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.
Mario Bellini Reupholstered 'Camaleonda' Lounge Chair with Ottoman White Boucle
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, reupholstered 'Camaleonda' lounge chair with ottoman, boucle, metal, Italy, design 1970 The iconic Camaleonda design is conceived by Italian master Mar...
Metal
"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
Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Chairs & Ottomans in Butterscotch Shearling
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Amongst the most popular of his designs, here is a knockout set of sculptural Vladimir Kagan Nautilus swivel lounge chairs and ottomans freshly upholstered in hand sewn butterscotch ...
Upholstery, Hide
$6,060Sale Price|20% Off
Diesis sofa for B&B by Paolo Nava and Citterio in white leather
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio, Paolo Nava
Located in Milano, IT
"Diesis" Two-Seater Sofa by B&B Italia - White Leather, Designed by Antonio Citterio and Paolo Nava, c. 2001 An icon of modern furniture design, this "Diesis" two-seater sofa by B&B ...
Metal, Steel
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
Italian Pair of Cubic Lounge Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chair, leather, Italy, 1970s This striking lounge chair comes in a black leather upholstery that gives the room a vibrant and interesting touch. The design is further...
Leather
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
Rare Luigi Colani for Fritz Hansen Lounge Chair in Orange Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Colani for Fritz Hansen, lounge chair, chrome-plated steel, metal, orange fabric, Denmark, 1970s The German industrial designer Luigi Colani was renowned for incorporating org...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
$680Sale Price|20% Off
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
$1,000Sale Price|75% Off
1970's GUIDO FALESCHINI CHROME ROCKING CHAIR
Located in Waxahachie, TX
A sleek Mid-Century Modern Curved Chrome Frame Rocking Chair Upholstered In the original chenille. Insanely comfortable and relaxing chair. Classic look. Will go with many different...
Chrome
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
$927Sale 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
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
Pair of Postmodern Club Chairs in Stained Birdseye Maple by Michael Graves
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Postmodern faceted club chairs designed by Michael Graves composed of stained Birdseye Maple frames with ebony inlaid triangles and applied ebonized cylindrical decorations a...
Upholstery, Birdseye Maple
Institutional Chair, White Leather, Post-Modern Design, Panorammma, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Uncannily challenging excessive symbolic power granted to scientific institutions, the “Institutional Chair” reveals a tension with the accepted desubjectivisation of the body into s...
Steel, Nickel
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
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
Jamaica Bar Stool Pepe Cortes for Amat-3 Aluminum Post-Modern
By Pepe Cortés, Amat-3
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
Postmodern Sectional Sofa in Deep Green Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa, fabric, Europe, 1970s This beautiful modular sofa, made in Europe in the 1970s, exudes comfort and charm. Wrapped in soft, rich green fabric, it invites you to sink in...
Fabric, Pine
$6,400 / set
Pair of Cubic Lounge Chairs in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of lounge chairs, black leather, wood, Northern Europe, 1980s The design of this pair of lounge chairs is characterized by a cubic frame. When seated you experience a pleasant ...
Leather, Wood
Yrjö Kukkapuro Postmodern "Cloud" Chair in Pink, Yellow & Green, Avarte 1980s
By Yrjö Kukkapuro, Avarte, Finland 1
Located in Helsinki, FI
One of Yrjö Kukkapuro's iconic chairs and one of the earliest creations in his Post-Modern style that started in the 1980s with his experiment chairs. This chair, named Pilvi (Cloud)...
Metal
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Hand-Carved Mexican Rose Marble, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a modernist manner. The piece all...
Onyx, Marble
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
Weiman Post Modern Sofa Chaise Lounge in Supple Lux Ivory White Bouclé, c. 1990
By Weiman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
There are pieces that furnish a room and there are pieces that alter its atmosphere entirely and this sculptural Weiman chaise created at the height of American postmodernism in the ...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Sixteen 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of sixteen 'cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs chairs in luxurious reddish bro...
Leather, Plastic
$2,237Sale 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
Vintage Dutch buffalo leather Rivera sofa by Gijs Papavoine Montis c 1980s / 90s
By Gijs Papavoine, Montis
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
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
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
$5,450 / item
Maison Regain Grid Side Benches in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain benches, elm, France, 1970s Lovely benches by Maison Regain, a lovely example of French design from the 1970s. Made from solid elm wood, the benches emphasize clear co...
Elm
Aurora stool, black solid wood, black caning back, black natural leather
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of the award-winning Aurora Collection, also known as Dawn — a transformative milestone in our esteemed design legacy that has earned the pr...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$55,947Sale Price|20% Off
1973 "Cornaro" Sofa & Armchair Set by Carlo Scarpa for Gavina
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Manzano, IT
1973 "Cornaro" Sofa & Armchair Set by Carlo Scarpa for Gavina - Iconic Italian Modernist Design Designed by Carlo Scarpa in 1973, the Cornaro seating set for Gavina epitomizes timel...
Velvet, Foam, Wood
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
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
$1,950Sale Price / set|35% Off
Set of 6 Post Modern tan gloss Lacquer curved dining chairs made in Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of (6) Post Modern Tan / cream Gloss Lacquer curved tall back dining chairs Memphis Milano Style. Very unique set of (6) Dining chairs in good vintage condition. Tan Gloss Lacque...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
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
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
$1,500 / item
Brayton International Mohair Club Chairs, 1999
Located in Chicago, IL
Brayton International Mohair Pair Club Chairs, 1999. Mohair with leather piping. Chairs are priced individually. Measure 30.75” tall 37.5” wide 30.5” deep, seat height 17.25” seat ...
Leather, Mohair
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
Rare Pierre Chapo Set of Eight S11 Dining Chairs in Sipo Wood and Leather
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, rare set of eight dining chairs, model S11, sipo wood, leather, France, circa 1966 A set of eight chairs in solid sipo wood, which makes this set so rare, with cognac...
Leather, Wood
$1,165 / 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
$18,462 / 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
Post Modern Chaise Lounge Newly Upholstered in Ivory White Bouclé
By Directional, Weiman Preview Furniture, Preview
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Float away from the worries of the day in this luxurious post modern chaise lounge newly professionally upholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. Sculptural form exudes a sophisticated look that's gentle and inviting. Ivory white bouclé fabric's texture is breathable and ventilates well. Cozy in winter and cool in summer. Enveloping padded comfort with a thick seat cushion layered over a descending pedestal base. So sexy from all sides, this chaise lounge is beautiful enough to float in a room. Modern. Fresh. Reminiscent of Vladimir Kagan, Milo Baughman and Adrian Pearsall's iconic amorphous designs. Nestle in with your favorite blanket and read for hours, nap, binge watch your favorite series, or shop 1stDibs on your electronic device...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Swany Sofa by Hugues Steiner for Steiner
Located in Chicago, IL
c 1970s. France. Modular 6 piece sectional sofa, reupholstered in brown wool. New veg tanned leather straps. Tagged Single Pieces: 26L 36W 26H Inside Corner Pieces: 36L 36W 26H Out...
Wool
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
Dramatic Pair of Mid Century Style Mohair Club Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of Mid Century Modern style Mohair Club chairs in contrasting Mustard and Grey. The serpentine form lounge chair with fixed back and unusual back leg that flows from the top t...
Mohair, Wood
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner ´Chromatic´ Modular Elements
By Gilbert Steiner, Kwok Hoi Chan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner, elements, model ´chromatic´, fabric, France, 1970 A postmodern design by Kwok Hoi Chan created in 1970 for Steiner. Design in the seventies was all about ...
Fabric
1980s Italian Leather Loveseat by Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A sculptural Italian leather loveseat by Nicoletti Salotti, showcasing the relaxed, oversized proportions and soft architectural lines associated with European postmodern seating of ...
Leather
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
Shiro Kuramata 'How High the Moon' Lounge Chair in Nickel-Plated Steel Mesh
By Vitra, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Shiro Kuramata for Vitra, 'How High the Moon' lounge chair, nickel-plated steel mesh, Switzerland, design 1986 Shiro Kuramata’s ‘How High the Moon’ lounge chair, designed in 1986, ...
Steel, Nickel
Rare Oversized Italian Black Leather Lounge Chair, circa 1980
Located in Montréal, CA
Striking Italian one-seat lounge chair dating to the 1980s, upholstered in rich black leather and defined by its bold, sculptural silhouette. The generous proportions, deep seating ...
Leather
Set of Four Artona Leather Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Set of Four Artona Leather Armchairs by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, Italy Exceptional set of four "Artona" armchairs designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, c. 1985. Eac...
Metal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Dialogo Dessau' Dining Chairs
By B&B Italia, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
Steelcase Swivel Chairs in the style of Pollack c.1970's 6 available
By Steelcase
Located in New York, NY
Chic, stylish, voguish set of swivel chairs by Steelcase, circa 1970's. These chairs have a vibrant blue upholstered continuous seat and back, a off white plastic shell, and a chro...
Chrome
Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Chair with En Suite Ottoman in Ivory Bouclé
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Amongst the most popular Vladimir Kagan designs, this Nautilus swivel lounge chair is sculptural, comfortable and fun, and is shown in fresh ivory bouclé upholstery. The Bouclé is ub...
Bouclé, Upholstery