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 Shaped Canvas Painting by Joan Swanson, D. 1984
Located in Peabody, MA
Post modern shaped canvas work of a pink painted triangle by Southern California artist Joan Swanson, dated 1984. She is a well exhibited painter and sculptor who studied with the renowned minimalists John McCracken...
Paint
Contemporary F.ACE Golden Finish Aluminium Wall Hook by Henry Wilson
By Henry Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
F.ACE Aluminium Wall Hook by Henry Wilson Dimensions: W 6 x D 5 x H 10 cm Materials: Aluminium The F.ACE Hook is a riff on our popular compass Hook. It is sand cast in solid Alumin...
Aluminum
Mia Wall Light in Ceramic with Glossy Lacquered Finish by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Mia Wall Light in Ceramic with Glossy Lacquered Finish by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 16 x D 11.5 x H 30 cm. Materials: Handmade ceramic structure finished in high-quality colored ...
Ceramic, Lacquer
Mid Century Floor Lamp Fackla, Ikea, Uplighter, Sweden, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Praha, CZ
- very nice style of lighting.
Plastic
Speckled Squiggle Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Speckled Squiggle Rug Crafted in New Zealand Wool by Okej Studio Dimensions: W 215 x L 305 cm. Materials: Wool. Available in different colors and size options. Prices may vary. Car...
Wool
Eames Molded Plywood Folding Screen, White Ash
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in Toronto, CA
The typical zig-zag format of a screen is brilliantly surpassed in this iconic design by Charles and Ray Eames, originally designed in 1946. Composed of six ten-inch sections of mold...
Wood, Ash
Black Strip Chairs by Gijs Bakker for Castelijn (Set of 6)
By Castelijn, Gijs Bakker
Located in North Charleston, SC
A set of 6 'Strip' black chairs by Gijs Bakker for Castelijn. In really good condition. Stackable.
Bentwood
Postmodern White Metal Set of Eight Flush Mounts by Blauet, Barcelona, 1980s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty Postmodern Spanish Set of Eight white metal Flush Mounts or Wall Sconces by Blauet. Model: Birimbao-2. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Bl...
Metal
$8,122 / item
Medium Ita Center Table by Estudio Prosa
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Ita Center Table by Estudio Prosa Dimensions: W 100 x D 75 x H 30 cm Materials: Wood. Available in Cedro Arana, Jequitiba, Muiracatiara, or Cumaru wood options. Please contac...
Wood
Set of 8 Bodum Postmodern Napkin Rings by Jumi Chan & Nathalie Du Pasquier
By Nathalie du Pasquier, Memphis Milano, Ajumi Han, Memphis Group, Bodum
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Striking set of 8 postmodern (two of each patten) napkin rings created for Bodum by Memphis-affiliated designers Nathalie Du Pasquier and Jumi Chan. These sculptural table accessorie...
Metal, Silver Plate, Brass
Nature Leather and Black Steel Maggiz Magazine Rack by Ox Denmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Nature leather and black steel maggiz magazine rack by Ox Denmarq Dimensions: D 24 x W 47 x H 43 cm Materials: steel, leather Also available: different leather and frame colors av...
Steel
Italian Postmodern Wall Light, 1970s
Located in Milan, IT
Monumental Italian Postmodern wall light. Carries 3 light bulbs.
Metal
Lyora FSC Teak Wood Round Side Coffee Table by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Lyora FSC Teak Wood Round Side Coffee Table by SNOC Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 46 cm. Materials: Teak wood. A delicate mid-century style, tempered by contemporary and eclectic incursions ...
Teak
Postmodern Armchair, Design by Franco Poldaretti Caccia Alla Volpe, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Post-Modern side, dining or desk armchair from the Caccia alla volpe furniture series, Italy 80s. Designed by Franco Poldaretti In very good condition.
Velvet, Wood
$3,284 / item
Big Aurum Blue Glass Sconces by Alex de Witte
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Aurum blue glass sconces by Alex de Witte Dimensions: D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: Mouth blown glass It can be purchased as an ensemble or individual...
Blown Glass
$975Sale Price|51% Off
Vintage 1980s Post Modern Brass Flush Mount Light with 4 Zig Zag Cascade Arms
Located in Amityville, NY
Vintage 1980s post modern brass flush mount with 4 articulating eyeball style lights. Each orb light extends down on a zig-zagging down stem. 3 cascade from the main round mounting ...
Brass
Alessi 9093 Whistling Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves Post-Modern
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Alessi
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, an Alessi 9093 whistling tea kettle designed by Michael Graves. Originally released in 1985, it features a conical stainless steel body and a signature bi...
Stainless Steel
XL Vintage Costantini L’Oggetto Grandfather Clock - Memphis Style Italy 1980s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
XL Vintage Costantini l’Oggetto Grandfather Clock - Memphis Style Italy 1980s This rare XL vintage grandfather clock comes from Costantini L'Oggetto and impresses with its contrasti...
Metal
No. 31 G Natural Linen Uni Dark Beige Contemporary Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 31 G Dark Beige Pendant Lamp Sander Bottinga Dimensions: D 44 x W 68 x H 50 cm. Materials: Brass, leather, wood, and dip-dyed colored viscose. Handmade in brass, leather, wood,...
Brass, Other
Vintage Murano Red & Opalescent Glass Perfume Bottle with Stopper
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite vintage Murano glass perfume bottle features a striking combination of deep ruby red glass framed by clear ribbed layers, creating a captivating optical depth. Its ele...
Glass, Art Glass
Scorpion Sculpture, Enrique "Sebastian Carbajal, 1990
By Enrique Sebastian Carbajal
Located in Chicago, IL
Scorpion Sculpture, Enrique "Sebastian Carbajal, 1990's Born Enrique Carbajal Gonzalez, Sebastian adopted his pseudonym after seeing a painting called St. Sebastian by Italian Renais...
Steel
Modern Style Aurora armchair Sculpted in solid walnut finish, leather seating
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 armchair, ...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$1,412 / item
Single Block Wood Batan Stool by Taller Batán
Located in Geneve, CH
Single Block Wood Batan Stool by Taller Batán Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: Single block wood. Finishes: White cedar, blackened cedar (yakisugi), encino (mexican oak...
Wood
$3,036Sale Price|20% Off
V.Cool Purple Suede Cassina 111 Wink Chaise Lounge by Toshiyuki Kita Japan Italy
Located in Basel, BS
Fantastic chaise longue 111 Wink by Toshiyuki Kita for Cassina, Italy 80s in the most perfect purple suede textile. This is a majorly cool version of the C...
Metal
Postmodern “LEGO” Telephone Phone by Tyco
By Memphis Group, Lego, Tycos
Located in Rome, IT
1990s telephone made of LEGO by Tyco.
Plastic
Le Bambole Leather Sofa Design Mario Bellini 1978 for B&B Italia
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
cognac leather Le Bambole-seater Sofa designed by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia in 1978. Price is per sofa ! The Bambole series today is a true icon amongst the 1970s design f...
Leather, Foam
Murano Glass "Lisboa" Vase
Located in NICE, FR
This Murano glass vase is a refined expression of light, color, and exceptional craftsmanship. Its sculptural surface is articulated with vibrant, jewel-like glass spheres that creat...
Gold
$313,378 / item
590 Million Years Love Table by Alina Alamorean, France
Located in Geneve, CH
590 Million Years Love Table by Alina Alamorean One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 90 x W 170 x H 82 cm. Materials: Granite and iron steel. This table can be used as an office desk. Diffe...
Granite, Steel, Iron
Early Ultrafragola Mirror by Ettore Sottsass for Poltronova, Italy, 1970s
By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Antwerp, BE
The iconic Ultrafragola mirror by Ettore Sottsass is both a functional mirror and an illuminated art piece, embodying the playfu...
Plastic
Postmodern Pink Lacquered Karl Springer Style Column Console Glass Table
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning three piece console table with pink tiered lacquered columns and a 3/4” thick glass top.
Glass, Fiberglass
1980s-1990s post modern swivel side table or display stand
Located in Phoenix, AZ
1980s-1990s post modern swivel side table or display stand. Wood with chrome, black, purple and turquoise laminate. The laminate tops swivel 360 degr...
Chrome
$16,939Sale Price / item|20% Off
'Carlton' Room Divider and Bookcase by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano, Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in London, GB
Probably the most iconic of all Ettore Sottsass' designs, the colourful Carlton is half room divider, half bookcase and full size sculptural marvel. Des...
Laminate, Wood
Postmodern Vintage Black Floor Lamp by Carlo Forcolini 1989 for Artemide Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
A Postmodern vintage black floor lamp, which was designed by Carlo Forcolini 1989 for Artemide, Italy. It is labeled underneath the base: Art...
Metal
Carlo Scarpa, Set of 6 Wooden Chairs for Gavina, Italy 1970s
By Carlo Scarpa, Gavina
Located in Argelato, BO
All the rigor and geometry of the great Italian designer Carlo Scarpa are expressed in this splendid and rare set of 6 wooden chairs made for Gavina in the early 1970s. An essential...
Wood
Italian Colored Glass and Brass Sideboard or Credenza
Located in London, London
Colored glass sideboard Brass base and details Postmodern mix of colors Contemporary, Italy.
Brass
Set of 2 Medium Pausa Oak Stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 medium Pausa oak stool by Pierre-Emmanuel Vandeputte Dimensions: D 27 x W 35 x H 65 cm Materials: oak wood Available in burnt oak version and in 3 sizes. Pausa is a se...
Oak
Pilolo Tobacco Alabaster Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Pilolo Tobacco Alabaster Wall Sconce by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: D 11 x W 22 x H 42 cm. Materials: Alabaster. Available in different brass and alabaster options and finishes. Cus...
Alabaster
Post-Modern Side Table in the Style of Ettore Sottsass, Italy, 1980s
By Cappellini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Brussel, BE
Sculptural Post-Modern side table featuring a textured concrete base, a black enameled steel central column, and a round clear glass top with a wooden handle on top. With its archite...
Concrete, Steel
Serigraphy on Rectangular Mirror with a Photo by David Hamilton, 1970s-1980s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
1970s - 1980s. This is a rare and particular mirror with a serigraphy of a photo taken by David Hamilton. It features an aluminum frame. It is a vin...
Aluminum
Double Spout Studio Art Glass Vase Signed Dated
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Murano style studio art glass vase has an unusual double spout shape and is decorated with black and white line swirls and abstract dots and gold flecks pattern on the colorful black...
Art Glass, Glass, Blown Glass
21st Century by Bartoli Design Lounge Chair Ergonomic Artisan Indoor-Outdoor
Located in Lecce, IT
Indoor-outdoor lounge chair, frame in round steel tube, seat and backrest in contoured round steel rod.
Steel
$20,212Sale Price|25% Off
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker, 1960s Modern Design
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An architectural marvel in living form, this Cocobolo rosewood dining table by Don S. Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, commands attention as both functional object and sculptural stateme...
Cocobolo
Post Modern Art Time Wall Clock designed by Nicolai Canetti, 1984
By Canetti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Nicolai Canetti for Art time post modern wall clock. Black enamel background with reds and whites. Sweep second hand. Great design and hard to find! Working condition! Produced in Ja...
Aluminum
$10,877 / item
Layered Steel Bench by Hyungshin Hwang
Located in Geneve, CH
Layered steel bench by Hyungshin Hwang Dimensions: D 36 x W 180 x H 36 cm Materials: Stainless Steel Layered Series is the main theme and concept of work of Hwang, who continues...
Stainless Steel
Leather Pouf by Lowie Vermeersch for Durlet, Belgium 1999
By Durlet
Located in Meulebeke, BE
A rare and sculptural leather pouf designed by Lowie Vermeersch for the Belgian manufacturer Durlet in 1999. This piece reflects the innovative spirit of late‑20th‑century Belgian de...
Leather
Post-Modern Slatted High Back Dining Room Chairs by Pietro Costantini, 1980s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and elegant set of six Post-Modern slatted high back dining room chairs. Design by Pietro Costantini. Striking Italian design from the 1980s. The clear lacquered maple frame...
Leather, Maple
$6,062 / item
Oh Lola Sideboard by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Oh Lola Sideboard by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 45 x W 170 x H 125 cm Materials: Wood. Lola Glamour box essence with flat finishes, without patinas or aging. Impeccable carpentry, v...
Wood
Single Vladimir Kagan Nautilus Swivel Chair in Camel Teddy Bear Fabric
Located in Saint Louis, MO
This Vladimir Kagan Nautilus swivel lounge chair is sculptural, comfortable and fun, and was recently professionally reupholstered in super soft curly camel. Modern with a warm and i...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Olivier Mourgue "Bouloum" Chaise for Arconas, 1989
Located in Coronado, CA
This anthropomorphic chaise lounge was designed by French designer Olivier Mourgue and manufactured by Arconas in 1989. The lounge features a distinctive ergonomic, humanoid silhouet...
Upholstery
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper 'Eros' Dining Table in Marquina Marble
By Gruppo Skipper, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper, dining table ‘Eros’, Marquina marble, design 1971 This sculptural table by Angelo Mangiarotti is a skilful example of postmodern design. The table is...
Marble
Derritio Unique Fire Table in Travertine & Stainless Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Derritio Unique Fire Table in Travertine & Stainless Steel by Andres Monnier Dimensions: D 80 x W 160 x H 40 H cm. Materials: Travertine and stainless steel. Available in different...
Travertine, Stainless Steel
Vladimir Kagan Juno Wingback Recliner in Soft Cocoa Brown Bouclé
By Vladimir Kagan, Room and Board
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Stately Post Modern Vladimir Kagan Wingback reclining chair made by American Leather professionally reupholstered in super soft and richly textured Cocoa bouclé. New cushioning and l...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$16,575 / item
Solomia 2 BI Cabinet by Ruda Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Solomia 2 BI Cabinet by Ruda Studio Dimensions: D 45 x W 170 x H 75 cm. Materials: Solid wood (ash), rye straw inlay, plywood and brass. Weight: 70 kg. Dimensions are customizable. Please contact us. Inspired by the wealth of Ukrainian land, RUDA Studio has created an interior object – the Solomia cabinet...
Brass
$6,816 / item
Roller Floor Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Roller Floor Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 35 x H 115 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, Matt Blac...
Alabaster, Copper
Art Glass Sommerso Blue Bird Paperweight Figurine
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Abstract blue art glass bird figurine was hand blown in sommerso technique, with flue and white speckled gather of colored glass encased in clear glass. Minimal, sculptural tail and...
Art Glass
Contemporary Art Abstract Forged Tin Chair, Leather Seat by Lucas Tyra Morten
By Lucas Morten
Located in Geneve, CH
Rymd Chair by Lucas Tyra Morten 2023 Limited Edition of 29 Dimensions: W 55 x D 53 x H 110 cm Material: Fiberglass, Tin, Leather Occupying the limi...
Other
$2,625 / item
Bonam TV Medium Cabinet by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Bonam TV Medium Cabinet by Pastform Dimensions: D 50 x W 120 x H 45 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes: BPA, Nobel, Brandy, Whiske...
Wood
Postmodern Pear Floor Lamp, Green Plastic, Vintage Design, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp in pear shape. A special object and rare eye-catcher. This lamp shows the shape of a pear. Particularly the almost faithful replica in shape and color, up to d...
Plastic
Spectrum Green, Kolho Original Dining Chair, MDJ KUU by Made by Choice
Located in Geneve, CH
Spectrum Green, Kolho Original dining chair, MDJ KUU by Made By Choice with Matthew Day Jackson Kolho Collection Dimensions: 54 x 54 x 77 cm Materials: Oak ( MDJ KUU Formica lami...
Laminate, Birch, Plywood
Post-Modern Table Lamps by Gae Aulenti, Chrome & Acrylic, Italy, 1970s
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of 1970s Italian "Quadrifoglio" Table Lamps by Gae Aulenti for Harvey Guzzini Exude classic Italian Space Age sophistication with this stunning, rare pair of "Quadrifoglio" (Fou...
Chrome