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.
Vintage Postmodern Curved Side Blue Leather Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage Post Modern Blue Leather Curvy Sculptural 3 Seat Leather Sofa. High quality soft and thick top grain leather in a rich teal blue color with curved sides, and single long seat...
Leather
Carsons 5 Piece Post Modern Modular Sectional Sofa
By Carsons
Located in Lutz, FL
Being offered AS-IS for reupholstery. 5 piece Carsons of High Point post modern modular sectional in white wave upholstery. Frames are solid and in great condition, upholster to your...
Fabric, Wood
Longue Chair Zyklus By Peter Maly For COR 1980s
By Peter Maly
Located in Čelinac, BA
Peter Maly Zyklus Longue Chair For COR 1980s
Chrome
Ball Foot Sculptural Chair, Vegan Cactus Leather, Baby Blue
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The “Ball-Foot Chair” is upholstered with a baby blue leather. The chair’s comfortable and rounded seat is playfully in dialogue with its distinctive spherical extremities. Appearin...
Steel
Postmodern Gerard van den Berg Florence Sofa for Montis, Buck Leather
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg designed the Florence sofa for Dutch manufacturer Montis during the height of Postmodern experimentation with organic furniture forms. Known alternately as "The R...
Leather, Foam
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Velvet Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design set of two sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s, with a wooden frame featuring decorative bands...
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
Awesome Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Weiman Preview Bilbao Sculptural Sofas
By Weiman Preview Furniture, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the early 1990s by American design icon Vladimir Kagan, this pair of sofas was made by Weiman Preview, now known for their production of many iconic designs from Kagan, F...
Upholstery, Hardwood
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
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Salvador Dalí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H. cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from “Femme á la téte rose” 1935 (...
Brass
Cassina Veranda 3 seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti
Located in Bern, CH
Cassina Veranda 3 seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina, Italy in the late 1980's. Based on the Maralunga Sofa with fold down back rest. Adjustable three seater des...
Metal, Steel
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Lounge Chair Jaymar 1980s
By Jaymar
Located in Toronto, ON
Gorgeous pop art chair by Jaymar in a dark nylon like material. It's a blueish black fabric colour with slight prints/texturing on the fabric (see photos). This bold and modern chair...
Leather
Monumental 1980s 3 Piece Sofa by Steve Chase
By Steve Chase, A. Rudin, Martin Brattrud
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This MASSIVE 3 piece sofa by Steve Chase is a sight to behold. Measuring in at just under 15 feet across, it is a real statement maker. The slightly asym...
Fabric
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two Italian midcentury modern design three-seater sofa and two-seater sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s with solid wood fr...
Fabric, Wood
Funky Red Framed Stacking Chairs with Fritz Hansen Style Plywood Seating
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spirited postmodern stacking chairs showcase the playful geometry and joyful color that defined the hip era of postmodernism. Each chair features a single-shell molded plywood seat t...
Metal
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
Michel Ducaroy Ligne Roset Blue Leather Togo Corner Sofa France 1980s
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This authentic Michel Ducaroy design for Ligne Roset is the iconic Togo Ottoman, executed in France during the 1980s. The piece features supple Blue Leather upholstery, defining the ...
Leather
$941Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 4 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Thonet, Ulrich Bohme
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 4 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Chrome
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair For Kartell 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair for Kartell 1980s
Fabric, Plastic
Set of 3 "Torno" stools by Brazilian Designer Gustavo Bittencourt, 2026
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Set of 3 "Torno" stools by Brazilian designer Gustavo Bittencourt, 2026 Private offer for the sale of 3 stools
Metal
1970s Hill Manufacturing Bent Lucite Chair
By Charles Hollis Jones, Hill Manufacturing
Located in New Windsor, NY
The chair is constructed of clear and bright bent Lucite. The seat retains its original tag, Hill Manufacturing Corp, Industrial Terminal, Garnerville, NY. Circa 1970-80. This partic...
Upholstery, Acrylic, Lucite
Set of 4 Italian Postmodern Space Age Model 101 Spaghetti Chairs, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Four postmodern Spaghetti chairs from the Italian manufacturer alias according to a draft by Giandomenico Belotti from the late 1970s. A timeless classic of Italian design. The fili...
Metal
1990s Vintage Leather Sofa
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Lovely 90s vintage Leather sofa. Interesting shape and style. Leather is a nice terracotta color. Sofa is heavy and solid. Shows some wear to...
Leather
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
All Gray Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
All light gray Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather lounge chair. Very fun Beautiful pop art wide leather chair. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in thick soft ...
Leather
Pair of Italian Architectural Armchairs in Cypress Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of dining chairs, cypress wood, Italy, 1970s These armchairs embrace an impressive architectural design with rounded contours and substantial lines. While it draws inspiration ...
Cypress
$3,400Sale Price|20% Off
Superb All Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
All black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Sofa. Very fun Beautiful pop art long leather sofa. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in leather. Beautiful vintag...
Leather
$470Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 2 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 2 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Chrome
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa /Daybed for American Leather
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Roanoke, VA
Beautiful "Matinee" sofa that doubles as daybed designed by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather. The sofa converts effortlessly into daybed by removing the bolster back and side bol...
Textile
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Rare Post Modern Black Ribbed leather Office desk chair on casters made in Italy
By Poltrona Frau, Cassina, De Sede
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Post Modern Black Ribbed leather Office desk chair on casters made in Italy. Beautiful Designed chairs with great leather upholstery. These chairs chan be used as a dining, desk...
Leather, Plastic
Post-Modern Lucite & Chrome Folding Chair, Piretti Castelli Style, Italy, 1980s
By Castelli, Giancarlo Piretti
Located in Vienna, AT
A stylish postmodern foldable "ghost" chair with a chrome frame and a clear perspex acrylic plexiglass seat and an adjustable backrest. Italy, 1980s. The chair is of high-quality and...
Steel, Chrome
$2,471Sale Price / set|25% Off
Modern to Postmodern Low-Slung Love Seat & Chair Burnt Orange & Aluminum Detail
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Modern to Postmodern very low slung sofa or loveseat & chair fully upholstered in a burnt orange velvet fabric with rolled-barrel shaped ruched backs & arms,...
Aluminum
Ligne Roset Inspired 1980s Tan Leather Loveseat w/ Slanted Profile
By Ligne Roset
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking Ligne Roset inspired loveseat from the 1980s showcases the era's bold approach to leather furniture design. The slanted profile creates an eye-catching silhouette that defin...
Leather
Mid Century Modern Ostrich skin Leather Post modern waterfall bench coffee table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Ostrich skin Leather Post modern waterfall bench or coffee table. Nice Patina shows normal use and wear. Great Bench. Located in Brooklyn NYC. Measures 16" H x 46...
Leather, Wood
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
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Loveseat by B&B Italia, Suede, 1972
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Bellini's iconic 'Le Bambole' loveseat for B&B Italia showcases the revolutionary soft form design that defined 1970s Italian modernism. The distinctive curved silhouette c...
Leather
“Bird of Paradise” Vintage Leather Chair by Pieter van Velzen for Leolux
By Leolux
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An expressive and sculptural lounge chair designed by Dutch designer Pieter van Velzen for Leolux in the early 2000s. Known as the “Bird of Paradise” or Paradijsvogel, this distincti...
Metal
Sculptural Pair of Fully Restored Post Modern Slipper Chairs in Leopard Velvet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Get these while you can Pair of Post Modern Leopard Velvet Slipper Chairs fully restored with new foam cushions and new leopard velvet upholstery. Powerful and confident forward angl...
Upholstery, Velvet
M. Fillmore Harty, Preview Super Sculptural Signed 3 Part Sectional Sofa 1990s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Available right now is this stunning M. Fillmore Harty for Weiman Preview, tagged, 3 piece sectional. A sculpture that happens to be a sofa! It is upholstered in the original white f...
Upholstery
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
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
$2,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Massimo Vignelli for Knoll Intl 'Handkerchief' Set w Unique Provenance, Signed
By Knoll, Massimo Vignelli, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, David Law
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This classic Post-Modern design by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International is called the 'Handkerchief' stacking chair, labelled underneath with early production (original) year labels. Great for stacking when you need more open space in the room and easy to unstack when you have guests. Perfect for those who require versatility in their space. Priced as a set of five (5). Unique provenance on this set - as it was ordered by David Law who worked with Vignelli Associates and participated in many of the designs they created for Knoll and Acerbis including the Serenissimo Table...
Steel
Vintage Diamond Pattern Parsons Loveseat
By Carsons
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage Post Modern Yellow-Beige Diamond Print corduroy textured loveseat circa late 1970’s/early 1980’s. Wrap around back cushions and parsons legs with matching throw pillows. Comf...
Fabric
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
Post-Modern Slatted High Back Dining Room Chairs by Pietro Costantini, 1980s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant set of six Post-Modern slatted high back dining room chairs. Design by Pietro Costantini. Striking Italian design from the 1980s. The clear lacquered maple frame...
Leather, Maple
Sculptural Italian Chair by Arflex in Hand Sewn Champagne Shearling Hides c.1991
By Arflex
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Ride in style atop this Post Modern Italian Arflex lounge chair newly upholstered in hand sewn shearling hides. What can only be described as the modern Italian chariot of lounge cha...
Chrome
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscapes in Patinated Cognac Brown Leather
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa elements, patinated cognac brown leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofas in a patinated leather by the Swiss m...
Leather
$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
$5,875Sale Price|50% Off
Custom George Smith Espresso Tufted Leather Sofa
By George Smith
Located in New York, NY
An original custom made soft mottled dark espresso leather tufted with brass tacks and mahogany wood legs by famed bespoke British furniture maker, George Smith. Original label. Exc...
Leather, Hardwood
Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-Cal Basket Weave Rattan Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Uncommon Tanganika model basket weave rattan sofa designed by Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-Cal circa 1970’s. Three seat hand woven rattan sofa in an open basket weave pattern which extend...
Fabric, Rattan
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Twelve 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of twelve armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was the way B...
Leather, Plastic
$1,720Sale Price|20% Off
Frank Gehry for Knoll "Hat Trick" Armchair
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Skokie, IL
Frank Gehry for Knoll "Hat Trick" Armchair The iconic "Hat Trick" chair was designed by Frank Gehry for Knoll International. Constructed of hard white maple veneers in 5cm wide, 1mm...
Maple, Plywood
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Sixteen 'Cab' Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of sixteen 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious reddish bro...
Leather, Plastic
Radboud Van Beekum Lounge Chair Black Leather by for Pastoe Post Modern, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
FM62 lounge leather chair by Radboud Van Beekum for Pastoe Post Modern, 1980 Dutch minimalistic lounge chairs in black saddle leather. Designed with geometric precision, these chair...
Steel
Gaetano Pesce limited edition Greene Street chair for Vitra Italy / 1995
By Gaetano Pesce, Vitra
Located in Skokie, IL
Gaetano Pesce limited edition Greene Street chair for Vitra Italy / Switzerland, 1984 / 1994. This example 70 /100 pieces produced. Materials: resin reinforced with fiberglass, stee...
Steel
Mid-Century Italian Post Modern Sculptural Chaise Lounge in Art Deco Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredibly designed chaise lounge from Italy circa 1990's. It features quality construction with a stacked art deco form.
Fabric
Italian 1970s Erasmo Sofa Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia Manner Living Room
Located in London, GB
This stunning and amazingly comfortable sofa in the manner of the iconic Erasmo sofa from Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia , is a beautiful example of 1970s Italian design. Curren...
Wood, Fabric
Efebo Stacking Stool by Stacy Dukes for Artemide, Italy post modern, 4 avail
By Artemide, Stacy Dukes
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
Post Modern Sofa by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll 1980's
By Knoll, Robert and Trix Haussmann
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Post Modern sofa designed by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll as part of The Lounge Seating series, circa 1980's. The upholstered box form sofa rests on an aluminum ...
Aluminum
Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue, Italy 1980's
By Cidue
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue. Made in the 1980's in Italy. Slender black lacquered metal frame with grey stained rush woven seats. They all shows signs of...
Metal
Corbeille Leather Sofa by Francesco Binfare for Edra
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A post modern "Corbeille" Sofa by Francesco Binfare for Edra. Eight leather cushions are are held in place by an accordion style tubular metal frame. Original leather upholstery. Sou...
Metal
A vintage biomorphic sofa in shearling, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A vintage biomorphic curvy sofa, late 20th century. Upholstered in an off-white shearling bouclé, this piece represents the avant-garde of the postmodern design era, of which Russian...
Fabric, Wood