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.
Unique Wall Unit by Giuseppe Rivadossi with Impressive Size in Oak 12.86 feet
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, unique custom-made wall unit, oak, glass, Italy, 1975 Behold this unique monumental wall unit by Giuseppe Rivadossi, custom-made for a pri...
Glass, Oak
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
Large Italian Postmodern Wall Unit in Walnut and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit, storgae unit, brass, walnut, Italy, 1970s A striking example of 1970s Italian postmodern design, this monumental wall unit combines architectural presence with refined cr...
Brass
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
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
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
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern taupe beige Gloss lacquer 6 Drawer long Dresser Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful post modern taupe beige gloss lacquer 6 drawer long dresser, circa 1980. Very clean inside and out. Look at photos. all drawers have metal glides with stops. Great for home...
Plywood, Lacquer
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
Vintage Postmodern White Illuminated Wall Unit Dry Bar Display Case
Located in Lutz, FL
1980’s Post Mod White Lacquered Wall Unit Dry Bar Display Cabinet. An incredible wall unit/dry bar to take you straight to Miami in the 80s! This cam...
Metal
Italian Postmodern Sideboard with Geometric Front
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinet, 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 piec...
Cherry, Ebony, Mahogany
Italian Architectural Wall Unit in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit or wardrobe, walnut, Italy, 1970s This striking wall unit from the 1970s reflects a bold modernist approach with an architectural appearance. Crafted from rich walnut, the...
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
$8,700 / item
1970s Italian Tall Cabinets in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinets, walnut, glass, Italy, 1970s These three walnut cabinets from 1970s Italy have a strong and unusual shape that immediately stands out. The most noticeable element is the ro...
Walnut
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Bedroom Divider Wardrobe Walnut
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe 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
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
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
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
$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
Guido Faleschini for Mariani Cabinets in Red Brown Leather
By i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
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
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
Eoli Credenza in White Onyx, Sculptural and Funcional Sideboard/Cabinet
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
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
Ettore Sottsass Style Postmodern Magenta and Orange Lacquered Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Postmodern magenta and orange lacquered cabinet, bookcase, or bar cabinet In the manner of Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano USA, Circa 1980s Measures: 51.25"W x 2...
Wood, Lacquer
$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
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern white Gloss Laminate waterfall 6 Drawer Dresser with round mirror
By Memphis Milano, Lane Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
beautiful post modern white gloss laminate and chrome trim waterfall front 6 drawer dresser with original round mirror, circa 1980. Very clean inside and out. Look at photos. all dra...
Mirror, Laminate, Plywood
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
$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
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
$1,837Sale Price|25% Off
Post modern white off Gloss Laminate waterfall 6 Drawer long Dresser
By Lane Furniture, Memphis Milano
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
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern bright white Gloss Laminate waterfall 6 Drawer long Dresser
By Lane Furniture, Memphis Milano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
beautiful post modern bright white gloss laminate waterfall front 6 drawer long dresser, circa 1980. Very clean inside and out. Look at photos. all drawers have metal glides with sto...
Laminate, Plywood
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
$1,920Sale Price|20% Off
Custom Pop art post modern 3 door beige Pill shaped credenza sideboard
By Ello Furniture, Memphis Milano
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
Luigi Saccardo 'Topline' Highboards in Vibrant Green and Black Color
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Saccardo, 'Beehive' large cabinets from the 'Topline' series, lacquered laminated wood, metal, Italy, circa 1976 Back in the seventies, Topline was a newly introduced collecti...
Metal
Memphis Milano Freemont Cabinet by Ettore Sottsass, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
Resting on a base with five cylindrical legs, Freemont by Ettore Sottsass appears to grow strongly from the bottom to the top. With its fractured shapes, it branches out into the spa...
Gold Leaf
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
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
1980s Rounded Brass Ello 9 Drawer Mirrored Front Dresser
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning 9 drawer Ello dresser with matching mirror I also have a matching bed nightstands and tallboy if interested please feel free to email me with any questions or additional pic...
Brass
Vintage Hickory White Pediment Armoire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stately vintage armoire by the renowned makers at Hickory White exemplifies the intersection of Postmodern flair and classical architectural influence. Defined by its dramatic g...
Brass
$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
Henredon Scene Two Cabinets, Olive Burl Wood, Post-Modern Design, 1986
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
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
Postmodern Cerused Pink Dresser In the Style of Jay Spectre for Century, 1980s
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
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
USM Haller Modular System Six Drawer Cabinet in Light Grey
By Usm Haller
Located in Seattle, WA
This is a modular USM Haller two-column, six-drawer cabinet in original light gray, made in Switzerland, in overall good condition with some surface wear and scratches. Height: 45 ...
Steel
Pair of bedside cabinets by Interluke, 1970s
By Interlübke
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Pair of vintage black lacquered bedside cabinets by Interlubke. Each cabinet has 2 drawers. Timeless design 1970s - Germany good condition Dimensions: Height: 43cm Width: 65cm...
Wood, Lacquer
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
Rose Tarlow “Blotto” Desk in French Ash Veneer with Leather-Lined Drawers
By Rose Tarlow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking and sculptural “Blotto” desk by Rose Tarlow, finished in finely grained French ash veneer. This bold design features two semi-circular pedestal bases that create a dramati...
Wood, Ash
$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
1980s German Post-Modern Interlübke DUO Writing Desk by Peter Maly
By Peter Maly, Interlübke
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
Philippe Starck Black Enameled Metal "John Ild" Bookshelf, 1977
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Produced by Italian manufacturer Disform in 1977, the John Ild bookshelf is one of Philippe Starck's earliest documented furniture designs. Five ascending black lacquered metal shelv...
Metal, Enamel
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
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
Roger Rougier Cream Modernist Dresser — Sculptural c1980s Canadian Design
Located in Montréal, CA
Roger Rougier dresser in a refined cream-white finish, embodying the understated luxury of 1970s Canadian modernist design. This piece carries the signature Rougier language: clean ...
Lacquer
Vintage Model Märd Rolling Storage Box from Ikea, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Model Märd Rolling Storage Box from Ikea, Sweden, 1991 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Plastic, Wood Color: Red Period: 1990s Item ...
Plastic, 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
$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
$1,042Sale Price / item|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
$5,923Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Sesamo Pop Up Desk / Secretary by Gianfranco Frattini for Bernini, 1981
By Gianfranco Frattini, Bernini
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
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
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
$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