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.
$12,500 / set
Michael Wolk “Tucker” Chairs, a pair
By Michael Wolk
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s - there is age-appropriate wear including minor scuffs, scratches, and discoloration. Both chairs read very well though
Leather
$3,093 / item
Meta Stool 3-Legged by Jaclyn Pappalardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Meta Stool 3-Legged by Jaclyn Pappalardo Dimensions: W 47 x D 36 x H 49 cm Materials: Pine wood, upholstery foam and bouclè wool fabric. Jaclyn is a designer and maker based in Lon...
Steel
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
4er Set Vitra Visavis Stühle Design Freischwinger Armlehnstuhl
By Vitra
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten vier von insgesamt zehn Vitra Visavis Stühlen zum Verkauf an. Bei den Stühlen handelt es sich um die begehrte Ausführung, bei der alle Teile s...
Steel
$1,007 / item
Lonna Bar Stool, Tall & Oak by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Lonna bar stool, tall & oak by made by choice (large) Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 74 cm Materials: oak Also available: ash, black, ultra yellow custom color, Lonna furniture serie...
Ash
1 of 20 Postmodern Memphis Era Thonet Vienna Stackable Signed Dining Chairs, 90s
By Thonet
Located in Zagreb, HR
Exceptionally rare and collectible, postmodern Memphis design original Thonet dining chairs. Sculptural and geometrically shaped. Sold per piece. Twenty pieces available. Produced...
Metal
$13,663 / item
Object 07 Green Seating by Volta
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 07 Green Seating by Volta One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 34,5 x W 120 x H 80 cm. Materials: Cork and ceramic. Also available in diffentent colors. Please contact us. MEÏ COLLE...
Ceramic, Cork
$3,351 / item
Study of Space Chair by Dechem Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Study of space chair by Dechem Studio. Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 75 cm. Materials: wood. Based on the Study of Space paintings the simple wooden ch...
Wood
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
Cassina 'Soriana' Four Seater Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa in Bouclé, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Antwerp, BE
Afra and Tobia Scarpa, soriana, Cassina, Italy 1970s, bouclé wool Manufactured by Cassina in the 1970s, the Soriana collection was meant to express beauty and comfort by using a w...
Chrome
$6,351 / item
Trasnfera Bench by Alina Rotzinger
Located in Geneve, CH
Trasnfera bench by Alina Rotzinger Materials: Phenolic birch plywood treated and lacquered with epoxy resin, epoxy resin spheres, steel metal base lacquered with epoxy resin. Dimen...
Steel
$4,019 / item
Oak and Walnut Gióng Rocking Chair by ONON DETAILS
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak and Walnut Gióng Rocking Chair by ONON DETAILS Dimensions: W 48 x D 104 x H 59 cm. Materials: Oak, Walnut. ONON Details furnitures are chosen by famous design brand, domestic a...
Oak, Walnut
$3,867 / item
Gaia Mini Stool by KV Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Gaia Mini Stool by KV Design Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 30 cm. Materials: Walnut, Stainless Steel. Finish: oil Limited Edition of 8. KV Design is a team of professionals, and we be...
Stainless Steel
$5,697 / item
Casbah Brass Chair White by Nomade Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Casbah brass chair black by Nomade Atelier Dimensions: D94 x W 75 x H107 cm Material: Brass, leather. Available in black or White leather. For others finishes, The Casbah chair...
Brass
RM58 Soft Step ST-11 Fabric Seat And Powder-Coated Black Steel Armchair by VZOR
Located in Geneve, CH
RM58 Soft Step ST-11 Fabric Seat And Powder-Coated Black Steel Armchair by VZOR Dimensions: D 67 x W 67 x H 71 cm. SH: 38 cm. Materials: Step ST-11 upholstered polyurethane foam seat...
Steel, Other
$2,371 / item
Brass Sculptural Log Stool - Large Size by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass Sculptural Log Stool - Large Size by Misaya Dimensions: W38 x D34 x H33.5 cm Materials: Brass Also Available: Different colors (Gold, Polished Brass. Black, Painted Brass) and...
Brass
Jules Heumann Sofa for Metropolitan Furniture
By Metropolitan, Jules Heumann
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sofa by California native Jules Heumann for the San Francisco based company, Metropolitan Furniture, c.1970's. The sofa features a lacquered white frame and newly upholstered cushion...
Mohair, Upholstery
Éclat-Nightfall Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Éclat-Nightfall Rope, Luminesce Fabric And Aluminum Two-Seater Sofa by SNOC Dimensions: D 93,5 x W 190 x H 67 cm. SH: 39 cm. Materials: Aluminium, rope, and Luminesce fabric. Antho...
Aluminum
Limited Edition NullEins Stool in Black Marble by Justus Knut Schomann
Located in Geneve, CH
Limited Edition NullEins Stool in Black Marble by Justus Knut Schomann Limited Edition of 25 + 2AP. Dimensions: D 44 x W 45 x H 44 cm. Materials: ...
Marble
$2,085 / 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
$2,402 / item
Kolho Natural Black Dining Chair by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Kolho natural black 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...
Birch, Plywood
Set of 8 dining chairs by Rob & Dries van den Berghe, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Elegant, sculptural high back dining chairs by Vanden Berghe Pauvers. The chairs are in overal good condition 1980s - Belgium Dimensions: Height: 108cm/42.51" Seat height: 46cm/18...
Wood
$9,281 / item
Cold Bent Chair by Nick Pourfard
Located in Geneve, CH
Cold bent chair by Nick Pourfard Dimensions: D 61 x W 41 x H 102 cm. Materials: wood. Different finishes available. Wood is bent without steam or l...
Wood
Auguste Piece 06 White Onyx Limited Edition Stool by Tristan Montabord-Marc
Located in Geneve, CH
Auguste Piece 06 White Onyx Limited Edition Stool by Tristan Montabord-Marc Limited Edition Of 12 Pieces Dimensions: D 43,5 x W 52,5 x H 46 cm. Materials: Onyx. Also available in Z...
Onyx
Post-Modern Italian Two Seat Sofa in Wood and Creme Colored Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, beech, fabric, Italy, 1970s This two-seat sofa dates from Italy in the 1970s and is designed in the style of Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The design is defined by clear proportions ...
Fabric, Beech
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Dining Chair by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Caleo-Natural Teak Wood Frame, Rope And Ethereal Fabric Dining Chair by SNOC Dimensions: D 66 x W 62 x H 76 cm. SH: 48 cm. Materials: Teak wood, rope, and Ethereal fabric. The Cale...
Fabric, Rope, Teak
Vintage Space Age Postmodern Omkstack Chair by Rodney Kinsman, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Stacking chair by the Italian manufacturer Bieffeplast, designed by Rodney Kinsman from the 70s. The chair is made of a finely executed, chromed frame with seat and back in painted ...
Metal
Colourful postmodern armchair, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Unique postmodern coloured wooden armchair in the style of gerrit Rietveld. This chair has an unknown provenance but thanks to the coloured wooden panels and the great design, it r...
Wood
$1,230 / item
Flow Low Aureo Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO
Located in Geneve, CH
Flow Low Aureo Stool by GIROTTI ENRICO Dimensions: W 41 x D 37 x H 50 cm Materials: Steel, Upholstery. Weight: 4 Kg. Enrico Girotti is an industrial designer who has found in the w...
Steel
Hub Two-Seater Sofa in Stainless Steel & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Hub Two-Seater Sofa in Stainless Steel & Upholstery by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 70 x W 140 x H 68 cm. Materials: Stainless steel, wood, and upholstery. Available in different fin...
Stainless Steel
Trigon Chair in Dark Brown European Oak by Mokko Amsterdam
Located in Geneve, CH
Trigon Chair in Dark Brown European Oak by Mokko Amsterdam Dimensions: D 45 x W 73,5 x H 119,5 cm. Materials: European oak. Available in different material options. Designed by Aad...
Oak
Lay Down Chaise Longue in Pele de Tigre Marble by MANTA Handmade Stone Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Lay Down Chaise Longue in Pele de Tigre Marble by MANTA Handmade Stone Design Limited Edition of 5 Pieces. Dimensions: D 70 x W 160 x H 120 cm. Materials: Pele de Tigre marble. MAN...
Marble
Postmodern German Kreuzschwinger Kitchen Barstool by Till Behrens, 1980s
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Original Till Behrens Kreuzschwinger Kitchen stools or bar stools in a rare version with a matt surface. Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the Bar stool version. The f...
Metal
$28,358 / item
Water Splash Chaise Longue by Dainte
Located in Geneve, CH
Water Splash Chaise Longue by Dainte Dimensions: D 152.5 x W 124.5 x H 119.5 cm. Materials: Crystal. Chic, one of a kind design made from acrylic crystal with our signature embedded...
Crystal
$32,225 / item
Lazarim Bench by Andre Teoman Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Lazarim Bench by Andre Teoman Studio Dimensions: W 110 x D 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Bronze, Rafia Introducing the Lazarim Collection, a tribute to one of Portugal's most traditional ...
Bronze
$1,688 / item
Tiffany Bouelle Left O2 Armchair by Babel Brune
Located in Geneve, CH
Tiffany Bouelle Left O2 armchair by Babel Brune Dimensions: D 63 x W 54 x H 67 cm, Seat H 35 cm. Material: Suede velvet 380g / m², steel. This spe...
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
$34,171 / 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
$13,335 / 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
$34,030 / item
Baba Easy Chair by Gisbert Pöppler
Located in Geneve, CH
Baba easy chair by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: H 74 (SH43) x W 115 x D 93 cm Materials: Upholstered wooden frame, teak footings Like a friend that wants to cuddle, Baba is an upholstered easy chair for lounging in complete comfort. The asymmetrical form caters to a playful choice of sitting positions from formal to downright lounging while confidently inhabiting its environment and providing cozy sophistication. The low seating height and fluffy padded body make you want to sink into this chair and relish the moment. All of their upholstery pieces are COM prices. The prices do not include any fabric. Gisbert Pöppler studied architecture at California College of Arts and Crafts, San Francisco and Technische Universität, Berlin, graduating in 1996 with a Diplom Ingenieur. After completing his studies he spent several years working for various firms in Berlin, developing new architecture after the German re-unification. In 1999 Gisbert Pöppler founded Prinz–Pöppler, a partnership with architect Ilona Prinz – together creating office environments for start-up organizations filling the dynamic Berlin landscape...
Upholstery, Teak
$6,117 / item
Unique Stranded Armchair Puffa m4 by Kint
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Armchair Puffa m4 by Kint Designed by Rostyslav Sorokovy Dimensions: 1050 W x 850 D x 730 H cm Materials:Plywood, Foam, Natural Wool, Softness - medium Available in Beige, ...
Plywood
$1,441 / item
Puffy Stool L by Phormy
Located in Geneve, CH
PUFFY stool L by Phormy Dimensions: D 44 x W 110 x H 44 cm. Materials: Upholstery, powder coated steel base. Different materials and sizes available. PUFFY is softness and lightness dressed up in ten intriguing modules. Its usage is very wide. It will turn out great as a hallway seat...
Steel
$1,183 / item
Na Pali Stool by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Na Pali Stool by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 45 x W 45 x H 43 cm. Materials: Wooden base, walnut veneer, InsidherLand Bright Velvet Ref. Sand fabric. 10 k...
Upholstery, Wood
$2,109 / item
Tribal Lounge Chair by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Tribal Lounge Chair by DAaZ Dimensions: D 83 x W 60 x H 64 cm. Materials: Metal, lamb skin. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and...
Metal
Set of 8 Liberty Postmodern Black Lacquered High Dining Chairs with Knoll Fabric
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A set of 8 Liberty Furniture high back dining chairs. This lovely set of dining chairs feature a unique 80s postmodern design, with a wooden construction and a black lacquered finish...
Fabric, Lacquer
$2,285 / item
Sweet Fuchsia Low Lita Chair by OTTO Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Low Lita Chair by OTTO Studio Designed by Paola Navone. Dimensions: D 80 x W 78 x H 70 cm. Seat Height: 36 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 13 kg. Available in dif...
Other
Modernist Pair of Diago Chairs Designed by Edoardo Landi for Nikol, Italy 70s
Located in Lucija, SI
Pair of high back tripod dining chairs odel Diago Design by Edoardo Landi Produced by Nikol Internazionale
Wood
$2,578 / item
La Curva Chair by Jaclyn Pappalardo
Located in Geneve, CH
La Curva Chair by Jaclyn Pappalardo Dimensions: W 40 x D 47 x H 88.5 cm Materials: Douglas Fir. Jaclyn is a designer and maker based in London. Her background in set design informs her creative work as a designer. Colour and texture play an important role in developing each and every project. With a particular interest in the use of seating, Jaclyn looks at chairs not only as a functional object but rather as a study of body, shape and language. Her work incorporates unconventional design techniques that stretch far from traditional craftsmanship. Exploring new techniques and material driven processes such as metal forming and non-traditional upholstery, she builds on similar profiles and repetitive patterns in the aim of creating something timeless. Jaclyn’s work has been published in Arcipelago, Modern House, Dezeen, Vogue and Luncheon magazine. Represented by The Radford Gallery & Fels World gallery in London UK. Caselli 11-12 Gallery in Milan IT...
Fir
$10,640 / item
Lust Day Bed by Memoir Essence
Located in Geneve, CH
Lust Day Bed by Memoir Essence Dimensions: D 80 x W 210 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polished brass and velvet fabric MRG 956. Upholstered in sumptuous fabric this daybed stands for its ha...
Brass
$872Sale Price|82% Off
G Plan New Seasons DiningChairs in White Ash, 1980s
Located in London, GB
Very rare 1980s G Plan New Seasons dining chairs. In white ash and green leatherette. This is an incredibly rare piece of G Plan history, a range of very bold postmodern furniture...
Faux Leather, Ash
Antonio Citterio " Klismos " lounge leather chair . Compagnia delle Filippine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing design by the well known Italian Artis/designer Antonio Citterio . This is part of the Series Compagnia Delle Filippine . This chair is out of production , and it ...
Leather
$1,300 / item
Mocca and Black Trifolium Chair by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Mocca and black trifolium chair by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 69 x W 78 x H 86 cm Materials: Leather, Textile, Stainless Steel Also Available: Different leather colors and other fram...
Stainless Steel
White ARCH 2 Seater Sofa in Oak and Moonlight Sheepskin by Mazo Design
Located in Geneve, CH
White ARCH 2 Seater Sofa in Oak and Moonlight Sheepskin by Mazo Design Dimensions: W 128 x D 79 x H 76 cm Materials: Oak, Sheepskin Also Available: 2 Seater Configuration, ROMO/Linar...
Other
Twin Armchair in Black Ash Wood & Elmosoft Leather Upholstery Seat by Leo Aerts
Located in Geneve, CH
Twin Armchair in Black Ash Wood & Elmosoft Leather Upholstery Seat Designed by Leo Aerts. Dimensions: D 53 x W 52 x H 73 cm. Materials: Ash wood and leather. Armchair in wood, f...
Leather, Ash
$5,285 / item
Embrace Gentle 113 Armchair by Royal Stranger
Located in Geneve, CH
Embrace gentle 113 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
Heavy Metal Bench by Kris Lamba Studio, Bronze & Upholstered Seat, UK
Located in Geneve, CH
Heavy Metal Bench by Kris Lamba Studio Dimensions: W 193 x D 95 x H 48 cm Materials: Bronze, upholstered seat. Weight: 100 Kg. Kris Lamba was born in London in 1984. He creates larg...
Bronze
Pair of Steel Italian Memphis Architectural Chairs Attributed to Mario Botta
By Mario Botta
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of steel Italian Memphis architectural chairs attributed to Mario Botta. Extreme design with special attention to detail and craftsmanship. Leather seats and Backs. No labels on...
Steel
$15,468 / item
Panchina Camel Antique Bench by Yukiko Nagai
Located in Geneve, CH
Panchina camel Antique bench by Yukiko Nagai Dimensions: D55 x W152 x H85 cm Material: Iron, Marble, Natural stone, Cement, Stucco Weight: 60 kg An old vintage bench...
Stone, Cement, Marble, Iron
$867 / item
Object 080 Chair by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 080 Chair by NG Design Dimensions: W 43 x D 51 x H 72 cm Materials: Bouclé Fabric, Powder-Coated Steel Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and col...
Steel
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