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.
Drybar 'Counter' by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast, Italy
By Rodney Kinsman, Bieffeplast
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and beautiful Drybar - Counter designed by the famous architect and designer Rodney Kinsman for the company Bieffepolast, Italy. A perfect piece of furniture to use both as a D...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
$3,196Sale Price|46% Off
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
$26,000
Ledge Dry Bar by Simon Johns
By Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
Ledge dry bar is a floating wall-mounted sculptural dry bar. Made of carved solid ash, it’s surface recalls the textures of crumbling cliffs around the studio. It’s interior has two solid wood surfaces for a collection of bottles...
Leather, Glass, Ash
Pedro Friedeberg Snake Bar / Server / Table / Candle Holder / Sculpture, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pedro Friedeberg Snake bar, Mexico, c. 1970s. Made of carved and gilt wood, antique statuary, and glass. The stretched out hands hold the round removable glass tray and the upper han...
Glass, Wood
1980s Black Glass & Mirrored Illuminated Dry Bar Storage Shelving Unit
Located in Bensalem, PA
Truly amazing dry bar and shelving unit Will be the focal point of any dining or family room comes apart in three pieces
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Bertrand Cabinet by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Memphis, Milano, 1987
By Massimo Iosa Ghini, Memphis Group
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare Bertrand cabinet by Massimo Iosa Ghini for Memphis, Milano, 1987. Original condition with very few blemishes. This can be used as a bar cabinet, sideboard, or general storage.
Steel, Chrome
Bar and Wall Unit in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar and wall unit or backbar, pine, Europe, 1970s This set is the ultimate component for hosting and entertaining friends: a home bar and large wall unit behind it. Crafted with car...
Pine
Postmodern Chrome & Black Glass Wheeled Bar Cart
Located in Freehold, NJ
This postmodern bar cart features chrome frame with three bottle holders, rectangular design, black glass shelving on top and bottom, and wheeled b...
Chrome
Concertina Bar in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Concertina Bar in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 8 + 4AP. Dimensions: D 50 x W 120 x H 100 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless steel....
Stainless Steel
$4,272 / item
Curved Black Lacquered Classe Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Curved black lacquered classe bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D100 x W100 x H115 cm Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg Also available in different colors, wheel k...
Stainless Steel, Other
Memphis Style Cabinet by Gerard Van Den Berg for Pastoe, Netherlands, 1980s
By Pastoe, Gerard Van Den Berg
Located in Antwerp, BE
Memphis-inspired 'Magic' cabinet by Gerard Van Den Berg for Pastoe, a rare gem that exudes Dutch flair. This original piece, featured prominently in the Eddie Murphy...
Metal
Rough Split Bar in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Rough Split Bar in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 10 Pieces. Dimensions: D 50 x W 135 x H 107 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless ste...
Stainless Steel
$2,565Sale Price|40% Off
1990s Postmodern Dry Bar w/ Plexiglass Top & Rattan Borders
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A striking postmodern dry bar or counter featuring a sleek curved form, smoked frosted plexiglass top, and elegant wood-grain finish. Restored and customized with rattan borders and ...
Rattan, Formica, Plexiglass, Wood
$22,617 / item
Petit Comité Bar by Renatta Chain
Located in Geneve, CH
Petit Comité bar by Renatta Chain Dimensions: D 85 x W 50 x H 155 cm Materials: ebony veneer, glass, leather, steel, Petra Grey marble. Bar made of ebony veneer, black leather, ...
Marble, Steel
Unique Post Modern Mid century Birch Steel Bar Cart Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Awesome Unique Postmodern mid century Birch and steel Bar Cart. Very cool custom built unit with side lower drawer and shelves on black rubber casters. Unique design great unique pie...
Steel
$2,938Sale Price / set|74% Off
Pair of XL Italian Vitrines by Giorgio Collection
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Pair of architectural vitrines designed by Alan Meadoff and produced in Italy in 1990 by Nuova Modernindustria for the Giorgio Collection. African walnut book matched ...
Glass, Walnut
$1,500Sale Price|40% Off
Modern Bar cart or trolly indoor or outdoor Patio Pool white and wood
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Modern Bar cart or tea trolly indoor or outdoor poolside white and wood. Circa 1990 or 1980. Powder coated white steel frame with exotic hardwood slats. Has (2) large white wheels wi...
Rubber, Hardwood, Lacquer
Postmodern Italian Bar Sideboard Murano Glass and Brass, 1980s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
An interesting postmodern bar cabinet, sideboard/bar cabinet, very distinctive Italian design, with two front doors in milky white Murano glass,...
Brass
Luna Platan Bar in Sycamore Veneer & Glass by PANOPTIKUM COLLECTIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Luna Platan Bar in Sycamore Veneer & Glass by PANOPTIKUM COLLECTIONS Dimensions: Ø 52 x H 190/250 cm. Materials: MDF in sycamore veneer and glass. “The Tree of Silence” is the prese...
Wood, Glass
$6,995 / item
Maple Path of Totality Bar Cabinet
Located in Portland, OR
Prototyped in the weeks leading up to a solar eclipse, this bar cabinet is an exploration of partially obscured light. The laser cut lattice work on the bypass doors is an interpreta...
Steel
Postmodern Chrome & Glass Wheeled Bar Cart
Located in Freehold, NJ
This vintage postmodern bar cart features chrome construction, black tempered glass shelving rounded modern design with three bottle holders, and w...
Chrome
Contemporary Bar by Paulo Alves, 2017
By Paulo Alves
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
This wooden bar is designed in a square shape and features four sturdy wooden feet that split in two for extra support. One of the standout features of the wooden bar is its two can...
Cane, Wood
Rectangular Smoked Glass Coffee Table / Dry Bar in the style of François Monnet
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This is an elegant coffee table or bar with a high-quality rectangular tempered smoked glass top that swivels to reveal two steel cylinders with a lacquered pla...
Steel
Post Modern Chinoiserie Dry Bar Cabinet C. 1990s
Located in Saint Louis, MO
A really fun Post Modern bar cabinet with a Chinoiserie nod that adds an uplifting air whether in or out of use into any space. Go from sexy sc...
Wood
$1,952 / item
Chocolate Straight Lace Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate straight lace bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D68 x W140 x H115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 45 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes ...
Stainless Steel, Other
$1,775 / item
White Curved Lace Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
White curved lace bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D100 x W100 x H115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (lacq...
Stainless Steel, Other
$1,775 / item
Burgundy Curved Lace Bar by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Burgundy curved Lace bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D100 x W100 x H115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (l...
Stainless Steel, Other
Jagged Edge Bar in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Jagged Edge Bar in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 5 + 2AP. Dimensions: D 46 x W 151 x H 90 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless steel....
Stainless Steel
$1,952 / item
Burgundy Straight Lace Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Burgundy straight Lace bar by Mowee Dimensions: D 68 x W 140 x H 115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 45 kg. Also available in different colors and finishe...
Stainless Steel, Other
$45,223 / item
Special Edition Petit Comité Bar by Renatta Chain
Located in Geneve, CH
Special edition Petit Comité bar by Renatta Chain. Dimensions: D 85 x W 51 x H 170 cm. Materials: Paglia Diritto veneer, glass, oak wood. Bar made of Paglia Diritto veneer, oak,...
Glass, Oak
$2,816 / item
Roly Midi Orange Trolley by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Roly Midi Orange Trolley by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 40 x W 70 x H 53 cm. Materials: Laminated glass. Roly trolley is an Art Deco-inspired piece that brings a touch of 1920s o...
Glass
$2,816 / item
Roly Midi Lilac Trolley by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Roly Midi Lilac Trolley by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 40 x W 70 x H 53 cm. Materials: Laminated glass. Roly trolley is an Art Deco-inspired piece that brings a touch of 1920s op...
Glass
$2,336 / item
Roly Mini Lilac Trolley by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Roly Mini Lilac Trolley by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 53 cm. Materials: Laminated glass. Roly trolley is an Art Deco-inspired piece that brings a touch of 1920s op...
Glass
$2,343 / item
Roly Mini Orange Trolley by Studio Monsoleil
Located in Geneve, CH
Roly Mini Orange Trolley by Studio Monsoleil Dimensions: D 40 x W 40 x H 53 cm. Materials: Laminated glass. Roly trolley is an Art Deco-inspired piece that brings a touch of 1920s o...
Glass
$2,958 / item
Bachus Jet Black Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Jet Black Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This...
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Milky White Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Milky White Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. Th...
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Lime Green Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Lime Green Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. Thi...
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Sweet Fuchsia Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Sweet Fuchsia Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. ...
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Malva Green Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Malva Green Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. Th...
Other
$1,775 / item
Grey Curved Lace Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey curved lace bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D100 x W100 x H115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (lacqu...
Stainless Steel, Other
$4,272 / item
Curved Burgundy Lacquered Classe Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Curved burgundy lacquered classe bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D100 x W100 x H115 cm Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg Also available in different colors, whee...
Stainless Steel, Other
$1,775 / item
Cream Curved Lace Bar by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cream curved lace bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D100 x W100 x H115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (lacq...
Stainless Steel, Other
$4,272 / item
Curved Chocolate Lacquered Classe Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Curved chocolate lacquered classe bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D100 x W100 x H115 cm Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg Also available in different colors, whe...
Stainless Steel, Other
$4,272 / item
Curved Grey Lacquered Classe Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Curved grey lacquered Classe Bar by Mowee. Dimensions: D100 x W100 x H115 cm Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg Also available in different colors, wheel k...
Stainless Steel, Other
$4,592 / item
Straight White Lacquered Classe Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Straight white lacquered classe bar by Mowee Dimensions: D 140 x W 68 x H 115 cm Material: Polyethylene, stainless Steel Weight: 45 kg Also available in different colours, wheel ...
Stainless Steel, Other
$1,775 / item
Black Curved Lace Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Black curved lace bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D100 x W100 x H115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (lacq...
Stainless Steel, Other
$1,952 / item
Black Straight Lace Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Black straight lace bar by Mowee. Dimensions: D68 x W140 x H115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 45 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (la...
Stainless Steel, Other
$4,272 / item
Curved White Lacquered Classe Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Curved white Lacquered classe bar by Mowee Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 115 cm Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg Also availabl...
Stainless Steel, Other
$4,592 / item
Straight Chocolate Lacquered Classe Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Straight chocolate lacquered classe bar by Mowee Dimensions: D 140 x W 68 x H 115 cm Material: Polyethylene, stainless Steel Weight: 45 kg Also available in different colours, wh...
Stainless Steel, Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Saffron Yellow Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Saffron Yellow Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary....
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Pumpkin Orange Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Pumpkin Orange Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary....
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Powder Blue Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Powder Blue Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. Th...
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Flame Red Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Flame Red Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This...
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Elephant Grey Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Elephant Grey Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. ...
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Chocolate Brown Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Chocolate Brown Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary...
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Dove Grey Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Dove Grey Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. This...
Other
$2,958 / item
Bachus Argil Grey Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders
Located in Geneve, CH
Bachus Argil Grey Bottle Rack by Marcel Wanders Dimensions: D 40 x W 80 x H 55 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in different color options. Prices may vary. Thi...
Other
$1,952 / item
Cream Straight Lace Bar by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Cream Straight Lace bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D68 x W140 x H115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 45 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (lac...
Stainless Steel, Other
$1,952 / item
Grey Straight Lace Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey straight lace bar by MOWEE Dimensions: D68 x W140 x H115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 45 kg. Also available in different colors and finishes (lacq...
Stainless Steel, Other
$1,775 / item
Chocolate Curved Lace Bar by Mowee
Located in Geneve, CH
Chocolate curved Lace bar by Mowee Dimensions: D 100 x W 100 x H 115 cm. Material: Polyethylene and stainless steel. Weight: 31 kg. Also available in different colors and finishe...
Stainless Steel, Other