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.
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
Iconic Trix & Robert Haussmann Amor Stripe 12 “Zebra” Credenza by Wogg
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Iconic Trix & Robert Haussmann Amor Stripe 12 credenza by Wogg. Intriguing design, use of materials and refined execution cumulate in the iconic Amor Stripe 12 “Zebra” credenza b...
Chrome
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Pop art Post modern white Gloss Laminate custom 6 drawer dresser or credenza
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful post modern custom made White gloss laminate 6 drawer dresser or credenza circa 1980. Very clean inside and out almost like new. Look at photos. There is (3) drawers on the...
Laminate, Plywood
Piero Lissoni for Cassina "Flat Series" Credenza
By Piero Lissoni, Cassina
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pierso Lissoni "Flat Series" for Cassina. Very nice shape with three pull out drawers. Right side is a single drawer deep enough for bottles. Divided trays in other drawers keep e...
Carrara Marble, Aluminum
$7,500 / item
Bloom Marquetry Bar Credenza
Located in New York, US
A centerpiece in any space, the Bloom Cabinet is crafted from a combination of teak and walnut, creating a beautiful contrast. Inspired by hibiscus flower, each petals are brought to...
Mahogany, Oak, Teak, Walnut
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Custom Pop art post modern 3 door beige Pill shaped credenza sideboard
By Memphis Milano, Ello Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pop art post modern 3 door beige colored Pill shaped rounded ends credenza sideboard. Very light tan beige color gloss laminate credenza custom made circa 1980 has 3 cabinet doors wi...
Laminate, Wood
$1,200Sale Price|67% Off
Postmodern Waterfall Faux Stone Credenza in The Karl Springer's Style. C 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Monumental Postmodern Waterfall Faux Stone Sidebar Credenza in The Karl Springer's Style. Circa 1980s Features a faux stone composite waterfall top with textured plaster covered doo...
Plastic, Plaster, Wood
Post-Modern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Mactan Stone Orb Credenza
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exquisite crendenza or sideboard, dating back to the 1990s. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this piece showcases a stunning hand...
Stone
Postmodern Asian Style Grass Cloth Credenza in Style of Karl Springer C. 1980s
Located in Peabody, MA
Postmodern Asian inspired credenza in ivory lacquered grasscloth, ca. 1980s, in the manner of Karl Springer.
Grasscloth, Wood
$12,963 / item
Geller Credenza by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Geller Credenza by Madheke Dimensions: D 202 x W 54 x H 76.1 cm. Materials: Marbled stone credenza top, Walnut credenza body with pronounced front edge profile, Walnut veneered sculp...
Brass
Credenza / Sideboard, Hand-Carved White Onyx, Sculptural Design, Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Carved from solid onyx, the Eoli Credenza is a sculptural storage piece shaped by the idea of wind in motion. Its form recalls slow, continuous forces: erosion, pressure, flow. The...
Onyx
1980s Inlaid Wood Sideboard by Carlo Malnati Credenza Buffet, Postmodern
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1980s Inlaid Wood Sideboard by Carlo Malnati Credenza Buffet, Postmodern A rare and eye-catching Carlo Malnati-designed credenza, featuring a striking front made from contrasting in...
Wood
$17,615 / item
Large Il Pezzo 10 Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Il Pezzo 10 Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante Dimensions: W 245 x D 53 x H 85 cm Materials: Structure: 100% solid walnut treated with natural oil Base: satin brass / bronze / gold...
Walnut
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Floral smoked mirror glass 4 door credenza with mirror brass
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post Modern Floral smoked mirror glass 4 door credenza with mirror brass by Ello. Great Post Modern mirror sideboard with 4 Doors adjustable shelves and (1) drawer. The front doors h...
Brass
$19,544 / item
Trono Credenza by Andres Gutierrez
Located in Geneve, CH
Trono credenza by Andres Gutierrez Dimensions: D50 x W186 x H74 cm Materials: Solid white oak wood — Inspired by Xochiquetzal, the aztec godess as...
Oak
$2,800Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern light gray gloss lacquer 4 door credenza Cabinet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern light grayish/blue Lacquered 4 Door Credenza Cabinet. This 73” wide credenza has storage inside behind 4 door panels with 6 adjustable shelves with all pins inside, has m...
Metal
Italian Colored Glass and Brass Sideboard or Credenza
Located in London, London
Colored glass sideboard Brass base and details Postmodern mix of colors Contemporary, Italy.
Brass
$1,680Sale Price|30% Off
Pop art post modern 4 door muave pink credenza sideboard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pop art post modern 4 door muave pink credenza sideboard. Very light muted muave pink laminate credenza custom made circa 1980 has 4 cabinet doors with m...
Laminate, Wood
Midcentury Post Modern Demilune Credenza or Cabinet in Glossy Laminate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large substantial storage piece from the late 1980s. It features an elongated demilune form finished in a beautiful modern glossy laminate and four d...
Laminate
$4,208Sale Price|20% Off
TORCELLO Series Credenza by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stildomus, Italy 1980's
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Stildomus
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Postmodern Italian Design TORCELLO Series Credenza by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Stildomus. Made in Italy, 1980's period. Marked with a stamp inside one of the doors. Very well designed...
Aluminum
Maitland Style Postmodern Tessellated Stone Rolling Credenza Buffet Dry Bar
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on READ MORE below. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A 1980's Maitland Style Postmodern Tessellated Ston...
Stone
$5,260Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Credenza by Renato Toso and Robertà Pamio, Italy, 1920s
By Roberto Pamio & Renato Toso
Located in Antwerp, BE
Post-modern; Italian design; Roberto Pamio and Renato Toso; sideboard; Credenza; Room divider, Italy, 1970's Post-modern Italian credenza in wood with black-painted wooden pillars...
Wood
Sideboard modular credenza Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani (Hermès) 1970's
By i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Gorgeous modular credenza, designed by Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani on commission from Hermès boutiques in the 1970s. The cabinet consists of two storage units with doors covered ...
Marble, Aluminum
$12,900 / item
Shale High Credenza (72") in solid ash by Simon Johns
By Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
Both monumental and subtle, the Shale Credenza brings the intricacies of nature’s geology indoors. The wood doors are scored vertically across the grain...
Mirror, Ash
$32,648 / item
Greenwich Console by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Greenwich console by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 300 x W 2.22 x H 75 cm Materials: oak wood, Metalicus granite, Katalox wood, stainless steel. Console made of burnt white oa...
Granite, Steel
$1,604Sale Price|49% Off
Marquina Black Marble lacquer Italian Post Modern Sideboard, 1980s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Postmodern sideboard in fake Marquina marble. High-end luxury item. It would fit well in an eclectic postmodern-inspired interior, Italy, 1980s.
Wood
$4,477 / item
Kota Credenza by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Kota Credenza by DAaZ Dimensions: D 45 x W 180 x H 90 cm. Materials: Albizzia. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and revel in the...
Wood
Italian Postmodern Credenza with Book-Matched Wood Doors
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern Italian Chrome Credenza with Book-Matched Mukulai/Mango Wood Doors Postmodern Italian chrome-framed credenza featuring three book-matched Mukulai (mango) wood doors toppe...
Chrome
Vintage Italian Postmodern Enfilade Credenza in Black Lacquer + Birdseye Maple
Located in Chicago, IL
A monumental Italian enfilade credenza, sourced in Parma and dating to the 1980s. Over seven feet wide, the piece is constructed of wood and finished in a high-gloss black lacquer th...
Wood, Lacquer
Pyramidal Shape Raw Steel and Natural Oak Lowboard by Heilig Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Varel Lowboard in Historic Oak, Raw Steel & Oak Veneer by Heilig Objects Dimensions: D 37 x W 109 x H 47 cm. Materials: Historic oak plank, oak veneer, and raw steel. Daniel Heilig....
Steel
$4,875Sale Price / item|35% Off
Nanook - Post-Modern Credenza Powder Coated Steel and Marble Handmade in BK, NY
By Franco V
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nanook - Post Modern Credenza Nanook represents a bold intersection of artistic vision and functional design. This hand crafted credenza merges powder coated steel with luxurious N...
Marble, Steel
Vintage Boho Sarreid Chevron Credenza
By Sarreid Ltd.
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This expansive and architecturally dynamic credenza is a magnificent example of Postmodern design, utilizing texture and bold geometry to create visual impact. The long, low cabinet ...
Wood, Lacquer
Beverly Sideboard by Ettore Sottsass, 1981 Postmodern Design
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Ettore Sottsass considered the Beverly sideboard a pivotal piece for the first MEMPHIS collection. The diagonal upright support fabricated of birds-eye maple was meant to infer the p...
Chrome
Bianco Statuarietto Visibile M Horizontal Display Cabinet by Angelo Alinea
Located in Geneve, CH
Bianco Statuarietto Visibile M Horizontal Display Cabinet by Angelo Alinea Dimensions: W 120 x D 45 x H 125 cm Material: Display cabinet with marble bottom (honed). Frame in metal, ...
Marble, Metal
Elegant Post Modern Masterpiece Cabinet, Italy, 2000
Located in Munich, DE
Exceptional cabinet designed for a luxury fashion shop, maybe Valentino or Versace in Italy in 2000s. These wonderful cabinet are custom made, in very high quality, The exterior fronts and interior surfaces are decorated with a great black and white wooden rombs pattern and the doors have floral embroidery on black leather. Inside it has drawers, folding shelves...
Brass
$17,276 / item
Pilion Dressing Cabinet by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Pilion Dressing Cabinet by Madheke Dimensions: D 150 x W 45 x H 105 cm. Materials: Leather finished cabinet with contrasting leather trims, Brass hardware details. Finish options: Le...
Brass
$16,587 / item
Ikat Credenza by INDO-
Located in Geneve, CH
Ikat credenza by INDO- One of a kind Dimensions: D 152.4, W 45.7, H 61 cm Materials: Maple. Different dimensions available. Each piece is carefully handcrafted by our team using ...
Maple
$13,454 / item
Visibile M Vertical Display Cabinet by Angelo Alinea
Located in Geneve, CH
Visibile M Vertical Display Cabinet by Angelo Alinea Dimensions: W 60 x D 45 x H 181.4 cm Material: Display cabinet with marble bottom (honed). Frame in metal, lacquered. Glass cabi...
Marble, Metal
$7,107Sale Price|20% Off
Lacquered wood sideboard credenza postmodern style 1980, black gray and red
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Lacquered wood sideboard, postmodern style, 1980, red and gray cassrtti color, black top, good general condition except for small general marks not too noticeable. Provenance: privat...
Wood
$12,601 / item
Large Il Pezzo 1 Black Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Il Pezzo 1 Black Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante Dimensions: W 255 x D 83 x H 40 cm Materials: Structure: black stained oak. Base: gold, satin brass, bronze, nickel. Top: black ...
Marble
Vintage Postmodern Plaster Credenza
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Make a bold statement with this striking vintage postmodern plaster credenza. Designed with sculptural curved side panels and a sleek, minimalist aest...
Plaster, Wood
$18,200 / item
Charles Serving Credenza by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Charles Serving Credenza by Madheke Dimensions: D 201 x W 55 x H 90 cm. Materials: Leather drawer fronts featuring embossed leather, Brushed antique finished brass drawer edge, Brass...
Brass
$9,772 / item
Small Il Pezzo 1 Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Il Pezzo 1 Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante Dimensions: W 205 x D 83 x H 40 cm Materials: Structure: walnut - ash. Base: gold, satin brass, bronze, nickel. Top: white carrara mar...
Marble
$19,544 / item
Trono Black Credenza by Andres Gutierrez
Located in Geneve, CH
Trono Black Credenza by Andres Gutierrez Dimensions: D 50 x W 186 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid white oak wood with black lacquer finish. Also availa...
Oak
$9,772 / item
Small Il Pezzo 1 Black Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Il Pezzo 1 Black Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante Dimensions: W 205 x D 83 x H 40 cm Materials: Structure: black stained oak. Base: gold, satin brass, bronze, nickel. Top: black ...
Marble
Wendon Console Table in Gypsum & Fiberglass by Brent Warr Studios
By Brent Warr
Located in Bainbridge, GA
The Wendon Console Table is both functional and decorative, thanks to its solid yet harmonious silhouette and use of natural materials. Perfect for an entryway or dining room, Handcr...
Epoxy Resin, Fiberglass, Plaster, Hardwood, Paint
$11,993 / item
MG301 Credenza by Malte Gormsen
Located in Geneve, CH
MG301 Credenza by Malte Gormsen Dimensions: D 45 x W 200 x H 70.8 cm. Materials: Dark Nature oak. Available in Nature, Raw Nature, Light Nature, Grey Nature, and Dark Nature finishe...
Metal
$27,002 / item
Twin Sideboard by Gisbert Pöppler
Located in Geneve, CH
Twin Sideboard by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: D 173 x W 48.5 x H 81 cm Materials: Semigloss hand-laquered ash wood, olive wood This cabinet appears monolithic, but the playfully...
Ash, Olive
$12,343 / item
Meets Credenza by Andrea Giomi
Located in Geneve, CH
Meets credenza by Andrea Giomi Dimensions: D 47 x W 175 x H 80 cm Materials: Stone Andrea Giomi, was born in Castelfiorentino in the province of Florence in 1970. Develops his ...
Stone
$4,301Sale Price|20% Off
Pierre Cardin Black Lacquer and Teak Drawer Cabinet, Postmodern Credenza, 1970's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pierre Cardin; French Design; Black lacquer; Teak drawer; Cabinet; Credenza; Pierre Cardin sideboard in black lacquered wood and teak. This item is provided with two doors on each...
Teak, Lacquer
MEZZO Credenza — Minimal, Architectural Blackened Steel Storage Cabinet or Case
By Laylo Studio
Located in Chicago, IL
MEZZO is signified by gently contoured, tiered metal planes each hand-finished and precisely welded to outboard leveling legs creating an open shelving system activated by the items ...
Brass, Bronze, Steel, Stainless Steel
$34,576 / item
MG305 Leather Credenza by Malte Gormsen
Located in Geneve, CH
MG305 Leather Credenza by Malte Gormsen Dimensions: D 55 x W 178.8 x H 92 cm. Materials: Oak, leather, brass. Malte Gormsen Møbelsnedkeri is a cabinetmaker who combines Danish craft...
Brass
$17,136 / item
Colizee Credenza in Veneer, Leather and Stone by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Colizee Credenza in Veneer, Leather and Stone by Madheke. Dimensions: W 200 x D 50 x H 80 cm. Materials: stone top, veneered credenza front in matte finish, leather finished end pane...
Stone
Postmodern Blue Lacquer and Black Marble Sideboard by DBM, Italy, 1980s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Postmodern sideboard with mirror, produced by the Italian company DBM, in wood and resin, lacquered in dark blue, with briar effects and black mar...
Marble
$32,016 / item
Eoli Credenza in White Onyx & Wood by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Eoli Credenza in White Onyx & Wood by Panorammma Dimensions: D 50 x W 181 x H 82 cm. Materials: White onyx and wood. Each edition’s patterns and tone will naturally vary. Please fol...
Onyx
Glass Visibile G Vertical Hanging Cabinet by Angelo Alinea
Located in Geneve, CH
Glass Visibile G Vertical Hanging Cabinet by Angelo Alinea Dimensions: W 60 x D 38 x H 128 cm Material: tempered glass, 6 mm. Door: tempered glass, 4 mm , with lock frame: silver la...
Steel
$4,875Sale Price|35% Off
Nanook - Post-Modern Credenza Brushed Steel and Marble Handmade in BK, NY
By Franco V
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nanook - Post Modern Credenza The Nanook Credenza represents a bold intersection of artistic vision and functional design. This hand crafted credenza merges powder coated steel wit...
Marble, Steel
$4,631Sale Price / item|38% Off
Nanook Post-Modern Credenza Powder Coated Steel Terrazzo Top Handmade in BK, NY
By Franco V
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nanook - Post Modern Credenza Nanook represents a bold intersection of artistic vision and functional design. This hand crafted credenza merges powder coated steel with luxurious N...
Marble, Steel
$12,601 / item
Large Il Pezzo 1 Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Il Pezzo 1 Credenza by Il Pezzo Mancante Dimensions: W 255 x D 83 x H 40 cm Materials: Structure: walnut - ash. Base: gold, satin brass, bronze, nickel. Top: white carrara mar...
Marble
Barbera 'Herodutus' Shelving Storage, Cast Brass and Marble
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Designed by Daniel Barbera, the 'Herodutus' shelving system elegant and sculptural. The sand cast uprights are cast in Brass and Iron, which can also be hand finished to a smooth mir...
Granite, Marble, Metal, Aluminum, Bronze
AC11 Credenza in Solid Walnut & Blackened Cold Rolled Steel by Atlas Industries
Located in Geneve, CH
AC11 Credenza in Solid Walnut & Blackened Cold Rolled Steel by Atlas Industries. Dimensions: W 188 x D 51 x H 107.5 cm. Materials: Solid Walnut and blackened cold rolled steel base w...
Bronze, Steel