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.
Postmodern Soleil Armchair in Cotton Velvet, Lacquer and Marble by Mavo Atelier
By Mavo Atelier
Located in Trofa, PT
Showcasing artistic brilliance and impeccable craftsmanship, the Soleil Armchair is a statement piece that easily commands attention. An inviting, generously contoured seat anchors t...
Marble
$476Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Memphis Style Club Lounge Chair by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt
Located in New York, NY
Pure 1980's Postmodern, memphis influence lounge, arm chair. Gutsy tapered legs support the dramatic upholstered seat. Structurally sound and sturdy, unfortunately, the fabric shows ...
Upholstery, Wood
Rare set of Three Michael Graves Bent Wood and Steel Barstools
Located in Chicago, IL
Rare set of three steam-bent maple wood and steel framed post modern barstools designed by NYC architect and designer Michael Graves. Graves often featured a modernist aesthetic wit...
Steel
$5,400 / set
Pierre Paulin for Artifort Pair of Lounge Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Paulin for Artifort, pair of armchairs, model '442/3', grey upholstery and steel by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, the Netherlands, 1960s These comfortable chairs shows elegant ...
Steel
Vintage Thayer Coggin for Milo Baughman Semi-Circular 3-Piece Sectional Sofa
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Make a bold statement with this exceptional vintage Thayer Coggin for Milo Baughman three-piece sectional sofa. Featuring an impressive curved, semi-circular design, this iconic sect...
Upholstery
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist Chrome and Caned Rocking Chair
Located in New York, NY
High style post modern design rocking chair having a chrome frame, with caned seat and back rest, with solid wood armrests. Design reminiscent of Milo Baughman, and Max Suaze, probab...
Chrome
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
$1,102 / item
Light Pink Stool 01 by Iranzo
Located in Geneve, CH
Light Pink Stool 01 by Iranzo Dimensions: D 68 x H 48 cm. Material: Epoxy resin & polypropylene Available in: White / Black - at a lower price Light pink / Blue / Pastel green ...
Epoxy Resin
Set of 6 Post Modern Gaetano Pesce "543 Broadway" Chairs For Bernini, 1993
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a remarkable set of six "543 Broadway" chairs designed by Gaetano Pesce for Bernini (Italy, 1993). These iconic postmodern chairs embody the radical, avant-garde ethos of the...
Steel
Joe Colombo for Comfort 'Elda' Lounge Chairs in Red Leather and Fiberglass
By Joe Colombo, Comfort, Italy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Comfort, lounge chairs ‘Elda’, fiberglass, leather, Italy, design 1963 The ‘Elda’ chair is one of the most well-known designs of Italian designer Joe Colombo. This l...
Leather, Fiberglass
Channelled Sectional Sofa by Bernhardt Flair
By Bernhardt
Located in Hanover, MA
4-Piece channeled modular sofa in the manner of Steve Chase by Bernhardt Flair having off white original upholstery with pale grey swooshes throughout. The cushions are soft yet buoy...
Upholstery
Set of 4 Italian Postmodern Space Age Model 101 Spaghetti Chairs, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Four postmodern Spaghetti chairs from the Italian manufacturer alias according to a draft by Giandomenico Belotti from the late 1970s. A timeless classic of Italian design. The fili...
Metal
Enzo Mari NOS The Box chair in blue for Aleph Atlantide Driade 1995
Postmodern German Kreuzschwinger Kitchen Barstool Till Behrens Meyer Stahlmöbel
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Till Behrens Kreuzschwinger kitchen stool or bar stool. Elegant design classic by Prof. Till Behrens in the kitchen stool version. The further development of the cantilever chair. ...
Metal
Postmodern Soleil Armchair in Yellow Velvet, Wood and Travertine by Mavo Atelier
By Mavo Atelier
Located in Trofa, PT
Showcasing artistic brilliance and impeccable craftsmanship, the Soleil Armchair is a statement piece that easily commands attention. An inviting, generously contoured seat anchors t...
Stone, Travertine
Pair of Postmodern Italian Leather and Polished Chrome Accent Sling Chairs
Located in Basel, BS
Gorgeous pair of Italian soft leather and polished chrome accent chairs in the style of Giotto Stoppino. If you would like to purchase an individu...
Chrome
2 x Chairs After Charles Rennie Mackintosh Metal High Back Hill House 1980s
Located in London, GB
This listing is for two chairs We have six chairs in total An amazing art nouveau pair of side chairs after Charles Rennie Mackintosh Hill House chair...
Iron
Insigne Armchair by Simonini, Solid Wood Base, Upholstered Seat, New
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The "Insigne" armchair collection eloquently embodies the esteemed DNA, design philosophy and the cutting-edge craftsmanship of SIMONINI ®. Each flowing and uninterrupted line is met...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Miss Wirt Chair by Philippe Starck for Disform 1982
Located in Munich, DE
A rare and collectible chair designed by Philippe Starck in 1982 for Disform. Black cotton canvas fabric is stretched over two vertical steel tubes and the tension creates the comfor...
Fabric
$13,531 / item
LV Lounge Chair in Aluminum by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
LV Lounge Chair in Aluminum by Pietro Franceschini. Dimensions: W 58 x D 65.4 x H 76 cm. Materials: Aluminum, Fur. The LV edition is made of a chair, a stool, a lounge chair, a benc...
Aluminum
$2,750Sale Price / item|20% Off
1980s Post Modern Sculptural Lounge Chair MCM
By Louis Durot
Located in Basel, BS
Thank you for visiting our shop. We have two of these fabulous chairs. The price here is for one, they are sold individually here. These are stunning examples of 1980 Postmodern L...
Metal
Mario Bellini Style Italian Modern Cream Leather Wrapped High Back Dining Chairs
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish set of four Italian Modern or Postmodern high back dining chairs In the manner of Mario Bellini for Cassina Italy, Circa 1980s Hand-stitched cream leather upho...
Steel
Insigne Armchair by Simonini, Walnut Wood Base, Upholstered Seat
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The "Insigne" armchair collection eloquently embodies the esteemed DNA, design philosophy and the cutting-edge craftsmanship of SIMONINI ®. Each flowing and uninterrupted line is met...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Postmodern Folding Chairs, Red Triangular Seats, Set of Four, Circa 1985
Located in Downingtown, PA
Postmodern Folding Chairs, Red Triangular Seats, Set of Four, Circa 1985 Each of these four folding chairs is built from two triangles and a black line. The seat is a broad triangle...
Metal
1 of 3 Vermelha Chairs by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Edra, Italy 1993
By Edra, Fernando and Humberto Campana
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find 3 Vermelha chairs designed by Brazilian brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana for the Italian furniture company Edra. The chair is an iconic piece of c...
Steel
Zveva Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Zveva 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 incl...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood, Beech
PAIR Black + Clear Chair Model "Hydra" Roberto Semprini for Sintesi, Italy 1994
By Mario Cananzi & Roberto Semprini
Located in Basel, BS
A RARE Pair of Mid-century modern black and clear of original plastic rope chairs, model "Hydra" by Roberto Semprini for Sintesi - 1994. Superb statement, look stunning both inside a...
Metal
$2,246Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Brown Faux Leather Tongue Chair Attributed Jaymar Pop Art Chair
By Jaymar
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Postmodern brown faux leather Tongue chair attributed to Jaymar cantilevered Pop Art chair. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind tha...
Metal
Jasper Morrison Super Oblong Modular Sofa Set Design Cappellini Italy
Located in Krefeld, DE
This rare Super Oblong modular sofa set was designed by Jasper Morrison for Cappellini in Italy and exemplifies Morrison’s philosophy of understated, intelligent design. Composed of ...
Cotton
Cassina Cab 412 Chairs Mario Bellini Matte Black drk Grey Leather PAIR, 2 Chairs
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Basel, BS
Fabulous, Mario Bellini for Cassina 412 Cab chair in gorgeous Black leather. Opportunity to purchase just one chair! **We offer very fast, insured, affordable shipping in 9-15 day...
Metal
1980s Postmodern lacquered Dining Chairs Newly Reupholstered -Set of 4 Off-white
Located in Miami, FL
1980s Postmodern lacquered Dining Chairs Newly Reupholstered - Set of 4 Offered for sale is a set of 4 1980s Postmodern off-white lacquered dining chairs that have recently been re...
Fabric, Wood
$13,800 / set
Streamlined Modern Living Room Set with Sofas and Ottoman in Green-Blue Patterned Upholstery and Chromed Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric, chromed metal, Italy, 1970s A striking and generously proportioned living room set from the 1970s, this set embodies the sleek elegance characteristic of the era. Desi...
Metal, Chrome
Postmodern Kebe Leather Convertible Lounge or Armchair, Denmark 1980s
By KEBE
Located in Miami, FL
Black leather Kebe lounge or armchair with detachable footrest, Denmark, 1980s Single chair dimensions without footrest: 36 deep 26" wide 41.5" high.
Steel
Black "Wendy Wright" Chair by Philippe Starck for Disform
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous "Wendy Wright chair by Philippe Starck for Disform, circa 1980s. The chair stands as an iconic testament to the innovative design ethos of...
Metal
$438Sale Price|35% Off
Postmodern Arrben "Ursula" Italian Black Leather and Chrome Chair
By Arrben
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Postmodern. Italian leather chairs, with chromed steel structure and back and seat in curved metal covered in black leather. 1980s.
Chrome
Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-Cal Basket Weave Rattan Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Uncommon Tanganika model basket weave rattan sofa designed by Danny Ho Fong for Tropi-Cal circa 1970’s. Three seat hand woven rattan sofa in an open basket weave pattern which extend...
Fabric, Rattan
Memphis Sculptural in Pink Velvet & Red Legs Dining Chair Vértigo
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
The Vértigo Dining Chair captures the tension between chaos and control. With its sharp silhouette and solid wood frame, it brings graphic structure to the room—an anchor in spaces t...
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
$2,920Sale Price|20% Off
Vico Magistretti Navy / Black 2-Seater Loveseat Maralunga Sofa Cassina Italy 80s
Located in Basel, BS
Original Loveseat sofa "Maralunga," designed by Vico Magistretti and manufactured by Cassina in Italy during the late circa late 1970s/1980s. This e...
Fabric
Original Shadow Armchair by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Postmodern Icon
By Meritalia, Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Shadow armchair by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia is a highly collectible iconic masterpiece of Post Modern Design. The chair "deconstructed". Designed a...
Leather, Upholstery, Latex, Resin
$2,900 / set
1980s Postmodern Dining Chairs, Set of 5
Located in Chicago, IL
Gorgeous and completely restored dining chairs. We painted the wood with a fresh coat of soft black paint and fluffed up the seat cushions with black faux Persian lamb upholstery.
Upholstery, Wood, Paint
$1,960Sale Price / set|20% Off
Acrylic Folding Chairs (Giancarlo Piretti-Style) + Chrome Frames, Set of 6
By Anonima Castelli, Yonel Lebovici, (After) Gio Ponti, Giancarlo Piretti, Marais international
Located in Round Top, TX
Fabulous collection of six acrylic folding chairs in three colors. These range from soft, barely there lavender, to mandarin, to tomato red. Designed with heavyweight chrome frames,...
Chrome
Ettore Sottsass Flying Carpet Armchair by Bedding Brevetti 1970s Italy
Located in Cascina, Pisa
The Flying Carpet or Tappeto Volante armchair is an iconic seat with a base and an armrest in beech wood, the seat, and the back are made with polyuret...
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
Tito Agnoli, Desk / Swivel Chair "Korium" for Matteo Grassi, Post-Modern / Italy
Located in Stockholm, SE
Desk / Swivel office chair in leather, designed by Tito Agnoli for Matteo Grassi Model "Korium" with original leather, nice patina. Made in Italy, 1980s. Adjustable height and til...
Leather, Plastic
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Dining Chairs with Carvings in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, set of six dining chairs, oak, Italy, 1970s An exceptional set of chairs by the Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi. The chai...
Oak
Asthila Dining Chair in Solid Ash Wood with Lacquer by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Asthila Dining Chair in Solid Ash Wood with Lacquer by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 58.5 x D 44 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid ash wood. This listing features our Asthila Dining Chair in so...
Lacquer, Ash, Wood, Hardwood
$7,500 / item
Pierre Chapo Stool 'S13A' in Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, stools, model 'S31A', solid elm, France, circa 1974 This S31A stool is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood ...
Elm
Postmodern sculptural Dining Set in Aluminium and Steel Belgium 1980s/90s
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Postmodern dining chairs from the 1980s/90s. Most likely it comes from Belgium. Unfortunately designer and producer are unknown. The set is very rare, only to be found it the North a...
Aluminum, Steel
$1,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Italian Bar Stools, 1980s - Set of Three
Located in Miami, FL
Set of three postmodern Italian barstools with black Naugahyde seats and silver lacquered frames with footrests.
Steel
Vintage black leather high back dining chairs, set of 6, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 6 black italian leather high back dining chairs. Beautiful sleek and timeless design with the backrest continuing all the way down to form the back legs. The chairs are in g...
Leather
Patricia Urquiola ‘Tufty-Time’ Three-Element Sofa for B&B Italia, 2005
By B&B Italia, Patricia Urquiola
Located in Hellouw, NL
Few contemporary sofas have managed to combine architectural presence and relaxed seating as convincingly as Patricia Urquiola’s Tufty-Time. Designed for B&B Italia in 2005, the seri...
Fabric
De Sede DS-2011 Two-seat Sofa in Black Leather, Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland
With its fluid, curved shapes, the DS-2011 appears powerful and dynamic. The visual lightness and modern, casual elegance underline the timeless look that makes the DS-2011 a sofa th...
Leather
Pierre Chapo Set of 8 Dining Chairs Model S45 “Chlacc", Solid French Elm, 1980s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Designed by Pierre Chapo in 1979, the S45 “Chlacc” chair stands among the most sophisticated and sculptural creations in the designer’s oeuvre. Produced in solid French elm, this ico...
Elm
Pair Black Orchidee Lounge Chairs by Michel Cadestin for Airborne France
Located in New York, NY
Michel Cadestin for Airborne, Orchide Lounge Chairs Newly Upholstered in High quality faux black leather. These are extremely comfortable and chic and match any decor. Excellent cond...
Faux Leather
Kurt Beier "Fantasy" Sofa in Longhair, Germany 1980s
By Kurt Beier
Located in Utrecht, NL
This “Fantasy” sofa, designed by Kurt Beier, epitomises the avant-garde and experimental nature of postmodern design. Created during a period marked by a break from traditional creat...
Steel
Mats Theselius 'Aluminium' Lounge Chair in Woven Birch Bark
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mats Theselius for Källemo AB, limited edition 'Aluminium' lounge chair, aluminum, beech, birch bark, Sweden, 1990 One of Mats Theselius’s most exemplary designs is the Aluminium ar...
Aluminum
Rima Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Rima Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 80 x D 85 x H 70 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not inc...
Foam, Beech
Pair of Vintage Cognac Leather P40 Chairs by Vegni & Gualtierotti for Fasem
By Fasem International, Giancarlo Vegni & G. Gualtierotti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of vintage cognac leather P40 chairs by Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti for Fasem. Original labels under the seats. The frame rolls the back into the arms in one uni...
Steel, Chrome
1980s Postmodern Upholstered Cantilever Chairs With Chrome Finish - Set of 6
Located in Elkton, MD
Set of six 1980s postmodern cantilever chairs showcases iconic design with bold upholstered seats and backs. Two chairs feature armrests.
Metal
Institutional Chair, Black 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
"Big Easy" Ron Arad Design for Moroso Italian Postmodern White Lounge Chair 1990