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.
$1,650Sale Price / set|25% Off
Set of 3 Post-Modern Bar Stools in Grey Cerused Oak, Iron, USA, 1980s
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Set of 3 Post-Modern era bar stools styled after Michele de Lucchi "First Chair" . Heavy and well crafted stools created in iron and wood with a grey cerused...
Iron
Carlo Scarpa, Set of 6 Wooden Chairs for Gavina, Italy 1970s
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
All the rigor and geometry of the great Italian designer Carlo Scarpa are expressed in this splendid and rare set of 6 wooden chairs made for Gavina in the early 1970s. An essential...
Wood
A Sculptural POSTMODERN MEMPHIS chair, in the style of PIERRE SALA, France 1980
By Pierre Sala
Located in PARIS, FR
A sculptural postmodern chair, construction of geometrical pieces of wood based on 3 legs, straight grid black back, circular pink seat, red front leg, by anonymous artist, France 19...
Wood
$19,848 / item
Jell Sofa by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Sofa by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 260 cm D 120 cm H 85 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego Stud...
Stone
1980s 3-Piece Biomorphic Curved Sofa By Preview
By Preview
Located in Bensalem, PA
This is one unique sofa, very comfortable. The shape is amazing would be the center focus point of any room Made by Preview Furniture
Upholstery
$3,763 / item
L'ecorce Dining Chair in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
L'ecorce Dining Chair in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 54 x D 49 x H 78 cm. Materials: Solid Teak Wood, fabric. This listing features our L'ecorce Dining Chair expertly...
Wood, Hardwood, Teak
1 of 8 Club Chairs "Intercista" by Poltrona Frau in Pink Leather, Italy 1989
By Poltrona Frau, Massimo and Lella Vignelli
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find very rare postmodern club chairs model "Intervista" designed by Massimo and Lella Vignelli for Poltrona Frau. ...
Leather
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Dialogo Dessau' Dining Chairs
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Dialogo Dessau' dining chairs, chromed metal, plastic, Italy, 1974 The Dialogo Dessau chair, with its distinctiv...
Metal, Chrome
Gaetano Pesce Chair for Cassina 1980 80s
By Cassina, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Gaetano Pesce chair for Cassina. Model: Dalila Due Plastic painted in dark red. Rare chair in the style of Gaetano Pesce 's Radicale era. It's dark and decadent.
Plastic
Opera Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Opera Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 120 x D 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not incl...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood, Beech
Tarcisio Colzani for Mobil Girgi 'Periplo' Chaise Longue
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tarcisio Colzani for Mobil Girgi, daybed or chaise longue, model 'Periplo', fabric, leather, walnut, Italy, 1970s Sculptural chaise longue designed by Tarcisio Colzani for Mobil Gir...
Leather, Walnut
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Easy Chairs for Mobilier International, 1971, Set of 2
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” easy chairs for Mobilier International, cognac leather and steel, France, 1971, set of two The “Alta” easy chair, created by Oscar Niemeyer in 1971 in collabor...
Leather
Modern Progetti Armchair by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti, Italy, 1980s – Bouclé
Located in Almelo, NL
Modern Progetti Armchair by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti, Italy, 1980s – Bouclé Upholstery A refined expression of Italian modernism, this exquisite Progetti armchair by Umberto Asn...
Metal
1980s Sculptural Coned Leopard Velvet Steel Swivel Stools Chairs
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, velvet leopard print, swivel stools you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful set is s...
Steel
HABANA Sectional Sofa by Stanley Jay Friedman for Brueton, 1980
By Brueton
Located in Chicago, IL
HABANA Sectional Sofa by Stanley Jay Friedman for Brueton, 1980 Reupholstered Each section measures 35" deep, 26" wide 27" tall 17" seat height. That is the 4 sections and 2 ottomans
Upholstery, Velvet
$750Sale Price|40% Off
Postmodern Leather BOBO Easy Chair by Dietmar Sharping
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Postmodern black leather Bobo easy chair. Bobo was designed by German architect Dietmar Scharping in the early 1990s to fill the need for sculptural seating program that would look ...
Leather
PAIR Black + Clear Chair Model "Hydra" Roberto Semprini for Sintesi, Italy 1994
By Mario Cananzi & Roberto Semprini
Located in Basel, BS
A RARE Pair of Mid-century modern black and clear of original plastic rope chairs, model "Hydra" by Roberto Semprini for Sintesi - 1994. Superb statement, look stunning both inside a...
Metal
Glass chair in the Manner of Louis Dierra
By Louis Dierra
Located in London, GB
This striking curved glass chair, inspired by the iconic designs of Louis Dierra for the Glass Centre Pavilion at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, represents a masterful blend of a...
Glass, PVC
Custom Italian Postmodern Vico Magistretti Style Large 2-Piece Sectional Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
Custom Italian Postmodern Vico Magistretti Style Large 2-Piece Sectional Sofa Striking custom Italian Postmodern two-piece sectional in the style of Vico Magistretti, featuring a bo...
Fabric
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair For Kartell 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair for Kartell 1980s
Fabric, Plastic
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Armchair for Lafer MP, Black Leather, 1972
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Percival Lafer “MP-41” Armchair for Lafer MP, wood and black leather, Brazil, 1972 The “MP-41” armchair by Percival Lafer embraces fluidity with a structure that appears weightless ...
Leather, Wood
Niall O'Flynn galvanized metal "Rascal" dining chairs for Spectrum, 1997
By Niall O'Flynn, 't Spectrum Bergeijk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4, extremely rare Niall O'Flynn galvanized metal "Rascal" dining chairs for Spectrum, 1997. Comfortable and great condition—some light signs of age on the legs. Viewable in...
Metal, Wire
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
Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin Cantilever Dining Lounge Chairs Barbara Barry Boucle
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman, Barbara Barry
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Set of four signed Milo Baughman sculptural cantilever dining arm chairs newly professionally re-upholstered with very soft and textural high end luxury curly boucle fabric by Barbar...
Metal
Extra-Large Postmodern Animal Print Sofa, Germany, 1990s
By Bretz
Located in Rīga, LV
Striking postmodern sofa with a biomorphic silhouette and bold tiger-stripe patterned velour upholstery. The spring legs of the sofa create a gentle, bouncy feel when you sit on it. ...
Metal
Surrealist Post Modern Three Legged Chair in Ivory Bouclé, circa 1980s
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Stylish and sculptural Surrealist Postmodern style 1980s lounge chair newly reupholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. The look of high art. Whimsical. Unexpected. Killer profil...
Bouclé, Upholstery, Wood
$4,792 / item
Fringes Armchair by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes Armchair by Munna Dimensions: D 85 x W 94 x H 90 cm. SH: 45 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet. Available in all Munna fabrics except Wild Silk...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$8,357 / item
Josephine 230 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Josephine 230 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 103 x W 230 x H 83 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and wild silk. Available in all M...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Pair of High Back Golem Chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, Italy 1969
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Vico Magistretti, Mario Bellini, Poggi
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Pair of stunning high-back SD51 Golem chairs by Vico Magistretti for Poggi, 1969 Italy. This Post Modern chair plays on the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic of Carlo, Afra and Tobia Scar...
Leather, Wood, Bentwood, Paint
Post Modern Weiman Style Swivel Lounge Chairs - Set of 2
By Weiman
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Make a bold statement with this eye-catching pair of vintage 1990s Weiman-style swivel lounge chairs. Featuring their original abstract upholstery in striking shades of blue, purple,...
Upholstery
4er Set Kartell Design Stapelstühle Philippe Starck Ghost chairs
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten vier von insgesamt 31 Stapelstühlen vom italienischen Traditionshersteller Kartell zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Phillippe Starck und stammt aus dem Jahr 2002 als...
Other
French Modern Parchment Bench by R & Y Augousti
Located in Houston, TX
French modern parchment bench by R&Y Augousti. This stunning bench has beautiful saber legs. This lovely postmodern French bench can also be used as a ...
Parchment Paper
$794Sale Price / set|20% Off
Post Modern French Metal Resin Armchairs
Located in Marseille, FR
Pair of post-modern chairs in metal and resin, French production, circa 1980. This pair of armchairs has an imposing appearance and is composed of geometric shapes drawn on differen...
Metal
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
$1,367 / 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
Calligraphic Sculpted Brass Chair with White Fabric Upholstery Seat by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Calligraphic Sculpted Brass Chair with White Fabric Upholstery Seat by Misaya Dimensions: W 58 x L 54 x H 79 cm Materials: Brass Hand-sculpted brass chair. Misaya emulates Chinese ...
Brass
Aurora stool, light honey solid wood, natural caning back, cream textile 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
$490 / item
Sea Green Acapulco Chair by OK Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Sea Green Acapulco Chair by OK Design Dimensions: D 110 x W 79 x H 72 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, PVC cord. Available with black frame, white frame, or stainless steel frame...
Metal
Petite Postmodern Chaise Lounge by Weiman in New Chocolate Bouclé Upholstery
By Vladimir Kagan, Weiman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
With an amorphous, sensual form that is unapologetically Postmodern and a manageable size for smaller spaces, this sculptural chaise lounge by Weiman feels as much like functional ar...
Chrome
TECHNO barber chair designed by Philippe Starck for L'Oreal, France 1989
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find 4 exceptionally rare swivel barber chairs, called Techno chairs, designed by Philippe Starck for L'Oreal. These chairs repr...
Aluminum
$556Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Green Swedish Postmodern 80s Vintage Nils Gammelgaard Ikea "Ted" Chairs
By IKEA, Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Basel, BS
Great opportunity to have a complete set of 2 of these wonderful 1980s Nils Gaamelgaard for Ikea chairs as a perfect pair of 2 in green! Sold here as a pair. Note: Green cushions wi...
Metal
Set of 4 "Pan Am" Armchairs by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima
By Gastone Rinaldi, RIMA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 Italian armchairs by Gastone Rinaldi for Rima. The design of the bucket seat celebrates the Pam Am logo. Gastone Rinaldi (1920-2006) was an Italian de...
Steel, Chrome
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte Castell Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
By Wiener Werkstätte, Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' lounge chair, leather, Austria, design 1972 Stunning and sizable lounge chair designed by Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte. This grand ...
Leather
Annig Sarian Set of Eight Postmodern Dining Chairs "Zea" for T70
By Annig Sarian
Located in Milano, IT
Annig Sarian for T70 Set of Eight "Zea" Chairs, 1980s Postmodern Design An important a set of eight "Zea" chairs, designed by Annig Sarian for T70, representing a significant exampl...
Fabric, Wood
Post Modern Swiss Design Black Seconda Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Renens, CH
Seconda Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1980s The Seconda Chair (1982) is an iconic piece of design, with use of materials that are typical for Botta’s furniture and lamps: Sheet me...
Metal
1980s Postmodern Chairs by Samo, Ettore Sottsass Style, Black Enameled Metal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chair by French manufacturer Samo captures the bold spirit of 1980s Postmodern design. The striking U-shaped curved back formed from black enameled metal tubing creates a sculptural ...
Metal, Enamel
$1,776 / item
Entreplanta Bench by Marta Ayala Herrera
Located in Geneve, CH
Entreplanta Bench by Marta Ayala Herrera Dimensions: D 40 x W 137 x H 45 cm. Materials: MDF. This piece can be customized in different wood option...
Other
Mario Bellini "Le Stelle" Lounge Chairs Original B&B Italia 1974
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Designed by Mario Bellini, the “Le Stelle” 1974 for B&B Italia lounge chair is a celebrated example of Bellini’s sculptural and highly sensual approach to furniture design. Defined b...
Leather, Linen
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
Pair of Large Donghia Slipper Chairs Newly Upholstered in Ivory Tiger Velvet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
With all the many things one could do on these luxurious Donghia slipper chairs, lounging is most certainly one of them. Sit back go for a magic carpet ride in these shimmering tiger...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
$4,792 / item
Fringes Armchair by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes Armchair by Munna Dimensions: D 85 x W 94 x H 90 cm. SH: 45 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet. Available in all Munna fabrics except Wild Silk...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$5,960Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Preview Purple Sculptural Biomorphic Cloud Sofa
By Preview
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, purple microfiber cloud sofa you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful sofa is statemen...
Upholstery, Wood
Post Modern Blue Leather Barrel Lounge Chairs, 1980
By Leon Rosen
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern pair of blue leather Barrel lounge chairs, 1980. Original leather
Leather
Pair of “Moji” Armchairs by Shigeru Uchida for Poltrona Frau, Italy
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
A rare pair of “Moji” armchairs, designed in the late 1980s by the Japanese architect and designer Shigeru Uchida for Poltrona Frau. Known for his architectural and minimalist approa...
Leather, Wood
"Grandma" Sofa by Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi for Knoll, 1980s
By Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, Robert Venturi, Knoll
Located in Coronado, CA
This sumptuous "Grandma" sofa was designed by the architects Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown and produced by Knoll in the 1980s. This wonderful example (the nicest one out ther...
Mohair, Down
$2,618 / item
Sacha Chair by Resident
Located in Geneve, CH
Red Sacha Chair by Resident Dimensions: W 43 x D 49 x H 86 cm Materials: Upholstered Plywood, Foam, Steel. Weight: 14.5 Kg. About: Founded by Simon James & Scott Bridgens in 2011, ...
Steel
Pair of 142 Series Lounge Chairs by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno
By Tecno, Eugenio Gerli
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 1970's black vinyl lounge chairs on casters, designed by Eugenio Gerli for Tecno. Good vintage condition with some minor scuffs/wear consistent with age and use.
Faux Leather, Wood
Post Modern Chrome & Abstract Upholstered High Back Dining Chairs - Set of 6
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Make a bold Post Modern statement with this striking set of six circa 1980s chrome dining chairs. Featuring sleek high-back silhouettes, polished chrome frames, and their original ab...
Chrome
2 Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast Italian Postmodern Tokyo Bar Counter Stools 35"
By Rodney Kinsman, Bieffeplast
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