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.
Hermes Inspired Saddle Stitched Brown Green Leather Lounge Chairs, 1980s, France
By Roche Bobois
Located in New York, NY
Roche Bobois vintage brown green leather lounge chairs, 1980s, France Beautiful and heavy 1980s lounge chairs. The green leather is in very good ...
Leather, Ultrasuede
Three Postmodern Counter Height Stools by Jorge Pensi for Mobles 114
By Jorge Pensi
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Three "Gimlet Stools" by Jorge Pensi ( Born 1946, Buenos Aires, Argentina) for Mobles 114 ( Barcelona, Spain) "Postmodern Counter Height Stools w...
Steel, Chrome
Aurora stool, light honey solid wood, natural caning back, camel leather seating
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
Sculptural Chair, Hand-Linked Chainmail Mesh, Nickel-Plated Steel, Post-Modern
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Chainmail chair is a new take on William Katavolos 1952’s T-chair. Its seat is made up of hand-linked metal rings coming together to form a strong and flexible mesh that drapes down ...
Steel
Pair of Sculptural Mid Century Post Modern Barrel Back Swivel Lounge Chairs
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural pair of swiveling lounge chairs circa 1980's. These very well made chairs feature a swiveling bases that return to their original position. The original fabric has a cou...
Fabric, Wood
$6,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
Eero Aarnio Pair of Green Vintage Pony Figure Handmade Chairs
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A pair of vintage green Pony Chairs handmade by Eero Aarnio. Dimensions - 31" x 42" x 20" Pony is a friendly and characterful addition to any room, b...
Upholstery
$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
Vivai Del Sud Superstar Lounge Chair in Olive Green Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vivai Del Sud, 'Superstar' lounge chair, fabric, Italy, 1970s A splendid design by Vivai del Sud, known as the Superstar, is distinguished by its organic layout and substantial size...
Fabric
1 of 5 Minimalist LEM bar stools by LaPalma in steel and wood seats
By LaPalma, SHIN AZUMI
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find 5 minimalist barstools, model LEM, manufactured by LaPalma, in two different heights. The LEM bar stools were designed by...
Steel
Unique Sculptural Pair of Lounge Chairs in Metal and Red Leather, Italy 1960s
Located in Hellouw, NL
A bold architectural presence characterises this pair of vintage chairs, likely dating to the late 1960s or early 1970s. Sculptural and angular, they reflect the experimental energy ...
Steel
Heli 3-Seater Leather Sofa by Otto Zapf for Knoll, 1980s
Mario Botta, 4 'Seconda' Black Metal Chairs, Alias Mod. 602, 1980s
By Mario Botta
Located in Argelato, BO
Three 'Seconda' chairs designed by the famous architect Mario Botta for the Italian firm Alias, model 602. All 4 are painted black both in the structure and in the seat, they bear ...
Steel
Adrian Pearsall Channeled Post Modern Slipper Chairs in Ivory White Bouclé
By Comfort Design Furniture, Adrian Pearsall
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Pair of channeled Post Modern slipper chairs designed by Adrian Pearsall for Comfort Designs, Inc. If you're seeking chairs to wind down and relax in - the sort you can sit in for ho...
Upholstery, Bouclé
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
White Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Cream white Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather lounge chair with ottoman. Very fun Beautiful pop art long leather chair and foot rest. Has unique back supports and legs up...
Leather, Wood
$4,322Sale Price|33% Off
Alberto Rosselli Saporiti Italia Post Modern Confidential Lounge Sofa Couch MCM
Located in Dayton, OH
Iconic Fratelli Saporiti Italian Confidential lounge, library or club sofa / couch by Alberto Rosselli, circa 1970s. One of the first modular club chairs with a puzzle like cushion c...
Cotton
Mario Botta La Quinta chair for Alias, Switzerland 1985, One Chair
By Alias, Mario Botta
Located in Basel, BS
Fast Shipping, insured in 8-15 days. Mint condition original 1980s La Quinta chair by Mario Botta Chairs for Alias. One chair is left. During the 198...
Metal, Sheet Metal
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
$7,500Sale Price|25% Off
Postmodern Walse Leather Lounge Chair by Tito Agnoli for Poltrona Frau, c1990s
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Experience the timeless elegance and exceptional comfort of this vintage Postmodern Italian "Walse" lounge chair and ottoman set, designed by the renowned Tito Agnoli for Poltrona Fr...
Aluminum
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
Gionathan de Pas, Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi 'Ipercubo 200' Lounge Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gionathan de Pas, Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi for Driade, 'Ipercubo 200' seating elements, leather, plastic, Italy, 1970s An iconic set of modular sofa elements by Gionatha...
Leather, Plastic
American Designer, Side Chair, Oak, USA, 1980s
Located in High Point, NC
A laminated and carved oak side chair designed and produced in the US, c. 1980s. 16.75” seat height
Oak
Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti P40 Chairs for Fasem - Set of Three
By Fasem International, Giancarlo Vegni & G. Gualtierotti
Located in Miami, FL
Set of three P40 post modern dining arm chairs with black rubber seats and back on a black lacquered steel frame designed by Giancarlo Vegni & Gianfranco Gualtierotti for Fasem.
Steel
1980s Norman Jaffe Postmodern Pair of Leather Club Chairs
Located in Roanoke, VA
Super cool and rare pair of leather club chairs designed by architect Norman Jaffe for US West Corporation in the 1980s. They are in their original two-tone neutral gray-blue soft an...
Leather
Luna Chair in Black Powder Coated Iron by Animate Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Luna Chair in Black Powder Coated Iron by Animate Objects. Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 106 cm. Materials: Iron, Black Powder Coated. Inspired by Picasso’s horse costume in Cocteau’s...
Iron
Rive Droite Sculptural Sofa by Tam Sachs, Post-Modern Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Rive Droite Sculptural Sofa by Tam Sachs Numbered edition Dimensions: W 300 x D 120 x H 85 cm Materials: Stoneware Available in different colors and sizes, please contact us. It's ...
Stone, Other
Sculptural Side Table & Stool, Hand-Carved Blue Calacite Marble, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican Blue Calacite, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a modernist manner. The p...
Stone
Original Shadow Armchair by Gaetano Pesce for Meritalia, Postmodern Icon
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset, Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
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
Mark Brazier-Jones Sculptural Aluminum Chair, Red Velvet Seat, 1992
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This extraordinary Mark Brazier-Jones surrealist sculptural aluminum chair exemplifies the fantastical imagination and meticulous craftsmanship that defines Brazier-Jones’ work. Sign...
Aluminum
Pair of Large Donghia Slipper Chairs Newly Upholstered in Ivory Tiger Velvet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
With all the many things one could do on these luxurious Donghia slipper chairs, lounging is most certainly one of them. Sit back go for a magic carpet ride in these shimmering tiger...
Upholstery, Velvet, Wood
Italian Postmodern Proust Geometrica Armchair Alessandro Mendini by Cappellini
By Alessandro Mendini, Cappellini
Located in Portland, OR
An iconic chair designed by Italian postmodern designer Alessandro Mendini (1931-2019). This wonderful postmodern work of art presented as a chair is in excellent condition and ready to display in your space. Proust was originally created in 1978 for the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara. It was immediately recognized as an icon of twentieth century design and one of the most renowned and essential reference points in the quest for form and aesthetic perfection. Cappellini inherited the piece in 1993 and today Proust Geometrica...
Fabric, Cotton, Upholstery, Foam, Beech, Paint
Chair, Vegan Leather, Baby Blue, Post-Modern Design, Panorammma, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The “Ball-Foot Chair” is upholstered with a baby blue leather. The chair’s comfortable and rounded seat is playfully in dialogue with its distinctive spherical extremities. Appearin...
Steel
Set of Four 1980s Postmodern Mario Botta Style Wire Frame Armchairs
By Mario Botta
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Four 1980s armchairs designed in the style of Mario Botta's architectural furniture work. Each chair features a black enameled wire rod frame with a pronounced geometric X-pattern ba...
Metal, Enamel
$746Sale Price / set|25% Off
Postmodern Lucite + Chrome Folding Chairs (After Giancarlo Piretti), A Pair
By Marais international, (After) Gio Ponti, Yonel Lebovici, Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Round Top, TX
Fabulous pair of acrylic folding chairs in soft "barely" lavender. Designed with heavyweight chrome frames, and thick, bent acrylic seats and backs, in a Minimalist, Postmodern sty...
Chrome
Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau Pair of 'Movie' Armchairs in Saddle Leather
By Poltrona Frau, Mario Marenco
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Poltrona Frau, pair of armchairs model 'Movie', lacquered metal, leather, Italy, 1984 Italian furniture designer Mario Marenco drew inspiration from cinema seats, ...
Metal
De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for BBB Pair of 'Flap' Transformable Lounge Chairs
By BBB Bonacchina, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi for BBB, pair of 'Flap' lounge chairs, metal, plastic, alcantara, Italy, 1975 The "Flap" lounge chair, produced in 1975 by BBB, tr...
Metal
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
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” Easy Chairs for Mobilier International, 1971, Set of 2
By Mobilier International, Oscar Niemeyer
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Oscar Niemeyer “Alta” easy chairs for Mobilier International, cognac leather and steel, France, 1971, set of two The “Alta” easy chair, created by Oscar Niemeyer in 1971 in collabor...
Leather
Modernist Sculptural Oscar Chair by Harri Korhonen in Black Leather, Inno 1990s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A sculptural and highly functional armchair designed by Harri Korhonen for Inno Interiors from the 1990s. The Oscar chair embodies the clarity and quiet confidence of Finnish modern ...
Metal
Victoria 180 Sofa in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Victoria 180 Sofa in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 180 x D 95 x H 70 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and high-resilience (HR) f...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Beech
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
$3,897 / item
Leather Tella Bar Stool by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Leather Tella Bar Stool by Madheke Dimensions: D 47.1 x W 41.1 x H 92.8 cm. Materials: Sculptural retro-inspired design, Double-cushioned leather seat with curved backrest, Sleek met...
Metal
Cini Boeri, Sofa, Plastic, Leather, Gavina Knoll, Italy 1970s
By Gavina, Cini Boeri
Located in High Point, NC
A three-seater black ABS plastic and white / light grey leather sofa, designed by Cini Boeri, and produced by Gavina, Knoll, 1970s. Backside features a built in shelf. 13.5” seat he...
Leather, Plastic
1970s Post-Modern Chrome and Glass Dining Set by Daystrom, 5 Pieces
By Daystrom Furniture, Chromcraft, Bassett Furniture, Giotto Stoppino
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Exuding bold elegance and unapologetic mid-century charm, this four-piece dining ensemble encapsulates 1970s modernist glamour. A quartet of sculptural Daystrom “scoop” chairs—sinuou...
Chrome
$31,738 / set
Gaetano Pesce Bernini Broadway Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Broadway chairs Gaetano Pesce Bernini set of 4: iconic Italian design chairs characterized by the experimental approach with the use of epoxy and unconventional resin by Gaetano Pesc...
Metal
Swedish Designer, Stool, Pine, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A pine stool designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Seat height: 17”
Pine
Vladimir Kagan for Directional "Marilyn" Chaise Lounge, Circa Early 1990s
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Peabody, MA
A post modern sculptural chaise longue by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, the "Marilyn", circa early 1990s. Needs to be recovered; ready for you to add your personal touch.
Upholstery
Ripple Bench by Laurinda Spear for Brayton International
By Brayton International, Laurinda Spear
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1990s. USA. reupholstered in Maharam felted wool
Wool
F.A. Porsche Designed Cast Aluminum Armchair / Side Chair for Ycami, Italy 1990
By Ycami Collection, Philippe Starck, Driade, Ferdinand A. Porsche
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Rare Boulevard Armchair designed by Ferdinand A. Porsche (F.A. Porsche) for Ycami Edizioni. Made in Italy in 1990. Cast aluminum construction, it features a maker's marking and desig...
Chrome, Aluminum
$5,960Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Preview Purple Sculptural Biomorphic Cloud Sofa
By Preview
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, purple microfiber cloud sofa you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful sofa is statemen...
Upholstery, Wood
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
$2,880Sale 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
Wendy Wright chair by Philippe Starck
Located in PARIS, FR
Iconic piece by Philippe Starck designed in the 1980s and named after a character from the sci-fi novel of Philip K. Dick this piece is a masterpiece of 1980s design with a lot of ch...
Steel
Rainer Daumiller Pair of Dining Chairs in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals Sawmill, pair of dining chairs, pine, Denmark, 1970s Beautiful, organic and natural dining chairs in solid pine by Danish Rainer Daumiller in the 1970...
Pine
Ottoman in Chromed Metal and Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ottoman, footrest, leather, chromed metal, Europe, 1970s This sleek ottoman from the 1970s combines comfort with a timeless appearance. Made in Europe, it features a generously cush...
Leather
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni Set of Twelve 'Monk' Dining Chairs
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, set of twelve 'Monk' dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, 1974. Set of ‘Monk’ chairs by renowned Italian designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Th...
Leather, Walnut
$1,480 / item
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
Link-Terra Wicker, Fabric And Powder-Coated Aluminum Dining Chair by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Link-Terra Wicker, Fabric And Powder-Coated Aluminum Dining Chair by SNOC Dimensions: D 59 x W 63 x H 69 cm. Materials: Aluminium, wicker, and Luminesce fabric. Link-Terra When des...
Aluminum
GAIVOTA leather & steel armchair by RICARDO FASANELLO "Seagull Armchair" 1980
Located in Buffalo, NY
A rare opportunity to acquire a pair of "Gaivota" seagull armchairs, produced by the Ricardo Fasanello Studio, in Rio de Janeiro Brazil. The bold lines, yet visually pleasing propor...
Steel
$4,500
'Kazuki' Chair
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
‘Kazuki’ Chair By Kazuhide Takahama for Simon Gavina International Italy, 1970s Wood with Lacquer Finish
Wood
TAWARAYA "Boxing Ring" Seating Pod by Masanori Umed, Memphis Design, Japan, 1983
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
The TAWARAYA Ring by Masanori Umeda for MEMPHIS srl is one of that design movements most famous & critically-discussed pieces from the inaugural MEMP...
Laminate, Wood