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.
Pierre Chapo 'T35C' Aban Table in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining table, model 'Aban T35C', solid elm, France, 1970s This table is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood...
Elm
De Sede DS-600 'Snake' Sectional Sofa in Warm Sage Colored Suede
By Ubald Klug, De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, ‘Snake’ DS-600, suede, felt, Switzerland, 1970s A design by Ueli Berger, Elenora Peduzzi-Riva, Heinz Ulrich and Klaus Vogt for De Sede, Switzerland. This De Sede modular Sn...
Suede, Felt
Tarcisio Colzani for Mobil Girgi 'Periplo' Chaise Longue
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tarcisio Colzani for Mobil Girgi, daybed or chaise longue, model 'Periplo', fabric, leather, walnut, Italy, 1970s Sculptural chaise longue designed by Tarcisio Colzani for Mobil Gir...
Leather, Walnut
$1,188 / item
Postmodern Modern Black Round Chandelier Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of postmodernism and experience pure elegance with our breathtaking black chandelier decorated with crystals. This work of art of lighting m...
Crystal, Metal
Jean Claude Dresse 'Crescendo' Dining or Center Table in Dark Resin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, dining or center table, resin, lacquered steel, Belgium, 1970s This eccentric table is a masterful creation by Belgian designer Jean Claude Dresse. Every inch o...
Steel
Italian Post-Modern Sectional Corner Sofa in Cognac Brown Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular corner sofa, leather, Italy, 1970s A spacious L-shaped modular Italian corner sofa, upholstered in firm cognac leather. The cushions are generously padded with a rounded, pl...
Leather
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Lounge Chair Jaymar 1980s
By Jaymar
Located in Toronto, ON
Gorgeous pop art chair by Jaymar in a dark nylon like material. It's a blueish black fabric colour with slight prints/texturing on the fabric (see photos). This bold and modern chair...
Leather
Architectural Coffee Table in Glass and Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Coffee table, glass, steel, Europe, 1970s. This sculptural coffee table features a transparent glass top resting on a striking geometric frame accented with horizontal red slats at ...
Steel
IPE Cavalli Italian Sectional Sofa in Colorful Striped Fabric
By Ipe Cavalli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
IPE Cavalli, sectional sofa, fabric, steel, Italy, 1970s This exceptional sectional sofa by IPE Cavalli, crafted in Italy during the 1970s, is a true masterpiece of design and comfo...
Steel
Nerone & Patuzzi for Gruppo NP2 'C10T' Coffee Table in Wood and Crystal Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Nerone & Patuzzi for Gruppo NP2, produced by Forme & Superfici, coffee table, wood, glass, Italy, numbered A61/100, Italy, 1970s Designed by the Italian duo Nerone and Patuz...
Glass, Wood
$475Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 2 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 2 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Chrome
Vintage Space Age Papillona Floor Lamp by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Flos, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp by the Italian manufacturer Flos after a design by Afra & Tobia Scarpa from the 70s. This design convinces with its imposing height of almost 2m. The filigree ...
Metal
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobios Post-Modern Croissant Sofa in Off-White Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, sofa, reupholstered fabric, France, late 1970s The Croissant sofa, designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, epitomizes the organic and fluid design ...
Fabric
BLOQUE 3, 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
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
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte Castell Sectional Sofa in Cognac Leather
By Hans Hopfer, Wiener Werkstätte
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte 'Castell' modular sofa, leather, Austria, design 1972 Stunning and sizable modular sofa designed by Hans Hopfer for Wiener Werkstätte. This grand ...
Leather
Pair of 1990s open armchairs by Piero Fornasetti's son Barnaba Fornasetti
Located in Winnetka, IL
A pair of "Tema a variazioni" (Themes and Variations" Piero Fornasetti open armchairs by G. Galli, Italy for Barnaba Fornasetti Milan. Having upswept open arms painted in silver with...
Silver Leaf
Vintage Italian Postmodern Glass Floor Lamp from Lucente, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant glass floor lamp by the Italian manufacturer Lucente. The striking glass diffuser is overlaid in matt blue and sits at the end of a slender shaft. The upper part of the shaf...
Metal
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Bedroom Divider Wardrobe Walnut
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina 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
Postmodern Italian Mantel Clock by Michael Graves for Alessi, 1980s
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Alessi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare table clock of the Italian manufacturer Alessi after a design by Michael Graves from 1986. A special and rare collector's object of Postmoderne. The coat Clock is a miniature a...
Metal
Organically Shaped Post-Modern Sectional Sofa in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa, leather, Europe, 1980s This sofa is fully executed in a black leather that contributes to a unified look. The construction consists of four elements. The sofa embraces...
Leather
Funky Red Framed Stacking Chairs with Fritz Hansen Style Plywood Seating
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spirited postmodern stacking chairs showcase the playful geometry and joyful color that defined the hip era of postmodernism. Each chair features a single-shell molded plywood seat t...
Metal
Post Modern Art Deco Revival Brass King Size Headboard. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern 1980s Art Deco Revival Brass King Size Knot Headboard in the Style of Luciano Frigerio Features brass tubes bent in elegant curvy lines forming a knot with an Art Nouveau ...
Brass
Postmodern Spanish Chromed Table Lamp by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz, 1980s
By Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty and cool Postmodern Chromed Table Lamp by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. This Table Lamp was made in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. Model M-1131. “Estiluz” original...
Metal
Ball Foot Sculptural Chair, Vegan Cactus Leather, Burgundy
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The “Ball-Foot Chair” is upholstered with a burgundy cactus leather, a vegan textile infused with natural cactus fibers, which is produced in Mexico. The chair’s comfortable and roun...
Steel
De Sede Large Daybed or Lounge Set in Patinated Brown Leather
By De Sede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
De Sede, daybed, leather, Switzerland, 1970s This De Sede daybed/lounge set includes two parts: a lounge seat and an additional ottoman-style section, allowing for versatile configu...
Leather
TIFFANY & CO. 1982 Elsa Peretti Bean Petrol Pocket Lighter Solid Polished Bronze
By Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co., Elsa Peretti
Located in Miami, FL
Pocket petrol lighter designed by Elsa Peretti (1940-2019) for Tiffany & Co. The bean is one of the most iconic Elsa Peretti's designs, that she created for the Tiffany Studios,...
Brass
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa /Daybed for American Leather
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Roanoke, VA
Beautiful "Matinee" sofa that doubles as daybed designed by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather. The sofa converts effortlessly into daybed by removing the bolster back and side bol...
Textile
Postmodern Sectional Sofa in Deep Green Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa, fabric, Europe, 1970s This beautiful modular sofa, made in Europe in the 1970s, exudes comfort and charm. Wrapped in soft, rich green fabric, it invites you to sink in...
Fabric, Pine
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
Gufram PRATONE Forever by Ceretti / Derossi / Rosso
By Gufram Furniture, Riccardo Rosso, Piero Derossi and Giorgio Ceretti
Located in Toronto, ON
Chair of soft polyurethane, upholstered in bouclé wool. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ceretti, Derossi and Rosso’s masterpiece, in 2021 Gufram introduced PRATONE® FOREVER, a ...
Wool, Bouclé
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova ‘Bruco’ Wall Lights
By Design Centre, Ettore Sottsass, Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ettore Sottsass for Design Centre/Poltronova, ‘Bruco’ wall light from the Mobili Grigi series, chrome-plated brass, methacrylate (translucent Perspex), enameled aluminum, Italy, 1970 This ‘Bruco’ wall light is created by Ettore Sottsass as part of the Mobili Grigi collection for Poltronova and produced by Design Centre in 1970. The advancements in lamp technology have influenced the design of lighting fixtures. The Bruco light was created as a result of the use of breakthrough materials and technologies of the seventies. Designer...
Brass, Chrome
Joe Colombo for Comfort 'Elda' Lounge Chair in Red Leather and Fiberglass
By Comfort, Italy, Joe Colombo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Joe Colombo for Comfort, lounge chair ‘Elda’, fiberglass, leather, Italy, design 1963 The ‘Elda’ chair is one of the most well-known designs of Italian designer Joe Colombo. This lo...
Leather, Fiberglass
Vintage Wooden Barley-Twist Hourglass with Hand-Blown Glass
Located in San Diego, CA
A handsome vintage hourglass featuring a solid wood frame with classic barley-twist turned supports and a faceted hexagonal top and base. The hourglass contains hand-blown glass bulb...
Glass, Wood
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two Italian midcentury modern design three-seater sofa and two-seater sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s with solid woo...
Fabric, Wood
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia 'Dialogo Dessau' Dining Chairs
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, B&B Italia
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra and Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia, 'Dialogo Dessau' dining chairs, chromed metal, plastic, Italy, 1974 The Dialogo Dessau chair, with its distinctiv...
Metal, 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
Awesome Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Weiman Preview Bilbao Sculptural Sofas
By Weiman Preview Furniture, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the early 1990s by American design icon Vladimir Kagan, this pair of sofas was made by Weiman Preview, now known for their production of many iconic designs from Kagan, F...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Set of 4 Italian Postmodern Space Age Model 101 Spaghetti Chairs, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Four postmodern Spaghetti chairs from the Italian manufacturer alias according to a draft by Giandomenico Belotti from the late 1970s. A timeless classic of Italian design. The fili...
Metal
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Steel and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, brass, brushed steel, Belgium, circa 1970 This remarkable rectangular coffee table, designed by the esteemed Jean Claude Dresse in the 1970s, exemp...
Brass, Steel
Mario Botta for Artemide ‘Shogun’ Floor Lamp
By Mario Botta, Artemide
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
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni Set of Twelve 'Monk' Dining Chairs
By Tobia Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Molteni, set of twelve 'Monk' dining chairs, walnut, leather, Italy, 1974. Set of ‘Monk’ chairs by renowned Italian designers Afra & Tobia Scarpa. Th...
Leather, Walnut
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Red & Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Red and black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Red Leather lounge chair. Very fun Beautiful pop art wide leather chair. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in thick le...
Leather
Guido Faleschini for I4 Mariani Set of Eight 'Dilos' Dining Chairs Rose Velvet
By i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani, set of eight 'Dilos' dining chairs, part of the 'Pace Collection', beech, velvet, Italy, circa 1975 These 'Dilos' chairs are designed by the creativ...
Velvet, Beech
Mario Bellini 'Le Bambole' Loveseat by B&B Italia, Suede, 1972
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mario Bellini's 'Le Bambole' lounge chair for B&B Italia is one of the most recognizable silhouettes of 1970s Italian design. The chair's fully upholstered, pillow-like form has ...
Leather
Italian Postmodern Zeta Terra Floor Lamp by Giuseppe Linardi for Lumina, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The standing lamp from the Zeta series from the Italian lighting manufacturer Lumina according to a design by Giuseppe Linardi from the early 90s. The Zeta Terra is a classic ceilin...
Metal
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Rare Post Modern Black Ribbed leather Office desk chair on casters made in Italy
By De Sede, Poltrona Frau, Cassina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Post Modern Black Ribbed leather Office desk chair on casters made in Italy. Beautiful Designed chairs with great leather upholstery. These chairs chan be used as a dining, desk...
Leather, Plastic
Single-Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier 80 cm, brass finish
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Single Pendant Chainmail Droplet Sculptural Chandelier is a beautiful hand made light piece. A chainmail web in a brass finish hugs the lamp’s canopy; as the knit becomes tighter, th...
Steel
Meritalia Some of Us Lamp by Gaetano Pesce
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
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
Vintage Postmodern Magazine Rack by Markus Börgens for D-Tec, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern newspaper rack, metal and acrylic glass of D-Tec, designed by Markus Börgens from the 80s. The stand consists of two elements, the support f...
Metal
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl 'Directors' Writing Desk in White Polyurethane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, 'Directors' writing desk, polyurethane, Germany, 1970/71 Ernest Hofmann, also known by his artist name 'Igl', recently gained an international audienc...
Plastic
$910Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 Postmodern Flash One Series Coffee Service Plates, Cups, Saucers, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Flash One Series Coffee Service Plates, Cups, Saucers by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal, 1980s, Set of 6, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an at...
Porcelain
Pair of Post-Modern Dining Chairs in Solid Ash Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pair of dining chairs, ash, Europe, 1980s Striking pair of dining chairs, made in Europe in the 1980s. These chairs showcase beauty and strength due to their material, solid ash woo...
Ash
Vibrant, Heavy Murano Glass Aquarium Sculpture with Multicolored Millefiori Fish
By Murano 5
Located in San Diego, CA
Vibrant, Heavy Murano Glass Aquarium Sculpture with Multicolored Millefiori Fish, circa 1980s. A beautifully executed hand-blown Murano glass aquari...
Blown Glass
Ligne Roset Inspired 1980s Tan Leather Loveseat w/ Slanted Profile
By Ligne Roset
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking Ligne Roset inspired loveseat from the 1980s showcases the era's bold approach to leather furniture design. The slanted profile creates an eye-catching silhouette that defin...
Leather
Postmodern Pluto Desk by Pierre Colleu for Starform and Disney, France 1980s.
By Pierre Colleu 1, Starform, Disney Studios
Located in Lille, FR
Table height: 58 cm. Total height with the head: 90 cm Good condition. No restorations. Some fading on the head and legs, with a few spots and other age-related marks.
Resin, Plastic
Vigo Magistretti for Cassina Sofa in Dark Grey Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for Cassina, two-seater sofa, model 'Veranda', fabric, aluminum, Italy, 1983. Beautiful esthetically balanced two-seater sofa designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassi...
Aluminum
Memphis Style Tall Cabinet by Eugenio Pinuer, Colorful Design, 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano, Wassily Kandinsky
Located in ECHT, NL
Quality made tall cabinet. Made in Switzerland by Wohnsinn AG in the 1980s. Crazy post modern design in true Memphis style. Lots of colors and asymmetric patterns. A style that let g...
Metal
Michel Ducaroy Ligne Roset Blue Leather Togo Corner Sofa France 1980s
By Ligne Roset, Michel Ducaroy
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This authentic Michel Ducaroy design for Ligne Roset is the iconic Togo Ottoman, executed in France during the 1980s. The piece features supple Blue Leather upholstery, defining the ...
Leather
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Salvador Dalí
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 “Femme á la téte rose” 1935 (...
Brass