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.
$12,200 / set
Pierre Chapo “S24” Dining Chairs, 1967, Set of 4
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Pierre Chapo “S24” dining chairs for Atelier Pierre Chapo, elm and leather, France, 1967, set of four. Pierre Chapo designed the “S24” dining chairs ...
Leather, Elm
Vitra EA 107 Bürostuhl Vitra Charles Ray Eames hopsak hellgrau
By Vitra, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Vitra EA 107 Konferenzstuhl mit dunklem Rahmen und hellgrauem Hopsak Stoff zum Verkauf an. Der Stuhl wurde professionell gereinigt und aufgearbeitet. I...
Steel, Chrome
$3,980 / item
Oak and Walnut TQV Chair 02 by ONON DETAILS
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak and Walnut TQV Chair 02 by ONON DETAILS Dimensions: W 71 x D 63.1 x H 55.1 cm. Materials: Walnut, Oak. ONON Details furnitures are chosen by famous design brand, domestic and ...
Oak, Walnut
$3,816 / item
Skay Rumbo Bench by Jean-Baptiste Van Den Heede
Located in Geneve, CH
Skay Rumbo bench by Jean-Baptiste Van den Heede Dimensions: L 118 x D 31 x H 42 cm Materials: white beech, textile. Also available: other textiles available. The upholstered Ru...
Textile, Beech
$4,897 / item
Leather Tella Bar Stool by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather Tella Bar Stool by Madheke Dimensions: D 47.1 x W 41.1 x H 92.8 cm. Materials: Sculptural retro-inspired design, Double-cushioned leather seat with curved backrest, Sleek met...
Metal
$1,999Sale Price / set|20% Off
1980s Postmodern Memphis Style Bar Stools
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage pair of Post-modern barstools for sale. Memphis style from the 1980s, and in excellent condition. They have a black metal frame and have been professionally reupholstered in ...
Metal
$33,840 / item
Tau Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Tau Leather Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 406 x D 90 x H 75 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. REMOVABLE PARTS: ...
Foam, Wood
$5,802 / item
Bold Armchair by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Bold Armchair by Mohdern Dimensions: W 78 x D 65 x H 73 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is a comfortable armchair that features enveloping lines and different geometric shapes sk...
Fabric, Upholstery, Bouclé
$11,268 / item
Colette Sofa by Memoir Essence
Located in Geneve, CH
Colette Sofa by Memoir Essence Dimensions: D 80 x W 220 x H 75 cm. Materials: Velvet PRS, satin ZNC and lacquer. Also available in client's fabric. Ple...
Satin, Upholstery, Velvet, Lacquer
Original Wittmann Colli Sofa Zweisitzer Couch klappbar Neubezug
By Wittmann
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes Zweisitzer Sofa vom deutschen Qualitätshersteller Wittmann zum Verkauf an. Das Sofa, das den Modellnamen "Colli" trägt, wurde professionell mit einem hoc...
Metal
$1,200 / item
"Xitle" Chair
By ADN Studio
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
The "Xitle" chair is part of ADN Studio´s Volcan collection. This collection seeks to go back to basics. It is a subtle and refined interpretation of the archytypical modern furnitur...
Hardwood
Vintage Boho Ettore Sottsass for Knoll Postmodern Sofa
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a rare and captivating vintage sofa, a striking example of Postmodern design by the iconic Ettore Sottsass for Knoll. This piece, reminiscent of Sottsass's influential "Ma...
Metal
Deus Ex Machina King Chair in Bio-Based Uncoated MDF by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
Deus Ex Machina King Chair in Bio-Based Uncoated MDF by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 60 x H 120 cm. Materials: Bio-based uncoated MDF. Arno Hoogland is a futurist, artist, and ...
Wood
$12,301Sale Price|32% Off
Soriana Two Seater by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, Green Mohair
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Antwerp, BE
Scarpa; Afra & Tobia Scarpa; Soriana Sofa; Cassina; 1970s; Italian Design; Italy; Two Seater; Post-Modern; Green; Fabric; Mohair; This Soriana two-seater ...
Chrome
Season Slim High Backrest Executive Upholstered Armchair by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Season Slim High Backrest Executive Upholstered Armchair by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 68 x W 68 x H 112 cm. Materials: Aluminum and upholstery. Available in different finishes, si...
Aluminum
Tecton Swivel Chair in Travertine or Teak by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980
Located in Geneve, CH
Tecton Swivel Chair in Travertine or Teak by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980. Dimensions: W 45 x D 45 x H 63 cm. Materials: Travertine or Teak wood. This chair is available in a se...
Travertine
Italian Post Modern Black Metal and Plastic Chairs, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern black metal and plastic chairs, 1980s Chair with black metal structure with micro-perforated backrest and round section legs, seat always in a round shape with bl...
Metal
Set of 2 From Disco to Disco Chair by Markus Friedrich Staab
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 From Disco to Disco Chair by Markus Friedrich Staab One of a Kind Dimensions: D 44 x W 54 x H 77 cm. Materials: Wood, lacquer, paint. 80’s IKEA H...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
$1,566 / item
Txt.02 Stool by Txt.Ure
Located in Geneve, CH
Txt.02 stool by Txt. Ure Dimensions: Ø 64 x H 40 cm. Materials: Tulle natural fiber with natural finish. For interior and exterior use (under covered spaces). Txt. ure was the first design project to reintroduce the Mexican weaving...
Other
Paris 2024 Special Edition Big Bench in Red Lacquered Wood by Kimy Gringoire
Located in Geneve, CH
Paris 2024 Special Edition Big Bench in Red Lacquered Wood by Kimy Gringoire. Dimensions: W 200 x D 40 x H 95 cm. Materials: Red Lacquered Wood. Part of the BIGLOVECABLES project, t...
Wood
Icis Unique Sculptural Chair in Black Marble & Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Icis Unique Sculptural Chair in Black Marble & Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 60 x W 50 x H 90 cm. Materials: Black marble and steel. Available in different fini...
Marble, Steel
Set of 6 italian postmodern wicker and metal dining chairs, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 wicker and metal postmodern dining chairs. These unique chairs consist of a black metal frame, round leather seats and finely crafted metal and wicker backrests. Designed ...
Metal
Set of 4 Post Modern Velvet Dining Chairs in the Style of Angelo Donghia
By Angelo Donghia, Kreiss
Located in Austin, TX
This set of 4 post modern dining chairs is striking, to say the least. They were produced by Kreiss in California in the late 1970"s and are very reminiscent of the interior design ...
Velvet
$3,526Sale Price / set|36% Off
Pair of 1970s postmodern plywood armchairs
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of sling loungers, plywood, beech, fabric, Europe, 1970s The chair's distinctive shape is marked by a sling construction with an open-design cantilevered frame. This constructi...
Plywood
Amelie Comfort High Backrest Executive Upholstered Armchair by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Amelie Comfort High Backrest Executive Upholstered Armchair by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 68 x W 68 x H 118 cm. Materials: Aluminum, foam, and upholstery. Available in different fi...
Aluminum
Globe Sofa by Peter Opsvik for Stokke editions, Norway, 1980s
By Peter Opsvik, Stokke
Located in TOURS, FR
A collectible Scandinavian modern sofa by Peter Opsvik, this 1980s Globe sofa features a sculptural, spherical cushion, upholstered in two tones leather. It...
Leather, Wood
Handsculpted Brass Chair with Black Leather Upholstery Seat by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Handsculpted Brass Chair with Black Leather Upholstery Seat by Misaya Dimensions: 79 x 56 x 48 cm Brass Handsculpted. Also available in different colors (gold, polished brass, black...
Brass
Set of 6 Brick Red Residence 65 Counter Chairs by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 6 Brick Red Residence 65 Counter Chairs by Kann Design Dimensions: D 50 x W 46 x H 93 cm. Materials: Steel tube, HR foam, fabric upholstery Sahco Ellis 18 (70% viscose, 30 % l...
Steel
Sveva Chair in Lario Velvet, Horn Inlays & Satin Metal by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Sveva Chair in Lario Velvet, Horn Inlays & Satin Metal by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 54 x W 61 x H 80 cm. Materials: Horn, velvet, and satin metal. Different fabrics are available on re...
Other, Metal
$928 / item
Object 102 Chair by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 102 Chair by NG Design Dimensions: W 53 x D 69 x H 71 cm Materials: Powder Coated Steel, Fabric Rustic White Also Available: All of objects available in different materials a...
Steel
$5,233 / item
Embrace Gentle 223 Armchair by Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Embrace gentle 223 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 en...
Upholstery
Deus Ex Machina Queen Chair in Bio-Based Uncoated MDF by Arno Hoogland
Located in Geneve, CH
Deus Ex Machina Queen Chair in Bio-Based Uncoated MDF by Arno Hoogland Dimensions: D 4 x W 60 x H 120 cm. Materials: Bio-based uncoated MDF. Arno Hoogland is a futurist, artist, and...
Wood
$17,407 / item
Large Baixo Sofa by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Baixo Sofa by Wentz Dimensions: D 115 x W 300 x H 58 cm Materials: Wood, Upholstery. 4 cushions included The Baixo sofa proposes a different way of sitting. An invitation to c...
Upholstery, Wood
$11,488 / item
Hand-Carved Oak Edition Lounge Stool by Studio Lugo
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Carved Oak Edition Lounge Stool by Studio Lugo Dimensions: W 53 x D 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Oak, Stainless Steel, Horse Hair, Kutnu Fabric. Finishing: Matt Varnish. Weight: 18 k...
Stainless Steel
Contemporary Art Pouf - Kenzo Hand by Carla Tolomeo
Located in Pistoia, IT
Sculpture. Unique piece hand made by the artist. Kenzo silk velvet Exclusive for the author and Pontoglio velvets - Trimmings Cylindrical base design Gabriel for tolomeo
Silk
$11,523 / item
Luke 240 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Luke 240 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 110 x W 240 x H 82 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet. Available in all Munna fabrics except Wild Silk....
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$12,985 / item
Kiki 260 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Kiki 260 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 132 x W 260 x H 114 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet, ref. Milkshake Pink, CV29. Available in all Mun...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$19,090 / item
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet and brushed brass. Available in all M...
Brass
1980s black wooden folding chair Model 903 by Kurt Culetto for Horgen Glarus
Located in München, BY
1980s black wooden folding chair (Model 903) by Kurt Culetto for Horgen Glarus, Switzerland A fantastic classic folding chair by Kurt Culetto. Manufacturer: Horgen Glarus. Made in Sw...
Fabric, Upholstery, Teak, Wood
Michael Wolk “Miami” Chairs in 100% Alpaca, a pair
By Preview, Michael Wolk
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s in excellent, restored condition
Alpaca
$4,746 / item
Noche Whale Seater Sofa 2 by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Noche Whale Seater Sofa 2 by SNOC Dimensions: W 190 x D 84 x H 66 cm. Materials: Teak Wood. The Whale-ash Collection features an elegant and robust design style inspired by the fo...
Teak
$25,530 / item
Monolith Lounge Chair by Atelier Dutré
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolith Lounge Chair by Atelier Dutré Dimensions: W 70 × D 180 × H 88 cm Materials: Black Smoke Soapstone Carved from solid smoke black soapstone, the Monolith Lounge Chair explore...
Soapstone
Original Moroso armchair leather blue turquoise Patricia Urquiola swivel
Located in Berlin, DE
We are offering a beautiful light blue/ turquoise swivel chair/ armchair from Moroso for sale. The design is by Patricia Urquiola and is charac...
Leather
$14,541 / item
Max Ottoman in Kvadrat Hero 2 Fabric by Julien Lestrille
Located in Geneve, CH
Max Ottoman in Kvadrat Hero 2 Fabric by Julien Lestrille. Dimensions: W 80 x D 80 x H 38 cm. Materials: Wood, Kvadrat Hero 2 Fabric. The upholstery is available in several color choices of Kvadrat Hero 2, allowing for a personalized finish that perfectly complements your interior. Inspired by cartoon characters, the Max collection brings out the child within us. Its design reflects a bold spirit — one that explores volume, plays with balance, and transforms an everyday object into a showcase of craftsmanship. Its solidity, strong presence, and playful touch make it a unique piece that draws the eye while remaining fully functional. Composed of upholstered panels, Max celebrates the meticulous work of master upholsterers. It is designed to highlight textiles and showcase their texture and richness, turning the piece into a true stage for materials. Julien Lestrille is a designer. A graduate of the Strate School of Design, he has developed expertise in furniture design through collaborations with prestigious studios such as Gilles & Boissier, Bruno Moinard...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,297 / item
H Stool by Neil Nenner and Avihai Mizrahi
Located in Geneve, CH
H stool by Neil Nenner and Avihai Mizrahi Objects Dimensions: H 90 x L 42 x W 25 cm Seat height: 45cm Materials: Iron Avihai Mizrahi (b. 1979, ...
Iron
New York Two Seater Sofa in Metal & Leather Upholstery by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
New York Two Seater Sofa in Metal & Leather Upholstery by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 88 x W 210 x H 70 cm. Materials: Metal, goose feathers, and leather upholstery. Available in di...
Metal
Sculptural Contemporary Bronze Chair by Parvine Curie
Located in London, GB
Sculptural Chair by Parvine Curie Material: Bronze, black patina Dimensions: H 95 x 45 x 65 cm Year: 2014 Parvine Curie was born in Nancy, France, in 1936. An autodidact, her arti...
Bronze
$13,589 / item
Strelitzia Dining Chair by Egg Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Strelitzia dining chair by Egg Designs Dimensions: 70 L x 70 D x 90 H cm Materials: solid cast brass, handmade wool upholstery, Castors Founded by South Africans and life partne...
Brass
Original Asko Finnland Sofa Couch Esko Pajamies Dreisitzer Leder
By Asko, Esko Pajamies
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Dreisitzer von finnischen Traditionshersteller Asko aus den 1980er Jahren zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Esko Pajamies und gilt als wahrer Desi...
Leather, Wood
$6,742 / item
Bubble Gum Chair by Maria Zakioso
Located in Geneve, CH
Bubble Gum Chair by Maria Zakioso Dimensions: W 55 x D 75 x H 45 cm Materials: Metal frame, Clay, Epoxy. Maria Lysenko is a 28 year old contemporary artist...
Metal
Sweet Fuchsia Little Queen Of Love Kids Armchair by Moro, Pigatti
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia 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 opti...
Other
$2,065 / item
Bruna Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods
Located in Geneve, CH
Bruna Teak Wood Stool by Heaps & Woods Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: Teak wood A solid block of teak wood featuring an organic rippled texture hand-carved across ...
Other
Zitō Unique Sculptural Stool in Solid Oak Wood & Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Zitō Unique Sculptural Stool in Solid Oak Wood & Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 60 cm. Materials: Travertine. Available in different finishes and m...
Stone
$13,125 / item
Kimono Armchair by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Kimono Armchair by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 90 x D 62 x H 80 cm Materials: STRUCTURE: metal and cuoio SEAT + BACK: polyurethane foam, density 30 kg/m³. REMOVABLE PARTS: seat and back ...
Metal
Cubic FM60 Chairs & Table by Radboud van Beekum for Pastoe
Located in Izegem, VWV
Characteristic set of two FM62 Cubic chairs designed by Radboud van Beekum for Pastoe the Netherlands in the 1980s. The Chairs come with a dark grey lacquered square metal frame...
Metal
$9,574 / item
Emma Chaise Longue by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Emma Chaise Longue by Munna Dimensions: D 96 x W 196 x H 80 cm. SH: 52 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Trevira Velvet, ref. Moss, TRV10 upholstery, and Moss ...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$4,978 / item
Wave Stool & Side Table III by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Stool & Side Table III by Homa. Dimensions: W 30 x D 23 x H 36 cm. Materials: Blown Glass. Colour: Burgundy. Formed through an experimental glassblowing process, each Wav...
Blown Glass
$13,800Sale Price / set|38% Off
Set of 6 Postmodern Swivel "K2" Magenta Chairs by Busk & Hertzog, USA, c. 2000's
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a set of "K2" chairs designed by the Danish design duo Flemming Busk and Stephan Hertzog. Inspired by the K2 mountain (the second tallest mount...
Steel
Leather Palmo Sofa by Amura Lab, Post-Modern Design, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather Palmo Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 417 x D 176 x H 80 cm Materials: FRAME: poplar multiply SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEAT: polyurethane foam...
Foam, Poplar
Modular sofa in tweed by Strafor, France - 1980s
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Stunning Strafor modular sofa from the 1980s. This sofa consists of 6 interchangeable modules. It is upholstered in a beautiful beige tweed fabric that is in very good condition. I...
Fabric