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.
Italian Postmodern Sideboard with Geometric Front
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard, cherry wood, ebony wood, mahogany wood, Italy, 1970s This stunning sideboard, made from a luxurious combination of cherry, ebony wood, and mahogany, is a true statement p...
Cherry, Ebony, Mahogany
Paul Evans ‘Deep Relief’ Wall-Mounted Sideboard in Welded Steel
By Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, 'PE-19' wall-mounted cabinet, welded bronze and steel, painted wood, mirrored glass, glass, United States, 1971 An exceptional design by Paul Evans unden...
Bronze, Steel
Paul Evans for Directional Rare 'Cityscape' 'Steel Hinged' Sideboard in Chrome
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, Paul Evans Studio for Directional, 'Cityscape' or 'Steel Hinged' cabinet, mirrored glass, chrome-plated steel, lacquered High Pressure Laminate, United States, 1970s Thi...
Steel, Chrome
Early Pierre Chapo Sideboard 'R16' in Solid Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, sideboard model 'R16', elm, France, design 1966 This piece is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood and a com...
Elm
Luciano Frigerio Sideboard in Brass and Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio, sideboard, brass, lacquered elm burl, Italy, 1970s This exquisite sideboard, created by the creative Italian designer Luciano Frigerio, exemplifies the aesthetic s...
Brass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Sideboard in Black Lacquered Wood
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sideboard, walnut, lacquered wood, ebony, brass, Italy, 1975/1979 This sideboard with strong geometrical lines is a design by Afra & Tobia ...
Brass
Italian Post-Modern Sideboard with Geometric Front
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard, cherry, mahogany, ebonized wood, Italy 1970s This stunning sideboard, made from a luxurious combination of cherry, ebonized wood, and mahogany, is a true statement piece ...
Cherry, Mahogany
Nikol International Tall Post-Modern Sideboard in Walnut and Smoked Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Nikol International, storage unit/sideboard, walnut, smoked glass, Italy, 1970s/early 1980s Presenting an exquisite post-modern sideboard that skillfully balances form and function ...
Smoked Glass, Walnut
5x Original USM Haller Sideboard 2x2 reinweiß Kommode Anrichte
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten eins von insgesamt sechs verfügbaren USM Haller Sideboards in der Größe 2x2 mit einer Klappe unten links zum Verkauf an. Das Board wurde professionell gereinigt und eignet...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
French Sideboard in Solid Elm by Skilled Craftsman
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboard, elm, France, 1970s Stunning lived-in sideboard made in France in the 1970s. This piece is comprised of a lower and upper cabinet, displaying elegance and practicality. Th...
Elm
USM Haller Sideboard 2x2 schwarz 3 Türen Kommode Anrichte
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes USM Haller Sideboard in der Größe 2x2 mit drei Klappen zum Verkauf an. Das Board wurde professionell gereinigt und steht hier in der begehrten tieferen A...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
$6,450 / item
Italian Postmodern Sideboards with Geometric Front
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sideboards, cherry wood, ebony wood, mahogany, Italy 1970s This stunning sideboard, made from a luxurious combination of cherry, ebony wood, and mahogany, is a true statement piece ...
Cherry, Ebony, Mahogany
Vintage Postmodern Asymmetric Sideboard by Rougier
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a rare asymmetric sideboard / console by Roger Rougier, circa 1980s. The piece is comprised of two halves - on the left a triangular set of drawers topped by a deep drop-dow...
Wood, Lacquer
One Sideboard, Five Doors and One Drawer, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
One Sideboard, Five Doors and One Drawer, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 250 x H 83 cm Materials: Wood. We love the One series. And especially this piece, absolute queen of th...
Wood
Luciano Frigerio 'Diamante' Sideboard with Cubist Graphic Front
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio, 'Diamante' sideboard, wood, Italy, 1970s This remarkable cabinet, created by the creative Italian designer Luciano Frigerio, exemplifies the aesthetic sensibilitie...
Wood
$5,679 / item
Dinastía Sideboard by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Dinastía Sideboard by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 50 x W 175 x H 100 cm Materials: Wood. We are Félix and Désirée Ramos, brothers and product designers of our brand, Lola Glamour. W...
Wood
$5,573 / item
Leo Medium Sideboard by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Leo Medium Sideboard by Pastform Dimensions: D 42 x W 200 x H 80 cm Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes: Whiskey, Rum, BPA, Nobel, Bran...
Wood
Wendell Castle “Samba” Cabinet for Icon Design Sculptural Ash Wood Storage Cabin
Located in Miami, FL
A stunning example of American furniture, the Samba Cabinet by Wendell Castle for Icon Designs reflects Castle’s signature philosophy of treating furniture as sculpture. The piece fe...
Leather, Wood
Italian Modern Blue Black Solid Wood Sideboard by Umberto Asnago, Giorgetti 1982
By Umberto Asnago, Giorgetti S.p.A.
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern blue, black and wooden solid wood sideboard by Umberto Asnago for Giorgetti Italia, 1982. Sideboard in solid wood, with a curved ...
Wood
Postmodern vintage pastel pink blue peach laminate waterfall sideboard USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Postmodern pastel colourwash / watercolour effect laminate waterfall sideboard, USA 1980s. The interior is also fully finished in the pastel lamina...
Laminate
Original USM Haller Sideboard 2x2 schwarz Kommode Anrichte
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes USM Haller Sideboard in der Größe 2x2 mit zwei Klappen oben zum Verkauf an. Das Board wurde professionell gereinigt und steht hier in der begehrten tiefe...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
$6,018 / item
Oh Lola Sideboard by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Oh Lola Sideboard by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 170 x H 125 cm Materials: Wood. Lola Glamour box essence with flat finishes, without patinas or aging. Impeccable carpentry, v...
Wood
$4,779 / item
Canette TV Stand by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Canette TV Stand by Morica Design Dimensions: D 55 x W 171 x H 48 cm. Materials: Anthracite leather, Laguna oak, metal. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Laguna Oak, and Oak wood. Plea...
Leather, Wood
$13,812 / item
Curl Series Sideboard 2x4 by hm-LI Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Curl Series Sideboard 2x4 by hm-LI Studio Dimensions: W 178.2 x D 50 x H 94.2 cm Materials: Oak Wood, Blackened Steel Legs, Blackend Steel/Marble Top Surface. Available Finishes: Wa...
Marble, Steel
$3,716 / item
Box TV Stand by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Box TV Stand by DAaZ Dimensions: D 47 x W 220 x H 39 cm. Materials: Albizzia wood. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and revel in...
Wood
$18,755 / item
Boomerang Sideboard by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Boomerang sideboard by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 200 x W 90 x H 50 cm Materials: walnut wood, metal, Negro Monterrey marble. Walnut with black electro-painted metal and Ne...
Marble, Metal
Knut & Marianne Hagberg Sideboard IKEA 2010 Eiche Design Kommode
By IKEA
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten ein wunderschönes und äußerst seltenes Sideboard von IKEA aus dem Jahr 2010 zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Knut & Marianne Hagberg und zeichnet sich durch die ...
Oak
$17,902 / item
Unveil Sideboard 200 by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Unveil Sideboard 200 by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 50 x W 200 x H 85 cm. Materials: Wooden structure: walnut veneer and interior in sycamore veneer. ...
Brass
Postmodern Black Lacquer & Granite Sideboard
Located in Astoria, NY
Postmodern Black Lacquered and Granite Sideboard. 27" H x 90" W x 25.75" D. Provenance: From a 45 Sutton Place South Estate.
Granite
$17,738 / item
Marea Sideboard by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Marea Sideboard by De Castelli Dimensions: W 190 x D 45 x H 71 cm Materials: DeMarea Brass, Titanium Oak Wood Copper and Stainless Steel versions are available. Two, Three, Five and ...
Brass
$5,153 / item
Reina Sideboard 190 by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Reina Sideboard 190 by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 190 x H 78 cm Materials: Wood. Each of the pieces in the Reina series captivates due to its exclusive combination of colors ...
Wood
Marte3, Low Sideboard with Three Drawers with and Round Legs by Ultramobili
Located in Geneve, CH
Marte3, Low Sideboard with Three Drawers with and Round Legs by Ultramobili Dimensions: W 270.6 x D 53 x H 50.5 cm Materials: Matte or Glossy Lacquer Finish. Low sideboard with 2 ...
Lacquer
$6,742 / item
Milenium Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Milenium Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 44 x W 116 x H 165 cm Materials: Wood. We are Félix and Désirée Ramos, brothers and product designers of our brand, Lola Glamour. We ...
Wood
Totem Wood Sideboard, Four Doors and Two Drawers, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Totem Wood Sideboard by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 200 x H 75 cm Materials: Wood. The mathematics hidden behind our idea of the canon of beauty encourages us to grant attribu...
Wood
Modern Italian Ivory Gray Teal Blue Geometric Postmodern Brass Cabinet Sideboard
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Located in New York, NY
Bring your own accent colors to any space with our customizable modern collection, entirely handmade in Italy, with the purpose of anchoring individuality through Art in a functional...
Brass
Giuseppe Rivadossi Hand-Carved Sideboard in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, sideboard, oak, Italy, 1970s A beautifully crafted sideboard in solid oak by Giuseppe Rivadossi. Characterized by its striking exposed joi...
Oak
$5,258Sale 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
$4,405 / item
Mytho Wooden Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Mytho Wooden Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 120 x H 160 cm Materials: Wood. A bet on ingenuity. A set of wooden pieces with different thicknesses glides across its sur...
Wood
Bespoke Italian Black Purple Blue Gold Geometric Postmodern Cabinet / Sideboard
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Located in New York, NY
A creative 2 compartment, 3-door modern credenza, entirely handmade in Italy with high-quality details of execution in an attractive geometric decor with raised pattern and handles. ...
Brass
Venus, 4 doors Sideboard on Two Cylinder Legs in Gradient Lacquer by Ultramobili
Located in Geneve, CH
Venus, 4 doors Sideboard on Two Cylinder Legs in Gradient Lacquer by Ultramobili Dimensions: W 225 x D 53 x H 83 cm Materials: Mat lacquer. 4-door sideboard cabinet with rounded e...
Lacquer
$18,241 / item
ST 12 Sideboard by Laurameroni
Located in Geneve, CH
ST 12 Sideboard by Laurameroni Dimensions: W 198 x D 53 x H 75 cm Materials: Burnished brass and walnut canaletto dyed. ST 12 LG OB: Low sideboard with 4 hinged doors and metal legs...
Brass
$4,475 / item
Flor Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Flor Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 50 x W 120 x H 168 cm Materials: Wood. The versatility of the furniture is revealed in this Flower, which grows from an architectural base...
Wood
$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
Bespoke Italian Mondrian Style Blue Green White Brown Modern Brass Dresser/Chest
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary modern graphic Pop Art design six-drawer dresser / sideboard, entirely handcrafted in Italy, with a Piet Mondrian inspired abstract decor, the surrounds edged in natural...
Brass
$8,133 / item
Artes Sideboard by Dale Italia
Located in Geneve, CH
Artes Sideboard by Dale Italia Dimensions: D 51 x W 192 x H 83 cm. Materials: Walnut and glass. Frame in solid canaletto walnut. Available in three-door version with two internal co...
Walnut, Glass
Bespoke Postmodern Style Colored Glass and Brass Console Sideboard
Located in London, London
Bespoke sideboard Colored glass Four doors Brass inlay Contemporary, Italy.
Brass
Postmodern Italian Bar Sideboard Colored Glass and Brass, 1980s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
An interesting Postmodern sideboard / bar cabinet, of Italian design, with 5 gray printed glass front doors and square brass and dark green printed glass handles, highlighting the br...
Brass
Bespoke Italian Mondrian Style Blue Green White Brown Modern Brass Dresser/Chest
By Cosulich Interiors & Antiques
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary modern graphic Pop Art design six-drawer dresser/sideboard, entirely handcrafted in Italy, with a Piet Mondrian inspired abstract decor, the surrounds edged in natural b...
Brass
$3,342 / item
Tauro Wooden Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Tauro Wooden Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 42 x W 125 x H 135 cm Materials: Wood. A versatile wardrobe, both in functionality and location. With its original use of geometry...
Wood
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
Franco Poli ‘Scaligera’ Sideboard for Bernini, Italy 1980s
By Franco Poli, Bernini
Located in Hellouw, NL
A remarkable interplay of architectural form and masterful joinery lies at the heart of this ‘Scaligera’ sideboard by Franco Poli for Bernini, crafted in Italy during the 1980s. Des...
Birch, Walnut
$6,321 / item
Reina Sideboard 160, Four Doors, by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Reina Sideboard 160, Four Doors, by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 160 x H 110 cm Materials: Wood. The multiple possibilities of the Reina series have inspired us to create furniture suitable for any room. Each piece takes on an entity in itself, being reinforced in its original color combination, here mainly with striking yellow, violet, and green tones, both for the exterior and to cover the interior shelves. This colorful sideboard...
Wood
$26,993 / 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
$5,714 / item
Rascacielos Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Rascacielos Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 40 x W 120 x H 182 cm Materials: Wood. As if it were a skyline, we thought of a piece that played with volumes and heights. Variety...
Wood
$4,311 / item
Punk Sideboard 170 by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Punk Sideboard 170 by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 170 x H 65 cm Materials: Wood. The origin model of this iconic series. It reconciles the rebelliousness of the punk spirit wi...
Wood
$4,861 / item
Reina Sideboard 170 by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Reina Sideboard 170 by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 170 x H 60 cm Materials: Wood. The Reina series is a contrast of interests, an infinite sum of wooden moldings that make up ...
Wood
$14,197 / item
Moustique 5042 Sideboard by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Moustique 5042 Sideboard by Redeco Dimensions: W 240 x D 55 x H 65 cm Materials: Lightened mdf and mdf structure. Two outer curved doors with magnetic closing, two central doors with...
Metal, Bronze
1970s Maison Regain Solid Elm Sideboard
By Maison Regain, Pierre Chapo
Located in Toronto, CA
The impressive solid elm sideboard from French design house Maison Regain, in the style of Pierre Chapo, features 2 spacious doors and 4 drawers, all in their signature rounded wood....
Wood, Elm
$42,336 / item
Talento Unlimited TAL 01 MM Sideboard by Laurameroni
Located in Geneve, CH
Talento Unlimited TAL 01 MM Sideboard by Laurameroni Dimensions: W 106 x D 52 x H 200 cm Materials: Structure: "Patina Bronzata Antica" Doors: "Unlimited" carved with Bronze "Liquid ...
Bronze
Amazing angular trapezoid-shaped postmodern vintage zig zag sideboard, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
An amazing angular trapezoid-shaped postmodern zig zag sideboard, USA 1980s. Clad in 3 colours of shiny laminate- pale pink, deeper mauvey pink, maroon. Four push-click doors open o...
Laminate