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.
$230 / item
Ikea Candle Holder
By IKEA
Located in Bern, CH
Set of 3 'Konfetti' Post-Modern candlesticks by Anna Efverlund for IKEA dating from the 1990's. In three varying sizes and colours. Design: Anna Efverlund Produded: IKEA Height: 30cm...
Metal
The Stranglers Original Vintage Concert Poster, Bataclan, Paris, 1978
Located in Devon, GB
A rare original concert poster for a performance by British rock band the Stranglers at the famous Bataclan theatre in Paris on Friday 6 October 1978. Screenprinted in vivid red and ...
Linen, Paper
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Pair Nelo Wave Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for Nelo Sweden
By Takashi Okamura and Erik Marquardsen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Nelo Wave Chairs by Takeshita Okamura & Erik Marquardsen for Nelo of Sweden. Gray and black patina leather chairs with black lacquer wood frames. Good vintage condition. Grea...
Leather, Bentwood, Lacquer
Vitra office chair T-Chair red blue gray black design chair
By Vitra
Located in Berlin, DE
We offer beautiful used office chairs in a total of four different colors (red, grey, blue, black) from Vitra for sale. The chairs photographed are ...
Fabric
Post modern adjustable lamp by Herda, Netherlands 1980s
By Ettore Sottsass, Herda, Memphis Group
Located in ECHT, NL
Post modern design desk lamp. Made by Dutch company Herda in the 1980s. Made from wood and metal. I has a halogen bulb that is dimmable by a turn knob on the base. The lamp in full ...
Metal
Postmodern Stone Table Lamp, Green, Memphis Style, 1980s, Europe
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Stone Table Lamp, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. European Plug (up to 250V).The wiring of this item may be original and might need replacement, if ...
Stone
$1,127 / item
Small Selene Box by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Selene Box by Arcahorn Dimensions: D 15 x W 22 x H 4 cm Materials: Leather, wood, horn, brass. Rectangular box in dark horn and wood with lacquered black gloss finish. Lid in ...
Brass
Aphrodite Wall Lamp by André Cazenave, France, 1970
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Rare “Aphrodite” wall lamp by André Cazenave for Atelier A, designed and produced in France circa 1970. Crafted in fiberglass coated with marble powder, the piece presents a striking...
Fiberglass
Postmodern Model Z-Lite Zig Zag Flexible Table Lamp, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table lamp with a transformable design. The Z-Lite or Zig Zag desk lamp is characterized by its complex construction and versatility. It ...
Metal
$2,893 / set
Mamun No.2 Side Table by Studio Kallang
Located in Geneve, CH
Mamun No.2 Side Table by Studio Kallang Dimensions: W 45 x D 35 x H 62.5 cm Materials: Solid Teak, Fluted Glass. STUDIO KALLANG IS A SINGAPORE AND SEATTLE BASED PROJECT FOCUSING ON...
Teak, Glass
$71,544 / item
Leda Blacklabel Armchair, Limited Edition, Salvador Dalí
Located in Geneve, CH
Leda Blacklabel armchair, Limited Edition, Salvador Dalí Limited to 105 pieces Design inspired on an artwork by Salvador Dalí Dimensions: 47 x 60 x 92 H cm Materials: Structure in cast polished brass. Design inspired on an artwork by Salvador Dalí: Femme à tête de roses...
Brass
Sputnik Chandelier with in Glass and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sputnik chandelier, brass, opaline glass, Europe, 1970s. This Sputnik chandelier features six exquisite glass globes. The fixture is an elegant and striking design with six gracefu...
Brass
$1,673 / item
Square Slim 96 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Square Slim 96 Wall Lamp by United Alabaster Dimensions: D 8 x W 8 x H 96 cm (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold, Nickel...
Alabaster, Copper
Post-Modern Black Leather Institutional Chair by Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Uncannily challenging excessive symbolic power granted to scientific institutions, the “Institutional Chair” reveals a tension with the accepted desubjectivisation of the body into s...
Steel, Nickel
$180Sale Price|20% Off
Memphis Design Thermal Carafe by K. Shigeto Milano for Zohirushi Japan
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design on this Memphis era coffee carafe, designed by K Shigeto Milano for Zohirushi Japan circa 1980's great condition, with top switch for open/c...
Glass, Plastic
1980s Jonson & Marcius Console Table from Lorin Marsh Gallery
By Gene Jonson and Robert Marcius, Lorin Marsh
Located in West Chester, PA
A show stopping console designed by Gene Jonson and Robert Marcius featuring two lacquered pedestals with brass mounts and painted details. Each pedestal retains the original Jonson ...
Brass
Private re-edition for PRADA of iconic 1960s Inflatable Stool by Verner Panton
By Verpan, Prada, Verner Panton
Located in Renens, CH
Private re-edition for PRADA of the iconic 1960s Inflatable Stool designed by Verner Panton. Exclusively produced by Verpan for the Spring/Summer PRADA Men’s fashion show, held in Mi...
Plastic
Ruins Eclipse Wall Lamp in Papier Mâché by Szymon Keller
Located in Geneve, CH
Ruins Eclipse Wall Lamp in Papier Mâché by Szymon Keller. Dimensions: W 47 x D 10 x H 47 cm. Materials: Papier-mâché, fibers, and natural pigments. All our lamps can be wired accord...
Other
Bamboo Console Table Red Formica Desk Postmodern, Italy
By Archizoom Associati, Memphis Group, Andrea Branzi
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Red (oxblood red) Formica bamboo desk, Italy, circa 1985 Dimensions are: 55.12" x 29.92 x 15.74". A Postmodern desk or console table, perfect and stylish, comprised of for...
Bamboo, Formica
$1,250Sale Price / set|50% Off
Peter Danko Bodyform Stacking Chairs, Set of 5
By Peter Danko
Located in Mckinney, TX
The simplicity of form and function reveals itself in this curvy creation by Peter Danko. With a list as long as your arm of museum acquisitions and permanent collections, as well as...
Maple
Postmodern Kebe Leather Convertible Lounge or Armchair, Denmark 1980s
By KEBE
Located in Miami, FL
Black leather Kebe lounge or armchair with detachable footrest, Denmark, 1980s Single chair dimensions without footrest: 36 deep 26" wide 41.5" high.
Steel
$3,250Sale Price|50% Off
Post modern custom tan with maroon stripe dining table by Pace
By Memphis Group, Pace Collection
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern Gem 10’ long curved oval dining table with (2) leaves. High gloss acrylic top with a beautiful taupe tan color with 2 dark red maroon stripes. Very nice arched base with ...
Acrylic, Plexiglass, Wood
Hans Hollein Mitzi Sofa in Poplar and Wool Cloth by Poltronova 1981
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Mitzi sofa presents a poplar plywood base with erable finish, semi-gloss water–based varnish, iron inner structure, polyurethane cushions, wool cloth uphol...
Iron
Set of Six Pietro Costantini Post Modern Lacquered Dining Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Chic set of post modern dining chairs designed by Pietro Costantini in San Vito al Torre Italy. The iconic chairs feature sculptural style piano black lacquered frames with conformin...
Leather, Wood
Kyokusen Fully Upholstered Monolithic Sofa by Quinti Sedute
Located in Geneve, CH
Kyokusen Fully Upholstered Monolithic Sofa by Quinti Sedute Dimensions: D 134 x W 250 x H 77 cm. Materials: Metal, wood, and upholstery. Available in different finishes, sizes, and ...
Metal
Italian Set of Six Dining Chairs in Red Velvet and White Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, velvet, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s These armchairs embrace the aesthetic sense of the 'Pamplona' chairs designed by Augusto Savini for Pozzi. This design...
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
$1,022 / item
Alba Simple Wall Alabaster Light by Contain
Located in Geneve, CH
Alba Simple Wall Alabaster Light by Contain Dimensions: D 15 x H 9.5 cm. Materials: alabaster structure and optical lens. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If so...
Alabaster
Meritalia Love Lamp by Gaetano Pesce
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
Postmodern Italian Aggregato Braccio Wall Lamp by Enzo Mari & Giancarlo, 1970s
By Giancarlo Fassina, Enzo Mari
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very rare wall or ceiling light from the Aggregato series by the Italian manufacturer Artemide based on a design by Enzo Mari and Giancarlo Fassina from the 70s. The widely projecti...
Metal
$488 / item
Deep Red Acapulco Chair by OK Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Deep Red Acapulco Chair by OK Design Dimensions: D 110 x W 79 x H 72 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, PVC cord. Available with black frame, white frame, or stainless steel frame....
Metal
Peregalli and Calatroni Post Modern Armchair, circa 1985, Italy
Located in Brussels, BE
Post-modern Maurizio Peregalli and Sergio Calatroni chair, edited by Zeus circa 1985, Italy. Poltrona model. Black powder-coated square steel tube, bl...
Metal
Ingo Maurer Bibibibi Table Lamp
By Ingo Maurer
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A whimsical table lamp by Ingo Maurer, signed, BiBiBiBi, made in Germany.
Aluminum
Gold Nebula Hand Painted Pendant Lamp by Mirei Monticelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Gold Nebula hand painted pendant lamp by Mirei Monticelli Dimensions: D 60 x W 60 x H 60 cm Materials: Banaca fabric Also available in hand pai...
Fabric
Pair of Vintage Leather Parsons Side Tables, Vintage Design, USA
By Harrison Van Horn, Maitland Smith, Pierre Cardin, Karl Springer, (after) Jean Michel Frank
Located in Round Top, TX
Postmodern Leather Parsons Side Tables A pair of genuine leather wrapped side tables with protective glass tops. Whimsical yet neutral tables in peach-hued tones. Original glass top...
Leather, Glass, Wood
Amorphous Post Modern Serpentine Sofa in Terra Cotta Velvet for Weiman
By Weiman
Located in Saint Louis, MO
There's not a single straight line in this sexy Post Modern Serpentine Sofa upholstered in a rich terracotta velvet and made by Weiman. The...
Upholstery, Velvet, Lucite
Postmodern vintage pastel pink blue peach laminate waterfall sideboard USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Postmodern pastel colourwash / watercolour effect laminate waterfall sideboard, USA 1980s. The interior is also fully finished in the pastel lamina...
Laminate
$673 / item
Amphora Pendant Lamp by Yalanzhi Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Amphora Pendant Lamp by Yalanzhi Objects Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 35 cm. Materials: Cellulose. Cellulose is a recycled material that was once fo...
Other
Mid Century Post Modern Studio Patchwork Console Table & Wall Mirror or Vanity
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Studio made one of one. Constructed of heavy assorted mixed woods in a patchwork design. Mirror measures 37 x 29 inches. Table 19.5 x 51.5 x 30 inches. Very good ready to use condit...
Mirror, Wood
$10,225 / item
Ut 01 Cowhide and Walnut Sofa by Sing Chan
Located in Geneve, CH
Ut 01 Sofa by Sing Chan Dimensions: W 76 x D 56 x H 67 cm Materials: Cowhide, North American Black Walnut, waxing. Sing Chan ( Chinese: 陈星宇/Xingyu Chen), the founder of SINGCHAN DE...
Upholstery, Walnut
Set of 1970s Scandinavian Round Side Tables in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of two side or coffee tables, solid pine, Scandinavia, 1970s Wonderful set of side tables that encapsulate the essence of 1970s design, featuring strong, robust shapes that comm...
Pine
Vintage Postmodern German Una Arc Wall Lamp by Florian Schulz
Located in Hamburg, DE
Elegant una arc floor lamp by the famous lighting designer florian schulz. Here in a special version as a wall lamp for high ceilings. an imposing design that, in addition to its di...
Metal
Meritalia Candelabre / Blue by Gaetano Pesce
By Fish Design, Gaetano Pesce, Meritalia
Located in Toronto, ON
"The flame: by definition lively, dancing. A free element, which cannot be controlled, but which can be captured to become part of special moments." The unique candelabras by Edizio...
Steel
Postmodern Black Art Glass Vase by Hans Jürgen Richartz, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Black Art Glass Vase by Hans Jürgen Richartz for Richartz Art Collection, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additi...
Glass
Meritalia Big Surprise 1, Small / Green and Yellow by Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Each vase by Edizioni del Pesce embodies a singular and unrepeatable identity, telling a different story through innovative shapes, intricate details and a varied chromatic range. Th...
Resin
Here Comes The Sun Small White Pendant Lamp by Bertrand Balas
Located in Geneve, CH
Here comes the sun small white pendant lamp by Bertrand Balas Dimensions: D 17.5 x H 17.5 cm Materials: Aluminum Available in different sizes and colors. All our lamps can be w...
Aluminum
Postmodern Ilo Ilu Light Sculpture by Ingo Maurer, 1980s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Renens, CH
The Ilo Ilu pendant was designed by Ingo Maurer during the 1980s; it features indirect halogen light, and an intricate system of several counterbalance elements which give the light ...
Metal
Val Saint Lambert green carved crystal vase.
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Val Saint Lambert green cut crystal vase. Green cut crystal vase. It features a cylindrical shape that widens slightly toward the top. The design features deep carving that creates a...
Art Glass
$1,324 / item
Object 096 Console Table by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 096 Console Table by NG Design Dimensions: W 100 x D 27 x H 90 cm Materials: Powder-Coated Steel Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on...
Steel
$840Sale Price / set|43% Off
Post-Modern Cantilever Side Tables by Interlude Home, Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Pair of gray tone birdseye maple top, chrome base cantilever side tables. These tables are great for multiple seating styles and can be very convenient for long sofas or benches. Goo...
Chrome
$1,231 / item
Silhouette Warm White Floor Lamp by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Silhouette warm white floor lamp by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D45 x W59 x H140 cm Material: Lacquered steel, solid brass Weight: 3 kg. Also available in different colors. A sculptu...
Brass, Steel
$209 / set
Set Of 2 Coat Racks by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Coat Racks by Cuero Design Dimensions: ø 3 x H 120 cm. Materials: Metal. Dimensions may vary. Available in black metal and 24K gold plated metal. Please contact us. Cuero ...
Metal
$11,896Sale Price / item|30% Off
Percival Lafer's Lounge Chair model MP-61 in Maharam Leather and Rosewood, 1973
Located in Seattle, WA
A rare lounge chair designed by Percival Lafer for Móveis Lafer, Model MP-61, with fiberglass shell, rosewood plywood base. Restored an...
Leather, Fiberglass, Rosewood
Stoneage One Of A Kind Sculptural Coffee Table in Brass & Marble by Alex Turco
Located in Geneve, CH
Stoneage Sculptural Coffee Table in Brass, Marble & Cast by Alex Turco One Of a Kind Dimensions: D 70 x W 110 x H 40 cm. Materials: Brass, marble, and cast. Elevate your interior wi...
Marble, Brass, Other
1980s Postmodern Mantle Clock by Empire Arts
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A vintage 1980s postmodern textured mantle clock by Empire Art Products in various shades of spelled gray. In very good vintage condition and works well. Measures: 9.5" x 5" x 14.5".
Glass, Wood
Organic Shaped Wavy Sofa in Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Organic shaped sofa, pine, fabric, Europe, 1970s This sculptural sofa, crafted in Europe during the 1970s, embodies the organic spirit of its era through its fluid, curvilinear form...
Fabric, Pine
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric 3 Modules Lamp for Cassina
Italian Postmodern “Sirfo” Side Table, Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta, 1980s
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Milano, IT
The Sirfo side table is a mesmerizing creation envisioned by the legendary Alessandro Mendini for the renowned design house Zanotta. This avant-garde piece effortlessly merges art and functionality flaunting a harmonious blend of clean lines and playful curves. Its sinuous silhouette evokes a sense of fluidity, inviting the beholder to explore its contours and discover new perspectives at every angle. A true testament to Mendini's mastery, it challenges the notions of traditional furniture design and is able to adapt to various living spaces, whether placed in a cozy corner...
Aluminum
Post-Modern Sculptural Pair Chairs Silver Metal Blue Glass Bohuslav Horak 1988
Located in Vienna, AT
Post-Modern sculptural metal vintage chairs model Pupeny or Buds by Bohuslav Horak, 1988. A sculptural and fairy-tale design with a twist, these side chairs show this combination. N...
Metal
$4,764 / item
Alentejo Brass Square Mirror by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Alentejo Brass Square Mirror by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 3 x W 85 x H 85 cm. Materials: Patinated cast brass, clear mirror. 22 kg. Available in other finishes. Alentejo mirror has...
Brass
$300Sale Price|20% Off
Post-Modern Italian Marble Vase
Located in San Diego, CA
Small post-modern Italian marble vase, circa 1970s. The vase is primarily a dark tan in color, but has cream, black and grey veining throughout. T...
Marble