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.
Five pairs availabel Marco Maran Max Design ten dining chairs
By Knoll, Marco Maran
Located in Ferndale, MI
Sold by the pair five pairs are available "X3" chairs by Marco Maran for dining room or office. Manufactured by Max Design in Italy . I believe distributed by Knoll but not sure of...
Chrome
Pair of Dakota Jackson Crimped Velvet Maple ArmChairs
Located in Germantown, MD
A Pair Dakota Jackson Crimped Velvet lacquered Maple Armchairs. Measures 24.75" in width, 26" in depth and stands 35" in height. Seat height is 18.5". Arm height is 26". Seat interi...
Upholstery, Velvet, Maple
Cofemo Office Chair, Black Leather, Post-Modern Design, Italy, 1980s
By Cofemo
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
Very futuristic, elegant looking office chair made of thick saddle leather in very good condition. The black leather only shows slight signs of wear on the armrests. The leather is s...
Leather
Postmodern Leather Sofa in the style of Nicoletti Salotti Italian 3 Seat Sofa
Located in Rochester, NY
Iconic postmodern rich red leather 3 person sofa. These are probably the Natuzzi version of the Nicoletti Salotti Italian leather sof...
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
Pair of vintage 1970s metal and leather "canasta" chairs designed by Arrben
By Arrben
Located in Torino, Piemonte
A pair of black metal chairs with black leather seats, the “Canasta” model designed by Arrben Italy, 1970s. CONDITION: In good condition, with signs of wear due to age. DIMENSIONS:...
Metal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Dialogo Dessau' Dining Chairs
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Dialogo Dessau' dining chairs, chromed metal, plastic, Italy, 1974 The Dialogo Dessau chair, with its distinctiv...
Metal, Chrome
Post Modern Leather Sofa by Intertime Switzerland
By De Sede, Ligne Roset, Hans Eichenberger
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Gorgeous post modern leather sofa by Hans Eichenberger for Intertine, Switzerland. Although designed and manufactured in Switzerland, the sofa give off a very Italian vibe. The sof...
Leather
Postmodern Space Age Green Lilac Swivel Dining Chair Coraje
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
Swivel Chair in Green/Lilac Relief Fabric. The Coraje Dining Chair is a tribute to bravery. Its fearless design stands firm, inspiring you to take bold steps while offering the perfe...
Cotton
Postmodern Space Age Mustard Sage Swivel Dining Chair Coraje
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
Swivel Chair in Green/Lilac Relief Fabric. The Coraje Dining Chair is a tribute to bravery. Its fearless design stands firm, inspiring you to take bold steps while offering the perfe...
Cotton
Jamaica Bar Stool Pepe Cortes for Amat-3 Aluminum Post-Modern
By Amat-3, Pepe Cortés
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of Jamaica Bar Stool, an iconic piece of contemporary Spanish furniture designed by Pepe Cortés in 1991. Created by Barcelona-based interior designer...
Aluminum, Chrome
Vintage Dutch buffalo leather Rivera sofa by Gijs Papavoine Montis c 1980s / 90s
By Montis, Gijs Papavoine
Located in Hastings, GB
Vintage buffalo leather 'Rivera' sofa by Gijs Papavoine for Montis, Netherlands 1980s/90s. (Papavoine started designing for Montis in 1976) In great condition with nicely patinated t...
Leather, Wood
Curved Serpentine Sofa by Directional Furniture
By Directional
Located in Culver City, CA
This sofa is beyond stunning! Circa 1994, this white sofa features a gorgeous flame stitch upholstery and is equal parts comfortable and beautiful. The sofa features 3 pieces and a w...
Fabric
"Todo Modo" by Jean-Michel Wilmotte for Tecno Italy Reversible Chair
By Jean-Michel Wilmotte, Tecno
Located in Hanover, MA
Original vintage (not a re-edition) Todo Modo single slipper chair with completely reversible rotating cylindrical back. Designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte and...
Steel
Substantial Lounge Chairs in Delicate Striped Green Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chairs, fabric, Europe, 1970s/80s A robust and substantial pair of lounge chairs, exuding a playful charm through its distinct geometric form. The design of these chairs fea...
Fabric
Pair of Chairs by Cosimo De Vita, Inspired by the Duomo in Florence
By Cosimo de Vita
Located in Bruton, GB
Exceptional pair of architectural chairs designed by Cosimo De Vita, 2023. Each chair is conceived as a sculptural interpretation of the iconic dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Flore...
Hardwood
Pair low deep red leather slipper puffy lounge chair without arms Made in Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of low deep red leather slipper puffy lounge chair without arms. Can be used as individual lounge chair or you can push them together to used them as a loveseat. Made in Italy c...
Leather
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Parsons Chairs Attributed to Milo Baughman Post Modern
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration a pair of parsons chairs attributed to Milo Baughman. Post Modern era. One of the chairs retains the original label "STYLE CRAFT, a subsidiary STUART Furniture...
Wood, Fabric
$2,981Sale Price|25% Off
Cassina Veranda 3 seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti
Located in Bern, BE
Cassina Veranda 3 seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina, Italy in the late 1980's. Based on the Maralunga Sofa with fold down back rest. Adjustable three seater des...
Metal, Steel
Weiman Furniture Serpentine Sofa
By Weiman
Located in Houston, TX
Weiman Furniture Company Serpentine Sofa. Offered is a stunning curvaceous sofa by Weiman Furniture Company in the 1980's. We offer this gorgeous sofa in the original fabric but coul...
Fabric, Wood
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Brown Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of eight 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of eight 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious brown l...
Leather, Plastic
Original 1984 "Costes" Dining Chairs by Philippe Starck for Driade — Set of 4
Located in Basel, BS
A set of 4 "Costes" chairs by Starck. Note: an additional pair of slightly lighter colored Costes chairs are also available in a separate listing. You could combine these 4 with t...
Metal
Rima 160 Sofa in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Rima 160 Sofa in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 160 x D 90 x H 71 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and high-resilience (HR) foam....
Upholstery, Foam, Beech, Wood
$2,249Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 4 Post Modern Chairs Model Vienna by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast
Located in Roma, IT
A set of dining, desk or office chairs, in short, perfect for any environment that needs a bit of that 80s magic. Colour, lightness and light-heartedness is what the cult pieces of 80s design transmit but don't be fooled by the POP colors used by Rodney Kinsman for his projects because they have nothing to do with the colorful, exuberant and decorative Anti Design...
Metal
Post Modern 1990s Preview Sectional Sofa in Plush Ivory White Bouclé
By Preview
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Large Post Modern Sectional Sofa by Preview professionally reupholstered in highly durable super soft ivory white bouclé. If there was a ever a d...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Bridget Barstool in Stained Rattan and Plywood by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Bridget Barstool in Stained Rattan and Plywood by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 45 x D 55 x H 104 cm. Materials: Stained rattan, plywood seat. Fabric is not included. Please contact...
Rattan, Plywood
Bridget Chair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Bridget Chair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 48 x D 59 x H 86 cm. Materials: Upholstery, Stained rattan, plywood seat, and HR foam. Fabric i...
Upholstery, Rattan, Foam, Plywood
Tortona Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Tortona Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 42 x H 50 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not included. ...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood
Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Sofa in Ivory White Bouclé by Directional, c. 1990
By Vladimir Kagan, Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Newly and professionally reupholstered Post Modern Nautilus sofa in ivory white bouclé by acclaimed designer Vladimir Kagan and made by Directional circa 1990. Known for his love of ...
Bouclé, Upholstery
A Pair of MID-CENTURY-MODERN Hand Crafted BRUTALIST Tripod STOOLS, France 1950
By Charlotte Perriand, Atelier Marolles, Jean Touret
Located in PARIS, FR
A Pair of Miniature Tripod Stools – French Modernism, circa 1950 A Pair of tripod stool, Modernist, Brutalist, Rustic-Modern, Forme-Libre, massive circular hand sculpted massive elm...
Wood, Elm
Vintage Milo Baughman Style Flat Bar Chrome Arm Chairs - Set of 2
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Elevate your space with this stunning pair of vintage flat bar chrome armchairs, expertly crafted in the iconic style of Milo Baughman. Featuring substantial, heavy chrome frames wit...
Chrome
Vintage Modular Leather Sofa by Eilersen, Denmark
By Eilersen 1
Located in Raleigh, NC
intage large modular sectional sofa in black leather. Manufactured by Eilersen, Denmark. This sofa is pure perfection in our book. If we could fit it in our home, we would absolutely...
Metal, Chrome
$932Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Anton Lorenz for Thonet "Ss33" Armchair in White + Chrome- One Chair
By Thonet, Anton Lorenz
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning Anton Lorenz for Thonet Cantilevered Armchair in white. This is the Perfect opportunity to purchase just one as an accent chair! Only one chair available. Anton Lorenz (...
Chrome
Ludmila Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ludmila Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not included. ...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood
$1,171 / item
Quinta chair by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985.
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Athens, Attiki
Quinta chairs by Mario Botta for Alias, 1985.
Metal
Bridget Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Bridget Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 70 x D 72 x H 86 cm. Materials: Stained rattan, plywood seat, and HR foam. Fabric is not inc...
Rattan, Foam, Plywood
Babylone Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Babylone Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 79 x D 86 x H 72 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not...
Foam, Beech
Celeste Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Celeste Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 74 x D 74 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not ...
Foam, Beech
Disco Pouf in Tinted Rattan and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Disco Pouf in Tinted Rattan and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 37 x H 49 cm. Materials: tinted rattan and HR foam. Fabric is not included. Please contact us for further i...
Rattan, Foam
Set of 4 Italian Post-Modern Black Lacquered High Back Dining Chairs, 1970s–1980
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four Italian Post-Modern dining chairs, each built on a black lacquered tubular steel frame with a dramatically tall arched back. Vertical spindle rods fan from the curved top...
Steel
Ham Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ham Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 38 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not included. Plea...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood
Post-Modern Style Aurora Chair in Sculpted Solid Wood with Cane Back and Leather
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Pair Nelo Wave Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for Nelo Sweden
By Takashi Okamura and Erik Marquardsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Nelo Wave Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for Nelo of Sweden. Gray and black patina leather chairs with black lacquer wood frames. Good vintage condition. Grea...
Leather, Bentwood, Lacquer
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 5 Red Swedish Postmodern 80s Vintage Nils Gammelgaard Ikea "Ted" Chairs
By Giancarlo Piretti, IKEA, Anonima Castelli
Located in Basel, BS
Great opportunity to have a complete set of 5 of these wonderful 1980s Nils Gaamelgaard for Ikea chairs as a perfect set of 5 in red! Sold here as a set. Note: Red cushions will be...
Metal
Frank Gehry Power Play Chair and Ottoman for Knoll, Signed, Great Condition
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Power play chair and ottoman designed by Frank Gehry for Knoll in very close to new condition. There are no chips, cracks or repairs to the wood slats...
Maple
Camaleonda Sofa Set by Mario Bellini Customised in Light Sand Boucle 1970s
Located in PARIS, FR
Mario Bellini brought the discipline of post-war Italian rationalism into dialogue with the looser, more sensual currents of the late 1960s. His work for Olivetti, Cassina and B&...
Leather, Foam, Wood
$7,030Sale Price|20% Off
Tito Agnoli Black Leather Sofa for Poltrona Frau
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Weesp, NL
Introducing Timeless Luxury: Tito Agnoli's 1980s Italian Two-Seater Black Leather Sofa by Poltrona Frau Experience the epitome of sophistication with this Italian two-seater black l...
Leather
Niels Gammelgaard "Gasell" Child's Stool or High Chair for Ikea
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Memphis style children's high chair or stool with red plastic seat and footrest on gray powder-coated steel frame designed by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, circa 1990s.
Steel
Black Leather Incisa Office Chair by Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 1992
By Vico Magistretti, ICF De Padova
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy in 1992 and designed by Vico Magistretti for De Padova. This revolving office chair features a metal frame and its original high-quality leather upholstery. This chair ...
Metal
$2,894 / item
L'ecorce Stool in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
L'ecorce Stool in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 50 x D 46 x H 52 cm. Materials: Solid Teak Wood, fabric. This listing features our L'ecorce Stool expertly crafted from ...
Wood, Hardwood, Teak
$18,561 / item
Lattice Armchair, Luminous Grid by Pestacle Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Lattice Armchair, Luminous Grid by Pestacle Studio Dimensions: W 40 x D 20 x H 30 cm Materials: Brown velvet, Lime, Baltic Wood. About: Pestacle Studio is a Montreal-based creativ...
Velvet, Wood
Andre Arbus Style Robert Couturier Peach Velvet Post Modern Sofa
Located in Sharon, CT
Custom made by Robert Couturier, peach velvet with classic ionic volute referenced arm treatments. Incredibly comfortable down pillow seat. White painted Louis XVI inspired structur...
Velvet
Vintage Lounge Chair Made in England by George Smith
By George Smith
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful lounge chair designed and manufactured in England by George Smith. The piece is beautifully upholstered in a mustard yellow fabric with beautiful wavy patter. The chair i...
Brass
Ludmila Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ludmila Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 100 x D 40 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not in...
Foam, Wood
1980s Natuzzi Beige Leather Barrel Swivel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
These rare iconic textured leather swivel chairs are packed with personality! Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. Post modern Natuzzi Salotti S...
Metal
Mario Bellini Vintage "Camaleonda" Sofa, Lambskin Black Leather, 1970 B&B Italia
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Mario Bellini Camaleonda Sofa in Custom Black Lambskin Leather, Italy, 1970s An iconic example of Italian design, this vintage Camaleonda sofa by Mario Bellini embodies the sculptur...
Chrome
Adrian Pearsall Channeled Post Modern Slipper Chair in Ivory White Bouclé
By Comfort Designs, Inc., Adrian Pearsall
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Channeled and plush post modern chair designed by Adrian Pearsall for Comfort Designs, Inc. If you're seeking a chair to wind down and relax in - the sort you can sit in for hours and enjoy - this is it. Every inch of this slipper chair is soft, upholstered and well cushioned. A modern space odyssey look with a channeled seat...
Upholstery, Bouclé
Vintage German Kreuzschwinger Lounge Chair by Till Behrens for Stahlmöbel, 1980s
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Till Behrens Kreuzschwinger in the version as an armchair. This version is wider and flatter than the normal Kreuzschwinger chair. Elegant ...
Metal
Postmodern Italian Chromed Metal Lounge Armchair, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Very rare Postmodern armchair Made in Italy in the 80s Unknown designer and maker High quality
Metal, Chrome
Set of 4 Design Institute of America Brass Stools in the Style of Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Design Institute America
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Elegant and luxurious set of four cantilevered brass stools in the style of Milo Baughman made by Design Institute of America ("DIA") newly professionally reupholstered in super soft...
Brass