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.
Early Pierre Chapo 'B10' Bookcase or Room Divider in Solid Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, shelf unit, model 'B10', solid elm, France, 1975 Dating from 1975, this open bookcase that doubles as a room divider is an early example of the designer's work. It is ...
Elm
Carla Venosta & Guido Zimmerman for Arflex 'Valiant' Bookcase in Stainless Steel
By Carla Venosta, Guido Zimmerman, Arflex
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carla Venosta and Guido Zimmerman for Arflex, 'Valiant' wall unit / room divider, stainless steel, glass, Italy, 1971 The 'Valiant' wall unit that doubles as room divider, designed...
Stainless Steel
Postmodern Manhattan 5th Avenue CD Rack Tower from Koziol, Germany, 1990s
By Koziol
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Manhattan Series 5th Avenue CD Rack Tower from Koziol, Germany, 1990s
Plastic
Post Modern Oak Bookshelf Shelving Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition This postmodern oak shelving unit from the 1980s offers a striking blend of display, storage, and functional versatility. The open architectura...
Oak
Vintage Post Modern Chrome & Glass Etagere Bookshelf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Polished Chrome, Original Glass Shelves This striking Post-Modern étagère features a clean architectural chrome frame paired with i...
Chrome
Paul Evans for Directional 'PE 68' Wall Unit in Bronzed Resin and Glass
By Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, Paul Evans Studio for Directional, wall shelves, model 'PE 68', epoxy bronzed resin over wood, glass, United States, 1970s Grand wall unit by Paul Evans, designed for Di...
Glass, Resin, Wood
Large French Modular Room Divider in Mahogany 1970s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit, mahogany, France, 1970s A large French wall unit from the 1970s, entirely executed in warm mahogany. Its architectural framework is composed of cylindrical wooden upright...
Mahogany
Post-Modern Wall Unit in Glass and Travertine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit, travertine, glass, Europe, 1970s Elegant and architectural wall unit crafted during the 1970s, composed of travertine supports and glass shelves. The design is defined by...
Travertine
Soft Futurism Veliero Bookshelf in Solid Oak by Filippo Andrighetto
Located in Geneve, CH
Soft Futurism Veliero Bookshelf in Solid Oak by Filippo Andrighetto. Dimensions: W 220 x D 35 x H 200 cm. Materials: Solid oak. Available wood essences include solid oak or other es...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
$3,480Sale Price|55% Off
Library Shelf System Hook System by Pagani and Angelo Perversi, Italy, 1987
Located in Vienna, AT
Graphical shelf system called 'Hook System' by Pagani & Perversi, Italy 1987 Dimensions are 82.32" x 39.37" x 12.99". Very rare Library shelf system by Luciano Pagani and Angelo Perversi...
Steel
Memphis Milano Carlton Shelf by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
An absolute icon of Memphis designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Carlton fully represents the programmatic intention of the group: the desire to transgress with an irreverent, unorth...
Laminate, Wood
Bronze and Glass Etagere Shelf by Milo Baughman c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Architectural, voguish, stylish freestanding shelf unit, design attributed to Milo Baughman. This model is particularly chic in the brass, bronze finish, it is more commonly found i...
Bronze
Vittorio Introini for Proposals Wall Unit in Steel and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Introini for Proposals wall unit or library, glass, steel, brass, Italy, 1970s This exceptional made-to-order wall unit was designed by Vittorio Introini and manufactured b...
Steel
Pia Manu Hand Crafted Room Divider in Burnished Concrete and Stained Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pia Manu, room divider, burnished concrete, stained glass, steel, Belgium, 1970s This unique piece of art is assembled in the workshop of Pia Manu and is a great testament to their ...
Concrete, Steel
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Gilt brass & smoked glass shelves by Renato Zevi, Italy 1970s
By Renato Zevi
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Beautiful shelving unit by Renato Zevi, Italy circa 1970, the design has those iconic geometric accents. Gilded brass body with two smoked glass trays, others can be added as desired...
Brass
Postmodern German Metal Wall Shelf from Radius Design, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Metal wall shelf from Radius Design. A design with an industrial design language. The materiality and workmanship are particularly eye-catching. Galvanized sheet steel that is folde...
Metal
$794 / item
Mortaise Wall Shelf-700 by Clemence Birot
Located in Geneve, CH
Mortaise wall shelf-400 by Clemence Birot Dimensions: 75 x 25 x 6,5 cm Materials: cork, metal. Clemence Birot started her career in Copenhagen, Denmark, and discovered a design prac...
Metal
$2,500 / set
1970s Wavy Chrome & Glass Etagere Shelving Unit
Located in Bensalem, PA
Two piece shelving unit in the style of Milo Baughman please look at pictures for overall detail. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Chrome
W2320 Wall Hanging Shelf in Honduras Rosewood Burl Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W2320 Wall Hanging Shelf in Honduras Rosewood Burl Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 35 x W 69 x H 2,5 cm. Materials: Honduras rosewood burl. All wall shelves include steel pin...
Wood
$5,874 / item
Mid-Century inspired Bookshelf by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Mid-Century Bookshelf by Pastform Dimensions: D 45 x W 150 x H 200 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes: Whiskey, Rum, BPA, Nobel, B...
Wood
W2403 Wall Hanging Shelf in Teak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W2403 Wall Hanging Shelf in Teak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 25,5 x W 138,5 x H 4 cm. Materials: Teak wood. All wall shelves include steel pin holders for discreet mounti...
Teak
Antonio Citterio x B&B Italia "Domus 03" Wall Unit
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Astoria, NY
Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia "Domus 03" Wall Unit, wood and steel frame with red acrylic sliding door opening to multi-level shelves above bottom drawer. 63.5" H x 94.5" W x 31"...
Steel
$32,730 / item
Proportions of Stone Shelf 03 by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Shelf 03 by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 120 x D 40 x H 200 cm Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone Each piece is made to order and u...
Stone, Steel
Contemporary Zebrano Wood Shelf by Soft Baroque
By Soft Baroque
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Unique handmade solid Zebrano wood shelf from the "Hard Round" series by the London based design duo soft Baroque. Custom designs and sizes are available ...
Zebra Wood
Black Painted Oak Stedge Shelf 60, 3 Shelf Configuration by Leonard Aldenhoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Painted Oak Stedge Shelf 60, 3 Shelf Configuration by Leonard Aldenhoff. Materials: black painted metal, Black Painted Oak. Dimensions: D 22 x W 60 x H 160 cm. This listing fe...
Metal
W0118 Wall Hanging Shelf in Mulberry Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W0118 Wall Hanging Shelf in Mulberry Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 28 x W 100 x H 2,5 cm. Materials: Mulberry wood. All wall shelves include steel pin holders for discreet ...
Wood
$3,308 / item
Ju Shelf by Estudio Prosa
Located in Geneve, CH
Ju Shelf by Estudio Prosa Dimensions: W 90 x D 90 x H 25 cm Materials: Wood. Available in Cedro Arana, Jequitiba, Muiracatiara, or Cumaru wood options. Please contact us. The Prosa...
Wood
W2380 Wall Hanging Shelf in Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W2380 Wall Hanging Shelf in Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 27 x W 212 x H 23 cm. Materials: Oak wood. All wall shelves include steel pin holders for discreet mounting. P...
Oak
$10,159 / item
Differ Shelf by Lisa Brustolin
Located in Geneve, CH
Differ Shelf by Lisa Brustolin Dimensions: W 66 x D 44 x H 134 cm Materials: Epoxy Resin Differ Shelf is a bookshelf featured by high contrasts, the ho...
Epoxy Resin
Postmodern American Studio Craft Sculptural Wood Display Console Shelf 1990s
Located in Troy, MI
American studio craft sculptural shelf or console table circa 1990s Unique Memphis inspired step design executed in ash and walnut with dovetail joinery and lower wave stretcher So...
Wood
Black Marquina Marble and Black Steel Morse Shelf by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Marquina marble and black steel morse shelf by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 21 x W 80 x H 87 cm Materials: Steel, black Marquina marble Also available: Different marble and frame...
Marble, Steel
A RADICAL POST-MODERN MEMPHIS SHELVING SYSTEM, France, 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
A radical shelving system or bookcase, Post-Modern, Constructivist, Memphis, Bauhaus, geometric asymmetric structure in steel lacquered in anthracite, with 5 shelves in glass suspend...
Brass, Bronze, Steel
$1,695Sale Price / item|20% Off
Italian Vintage Bookcase in green Bamboo, Rattan and Brass
Located in Milano, IT
Elegant 80's ItalianDiscover the timeless elegance of this refined vintage Italian bookcase, made of bamboo and rattan, which is a perfect exa...
Brass
“Abracadabra” Shelving Unit by De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for Zerodisegnio 1990
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Almelo, NL
An iconic large-scale postmodern shelving unit from the “Abracadabra” series, designed by De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi and manufactured by Zerodisegnio, Italy, 1990s. A striking archit...
Metal, Aluminum
Wave Bookshelf in Powder Coated Aluminium by Julien Vidame
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Bookshelf in Powder Coated Aluminium by Julien Vidame. Dimensions: W 50 x D 35 x H 135 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminium. Available in Dull Black, Shiny White, or Silver Va...
Aluminum
Postmodern Italian Graffiti Shelf by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Metal shelf from the Italian manufacturer Biefeplast according to a draft from Rodney Kinsman from the 80s. A design classic of the 80s in postmodern formal language. This modular s...
Metal
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Memphis style floor shelf in plastic, 1980s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Superb Memphis-style display unit in ABS plastic, with colors reminiscent of Gerrit Rietveld's creations, in very good condition.
Plastic
Green Indio Marble and Black Steel Morse Shelf by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Indio marble and black steel morse shelf by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 21 x W 80 x H 87 cm Materials: Steel, Green Indio Marble Also available: Different marble and frame optio...
Marble, Steel
Stained Birch XL CNSTR Cabinet by Paul Heijnen, Hand-Crafted in NL
Located in Geneve, CH
CNSTR cabinet, stained birch XL by Paul Heijnen (2009) Dimensions: H230 x L200 x W65 cm Materials: Stained birch Also available in, oak, natural birch, walnut, and other varieti...
Birch, Oak
postmodern Abracadabra Modular Shelf Design De Pas Lomazzi & D‘ Urbino
By Zerodisegno, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Large Post-modern Abracadabra shelf unit, Laquered Aluminum construction with u-shaped glass shelves. designed by Italian architects De Pas, D‘Urbino & Lomazzi (Studio DDL) ma...
Aluminum, Steel
$11,116 / item
Coquillage Shelf in Brass by Julien Vidame
Located in Geneve, CH
Coquillage Shelf in Brass by Julien Vidame. Dimensions: W 158 x D 20 x H 35 cm. Materials: Brass. This shelf is also available in a smaller 108 cm version. Additionally, the piece is available in Copper and Aluminium; please note that the price varies by metal and size. Please contact us for more information. Coquillage is a poetic setting for precious objects, rare pearls. Coquillage opens, and reveals your little secrets from the depth of the heart, or the oceans. This piece is handcrafted in Normandy, by masters of alloy work. They have taken great care in it. Julien Vidame's career as a designer began with a childhood passion for sketching that evolved into a professional vocation. After gaining experience in London’s design scene, he returned to Brittany to establish Vidame Édition and develop his signature prototypes. His early success was defined by the "Vague" range, which showcased his technical ingenuity through the creation of a custom folding machine and secured the Prix Découverte at Maison & Objet in 2009. The designer achieved ultimate international acclaim in 2022 through high-profile collaborations and awards. His "Coquillage" shelf received the prestigious FD100 prize at the Elysée Palace, honoring it as one of the top projects promoting French creation globally. This period of success was further highlighted by his work for Gucci’s Milan Fashion Week show, where he provided 260 of his patented distorting mirrors...
Brass
"Angelo Necessario" wall shelf by Paolo Pallucco and Mireille Rivier, 1988
By Pallucco, Paolo Pallucco & Mireille Rivier
Located in Renens, CH
Rare "Angelo Necessario" wall shelf by Paolo Pallucco et Mireille Rivier, Pallucco Italy 1989. "Angelo Necessario" wall shelf by Paolo Pal...
Metal
$29,842 / item
Oak Enzo Sideboard by Rosanna Ceravolo
Located in Geneve, CH
Oak Enzo sideboard by Rosanna Ceravolo Dimensions: W 220 x D 46 x H 68 cm Materials: Solid american oak fronts, polyurethane spray finish. Also available in different dimensions a...
Oak
$257 / item
Wally Big Ultra Blue Shelf by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Wally Big Ultra Blue Shelf by +kouple Dimensions: D 5,3 x W 2,5 x H 1,7 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel. Available in different color options. Available in two different sizes. ...
Steel
Postmodern Modular Bookcase, Italy, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
This striking black bookcase, crafted in the 1980s, embodies the bold aesthetics of the postmodern design movement. Its modular grid structure is both functional and sculptural, offe...
Wood
$4,886 / item
Red Bookcase by Rejo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Red Bookcase by Rejo Studio Dimensions: D 180 x W 45 x H 145 cm Materials: Wood Also Available in different colour. REJO is a design studio based in Ri...
Wood
$15,429 / item
Foundation Bookshelf by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
Foundation bookshelf by Goons Dimensions: W 74 x D 30 x H 150 cm Materials: Birch plywood. Oak finish. Dimensions can be adjusted +/- 10 cm Goons is located in Paris, France. All o...
Wood
Enclave Shelving Unit, Solid Oak and Stainless Steel by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore
Located in Geneve, CH
Enclave Shelving Unit, Solid Oak and Stainless Steel by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore Dimensions: W 170 x D 40 x H 150 cm. Material: Solid oak, stainless steel. Wood finishes: Arctic, Weng...
Stainless Steel
$682 / item
Coupé Vertical Shelf by Poiat
Located in Geneve, CH
Coupé vertical shelf by Poiat. Materials: Metal. Dimensions: D 13.5 x W 37 x H 103 cm. Poiat is an established architecture and design office based...
Metal
$4,920 / item
Yellow Bookcase by Rejo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Yellow Bookcase by Rejo Studio. Dimensions: D 200 x W 50 x H 168 cm. Materials: wood. Also available in different colour. REJO is a design stu...
Wood
Postmodern Tempered Glass and Steel Etagere by Gallotti & Radice with a Shelf
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s - 1980s. This etagere / side table is made in tempered glass and features a glass shelf and steel parts. It may show slight traces of use since it's vintage, bu...
Steel
Novo Vintage Shelving in Walnut, Stone, Leather & Brushed Brass by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Novo Vintage Shelving in Walnut, Stone, Leather & Brushed Brass by Madheke. Dimensions: W 75 x D 45 x H 146 cm. Materials: Marbled stone top, wrapped leather body, exposed walnut cyl...
Stone, Metal, Brass
1980s Gold Swivel Nesting Glass Cocktail Table
Located in Bensalem, PA
Gold finish & glass swivel nesting cocktail table in the manner of Milo Baughman
Brass
$2,291 / item
Medium Round Pine Shelves by David Renault
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium round pine shelves by David Renault. Dimensions: D 160 cm. Materials: pine wood. Available in other wood shades and sizes. Shelves made of solid pine from eco-responsibl...
Pine
Metal shelf Verspanntes Regal design Wolfgang Laubersheimer, Pentagon Group 1984
By Pentagon Group, Wolfgang Laubersheimer
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
One Postmodern shelf „Verspanntes Regal“ designed by Wolfgang Laubersheimer for Pentagon Group in 1984. early edition of the 'Verspanntes Regal', therefore without makers bedge or ...
Steel
Ettore Sottsass Cantone Corner Shelves, Italy, 1981
Located in Dronten, NL
Striking “Cantone” corner cabinet designed by Ettore Sottsass, an iconic example of the Italian postmodern master’s sculptural and architectural approach to furniture. This piece emb...
Silver
$3,301Sale Price|30% Off
Post modern industrial freestanding shelving unit, Italy 1970s
By Pilastro, Coen de Vries, Tomado
Located in ECHT, NL
Modular metal shelving unit. Made in Italy in the 1970s. Is has three sections. Made in the style of Pilastro, Artimeta and Tomado. The shelves can be placed on different heights. By...
Metal
$3,518 / item
Lop Bookshelf by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Lop Bookshelf by Pastform Dimensions: D 40 x W 240 x H 100 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes: W...
Wood
Ettore Sottsass Tempus Wall Cabinet in Wood by Poltronova 1960s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Cascina, Pisa
An elegant wall-mounted cabinet in veneered walnut with a white lacquered front and an inset round mirror. Above the mirror there is a barometer, while below it there is a drawer wit...
Metal
$4,500 / item
Statue Book Shelves by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Statue Book Shelves by DAaZ Dimensions: D 34 x W 180 x H 169 cm. Materials: Albizzia wood, Ink stone. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the or...
Stone