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.
Post-Modern Set of Six Italian Ash Wood Dining Chairs in Cognac Faux Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining chairs, ash, faux leather, Italy, 1970s A set of six Italian dining chairs from the 1970s, crafted in ash wood and upholstered in rich cognac faux leather. Defined by their e...
Faux Leather, Ash
Rare Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce Table Lamp with Reflective Screen
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, table lamp, model '611/g-p', aluminum, lacquered steel, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1973 Very rare table lamp designed by the visionary Italian designer ...
Aluminum, Steel, Chrome
Giuseppe Rivadossi Round Dining Table in Oak 130cm/51in
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi, dining table, oak, steel, Italy, 1970s Giuseppe Rivadossi’s mastery of material and construction is beautifully expressed in this dining table. Architecturally c...
Steel
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois Croissant Sofa with Lounge Chair Off-White Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, sofa with lounge chair reupholstered fabric, France, late 1970s The Croissant sofa with lounge chair, designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, epito...
Fabric
21st Century Framed 79/50 Lithograph The Flying Balloon Girl by Banksy
By Banksy
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This striking contemporary artwork captures one of Banksy's most globally recognized motifs, the Flying Balloon Girl, presented as a high-quality licensed reprint lithograph. It feat...
Fruitwood, Paper
Post Modern George Kovacs Robert Sonneman Modern chrome floor Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Robert Sonneman Chromed Steel Tube bent Floor Lamp. Circa. 1970s Comes with light bulb. 120v plug H 46" L 24"
Steel, Chrome
Fler 'Idler' Lounge Chairs with Ottoman in Teddy Mohair by Pierre Frey
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Fler for Furniture Makers of Australia, living room set - lounge chairs with ottoman, model 'The Idler', "Teddy Mohair" Aubergine by Pierre Frey, Australia, wood, design 1969 This s...
Mohair, Wood
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
Italian Post-Modern Set of Six Dining Chairs in Walnut Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, walnut, Italy, 1980s A striking example of Italian design from the 1980s, these walnut chairs embody a refined balance between sculptural form and everyday...
Walnut
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscape in Red Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa, leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofa in red brown leather by the Swiss manufacturer De Sede. The design for...
Leather
Post-Modern Italian Bar Unit with Cabinets and Bar Stools
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar unit, chrome, metal, glass, mirror, fabric, wood, Italy, 1970s This Italian bar from the 1970s combines several materials typical of the period, including chrome, metal, wood, g...
Metal, Chrome
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ueli Berger, Eleonora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, 'Snake' sectional sofa, model 'DS-600', leather, Switzerland, 1970s Designed by Ueli Berger, Eleonora Pe...
Leather
Grand Monumental Modernist Dining Table in Pine 1970s 400cm/157in
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Large dining or multifunctional table, pine, Europe, 1970s An exceptionally large table (400cm/157in) with monumental proportions. The design of this table is balanced by a beautifu...
Pine
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Trestle Dining Table in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, oak, Italy, 1970s A masterful expression of Italian craftsmanship, this exceptional oak dining table was designed by Giuseppe Rivadossi an...
Oak
Postmodern Black and White Abstract Figurative Ceramic Sculpture by Jack Charney
Located in Troy, MI
Unique ceramic sculpture by Jack Charney Santa Fe New Mexico circa 1990 Abstract ceramic figure with elongated limbs in a dynamic contorted form Finished with a hand-painted black s...
Ceramic, Pottery
French Postmodern Ceramic Table Lamp, Private Detective, by J.C. Peiré, 1980s
By JC Peire
Located in Lille, FR
Jean-Claude Peiré built his signature in the 1980s with a series of ceramic light fixtures reimagining everyday objects at full scale — a tennis racket, a weightlifter's arm, a boxin...
Ceramic
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Dining Set in Carved Pine
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, unique set of seven dining armchairs with table, solid pine, Italy, 1970s This unique dining ensemble is among the finest works we have en...
Pine
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
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Pair of 'Artona' Sofas in Walnut
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, pair of 'Artona' sofas, walnut, beige-sand fabric, Italy, 1975/1979 Cubic ‘Artona’ sofas by Italian designer couple Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The w...
Fabric, Walnut
Giuseppe Rivadossi Double Bed with Matching Nightstands in Oak 140cm/55in
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, bedroom set consisting of double bed with matching nightstands, oak, Italy, 1970s A beautifully crafted handmade bed and pair of matching ...
Oak
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate 'Down' Sectional Sofa
By Rossi di Albizzate, Carlo Bartoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Bartoli for Rossi di Albizzate, sectional sofa model 'Down', fabric, lacquered wood, Italy, 1973 This design truly resembles the ethos of the seventies – a bright and bold era...
Fabric, Wood
Postmodern Large Pair of Glass Metal Wall Sconces by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Josep Llusca, Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and unique Horizontal Postmodern Spanish Pair of Glass Metal Wall Sconces by Blauet. Model: Blow 1327. These Wall Lights were made in Barcelona (Spain) by Blauet during 1990s...
Metal
Large postmodern curved waterfall glass coffee table with ball, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Large postmodern curved waterfall glass coffee table with plaster effect fiberglass ball, USA 1980s. Very hard to find this model- I've been looking for a while. There are some scr...
Glass, Fiberglass
John Hutton for Donghia Black Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
John Hutton for Donghia black center table composed of wood finished in high-gloss enamel, tapered square legs, metal casters and a single drawer. Two available, sold individually.
Enamel
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau 'Lullaby Due' Bed in White Leather
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, 'Lullaby Due' bed, leather, wood, chromed metal, plastic, Italy, designed in 1968 A 360° degrees rotating bed named 'Lullaby Due' features a headres...
Metal, Chrome
$13,800 / item
Gjlla Giani for Nucleo Sormani ‘Radar’ Table Lamps
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gjlla Giani for the Nucleo Division of Sormani, 'Radar' table lamps, pewter and glass, Italy, 1971 This rare pair of table lamps is designed by the Italian architect Gjlla Giani for...
Pewter
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
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Reddish-Brown Patinated Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘Snake’ DS-600 sectional sofa, leather, felt, Switzerland, 1972. A design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland. This D...
Leather, Felt
Pair of Italian Architectural Armchairs in Cypress Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of dining chairs, cypress wood, Italy, 1970s These armchairs embrace an impressive architectural design with rounded contours and substantial lines. While it draws inspiration ...
Cypress
Cini Boeri for Arflex 'Tuttoletto' Queen Bed in Oak
By Arflex, Cini Boeri
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cini Boeri for Arflex, 'Tuttoletto' queen bed, oak veneer, Italy, 1978 Exceptional piece of furniture designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex in 1978. This monumental bedroom unit present...
Oak
Vittorio Rossi and Luciano Bertoncini for Cjfra 'Zattera' Bed
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Rossi and Luciano Bertoncini for Cjfra, 'Zattera' bed, fabric, lacquered wood, brass, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1970s This extraordinary bed, created through the collabor...
Brass, Steel, Chrome
Italian Organic Sofa in Khaki Green Velvet
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, velvet, plastic, Italy, 1970s Eccentric sofa of Italian origin. The design reminds of the anatomy of the flower with its inward-facing tufted lines and a stuffed middle sectio...
Velvet, Plastic
Gianfranco Fini for New Lamp 'Programma' Wall Light in Stainless Steel
By New Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Fini for New Lamp, 'Programma' lamp, stainless steel, circa 1970 Expressive wall light by Italian designer Gianfranco Fini designed in circa 1970. Fini, who is known for...
Stainless Steel
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' Curved Sofa in Turquoise Upholstery
By Mauro Lipparini, Alberto Rosselli Saporiti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' sofa, fabric, lacquered wood, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1980s A truly wonderful piece that breathes the elegance of Italian Post-Modern desig...
Steel, Chrome
Mariyo Yagi for Sirrah 'Garbo' Chandelier in Nylon
By Mariyo Yagi, Sirrah
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mariyo Yagi for Sirrah, 'Garbo' chandelier, metal, nylon, Italy, 1976 Enchanting 'Garbo' fringe chandelier designed by Japanese designer Mariyo Yagi and manufactured by Sirrah. The ...
Metal
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'Lira e Liuto' Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs, cognac leather, Italy, 1989 This set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs has beautiful cognac colored leather tha...
Leather
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscapes in Rich Beige Leather
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa elements, leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofas in leather by the Swiss manufacturer De Sede. The design for...
Leather
Andy Warhol Flowers (Castelli Gallery Mailer, 1964)
By Andy Warhol
Located in New York, NY
Original offset lithograph mailer on wove paper, published by Leo Castelli Gallery in conjunction with an exhibition—Warhol’s breakout “Flowers” show—held from November 21-December 1...
Paper
Afra & Tobia Scarpa Set of Ten Dining Chairs in Walnut and Black Saddle Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Attributed to Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, set of ten dining chairs, saddle leather, walnut, Italy, circa 1970 Set of ten dining chairs attributed to Italian designers Afra & To...
Leather, Walnut
Pia Manu Coffee Table in Enameled Concrete and Brazilian Quartzite
By Pia Manu
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pia Manu, coffee table, enameled concrete, Brazilian quartzite, Belgium, 1970s This very rare hand-crafted coffee table was made in the 1970s by the Belgian atelier Pia Manu, known ...
Concrete
Italian Sofa in Cognac Leather and Aluminum
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, aluminum, leather, Italy 1970s Comfortable sofa made in the 1970s. This sofa strongly represent the essence of furniture design of the 1970s, going beyond the strict conventio...
Aluminum
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Sculptural Pair of Nightstands in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi night stands, oak, glass, Italy, 1975 A remarkable and highly sculptural pair of nightstands by Giuseppe Rivadossi, crafted in oak in Italy...
Oak
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Trestle Dining Table in Chestnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi dining table, chestnut, Italy, 1970s A striking dining table handcrafted by Giuseppe Rivadossi in solid chestnut wood. Created in Italy dur...
Chestnut
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
1970s Glamorous Guido Polloni Chandelier in Colored Glass (50cm/19.6in)
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Polloni chandelier, glass, Italy, 1970s This exquisite chandelier by glass artist Guido Polloni is crafted in Italy in the 1970s. This light embodies the extreme glamour and b...
Glass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Artona King Bed with Nightstands
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' king bed with nightstands, walnut, metal, leather, Italy, 1975/1979 This meticulously designed 'A...
Metal
Post-Modern Italian Sofa in Wood and Creme Colored Velvet Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, beech, fabric, Italy, 1970s This three-seat sofa dates from Italy in the 1970s and is designed in the style of Afra and Tobia Scarpa. The design is defined by clear proportion...
Fabric, Beech
Postmodern Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Gold "Mate" Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-9000 Gold. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. ...
Metal
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscapes in Patinated Cognac Brown Leather
By De Sede, Ubald Klug
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa elements, patinated cognac brown leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofas in a patinated leather by the Swiss m...
Leather
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'CAB 413' Dining Chairs in Black Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six armchairs model 'CAB 413', leather, plastic, Italy, 1979 The iconic ‘CAB’ chair was designed by Mario Bellini in 1979. Conceptually new was the...
Leather, Plastic
Mario Marenco for Arflex Marius&Marius Sofa in Brownish Red Leather
By Arflex, Mario Marenco
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Marenco for Arflex, 'Marius&Marius' sofa, leather, plastic, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s The Marius&Marius sofa, designed by Mario Marenco for Arflex in the 1970s, is ...
Leather, Plastic, Wood
John Dickinson Plaster Rope Table, Model 111
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Dickinson rope table, model 111. Painted plaster that only shows very minimal signs of wear. Excellent vintage condition. This table is very heavy / sturdy. Signed by the make...
Plaster
Ubald Klug for De Sede 'Terrazza' Landscape in Olive Green Leather
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ubald Klug for De Sede, DS-1025 'Terrazza' landscape sofa element, patinated olive green leather, Switzerland, 1970s. Waterfall shaped sofa in olive green leather by the Swiss manu...
Leather
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
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark.
Plastic
Mario Bellini for Cassina Set of Eight 'Cab' Dining Chairs in Red Brown Leather
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of eight 'Cab' dining chairs, model '412', leather, plastic, Italy, design 1976 Beautiful set of 'Cab' dining chairs in luxurious reddish brown leathe...
Leather, Plastic
Set of 2 Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Chairs by Knoll - Black + Red Post Modern
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Decatur, GA
Set of two (2) Knoll International "Mandarin" chairs by Ettore Sottsass. Exemplifying Sottsass’s bold postmodern sensibility, these sculptural chairs feature vivid red enameled arms ...
Metal
Postmodern Italian Opaline Murano Art Glass Chalice, Abstract Decoration, 1980s
Located in Valencia, VC
Postmodern Italian Opaline Murano Art Glass Chalice, Abstract Polychrome Decoration, 1980s Strikingly beautiful in the hand, this sculptural Italian art glass vessel is an elegant e...
Opal
1970s Cascading Waterfall Chrome Waterfall Floor Lamp Attr Sonneman
Located in Toronto, ON
Stunning chrome cascading waterfall floor lamp attributed to Robert Sonneman. It was made in the 1970s. T This table lamp has a gorgeous waterfall form which features five cascading ...
Brass