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.
Contemporary Handmade Glossy Yellow Ceramic Raft-Inspired Coffee Table
By Streicher Goods, Ethan Streicher
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Raft Coffee Table is a playful sculptural ceramic piece inspired by the soft geometry and pillowy, rounded edge of a raft. The top is composed of large slab-built ceramic tiles w...
Ceramic, Plywood
$3,701Sale Price / set|20% Off
Maralunga Armchair and Ottoman by Vico Magistretti for Cassina Matte Black
Located in Basel, BS
This black and white textile leather armchair and ottoman, the Maralunga model designed by Vico Magistretti in 1973, are iconic examples of mid-20th century Italian design. Both pie...
Upholstery
$25Sale Price / set|84% Off
1990s Metal Sculpture Candelabra with Faux Ruby Gem Style Pieces
Located in San Gabriel, CA
24” high x 13” wide x 10” deep Interesting industrial abstract metal sculpture. Could hold candles. Red faux gem accents.
Stone, Metal
1980s Postmodern Black & Silver Pendulum Desk Clock
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic postmodern vintage desk, mantel, or shelf clock with a oval base, rounded top case, geometric hands, and a silver pendulum 'ring' above the base of the clock that keeps t...
Plastic
Post-Modern Sculptural Mood Lighting Tower Blue Glass Floor Lamp by Curvet USA
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In the Post-Modern Memphis style, made iconic by luminaries such as Ettore Sottsass, for your consideration is a signed Curvet USA sculptural floor lamp. Made of blue glass with a gray enameled steel base. Uniform lighting from a flourescent bulb. Perfect mood lighting...
Steel
Harden Furniture English Country Plaid Upholstered Lounge Chair With Ottoman
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional English Country style plaid upholstered lounge chair with ottoman In the manner of Ralph Lauren By Harden Furniture USA, Circa 1980s Measures: Chair - 34"W x 37.5"...
Upholstery, Wood
Mario Botta for Artemide ‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp
By Artemide, Mario Botta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Artemide, 'Shogun' floor lamp, aluminum, steel, Italy, 1986 Mario Botta referred to lamps as “people”. He said: "Shogun is a person. He has a head, body and feet, ...
Aluminum, Steel
Neos Wall Clock 2 George Sowden Nathalie du Pasquier Postmodern
By George Sowden, Memphis Milano, Nathalie du Pasquier, Lorenz
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Neos clock designed by George Sowden and Nathalie du Pasquier in the 80s. Neos is the brand run by Lorenz clock company in Italy. They were designed a lot o...
Plastic
BeoCom 6000 Desktop Telephone in Royal Blue by Martin Iseli for Bang & Olufsen
Located in San Diego, CA
BeoCom 6000 cordless handset and table charger by Martin Iseli for Bang & Olufsen, circa 1990s. The phone is royal blue and grey and has a grey cradle / table charger; it is in very...
Plastic
Post Modern Chaise Lounge by Thayer Coggin att. to Milo Baughman c 1980/90's
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Postmodern, Hollywood Regency style upholstered chaise lounge, made by Thayer Coggin, design attributed to Milo Baughman circa 1980/90's. The chaise features an asymmet...
Upholstery
$1,400Sale Price|35% Off
1980s Laminated waterfall Scroll table by Jeffrey Craig
Located in Toronto, CA
A large vintage laminated waterfall scroll coffee table from the 1980s. It was created in Canada by renowned expert Jeffrey Craig, known for crafting high-quality laminated furniture...
Laminate
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
Single Amisco Stool
Located in New York, NY
Single Amisco stool
Metal
Postmodern Gray Ceramic Braided Woven Abstract Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Stunning woven braided ceramic centerpiece bowl glazed in a wonderful shade of gray with some blue tones. Great size for a coffee table or entryway. Very unusual abstract shape, plea...
Ceramic
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Architectural Square Oak Coffee Table
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi coffee table, oak, Italy, 1980s A beautifully crafted coffee table by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, Italy, 1980s. Executed in ...
Oak
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Nero Marquina Marble Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Absolutely stunning veining on this black marble dining table. Even the base has intricate veining on all four sides, it’s hard to pick a favorite angle. We also had the lacquer pro...
Marble
Mário Barbaglia and Marco Colombo Eco Floor Lamp for Italiana Luce
By Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo
Located in Miami, FL
Rare postmodern Eco floor lamp designed by Mario Barbaglia and Marco Colombo for Italiana Luce. The lamp is telescopic with an adjustable height between 56” and 76”. The round lamp...
Metal
Late 1970s Dick Spierenburg Model SDC Armchair, Black Leather, Chrome & Enameled
By Castelijn, Dick Spierenburg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Dutch designer Dick Spierenburg for Castelijn in the late 1970s, the Model SDC armchair stands out for its boldly architectural, raked frame. Flat black enameled steel me...
Enamel, Steel, Chrome
$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
Tubular Steel “Z” Chair by Les Industries Amisco, 1970's
Located in Lisboa, PT
This chair was designed and produced by Les Industries Amisco, a French Canadian company, maker of the popular "paper clip" stools, during the 1970's. It has a "Z" shape iron structu...
Metal, Iron
1980s, Post Modern Black Lacquer Coffee Table in the Roger Rougier Style
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage, large scale post modern sculptural Black Lacquer Coffee Table with a Triangular Glass top in the of Roger Rougier's Style. Circa 1980s. Features a glossy lacquered six inch...
Glass, Lacquer
Two rare demountable plywood chairs by Axel Kufus model Stöcke for Atoll
Located in München, DE
Two rare plywood chairs by Axel Kufus, model Stöck. Manufacturer: Atoll. Made in Germany. Produced from 1994 to 2000. Very lightweight and detachable construction. Legs and backrest...
Beech, Plywood
Pietro Constantini Postmodern Italian Modern Stricking Pair of Dining Chairs
Located in San Diego, CA
With a rabidly modern Italian design, this pair of chairs by Pietro Constantini captures any look that comes your way. Fan-shaped backrest with a beautiful piano black finish and le...
Leather, Wood
Pr. Vintage Brown Jordan Lounge Chairs c 1970/1980's
By Brown Jordan
Located in New York, NY
Pair of stylish lounge chairs by top quality maker, Brown Jordan. This pair of chic vintage lounge chairs are in very good, clean, ready to use condition, showing only light cosmeti...
Aluminum
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Italian Chrome Pipping Single Stool by Effezeta
Located in San Diego, CA
Nice cantilever tubular chrome single stool by Ezzefeta Italy , great condition all original circa 1980s.
Chrome
Johan Bertil Häggström Tubular Lounge Chair for Swed-Form, Sweden, 1970s
By Swed Furn, Johan Bertil Häggström
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A lounge chair by Johan Bertil Häggström for Swed-Form, produced in Sweden in the 1970s. An example of Swedish postmodern design, the piece is built around a tubular chrome frame tha...
Metal
$2,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Post Modern Mid Century Pace Burl wood & Chrome 2 drawer Nightstands
By Leon Rosen, Pace Collection
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Post Modern Mid Century Pace Burl wood & Chrome 2 drawer Nightstands. Designed by Leon Rosen for the Pace Collection. Clean inside and out - Ready for use. Located in Brookly...
Chrome
Emilio Nanni Musmé Counter Stool for Fly Line, 1984
By EMILIO NANNI, Fly Line
Located in Miami, FL
Considered one of his first chair designs, the Musmé counter stool was designed by Emilio Nanni for Fly Line. The stool consists of a steel cantilevered frame...
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
Chainmail Sculptural Chair by Panorammma, Hand-Linked Mesh, Nickel-Plated Steel
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Chainmail chair is a new take on William Katavolos 1952’s T-chair. Its seat is made up of hand-linked metal rings coming together to form a strong and flexible mesh that drapes down ...
Steel
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Steel & Frosted Glass Floor Lamp after Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A super heavy and well made floor from the Postmodern 1990s era. It features stainless steel and frosted glass construction. Works with one Halogen bulb.
Stainless 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
Meritalia Some of Us Floor Lamp by Gaetano Pesce, Resin & Metal, Italy
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Created through a process that celebrates imperfection and unconventionality, the luminous objects by Edizioni del Pesce embody Gaetano Pesce's distinctive philosophy. Each luminous ...
Metal
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
Postmodern End or Side Table with Mirror Top & Black Laquered Pedestal Base
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Postmodern end or side table comprised of a black lacquered pedestal base with beveled edges & gold base trim and a rounded square shaped top with gold trim edges and mirror surface. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. No outstanding flaws seen but there are a couple small dots on the mirrored top where the silvering is missing along with some scratches, and a few scuffs in the black paint. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century. Mirror, Mirror on the…. End Table?? That’s right folks! It doesn’t get any more 1980’s than this little gem!!! Only the coolest houses had furniture with mirror...
Composition
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By Salvador Dalí, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H. cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from ...
Brass
Two Bruno Munari 'Vademecum' bookcase carts for Robots, Italy 1974
By Bruno Munari, Robots
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
Hala Zeist Halogen Arch Floor lamp 1980s Holland
By Hala Zeist
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Hala Zeist Arch Floor lamp . Halogen 12 volt 50 watt signed , Post Modern in style . Polish Aluminum . good condition . comes with a good working dimmer .
Aluminum
A monumental bronze female nude sculpture by Somchai, circa 1970
Located in View Park, CA
A monumental nude sculpture of a femme torso in bronze by Hattakitkosol Somchai, signed, circa 1970. A striking rarity of Somchai’s oeuvre, this piece stands at nearly twenty-six inc...
Bronze
1980s Italian Fior Di Pesco Marble Postmodern Vintage Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A classical marble with a muted, tonal palette of soft grey with tints of rose and teal, strongly accented by stunning veins in pearl white, blush, raisin, and the rich peach that gi...
Marble
Jan de Jong Rare Custom Table and Stools in Dark Green Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jan de Jong, custom table and stools, lacquered wood, the Netherlands, 1970s An exceptional dining ensemble by Jan de Jong, comprising a monumental table and six matching stools. De...
Wood
Mid century Post modern square red coffee table on casters made in Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern square red coffee table on casters made in Italy. Good design good vintage condition. Ready for use. Located in Brooklyn nyc. Made circa 1970. Only (1) table available ...
Wood, Lacquer
BLOQUE 7, Pedestal with Ettore Sottsass Veneer by Bonne Choice
Located in Toronto, ON
Designed By Bonne Choice Using Ettore Sottsass Veneer. The veneer created by Ettore Sottsass in the 1980s – utilized for the first time in the Memphis collection – now becomes part ...
Wood, Plywood
Nerone & Patuzzi for Gruppo NP2 'C10T' Coffee Table in Wood and Crystal Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Nerone & Patuzzi for Gruppo NP2, coffee table, wood, glass, iron, Italy, 1970s Designed by the Italian duo Nerone and Patuzzi, this sculptural coffee table is a true statement p...
Iron
Max Baguara "Laser" Glass & Brass Floor Lamp for Lamperti, 1970s
By Lamperti, Max Baguara
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Post-Modern torchiere floor lamp designed by Max Baguara for the Italian manufacturer Lamperti in the 1970s, model name "Laser." The lamp is composed of a solid plate glass column ri...
Brass
"Estela" Lamp BRAZIL - 1997
By Fernando and Humberto Campana
Located in Forest, BE
Designed by the Brazilian due Humerto and Fernando Campana for Oluce in 1997, and integrating the permanent collection of Vitra, the “Estela” lamp uses a simple solution consisting o...
Metal
Piano Desk by Panorammma, White Lacquered Wood, Post-Modern Design, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A sleek, white-polished, sculptural piece conjuring the presence of a grand piano. Piano Desk evokes an intricate fusion of the grace in artistic expression and the discipline of w...
Wood
Zero Rectangular Dining Table in Epoxy Resin & Crystal Clear Glass by WeDO
Located in Geneve, CH
Zero Rectangular Dining Table in Epoxy Resin & Crystal Clear Glass by WeDO Dimensions: D 100 x W 210 x H 75 cm. Materials: Epoxy resin, glass, and paint. Customizations are availab...
Epoxy Resin, Glass, Paint
Verner Panton Vilbert Chair, 1993
By IKEA, Verner Panton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
wonderful colorful postmodern accent chair "Vilbert" by Verner Panton for Ikea 1993, in blue, purple, green, red and black formica with black edges. The structure follows geometric a...
Formica
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric Floor Lamp for Cassina
1980s Postmodern Unique Shape Floral Pink & Purple Rug 12’x9’
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning pick and violet floral postmodern custom wool rug signed on bottom
Wool
1980's Postmodern Memphis Design George Matsumoto Magic Cube Hidden Office
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Ingenious, Memphis Era, Postmodern "Magic Cube" with hidden compartments filled with desk/office supplies. Designed by renowned Japanese-American, modernist architect, George Matsum...
Plastic
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
Elsa Peretti "Thumbprint" blue glass bowl for Tiffany Co .
By Elsa Peretti, Tiffany & Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful deep blue glass bowl designed by Elsa Peretti, and made for Tiffany Co. signed
Glass
Post Modern Full-Length Wall Mirror in Gold Wood and Metal, 1980s Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful Full-length wall mirror with wooden and metal profiles. The upper and lower profile has two semi-ovals in wood with gilded golden finish. On the sides it has two thin meta...
Wood
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern lucite snail spiral glass top coffee table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern lucite snail spiral glass top coffee table. Base is made of clear polished lucite abstract form. High quality rounded corner glass top coffee or cocktail table. Very clea...
Glass, Plexiglass
Postmodern Model Z-Lite Zig Zag Flexible Table Lamp, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table lamp with a transformable design. The Z-Lite or Zig Zag desk lamp is characterized by its complex construction and versatility. It ...
Metal
1981 'Ulisse' Orange Folding Cane Chairs by Ivan Loss for Sandrigarden
By Ivan Loss
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ulisse' folding cane chairs in deep orange enameled metal with beige plastic seats, designed by Ivan Loss for Sandrigarden Vicenza in 1981. The concept is straightforward and ingenio...
Metal, Enamel
$1,400Sale Price / set|42% Off
Post-Modern Dining Table Set by Driade & Ycami, Glass & Aluminum
Located in Miami, FL
Kitchen Table Set, Modern dining table and 4 chair set attributed to Driade & Chairs by Ycami. The sleek and stylish post modern table attributed to the renowned Italian company Driade boasts a round frosted glass top poised atop three legs crafted from cast aluminum. The sloping legs, with their elegantly tapered bodies, serve as a defining characteristic of design aesthetic, giving the table a blend of sophistication and refinement. The legs are similar in design to those of the "M" table by designer Philippe Starck. Included are uniquely designed set of 4 dining chairs by Ycami having gorgeous sculptural case...
Aluminum
Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin 1970s Postmodern Chrome Cantilever Armchairs
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Pair of Milo Baughman for ...
Chrome