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.
Giuseppe Rivadossi Sculptural Carved Trunk or Bench in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, trunk / side bench / side table, oak, Italy, 1970s Crafted in solid oak during the 1970s, this versatile trunk by Giuseppe Rivadossi exemp...
Oak
$972 / item
Bronzino by Alessandro Zambelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronzino by Alessandro Zambelli Dimensions: D 28 x W 6 x H 21 cm Materials: Solid Casting Bronze. Also available in different dimensions and in sets. Please contact us for more information. This essential yet precious collection is highly refined in its clear, defined lines: a series of small bronze sculptures which are able to combine typical renaissance taste in terms of perfection of form, with the minimalist aesthetic refinement of the Art Deco movement. A series of small home furnishing accessories in which a collection of flowing lines, at times clean and linear, at times softer and more rounded, follow after each other to delineate original geometric surfaces. Their mirror-like finish gives back glimpses of images, light and colours to the environment. in a skilful game of perfect formal harmony which seems embellished, and at the same time accentuated, by the metal's shininess. /Bron-zì-no/ Created following Donatello's wonderful work on the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, and popularised during the renaissance as an expression of admiration for antiquity, bronzetti are small bronze objects - small-scale reproductions of classical sculptures and bas-reliefs - or, more simply, objects created with the function of picchiotti, the door knockers which had been placed at the entrances to noble residences since ancient times. Lorem ipsum. Alessandro Zambelli Alessandro Zambelli lives and works in Mantua, Italy. He studied industrial design and materials engineering at the Cova School of Design in Milan, and his career took off at bathroom designer Agape in 2000. A few years later, in 2003, he founded Alessandro Zambelli Design Studio. In 2006 he worked on the Estetico Quotidiano project, marking the start of his co-operation with the design house of Seletti. Zambelli’s Palace Collection and School Joke Chair...
Bronze
$515 / item
Bronzino by Alessandro Zambelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronzino by Alessandro Zambelli Dimension: D 11 x W 6 x H 10 cm Materials: Solid casting Bronze. Also available in different sizes and in sets. Please contact us for more information. This essential yet precious collection is highly refined in its clear, defined lines: a series of small bronze sculptures which are able to combine typical renaissance taste in terms of perfection of form, with the minimalist aesthetic refinement of the Art Deco movement. A series of small home furnishing accessories in which a collection of flowing lines, at times clean and linear, at times softer and more rounded, follow after each other to delineate original geometric surfaces. Their mirror-like finish gives back glimpses of images, light, and colors to the environment. in a skillful game of perfect formal harmony which seems embellished, and at the same time accentuated, by the metal's shininess. /Bron-zì-no/ Created following Donatello's wonderful work on the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, and popularised during the renaissance as an expression of admiration for antiquity, bronzetti are small bronze objects - small-scale reproductions of classical sculptures and bas-reliefs - or, more simply, objects created with the function of picchiotti, the door knockers which had been placed at the entrances to noble residences since ancient times. Lorem ipsum. Alessandro Zambelli Alessandro Zambelli lives and works in Mantua, Italy. He studied industrial design and materials engineering at the Cova School of Design in Milan, and his career took off at bathroom designer Agape in 2000. A few years later, in 2003, he founded Alessandro Zambelli Design Studio. In 2006 he worked on the Estetico Quotidiano project, marking the start of his co-operation with the design house of Seletti. Zambelli’s Palace Collection and School Joke Chair...
Brass
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate Storage Units or Planters
By Carlo Bartoli, Rossi di Albizzate
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, set of three storage chests / planters, leather, plastic, metal, Italy, 1976 This versatile set serves multiple purposes: it can function as bl...
Metal
$398 / item
Little Bronzino by Alessandro Zambelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronzino by Alessandro Zambelli Dimension: D 10 x W 6 X H 9 cm Materials: Solid casting Bronze. Also available in different sizes and in sets. Please contact us for more information. This essential yet precious collection is highly refined in its clear, defined lines: a series of small bronze sculptures which are able to combine typical renaissance taste in terms of perfection of form, with the minimalist aesthetic refinement of the Art Deco movement. A series of small home furnishing accessories in which a collection of flowing lines, at times clean and linear, at times softer and more rounded, follow after each other to delineate original geometric surfaces. Their mirror-like finish gives back glimpses of images, light and colours to the environment. in a skilful game of perfect formal harmony which seems embellished, and at the same time accentuated, by the metal's shininess. /Bron-zì-no/ Created following Donatello's wonderful work on the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, and popularised during the renaissance as an expression of admiration for antiquity, bronzetti are small bronze objects - small-scale reproductions of classical sculptures and bas-reliefs - or, more simply, objects created with the function of picchiotti, the door knockers which had been placed at the entrances to noble residences since ancient times. Lorem ipsum. Alessandro Zambelli Alessandro Zambelli lives and works in Mantua, Italy. He studied industrial design and materials engineering at the Cova School of Design in Milan, and his career took off at bathroom designer Agape in 2000. A few years later, in 2003, he founded Alessandro Zambelli Design Studio. In 2006 he worked on the Estetico Quotidiano project, marking the start of his co-operation with the design house of Seletti. Zambelli’s Palace Collection and School Joke Chair...
Bronze
Set of 2 Bronzino Hangers by Alessandro Zambelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 bronzino hangers by Alessandro Zambelli Dimensions: Small: D 10 x W 6 x H 9 cm Large: D 11 x W 6 x H 10 cm Materials: Solid casting bronze. Also available in different dimensions. This essential yet precious collection is highly refined in its clear, defined lines: a series of small bronze sculptures which are able to combine typical renaissance taste in terms of perfection of form, with the minimalist aesthetic refinement of the Art Deco movement. A series of small home furnishing accessories in which a collection of flowing lines, at times clean and linear, at times softer and more rounded, follow after each other to delineate original geometric surfaces. Their mirror-like finish gives back glimpses of images, light and colours to the environment. In a skilful game of perfect formal harmony which seems embellished, and at the same time accentuated, by the metal's shininess. /Bron-zì-no/ Created following Donatello's wonderful work on the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua, and popularised during the renaissance as an expression of admiration for antiquity, bronzetti are small bronze objects - small-scale reproductions of classical sculptures and bas-reliefs - or, more simply, objects created with the function of picchiotti, the door knockers which had been placed at the entrances to noble residences since ancient times. Lorem ipsum. Alessandro Zambelli Alessandro Zambelli lives and works in Mantua, Italy. He studied industrial design and materials engineering at the Cova School of Design in Milan, and his career took off at bathroom designer Agape in 2000. A few years later, in 2003, he founded Alessandro Zambelli Design Studio. In 2006 he worked on the Estetico Quotidiano project, marking the start of his co-operation with the design house of Seletti. Zambelli’s Palace Collection and School Joke Chair...
Bronze
Vintage-Style Pearl Leather Trunk Bench
Located in Westwood, NJ
Vintage-style pearl leather trunk bench. A fully functional trunk that hinges open to reveal storage. The padded leather exterior makes it a great bench ...
Leather, Wood
Queen Anne Cedar Hope Chest by Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Simple yet ornate, this traditional cedar hope chest has all the features that made Virginia’s Lane Furniture one of the biggest names in 20th century American woodworking. Built in ...
Wood, Hardwood, Mahogany, Cedar
$5,396
H 25.4 in W 49.81 in D 23.04 in
1642 Dated Charles I / Jacobean Hand Carved English Oak Coffer Linen Chest Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sympathetically restored, 1642 Charles I / Jacobean, hand carved English oak coffer, trunk or chest This piece is stunning, its hand carved t...
Oak
18th Century Pair of Italian Polychrome Coffers
Located in Marbella, ES
18th century pair of Italian polychrome coffers, hand painted in green and typical Italian period ochre color vegetable and ornamental motifs. Featured in "Arredo Domestico", a c...
Wood
$9,300Sale Price|33% Off
H 26.25 in W 34.75 in D 20.5 in
'Taliesin' Model #2005 Special Cabinet by Frank Lloyd Wright, 1955, Signed
By Frank Lloyd Wright, Heritage-Henredon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This gorgeously refinished Honduran Mahogany 'Taliesin' Model #2005 Special Cabinet on Stand was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for Heritage-Henredon in 1955 and produced only for two years, therefore is now a highly sought-after and rare collectors item and this particular cabinet design being one of the most sought after of the entire collection. This example is signed with the red Taliesin symbol on the back along with its stamped model #2005. This rare Frank Lloyd Wright cabinet features the rare sought after architectural base with equally rare and sought after two door cabinet with concentric square designs on doors. Inside the cabinet is a removable shelf. The cabinet can be removed from the base as can be seen in the photos. Frank Lloyd Wright stated that one of his goals for this line was for the 'design to make the home more efficient as well as more beautiful'. Woven into each piece of this series was the chamfered wood edge with an abstracted Greek key motif, the signature detail of every Taliesin design, covering the edges of each item in the collection. All of the pieces were executed in Honduran Mahogany, a high-end luxury wood choice. His idea was to design ‘infinite adaptability to American living’, for example desks could double as dressing tables, small tables could be used as a chair or stool and bookcases had moveable tops transforming into room dividers. Decoration was limited to the greek key edges so that ‘is of the piece, not on it’ and the removal of elimination of any hardware door or drawer pulls in favor of cut out flush pulls which ‘catch light and shadow for interesting and changing patterns’. Wright pitched three separate concepts to Heritage Henredon: ‘Burberry’, ‘Honeycomb’ and ‘Four Square’ which was the one chosen to go into production and renamed ‘Taliesin’ after Wrights Wisconsin home. A distinguishing feature of the Taliesin line is that each piece is identified with a branded signature which was often accompanied by a red square. No other items from the rest of Wright's career is marked or identified which makes this line more desirable to collectors. This particular cabinet design recently broke auction records for its model - demonstrating the rarity and desirability of Frank Lloyd Wright's work along with the uniqueness of this cabinet design and demand from art and design collectors and investors, along with the interior design community. This beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright Taleisin cabinet would work great in a Craftsman, Farm House, Monterey, Spanish, Mission, Arts & Crafts, Mid-Century Modern, Scandanavian Modern or Danish Modern home or penthouse apartment but could also look fantastic in a Contemporary or Post-Modern room. Also consider mixing it up in a Traditional, Transitional, Classical or Art Deco room with a splash of juxtaposition. Would also be an apt choice in a commercial project such as a hotel lobby lounge or members club, creative design studio or high-rise executive office. Consider using as a small blanket chest, a dry bar for liquor...
Mahogany
$9,500
H 39.38 in W 63 in D 18.9 in
Hand Crafted Brutalist Giuseppe Rivadossi Sideboard in Oak Italy, the 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Hand crafted Brutalist Giuseppe Rivadossi sideboard in oak Italy, the 1970s. A fantastic oak sideboard by the Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi featured a high leve...
Oak
Pair of Custom Paint Decorated Trunks by Graham Carr
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Custom painted by UK artist Graham Carr and signed. His furniture has been featured in Interiors and British House and Garden. Suitable as paired coffee ta...
Wood
$1,480
H 20.5 in W 42 in D 19 in
19th Century Gothic Revival Carved Oak Trunk with Hand-Forged Ironwork
Located in Dallas, TX
Evoking the carved chests once placed within medieval halls, ecclesiastical interiors, and great country houses, this 19th century oak trunk captures the enduring romance of the Goth...
Wrought Iron
Storage Bench Decorated with Elephants
Located in Kastrup, DK
Artistic storage bench, naïve and charming in its design. Shape of elephants in amber lacquer between elephants, at the end decorated with vases and flow...
Wood
Pine Trunk or Blanket Chest in Original Decorative Paint
Located in Baltimore, MD
This large and handsome painted dovetailed trunk commemorates either the birth or marriage of Agatha Taster in 1831. The ground is in shades of sang de boeuf paint. On the top this...
Pine
$1,394
H 17.72 in W 35.83 in D 16.54 in
French Riviera Storage Chest or Bench in Bamboo and Wicker, Italy 1970
By Dal Vera
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning French Riviera style storage chest or bench, entirely handcrafted in rattan and woven wicker. This stylish organic piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s. In amazing ...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
$4,171Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.68 in W 51.97 in D 23.23 in
Antique english 18th century blacked or dark brown solid oak carved chest trunk
Located in Casteren, NL
This beautiful antique chest was crafted in England at the end of the 18th century. The chest is entirely made of solid oak wood. Its front features three recessed panels with two dr...
Oak
Cressida Bell - 'Tapestry' Blanket Chest
Located in New York, NY
Blanket chest of rectangular form with hinged lid; handpainted and signed by the artist; opening to a red painted interior.
Wood, Paint
Bronzino by Alessandro Zambelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Bronzino by Alessandro Zambelli Dimensions: D 28 x W 6 x H 21 cm Materials: Solid Casting Bronze. Also available in different dimensions and in sets. Please contact us for more...
Bronze
Betty Cobonpue Sculptural Split Reed Storage Chest, 1980s
Located in Round Rock, TX
Offered is a lovely sculptural split reed storage chest/trunk designed by Betty Cobonpue for her "Scultura" line produced in the 1980s. Cobonpues' design philosophy was simple: no...
Reed, Mahogany
Sold
H 18 in W 19.25 in D 19.25 in
Betty Cobonpue Sculptural Split Reed Lidded Storage Chest or Side Table, 1980s
Located in Round Rock, TX
Offered is a lovely sculptural split reed small storage chest or side table designed by Betty Cobonpue for her "Scultura" line produced in the 1980...
Reed, Mahogany
Sold
H 20 in W 19.25 in D 13.5 in
Mid-Century Post Modern End Table or Small Decorative Trunk by Maitland Smith
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sharp decorative side table which doubles as a storage trunk. Made by Maitland Smith with label.
Wood
Tessellated Stone with Brass Frame and Brass Base Mini Chest, 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Tessellated stone with brass frame and brass base mini chest/trunk, 1970.
Stone
Outstanding Betty Cobonpue Reed Trunk or Table
Located in Round Rock, TX
Absolutely wonderful piece by renowned Filipino designer Betty Cobonpue, c. 1980s. Constructed of steamed reed and mahogany interior, this piece is quite versatile. While designed to...
Wicker, Cane, Reed
Horn Veneered Chest or Trunk
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an eye-catching late 20th century small trunk or chest that has been meticulously veneer in horn in a chevron parquetry style. The chest is in overall good condition with min...
Horn, Wood
Carved Wood Chest by Gianni Pinna
Located in Antwerp, BE
Hand carved box chest, Gianni pinna, Italy, 1970 Masterpiece hand carved wooden box chest The wall panel in some of the images is available in anothe...
Walnut