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.
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
Luciano Frigerio 'Louis' Sidebooard in Satin Brass and Walnut Burl
By Frigerio Di Desio, Luciano Frigerio
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Grid Wall Cabinet in Oak
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe 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
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
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
$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
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
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Postmodern Waterfall Dresser, Bleached Oak
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
Tito Agnoli for Caleido/Poltrona Frau Chest of Drawers in Patchwork Leather
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Caleido/Poltrona Frau, chest of drawers, patchwork cognac leather, stained birch, Italy, 1970s. A striking and rare commode designed by Tito Agnoli for Caleido, a su...
Leather, Birch
$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
Giuseppe Rivadossi Hand-Carved Sideboard in Oak
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
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
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
$1,837Sale Price|25% Off
Post modern off white 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
Carla Venosta & Guido Zimmerman for Arflex 'Valiant' Bookcase in Stainless Steel
By Arflex, Carla Venosta, Guido Zimmerman
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
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
Maison Regain Chest of Drawers in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain, chest of drawers, solid elm, France, 1970s Stunning French storage unit executed in solid elm by Maison Regain. This design is stu...
Elm
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
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
$2,400Sale 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
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Grand Wardrobe in Walnut
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, wardrobe, Italy, 1980s A beautiful and grand wardrobe by Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi, showcasing exquisite woodworkin...
Walnut
Piero Lissoni for Cassina "Flat Series" Credenza
By Cassina, Piero Lissoni
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
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
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
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
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
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
$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
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
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
$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
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
$3,420Sale Price|25% 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
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
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
$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
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
$5,900Sale 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
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
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
$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
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
Luxurious Italian Cabinet in Bamboo and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinet, lacquered bamboo and ash, brass, Italy, 1970s. This glamorous cabinet, dating from the 1970s, has a compact geometric shape that is at once simple and assertive. Yet the e...
Brass
$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
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
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
$1,200Sale 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