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.
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
Postmodern Leather Sofa in the style of Nicoletti Salotti Italian 2 Seat Sofa
Located in Rochester, NY
Iconic postmodern rich red leather 2 person sofa. Likely a Natuzzi version of the Nicoletti Salotti Italian leather sofa and chair line. A statement piece in your living room or anyw...
Leather
B&B Italia Diesis Chaise Longue by Antonio Citterio & Paolo Nava, Italy, 1979
By Paolo Nava, Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
An iconic Diesis chaise longue designed by Antonio Citterio and Paolo Nava for B&B Italia. Originally introduced in 1979, the Diesis collection is considered one of the defining achi...
Aluminum
Italian Post-Modern Set of Six Dining Chairs in Wood and Rush
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, beech, rush, Italy, 1970s Elegant set of Italian dining chairs dating from the 1970s, crafted in warm beech wood with handwoven rush seats. The clean archi...
Rush, Beech
Jonas Bohlin for Magis "Lyra" Sculptural Beech and Chrome Stool, Italy
By Jonas Bohlin, Magis
Located in San Diego, CA
Designed by renowned Swedish architect Jonas Bohlin, the Lyra stool represents the playful sophistication of late twentieth-century Scandinavian design exec...
Chrome
Side Table & Stool, Hand-Carved Mexican Honey Onyx Marble Conglomerate
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, Marble
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 Gerard van den Berg Loge Chairs for Montis, Cognac Leather, 1980
By Montis, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gerard van den Berg designed the Loge chair for Dutch manufacturer Montis in 1980, employing a continuous shell construction that merges seat, back, and armrests into a unified sculp...
Chrome
Johan Bertil Häggström Tubular Lounge Chair for Swed-Form, Sweden, 1970s
By Swed Furn, Johan Bertil Häggström
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A lounge chair by Johan Bertil Häggström for Swed-Form, produced in Sweden in the 1970s. An example of Swedish postmodern design, the piece is built around a tubular chrome frame tha...
Metal
Ettore Sottsass Memphis Knoll 80s Eastside Two Sofas +1 Lounge Chair, SET 3 PCS
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Basel, BS
The Eastside sofa and chair are quintessential pieces of 1980s postmodern design from Ettore Sottsass, the founder of Memphis. The Eastside collection takes cues from Biedermeier st...
Metal, Aluminum
$13,568Sale Price / set|20% Off
Angelo Mangiarotti for Agapecasa Oak Leather Dining Chairs 3T Model, Italy 2000s
By Angelo Mangiarotti, AgapeCasa
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of eight Italian post modern dining chairs model 3T designed by Angelo mangiarotti from 1978 with oak frame and leather seat. Produced by Agapecasa with the designer’s and manufa...
Leather, Oak
1980s Knoll Jorge Pensi Amat Toledo Chair Spain Postmodern
By Jorge Pensi, Amat-3
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a Toledo chair stackable designed by Jorge Pensi for Amat 3 Spain for Knoll Organic and streamlined shape lightweight cast aluminum. Unmarked. Dye cast alum...
Aluminum
Paul Pallucco Attr. Panchetta Con Tavolino E Portariviste Postmoderno Anni 80
By Paolo Pallucco & Mireille Rivier
Located in Taranto, IT
Questa panchetta multifunzionale rappresenta perfettamente lo spirito del design postmoderno italiano degli anni Ottanta, con le sue forme scultoree e la combinazione di elementi pra...
Wood
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
1970s Post-Modern Lounge Chairs in Beige Patterned Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular lounge chairs, fabric, wood, Belgium, 1970s These superb modular lounge chairs originate from 1970s Belgium and beautifully capture the post-modern spirit of the era, marked...
Fabric
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern Italian black leather sofa in the style of Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Italian black leather 3 seat long sofa in the manner of Nicoletti Salotti. Very clean sofa high quality leather and very comfortable modern design. Located in Brooklyn NYC 11...
Leather
Sculptural Side Table & Stool, Hand-Carved Green Onyx Marble Conglomerate
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
Memphis First Chair by Michele de Lucchi circa 1983
Located in Oakland, CA
Early production Memphis First chair designed by Michele de Lucchi this chair that was purchased by the original owner who was working at the de Lucchi design studio in the 1980s in ...
Metal
Mario Bellini for Cassina Pianura Lounge Chairs in Walnut and Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, 'Pianura' lounge chairs with armrests, walnut, leather, Italy, 1971 The ‘Pianura’ lounge chair by Mario Bellini for Cassina, designed in 1971, presents a ...
Leather, Walnut
Single Amisco Stool
Located in New York, NY
Single Amisco stool
Metal
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
Rare Pierre Chapo Set of Eight S11 Dining Chairs in Sipo Wood and Leather
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, rare set of eight dining chairs, model S11, sipo wood, leather, France, circa 1966 A set of eight chairs in solid sipo wood, which makes this set so rare, with cognac...
Leather, Wood
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Post Modern Cantilever Swing Chairs by Herbert and Jutta Ohl for Rosenthal Linie
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Rare set of 4 1980s Post-Modern Cantilever Swing Chairs. Designed in 1982 by Herbert and Jutta Ohl for German Manufacturer Rosenthal Studio Lini...
Metal
Post Modern Knoll Swivel Desk, Office, Chairs 11 Available
By Don Chadwick, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Knoll swivel desk chair(s) from the 1970's, in rich brown formed foam upholstery, on five star base. The chair swivels a full 360, and the base is on double wheel coaster...
Plastic
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
$396Sale Price / item|20% Off
Postmodern Sectional Sofa Bench by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in New York, NY
Phenomenal sectional sofa, bench, or single chair set made by Steelcase, circa 2002. The pieces have tubular chrome feet, which support a thick and heavy board, to which a thick upho...
Chrome
Pair of Alias Italy Black Chrome spaghetti stools by Giandomenico Belotti
By Alias, Giandomenico Belotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Alias Italy Black Chrome spaghetti stools by Giandomenico Belotti. Black rubber woven seat and back with a chrome tube frame. Made in Italy circa 1980. Located in Brooklyn NY...
Chrome
Modernist accent chair in black cowhide and ebonized oak, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A modernist accent chair by Paul Marra in ebonized oak and laser-cut black cow hide, probably circa late 20th century or early 21st. The oak frame is re...
Fabric, Wood
Postmodern Sculptural Curved Serpentine Sectional Snake Sofa
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Monumental serpentine snake sectional sofa in the style of Vladimir Kagan and Milo Baughman. This unique modular curved sofa consists of three interlocking sections reupholstered in ...
Upholstery, Ultrasuede, Wood
Mid-Century Post Modern Loveseat or Sofa Produced by Preview Furniture
By Preview
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural base with floating front sofa made by Preview circa 1992. It features the original tweed fabric in good condition. Could use cleaning before use.
Fabric
$5,450 / item
Maison Regain Grid Side Benches in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain benches, elm, France, 1970s Lovely benches by Maison Regain, a lovely example of French design from the 1970s. Made from solid elm wood, the benches emphasize clear co...
Elm
Institutional Chair, Black Leather, Post-Modern Design, Panorammma, Mexico
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
6 Post-Modern Arrben Italy 'Canasta' Armchairs Leather Enameled Tubular Steel
By Arrben
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Post-Modern set of six (6) 'Canasta' armchairs by Arrben of Italy, in stitched thick saddle-leather mounted on enameled tubular steel frames. N...
Steel
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Warm Sage Colored Suede
By De Sede, Ubald Klug
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘Snake’ DS-600, suede, felt, Switzerland, 1970s A design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland. This De Sede modular Sn...
Suede, Felt
$5,500 / set
Post Modern 6 Piece Modular Sofa
By Rolf Benz
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Great 6 piece Post Modern modular sectional sofa attributed to Rolf Benz. A gorgeous sofa that will make a massive statement. Sofa is being sold as found, reupholstery is needed b...
Fabric
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
Substantial Sofa in Delicate Striped Green Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric, Europe, 1970s/80s A robust and substantial sofa, exuding a playful charm through its distinct geometric form. The sofa's three back cushions seamlessly integrate into...
Fabric
Emilio Nanni Musmé Counter Stool for Fly Line, 1984
By EMILIO NANNI, Fly Line
Located in Miami, FL
Considered one of his first chair designs, the Musmé counter stool was designed by Emilio Nanni for Fly Line. The stool consists of a steel cantilevered frame...
Steel
Italian Designer Postmodern Black Lacquer Wood and Leather Side Chair
By Calligaris
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and chic Italian modern style or Postmodern period black lacquer wood and leather side or desk chair(s), circa late 2...
Leather, Wood
Clear Anemone Chair by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Edra, Italy 2001
By Fernando and Humberto Campana, Edra
Located in New York, NY
Clear Anemone Chair by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Edra, Italy 2001. Made of translucent hollow plastic tubes which are hand woven methodically to create a comfortable seat th...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern Italian black leather loveseat sofa style of Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Italian black leather loveseat two-seater 6 foot long sofa in the manner of Nicoletti Salotti. Very clean sofa high quality leather and very comfortable modern design. Locate...
Leather
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Six Postmodern Costantini Ello Dining Chairs Made in Italy c 1970/80's
By Constantini, Ello Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Heroic set of Post Modern, Hollywood Regency school black lacquered dining chairs made in Italy by Pieto Costantini, imported by Ello, circa 1970-1980's. The set consists of four s...
Leather, Wood
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
Rima 160 Sofa in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Rima 160 Sofa in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 160 x D 90 x H 71 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and high-resilience (HR) foam....
Wood, Upholstery, Beech, Foam
Joe Colombo for Comfort 'Elda' Lounge Chair in Red Leather and Fiberglass
By Comfort, Italy, Joe Colombo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Comfort, lounge chair ‘Elda’, fiberglass, leather, Italy, design 1963 The ‘Elda’ chair is one of the most well-known designs of Italian designer Joe Colombo. This lo...
Leather, Fiberglass
Warren Platner for Knoll Nickel Finish and Fabric Stool, circa 1980s
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Oakland, CA
Architect Warren Platner designed stool constructed of nickel-plated steel and fabric for Knoll. Hand crafted by Matricola of Italy for Knoll, the frame is resist welded and the plat...
Steel, Nickel
$1,600 / item
Silla Sol
Located in Mérida, MX
“Silla Sol” Silla Sol chair is not just a chair but a Mexican cookie-inspired chair, a happy face object that livens up any space it enters. You can sit on it, you can place your fav...
Wood
Karl Friederich Forster Trix Chair Postmodern 1980s
By KFF
Located in Čelinac, BA
KFF Chair Trix Postmodern 1980s
Metal
Danish Pair of Armchairs in Oak and Chrome with Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Manufactured by Duba Møbelindustri, pair of armchairs, bent plywood, chrome-plated metal, fabric, Denmark, 1970s. Pair of Danish chairs manufactured by Duba Møbelindustri. The whol...
Fabric, Plywood
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
Bridget Barstool in Stained Rattan and Plywood by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Bridget Barstool in Stained Rattan and Plywood by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 45 x D 55 x H 104 cm. Materials: Stained rattan, plywood seat. Fabric is not included. Please contact...
Rattan, Plywood
Pair of post modern Black leather Chrome Bar stools style of Mart Stam
By Mart Stam
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of post modern Black leather and Chrome bar or Counter stools in the style of Mart Stam. Black leather seat and back with a chrome tube frame with footrest. Made in Italy circa ...
Chrome
Tortona Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Tortona Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 42 x H 50 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not included. ...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood
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
Joe Chair by De Pas, D'Urbino, Lomazzi for Poltronova Italy. Original. Restored.
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Poltronova
Located in Kansas City, MO
Original iconic "Joe" Chair designed by Jonathan De Pas, Donato D'Urbino, and Paolo Lomazzi for Poltronova, Italy, 1970s. Named after baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and shaped like an...
Steel
$4,500Sale Price / set|23% Off
Vintage Post-Modern Bernhardt Flair Channel 4-Piece Modular Sectional Sofa 1980s
By Bernhardt, Steve Chase
Located in Southampton, NJ
4-Piece channeled modular sofa in the manner of Steve Chase by Bernhardt Flair having beautifully pattered original upholstery that features wind swooshes throughout. In very good vi...
Steel
Ludmila Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ludmila Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not included. ...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood
Italian Leather Loveseat by Nicoletti Salotti, 1980s Postmodern Design
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A sculptural Italian leather loveseat by Nicoletti Italia, showcasing the relaxed, oversized proportions and soft architectural lines that defined hig...
Leather
$2,200 / set
Pair of Post Modern Acorn Arm Chairs by Vignelli
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Sunar
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Clean, oversized pair of arm chairs by Vignelli. Simple, modern lines that allow for maximum versatiliy, use them in any design application. Across from a desk, at a game table, at...
Beech
$2,920Sale Price|20% Off
Vico Magistretti Navy / Black 2-Seater Loveseat Maralunga Sofa Cassina Italy 80s
Located in Basel, BS
Original Loveseat sofa "Maralunga," designed by Vico Magistretti and manufactured by Cassina in Italy during the late circa late 1970s/1980s. This e...
Fabric