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.
$15,615 / item
Arm Left Collar Open End 2 Seater Right by Meike Harde
Located in Geneve, CH
Arm left collar open end 2 seater right by Meike Harde Materials: Plywood, Metal, Foam, Elastic Belts, Fabric (Nevotex Icon, 1375 Pine) Dimensions: D 110 x W 177 x H 74 cm Also av...
Metal
$3,883 / item
Green Mexico Chair by MarCo Rountree
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Mexico chair by Marco Rountree Dimensions: D 53 x W 57 x H 92 cm Materials: walnut wood, leather. Chair made of walnut and leather. Marco Rountree He defines his pract...
Leather, Walnut
$13,319 / item
Gold Dragon Chair by Giulia Maria Ligresti
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Dragon Chair by Giulia Maria Ligresti Dimensions: D 60 x W 45 x H 114 cm. Materials: Iron. The chair is designed in a modern and refined design work...
Iron
Ferdinand 350 Sofa in Light Mint Green Cotton Velvet & Brushed Brass by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Ferdinand 350 Sofa in Light Mint Green 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: Co...
Brass
$2,924 / item
Pouf Charaktere Fred by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Pouf Charaktere Fred by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: Ø 44 x H 52 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural veg...
Wood
$1,370 / item
Single Block Wood Batan C Stool by Taller Batán
Located in Geneve, CH
Single Block Wood Batan C Stool by Taller Batán Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 45 cm Materials: Single block wood. Finishes: White cedar, blackened cedar (yakisugi), encino (mexican o...
Wood
$5,186 / item
Akeru Chair by WANAS
Located in Geneve, CH
Akeru Chair by WANAS Limited Edition Of 10 Pieces Dimensions: D 59 x W 69 x H 80 cm. Materials: Brass, teak wood, and wood. It’s an invitation to explore, from us to you. WANAS (We...
Brass
$1,816 / item
Mocca and Steel KS Chair by Ox Denmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Mocca and Steel KS Chair by Ox Denmarq Dimensions: D 80 x W 98 x H 108 cm Materials: Leather, Stainless Steel Also Available: Different leather colors and other frame color availa...
Stainless Steel
$27,643 / item
QTZ Swivel Base Lounge Chair by Alexander Lotersztain
Located in Geneve, CH
QTZ Swivel Base Lounge Chair by Alexander Lotersztain Limited Edition. Dimensions: D 65,8 x W 82 x H 113 cm. Materials: Metal. Finish: Limited Bronze Electroplated. Available in dif...
Metal
$4,237 / item
Radical Postmodern Lacquered Green Barstool Poderío
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
True confidence doesn’t ask for attention—it commands it. The Poderío Barstool embodies that quiet authority. With its cylindrical form and assertive geometry, it stands grounded, fi...
Wood, Lacquer
$13,810 / item
Alpine Elk Antler White Wool Chair by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Alpine Elk Antler White Wool Chair by The Peak Antler Chair Dimensions: W 68.58 x D 91.44 x H 83.82 cm Ottoman Dimensions: W 50.80 x D 40.64 x H 33.02...
Antler, Wool
$10,431 / item
Bold Love Seat by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Bold Love Seat by Mohdern Dimensions: W 140 x D 136 x H 75 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is a refined furniture collection designed and produced by the Mohdern brand. The serie...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
$8,087 / item
Era Chair by Tuğçe Geyik
Located in Geneve, CH
Era Chair by Tuğçe Geyik Dimensions: D 77 x W 68 x H 70 cm. SH: 40 cm. Materials: Wood. Tuğçe Geyik is an architect and designer based in Istanbul. She studied at Yildiz Technical U...
Wood
A MID-CENTURY-MODERN BRUTALIST Tripod STOOL, in style of PERRIAND, France 1950
By Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Chapo
Located in PARIS, FR
One single tripod stool, Mid-Century Modern, Modernist, Rustic Modern, Brutalist, solid and architectural tripod structure in solid elm, 3 smoothly shaped high legs, a small but mass...
Wood
Italian post modern folding chair in wood and blue fabric structure, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern folding chair in wood and blue fabric structure, 1990s Folding chair with wooden frame. The seat and backrest are made of a single blue fabric structure, which "f...
Fabric, Wood
$1,267 / item
Hazelnut and Black Trifolium Chair by Ox Denmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Hazelnut and black trifolium chair by Ox Denmarq Dimensions: D 69 x W 78 x H 86 cm Materials: leather, textile, stainless steel Also available: different leather colors and other ...
Stainless Steel
“Groeten uit Holland” Lounge Chair by Rob Eckhardt, Netherlands, 1980s
By Rob Eckhardt
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
A distinctive “Groeten uit Holland” lounge chair designed by Dutch designer Rob Eckhardt in the 1980s and produced by Dutch Originals / Gebr. van der Stroom. A characteristic example...
Stainless Steel
$3,541 / item
Sculptural Chair by Alexandra Madirazza
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural Chair by Alexandra Madirazza Dimensions: W 50 x D 18 x H 43 cm (These are approximate measurements) Materials: Stoneware Also available ...
Stoneware
Cream Figured Walnut Version 5 Rocker Chair by A. Jacob Marks
Located in Geneve, CH
Cream Figured Walnut Version 5 Rocker Chair by A. Jacob Marks Dimensions: W 61 x D 86 x H 67 cm. Materials: Figured Walnut. V5R Also available in different materials. The version...
Walnut
$18,848 / item
Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Bold Curved Sofa by Mohdern Dimensions: W 280 x D 127 x H 76 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is a refined furniture collection designed and produced by the Mohdern brand. The ser...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
$15,261 / item
Jell Armchair by Alter Ego Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Jell Armchair by Alter Ego Studio Dimensions: D 120 x W 155 x H 80 cm. Materials: Wooden frame, high resistance foam, upholstery fabric (Remix 3 by K...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$7,390 / item
Fried Egg Sofa Petrol by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa petrol by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D 186 x W 68 x H 68 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Solid oiled teak Weight: 42 kg Also available in different colours and finis...
Upholstery, Teak
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Upholstery Armchair by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Ash Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Upholstery Armchair by SNOC Dimensions: D 100 x W 105 x H 65 cm. SH: 42 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
“N2 Cena” Brazilian Spiked Stool, Sky-Blue Wood & Aluminum, by DONÓ Design
By DONÓ Design
Located in São Caetano Do Sul, BR
N2 Cena stool by DONÓ Design, São Paulo. Four large-scale, hand-turned wooden spikes raise a thin, geometric seat of folded aluminum, rounded at the back. Exposed stainless steel scr...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
$1,188 / item
Miura Dining Chair by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Miura Dining Chair by SNOC Dimensions: W 59 x D 55 x H 67 cm. Materials: Acrylic Rope, Aluminium. The Miura outdoor collection is an invitation to comfort and elegance. The softly...
Aluminum
$12,999 / item
Levitar Bench by NITUSH AROOSH
Located in Geneve, CH
Levitar Bench by NITUSH AROOSH Dimensions: D 45 x W 190 x H 80 cm. Materials: Stainless steel and fabric. Available in different finishes. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. Please contact us. Aroosh and Nitush Mahipal, the creative minds behind Nitush-Aroosh, were born and raised in New Delhi, India, amidst a vibrant cultural and artistic milieu. Their parents instilled in them a love of beauty and creativity from a young age, and they were fortunate to travel extensively to different parts of the world, where they were exposed to diverse forms of art, design, and architecture. From childhood, Aroosh and Nitush were captivated by the stainless steel available at their family’s factory, spending countless hours creating their toys and honing their skills. This fascination laid the foundation for their future design and art endeavors, eventually leading to the birth of Nitush-Aroosh. The Mahipal brothers use innovative techniques to create a crumbled effect on stainless steel, resulting in sculptural pieces that appear to be made of a different material altogether. Their sculptural objects, including furniture, lights, sculptures, and wall installations, are carefully crafted to invite the viewers to embark on self-discovery and introspection. The Mahipal brother’s maiden international art exhibition at the Marbella Art...
Stainless Steel
$2,615 / item
Hunt Chair by Somaschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Hunt Chair by Somaschini Dimensions: W 57 x D 54 x H 72 cm Materials: Ash solid wood structure in black matt finish. Seat and back in curved plywood padded with polyurethane foam. Pr...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Metallic Copper Glossy Coliseum Chair by Alvaro Uribe
Located in Geneve, CH
Metallic Copper Glossy Coliseum Chair by Alvaro Uribe Dimensions: D 65 x W 66 x H 86 cm. Seat Height: 45 cm. Materials: Glossy lacquered polyethylene. Weight: 11 kg. Available in di...
Other
$4,523 / item
Meta Chair by Jaclyn Pappalardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Meta Chair by Jaclyn Pappalardo Dimensions: W 46 x D 51 x H 88 cm Materials: Pinewood, upholstery foam, Bute merino wool. Jaclyn is a designer and maker based in London. Her backgr...
Upholstery, Wool, Pine
$22,366 / item
Starfish Chair by Maria Zakioso
Located in Geneve, CH
Starfish Chair by Maria Zakioso Dimensions: W 43 x D 50 x H 85 cm Materials: Wood, Acrylic, Epoxy, Papier-mâché, Silk. Maria Lysenko is a 28 year old ...
Epoxy Resin, Silk, Acrylic, Wood
$5,837 / item
Object 087 Armchair by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 087 Armchair by NG Design Dimensions: W 70 x D 84 x H 70 cm Materials: Steel, Dedar Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on demand. Armchair with a steel body and Dedar upholstery...
Steel, Other
Upholstered in Soft Fabric Lenta Lounger Armchair by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Upholstered in Soft Fabric Lenta Lounger Armchair by Madheke Dimensions: D 163 x W 78 x H 100 cm. Materials: Loose fabric-upholstered cushion with leather ties, Leather-clad undersid...
Leather, Upholstery
$5,151 / item
Embrace Cormo Indigo Armchair by Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Embrace Cormo Indigo armchair by Royal Stranger Dimensions: W 96 x D 85 x H 68 cm. Different upholstery colors and finishes are available. Please conta...
Upholstery
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
$2,935 / item
Figueroa Bar Stool by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Figueroa Bar Stool by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 54 x W 53 x H 107 cm. Materials: polished brass, InsidherLand Cotton Velvet Ref.CV 0790 fabric. 11 kg. Available in different fabrics...
Brass
$1,153 / item
Striped Ottoman by Studio Kallang
Located in Geneve, CH
Striped Ottoman by Studio Kallang Dimensions: W 56 x D 40 x H 47 cm Materials: Solid Teak, Upholstered Cushion. Finish: Natural, Matte Black, Striped Fabric. STUDIO KALLANG IS A SI...
Upholstery, Teak
$18,596 / item
Pyche's Chair by Roxane Lahidji
Located in Geneve, CH
Pyche's chair by Roxane Lahidji. Dimensions: D 100 x W 57 x H 90 cm. Materials: Marbled salt. Roxane Lahidji is a social designer specializing in ecological material development...
Marble
$4,523 / item
Chair After Storm by Touch With Eyes
Located in Geneve, CH
Chair After Storm by Touch With Eyes Dimensions: W 40 x D 50 x H 60 cm Materials: Wood, from pine tree, Oil and Wax. Weight: 40 Kg. The chair was made from pine tree that fell aft...
Wood
$8,041 / item
Silver Panda Chair by Melis Tatlicibasi
Located in Geneve, CH
Silver Panda Chair by Melis Tatlicibasi. Dimensions: W 40 x D 50 x H 90 cm. Materials: Natural wood base painted, Upholstery. Natural wood base painted in Brass, Silver, Gold, or l...
Velvet, Wood, Upholstery
Postmodern German Kreuzschwinger Kitchen Barstool Till Behrens Meyer Stahlmöbel
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Till Behrens Kreuzschwinger kitchen stool or bar stool. Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the kitchen stool version. The further development of the cantilever chair. ...
Metal
$1,987 / item
Timber Stool Walnut by Onno Adriaanse
Located in Geneve, CH
Timber Stool Walnut by Onno Adriaanse Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 40 x W 29 x H 45 cm Materials: Walnut wood, silk-matte oil. Also available in Color: Indigo blue, purple-red, ...
Coating, Walnut
$4,683 / item
Ciro Bench by Murubi
Located in Geneve, CH
Ciro Bench by Murubi Dimensions: W 120 x D 50 x H 45.5 cm. Materials: Teak Wood- Natural; Cast Aluminium- Black powder coated; Cane- natural. Murubi is a contemporary design-drive...
Wood, Teak
Italian Postmodern Green Side Chair, Glazed Plywood, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern chair from Italy in a special color. The shells are made of green glazed molded plywood. The backrest features symmetrical perforations of triangular holes. It penetrates...
Metal
$10,554 / item
Buccina Polished Bronze Chair by Palena Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Buccina Polished Bronze Chair by Palena Studio Dimensions: W 60.96 x D 57.15 x H 86.36 x Seat H 44.45 cm Materials: Polished Bronze, Black Lacquer, Woven Leather Available in custom...
Bronze, Other
$7,287 / item
Snow Straight Sofa by Note Design Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Snow straight sofa by Note Design Studio Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 74 cm. Materials: upholstery. Prices may vary according to the fabric choice. Snow is a modular sofa concept created by Note Design Studio. Note is based in Stockholm where snow is abundant and changes drastically the landscape during a large portion of the year. Even the most brutalist building morph into blurry and puffy shapes. This contrast between a solid and steady structure anchored in the ground and the welcoming layer of soft snow on top is the inspiration for the Snow sofa. The snow system is composed of 2 elements – a straight module and a rounded 30° module – that can be combined to create an infinity of shapes. The sofa is complemented by low modules that can be used as ottomans or can be combined to create straight or curved padded benches...
Upholstery
Glenn Thinking Stool in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
Blurring the lines of art and purpose, the Glenn Thinking Stool is a tribute to the artistry and uniqueness of handcraftsmanship. Perfect as an accent for a living room, the Glenn ...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Paint, Hardwood
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting L Stool by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting L Stool by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 9 pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Coralla Maiuri + Giorgia Zanellato. Dimensions: D 48 x W 48 x H 69 cm. M...
Brass
Set of Four French Postmodern Dining Chairs in Elm and Black Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of four dining chairs, black fabric, solid elm, France, 1970s Beautiful set of four dining chairs made in France during the postmodern design period. The chairs feature clean li...
Fabric, Elm
$2,500 / set
1980s Postmodern Arc Chairs, a Pair
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful chairs in excellent condition. These would be lovely in a living room or bedroom. Chairs are in excellent condition but upholstery is original. No tears or stains.
Upholstery
$1,000 / 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
Thank Two Seater Sofa in Chromed Metal & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Thank Two Seater Sofa in Chromed Metal & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 73 x W 150 x H 67 cm. Materials: Metal, wood, and upholstery. Available in different finishes,...
Metal
$9,069 / item
Grey Cut Sofa by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey Cut Sofa by Kann Design Dimensions: D 80 x W 230 x H 72 cm. Materials: Solid wood, steel, wood veneer, HR foam, fabric upholstery Kvadrat Remix 126 (90% wool, 10% nylon). Availa...
Steel
Honey Up High Backrest Managerial Armchair with Headrest by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Honey Up High Backrest Managerial Armchair with Headrest by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 68 x W 68 x H 118 cm. Materials: Polypropylene, upholstery, and mesh. Available in different ...
Other
Postmodern Black Dr. Glob Accent Chair by Philippe Starck Kartell 80s (3 Avail)
Located in Basel, BS
Three available, Sold individually here. Designer: Phillipe Starck, in 1988 Manufacturer: Kartell Kartell Dr. Glob Modern Chair. The Dr. Glob chair was designed by the acclaimed designer Philippe Starck for Kartell in Italy. Fashioned from two different materials, Phillipe Starck's modern interpretation of a classic chair quickly attained icon status. Its unique design typifies the early design direction of Philippe Starck that made him world renowned. The chair can be used indoors as well outdoors, and is stackable up to ten chairs high for easy storage. A uniquely modern chair...
Metal
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
$10,554 / item
Ebonized Mahogany Stool by Michael Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Ebonized Mahogany Stool by Michael Wilson Dimensions: W 83.82 x D 39.37 x H 53.34 cm Materials: mahogany The Michael Wilson Studio was founded in the fall of 2000. The Japanese-Amer...
Other
$15,444 / item
XVII Sherman Lounge Chair by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
XVII Sherman lounge chair by Arturo Verástegui. Dimensions: D 82 x W 109 x H 81 cm. Materials: oak wood, leather. Lounge chair made of white oak or burnt finish white oak option...
Leather, Oak
$9,047 / set
Set of 2 Bar Stools by Studio Nicolas Erauw
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 bar stools by Studio Nicolas Erauw. Unique piece. Limited Edition 1 of 1. Dimensions: - H 70 cm x Ø 33 cm - H 70 cmx Ø 35 cm Materials: Aluminum, wax dipped Par...
Aluminum
$14,027 / item
Bold Sofa by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Bold Sofa by Mohdern Dimensions: W 268 x D 102 x H 76 cm Materials: Fabric, Bouclé Bold is a refined furniture collection designed and produced by the Mohdern brand. The series inc...
Fabric, Bouclé, Upholstery
$27,141 / item
Karl Sofa by Dennis Kaiser
Located in Geneve, CH
Karl Sofa by Dennis Kaiser Dimensions: D 110 x W 300 x H 70 cm. Materials: Linen, foam. Handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy. Customization is available on request. Please contact us. The...
Upholstery, Foam