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 Unique Large Freestanding Round Display Cabinet Sculpted Oak
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, showcase unit, oak and glass, Italy, circa 1980 This tall oak cabinet by Giuseppe Rivadossi is defined by its broad, rounded frame, which ...
Glass, Oak
Carla Venosta & Guido Zimmerman for Arflex 'Valiant' Bookcase in Stainless Steel
By Guido Zimmerman, Carla Venosta, 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
Bernini 'Antifona' Wall Unit Book Case in Walnut
By Bernini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bernini ‘Antifona’ wall unit, walnut, Italy, 1970s This playful wall unit by Bernini features a varied arrangement of open shelves, cupboards and drawers. Four tall sections form a ...
Walnut
Luciano Frigerio 'Louis' Sidebooard in Satin Brass and Walnut Burl
By Luciano Frigerio, Frigerio Di Desio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio Di Desio, 'Louis' sideboard, polished satin brass, walnut burl, Italy, 1970s An exquisite piece of furniture by Italian designer Luciano Frigerio, this...
Brass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Sideboard in Black Leather and Walnut
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sideboard, walnut, burlwood, leather, Italy, 1975/1979 This sideboard was designed as part of the ‘Artona’ line by Afra & Tobia Sca...
Leather, Walnut, Burl
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
Luciano Frigerio Architectural 'Perla' Night Stands in Dark Padouk Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio di Desio, pair of ‘Perla’ nightstands, padouk, Italy, 1973 These ‘Perla’ nightstands by Luciano Frigerio are executed in richly colored padouk wood. Pr...
Padouk
Luciano Frigerio Architectural 'Perla' Sideboard in Dark Padouk Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio Di Desio, 'Perla' sideboard, padouk, Italy, 1973 This refined sideboard by Luciano Frigerio, model 'Perla', is executed in richly colored padouk wood. ...
Padouk
Free-Standing Double-Sided Bookcase and Room Divider in Oak by Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, bookcase, oak, glass, Italy, 1970s This bookcase by Giuseppe Rivadossi is conceived as a freestanding architectural element rather than si...
Glass, Oak
Giuseppe Rivadossi Unique Large Freestanding Display Cabinet in Sculpted Oak
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, showcase unit, oak and glass, Italy, 1980s This tall cabinet by Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi demonstrates his distinct...
Glass, Oak
Hollywood Regency Bar Cabinet in the Style of Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail bar, black fabric, brass, chrome-plated steel, stainless steel, laminated wood, smoked glass, smoked mirrored glass, aluminum, Italy, 1970s Hollywood Regency cocktail bar ...
Brass, Stainless Steel
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
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
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Grid Wall Cabinet in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, wall cabinet, oak, Italy, 1970s A striking piece from the 1970s, this hanging cabinet by Giuseppe Rivadossi reflects his deep respect for ...
Glass, Oak
Ambrogio Tresoldi e Alberto Salvati Wardrobe Cabinet Purple Blue Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati, cabinet / wardrobe, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati began their careers at the Politecnico di Milano under ...
Wood, Lacquer
A pair of Postmodern Pink Formica Waterfall Nightstands. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Vintage Custom Made Postmodern Pink Waterfall Formica Nightstands. Circa 1980s Features three drawers with hidden pulls, a waterfall front design, and a laminated light pi...
Formica, Wood
Jay Spectre for Century Cerused Oak Two Piece Armoire.
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Tall cabinet by Jay Spectre for Century. Two doors open to reveal a six-compartment section that can be removed and used as a large open space for a flat screen T.V. Also features f...
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 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
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Bedroom Divider Wardrobe Walnut
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, bedroom divider or wardrobe unit, walnut, glass Italy, 1980s This exceptional piece by Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi is a testament to his exquisite woodworking skills. This monumental wardrobe displays...
Glass, Walnut
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
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
$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
Pierre Chapo Cabinet Model 'R18' in Solid Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, cabinet model 'R18', solid elm, France, 1960s This exquisitely crafted 'R18' cabinet combines a simplified yet complex design combined with nifty, solid construction d...
Elm
Italian Architectural Grid-Structured Higboard or Bookcase in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Highboard or bookcase, walnut, Italy, 1980s Exceptional bookcase made in Italy that perfectly balances architectural elegance with a natural approach. The design is defined by a gra...
Walnut
Guido Faleschini for Mariani Cabinets in Red Brown Leather
By Guido Faleschini, i4 Mariani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani, cabinets from the 'Pace Collection', leather, fabric, chrome-plated steel, aluminum, mahogany, Italy, circa 1975 This captivating set of four cabin...
Chrome, Aluminum, Steel
Otto Zapf for ZapfDesign 'Softline' Cabinet in Grey
By Otto Zapf
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Otto Zapf for Zapfdesign 'Softline' cabinet, plastic, fabric, Germany, 1969 A grey-colored detachable 'Softline' cabinet with shelves designed by the German designer Otto Zapf. Pres...
Plastic, Fabric
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti Wall Unit in Lacquered Ash and Chrome
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, multifunctional wall unit, black lacquered ash, chrome and white fabric, Italy, 1980s. Rare multifunctional wall unit designed by the Italian design...
Chrome
$1,050Sale Price|30% Off
Post modern mahogany Gloss faux wood Laminate waterfall 6 Drawer Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful post modern faux mahogany wood grain gloss laminate waterfall front 6 drawer dresser, circa 1980. Very clean inside and out. Look at photos. all drawers have metal glides w...
Laminate, Plywood
Vintage cream & gold sideboard w drawers / dresser by Lane Furniture USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Sleek sideboard with drawers / dresser by Lane Furniture, USA 1980s. Cream lacquer with gold metal trim & plinth. Six large drawers. Some small marks to the lacquer finish- nothing v...
Metal
$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
Luigi Saccardo 'Topline' Wall Unit in Vibrant Green and Black Color
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Saccardo, 'Beehive' bookcase from the 'Topline' series, lacquered laminated wood, metal, Italy, circa 1976 Back in the seventies, Topline was a newly introduced collection by ...
Metal
$2,000Sale Price|50% Off
post modern oak mirror front dresser wardrobe or armoire
Located in Brooklyn, NY
post modern oak mirror front tall dresser wardrobe or armoire. Doors have faux bamboo fronts. Has 2 drawers below and 2 drawers behind front cabinet doors. Mirror mounted on inside o...
Brass
Finnish Designer, Small Chest of Drawers, Pine, Finland, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A small pine chest of drawers designed and produced in Finland, c. 1970s.
Pine
$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
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Postmodern Waterfall Dresser, Bleached Oak
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A signed and labeled Jay Spectre for Century Furniture dresser in bleached/limed oak, featuring the designer’s signature bold waterfall edge. Deep bullnose rails wrap continuously ar...
Oak
$1,042Sale Price|54% Off
Early 1990s Postmodern Waterfall Marbleized Formica Chest of Drawers / Dresser
Located in Miami, FL
Early 1990s Postmodern waterfall marbleized formica chest of drawers / dresser. Features the perfect sizing to fit in any small room, a six draw...
Brass
Postmodern Italian Travertine Desk with Three Drawers, 1980s
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This sculptural Italian travertine three drawer desk dates to the 1980s and exemplifies the bold architectural approach to stone furniture associated with late 20th-century Italian d...
Travertine
Hook System Library Shelf by Luciano Pagani & Angelo Perversi, 1987
Located in Vienna, AT
Graphical shelf system called 'Hook System' by Pagani & Perversi, Italy 1987 Very rare Library shelf system by Luciano Pagani and Angelo Perversi,...
Steel
Susi & Ueli Berger ‘Fächermann’ Bookcase for Röthlisberger, Switzerland, 1980s
Located in amstelveen, NL
An unusual and playful piece of Swiss design from the 1980s. The ‘Fächermann’ bookcase was designed by Susi & Ueli Berger in 1977 and produced by Röthlisberger in Switzerland. T...
Plywood
$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
1980s German Post-Modern Interlübke DUO Writing Desk by Peter Maly
By Interlübke, Peter Maly
Located in St. Louis, MO
A rare find in the states, 1980s Post-Modern Silver Gray & Black DUO Desk by German designer / architect Peter Maly for Interlübke. Asymmetrical heavy wood grain top with storage col...
Metal
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Dressing Table or Vanity
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, dressing table / vanity, walnut burl, walnut, wood, mirror, Italy, 1975–1979 This dressing table was designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa as part of the ...
Mirror, Wood, Walnut, Burl
Two Bruno Munari 'Vademecum' bookcase carts for Robots, Italy 1974
By Robots, Bruno Munari
Located in Milan, IT
Bruno Munari two 'Vademecum' bookcase cart for Robots 1974 Chromed steel, aluminum. One measures 35.5 x 35.5 x H 128.5 cm. Second measures 35.5 x 35.5 x H 68.3 cm.
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Pair Henredon Olive Burl Scene Two Cabinets Bachelor Chests Nightstands Minimal
By Henredon
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of Scene Two Henredon cabinets in honey colored olive burl wood with one adjustable shelf inside each cabinet. These feature Macassar ebony wood trim around the doors and sculpt...
Olive, Burl
Post-Modern Italian Executive Desk Piano Black Burl by G&C Italia Art Deco Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in the 1980s in Italy, this desk features a sleek, post-modern, and angular design. Finished in a gloss piano black complemented by burl drawer-fronts, the large work surface ha...
Burl, Lacquer
Post Modern Lacquered Wall Unit Entertainment Center Chest of Drawers c 1970/80s
Located in New York, NY
Massive lacquered sideboard, entertainment center, chest of drawers, in faux marbleized finish, made by Elkins Industries c. 1970/80's. This impressive cabinet features two banks of ...
Lacquer
Ambrogio Tresoldi e Alberto Salvati Wardrobe Cabinet in Purple Blue Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati, cabinet / wardrobe, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati began their careers at the Politecnico di Milano under ...
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
Contemporary Swedish Cabinet model "Visir" by Max Lund.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Contemporary Swedish Cabinet model "Visir" by Max Lund. With double doors made of perforated metal and inside with glass shelves. Signs of age and wear, overall nice condition with ...
Metal
$2,640Sale Price|20% Off
Jay Spectre Modern White Oak dresser 7 drawer post modern Dresser
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Jay Spectre bleached oak veneer 7 drawer Dresser with ribbed drawer pulls, resting on a chrome plinth, Made by Century Furniture c. 1980s Made in USA. Labeled in Drawer - Has origina...
Steel
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl Cabinet in Off-White Polyurethane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, sideboard, polyurethane, Germany, 1970/71 Ernest Hofmann, also known by his artist name 'Igl', recently gained an international audience for his desig...
Plastic
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
$5,714Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Sesamo Pop Up Desk / Secretary by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1981
By Bernini, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Basel, BS
Exquisite and very rare Pop Up Desk by Gianfranco Frattini in Italy for Bernini. Label present, and all drawer pulls are stamped with the logo. When you p...
Leather, Beech
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Sideboard in Black Lacquered Wood
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
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
$1,837Sale Price|25% Off
Post modern off white Gloss Laminate waterfall 6 Drawer long Dresser
By Memphis Milano, Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
beautiful post modern off white gloss laminate and chrome trim waterfall front 6 drawer long dresser, circa 1980. Very clean inside and out. Look at photos. all drawers have metal gl...
Laminate, Plywood
$1,122Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Post Modern Deco Revival Black Lacquer Tall Cabinet / Tallboy, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
1980s deco revival black lacquer tall cabinet, by Millennium, USA. Looks like chrome edging, but is actually mirror glass. Double doors open onto shelved storage; 2 large drawers bel...
Mirror, Lacquer
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
$3,249Sale Price|29% Off
Postmodern Cerused Pink Dresser In the Style of Jay Spectre for Century, 1980s
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This striking 1980s Postmodern dresser has been fully refinished in a custom cerused pink finish with contrasting white grain, giving the oak an architectural texture that feels both...
Wood, Oak