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
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
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
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
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Velvet Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
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
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
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
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa /Daybed for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
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
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
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
$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
$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
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
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
1970s Hill Manufacturing Bent Lucite Chair
By Hill Manufacturing, Charles Hollis Jones
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
Postmodern 1990’s Sculptural Pink Leather Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage Post Modern Pink Leather Sculptural 3 Seat Leather Sofa. High quality soft and thick top grain leather in a light pinkish lavender color with angular shape, armrests extended...
Leather, Wood
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
All black 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 leath...
Leather
$3,400Sale Price / item|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
$960Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 4 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
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
$480Sale 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
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
Gray Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low Loveseat Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Gray 2 tone Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Loveseat Sofa. Very fun Beautiful pop art leather sofa. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in leather. Beautiful ...
Leather
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
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
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
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscapes in Patinated Cognac Brown Leather
By De Sede, Ubald Klug
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
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 the leather but it even and appropri...
Leather
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
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair For Kartell 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair for Kartell 1980s
Fabric, Plastic
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
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
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
Impeccable Gaivota Swiveling Leather Armchair by Ricardo Fasanello
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Gaivota (seagull in Portuguese) armchair, designed by Ricardo Fasanello in 1970, swivels and has a U-shaped, stitched leather upholstered seat. Ricardo Fasanello was born in São...
Steel, Chrome
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
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
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
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
Postmodern Cloud Sofa by Vladimir Kagan
By Weiman, Weiman Preview Furniture, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Raleigh, NC
1980s cloud sofa attributed to Vladimir Kagan and produced by Weiman. Classic Kagan biomorphic shape. The seat has rounded ends and dramatic curves. The backrest curves with the sofa...
Fabric, Foam
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
$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
“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
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Reddish-Brown Patinated Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘Snake’ DS-600 sectional sofa, leather, felt, Switzerland, 1972. A design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland. This D...
Leather, Felt
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
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
Giovannetti Anfibio Sofa Bed by Alessandro Becchi
By Alessandro Becchi, Giovannetti
Located in Toronto, CA
An iconic shapeshifter, The Anfibio Sofa by Alessandro Becchi for Giovannetti (1970) is equal parts pop art and precision engineering, transforming from loungey leather nest to full-...
Metal
$1,720Sale Price|20% Off
Frank Gehry for Knoll "Hat Trick" Armchair
By Knoll, Frank Gehry
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
$2,280 / item
Institution Sculptural Chair, White Lamb Leather
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Uncannily challenging excessive symbolic power granted to scientific institutions, the “Institutional Chair” reveals a tension with the accepted desubjectivisation of the body into s...
Steel, Nickel
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
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
“Hydra” Lounge Chair by Roberto Semprini for Sintesi, Italy, 1996
By Mario Cananzi & Roberto Semprini, René Herbst
Located in Dronten, NL
A sculptural and highly expressive “Hydra” chair designed by Roberto Semprini, one of Italy’s most distinctive contemporary designers, for Sintesi. The chair embodies Semprini’s sign...
Steel
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
$499Sale Price / item|50% Off
Post Modern Black Leather UNO chairs with chrome tube frame Archizoom
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Black leather and tubular cantilever chrome "Uno" chair made by Marcatre and designed in 1973 by Paolo Deganella and Gilberto Corretti members of the Italian "Archizoom" group in Flo...
Chrome
Pr. Architectural High Back Wrought Iron Chairs att. to Leopold Gest c. 1980's
By Gustave Toffiche and Léopold Gest
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional pair of Post Modern style high back chairs, having dramatic exaggerated tall backs, and asymmetrical upholstered leather pad seats. Finished in black on black, showing ...
Wrought Iron
Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Sofa in Ivory White Bouclé by Directional, c. 1990
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Newly and professionally reupholstered Post Modern Nautilus sofa in ivory white bouclé by acclaimed designer Vladimir Kagan and made by Directional circa 1990. Known for his love of ...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Cloud Sofa, 2000
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Vladimir Kagan for Directional Serpentine Clound Sofa, 2000’s. Sofa is original white micro suede. Has 2 round plinth bases and 1 lucite leg in middle. There are a couple stains on...
Upholstery
A set of three postmodern bar stools by Martin, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A set of three vintage postmodern bar or counter stool featuring gilt metal frames and faux leather seating, probably circa late 1970s. The statement geometry of these pieces will a ...
Brass
Postmodern Wire Lounge Chair Armchair Sälen, Knut & Marianne Hagberg, Ikea, 1982
By K and M Hagberg, IKEA
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful wire loungechair with armrests from the 1980s. This is the model „Sälen“, designed in 1982 by Knut & Marianne Hagberg for Ikea Sweden. The chair has been produced for on...
Metal, Steel
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
"The Monroe" Lucite Lounge Chair by Aaron R. Thomas, USA 1990
By Aaron R. Thomas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Lucite lounge chair designed and manufactured in the United States in 1999 by Aaron R. Thomas for Design Lush for the ICFF furniture fair. The chair...
Fabric, Lucite