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.
$2,341Sale Price / set|20% Off
"Rennie" Set of Chairs by Kazuhide Takahama for Gavina, Kazuki Italy 1980
Located in Argelato, BO
Kazuhide Takahama, (1930-2010), Set of 6 dining chairs model "Rennie", Italy 1970 circa High backrest and wide seat upholstered in green fabric, the legs forming shelves in glossy bl...
Fabric, Wood
$2,505 / item
Timber Roomdivider by Onno Adriaanse
Located in Geneve, CH
Timber Roomdivider by Onno Adriaanse Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 80x W 20 x H 180 cm. Materials: stained pine wood, clear satin coating, brass hinges Also available in Colo...
Brass
Sweet Fuchsia Little Prince Of Love Pouf by Moro, Pigatti
Located in Geneve, CH
Sweet Fuchsia Little Prince Of Love Pouf by Moro, Pigatti Dimensions: D 55 x W 55 x H 44 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Available in different color and finish options. This product ...
Other
Omera Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Omera Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 60 x D 40 x H 45 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not inclu...
Foam, Hardwood, Wood
Garouste et Bonetti Rare Black Screen for Christian Lacroix, 1987, France.
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare Elisabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti little black screen, designed and only produced in 1987 for Maison de Haute Couture Christian Lacroix, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, Fran...
Metal
Bloom Clay Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Bloom Clay Table Lamp by Harshita Jhamtani Designs Dimensions: D 16.5 x H 17.8 cm Materials: Stoneware clay. Available in Egg White, Blush Pink, and Charcoal Black. Please contact u...
Clay, Stoneware
Contemporary Velvet and Brass Marquetry Armchair by Erwan Boulloud, France
Located in London, GB
‘Yareta’ Armchair by Erwan Boulloud Material: Velvet-like chenille fabric, patinated brass Dimensions: 144 x 108 cm – H 75 cm Year: 2023 Handcrafted in France Edition of 8 pieces + ...
Brass
$2,786 / item
Kavanagh WS Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Kavanagh WS Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 12 x W 6 x H 53 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel, ...
Alabaster, Copper
Post-Modern Solid Marble Orb Vase in Green Granite, Sculptural Stone Vessel
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautifully proportioned postmodern stone vase, carved from a single block of solid marble with a softly rounded orb form. The surface reveals a richly variegated green and grey ma...
Marble
Vintage Baccarat "Océanie" Green Accent Crystal Flower Vase by Thomas Bastide
Located in St. Louis, MO
An exceptional, highly collectible vintage postmodern French lead crystal art glass vase, masterfully produced by the world-renowned luxury house Baccarat, circa 1990s. Captured beau...
Crystal
Italian Postmodern Kettle by Richard Sapper for Alessi, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Kettle by Richard Sapper for Alessi, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution markIt is completely authentic Additional infor...
Metal
$515 / item
Hobnail Tile Wall Piece by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Hobnail tile wall piece by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 30 x H 40 cm Materials: steel Hand-formed from a sheet of steel, emphasizing the material’s pliable characteristics expre...
Steel
Danish Modern Decorative Porcelain Egg 1977
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful decorative porcelain egg by royal copenhagen circa 1977, excellent condition on a brass stand.
Porcelain
$1,428 / item
Paper Lamp in Aluminium by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Paper Lamp in Aluminium by Six Dots Design. Unique Piece. Dimensions: W 25 x D 20 x H 45 cm. Materials: Raw aluminum. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold t...
Aluminum
Phillipe Starck Postmodern Officina Candle Holder for Alessi France
Located in San Diego, CA
Candle holder aluminum vase designed by Phillipe Starck for Alessi circa 1980's .
Aluminum
Vintage Italian Totem Terra Floor Lamp by Valerio Bottini for Foscarini, Late90s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare floor lamp from the Italian manufacturer Foscarini based on a design by Valerio Bottini from the late 90s. By playing with open and closed surfaces, this design appears particu...
Metal
Postmodern Rondo Armchair in Velvet Chenille and Leather by Mavo Atelier
By Mavo Atelier
Located in Trofa, PT
Playful yet poised, the Rondo Armchair captures the joy of post-modern design while promising the kind of comfort that invites you to stay a little longer. Defined by its clean, geom...
Chenille, Leather, Fabric, Velvet, Upholstery
White Carrara Marble Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
White Carrara Marble Diogenèa Bowl by ZPS Studio Dimensions: D 23 x H 4.8 cm Materials: White Carrara Marble. A number of 31 bowls of identical shape, made in limited edition by fin...
Marble
1990s Multicolored Lucite and Chrome Time Tunnel Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic cylindrical table lamp with blue and red lucite rings, a mesh interior, and a chrome frame that gives perfect 1990s vibes! In very good vintage condition with wear con...
Chrome
$2,400Sale Price / set|29% Off
Weiman Sculptural Post Modern Sectional - 5 Pieces
By Weiman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A five piece post modern sectional attributed to Weiman. Sculptural silhouette, with four single modules and one corner piece. Original upholstery as found. Reupholstery recommended....
Upholstery
$7,546 / item
Galbajo GALSOV12 Pendant Lamp by Mazzega 1946
Located in Geneve, CH
Galbajo GALSOV12 Pendant Lamp by Mazzega 1946 Dimensions: Diam 104 x H 51 cm. Materials: Frame: Polished Chrome. Diffuser: Trasparent Alexandrite. Weight: 12 Kg. The roots of Mazze...
Rock Crystal, Chrome
$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
1970s Red Plastic Perpetual Calendar
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A fantastic example of 1970s mod design, this bright red plastic perpetual wall calendar delivers bold graphic impact. Molded from glossy red plastic with white printed labels, the c...
Plastic
Postmodern Heron Lamp by Isao Hosoe for Luxo
By Isao Hosoe
Located in Oslo, NO
Iconic table lamp designed by Isao Hosoe for the Norwegian lamp maker Luxo. Moulded plastic in a lacquered silver coating. The lamp is fully working and in ...
Plastic
$3,711 / item
Sculptural Light No. 30 by Milla Vaahtera
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculptural light No. 30 by Milla Vaahtera Dimensions: D 5 x W 78 x H 60 cm Materials: Glass, brass In 2020 Milla Vaahtera started a series of unique sculptural lights made out of br...
Brass
A RADICAL POSTMODERN COFFEE TABLE by GUY LEFEVRE for MAISON JANSEN, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A beautiful, elegant and rigorous coffee table, Post-Modernist, Radical, Constructivist, Shabby-Chic, geometric structure in brushed stainless steel, with an additional shelve, with ...
Metal, Brass
$2,660 / item
Object 100 Coffee Table by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 100 Coffee Table by NG Design Dimensions: W 115 x D 70 x H 36 cm Materials: Steel, Oak Veneer All of objects available in different materials and colors on demand. Also availa...
Steel
Italian Modern Murano Glass Table Lamp
By Arredoluce, Leucos, Mazzega, Giusto Toso, Angelo Lelii
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Murano Glass Table Lamp . Offered is a striking Post-Modern Murano glass lamb by Vetro Eseguito Da Maestri. This most unusual scul...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Garouste & Bonetti Unique Frame for Christian Lacroix, 1987, France.
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare Elisabeth Garouste & Mattia Bonetti frame, designed and only produced in 1987 for Maison de Haute Couture Christian Lacroix, Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris, France. Black painted perforated frame with Christian Lacroix signature on a gold metal square...
Mirror, Wood
$292 / item
Spotty Black Pendant Lamp by +kouple
Located in Geneve, CH
Spotty Black Pendant Lamp by +kouple Dimensions: D 5,4 x W 11,5 x H 39,5 cm. Materials: Powder-coated steel. Available in different color options. The PVC cord length is 200 cm. Pl...
Steel
$14,343Sale Price / set|30% Off
Sofa "Pianura" M.Bellini for Cassina 70s 4 seats wood and green velvet
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Modular sofa model Pianura made in 1975 by Mario Bellini for Cassina. Light Walnut Wood frame and green velvet upholstery. A sofa with elegant lines and the most natural materials, P...
Velvet, Wood
Seguso Black Murano Glass Duck Sculpture with Avventurine, 1970s Italy
By Seguso
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This duck is made in black Murano glass with avventurine, encased in transparent glass, which was hand-modeled. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show ...
Murano Glass
Yellow Murano Wall Light Sconce by Vetri Handblown Glass 1990s Italy modernist
By Vetri
Located in London, GB
A 1990s modernist wall light by Murano. The yellow thick round plaque is handblown by artisans in Italy and it fixes on the wall or ceiling and the glass opaline glass sits on top....
Glass, Murano Glass
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
Postmodern Artemide Pantarei Wall Lamp/ Sconce
Located in New York, NY
This very cool wall or ceiling light was designed in the early 1990s by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide called Pantarei . Rounded glass shade with an aluminum frame. Can be used indoor...
Aluminum
Small Misalliance Ral Antique Pink Wall Light by Lexavala
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Misalliance Ral Antique pink wall light by Lexavala Dimensions: D 16 x W 70 x H 8 cm Materials: powder coated aluminium. There are two lengh...
Aluminum
Vintage German Postmodern Alta Mira Series Ceramic Vase by Gilbert Portanier
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Postmodern Alta Mira Series Ceramic Vase by Gilbert Portanier for Rosenthal, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. ...
Ceramic
Modern Style Aurora Chair Sculpted in Walnut Finish No Arms, leather seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
The Aurora collection aka Dawn marks a new exiting moment in our design history, in where we dove deep in to the creativity unknown, to create a collection that would be able to hold...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Hardwood, Walnut
$2,000 / item
Mimbre Lounge Chair
Located in Mérida, MX
Piece and materials inspired by a childhood surrounded by ''wicker furniture'' , which also goes by the names "rattan" and "wicker," at our grandparents' house, the woven wicker adds visual interest to any room with its unique texture. Weather-resistant finishes are commonplace on outdoor wicker...
Cane
$1,686 / item
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Iceland Mariposa Lounge Chair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 92 x W 87 x H 86 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and metal. Finish: Wild grey sheepskin and black frame. Weight: 12 kg. Availabl...
Metal
Side Table with Hidden Compartment, Black Marble & Travertine, Sculptural
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Umbral Side Table Composed of black marble and travertine, this side table contrasts deep darkness with warm neutrality through its varicolored stone segments. The object is balance...
Stone, Onyx, Travertine, Marble
$1,580Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Vintage Mid Century Modern Hand Lounge Chair, in White-- One Piece
Located in Madison, WI
Excellent Prop piece, or a Living Room, studio or office POP! This listing is for the White chair. We also have a Black chair, sold separately, pictured here. The RMIC hand chair made its first appearance around the year 1970. The spectacular chair is made of plastic and shaped like a giant hand with its palm turned upward, while the fingers serve as a backrest. Originally, the hand chair was designed in 1962 by Pedro Friedeberg, a then 24 years old surrealist artist. Friedeberg artistic sensibilities were decisively directed against everything conventional, and he was inspired by the Dadaistic practice of producing anti-art for art's sake. This White Hand Chair features the cup holder. Dimensions 27ʺW × 21ʺD × 34ʺH Seat Interior Width: 21" Seat Interior Depth: 21" Seat Height: 18" Arm Height: 20" Shipping: We ship insured and to your door, using blanket...
Plastic
Alessi 9093 Whistling Tea Kettle Designed by Michael Graves Post-Modern
By Alessi, Michael Graves (b.1934)
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
Riccio' Vase by Gae Aulenti in Green for Venini, Italy 2006
By Gae Aulenti, Venini
Located in Hellouw, NL
Some objects rely on contrast rather than complexity. The ‘Riccio’ vase by Gae Aulenti for Venini, designed in 2006 follows this approach through the combination of a sculptural silh...
Murano Glass
$614 / set
Brutalist Bronze Door Furniture Set
Located in London, GB
A set of bronze door furniture comprising letterbox, bell-push surround and keyhole plate. Second half 20th century, found in Germany. The pieces are made of cast bronze, with the d...
Bronze
70s Tiled Top Coffee Table by Tue Poulsen
By Haslev Mobelsnedkeri, Tue Poulsen
Located in Toronto, CA
A table of solid oak wood with handmade ceramic tile inlay, designed by Danish artist designer Tue Poulsen for Haslev Mobelsnedkeri. Strong, org...
Ceramic, Wood
$14,304Sale Price|20% Off
Cassina Soriana Sofa by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, Italy, 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sofa; Afra; Tobia; Scarpa; Cassina; Soriana; Settee; Couch; Italy; 1970's; Hollywood Regency; Minimalist; Italian Design; Soriana sofa in original upholstery, designed by Afra &...
Wool
$492 / item
Nuvol Simple Wall Light by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Nuvol simple wall light by Contain. Dimensions: D 10 x H 11 cm Materials: brass structure and opal glass. Available in different finishes. All our lamps can be wired according to ...
Brass
Dramatic Over Scale Post Modern Plaster Floor Lamp c 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Dramatic oversize ceramic floor lamp of bulbous form with contrasting dark toned, textured glaze at the upper section, which appears to drip down onto the smooth creme colored bottom...
Plaster
$43,826 / item
Untitled II Sculptural Floor Lamp by Aeny Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Untitled II Sculptural Floor Lamp by Aeny Studio. Signed and dated by Nayara Nascimento. Dimensions: W 45 x D 63 x H 195 cm. Materials: Recycled steel, cellulose-mineral bronze compo...
Steel, Other
Mario Bellini Round 'Il Colonnato' Table in Massive Red Persian Travertine 150cm
By Cassina, Mario Bellini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, 'Il Colonnato' center or dining table, massive red Persian travertine, Italy, 1977 Designed by Mario Bellini for Cassina in 1977, Il Colonnato is a striki...
Travertine
$1,480Sale Price / set|20% Off
1980s Waterfall Benches in a Green Moire Fabric in the Style of Karl Springer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A really nice pair of waterfall benches that will compliment any room. The green moire fabric is in wonderful shape. We can also upholster th...
Upholstery
$2,824 / item
Domina II 90 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project
Located in Geneve, CH
Domina II 90 Wall Mirror by Atlas Project Dimensions: D 4/6 x Ø 90 cm. Materials: Leather, brushed brass, mirror, and wood. Available in different finishes and sizes. Please contac...
Marble
$13,116Sale Price|40% Off
Unique Floor Lamp by Roberto Giulio Rida '1943-'
Located in London, GB
Late 20th century standard lamp by the Italian glass artist Roberto Giulio Rida. This unique sculptural piece has a base formed from a large piece of vintage Segusso glass whilst...
Glass
Shiro Kuramata "Dinah" Cabinet for Cappellini #008 Italy
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A re-edition of the Progetti Compiuti collection, also part of the permanent collection of the MoMA in New York, the Dinah cabinet is a chest of drawers envisioned by designer Shiro ...
Metal
Sharp Rectangular Double Mirror with Irregular Black Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Tempus Mirror by Andres Monnier One of a Kind. Dimensions: D 35 x W 70 x H 190 cm Materials: Portoro black marble. Stone options available: grey, black and white marble, natural and ...
Stone
$1,740 / set
Postmodern Chrome Dining Chairs, 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Post modern italian chrome dining chair 1980s.
Chrome
Agave Bar Cabinet in Veneer, Leather and Metal by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Agave Bar Cabinet in Veneer, Leather and Metal by Madheke Dimensions: W 61 x D 56 x H 155 cm. Materials: Leather-finished body, veneered folding top, brass metal accents, high-gloss ...
Metal, Brass
Kavachi Dining Table in White Marble & Glass by MANTA Handmade Stone Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Kavachi Dining Table in White Marble & Glass by MANTA Handmade Stone Design Limited Edition of 6 Pieces. Dimensions: D 133 x W 258 x H 93 cm. Marble base: D 64 x W 177 x H 78 cm. Gl...
Marble
Jean Nouvel 'Less' table for Molteni - Italy, 1996
Located in London, GB
The Less steel table is part of a family of functional furniture created for the Fondation Cartier offices in Paris. Its graphic silhouette, abstract design and lightness exemplify J...
Steel