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.
$10,505 / item
Lamb Ottoman by Vladimir Naumov
Located in Geneve, CH
Lamb Ottoman by Vladimir Naumov Dimensions: D 166 x W 60 x H 53 cm Materials: Faux Lamb Fur, Wood Customizable Size. Please contact us. Vladimir Naumov is a professional architect,...
Faux Fur, Wood
Luke 240 Sofa in Light Sage Green Cotton Velvet Upholstery by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Luke 240 Sofa in Light Sage Green Cotton Velvet Upholstery by Munna Dimensions: D 110 x W 240 x H 82 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet. Ava...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Austrian post modern black chaise longue S 828 by Torben Skov for Thonet, 1980s
By Thonet
Located in MIlano, IT
Austrian post modern black chaise longue S 828 by Torben Skov for Thonet, 1980s Chaise longue mod. S 828 convertible into a rocking armchair. The body is made of black plastic with a...
Metal
$1,495 / set
Pair of Sculptural Maple Chairs by Tecno Sedia
By Tecno
Located in Greensboro, NC
Pair of maple chairs by Tecno Sedia. High gloss poly finish. Condition is good with minor wear in the form of scuffs appropriate for the age. Very sturdy frames.
Bentwood
21st Century by Lorenzo Damiani Bench Steel Artisan Custom
Located in Lecce, IT
Indoor-outdoor bench in curved steel, curls obtained by mould casting, welded internal frame in steel. It’s possible to insert two steel tubes inside the curls of the bench in order ...
Steel
$5,003 / item
Ángulo Chair by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Ángulo chair by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 54 x W 60 x H 78 cm Materials: oak wood, leather. Available in leather or fabric. Chair made of burnt and natural white oak with...
Leather, Oak
Limited Edition, Concrete and and Dark Plywood Chair by Lucas Tyra Morten
By Lucas Morten
Located in Geneve, CH
Tron Chair by Lucas Tyra Morten 2022 Limited Edition of 9 Dimensions: W 66 x D 59 x H 80 cm Material: Plywood, Concrete, Wax Occupying the liminal ...
Concrete, Other
$25,512 / item
Loom Sofa by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Loom Sofa by De Castelli Dimensions: W 228 x D 106 x H 74 cm Materials: Orbitale DeLabré Brass, Fabric Other versions are available, please contact us for any request. The Loom coll...
Brass
$5,151 / item
Embrace Armchair by Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Embrace armchair by Royal Stranger Dimensions: W 96 x D 85 x H 68 cm. Different upholstery colors and finishes are available. Materials: Velvet. ...
Velvet
$11,039 / 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
Set of 2 Just Rose, Kolho Original Lounge Chairs, MDJ Kuu by Made By Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2, Just Rose, Kolho Original Lounge Chair, MDJ KUU by Made By Choice with Matthew Day Jackson Kolho Collection Dimensions: 70 x 60 x...
Birch, Plywood
$17,054 / 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
Vintage Wink Design Antique Lounge Chair in Good Condition
Located in IT
Wink recliner armchair by Cassina, designed by Toshiyuki Kita, 1980. It stands out for its vibrant coral-colored upholstery paired with the distinctive two-tone headrests. The armch...
Steel
$7,813 / item
Chloe 3 Seats Sofa by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Chloe 3 seats sofa by Domkapa Materials: Rose gold brushed, fabric (Logone 09). Dimensions: W 300 x D 100 x H 75.5 cm. Also available in different materials. Please contact us. Chloe is an outstanding design piece with striking aesthetic balance and refined materials. Available in two-seater, three-seater, and chaise-longue versions, it stars a wooden or metallic base and upholstered seat and backrest that can elevate any room. A stitched line is dividing the piece for easy assembling and transport while double-top stitching is seen across the sofa for a luxury touch. The soft curves prevail throughout every element of Chloe sofa...
Steel
$4,660 / item
Oscar Armchair by DUISTT
Located in Geneve, CH
Oscar Armchair by DUISTT Dimensions: W 80 x D 76 x H 75 cm Materials: Boucle Fabric - SF.DE.21.004 One back cushion is included. Swivel version available upon request. Please contac...
Bouclé
$7,003 / item
Classic Travertine Unfilled Chunky Stool by Etamorph
Located in Geneve, CH
Classic Travertine Unfilled Chunky Stool by Etamorph Dimensions: Ø 36 x H 46 cm. Materials: Classic Travertine Unfilled. Chunky stands as a sculptural masterpiece. The variation of ...
Stone, Travertine
2x Sessel Koinor Epos Free Motion Leder cognac braun Design
By Koinor
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten insgesamt zwei wunderschöne Design Sessel des deutschen Premiumherstellers Koinor zum Verkauf an. Das Modell nennt sich Epos - Free Motion und lässt sich mühelos mit Hilfe...
Steel
Handcrafted Oak Bench Bed End, Post-Modern Design, Dutch Woodwork, New
Located in DE MEERN, UT
Elevate your space with the understated elegance of our Handcrafted Oak Bench / Bed End, a masterpiece designed for the discerning eye. Meticulously crafted from premium, sustainably...
Wood, Oak
$1,804 / item
Miura Sunbed by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Miura Sunbed by SNOC Dimensions: W 205.5 x D 80 x H 22.5 cm. Materials: Acrylic Rope, Aluminium. The Miura outdoor collection is an invitation to comfort and elegance. The softly ...
Aluminum
Silver Round Stainless Steel Post Modern Bar Stools By The Async
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 run through Me III Stools by the Async Dimensions: D47 x W30 x W58 cm each Materials: Stainless Steel.
Stainless Steel
$10,596 / item
Woven Armchair by Max Lipsey
Located in Geneve, CH
Woven Armchair by Max Lipsey Dimensions: D 86 x W 72 x H 90 cm. Materials: Steel, Kvadrat canvas, and fabric. Custom with Kvadrat Canvas and RAL colors. Custom lengths in 20cm incre...
Steel
$1,576 / item
High Bloo Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
High Bloo Bar Stool by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 50 x D 53 x H 107 cm Materials: Veneer, Natural Leather. Also available in W 50 x D 53 x H 91 cm, Seat Height: 60 cm. With the i...
Leather
Fringes Armchair in Mustard Yellow Cotton Velvet Upholstery by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes Armchair in Mustard Yellow Cotton Velvet Upholstery by Munna Dimensions: D 85 x W 94 x H 90 cm. SH: 45 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet. Avai...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Sveva Chair in Samsara Fabric, Horn Inlays & Burnished Metal by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Sveva Chair in Samsara Fabric, Horn Inlays & Burnished Metal by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 56 x W 54 x H 80 cm. Materials: Horn, fabric, and burnished metal. Different fabrics are avail...
Metal, Other
$19,430 / item
Fabric Panis Deep Sofa Composition by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric Panis Deep Sofa Composition by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 297 x D 97 x H 70 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts. SEATS: poly...
Foam, Wood
$45,022 / item
Vertigo V Sculptural Chair by Pol Quadens
Located in Geneve, CH
Vertigo V Sculptural Chair by Pol Quadens Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 60 x W 120 x H 400 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. Pol Quadens was born in Brussels. His father was active in the fields of composites the metal industry, and the world of materials, therefore, surrounded Pol since his early childhood. After his artistic studies, he starts restoring vintage cars. This experience has allowed him to gain strong practical skills and a deep knowledge of all materials. In 1987, he made his first creations and production of objects. His sensitivity and passion for the arts led him to create functional artworks. His CD shelf...
Stainless Steel
$9,004 / item
Curulis, Major Aluminium Chair by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
Curulis, Major Aluminium Chair by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition, numbered & signed. Dimensions: W 87 x D 48 x H 99 cm. Materials: Aluminium. Curulis Major is the more vertical...
Aluminum
$13,376 / 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
Green Leather Camaleonda by Mario Bellini, B&B Italia, Italy, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Camaleonda; Mario Bellini; Green Leather; Postmodern; Lounge Chair; Lounge Sofa; Modular Sofa; One-Seater; Seating Element; Seating Unit; Italian Design Classic; Iconic Design; B&B I...
Leather
Ferdinand 350 Sofa in Light Blue Cotton Velvet & Brushed Brass by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa in Light Blue Cotton Velvet & Brushed Brass by Munna Dimensions: D 185 x W 350 x H 80 cm. SH: 41 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Cott...
Brass
$16,500 / set
Pierre Chapo “S24” Dining Chairs, 1967, Set of 6
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Pierre Chapo “S24” dining chairs for Atelier Pierre Chapo, elm and leather, France, 1967, set of six. Pierre Chapo designed the “S24” dining chairs for his ...
Leather, Elm
Green Velvet Red Oak Lithic Dining Chair by Maha Alavi Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Velvet Red Oak Lithic Dining Chair by Maha Alavi Studio Dimensions: W 58 x D 54 x H 86 cm Materials: Solid Oak. Maha Alavi is a Tokyo-based Canadian industrial designer. Her p...
Oak
$1,136 / item
Fly Chair by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
Fly Chair by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 50 x D 60 x H 82 cm Materials: Metal chair covered with reconstituted leather. With the intention of providing good taste and personality, ...
Metal
$2,261 / item
Stubbs Indoor Bench by Edvin Klasson
Located in Geneve, CH
Stubbs indoor bench by Edvin Klasson Dimensions: D120 x W45 x H60 cm Materials: Wooden frame, cold foam, painted steel and upholstery. Options availa...
Steel
$5,752 / item
Marshmallow Sofa by Rejo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Marshmallow sofa by Rejo Studio Dimensions: D 200 x W 85 x H 40 cm Materials: Chenille upholstery, wood structure. REJO is a design studio based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Ist...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,216 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and metal. Finish: Wild white sheepskin and black frame. Weight: 12 kg. Availab...
Metal
Pair of “Contraste” Chairs by Pascal Mourgue for Forum Diffusion, France, 1982
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
striking pair of “Contraste” chairs designed by French designer Pascal Mourgue for Forum Diffusion in 1982. These distinctive chairs combine bold geometric construction with elegant...
Leather, Wood
$17,360 / item
Segno Fabric Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Segno Fabric Sofa 3 Seater by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 225 x D 90 x H 88 cm Materials: FRAME: solid wood and multiply, with metal support. SUSPENSIONS: rubber and polypropylene belts ...
Foam, Wood
Una, Articolo Indeterminativo Chaise Longue by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Una, Articolo Indeterminativo Chaise Longue by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 9 Pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Stefano Marolla. Dimensions: D 86 x W 225 x H 85 cm. Materials: Santo...
Wood
Wendell Castle Accent Chair
By Arc International, Wendell Castle
Located in Chicago, IL
Wendell castle accent or desk chair. Upholstered in a sky-blue mohair. Sculptural and carved lines.
Upholstery, Maple
$11,005 / item
Guya Chair by Cal Summers
By Cal Summers
Located in Geneve, CH
Guya Chair by Cal Summers Dimension: D 43 x W 48.2 x H 48.2 cm Materials: Oak Cal Summers is a British designer who makes bespoke handmade furniture and contemporary artefacts in w...
Oak
$1,159 / item
Mocca Papillon Chair by Oxdenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Mocca Papillon chair by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 90 x W 78 x H 97 cm Materials: Leather, Stainless Steel Also Available: Different leather colors avai...
Stainless Steel
$12,108Sale 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
3er Set Orangebox Away from the desk Sofa Sitzmodul Gerard Taylor
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten drei von insgesamt 14 "Away from the desk" Sitzmodulen vom Qualitätshersteller "Orangebox" zum Verkauf an. Die Module sind neu und in einem unbenutzten Zustand, teils noch...
Fabric
$10,755 / item
Remus Aluminium Armchair by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
Remus Aluminium Armchair by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition, numbered & signed. Dimensions: W 104 x D 100 x H 68 cm. Materials: Aluminium. Remus is the more unsettled of the two...
Aluminum
$3,183 / item
Pumpkin Orange Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Low Lita Love Low Sofa by OTTO Studio Designed by Paola Navone. Dimensions: D 80 x W 118 x H 70 cm. Seat Height: 36 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 22 kg. Availa...
Other
$6,469 / item
Camille Bar Chair with Metal Cups by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Camille bar chair with metal cups by Domkapa Materials: Microfibers, Fumé stained beech, gold polished stainless steel. Dimensions: W 53 x D 52 x H 101 cm. Also available in diff...
Metal, Steel
Vaga Chair by Rosana Sousa
Located in Geneve, CH
Vaga Chair by Rosana Sousa One Of A Kind Dimensions: D 48 x W 47,5 x H 73 cm. Materials: Oak and walnut. Every piece is one-of-a-kind due to the availability of raw materials and t...
Oak, Walnut
Natural White Ash Lineground no. 2 Counter Stool by A. Jacob Marks
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Walnut Lineground no. 2 Counter Chair by SKRAM Dimensions: W 51 x D 53 x H 91 cm. Materials: Natural Walnut. LC4 The lineground no. 2 stools are offered in 2 models for coun...
Walnut
Rare Gio Ponti "The Ponti Ponti" Pallucco, Italy 1971 / 1987
The PontiPonti / Gabriela chair was designed in 1971 and produced in 1987 by Paolo Pallucco. Conceived by Gio Ponti around 1971 as one of his personal favorite seating concepts. P...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$7,013 / item
Chloe 2 Seats Sofa by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Chloe 2 seats sofa by Domkapa Materials: Rose gold brushed, fabric (Tarn 24). Dimensions: W 220 x D 100 x H 75.5 cm. Also available in different materials. Please contact us. Chloe is an outstanding design piece with striking aesthetic balance and refined materials. Available in two-seater, three-seater, and chaise-longue versions, it stars a wooden or metallic base and upholstered seat and backrest that can elevate any room. A stitched line is dividing the piece for easy assembling and transport while double-top stitching is seen across the sofa for a luxury touch. The soft curves prevail throughout every element of Chloe sofa...
Steel
$1,747 / item
Jet Black Queen Of Love Armchair by Moro, Pigatti
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black Queen Of Love Armchair by Moro, Pigatti Dimensions: D 98 x W 103,5 x H 112,5 cm. SH: 38 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in different color and finish options. This ...
Other
$9,004 / item
MV Leather Bed End Bench by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
MV Leather Bed End Bench by Madheke Dimensions: D 50 x W 170 x H 38 cm. Materials: leather, stainless steel. Rooted in the modern vintage aesthetic, the MV Bedend is a refined compa...
Stainless Steel
Fringes 280 Sofa in Deep Green Cotton Velvet Upholstery & Fringes by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 280 Sofa in Deep Green Cotton Velvet Upholstery & Fringes by Munna Dimensions: D 100 x W 280 x H 91 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velve...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Lyora Teak Wood And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Modular Sofa With Table by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Lyora Teak Wood And Ethereal Fabric Two-Seater Modular Sofa With Table by SNOC Dimensions: D 88 x W 195 x H 66 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood and Ethereal fabric. A delicate m...
Fabric, Teak
Erik Magnussen 'Magnus' Stacking Chair for Paustian, Denmark, 1989, Priced Each
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
The 'Magnus' chair, designed by the Danish designer Erik Magnussen for the Copenhagen design house Paustian in 1989. This listing is for one chair; we have eighteen available, so the...
Steel
$5,002 / item
Layered Steel Seat IV by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel seat IV by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 33 x W 54 x H 81 cm Materials: stainless steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continue...
Stainless Steel
$6,648 / item
Cognac Lounge Chair by Estudio Andean
Located in Geneve, CH
Cognac lounge chair by Estudio Andean Dimensions: W 56 x D 83 x H 93 cm Materials: steel, bronze, wood, leather. Lounge chair made of steel rod str...
Bronze, Steel
Saucer Dining Chair in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios, Set of 4
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Saucer Dining Chair by Brent Warr balances playful form with sculptural elegance. Its legs echo the signature stacked-ball motif, grounding the chair with a bold yet refined silh...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
Gradient 02 Oak, Chestnut, Ash and Beech Wood Stool by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Gradient 02 Oak, Chestnut, Ash, and Beech Wood Stool by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 50 cm Materials: Black stained Oak, Chestnut, Ash, Beech. The idea behind this design...
Ash, Beech, Chestnut, Oak