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.
Otto Zapf for ZapfDesign 'Softline' Cabinet in Grey
By Otto Zapf
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Otto Zapf for Zapfdesign 'Softline' cabinet, plastic, fabric, Germany, 1969 A grey-colored detachable 'Softline' cabinet with shelves designed by the German designer Otto Zapf. Pres...
Plastic, Fabric
Jade Wall Light in Glazed Ceramic by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Jade Wall Light in Glazed Ceramic by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 25 x D 17 x H 24 cm. Materials: High-quality handmade ceramic structure. All our lamps can be wired according to e...
Ceramic
A SHABBY-CHIC BAROQUE NEO-CLASSICAL Sculptural Bronze TABLE LAMP, France 1980.
By Philippe Anthonioz
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and sculptural very large table lamp (or small floor lamp) of organic, plant inspiration, Post-Modernist, Neo-Baroque, rectangular base and vertical axis with sculpted bronze body with gunmetal patina, in the spirit of Philippe Anthonioz...
Bronze
Java Side Table in Tinted Rattan & Imitation Grained Leather by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Java Side Table in Tinted Rattan & Imitation Grained Leather by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 50 x H 53 cm. Materials: Tinted rattan and grained imitation leather finished with a...
Faux Leather, Rattan
$19,019Sale Price / set|20% Off
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Velvet Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design set of two sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s, with a wooden frame featuring decorative bands...
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
Memphis Milano Carlton Shelf by Ettore Sottsass
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Toronto, ON
An absolute icon of Memphis designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Carlton fully represents the programmatic intention of the group: the desire to transgress with an irreverent, unorth...
Laminate, Wood
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
Vintage Italian Verde Alpi Green Marble Coffee Table, Circa 1970s
Located in Winston-Salem, NC
This vintage Italian marble coffee table features a sculptural square-octagonal silhouette carved entirely from richly veined Verde Alpi marble. The form feels substantial in scale w...
Marble
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
Tortona Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Tortona Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 42 x H 50 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not included. ...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood
$126Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Pastel Green Ceramic Ashtray, Postmodern Design, Circa 1980
Located in Toronto, CA
A stylish pastel green ceramic ashtray from the 1980s, reflecting the playful yet functional aesthetic of postmodern design. The piece features a simple round form with three rests, ...
Ceramic
Post-Modern Missoni Table Lamp by Massimo Valloto, Italy, 1980s
By Missoni, Missoni Home
Located in Vienna, AT
An amazing colorful postmodern Missoni table or side lamp from the 1980s, designed by Massimo Valloto, executed by Ceramiche Viba, Bassano, Italy. This light has a conical unusual ce...
Metal, Brass
Hero Lamp Stainless Steel, Brass Plated Finish, Stone Ball, Sculptural Lamp
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Hero Lamp is a sculptural floor lamp virtuously crafted in stainless steel with a brass plated finish which holds a stone globe that gives off a warm candle-like light. This unique...
Steel, Stainless Steel
1980s Rounded Brass Mirrored Front Nightstand Side Tables
By Ello Furniture, Karl Springer
Located in Bensalem, PA
This listing is for a pair of Ello Furniture rounded brass nightstands with tinted mirrored front and top. I also have a floating king bed and tall b...
Brass
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Pop art Post modern white Gloss Laminate custom 6 drawer dresser or credenza
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful post modern custom made White gloss laminate 6 drawer dresser or credenza circa 1980. Very clean inside and out almost like new. Look at photos. There is (3) drawers on the...
Laminate, Plywood
1980s Ello Lighted Mirrored Floating Brass Bed King Size
By Karl Springer, Ello Furniture
Located in Bensalem, PA
Amazing king size Ello brass, and mirrored floating bed with headboard please look at video and pictures for overall detail and condition it also has four lights controlled by a swit...
Brass
Postmodern Italian Set of Four White Wall Sconces by Targetti Sankey, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Set of Four White Wall Sconces or Flush Mounts by Targetti Sankey. Model: 376 Blanco. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Italy during 1980s These fixtur...
Metal
Pr. Italian Brown Leather and Black Metal Postmodern Arm Chairs by Cidue 1970s
By Cidue
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of architecturally designed post modern arm chairs made in Italy by Cidue, circa 1970's. The chairs feature high quality brown leather seat and back rests, and enameled bl...
Steel
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
Robert Venturi Sheraton chair for Knoll Postmodern 80s
By Knoll, Robert Venturi
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Robert Venturi chair for knoll Model: Sheraton Silkscreen printed pattern on black plywood. Rare model in famous Venturi's chairs in Knoll collection.
Plywood
Chi Wing Lo ‘Tiche’ Coffee Table for Giorgetti, Italy, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Chi Wing Lo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and sculptural “Tiche” coffee table designed by Chi Wing Lo for Giorgetti, Italy, circa 1990s. This sophisticated piece exemplifies Giorgetti’s masterful blend of craftsmansh...
Glass, Stained Glass, Fruitwood
1980s Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table. Circa 1980s Features a square-shaped top with concave edges and a soft pink color with gorgeous ...
Marble
Pia Manu Hand Crafted Room Divider in Burnished Concrete and Stained Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pia Manu, room divider, burnished concrete, stained glass, steel, Belgium, 1970s This unique piece of art is assembled in the workshop of Pia Manu and is a great testament to their ...
Concrete, Steel
Vintage Figurative Ceramic Sculpture
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage figurative ceramic sculpture. Beautiful minimalist design of 2 embracing figures. Finished in a matte off-white glaze.
Ceramic
Pastoe Dining Table in Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining or center table, lacquered wood, The Netherlands, 1970s Crafted by Pastoe, this geometric table stands as a testament to modern design sensibilities. This pedestal dining tab...
Wood, Lacquer
Ecorce Coffee Table in Ceramic, Copper and Resin by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ecorce Coffee Table in Ceramic, Copper and Resin by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 110 x H 50 cm. Materials: Handmade ceramic with a copper finish and a high-density resin base covere...
Copper
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
Senzafine armchair with foot rest by Gaetano Pesce 2010s
Located in PARIS, FR
Born in La Spezia in 1939, Gaetano Pesce spent six decades dismantling the conventions of Italian design from his studios in Venice, Paris and finally New York. Trained as an archite...
Foam
Post Modern Lapis & Gemstone Revolving World Globe on Brass Stand & Compass
Located in San Diego, CA
Post-modern lapis and gemstone revolving world globe on brass stand, circa 1990s. This gorgeous globe is made of various gemstones that are perfectly cut and inlaid to form contents...
Lapis Lazuli, Multi-gemstone, Brass
Ludmila Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ludmila Pouf in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not included. ...
Foam, Wood, Hardwood
Fidji Headboard in Rattan, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Fidji Headboard in Rattan, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 200 x D 15 x H 100 cm. Materials: Rattan frame, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not inc...
Foam, Wood, Rattan
$720Sale Price / item|40% Off
Hans Ullrich Bitsch Set of 10 Red Blue Metal Chairs Series 8600
By Hans Ullrich Bitsch, Kusch+Co
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of ten/10 Hans Ullrich Bitsch chairs Series 8600, circa 1980 -Sold as individual pieces. 5 are red and 5 blue. Please combine. Wonderful dining room set of 10 red and blue metal chairs...
Metal, Chrome
RR126 Radiophonograph Turntable by the Castiglionis for Brionvega Red Edition
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Brionvega
Located in Seattle, WA
Brionvega RR126, A.K.A. the “Musical Pet.” Designed by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni in 1965, this red edition is in good condition with honest wear and has been fully service...
Steel
Piano Desk by Panorammma, White Lacquered Wood, Post-Modern Design
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A sleek, white-polished, sculptural piece conjuring the presence of a grand piano. Piano Desk evokes an intricate fusion of the grace in artistic expression and the discipline of w...
Wood
Italian Post-Modern Adjustable Floor Lamp
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Bosi, Martini and Bertotti for Fratelli Martini, 'Art. 225/1' floor lamp, cast iron, lacquered aluminum, Italy, ca. 1974-1975 This Italian post-modern floor lamp stands as a light s...
Aluminum, Iron
Rima Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Rima Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 80 x D 85 x H 70 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not inc...
Foam, Beech
Babylone Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Babylone Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 79 x D 86 x H 72 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not...
Foam, Beech
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Post Modern Cantilever Swing Chairs by Herbert and Jutta Ohl for Rosenthal Linie
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Rare set of 4 1980s Post-Modern Cantilever Swing Chairs. Designed in 1982 by Herbert and Jutta Ohl for German Manufacturer Rosenthal Studio Lini...
Metal
$7,800 / item
Parchment Bench Attr. Jean-Michel Frank
Located in Houston, TX
Parchment Bench attributed to Jean-Michel Frank composed of a wood frame veneered in goatskin and newly upholstered in ecru-cream-colored mohair.
Goatskin, Mohair, Wood
Massive Tessellated Stone Floor Vase in the Style of Marquis of Beverly Hills
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in San Diego, CA
Massive Tessellated Stone Floor Vase in the Style of Marquis of Beverly Hills, circa 1980s. This impressive, tessellated stone floor vase, in the style of Marquis of Beverly Hills an...
Stone
Johan Bertil Häggström Tubular Lounge Chair for Swed-Form, Sweden, 1970s
By Johan Bertil Häggström, Swed Furn
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
A lounge chair by Johan Bertil Häggström for Swed-Form, produced in Sweden in the 1970s. An example of Swedish postmodern design, the piece is built around a tubular chrome frame tha...
Metal
Ron Rezek Table Lamp Orbit by for Bieffeplast, circa 1980
By Ron Rezek, Bieffeplast
Located in Vienna, AT
Wonderful Minimalist black metal desk lamp by American designer Ron Rezek for Bieffeplast, Italy. The counter balance arm allows to pivot and mov...
Brass
Postmodern Sculptural Curved Serpentine Sectional Snake Sofa
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Monumental serpentine snake sectional sofa in the style of Vladimir Kagan and Milo Baughman. This unique modular curved sofa consists of three interlocking sections reupholstered in ...
Upholstery, Ultrasuede, Wood
Monumental three-tier Post-Modern wooden coffee table, Italy, 1980s
Located in Argelato, BO
This coffee table embodies the bold aesthetic of 1980s Italian postmodern design through a functional nest-like structure. The piece unfolds across three staggered, concealed levels,...
Metal
Miss Lo Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Miss Lo Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 73 x D 68 x H 82 cm. Materials: Stained rattan, plywood seat, and HR foam. Fabric is not inc...
Rattan, Foam, Plywood
Bridget Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Bridget Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 70 x D 72 x H 86 cm. Materials: Stained rattan, plywood seat, and HR foam. Fabric is not inc...
Rattan, Foam, Plywood
Iconic Postmodern Halogen Mack Floor Lamp by George Kovack for Sonneman c 1980s
By Sonneman Lighting, George Kovacs
Located in New York, NY
Quintessential 1980's Postmodern, Memphis School design floor lamp, in excellent, original, clean, and working condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with...
Metal
$650 / item
Roger Tallon for Erco 'Spot' Wall Lights
By Erco, Roger Tallon
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Roger Tallon for Erco, 'Spot' wall lights, iron, lacquered metal, metal, plastic, France, 1970s. These wall lamps are icons made by Erco and designed by the French designer Roger Ta...
Metal
$2,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
Vintage Bernhardt 4 Piece Sectional, for Custom Reupholstery
By Bernhardt
Located in Denver, CO
1980s sectional by Bernhardt. Custom reupholstery labor of sectional included in the price (labor and materials, except for fabric). COM or MENO can advise and order fabrics. Fabric...
Fabric, Upholstery
Vintage Faux Granite Stone Postmodern Handcrafted Bookends. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Faux Granite Stone Postmodern Handcrafted Bookends. Circa 1980s Feature a 1980s Postmodern ArtDeco Revival design in a faux granite stone finish. In Excellent original condi...
Resin
Celeste Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Celeste Armchair in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 74 x D 74 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not ...
Foam, Beech
A Radical MURANO Glass TABLE LAMP by FRANCO RAGGI, by FONTANA ARTE, Italy 1970
By Fontana Arte
Located in PARIS, FR
A large and airy table lamp, Post-Modernist, Shabby-Chic, Memphis, circular base in cast aluminum with integrated dimmer, 2 axes supporting 2 sheets of glass with white diffusing dec...
Metal, Chrome
70s Mario Bellini Cassina "Pianura" style Oak Two Seater Sofa Loveseat (2 of 2)
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Basel, BS
Stunning masterpiece 1970s Italian Two-Seater Loveseat Sofa in the manner of the Cassina Mario Bellini Pianura chair, in Oak wood and incredible striped cushions. This sofa is Modu...
Upholstery, Oak
Galerie l'Orme Pair of Armchairs in Elm and Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Galerie l'Orme, pair of armchairs, solid elm, leather, France, 1970s Stunning pair of French armchairs manufactured by Galerie l'Orme in Paris. Executed in solid elm, these chairs e...
Leather, Elm
Nikol International Tall Post-Modern Sideboard in Walnut and Smoked Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Nikol International, storage unit/sideboard, walnut, smoked glass, Italy, 1970s/early 1980s Presenting an exquisite post-modern sideboard that skillfully balances form and function ...
Smoked Glass, Walnut
Orange Ceramic Table Lamp by Louis Drimmer, France, Late 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
French orange ceramic table lamp by Louis Drimmer from the late 20th Century. This colorful Post-Modern table lamp features an impressive lamp base - pebble-shaped irregularly stacke...
Brass
Luna Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Luna Armchair in Stained Rattan, Plywood and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 74 x D 72 x H 74 cm. Materials: Stained rattan, plywood seat, and HR foam. Fabric is not includ...
Rattan, Foam, Plywood
Postmodern Coat Rack designed by Rutger Andersson for Ikea circa 1980's
By IKEA
Located in New York, NY
Classic 1980's post - modern design made in Sweden by Ikea. This piece was designed by Rutgers Andersson, it features 8 hooks at the top, a center pole, and three legs. Solid, sturdy...
Metal
Pierre Chapo 'Sfax' T21E Dining Table in Solid Elm 160cm/62.99in.
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, 'Sfax' dining table, model 'T21E', elm, France, 1970s This table is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood and...
Elm
Dr. Glob Dining Chair Set by Philippe Starck for Kartell, Italy 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design Dr. Glob Dining Chair Set by Philippe Starck for Kartell. Made in Italy, 1980's / 90's period. Marked on the bottom. All black edition. Stackable. Black pla...
Metal