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.
Three Arms Linear Brass and Alabaster Pendant Light by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Iris Tria Pendant Light by Christopher Boots Dimensions: D 90 x H 12 cm. Materials: Brass, alabaster. Available in Aged Brass, Brushed Brass, Hand Rubbed Brass, or Dark Bronze Pleas...
Alabaster, Brass
Gunnar Andersson, Vase, Stoneware, Sweden, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and beige and green-glazed stoneware vase designed by Gunnar Andersson and produced by Höganäs Keramik, Sweden, c. 1970s.
Stoneware
$1,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
Nobu Tanigawa "Nardis" Chrome Bar Stools for Fasem Italy, Set of Two
By Fasem International, Nobu Tanigawa
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Nardis bar height stools with rubber like seats on a polished chrome frame designed by Nobu Tanigawa for Fasem Italy.
Chrome
$1,725 / item
Relief Sculpture by Alexandra Madirazza
Located in Geneve, CH
Relief Sculpture by Alexandra Madirazza Dimensions: W 60 x D 3 x H 90 cm (These are approximate measurements) Materials: Concrete Alexandra is an ...
Concrete
CAPITELLO Lounge Chair, Studio 65 for GUFRAM, Limited Edition Italy 1972
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare limited edition “Capitello” chaise lounge designed by Studio 65 for Gufram, originally designed in 1971. Marked 166/500, this iconic sculptural form reinterprets the capital of ...
Foam
Nugget Vase (Large), Clear Green and Matte Pink by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large "Nugget" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Clear Bottle Green and Matte Pink. *All the pieces are handmade and therefor...
Resin
Elefante Unique Round Coffee Table in Cement by Studio Noon
By Noon Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Elefante Unique Round Coffee Table in Cement by Studio Noon One Of a Kind Dimensions: W 108 x D 108 x H 39,4 cm Material: Cement. Studio Noon is a Philadelphia-based design atelier ...
Cement
$3,718 / item
Lace Black Daybed by MOWEE
Located in Geneve, CH
Lace black daybed by MOWEE Dimensions: D200 x W195 x H60 cm. Material: Polyethylene, stainless steel and polyester. Weight: 60 kg Also available in different colors and finishes ...
Stainless Steel, Other
Large Vintage Vase with Glass Vial, Glossy Black Ceramic, 1980s
Located in Fairfield, CA
A large sculptural vintage vase. Features a glass vial in the center of a glossy black ceramic holder. Perfect for displaying floral arrangements or using as a propagation vase.
Ceramic, Glass
Midcentury Post Modern Demilune Credenza or Cabinet in Glossy Laminate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large substantial storage piece from the late 1980s. It features an elongated demilune form finished in a beautiful modern glossy laminate and four d...
Laminate
Memphis 'Lido' Sofa by Michele De Lucchi, Colorful Design, 1982
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1982, this superb object of functional decor will offer a comfortable seat to an eclectic interior, while also being a magnificent colorful accent to...
Steel
$17,308 / item
Gol. 001 Marble Console Table by Chapter Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Gol. 001 marble table by Chapter Studio Dimensions: H 86 x W 40 x D 150 Material: marble (bianco carrara, black marquina) Effortless composition and eccentric design bring forth...
Marble
$1,410 / item
Object 2 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 2 Atlantis Collection by Angeliki Stamatakou One of a kind, 2022 Dimensions: H16 x W11 cm. Materials: Stoneware, handmade glaze. Colors: blue, pink, ivory. Angeliki Sta...
Stoneware
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
Axis Minor Limited Edition Table Lamp in Brazilian Natural Stone by Otavio Motta
Located in Geneve, CH
Axis Minor Limited Edition Table Lamp in Brazilian Natural Stone by Otavio Motta Signed, limited edition Dimensions: W 22 x D 22 x H 65 cm. Base: 18 Ø cm Globe: approx. Ø 22 cm Mater...
Stone, Crystal, Quartz, Granite, Brass
Vintage 1983 Alessi Original 3cp La Conica Espresso Coffee Maker Italy MINT
By Alessi, Aldo Rossi
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Vintage 1983 Alessi Original 3cp La Conica Espresso Coffee Maker Italy MINT Iconic, 1983, original 3-cup, " La Conica" Espresso Coffee Maker, model "La Tavola di Babele" ,designed...
Copper, Stainless Steel
Italian Set of Six Armchairs in Marble and Red Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six armchairs, marble, lacquered iron, leather, walnut, Italy, 1970s. Striking set of six conference or dining chairs, each exuding a postmodern charm that seamlessly blends ...
Marble, Iron
Bubble Glass Side Table by Panorammma, Hand-Blown, Post-Modern Design
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Bubble Glass Side Table embodies a retro-futuristic fantasy. Inspired by past visions of the future, it draws from mysterious tales of speculative technologies and flying saucers...
Glass
1980s Channel Baughman Croissant Style Floral Swivel Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, satin like Floral swivel chairs you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited thro...
Upholstery, Wood
Post modern dining table by Roche Bobois, 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Rare post modern dining table with a black metal frame and a black glass top. Beautiful post modern design. Good overall condition with normal user traces on the glass. 1980s - It...
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
$13,182 / item
Daisy M 200 Bed by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Daisy M 200 Bed by Munna Dimensions: D 228 x W 240 x H 130 cm. Bed Frame: D 210 x W 210 x H 33 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Headboard upholstery: Cotton Velvet,...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$2,564 / item
Folia Wall Lamp by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Folia Wall Lamp by Federico Stefanovich. Dimensions: W 29 x D 7 x H 38 cm. Material: Cast Bronze, Brass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it ...
Brass, Bronze
German Postmodern Wandering Finger Ceiling Lamp by Ingo Maurer, 1990s
By Ingo Maurer
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Wandering Finger is a delicate ceiling light by the lighting designer Ingo Maurer. The thin bar protrudes from the ceiling at a fixed angle. The ...
Metal
$10,968 / item
Pivot Double Wall Lamp by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Pivot double wall lamp by Gentner Design. Dimensions: D 140 x W 5 x H 40.6 cm. Materials: hand rubbed brass. Available in polished tarnished brass, dar...
Brass
F.A. Porsche Designed Cast Aluminum Armchair / Side Chair for Ycami, Italy 1990
By Philippe Starck, Driade, Ferdinand A. Porsche, Ycami Collection
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Rare Boulevard Armchair designed by Ferdinand A. Porsche (F.A. Porsche) for Ycami Edizioni. Made in Italy in 1990. Cast aluminum construction, it features a maker's marking and desig...
Chrome, Aluminum
Maitland Smith Tessellated Fossil Stone and Brass Coffee Table Mid Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This wonderful coffee table is striking in its unusual shape and will make a statement in your home! Tessellated fossil stone and brass detailing make this a very special table.
Stone, Brass
Medium Light Indigo Night Twilight Single Pendant Lamp by Atelier Robotiq
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Light Indigo Night Twilight Single pendant lamp by Atelier Robotiq Dimensions: D 55 x H 49 cm Materials: Resin-impregnated industrial fiber. Available in different colors: Lig...
Resin
$1,550 / item
Green Marble Peona Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel
Located in Geneve, CH
Green Marble Peona Table Lamp by Simone & Marcel Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 61 cm. Materials: Brass, cotton and green marble. Also available in different marble, wood and alabaster option...
Marble, Brass
Bar Stools in Metal and Red Corduroy Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bar stools, metal, velvet, Europe, 1970s. Exquisite barstools in red velvet upholstery. Due to the soft seat and back, these chairs provide a very pleasant seating comfort. The five...
Metal
$17,856 / item
Unveil Sideboard 200 by InsidherLand
Located in Geneve, CH
Unveil Sideboard 200 by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 50 x W 200 x H 85 cm. Materials: Wooden structure: walnut veneer and interior in sycamore veneer. ...
Brass
$1,153 / item
Valhalla Armchair by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Valhalla Armchair by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 76 x W 89 x H 89 cm. Materials: Sheepskin and metal. Finish: Wild white sheepskin and black frame. Available in different sheepskin a...
Metal
Pair of AEO Lounge Chairs by Paolo Deganello for Cassina in Cognac Leather, 70's
Located in LYON, FR
A rare pair of AEO armchairs designed by Paolo Deganello for Cassina in Italy around the 1970s. These are the earliest versions. These iconic armchairs have recently been reupholste...
Steel
Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti Red Alligator Leather Club Chairs Ottoman, Set of 4
By Minotti
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Suitcase armchairs amd ottomans by Minotti, designed by the famous architect Rodolfo Dordoni in 1997, are two examples of iconic and refined design. These unique pieces, inspired...
Chrome
$4,266 / item
Unique Console Table by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique console table by Goons Dimensions: W 120 x D 27 x H 74 cm Materials: Wood Dimensions can be adjusted +/- 10 cm Goons is located in Paris, France. All of their designs are ma...
Wood
Set of 3 Postmodern Triangular Trivet Coasters by Jorgen Meldgaard, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Danish Postmodern Triangular Trivet Coasters by Jorgen Meldgaard for Menu, 1980s, 1980s, Set of 3, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. ...
Metal
$900Sale Price|25% Off
Mid Century Tan Leather tufted chrome ottoman with casters by DUX
By Dux of Sweden, Bruno Mathsson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post Modern Tan Leather tufted chrome stool, bench, footstool or ottoman with casters. Designed by Bruno Mathsson for DUX. Great stool, bench or ottoman with a Leather cushion and a ...
Chrome
Small Misalliance Ex Antique Pink Suspended Light by Lexavala
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Misalliance Ex antique pink suspended light by Lexavala Dimensions: D 16 x W 70 x H 8 cm Materials: powder coated shade with details made of brass or stainless steel. Ther...
Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel
Duna Unique Console in Red Travertine Stone & Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Duna Unique Console in Red Travertine Stone & Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 20 x W 120 x H 40 cm. Materials: Travertine and steel. Available in different finish...
Travertine, Steel
$9,662 / item
Gothic Bed by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Gothic Bed by DAaZ Dimensions: D 248 x W 275 x H 122 cm. Materials: Wood, leather. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and revel in...
Wood, Leather
4 Pc Set Vintage Modernist Garden Patio Poolside Tables Made in Italy by EMU
Located in New York, NY
Set of four garden, patio, poolside tables by noted Italian maker, EMU circa 1960's. The set consistent of one larger table (23.5 diameter x 18 height inches) and three smaller tab...
Steel
5x USM Haller Rollcontainer Büroschrank Rollen dunkelblau offen
By WK Möbel, Fritz Haller
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von fünf wunderschönen USM Haller Rollcontainern in dunkelblau zum Verkauf an. Die Bürocontainer lassen sich ideal unter dem Schreibtisch positionieren und bieten da...
Metal
1980s Inlaid Wood Sideboard by Carlo Malnati Credenza Buffet, Postmodern
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
1980s Inlaid Wood Sideboard by Carlo Malnati Credenza Buffet, Postmodern A rare and eye-catching Carlo Malnati-designed credenza, featuring a striking front made from contrasting in...
Wood
Airbag Lounge Chair by Suppanen & Kolhonen for Snowcrash, Finland, 1990s
Located in DE KWAKEL, NL
A striking Airbag lounge chair, designed by Finnish designers Ilkka Suppanen and Pasi Kolhonen for Snowcrash in the 1990s. The unconventional design combines a soft, oversized seat w...
Nylon, Polyester
Postmodern Animal Vintage Side Table Sirfo Alessandro Mendini Zanotta Edizione
By Zanotta, Alessandro Mendini
Located in Vienna, AT
Post-Modern vintage side table sirfo goose table from cast aluminum in silver color with yellow beak by Alessando Mendini for Zanotta edizione 1986, Italy....
Aluminum
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
$680Sale Price / set|38% Off
Post-Modern Murano Glass Heart Vases by Maria Christina Hamel, 1990s
By Maria Christina Hamel 1, Salviati
Located in Valencia, VC
Pair of Murano Sommerso Glass Heart Vases, Attributed to Maria Christina Hamel for Salviati, 1990s A striking pair of hand-blown Murano glass vases in the shape of stylized hearts, executed in the sommerso technique and attributed to Maria Christina Hamel for Salviati. Designed and produced in Italy in the 1990s, these vases embody the playful yet refined spirit of late Post-Modern glasswork. The pair features a smaller vase in a deep cherry red hue and a larger vase in a lighter, pink-toned red. Both are exceptionally heavy for their size, with a smooth, tactile finish that feels substantial and luxurious in hand. Their clean sculptural forms and vivid colors make them ideal accent pieces for a variety of interiors—from bathroom shelves...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
$3,683 / item
Modernist Stainless Steel Smoking Tray by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Modernist Stainless Steel Smoking Tray by Mingardo Dimensions: D 41 x W 25 x H 8 cm Materials: Natural polished stainless-steel with extra clear tempered...
Stainless Steel
$625 / item
Frank Ligtelijn for RAAK 'Globe' Pendants
By Frank Ligtelijn, RAAK, Peill & Putzler
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Frank Ligtelijn for RAAK Amsterdam by Peill & Putzle, B 1040-20 'Globe' Pendants, glass and aluminum, Netherlands, 1970s. Striking pendants d...
Aluminum
A Set of 5 Architectural RADICAL & POSTMODERN Metal VASES, by KAPPA, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An exceptional and spectacular set of 5 geometric vases, Post-Modern, Radical, 5 different sizes stainless steel rectangular structures, forming together a kind of "Cityscape" set of...
Metal
A Spectacular RADICAL POST-MODERN Office or Dining TABLE, France 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular dinner or conference table with 3 extensions; circular without extensions, organic "Forme Libre" with extensions, Post-Modern, Memphis, Constructivist, with a tripod ba...
Wood
Postmodern Italian Stainless Steel and Bakelit Bombe Teapot Coffeepot Kettle
By Carlo Alessi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Stainless Steel and Bakelit Bombe Teapot Coffeepot Kettle by Carlo Alessi for Alessi, in Flawless conditions. Designed 1950 to 1959 This piece has an attribution m...
Bakelite
$1,150 / set
Tea Set 'Fantasia' by Matteo Thun, 1980
By Matteo Thun, Arzberg
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stunning Memphis-style Seven-piece porcelain tea set 'Fantasia' with 'Carre Noir' decor by Matteo Thun for Arzberg Porzellan, Germany. The set contains a tea pot with lid, two cups w...
Porcelain
Cassina Palmaria Sofa Design Couch Vico Magistretti Zweisitzer
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Design Zweisitzer vom italienischen Traditionshersteller Cassina zum Verkauf an. Der Entwurf stammt von Vico Magistretti, ist bekannt unter dem Namen "...
Fabric
$8,462 / item
Lunar X-Large Hand-Sculpted Mirror, Laurene Guarneri
Located in Geneve, CH
Lunar X-large hand-sculpted mirror, Laurene Guarneri Limited edition. Handmade. Materials: Sky blue colored mirror, dark blue colored mirror, da...
Glass, Mirror
$3,368 / item
Chalk #1 Wall Light by Margaux Leycuras
Located in Geneve, CH
Chalk #1 wall light by Margaux Leycuras One of a Kind, Signed and numbered Dimensions: D 6 x W 46 x H 40cm Material: Ceramic, sand stoneware tops with a porcelain engobe finish. ...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Stoneware
Mezquite Sculptural Pine Wood Floor Lamp with Linen Shade by Isabel Moncada
Located in Geneve, CH
Mezquite Sculptural Pine Wood Floor Lamp with Linen Shade by Isabel Moncada Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 181 cm. Materials: Linen and pine wood. Like a chess bishop, Mezquite makes its pres...
Linen, Pine
Calligraphic Sculpted Console Table in Black Painted Brass by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Calligraphic Sculpted Console Table in Black Painted Brass by Misaya Dimensions: W 137 x L 39 x H 75 cm Materials: Brass Hand-sculpted brass console. Available in different brass fi...
Brass
$1,072Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Ceiling Light / Wall Light in the Style of Toshiyuki Kita, 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
A Post modern wall light, made in Italy during the Memphis Era, and therefore made, in the full taste of the 80s with vivid colors and playful s...
Metal
Hand-Knotted Riders of Silence Rug in Wool, Silk & Alpaca by Dinodo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Knotted Riders of Silence Rug in Wool, Silk & Alpaca by Dinodo Studio Designed by Julien Jaca Limited Edition of 9 Dimensions: L 300 x W 250 cm Materials: 40% wool, 30% alpaca, ...
Wool, Alpaca, Silk