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.
Grassi&Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzoni Set of Eight 'Pasqualina' Dining Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Grassi&Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzoni, set of eight 'Pascqualina' dining chairs, leather, steel, Italy, 1980s The Pasqualina armchair, designed by Grassi & Bianchi for Enrico...
Steel
Large-Scaled Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois Modular 'Mah Jong' Sofa in Wool
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 'Mah Jong' modular sofa, wool, France, designed in 1971 The Mah Jong sofa, designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois in 1971, is one of the most recogni...
Wool
Gionathan de Pas, Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi 'Joe' Lounge Chair in Leather
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gionathan de Pas, Donato D'Urbino and Paolo Lomazzi for Poltronova, 'Joe' glove lounge chair, cognac leather, brass-plated steel, Italy, 1970 This extraordinary chair, named the ‘Jo...
Brass, Steel
Wiener Werkstätten 1970s Modular Organic Sofa in Colorful Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wiener Werkstätten, modular sofa, fabric, plastic, Austria, 1970s This modular sofa by Wiener Werkstätten captures something of the freedom and optimism of the 1970s. Its low, gener...
Fabric, Plastic
Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' Sectional Sofa
By Hans Hopfer
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' modular sofa, fabric, plastic, Austria, design 1972 Stunning modular sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Neue Wiener Werkstätte. This s...
Fabric, Plastic
Early Large-Scaled Modular 'Trio' Sofa in Brown Plush Fabric by COR
By Team Form AG, Cor Rheda Wiedenbrück
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Team Form AG (Franz Hero and Karl Odermatt) for COR, 'Trio' sectional sofa, fabric, Germany, design 1973 Designed in 1973 by Swiss designers Franz Hero and Karl Odermatt of Team Fo...
Fabric
Maison Regain Set of Eight Dining Chairs in Solid Elm, Patinated Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain, set of eight dining chairs, cognac leather, solid elm, France, 1970s A set of eight Maison Regain dining chairs, designed in France during the 1970s, exemplifying the...
Leather, Elm
Italian Set of Eight Dining Chairs With Wavy Backrests in Saddle Leather, Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of eight bicolor dining chairs, saddle leather in brown and red-brown colors, walnut, Italy, 1970s These playful and well-proportioned dining chairs were made in Italy during th...
Leather, Walnut
IPE Cavalli Italian Pair of Lounge Chairs in Colorful Striped Fabric
By Ipe Cavalli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
IPE Cavalli, pair of lounge chairs, fabric, steel, Italy, 1970s Exceptional lounge chairs by IPE Cavalli, crafted in Italy during the 1970s. With their bold presence and generous pr...
Steel
Howard Keith 'Cloud' Sofa Upholstered in Blue Velvet
By Howard Keith
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Howard Keith for HK Furniture, 'Cloud' sofa, velvet, United Kingdom, 1970s Stunning Howard Keith “Cloud” sofa featuring a sculptural organic form. ...
Velvet
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Six 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six 'Cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs in luxurious reddish brown leather ...
Leather, Plastic
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ueli Berger, Eleonora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, 'Snake' sectional sofa, model 'DS-600', leather, Switzerland, 1970 Designed by Ueli Berger, Eleonora Ped...
Leather
Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti Confidential Corner Sofa in Burgundy Leather
By Saporiti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Alberto Rosselli for Saporiti, sectional sofa, model 'Confidential', leather, Italy, 1972 In 1972, Italian architect and furniture designer Alberto Rosselli designed a distinctive s...
Leather
Rare Large-Scale De Sede DS 11 Modular Sofa Consisting of Sixteen Elements
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, modular 'DS-11' sofa, leather, beech, Switzerland, 1970s Monumental DS-11 modular sofa by De Sede, produced in Switzerland during the 1970s. This exceptionally large compos...
Leather, Beech
Chainmail Sculptural Chair, Nickel Plated Steel Finish, Hand Linked Mesh
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Chainmail Chair reinterprets William Katavolos' 1952 T-chair, incorporating a medieval-modern aesthetic that merges ancient craftsmanship with contemporary design. The seat is fo...
Steel
1970s Italian Modular Sofa in Brown and Beige Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa, fabric, Italy, 1970s This charming Italian sofa is made in a characteristic patterned upholstery in brown and beige tones with cord like stitching along the backrests...
Fabric
A POSTMODERN "DR GLOB" chair, by PHILIPPE STARCK, KARTELL, Italy 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
An iconic "Dr Glob" postmodern chair, silver lacquered metal tube structure and stylized plastic seating area, by Philippe Starck, produced by Kartell, Italy 1980. Kartell signature ...
Metal
Mario Bellini Set of Four 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Patinated Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of four armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, plastic, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was th...
Leather, Plastic
Ibisco Italian Pair of Stools in Green Saddle Leather and Black Lacquered Wood
By Ibisco Sedie
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ibisco Sedie, pair of stools, saddle leather, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s This design perfectly embodies the postmodern spirit of the 1970s. Thick green saddle leather envelops th...
Leather, Wood
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois Croissant Sofa with Lounge Chair Off-White Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, sofa with lounge chair reupholstered fabric, France, late 1970s The Croissant sofa with lounge chair, designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, epito...
Fabric
Italian Post-Modern Set of Six Dining Chairs in Walnut Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, walnut, Italy, 1980s A striking example of Italian design from the 1980s, these walnut chairs embody a refined balance between sculptural form and everyday...
Walnut
Post-Modern Chaise Longue By Weiman
By Weiman, Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin, Directional
Located in Houston, TX
Post-Modern Chaise Longue By Weiman. This stunning postmodern chaise made by Weiman and was inspired by the designs of cloud series. Great size that could be used as a sofa, chaise ...
Bouclé, Wood
Dutch Post-Modern Camel Leather High Back Lounge Chair, 1990s
By Leolux, Jane Worthington
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Post-Modern lounge chair from the 1990s, fully upholstered in camel leather. The high, contoured back tapers toward the seat and broadens at the crown, giving the chair a sculp...
Leather
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscape in Red Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa, leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofa in red brown leather by the Swiss manufacturer De Sede. The design for...
Leather
Memphis Red Rolling "Synthesis" Olivetti Chair by Ettore Sottsass, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Post-Modern, Memphis cherry red "Synthesis" office chair. Designed by internationally acclaimed designer Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, the company where Sottsass began his de...
Plastic
Post-Modern Italian Bar Unit with Cabinets and Bar Stools
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar unit, chrome, metal, glass, mirror, fabric, wood, Italy, 1970s This Italian bar from the 1970s combines several materials typical of the period, including chrome, metal, wood, g...
Metal, Chrome
Post-Modern Set of Six Italian Ash Wood Dining Chairs in Cognac Faux Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, ash, faux leather, Italy, 1970s A set of six Italian dining chairs from the 1970s, crafted in ash wood and upholstered in rich cognac faux leather. Defined by their e...
Faux Leather, Ash
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ueli Berger, Eleonora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, 'Snake' sectional sofa, model 'DS-600', leather, Switzerland, 1970s Designed by Ueli Berger, Eleonora Pe...
Leather
Fler 'Idler' Lounge Chairs with Ottoman in Teddy Mohair by Pierre Frey
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Fler for Furniture Makers of Australia, living room set - lounge chairs with ottoman, model 'The Idler', "Teddy Mohair" Aubergine by Pierre Frey, Australia, wood, design 1969 This s...
Mohair, Wood
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate 'Down' Sectional Sofa
By Rossi di Albizzate, Carlo Bartoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, sectional sofa model 'Down', fabric, lacquered wood, Italy, 1973 This design truly resembles the ethos of the seventies – a bright and bold era...
Fabric, Wood
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' Curved Sofa in Turquoise Upholstery
By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti, Mauro Lipparini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' sofa, fabric, lacquered wood, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1980s A truly wonderful piece that breathes the elegance of Italian Post-Modern desig...
Steel, Chrome
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Reddish-Brown Patinated Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘Snake’ DS-600 sectional sofa, leather, felt, Switzerland, 1972. A design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland. This D...
Leather, Felt
Rare Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Pair of Model 261 lounge chairs
By Knoll, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Round Rock, TX
Pair of Rare Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Model 261 lounge chairs c. 1970s Originally designed in the early 1930s, later refined by Mies in 1967 for executive interiors and introduce...
Leather, Oak
Pair of Italian Architectural Armchairs in Cypress Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of dining chairs, cypress wood, Italy, 1970s These armchairs embrace an impressive architectural design with rounded contours and substantial lines. While it draws inspiration ...
Cypress
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'Lira e Liuto' Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs, cognac leather, Italy, 1989 This set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs has beautiful cognac colored leather tha...
Leather
Italian Bulky Low-Slung Lounge Chair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Avilla, lounge chair, fabric, beech, Italy, 1980s This bulky, low-slung lounge chair captures the relaxed confidence of Italian design in the 1980s. Rather than appearing light, rat...
Fabric, Beech
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscapes in Rich Beige Leather
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa elements, leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofas in leather by the Swiss manufacturer De Sede. The design for...
Leather
Italian Organic Sofa in Khaki Green Velvet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, velvet, plastic, Italy, 1970s Eccentric sofa of Italian origin. The design reminds of the anatomy of the flower with its inward-facing tufted lines and a stuffed middle sectio...
Velvet, Plastic
Pair of "Colefax" Swivel Lounge Chairs & Ottoman Made in the USA by Pearson
By Pearson Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant and exceptionally comfortable pair of vintage swivel lounge chairs with matching ottoman, manufactured by Pearson Furniture in High Point, North Carolina, circa 1980s. The...
Fabric, Wood
Italian Sofa in Cognac Leather and Aluminum
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, aluminum, leather, Italy 1970s Comfortable sofa made in the 1970s. This sofa strongly represent the essence of furniture design of the 1970s, going beyond the strict conventio...
Aluminum
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Pair of 'Artona' Sofas in Walnut
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, pair of 'Artona' sofas, walnut, beige-sand fabric, Italy, 1975/1979 Cubic ‘Artona’ sofas by Italian designer couple Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The w...
Fabric, Walnut
Post-Modern Italian Sofa in Wood and Creme Colored Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, beech, fabric, Italy, 1970s This three-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 proportion...
Fabric, Beech
Mario Marenco for Arflex Marius&Marius Sofa in Brownish Red Leather
By Mario Marenco, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Arflex, 'Marius&Marius' sofa, leather, plastic, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s The Marius&Marius sofa, designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex in the 1970s, is ...
Leather, Plastic, Wood
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscapes in Patinated Cognac Brown Leather
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa elements, patinated cognac brown leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofas in a patinated leather by the Swiss m...
Leather
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscape in Olive Green Leather
By De Sede, Ubald Klug
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa element, patinated olive green leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofa in olive green leather by the Swiss manu...
Leather
Asa Bench – Sculptural Wood Bench, Walnut Oak or Burl Wood
Located in Baguim Do Monte, PT
The Asa Bench is defined by its calm geometry and refined material presence, crafted entirely in solid wood and available in walnut or burl wood. Its balanced proportions and clean a...
Walnut, Burl
Set of 4 Purple and White Postmodern Dining Armchairs by Arco, 1980s
By Arco
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Postmodern dining armchairs manufactured by Arco in the Netherlands in the 1980s. Each chair combines a rounded tubular white lacquered steel frame with white lacquered w...
Steel
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of eight 'Cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs in luxurious reddish brown leathe...
Leather, Plastic
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Black Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, plastic, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was the...
Leather, Plastic
Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler 'Apollo' Lounge Chair in Leather
By Illum Wikkelsø, Ryesberg Møbler
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Illum Wikkelsø for Ryesberg Møbler, lounge chair model 'Apollo', leather, lacquered wood, Denmark, 1970s This distinctive lounge chair by Illum Wikkelsø is of high-quality both in t...
Leather, Wood
Artelano Black Leather Arm Side Chair, Italy 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
One Artelano Black Leather Arm Side Chair, Italy 1980s. Steel frame with black finish and black leather. We also have a set of eight available.
Steel
De Sede Large Daybed or Lounge Set in Patinated Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, daybed, leather, Switzerland, 1970s This De Sede daybed/lounge set includes two parts: a lounge seat and an additional ottoman-style section, allowing for versatile configu...
Leather
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern Italian black leather sofa in the style of Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Italian black leather 3 seat long sofa in the manner of Nicoletti Salotti. Very clean sofa high quality leather and very comfortable modern design. Located in Brooklyn NYC 11...
Leather
Organically Shaped Post-Modern Sectional Sofa in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa, leather, Europe, 1980s This sofa is fully executed in a black leather that contributes to a unified look. The construction consists of four elements. The sofa embraces...
Leather
Italian Post-Modern Sectional Corner Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular corner sofa, leather, Italy, 1970s A spacious L-shaped modular Italian corner sofa, upholstered in firm cognac leather. The cushions are generously padded with a rounded, pl...
Leather
Set of 2 Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Chairs by Knoll - Black + Red Post Modern
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Decatur, GA
Set of two (2) Knoll International "Mandarin" chairs by Ettore Sottsass. Exemplifying Sottsass’s bold postmodern sensibility, these sculptural chairs feature vivid red enameled arms ...
Metal
$16,400 / set
IPE Cavalli Italian Sectional Sofa in Red Upholstery
By Ipe Cavalli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
IPE Cavalli, sectional sofa, fabric, metal, Italy, 1970s This exceptional sectional sofa by IPE Cavalli, crafted in Italy during the 1970s, is a true masterpiece of design and comfo...
Metal
Togo Loveseat Designed by Michel Ducaroy for Ligne Roset with Armrest in Suede
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare vintage Ligne Roset Togo sofa in an elegant light gray-cream suede upholstery. Designed by Michel Ducaroy, the iconic Togo's low profile, sculptural form and relaxed seating mak...
Suede
$1,400 / set
Matteo Grassi Dining Chairs in Leather and Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Matteo Grassi, set of four dining chairs, leather and steel, Italy, 1980s. Sophisticated set of four dining chairs designed by Italian designer Matteo Grassi in the 1980s. These cha...
Steel
1970s Post Modern Leather Loveseat by Intertime Switzerland
By Ligne Roset, De Sede, Hans Eichenberger
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous post modern leather loveseat by Hans Eichenberger for Intertine, Switzerland. Although designed and manufactured in Switzerland, the sofa give off a very Italian vibe. The...
Leather