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.
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
$2,762Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern 80s Milo Baughman Chrome + Glass Extendable Dining Table / Desk table
Located in Basel, BS
Incredible postmodern extendable smoked glass and chrome dining table, also perfect for use as a desk table. Excellent size for any space, can form into a square when the leaves are...
Chrome
1980's Postmodern Advertising Wall Clock by RADO of Switzerland
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Rado wall clock advertizing for store owners double tone silver and black beautiful condition the face is made of polished acrylic and aluminium back , battery operated clock ci...
Aluminum
$4,850 / item
Empat Arched Console Table Cherry Red
Located in New York, US
Elegant, deep detailing gives the Empat console table a sculptured appearance that makes it an artistic accent as well as a functional table. Its graceful arches add interest without...
Resin, Plywood
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
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
$3,420Sale Price|25% Off
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
$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
Postmodern Design Set of 3 Philippe Starck Sarapis Bar Stools for Aleph Ubik
By Aleph Ubik, Philippe Starck
Located in San Diego, CA
3 Philippe Starck Sarapis bar Stools for Aleph Ubik made in France in the 1980s. These stools are made of steel and are unique. They have age and wear use a great example of Postmode...
Steel
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
David Grant Maul Blown Glass Neon Lamp Sculpture, 1983
By Rudi Stern
Located in Miami, FL
Artisan blown glass neon lamp sculpture on black acrylic base by David Grant Maul, 1983. Singed and dated.
Glass, Acrylic
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Set of 4 Midcentury Post Modern Black Dining Chairs by Pietro Costantini Italy
By Ello Furniture, Pietro Costantini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Amazing Set of 4 midcentury Post Modern Dining Chairs by Italian Designer Pietro Costantini. Very delicate Post Modern Designed Black Lacquer dining chairs with upholstered Seats. Al...
Wood, Lacquer
Modern to Postmodern Low-Slung Love Seat & Chair Burnt Orange & Aluminum Detail
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Modern to Postmodern very low slung sofa or loveseat & chair fully upholstered in a burnt orange velvet fabric with rolled-barrel shaped ruched backs & arms,...
Aluminum
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic
Located in Geneve, CH
Organic Sculptural Modern Minimalist Black Ceramic Medium Vase by Maku Ceramic Dimensions: Ø 30.4 x H 15.2 cm Materials: Ceramic, stoneware Maku Ceramic is an Istanbul-based ceramic...
Ceramic, Stoneware
Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue, Italy 1980's
By Cidue
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue. Made in the 1980's in Italy. Slender black lacquered metal frame with grey stained rush woven seats. They all shows signs of...
Metal
$5,852Sale 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
Percival Lafer 'MP 87' Lounge Chair in Beige Suede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Percival Lafer, lounge chair, model ‘MP-87’, leather, chrome-plated steel, rope, Brazil, 1971 The MP-87 lounge piece is conceived by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer in the 1970s....
Steel, Chrome
The Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Japanese, 1969
Located in Devon, GB
Issued for the first Japanese release of the film in 1969, this fantastically bizarre Japanese B2 poster offers some of the best artwork created to promote the Beatles' 1968 hit psyc...
Paper
Vintage Chrome Napkin Rings
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
A set of 8 vintage chrome napkin rings.
Metal
$4,850 / item
Empat Arched Console Table Hunter Green
Located in New York, US
Elegant, deep detailing gives the Empat console table a sculptured appearance that makes it an artistic accent as well as a functional table. Its graceful arches add interest without...
Resin, Plywood
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
Postmodern 1980s Flex 2000 Stacking Chairs by Gerd Lange for Thonet, Beech Wood
By Thonet, Gerd Lange
Located in Basel, BS
Excellent Flex 2000 Stacking Chair by Gerd Lange for Thonet, with wooden oak frames and black seats. No longer produced, Rare items. NOTE: We have up to 32 chairs available!! Let us know if you need more-- we can arrange. This listing is for one chair, and you can purchase up to 32! Please let us know how many chairs you would like to purchase, and we can combine shipping for you. Designed by Gerd Lange in 1983, manufactured in Western-Germany. The legs are made of solid ashwood, the frame is made of ashwood bentwood and veneered beech struts. The seat and back consists of original black painted PVC material. Incredible space savers-- stackable! Dimensions 18.3ʺW × 16ʺD × 31.1ʺH International Shipping details...
PVC, Ash, Beech
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Dark Resin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, large coffee table, resin, lacquered steel, Belgium, late 1970s This eccentric coffee table is a masterful creation by Belgian designer Jean Claude Dresse. Every...
Steel
Italian Postmodern White Marble & Glass Side Tables, Pair
By Metaform Holland, Hank Kwint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Italian Postmodern side tables, each featuring a thick square clear glass top supported by an L-shaped white marble slab base with chrome risers. The marble displays bold Gra...
Marble, Chrome
Vintage Piranha Imbroglio Perpetual Wall Calendar by Jean Pierre Vitrac, 1970s
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Piranha Imbroglio Perpetual Calendar by Jean Pierre Vitrac from the 1970s. This distinctive calendar showcases a modernist design with a grid of sty...
Metal
Set Of 3 "Mr Vénérable Is Dressed" Vases in Oak Wood by Yann Marot
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 3 "Mr Vénérable Is Dressed" Vases in Oak Wood by Yann Marot Dimensions: 1: D 28 x W 28 x H 15 cm 2: D 26 x W 26 x H 17 cm 3: D 31 x W 30 x H 19 cm Materials: Oak Born in Ma...
Wood, Oak
Martha and Beaumont Mood, Wall Lights, Painted Ceramic, USA, 1970s
By Martha Mood
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of hand-painted ceramic wall lights or sconce covers designed and produced by Martha and Beaumont Mood, San Antonio, Texas, USA, 1970s. Ove...
Ceramic
$142,000 / set
Paul Evans for Directional Sculpted Bronze Dining Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans for Directional, dining chairs, model PE-106, epoxy bronzed resin over steel, fabric, United States, circa 1970 These dining chairs are designed by Paul Evans for Directi...
Bronze, Steel
Memphis Milano Potato Ceramic by George J. Sowden
By Memphis Milano, George Sowden
Located in Toronto, ON
Potato, designed by George J. Sowden for Memphis in 1985, is a ceramic tray with two metal handles. Round, with a pale green hue, it has raised borders that make it extremely functio...
Metal
Vintage Chinese Tibetan Silver Overlay Porcelain Body Teapot With Foo Dog Finial
By Alessi, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage Chinese / Tibetan silver overlay porcelain body teapot with foo dog finial, circa the 1970s. The pot is in very good vintage conditi...
Sterling Silver
$2,130Sale Price / set|30% Off
"Stockholm" Armchairs by Tord Björklund for Ikea, 1990s
By IKEA, Tord Bjorklund
Located in Karis, Nyland
Postmodern vintage design aluminum armchairs with a black leather seat and backrest, ca 1990s. Chair model "Stockholm", designed by Tord Björklund. Manufactured by Ikea, Sweden. Not...
Aluminum
Fleur de Fer coffee table by Maurice Barilone, 1980s
By Roche Bobois, Maurice Barilone
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Sculptural bent steel 'Fleur De Fer' Coffee table by Maurice Barilone and produced and sold by Roche Bobois. The timeless design and use of rough and heavy steel makes this piece st...
Steel
Otto Zapf for Knoll Swivel Desk Chair in Black Leather
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau Set of Six 'Dinette’ Armchairs in Orange Leather
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, set of six armchairs model ‘Dinette’, leather, chrome, Italy, 1972 This set of dining chairs showcases an exceptional design, defined by distinctive...
Chrome
Studio D Italy Brutalist Chair in Solid Darkened Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Studio D Italy, chair, pine 1970s This eye-catching brutalist chair captures the essence of raw design. Crafted by Studio D in Italy during the 1970s, it exemplifies the rugged aes...
Pine
Set of 4 Sottsass Inspired Memphis Style Dining Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Graphic and sculptural, this striking set of four Postmodern dining chairs from Italy is strongly influenced by the bold aesthetic of Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group. Designed ...
Metal
Large Italian Verde Marble Stone Rectangular Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Elkton, MD
Postmodern Italian dining table in verde marble, late 20th century. Rectangular slab top in richly veined marble, showing deep green tones with white veining and natural burgundy in...
Marble
Seguso style. Post-Modern Scavo Murano glass table lamps, Italy, 1980s.
By Venini, F. Fabbian, Seguso Vetri d'Arte, AVMazzega, De Majo
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of Neoclassical and Post-Modern style handmade Murano glass table lamps in the style of Seguso, Italy, 1980s. Each piece is composed of an amphora-shaped or jar-shaped aquamarin...
Metal
Chrome and Ebonized Wood Coffee Table with Swivel Glass Top, 1990's
Located in Nantucket, MA
This table came from a decommissioned European cruise ship from the 1990's. It has an ebonized base and aesthetic ebonized supports over staggered and angled chrome legs, additional ...
Chrome
Large postmodern gold & chrome Ribbon wall sculpture by Curtis Jere, USA 1980s
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Hastings, GB
Rare large postmodern gold & chrome metal Ribbon wall sculpture by Curtis Jere, USA 1980s. Can be hung vertically or horizontally. No signature, but this is quite common on meta...
Metal, Chrome
Post Modern Square Mersman End Table designed by Lou Hodges for Mersman c. 1970s
By Lou Hodges, Mersman
Located in New York, NY
Chic, architectural sidebar end, table designed by Lou Hodges for Mersman, circa 1970's. The table features a sculptural solid oak frame with a bevelled tinted glass top. This exampl...
Glass, Oak
Baia two seater sofa Antonio Citterio space age postmodern
By B&B Italia, Paolo Nava, Antonio Citterio
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Baia sofa designed by Paolo Nava and Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia. Designed and sold in the 70s. Reupholstered with light green and yellow wool fabric. Vivid pink zipper. They a...
Fabric
Vintage Italian Postmodern Brera W Wall Lamp by Achille Castiglioni for Flos
Located in Hamburg, DE
The brera w is the wall lamp version from the brera series by flos based on a design by achille castiglioni. a simple and elegant wall light in glass and chrome. The egg-shaped lamp...
Metal
Mattia Bonetti, Side Chairs, Aluminum, Hide, Italy, 2009
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-lacquered aluminum, blue and black hide side chairs, model "Alu" and "Ula" designed and produced by Mattia Bonetti, Italy / Switzerland, 2009. Provenance: Collection...
Aluminum
$2,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Black Leather Flight High Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen
By Takashi Okamura and Erik Marquardsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Flight High Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for Nelo of Sweden. All Black leather chairs with black lacquer wood frames. Good vintage condition. Great desi...
Leather, Bentwood, Lacquer
Ettore Sottsass Memphis Knoll 80s Eastside Two Sofas +1 Lounge Chair, SET 3 PCS
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Basel, BS
The Eastside sofa and chair are quintessential pieces of 1980s postmodern design from Ettore Sottsass, the founder of Memphis. The Eastside collection takes cues from Biedermeier st...
Metal, Aluminum
Mid-Century Janni van Pelt Style Black Bar Cart, Wire Grid Glass, Two Tier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modernist Dutch bar cart in the manner of Janni van Pelt, rendered in a spare rectilinear form that reflects the discipline of postwar Dutch design. The tubular black enameled metal ...
Metal, Enamel
$104Sale Price|46% Off
Postmodern Cosmo Martini Cocktail Set of 2
Located in Toronto, ON
Super cool postmodern cocktail Glasses that can be used for martinis, cosmos, and other cocktails. This Memphis style glasses feature a rounded cylindrical base with a wide open tria...
Glass
$4,115Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern 1980s Design Icon "Alice" Chairs by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Ita
By Cattelan Italia, Giorgio Cattelan
Located in Basel, BS
Fabulous set of Rare "Alice" chairs by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Italia, Postmodern 1980s. Made of Stitched red leather. Designed in 1984, iconic design by Cattelan Italia. Feat...
Metal
Rare Midcentury Soft Pad Chairs Sunar Hauserman (up to 8)
By Sunar, Niels Diffrient
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Premium leather with beautiful stitching wrapped around aluminum frame. Unique brown leather chairs for home or office. Adjustable height and tilt. Arm height 24.75 lowest position
Metal
$720Sale Price / item|40% Off
13x Ettore Sottsass Postmodern Brass Wall Coat Hooks, 1985, Valli & Valli Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to 13 identical postmodern wall-mounted brass hooks from the 1980s, model SE 314, designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1985 and crafted by Valli & Valli, Italy. These hooks are sold ind...
Brass
Aurora Office Chair by Simonini: Ergonomic Solid Wood Swivel Design
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Warm and inviting, the Aurora Collection, prestigious winner of the International IF Design Award 2023 and the German Design Awards 2023, now welcomes an addition with its office cha...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for BBB Pair of 'Flap' Transformable Lounge Chairs
By BBB Bonacchina, Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi for BBB, pair of 'Flap' lounge chairs, metal, plastic, alcantara, Italy, 1975 The "Flap" lounge chair, produced in 1975 by BBB, tr...
Metal
Aurora Office Chair by Simonini: Solid Wood, Leather Seat, Swivel
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Warm and inviting, the Aurora Collection, prestigious winner of the International IF Design Award 2023 and the German Design Awards 2023, now welcomes an addition with its office cha...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
Amazing Ceiling or Wall Light 'Post Krisi 0022' by Catellani & Smith Italy 2004
By Catellani & Smith, Enzo Catellani
Located in München, BY
Rare, lovely and highly decorative three-armed ceiling fixture or wall light 'Post Krisi 0022'. Designed by Catellani & Smith, Italy, 2004. Manufacturer plate on the base: Catellani ...
Metal
Jan Vlug Rare Dining Table in Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jan Vlug, dining table, walnut, metal, brass, Belgium, 1970s Glorious and rare dining table with characteristic and stunning executed tabletop. The table is made by Belgian designer...
Metal
Postmodern Table desk Clock in Uranium White Milk Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
Very cool and unique uranium glass postmodern table desk clock, circa 1980's.
Glass
French Postmodern Steiner 'Swany' Modular Sofa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa 'Swany' by Hugues Steiner and Sylvain Joly for Steiner, polyurethane, foam, France, design 1969 An eye-catching modular sofa in an unconvent...
Foam
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