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.
$2,092 / item
Object 04 Beige Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 04 beige seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 90 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï c...
Velvet, Cork
$9,867 / item
Stella Sofa by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Stella Sofa by Domkapa Materials: Velvet (Aldan 2928), walnut stained ash. Dimensions: W 293 x D 157 x H 84 cm. Also available in different materials. Please contact us. with 3 pillows included in the same fabric as the structure(50x50 cm) An exclusive design for the most unique decorations! Stella sofa is a curvilinear sofa...
Velvet, Ash
$11,805 / 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
$1,046 / item
Sumo Bouclé Wool and Leather Pouf by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Sumo Bouclé Wool and Leather Pouf by Morica Design Dimensions: D 88 x W 88 x H 46 cm. Materials: Cipria bouclé wool, Anthracite leather. Available in different wool options. Please ...
Upholstery, Leather
$1,450 / item
Cognac September Chair by Ox Denmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Cognac september chair by Ox Denmarq Dimensions: D 71 x W 71 x H 70 cm Materials: bull leather, black powder coated steel Also available: different ...
Stainless Steel
Fernando Chair Closed Sides in Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Fernando Chair Closed Sides in Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 8 + 4AP. Dimensions: D 75 x W 85 x H 79 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless st...
Stainless Steel
Hex Chair Corten in Welded Steel & Mirror-Polish Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Hex Chair Corten in Welded Steel & Mirror-Polish Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 50 + 10 AP. Dimensions: D 50 x W 45 x H 78 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainle...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Limited Edition SSS01B Black Stool in MDF with Resin Coating by sashaxsasha
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition SSS01B Black Stool in MDF with Resin Coating by sashaxsasha Limited Edition of 8 + 2 A.P Dimensions: D 30 x W 35 x H 40 cm. Materials: MDF and resin. sashaxsasha is...
Other
$3,495 / item
Xaloc Burgundy Armchair by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Xaloc Burgundy Amchair by MOWEE Dimensions: D 100 x W 102 x H 81 cm (Seat Height 42 cm) Material: Aluminum, Upholstery Weight: 29 kg Also available in different colours and finis...
Aluminum
Caleo-Natural Teak, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Dining Chair With Armrests by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Natural Teak, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Dining Chair With Armrests by SNOC Dimensions: D 66 x W 62 x H 76 cm. SH: 48 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The C...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
$2,960 / item
Imaginary Object Stool by Joana Teixeira
Located in Geneve, CH
Imaginary Object Stool by Joana Teixeira Limited Edition Dimensions: D 28 x W 35 x H 47 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Joana Teixeira was born in Oporto and graduated in industria...
Stainless Steel
$2,615 / item
Object 048 Armchair by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 048 armchair by NG Design Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 78 cm Materials: Boucle upholstery, solid oak Also available: All ...
Upholstery, Oak
$6,835 / item
Le Sourire Series Chair by hm-LI Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Le Sourire Series Chair by hm-LI Studio Dimensions: W 52.1 x D 49.4 x H 63 cm Materials: Cherry Solid Wood. Le Sourire Series reimagines solid wood furniture with a refined two-pi...
Cherry
$7,691 / item
Fried Egg Sofa Dark Ochre by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Fried egg sofa dark ochre 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 f...
Upholstery, Teak
$4,315 / item
Pigalle 3 Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Pigalle 3 Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: W 232 x D 81 x H 70 cm. Materials: Acrylic Rope, Aluminium. Pigalle Collection highlights the feeling of lightness and solidity with its ...
Aluminum
Postmodern Minimalist Design Dining Chair set, Italy 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Postmodern Italian Design Dining Chair set of 4. Made in Italy, 1980's period. Black metal base with chrome backrest and black fabric seat. These chairs have one leg, which also form...
Steel, Chrome
$5,754 / item
White Layered Oak Wood Stool I by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
White layered oak wood stool I by Hyungshin Hwang. Dimensions: D 33 x W 54 x H 69 cm. Materials: oxidized red oak. Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang,...
Oak
B1065 Bench in Pointed Maple & Padouk Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
B1065 Bench in Pointed Maple & Padouk Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 37 x W 154 x H 38 cm. Materials: Maple and padouk. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries...
Maple, Padouk
$5,100 / item
Metate Stainles Steel Stool by David Del Valle
Located in Geneve, CH
Metate Stainles Steel Stool by David Del Valle Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. Available in polished or brushed finish...
Stainless Steel
Sunshine Mariposa Outdoor Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Sunshine Mariposa Outdoor Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 86 x W 87 x H 92 cm. Materials: Upholstery and metal. Finish: Oyster upholstery and black frame. Weight: 12 kg. ...
Metal
$13,087 / item
Ever Bench by Kreoo
Located in Geneve, CH
Ever Bench by Kreoo Designed by Christophe Pillet Dimensions: D 45 x W 190 x H 43 cm. Materials: Travertino Paglierino and leather. Available in different marble and travertine opt...
Travertine
$2,116 / item
Mocca Stitch Chair by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Mocca Stitch chair by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 82 x W 93 x H 77 cm Materials: Leather, Stainless Steel Also Available: Different leather colors available. OX DENMARQ is a Danish...
Stainless Steel
$1,200 / 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
$1,402 / item
Timber Stool Uncolored Wood by Onno Adriaanse
Located in Geneve, CH
Timber stool uncolored wood by Onno Adriaanse Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 40x W 29 x H 45 cm Materials: Stained pine wood, clear satin coating A...
Pine, Coating
Postmodern German Kreuzschwinger Barstool by Till Behrens, 1980s
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the Bar stool version. The further development of the cantilever chair. The stools are made entirely of steel rods, which have been m...
Metal
$1,616 / item
Black Pier Bar Stool by Resident
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Pier Bar Stool by Resident Dimensions: W 46 x D 42.8 x H 107 cm Materials: Solid Oak. Weight: 8.2 Kg. About: Founded by Simon James & Scott Bridgens in 2011, Resident is the ...
Leather, Oak
$36,723 / item
Stag Bench in Welded 316 Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Stag Bench in Welded 316 Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 3 + 2AP. Dimensions: D 146 x W 295 x H 122 cm. Materials: Welded stainless steel. Julian Mayor is a Brit...
Stainless Steel
$16,418 / item
Fabric and Leather Brooklyn Armchair by Amura Lab
Located in Geneve, CH
Fabric and Leather Brooklyn Armchair by Amura Lab Dimensions: W 98 x D 95 x H 80 cm Materials: STRUCTURE: Moulded polyurethane foam with metal support, covered with cuoio, leather or...
Metal
Contemporary Art Armchair Elica L / R Black Leather by Paolo Portoghesi
Located in Pistoia, IT
Elica is another of Portoghesi’s limpid creations, defined by his poetics of the perceptive, dynamic fields of the directional lines. His poetics are, in turn, defined by various inf...
Bronze
$3,875 / item
MG103 Bench, Leather, by Malte Gormsen
Located in Geneve, CH
MG103 Bench, Leather, by Malte Gormsen Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 46 cm. Materials: Grey Nature oak, blackened metal, leather. Available in Nature, Raw Nature, Light Nature, Grey N...
Metal
$1,307 / item
Pumpkin Orange Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Atlas Bench by Giorgio Biscaro Dimensions: D 46 x W 115 x H 42 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 8 kg. Available in different color opti...
Other
Set of Postmodern AC2 Swivel Leather Armchairs by Antonio Cittero for Vitra 90s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Four AC2 swivel chairs by Vitra, designed by Antonio Citterio in the late 1980s. Shown here in the higher-quality version in gray leather. A design classic from the Vitra collection...
Metal
$1,176 / item
Onigiri Wool and Oak Pouf by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Onigiri Pouf by Morica Design Dimensions: D 40 x W 52 x H 43 cm. Materials: Oak, Caramello bouclé wool, Cognac leather. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Laguna Oak, or Oak wood. Pleas...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,853 / item
Becomes Me Counter Stool by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Becomes Me Counter Stool by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 53 x H 95 cm. SH: 70 cm. Materials: Solid wood, foam, brass, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Midnight B...
Brass
Ottoman in Multicolored Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ottoman or footrest, steel, fabric, Europe, 1970s This comfortable ottoman is made in Europe in the 1970s. The colorful velvet upholstery catches the ...
Metal
Dark Gray Curved Concrete Minimalist Circle Bench By Pol Quadens
Located in Geneve, CH
Circle Bench by Pol Quadens Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 300 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. Pol Quadens was born in Brussels. His ...
Stainless Steel
$37,805 / set
Set of 4 White Helmut Armchairs by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 4 white helmut armchairs by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 72 x W 76 x H 70 cm Materials: walnut wood, leather. Armchair made of solid holm walnut, leather. Arturo Ve...
Leather, Walnut
Mario Bellini Taupe “Le Bambole” Two-Seater Sofa for B&B Italia, 1976
Located in Vicenza, IT
“Bibambola” sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia. Original vintage version from 1976, recently reupholstered by the previous owner with a light grey fabric. This comfortab...
Cotton, Foam
Pierre Chapo “S28” Dining Chairs for Atelier Pierre Chapo, 1972, Set of 6
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Pierre Chapo “S28” dining chairs for Atelier Pierre Chapo, elm, France, 1972, set of six. The "S28" dining chairs, designed by Pierre Chapo in 1972, represent a clear transition fro...
Elm
$6,954 / item
Snow Sofa by Note Design Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Snow sofa straight by Note Design Studio Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 74 cm. Materials: upholstery. This modular sofa is composed of: 1 x Module 01 : straight 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
$2,092 / item
Object 02 Violet Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 02 Violet Seating by Volta Dimensions: D 45 x W 40 x H 95 cm Materials: Cork and Velvet Also available in diffentent colours. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLECTION The Meï ...
Velvet, Cork
Alberto Salvati & Ambrogio Tresoldi for Saporiti Set of Ten 'Dania' Chairs
By Saporiti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Alberto Salvati e Ambrogio Tresoldi for Saporiti, set of ten 'Dania' swivel chairs, fabric, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1980s These swivel chairs are designed by designer duo Albert...
Steel, Chrome
Unique Tusk Style Chairs with New Sheepskin and Fabric Upholstery
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very Unique pair of Accent chairs Featuring Tusk-Like arms of solid wood Newly upholstered in mushroom tone sheepskin & soft velvety neutral to...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Wood
Set of 6 Dining Chairs made in the USA by Casa Stradivari.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the Set of 6 Dining Chairs made in the USA by Casa Stradivari, the epitome of elegance and sophistication for your dining space. Crafted with utmost precision, these cha...
Naugahyde, Wood
$3,863 / 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
$1,771 / item
Macaron High Stool by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Macaron High Stool by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 45 cm. Materials: Cork, foam. Toni Grilo delivers a gourmet piece, all in curves. Macaron stool brown cork evokes ...
Foam, Cork
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
$2,437 / item
Kolho Natural Dining Chair by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Kolho natural dining chair by Made By Choice with Matthew Day Jackson Kolho Collection Dimensions: 54 x 54 x 77 cm Materials: Oak ( Oak veneered plywood natural oak, stained black...
Birch, Plywood
Luigi Vaghi Dining Chairs for Former, Black Leather, 1968, Set of 8
By Vaghi
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Luigi Vaghi Dining Chairs for Former, Italy, 1968, Set of 8. Luigi Vaghi designed these sculptural dining chairs in 1968 for Former. The style is typical of the age, visible in othe...
Leather, Birch
$1,438 / item
Foot Stool in Natural by Project 213A
Located in Geneve, CH
Foot stool in Natural by Project 213A Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 26.5 cm Materials: Oak wood. This playful design is inspired by a classic milking stool, and has a fun twist w...
Oak
$5,361 / 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
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
Sweet Fuchsia Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Cubo Pouf Stool by SLIDE Studio Dimensions: D 43 x W 43 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 4 kg. Available in different color options. This product is suitab...
Other
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting H Stool by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Original Printed Velvet Awaiting H Stool by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 9 pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Coralla Maiuri + Giorgia Zanellato. Dimensions: D 40 x W 65 x H 60 cm. M...
Brass
$4,040 / set
Postmodern Dining chairs, Allmilmö
Located in Neuss, NW
Postmodern dining chairs manufactured by Allmilmö in the 1980s. White lacquered stainless steel frame with a seat made of ash plywood lacquered in white. The offer includes 4 chairs....
Stainless Steel
$12,090 / item
Odette Oak Club Chair by Fred and Juul
Located in Geneve, CH
Odette Oak Club Chair by Fred and Juul Dimensions: D 63 x W 66 x H 57 cm. Materials: Oak and wool. Available in different oak finishes and wool colors. ...
Oak, Wool
Lime Green Ponente Sun Lounger by Martinelli Venezia Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Lime Green Ponente Sun Lounger by Martinelli Venezia Studio Dimensions: D 68 x W 200 x H 34 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in different color options. This pr...
Other
$12,459 / item
Fringes 280 Sofa by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 280 Sofa by Munna Dimensions: D 100 x W 280 x H 91 cm. SH: 47 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Cotton Velvet upholstery and fringes. Available in all Munna...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
Original Moroso armchair leather red Patricia Urquiola swivel II
Located in Berlin, DE
We are offering a beautiful red swivel chair/armchair from Moroso for sale. The design is by Patricia Urquiola and is characterized by its unique shap...
Leather
$3,721 / item
Louise Bar Chair by Domkapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Louise Bar Chair by Domkapa Materials: Fiber, Natural Ash, Steel. Dimensions: W 51 x D 50 x H 98 cm. Also available in different materials. Please contact us. Designed to mak...
Steel