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.
Large Pausa Burnt Oak Bench by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Pausa burnt oak bench by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte Dimensions: D 35 x W 95 x H 80 cm Materials: burnt oak wood. Available in natural oak version and in 3 sizes. Pausa is...
Oak
$1,747 / item
White Tooth Chair by Dongwook Choi
Located in Geneve, CH
White Tooth Chair by Dongwook Choi Dimensions: 70 x 37 x 45 cm Materials: EPS, plaster It is a chair made with the motif of tooth shape. After the urethan...
Plaster
$2,372 / item
H Stool by Neil Nenner and Avihai Mizrahi
Located in Geneve, CH
H stool by Neil Nenner and Avihai Mizrahi Objects Dimensions: H 90 x L 42 x W 25 cm Seat height: 45cm Materials: Iron Avihai Mizrahi (b. 1979, ...
Iron
Vintage Veneman Cast Aluminum Branch Barstools. - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite pair of Veneman cast aluminum barstools captures the whimsical yet sophisticated essence of Faux Bois design. Expertly crafted to mimic the organic texture of real tre...
Aluminum
Night Log / Nightstand Sculptural Side Table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Night Log Formed from a reclaimed tree trunk, Night Log preserves the natural silhouette of the wood its knots, cracks, and irregular contours that trace the memory of growth. After ...
Resin, Wood
Italian Postmodern Ulisse Folding Stool by Ivan Loss for Sandrigarden, 1980s
By Ivan Loss
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern folding stool from the Italian manufacturer Sandrigard after a design by Ivan Loss from the 80s. An elegant and extremely functional design. The stool can be used as a wa...
Metal
Sitiera Stool in Solid Wood with Aged Bronze Accents by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Sitiera Stool in Solid Wood with Aged Bronze Accents by Estudio Andean Dimensions: D 34 x W 34 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Bronze and solid wood. Stool crafted from solid Seike...
Bronze
$1,200 / item
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, in Black Laquer
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult Stool remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a modernist manner. This edition of Cult Stool in stark contrast to its predecesor is redu...
Resin, Wood
Italian Designer, Stool, Rattan, Italy, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A rattan or wicker stool, designed and produced in Italy, c. 1970s.
Rattan
Fundamentos del Vacío Auxiliary Table / Stool by Lasanimas
Located in Geneve, CH
Fundamentos del Vacío Auxiliary Table / Stool by Lasanimas Dimensions: W 50 x D 48 x H 36 cm Materials: Plywood. Las Ánimas is the creative duo composed by Trini Salamanca and Pabl...
Plywood
Set of 3 Postmodern Stools in Bentwood, Alvar Aalto Style, Circa 1980s
By Artek, Alvar Aalto
Located in Round Top, TX
Nice and simple set of (3) Postmodern stools in the style of the Artek Stool 60 by Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto. The originals were a 1930's design that utilized bent...
Wood, Bentwood
$1,280Sale Price / set|36% Off
Nobu Tanigawa "Nardis" Chrome Bar Stools for Fasem Italy, Set of Two
By Fasem International, Nobu Tanigawa
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Nardis bar height stools with rubber like seats on a polished chrome frame designed by Nobu Tanigawa for Fasem Italy.
Chrome
Postmodern Kreuzschwinger Bar Kitchen Stools 2nd Generation by Till Behrens
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very rare original Till Behrens 2nd generation Kreuzschwinger bar or kitchen stools. Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the newer 2nd generation with changes in constru...
Metal
$910Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage bar stools by Allmilmö, 1980s, Set of 3
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 3 post modern bar stools by Allmilmö. White metal frames with cool bentwood seats. 1980s - Germany In good condition Dimensions: Height 100cm Width: 50cm Depth: 45cm Seat ...
Metal
Gradient 02 Oak, Chestnut, Ash and Beech Wood Stool by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Gradient 02 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...
Ash, Beech, Chestnut, Oak
$2,070 / set
Chess Stool/ Sculptural Side Table
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
Scandinavian Stools in Pine with Geometric Tops 1970s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Stools or side tables, pine, Scandinavia, 1970s This beautiful set of stools, crafted from natural pine wood, showcases a striking combination of geometric shapes and a rich, patina...
Pine
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
$3,259 / item
Arches Bar Stool by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Arches Bar Stool by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 57 x W 55 x H 112 cm. Materials: Black lacquered wood, polished brass, InsidherLand Smooth Velvet Ref. ...
Brass
$1,294 / item
Marmoset Bellini Low Stool by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Marmoset Bellini Low Stool by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 34 x W 34 x H 45 cm Materials: Timber / Stone tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 5 kg Frame Finishes: Textura Paperbark. ...
Stone, Steel
$1,474 / item
Puffy Stool L by Phormy
Located in Geneve, CH
PUFFY stool L by Phormy Dimensions: D 44 x W 110 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...
Steel
$14,500 / item
Granite Caracoles Ceramic Stool by Forma Rosa Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Granite Caracoles Ceramic Stool by Forma Rosa Studio Dimensions: D 45.7 x W 45.7 x H 50.8 cm. Materials: Ceramic. Available in Green and Granite colors. This ceramic-crafted stool ...
Ceramic
Inside / Outside Jää Cube Side Table / Seat - Recycled Plastic - Pair Available
Located in Leicester, GB
The Jää cube is a multifunctional side table. The Jää cube has a sculptural design with a beautiful tactile surface and small, satin polished aluminium spacers and end nuts. It has a...
Aluminum
$1,186 / item
Foot Stool by Project 213A
Located in Geneve, CH
Foot stool in brown by Project 213A Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 26.5 cm Materials: Chestnut wood. This playful design is inspired by a classic milking stool, and has a fun twis...
Chestnut
$2,624 / item
Lune V Stool by Duistt
Located in Geneve, CH
Lune V Stool by Duistt Dimensions: D 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Duistt Fabric, Brass LUNE V stool, crafted with great attention to detail, is a gorgeous and versatile piece. It is pres...
Brass
$5,787 / item
Banquito Galeana Stool by Jorge Diego Etienne
Located in Geneve, CH
Banquito Galeana stool by Jorge Diego Etienne Limited Edition of 10 + 1 AP Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 37.5 cm Material: alabaster Galeana is a collection of 6 objects designed...
Alabaster
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
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
$856 / item
Large Natural Tupp Stool by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Natural Tupp stool by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 82 cm Materials: birch wood, nickel plated steel. Also available in other colors and with backrest. Giv...
Steel
$1,001 / item
Large Natural Tupp Barstool by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Large natural tupp barstool by Storängen Design. Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 102 x SH 82 cm. Materials: birch wood, nickel plated steel. Also available in other colors. Give th...
Steel
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
$1,450 / item
Foot Stool in Natural by Project 213A
Located in Geneve, CH
Foot stool in Natural by Project 213A Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 26.5 cm Materials: Oak wood. This playful design is inspired by a classic milking stool, and has a fun twist w...
Oak
$3,427 / 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
$10,833 / item
Hopi Ottoman Red Pattern by Marta Bakowski
Located in Geneve, CH
Hopi Ottoman red pattern by Marta Bakowski Dimensions:D65 x W65 x 44 cm Materials: Marble and fabric. Also available in different finishes. HOPI, this new collection of ottomans ins...
Marble
$3,427 / item
Layered Steel Seat X by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat X 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 continues...
Stainless Steel
$467 / item
Mocca and Black Trifolium Stool by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Mocca and 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 DE...
Steel
$3,427 / item
Layered Steel Seat XIV by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat XIV by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 33 x W 30 x H 45 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continu...
Stainless Steel
$3,691 / item
Black Ocean 3 Stool by the Shaw
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Ocean 3 stool by The Shaw. Dimensions: D32.5 x W 32.5 x H97 cm. Materials: stainless steel. Weight: 15 kg. B L A C K O C E A N I opened my eyes, it was still dark, the ...
Stainless Steel
$1,414 / item
Timber Stool Indigo Blue by Onno Adriaanse
Located in Geneve, CH
Timber stool indigo blue by Onno Adriaanse Signed and numbered Dimensions: D40x W29 x H45 cm. Materials: stained pine wood, clear satin coating Also a...
Pine, Coating
Zitō Unique Sculptural Stool in Solid Oak Wood & Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Zitō Unique Sculptural Stool in Solid Oak Wood & Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 60 cm. Materials: Travertine. Available in different finishes and m...
Stone
$1,581 / item
Traspade Pouf by Testatonda
By Testatonda
Located in Geneve, CH
Traspade pouf by Testatonda Dimensions: D 60 x W 58 x H 38 cm. Materials: stainless steel. The Trespade collection is the repetition of dimensions, the intertwining of materials...
Stainless Steel
$1,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
1980s Waterfall Benches in a Green Moire Fabric in the Style of Karl Springer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A really nice pair of waterfall benches that will compliment any room. The green moire fabric is in wonderful shape. We can also upholster th...
Upholstery
1980's Postmodern Barstools by Les Industries Amisco, Canada, Leather Minimalist
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1980's Postmodern Barstools by Les Industries Amisco, Canada, Leather, Minimalist, Kitchen, Stools Vintage from the 1980s DIMENSIONS: 20ʺW × 20ʺD × 43.5ʺH Seat Height: 30.5" These...
Metal
Postmodern Bar Stools, Model 4822 “Polo” by Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell
By Anna Castelli Ferrieri, Kartell
Located in Almelo, NL
Postmodern Bar Stools, Model 4822 “Polo” by Anna Castelli Ferrieri for Kartell, Italy, 1984 Designed by pioneering Italian architect and designer Anna Castelli Ferrieri, these strik...
Metal
Aurora stool, black solid wood, black caning 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
Aurora stool, light honey solid wood, natural caning 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
Set of Three Bar Stools by Maurizio Peregalli for Zeus Noto
By Zeus, Maurizio Peregalli, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Dronten, NL
Elegant and minimal, this set of three bar stools by Maurizio Peregalli embodies the refined industrial aesthetic that defines Italian design of the late 20th century. Designed for Z...
Steel
$1,138 / item
Light Pink Stool 01 by Iranzo
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Pink Stool 01 by Iranzo Dimensions: D 68 x H 48 cm. Material: Epoxy resin & polypropylene Available in: White / Black - at a lower price Light pink / Blue / Pastel green / Si...
Epoxy Resin
American Designer, Stools, Pine, Brass, Mohair, USA, 1980s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of dark-stained pine, brass and mohair stools designed and produced in the US, c. 1980s. Dimensions: 31.25” H x 16” W x 15.375” D All upholstered furniture can be reupholste...
Brass
Releve Stool in Matte Lacquered Sapele with Mohair Upholstery by Vonnegut Kraft
Located in Geneve, CH
Releve Stool in Matte Lacquered Sapele with Mohair Upholstery by Vonnegut Kraft Dimensions: D 35,6 x W 53,3 x H 44,5 cm. Materials: Sapele and mohair up...
Mohair, Sapele Wood
Design for Leisure Gray Ultrasuede, Lucite, Aluminum, Glass Postmodern Bar Suite
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This rare and fantastic bar suite was in the 1980s by Design for Leisure. The now defunct company was a high quality seating resource for the interior design trade, in the day. These...
Aluminum, Steel
Unique, Plywood, Oak and Paper Summit Stool Joanne Odisho
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique, Plywood, Oak and Paper Summit Stool Joanne Odisho Dimensions: W 30 x D 45 x H 45 cm Materials: Plywood, American Oak, Paper Pump. Joanne Odisho is a designer committed to s...
Paper, Oak, Plywood
$7,382 / item
Black Layered Oak Wood Seat by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Layered oak wood seat by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 33 x W 54 x H 120 cm Materials: ebonized red oak Layered Series is the main theme and c...
Oak
$3,494 / item
Newman Counter Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Newman Counter Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 40 x H 92 cm. SH: 70 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and leather. Finish: Upholstery: Leather, ref. Cream, L02. Legs: Cream...
Brass
Chess Stool/ Sculptural Side Table, Convex, in black piano finish
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Two hand-turned wooden pieces with an elegant piano polish inform an imaginative play as sculptural stools or side table sets. Directly referencing chess pieces, these stools luidica...
Resin, Wood
$3,800 / set
Swedish Designer, Stools, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of pine stools designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Seat height: 17” seat width and depth: 12”
Pine
Set of 10 Soft Edge72 Stools, Fall Red by Iskos-Berlin for Hay
By Iskos-Berlin, HAY
Located in Dubai, AE
Iskos-Berlin’s Soft Edge series features an organically shaped design, blending strong curves with extreme lightness to create a minimalistic design that optimizes human-centric comf...
Oak
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Pine
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Pine
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, 1970s.
Pine