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.
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Chaise Longue
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, chaise longue, chrome-plated metal, textured multicolored fabric, Italy, 1970s This exquisite lounge chair, designed by Giovanni Offredi for th...
Chrome, Metal
$2,942 / item
L'ecorce Stool in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
L'ecorce Stool in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 50 x D 46 x H 52 cm. Materials: Solid Teak Wood, fabric. This listing features our L'ecorce Stool expertly crafted from ...
Wood, Hardwood, Teak
Meritalia Shadow Chair, Green by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
The "Shadow" chair by Gaetano Pesce is an innovative piece of design, crafted by Meritalia. Like many of Pesce's works, it plays with form, colour and texture, aiming to create a uni...
Leather, Resin, Latex
Stainless Metal, Dedar Milano Belmondo Fabric, Tricirculo Chair By OMER OZTURK
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Metal, Dedar Milano Belmondo Fabric, Tricirculo Chair By OMER OZTURK Dimensions: W 52 x D 52 x H 93 cm. Materials: Stainless Metal, Dedar Milano Belmondo Fabric. About: De...
Metal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa ‘Benetton’ Chair, Italy, 1980s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Rare, Afra, Scarpa, italian, 1980s, leather, patina, collector's item Designed in 1985 for the Benetton office by the iconic Italian architects Afra & Tobia Scarpa, this chair is a ...
Brass, Steel
$2,590 / item
Vintage Leather Lounge Chair
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
This 1970s chrome sling chair combines sleek, sturdy construction with a retro design. The chair features plush box cushions upholstered in light aqua leather. The chrome frame is so...
Chrome
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Chicago, IL
this piece is in excellent, restored condition. It has been fully reupholstered in Maharam “Pace” leather
Lead
De Sede DS-2011 Two-seat Sofa in Black Leather, Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
With its fluid, curved shapes, the DS-2011 appears powerful and dynamic. The visual lightness and modern, casual elegance underline the timeless look that makes the DS-2011 a sofa th...
Leather
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Sculptural Asymmetrical Sofa in Black Upholstery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A chic asymmetrical sofa design made in Italy in the 1980s. This high quality made piece was just recovered in new jet black upholstery.
Fabric
Frank Gehry, "Skinny Beaver" Lounge Chair, laminated cardboard, USA, 1987
By Frank Gehry
Located in High Point, NC
A laminated cardboard and plywood "Skinny Beaver" lounge chair, designed by Frank Gehry, produced by New City Editions, Venice, California, USA 1987. Seat Height (inches): 19” Arm...
Paper
Pop Surrealist Monumental Purple Leather Hand Chair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Monumental purple leather pop surrealist hand chair. Rare piece that was purchased from a Palm Beach estate whom had brought it here from France. Good vintage condition with some co...
Leather
Set Italian Postmodern Leopard Lounge Chairs – 1980
Located in SITTARD, NL
Set of 2 Italian Postmodern Lounge Chairs – 1980 Striking pair of Italian postmodern lounge chairs from 1980. These sculptural chairs feature a fiberglass shell with a heavy metal b...
Metal
$3,200 / set
Pietro Costantini Set of Four Side Chairs
Located in Highland, IN
These stylish side chairs by Pietro Costantini have shapely black frames and seats upholstered in woven leather.
Leather, Wood
$3,600 / set
Set of 3 Postmodern 1980s Bar Stools
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These sturdy stools feature powder-coated steel frames for durability and composite wood seats for comfort. Their cool minimalist design makes these stools a stylish choice for any m...
Metal
Vintage black leather high back dining chairs, set of 6, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 black italian leather high back dining chairs. Beautiful sleek and timeless design with the backrest continuing all the way down to form the back legs. The chairs are in g...
Leather
Set of 4 postmodern "Totem" chairs designed by Torstein Nilsen for Westnofa
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a set of four dining chairs model "Totem", a sculptural postmodern design created by Torstein Nilsen for the Norwegian export organization Westnofa. The...
Fabric, Wood
Miss Wirt Chair by Philippe Starck for Disform 1982
Located in Munich, DE
A rare and collectible chair designed by Philippe Starck in 1982 for Disform. Black cotton canvas fabric is stretched over two vertical steel tubes and the tension creates the comfor...
Fabric
Post Modern Waterfall Bench Newly Upholstered in Leopard Velvet c. 1980s
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Perfectly plush Post Modern 1980s waterfall bench fully professionally restored with new cushioning and leopard velvet upholstery piped in black...
Leather, Upholstery, Velvet
Barba d'Argento Armchair by Paolo Pallucco and Mireille Rivier
By Paolo Pallucco & Mireille Rivier
Located in Paris, FR
The Barba d’Argento Armchair, designed by Paolo Pallucco and Mireille Rivier, is a piece of contemporary design from the 1980s. Its frame is made of metal, supporting a seat constru...
Stainless Steel
Set of Six Pietro Costantini Post Modern Lacquered Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chic set of post modern dining chairs designed by Pietro Costantini in San Vito al Torre Italy. The iconic chairs feature sculptural style piano black lacquered frames with conformin...
Leather, Wood
1 of 5 Minimalist LEM bar stools by LaPalma in steel and wood seats
By LaPalma, SHIN AZUMI
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find 5 minimalist barstools, model LEM, manufactured by LaPalma, in two different heights. The LEM bar stools were designed by...
Steel
A Masterpiece of Italian Modernism: Twelve Aldo Rossi Red Teatro Arm Chairs
Located in Dronten, NL
We are privileged to offer an extraordinary matched set of twelve Aldo Rossi Teatro armchairs—a pinnacle of postmodern design that transforms any spa...
Leather, Walnut
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Chairs for Mobilier International, Black, 1971, Set of 2
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” easy chairs for Mobilier International, black leather and steel, France, 1971, set of two The “Alta” easy chair, created by Oscar Niemeyer in 1971 in collabora...
Leather
$1,393 / item
Punto e Virgola Bouclé Wool Pouf by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Punto e Virgola Bouclé Wool Pouf by Morica Design Dimensions: D 80 x W 80 x H 41 cm. Materials: Violet bouclé wool, lacquered wood. Available in different wool options. Please conta...
Upholstery, Wood
Muller Van Severen Wire S #3 Stainless Steel Wire Chaise, 2016s
Located in Skokie, IL
Muller Van Severen Wire S #3 stainless steel wire chaise. Belgium 2016 The Wire S chairs by Muller Van Severen were created specifically for t...
Steel
Rive Droite Sculptural Sofa by Tam Sachs, Post-Modern Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Rive Droite Sculptural Sofa by Tam Sachs Numbered edition Dimensions: W 300 x D 120 x H 85 cm Materials: Stoneware Available in different colors and sizes, please contact us. It's ...
Stone, Other
Marc Newson 'Kiss the Future' Chair in Black Molded Polypropylene
By Marc Newson
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Marc Newson for W & LT (Wild & Lethal Trash) retail stores, chair, part of the 'Kiss the Future' series, rotation molded polypropylene, Australia / Belgium, 1996-1997 Marc Newson (...
Plastic
Pair of Vintage Cognac Leather P40 Chairs by Vegni & Gualtierotti for Fasem
By Fasem International, Giancarlo Vegni & G. Gualtierotti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of vintage cognac leather P40 chairs by Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti for Fasem. Original labels under the seats. The frame rolls the back into the arms in one uni...
Steel, Chrome
Set of 3 Vintage Faux Bamboo Lounge Chairs and Table from Kettal, Spain, 1980s
By Kettal
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern garden furniture from the spanish manufacturer kettal from the 1980s. the set consists of two armchairs and a matching table. The frame is made of plastic tubes connected...
Plastic
Milo Baughman Plunging Open Back Lounge Chairs in Chocolate Brown Bouclé c. 1980
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Luxurious and blossoming pair of Milo Baughman lounge chairs with sexy curved seat backs and a barrel back with a dramatic plunging back line that showcases Milo's interpretation of ...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
Mario Bellini Reupholstered 'Camaleonda' Modular Sofa in White Boucle
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, reupholstered 'Camaleonda' sectional sofa, boucle, metal, Italy, design 1970 The iconic Camaleonda sofa is designed by Italian master Mario Bellini for...
Metal
Boucle Fabric Light Brown Natural Oak Wood, Waveano Armchair By OMER OZTURK
Located in Geneve, CH
Boucle Fabric Light Brown Natural Oak Wood, Waveano Armchair By OMER OZTURK Dimensions: W 89.6 x D 72.3 x H 89 cm. Materials: Boucle Fabric Light Brown Natural Oak Wood, Gold Spheres...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Chair Louis XX by Philippe Starck for Vitra, 1990s, Set of 4
By Philippe Starck, Vitra
Located in Radomsko, Województwo łódzkie
Indulge in the iconic design and rich history of Philippe Starck's Louis XX chairs. Inspired by the opulence of 18th-century French furniture, these chairs bo...
Aluminum
Amorphous Post Modern Serpentine Sofa in Terra Cotta Velvet for Weiman
By Weiman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
There's not a single straight line in this sexy Post Modern Serpentine Sofa upholstered in a rich terracotta velvet and made by Weiman. The...
Upholstery, Velvet, Lucite
Lineae Chaise Longue in Blended Iron & Italian Leather by D´ARK Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Lineae Chaise Longue in Blended Iron & Italian Leather by D´ARK Atelier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 55 x W 220 x H 90 cm. Materials: Iron and Italian leather. Lineae is a bold st...
Iron
Post Modern Chaise Lounge by Thayer Coggin att. to Milo Baughman c 1980/90's
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Postmodern, Hollywood Regency style upholstered chaise lounge, made by Thayer Coggin, design attributed to Milo Baughman circa 1980/90's. The chaise features an asymmet...
Upholstery
$2,400Sale Price / set|29% Off
Weiman Sculptural Post Modern Sectional - 5 Pieces
By Weiman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A five piece post modern sectional attributed to Weiman. Sculptural silhouette, with four single modules and one corner piece. Original upholstery as found. Reupholstery recommended....
Upholstery
Lyora FSC Teak Wood And Ethereal Fabric Upholstery Sun Lounger by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Lyora FSC Teak Wood And Ethereal Fabric Upholstery Sun Lounger by SNOC Dimensions: D 195 x W 74,5 x H 27 cm. SH: 27 cm. Materials: Teak wood and Ethereal fabric. A delicate mid-cen...
Fabric, Teak
TAWARAYA "Boxing Ring" Seating Pod by Masanori Umed, Memphis Design, Japan, 1983
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The TAWARAYA Ring by Masanori Umeda for MEMPHIS srl is one of that design movements most famous & critically-discussed pieces from the inaugural MEMP...
Laminate, Wood
$4,062 / item
Vastra Dining Chair in Solid Oak Wood by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Vastra Dining Chair in Solid Oak Wood by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 51 x D 51 x H 80 cm. Materials: Solid oak Wood, fabric. This listing features our Vastra Dining Chair expertly craft...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Cubic Lounge Chair in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, leather, wood, Northern-Europe, 1980s The design of this lounge chair is characterized by a cubic frame. When seated you experience a pleasant enclosed feeling. The tu...
Leather, Wood
Link-Terra Wicker, Fabric And Powder-Coated Aluminum Dining Chair by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Terra Wicker, Fabric And Powder-Coated Aluminum Dining Chair by SNOC Dimensions: D 59 x W 63 x H 69 cm. Materials: Aluminium, wicker, and Luminesce fabric. Link-Terra When des...
Aluminum
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6
By Paolo Piva
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in black leather. They are very comfortable. Good condition 1980s - Italy Di...
Leather
“Sforzesca” armchair by Studio Simon, homage to Castiglioni (Customizable)
By Studio Simon, Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and beautiful "Sfozesca" model armchair in green fabric, designed in the 1980s by Studio Simon. It is a truly original chair, with a strong personality and refined lines The fab...
Fabric, Wood
Curved Harry Sofa by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia
Located in Hamburg, DE
Designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, the Curved Harry sofa is a refined example of contemporary Italian design, combining elegant proportions with exceptional comfort. The mo...
Aluminum
Post modern high back dining chairs, set of 6, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Striking vintage dining chairs with black ebonized wooden frames and a black fabric seat. The post modern design with the long curved backrests is strongly inspired by the Golem cha...
Fabric, Wood
Set of 2 Post Modern Carved & Bent Oak Chairs By Shin-Lee, After Michael Thonet
By Michael Thonet, J & J Kohn & Mundus
Located in Chicago, IL
As is set of 3 curved oak and cane dining chairs dating back to the 1970s / 1980s. Made in Taiwan by Shin-Lee, they echo the designs of Michael Thonet and Kohn Mundus. Sculptural wit...
Cane, Oak, Bentwood
Heli 3-Seater Leather Sofa by Otto Zapf for Knoll, 1980s
Set of 4 Impeccable Handkerchief Chairs by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Knoll
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 stacking 'Handkerchief' chairs designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Knoll International. This set was produced in 1991 and retains its original tags. Massimo and Lella Vignelli both studied architecture before founding the Vignelli Office of Design and Architecture in 1960. In 1971 they established Vignelli Associates, a vehicle for focusing on projects that incorporated their industrial, furniture and graphic design talents. Their diverse portfolio includes corporate identity work for IBM, American Airlines, and Bloomingdales as well as signage for the New York Subway system and Washington, D.C. Additionally, Vignelli Associates contributed two furniture designs to the Knoll portfolio: the Handkerchief chair (designed together with David Law) and the Paperclip table...
Chrome
$1,786 / set
Vintage chrome postmodern dining chairs, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 post modern dining chairs with a striking design with chrome frames and skai upholstery with a cool pattern. Good condition 1980s - Belgium Dimensions: Height: 78cm/30.70...
Chrome
Arcadia dining chairs by Paolo Piva for B& B Italia set of 6
By Paolo Piva
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 Arcadia dining chairs designed by Paolo Piva for B& B italia's Arcadia series. Upholstered in black leather. They are very comfortable. Good condition 1980s - Italy ...
Leather
Peregalli and Calatroni Post Modern Armchair, circa 1985, Italy
Located in Brussels, BE
Post-modern Maurizio Peregalli and Sergio Calatroni chair, edited by Zeus circa 1985, Italy. Poltrona model. Black powder-coated square steel tube, bl...
Metal
Jay Spectre Channeled Postmodern Sofa
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jay Spectre Channeled Postmodern Sofa This sofa measures: 88 wide x 39.5 deep x 26.25 inches high, with a seat height of 17 and arm height of 26.25 inches Good Vintage Condition. ...
Upholstery
Meritalia Gli Amici, Canarino Pouf by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Sculptural, fantastical and functional objects (creatures?) by Gaetano Pesce, suitable for a carefree interior. Unforgettable in any space. This is a new, unused piece. Manufacturer'...
Fabric, Foam
Post Modern Molded Fiberglass Molar Sofa by Wendell Castle
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Postmodern Molar sofa, by Wendell Castle, executed in saturated red molded fiberglass. This example is in good condition, however does have a repaired flaw at the front of one...
Fiberglass
Set of 4 Purple and White Postmodern Dining Armchairs by Arco, 1980s
By Arco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Postmodern dining armchairs manufactured by Arco in the Netherlands in the 1980s. Each chair combines a rounded tubular white lacquered steel frame with white lacquered w...
Steel
1990s Salotti Post Modern Top Grain Two Toned Beige Leather Sofa
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1990s with this exquisite two toned beige leather sofa. The ultra rare three seaters sofa exudes an air of luxury and refinemen...
Leather, Wood
Post-Modern Sculptural Chairs by Preview, Reupholstered in Caramel Velvet, 1980s
By Preview
Located in Saint Louis, MO
These Lounge Chairs made by Preview Furniture Company in Caramel Velvet c. 1980 inspire curiosity and exude modern luxury. Lavishly reupholstered in supple caramel velvet, the lounge...
Velvet, Upholstery
Lounge Chair in Leather by Natuzzi Attributed to Pierluigi Cerri, Italy, 1990's
By Natuzzi
Located in Deland, FL
Introduce a striking piece of post-modern design to your living space with this exquisite lounge chair by Natuzzi, a renowned Italian furniture manufacturer. Crafted in the 1990s, t...
Leather, Wood
Marie Christine Doner S’il Vous Plait High Stool Side Table Postmodern Starck
By Marie Christine Doner
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
S’il vous plait designed by Marie Christine Doner for Idee, Japan. This is one of Origami collection released in 11 furnitures in 1986. Originally bar stool, but usable as side table.
Aluminum