: 20 Kg. The black tables were made of wood washed out...
Wood
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
$999 / 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
$5,133 / 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
$5,261 / 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
$5,133 / item
Layered Steel Seat iii by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat III by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 33 x W 54 x H 99 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continu...
Stainless Steel
$2,916 / 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
$3,324 / item
Metate Black Solid Oak Wood Stool by David Del Valle
Located in Geneve, CH
Matate Black Solid Oak Wood Stool by David Del Valle Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Oak. DAVID VALLE We are a place, a space, a woven c...
Oak
Maçka Bar Stool, Black Powder Coated Metal Structure by AVLU
Located in Geneve, CH
Maçka Bar Stool, Brushed Stainless Steel by AVLU Dimensions: W 50 x D 44 x H 99 cm Materials: Brushed Stainless Steel or Powder Coated Metal Structure with custom upholstery. Refer...
Metal, Stainless Steel
$2,893 / 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
$1,726 / 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
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting H Stool by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting H Stool by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 9 pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Coralla Maiuri + Giorgia Zanellato. Dimensions: D 40 x W 65 x H 60 cm. M...
Brass
$14,245 / 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
$13,988 / item
Hughes Stool by Moure Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hughes stool by Moure Studio Limited Edition of 23. Dimensions: d40x w45 x h27.8 cm Materials: Oiled solid oak The Hughes stool is made of solid oak...
Oak
Powder Coated White and Cane Wicker Stool by Tino Seubert
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Coated white and cane wicker stool by Tino Seubert Dimensions: D 43 x W 38 x H 45 cm. Materials: Powder coated aluminum extrusions, cane weave. Tino Seubert When he firs...
Aluminum
Gradient 01 Oak, Chestnut, Ash and Beech Wood Stool by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Gradient 01 Oak, Chestnut, Ash, and Beech Wood Stool by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 50 cm Materials: Black stained Oak, Chestnut, Ash, Beech. The idea behind this design...
Oak, Ash, Beech, Chestnut
Travertino Rosso Contemporary Honed Marble Stool by Angelo Alinea
Located in Geneve, CH
Travertino Rosso Contemporary Honed Marble Stool by Angelo Alinea Dimensions: D 35 x H 47 cm Materials: Marble Available in: GRAFITE / TRAVERTINO ROSSO / GREY SAINT LAURENT / PICASSO GREEN / PORT SAINT LAURENT / TRAVERTINO SILVER / ROSSO LEPANTO / BIANCO STATUARIETTO. Custom materials and sizes available upon request. Please contact us. The Angelo M...
Marble
$19,763 / 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
$2,053 / item
Object 04 Marron Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 04 Marron Seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 90 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï ...
Velvet, Cork
$2,361 / item
Brass Sculptural Log Stool - Large Size by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Sculptural Log Stool - Large Size by Misaya Dimensions: W38 x D34 x H33.5 cm Materials: Brass Also Available: Different colors (Gold, Polished Brass. Black, Painted Brass) and...
Brass
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
ELEMENTOS Fire Stool Sandblasted Pine with Natural Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ELEMENTOS Fire Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Natural Finish by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Sandblasted Pine. Fire is movement, energy ascending....
Pine
Memphis style bar stools, 1980s - set of 4
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 4 red lacquered metal bar stools with black fabric seat pads. Cool memphis style chairs. 1980s - Italy Good overall condition Dimensions: Height: 78cm Diameter: 40cm Ref....
Metal
$3,336 / 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
Vintage Postmodern Memphis Style White Tubular Metal Swivel Bar Stools - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Postmodern Memphis Style White Tubular Metal Swivel Bar Stools by Cal-Style -...
Metal
$7,443 / item
Olla Stool II by Brera Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Olla stool II by Brera Studio. One of a kind. Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 40 cm. Materials: pinewood and paint. Made from endemic pine wood in the region of Chihuahua, and hand...
Wood, Pine, Paint
$890Sale Price / item|35% Off
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
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
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
$1,633 / item
High Smile Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Smile Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 52 x D 53 x H 111 cm Materials: Metal, Soleta. Also available in W 52 x D 53 x H 95 cm, Seat Height: 60 cm. With the intention ...
Metal
$815 / item
Radical Design Brown Velvet 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...
Velvet
$1,925 / 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
$1,061 / item
Natural Offset Stool by Resident
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Offset Stool by Resident Dimensions: D 34 x H 43 cm Materials: Solid Oak. Weight: 7.9 Kg. About: Founded by Simon James & Scott Bridgens in 2011, Resident is the home of e...
Oak
$662 / item
High Básica Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Básica Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 46 x D 50 x H 104 cm Materials: Paint, Natural Leather With the intention of providing good taste and personality, Doimo deciph...
Leather, Paint
$513 / 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
$7,058 / item
Elephante Stool, Studio Noon
By Noon Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephante stool, studio noon Limited Edition of 50 Signed Dimensions: 24” H x 24” W x 24” D Material: pigmented cement Noon is a Philadelphia based collaboration between desig...
Cement
$2,566 / item
m2 Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo
Located in Geneve, CH
m2 Stool by Jaclyn Pappalardo Dimensions: W 52 x D 48 x H 49 cm Materials: Ply wood, upholstery foam, and bute wool. Jaclyn is a designer and maker based in London. Her background ...
Steel
$822Sale Price / set|30% 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
$2,053 / item
Object 04 Beige Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 04 beige seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 90 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï c...
Velvet, Cork
$1,703 / 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
$1,528 / item
Object 01 Vert Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 01 Vert Seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 50 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï co...
Velvet, Cork
$1,225 / item
Flow Low Aureo Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO
Located in Geneve, CH
Flow Low Aureo Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO Dimensions: W 41 x D 37 x H 50 cm Materials: Steel, Upholstery. Weight: 4 Kg. Enrico Girotti is an industrial designer who has found in the w...
Steel
$1,726 / 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
$5,133 / 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
Blackened Brass Sculptural Log Stools – Set of 2 (Small & Large) by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Blackened Brass Sculptural Log Stools – Set of 2 (Small & Large) by Misaya Dimensions: W22 x D27 x H44 cm (S), W38 x D34 x H33.5 (L)cm Materials: Brass Also Available: Different col...
Brass
Cadence 55 Stool in Dark Brown European Oak by Mokko Amsterdam
Located in Geneve, CH
Cadence 55 Stool in Dark Brown European Oak by Mokko Amsterdam Dimensions: D 38,5 x W 55 x H 45 cm. Materials: European oak. Available in different material options. Designed by Aa...
Oak
$5,005 / item
Metate Stainles Steel Stool by David Del Valle
Located in Geneve, CH
Metate Stainles Steel Stool by David Del Valle Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Available in polished or brushed finish...
Stainless Steel
$1,598 / 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
$5,113 / item
Layered Steel Seat XVII by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat XVII by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 30 x W 51 x H 108 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who conti...
Stainless Steel
Limited Edition SSS01B Black Stool in MDF with Resin Coating by sashaxsasha
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition SSS01B Black Stool in MDF with Resin Coating by sashaxsasha Limited Edition of 8 + 2 A.P Dimensions: D 30 x W 35 x H 40 cm. Materials: MDF and resin. sashaxsasha is...
Other
$815 / item
Radical Design Blue Velvet 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...
Velvet
$14,081 / item
Sculptural Stool by ON.ENTROPY
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural Stool by ON.ENTROPY Dimensions: W 58 x D 58 x H 59 cm Materials: Green Marble. on• entropy is a marble atelier established in 2009 in Athens and London with a focus on me...
Marble
$1,925 / item
Unique Arch Circular White Stool by Mesut Öztürk
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique arch circular white stool by Mesut Öztürk Dimensions: W 26 x D 26 x H 41 cm Materials: Stoneware "Arch Stools are sculptural furniture's deri...
Stoneware