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.
Frans Van Praet Green Velvet Dining Chairs, Metal Frame, Belgium, 1990
Located in Antwerp, BE
Frans van Praet; Green Velvet dining chairs; Contemporary; Post-Modern; Perforated Metal; Sevilla Chair: Belgian Pavilion; Sevilla World Exp...
Metal
Set of Four 1980s Castelijn SLA Dining Chairs, Black Leather & Wood
By Gijs Bakker, Castelijn
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Four postmodern dining chairs by Dutch manufacturer Castelijn, attributed to acclaimed designer Gijs Bakker, circa 1980s. These distinctive pieces showcase the harmonious blen...
Metal
Etcetera Lounge Chair by J.O. Carlsson, Gold Silk, Post-Modern, 1970s
Located in London, England
Manufactured by J.O.Carlsson of Sweden. Newly upholstered in gold silk fabric, from de la Cuona.
Fabric
$14,361 / item
Medium Baixo Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Baixo Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 110 x W 250 x H 58 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery. 3 cushions included The Baixo sofa proposes a different way of sitting. An invitation to ...
Upholstery, Wood
Swiss ‘Quinta’ Accent Chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985
By Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta for Alias in 1985, the ‘Quinta’ chair is composed of a black-lacquered steel rod frame with a perforated sheet metal seat and back. Its archit...
Metal, Steel
Italian postmodern chairs Jessica by D'Urbino & Lomazzi for Zerodisegno, 1990s
By Zerodisegno
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern chairs Jessica by D'Urbino & Lomazzi for Zerodisegno, 1990s Pair of chairs model Jessica in silver painted metal rod. The structure is made up of a single intertwi...
Metal
Postmodern Kreuzschwinger Bar Kitchen Stools 2nd Generation by Till Behrens
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very rare original Till Behrens 2nd generation Kreuzschwinger bar or kitchen stools. Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the newer 2nd generation with changes in constru...
Metal
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Chicago, IL
Hurricane Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional c. 1990s. USA. Reupholstered in white boucle fabric.
Bouclé
U-shaped Form Rubber Seat and Burned Steel Large Stool 2.0 by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Large AD Stool 2.0 by Arno Declercq Materials: Burned steel and Rubber seat Measures: W 152 x D 38 x H 69 cm Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespoke objects...
Steel
$7,582 / item
Mistral Armchair by Studio Bazazo
Located in Geneve, CH
Mistral Armchair by Studio Bazazo Dimensions: D 80 x W 100 x H 78 cm. Materials: Bouclé fabric and French oak. Light as a breeze with the force to shape landscapes, the “Mistral” c...
Bouclé, Oak
$5,101 / item
Enki Elm Chair by Mythology
Located in Geneve, CH
Enki Elm Chair by Mythology Dimensions: D 44 x W 41.4x H 95 cm Materials: Elm, walnut. The Enki chair fuses unique artistry with masterful craftsmanship. The piece features a playfu...
Elm, Walnut
Tootsy Chair in Solid Beech and Chevron Geometric Fabric by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Tootsy Chair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 47 x D 51.5 x H 85 cm. Materials: Upholstery, Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabr...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Hardwood
$7,500 / item
1970’s, French Leather Sofa
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern French leather sofa. 4 Matching sofas available.
Leather
Four Glamorous Brass and Grey Barstools, Midcentury, France, 1970s
Located in New York, NY
Brass and grey barstools, midcentury, France, 1970s Beautiful restored brass barstools with grey corduroy top that swivels. Adds glamour to any room. Pi...
Brass
Chairs by Eberhard Geißler for VEB Möbel Insdustie Oelsa-Rabenau, Germany 1974
Located in Utrecht, NL
VEB Möbelindustrie Oelsa-Rabenau, a notable manufacturer from the former German Democratic Republic (DDR), has been revered for producing high-quality, functional, and durable furnit...
Fabric, Wood
Dr Sonderbar Chair by Philippe Starck for XO, 1981
Located in LYON, FR
Rare Dr Sonderbar chair designed by Philippe Starck in 1981 and produced by XO. This sculptural chair is constructed almost entirely from bent steel tubing, demonstrating Starck’s ...
Steel
$3,538 / item
Foam Bench by Arne Desmet
Located in Geneve, CH
Foam bench by Arne Desmet Dimensions: D150 x W34 x H 44 cm Materials: Base: casted white concrete with color pigment, tubes: aluminium. Foam bench is composed of two concrete bl...
Concrete, Aluminum
Pair of Postmodern White and Blue Chairs by Kurt Thut for Dietiker, 1980s--2 pcs
By Kurt Thut
Located in Basel, BS
Gorgeous pair of Postmodern Memphis 80s chairs by Kurt Thut for Dietiker, which also produces the similar desiged Bruno Rey chairs. NOTE: We have other colors available, sold as a p...
Metal
R400 Perforated Chair in Silver Polished Aluminum by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
R400 Perforated Chair in Silver Polished Aluminum by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 66 x H 66 cm. Materials: Aluminum. Arno Hoogland is a futurist...
Aluminum
Plywood and Upholstered Bali Pouf by Dainelli Studio Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Plywood and Upholstered Bali Pouf by Dainelli Studio Atelier Dimensions: W 70 x D 40 x H 37 cm Materials: Okumè plywood veneered with padouk natural/black-stained, glossy/matte finis...
Upholstery, Plywood
Original Cassina MET 250 Bouclé Sofa Piero Lissoni Zweisitzer
By Piero Lissoni, Cassina
Located in Berlin, DE
Piero Lissoni wollte ein Sofa schaffen, das so leicht wirkt, als würde es schweben, dabei aber alle Erwartungen an Komfort erfüllt. Er entwarf zwei großzügige, weich gepolsterte Kiss...
Metal
$10,781 / item
Jell Armchair in Beige Fabric by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Jell Armchair in Beige Fabric by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions W 155 cm D 120 cm H 80 cm Product features Product options: Upholstery: Available in all Alter Ego leathers and fab...
Fabric
Vintage Black Perforated Metal Chair Niels Jorgen Haugesen Attributed
By Niels Jørgen Haugesen, Magis
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Black Perforated Metal and Chrome Chair attributed to Niels Jorgen Haugesen for Magis. Made of chrome-plated steel rods and black enameled perforated steel back and seat. Att...
Metal, Chrome
$2,849 / item
White Lounge Chair 01 by Iranzo
Located in Geneve, CH
White Lounge Chair 01 by Iranzo Dimensions: D 95 x W 150 x H 73 cm. Material: Epoxy resin & polypropylene Available in: White / Black - at the same price Light pink / Blue / Pa...
Epoxy Resin
Contemporary Zebrano Wood Chair by Soft Baroque
By Soft Baroque
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Unique handmade solid Zebrano chair from the "Hard Round" series by the London based design duo soft Baroque. Custom designs and sizes are available on r...
Zebra Wood
Jay Spectre Eclipse Chair by Century
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Highland, IN
Designed by Jay Spectre for Century, the "Eclipse" lounge chair is a post-modern take on Deco design. Crafted of oak with a black lacquer finish, it features a terrific build quality...
Chrome
$3,641 / item
Melancholy Chair by Saturday Yard Work
Located in Geneve, CH
Melancholy Chair by Saturday Yard Work Dimensions: W 60 x D 50 x H 60 cm Materials: Aluminium. Finish: Blackened texture. SATURDAY YARD WORK by Nathan Martin is a Kaurna/Adelaide b...
Aluminum
$3,465Sale Price|20% Off
Ruud Jan Kokke elm wooden slat bench, Dutch design 1980s
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Ruud Jan Kokke elm wooden slat bench or coffeetable, very rare, 100x40x40 cm Designed by Ruud-Jan Kokke, one of the most bespoken Dutch designers since the 1980s. Kokke is a Dutch d...
Elm
$1,861 / item
111 Dining Chair by Collector
Located in Geneve, CH
111 dining chair by Collector Materials: upholstered in genuine velve siege linen. Solid oak feet Dimensions: W 45 x D 50 x H 77 cm SH 48 cm 111...
Upholstery, Oak
$20,002 / item
Salvante BS1 Bench by Piotr Dąbrowa
Located in Geneve, CH
Salvante BS1 Bench by Piotr Dąbrowa Unique Piece Dimensions: W 160 x D 40 x H 40 cm Materials: Calacatta Viola marble, walnut burl. Also available: Calacatta marble, Rosa Peralba mar...
Marble
U-shaped Form Rubber Seat and Burned Steel Medium Stool 2.0 by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium AD stool 2.0 by Arno Declercq Materials: Patinated steel. Dimensions: W 104 x D 38 x H 69 cm. Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespoke objects with pa...
Steel
$1,120Sale Price / set|60% Off
Pair of Post Modern Italian Green Leather lounge chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Italian Green Leather Lounge armchairs with removable cushions and armrests attached with zippers. High end soft leather upholstery - Pillow style post modern design. Made in...
Leather
Prime Walnut, Any Metal, Any Leather Ledge Weight Bench by Eternal Creek
Located in Geneve, CH
Prime Walnut, Any Metal, Any Leather Ledge Weight Bench by Eternal Creek Dimensions: W 60 x D 137 x H 40 cm Materials: Wood: Prime Walnut / Black Ash / Light Ash Leather: Shadow Bla...
Metal
Set of 4 Dining Chairs "Miss B" by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina, Italy 1990s
By Tito Agnoli, Bonacina
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a set of Postmodern Dining Chairs "Miss B" designed by Tito Agnoli for Bonacina. They feature steel tubular construction and spaghetti-like rubber seats...
Steel
Fringes Bar Stool in Steel Blue Cotton Velvet & Brushed Nickel by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes Bar Stool in Steel Blue Cotton Velvet & Brushed Nickel by Munna Dimensions: D 54 x W 57 x H 100 cm. SH: 80 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, nickel, and upholstery. Finish: Upholste...
Nickel
Mid Century Modern Schweiger Industries Cream Teddy Bear Sofa & 2 Lounge Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Mid Century Modern Schweiger Industries Cream Teddy Bear Sofa & 2 Lounge Chairs - 3 Piece Set A rare cream Teddy Bear Sofa and 2 Lounge Chair...
Faux Fur
Pair of Vintage Weiman Lounge Chairs, 1990s
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of vintage Weiman lounge chairs with a bold, sculptural presence and unmistakable postmodern character. Each chair features generously rounded proportions, oversized looping arm...
Upholstery
Lime Green Little Queen Of Love Kids Armchair by Moro, Pigatti
Located in Geneve, CH
Lime Green Little Queen Of Love Kids Armchair by Moro, Pigatti Dimensions: D 70 x W 76 x H 83 cm. SH: 32 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in different color and finish options...
Other
Mantis Chair in Solid Oak Wood & Ivory Upholstered Backrest by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Mantis Chair in Solid Oak Wood & Ivory Upholstered Backrest by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 50 x W 60 x H 60 cm. Materials: Solid oak and ivory fabric. Available in dif...
Upholstery, Oak
$14,407 / item
Oscillation Aluminium Rocking Chair by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
Oscillation Aluminium Rocking Chair by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition of 8 pieces + 4 Artist's Proof. Dimensions: W 111 x D 100 x H 76 cm. Materials: Aluminium. OSCILLATION ext...
Aluminum
$5,181 / item
Embrace Lago Bordeaux Armchair by Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Embrace lago bordeaux armchair by Royal Stranger Dimensions: W 96 x D 85 x H 68 cm. Different upholstery colors and finishes are available. Materials: Upholstery. Featuring an...
Upholstery
$5,055 / item
Kuumo Sofa by KUUMO DESIGN
Located in Geneve, CH
Kuumo Sofa by KUUMO DESIGN Dimensions: W 150 x D 87.5 x H 96.6 cm Materials: Acrylic glass structures, Foam cushions and 1460 mm, Mirror stainless steel tubes. Weight: 42 Kg. With...
Stainless Steel
$18,025 / item
Marble Yro Armchair by Kelly Boukobza
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble Yro Armchair by Kelly Boukobza Dimensions: W 90 x D 80 x H 85 cm Materials: Marble Base. Fabric. Available Finishes : Dedar and Pierre Frey fabrics. Kelly Boukobza is the fo...
Marble
2x Original Wittmann Sessel Aura Leder schwarz Paolo Piva
By Paolo Piva, Wittmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von zwei wunderschönen Wittmann "Aura" Sesseln aus schwarzem Leder zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Paolo Piva für Wittmann und stammt aus dem Jahr 1983. Insge...
Leather
Daisy Chair in Blue Cotton Velvet Upholstery by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Daisy Chair in Blue Cotton Velvet Upholstery by Munna Dimensions: D 62 x W 64 x H 84 cm. SH: 48 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet. Available in all Mu...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$3,733 / item
Flame Red Chubby Lounge Armchair by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Chubby Lounge Armchair by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 120 x W 130 x H 56 cm. Seat Height: 27 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Avai...
Other
$10,994 / item
Dark Side Chair, Aluminium by ORFEO STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Side Chair, Aluminium by ORFEO STUDIO Dimensions: W 130 x D 50 x H 140 cm. Material: Aluminium Finish: Patina finish Weight: 35 kg. About ORFEO STUDIO is an Italian design stu...
Aluminum
$22,747 / item
Three Dimensions Decorative Bench by KV Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Three Dimensions Decorative Bench by KV Design Dimensions: D 98 x W 78 x H 40 cm. Materials: Mulberry Wood, Epoxy Resin, Metal. Limited Edition of 3. KV Design is a team of profess...
Metal
Olympia Armchair in Grey Cotton Velvet & Brushed Brass by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Olympia Armchair in Grey Cotton Velvet & Brushed Brass by Munna Dimensions: D 100 x W 110 x H 91 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet and brush...
Brass
DeSede 2 Seater Leather Sofa DS-2011/02 - #2
Located in Bern, BE
DeSede 2 Seater Leather Sofa DS-2011/02. Casual sofa upholstered in Royal 'Select' leather with runners in black matt coated beech. Swiss designe...
Leather
Roberto Fallani "ANA" Throne, One-off 1997
Located in Padova, IT
One-Off "ANA" Throne made by Italian artist Roberto Fallani in 1997. Wrought iron, glass, fabric. Bibliography: Roberto Fallani, Thrones, catalog edited by Giuliano Serafini, 201...
Wood
Odysseus Fully Upholstered Sofa in White Linen Fabric by OZA Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Odysseus Fully Upholstered Sofa in White Linen Fabric by OZA Design Dimensions: D 112 x W 260 x H 67 cm. SH: 38 cm. Materials: Linen. Available in different material options and fi...
Linen
Rocklounge Signed Rock Shaped Chair with Ottoman by Rockstool Paris
Located in Geneve, CH
Rocklounge Signed Rock Shaped Chair with Ottoman by Rockstool Paris Unique numbered edition Dimensions: W 55 x D 77 x H 69 cm Ottoman dimensions: W 55 x D 52 x H 42 cm Materials: Sto...
Stone, Other
$43,152 / item
Arizona 5004 Sofa by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Arizona 5004 Sofa by Redeco Dimensions: W 444/284/160 x D 105 x H 79 cm Materials: Wooden structure padded with polyurethane foam in different densities. Seat cushions padded in poly...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$17,589 / item
Marmini II Chair by Hannes Peer
By Hannes Peer
Located in Geneve, CH
Marmini II Chair by Hannes Peer Dimensions: 55 W x 50.4 D x 64 H cm Materials: Fior di Pesco marble, Lelièvre Helsinki fabric Marmini II is despite its minimalistic architectural ap...
Marble
Uri Stool, Ikea, 1995
By IKEA
Located in Firenze, IT
Stool, model Uri, designed by Per Idar Ledang in 1995 for Ikea. It features a cushion upholstered in blue velvet and distinctive wave paws, iconic of the postmodern style.
Steel
ELEMENTOS Air Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Natural Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ELEMENTOS Air Stool in Sandblasted Pine with Natural Finish by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 42 x W 42 x H 42 cm. Materials: Sandblasted Pine. Air is detachment—existing in the re...
Pine
Contemporary Sculptural Kabuto Throne in Black Bronze by Michel Amar
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary Sculptural Kabuto Throne in Black Bronze by Michel Amar Dimensions: D 52 x W 105 x H 70 cm. Materials: Black bronze. At the head of his own ...
Bronze
That's It Plastic Soft Upholstered Armchair in Polypropylene by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
That's It Plastic Soft Upholstered Armchair in Polypropylene by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 68 x W 68 x H 113 cm. Materials: Polypropylene and upholstery. Available in different fin...
Other
$2,791 / item
Silhouette Bar Stool by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Silhouette Bar Stool by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 51 x W 48 x H 110 cm. Materials: wood structure with translucent dark brown in high gloss varnish, InsidherLand Ref. Mix 2 fabric. ...
Upholstery, Wood