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.
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican Green Onyx
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble and Mexican onyx conglomerate, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a ...
Onyx
Postmodern Italian Metal and Stone Candleholder, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Metal and Stone Candleholder, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Material: Metal, Stone Color: Black Styles: Memphis, ...
Stone, Metal
Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue, Italy 1980's
By Cidue
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design "Alice" Dining Chairs by Cidue. Made in the 1980's in Italy. Slender black lacquered metal frame with grey stained rush woven seats. They all shows signs of...
Metal
$2,500 / item
Clover Flower Onyx Coffee Table
Located in New York, US
Introducing the Latte Coffee Table, an uncomplicated piece of solid onyx stone featuring soft elegant veining. Available in two striking variations — a round top or a captivating fou...
Onyx
Italian Wood Fabric "Artona" Sofa Design Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 1970s
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design three-seater sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s with solid wood frame and layers in different...
Fabric, Wood
A bronze figurative sculpture after Henry Moore, signed, 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A bronze figurative sculpture depicting an abstract female body, upon a pink marble plinth, signed by artist, probably mid to late 20th century. Thi...
Marble, Bronze
Set of 3 "Torno" stools by Brazilian Designer Gustavo Bittencourt, 2026
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
Set of 3 "Torno" stools by Brazilian designer Gustavo Bittencourt, 2026 Private offer for the sale of 3 stools
Metal
Italian Set of Four Dining Chairs in Wood and Metal
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of four dining chairs, black lacquered wood, wood, Italy, 1970s Set of four dining chairs with interesting features, made in Italy in the 1970s. This design is unusual and speci...
Metal
$1,120Sale Price|60% Off
Post Modern gray leather fully upholstered leather Bench 1980s
By Milo Baughman, Memphis Milano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post Modern 1980s fully upholstered Bench in Beautiful dark gray leather upholstery. The bench is in very good condition. Has nice stitching and ribbed section. Wood frame very high ...
Leather
$396Sale Price / item|20% Off
Postmodern Sectional Sofa Bench by Steelcase
By Steelcase
Located in New York, NY
Phenomenal sectional sofa, bench, or single chair set made by Steelcase, circa 2002. The pieces have tubular chrome feet, which support a thick and heavy board, to which a thick upho...
Chrome
Post Modern Sofa by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll 1980's
By Knoll, Robert and Trix Haussmann
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Post Modern sofa designed by Robert and Trix Haussmann for Knoll as part of The Lounge Seating series, circa 1980's. The upholstered box form sofa rests on an aluminum ...
Aluminum
$2,600Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern low long oval taupe lacquer coffee table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern low long oval taupe lacquer coffee table. Beautiful table with off center oval chrome weighted base. Very heavy and solid coffee table. Very nice light taupe gloss lacque...
Chrome
1980s Rounded Brass Ello 9 Drawer Mirrored Front Dresser
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning 9 drawer Ello dresser with matching mirror I also have a matching bed nightstands and tallboy if interested please feel free to email me with any questions or additional pic...
Brass
Table Top World Globe in Lapis and Brass Elegant Pietra Dura World Globe
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Table Top World Globe in Lapis and Brass Elegant Pietra Dura World Globe in Lapis enamel and Brass finish with coloured stones for the countries Underneath the globe there is a com...
Brass
1980s Stringa Floor Lamp by Hans Ansems for Luxo Italiana
By Luxo, Hans Ansems
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Luxo BZ18 "Stringa" floor lamp in black by Hans Ansems with curved perforated shade and dimmer switch. The neck of the lamp adjusts in three places for a range of dynamic forms. In o...
Metal
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Concrete Cantilever Coffee Table
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Rare coffee table designed in the late 1970s by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia.
Concrete, Metal
Postmodern Wire Lounge Chair Armchair Sälen, Knut & Marianne Hagberg, Ikea, 1982
By K and M Hagberg, IKEA
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful wire loungechair with armrests from the 1980s. This is the model „Sälen“, designed in 1982 by Knut & Marianne Hagberg for Ikea Sweden. The chair has been produced for on...
Metal, Steel
Polifemo Floor Lamp by Carlo Forcolini for Artemide, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
During the 1980s, Artemide produced an Italian postmodern floor lamp crafted by the renowned designer Carlo Forcolino. This lamp features...
Metal
Substantial Sofa in Delicate Striped Green Blue Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, fabric, Europe, 1970s/80s A robust and substantial sofa, exuding a playful charm through its distinct geometric form. The sofa's three back cushions seamlessly integrate into...
Fabric
Memphis Style Tall Cabinet by Eugenio Pinuer, Colorful Design, 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Wassily Kandinsky
Located in ECHT, NL
Quality made tall cabinet. Made in Switzerland by Wohnsinn AG in the 1980s. Crazy post modern design in true Memphis style. Lots of colors and asymmetric patterns. A style that let g...
Metal
Italian Designer Postmodern Black Lacquer Wood and Leather Side Chair
By Calligaris
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful and chic Italian modern style or Postmodern period black lacquer wood and leather side or desk chair(s), circa late 2...
Leather, Wood
Pair of Alias Italy Black Chrome spaghetti stools by Giandomenico Belotti
By Giandomenico Belotti, Alias
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Alias Italy Black Chrome spaghetti stools by Giandomenico Belotti. Black rubber woven seat and back with a chrome tube frame. Made in Italy circa 1980. Located in Brooklyn NY...
Chrome
Henredon Scene Two Cabinets, Olive Burl Wood, Post-Modern Design, 1986
By Henredon
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of Scene Two Henredon cabinets in honey colored olive burl wood with one adjustable shelf inside each cabinet. These feature Macassar ebony wood trim around the doors and sculpt...
Olive, Burl
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
$2,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Six Postmodern Costantini Ello Dining Chairs Made in Italy c 1970/80's
By Constantini, Ello Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Heroic set of Post Modern, Hollywood Regency school black lacquered dining chairs made in Italy by Pieto Costantini, imported by Ello, circa 1970-1980's. The set consists of four s...
Leather, Wood
1980's Postmodern Advertising Wall Clock by RADO of Switzerland
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Rado wall clock advertizing for store owners double tone silver and black beautiful condition the face is made of polished acrylic and aluminium back , battery operated clock ci...
Aluminum
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By BD Barcelona Design, Salvador Dalí
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H. cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from ...
Brass
543 Broadway Chair, Gaetano Pesce for Bernini S.p.A. 1993
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Designed in 1993 by Gaetano Pesce, the 543 Broadway Chair is a rejection of hyper-rational industrial design. A master of resin and color, the Broadway chair features molded resin se...
Chrome
Vintage Cream Marble Console Table
Located in Denver, CO
1970’s - 80’s Post Modern Believed to be American-made when similar items were being imported from Italy. Double chamfer table top. Solid marb...
Marble, Stone
Fidji Pouf in Rattan and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Fidji Pouf in Rattan and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 50 cm. Materials: rattan and HR foam. Fabric is not included. Please contact us for further information and...
Rattan, Foam
Chainmail Camping Sculptural Stool, Nickel Plated Steel Finish, Hand Linked Mesh
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
This foldable camping stool exemplifies the fusion of utility and artistry within collectible design. Its unique seat, crafted from intricately woven chainmail, brings an unexpected ...
Steel
Postmodern Martini Lamp by David Krys
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A rare 1993 postmodern martini lamp designed by David Krys. Metal wire forms the glass' shape with a skewered green olive stuffed with a red light bulb disguised as a pimento. Great ...
Chrome
Rose Tarlow “Blotto” Desk in French Ash Veneer with Leather-Lined Drawers
By Rose Tarlow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking and sculptural “Blotto” desk by Rose Tarlow, finished in finely grained French ash veneer. This bold design features two semi-circular pedestal bases that create a dramati...
Wood, Ash
Post Modern Black Marble Pedestal Base Coffee Table Made in Italy c 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Stunning graphic back and white marble coffee table having a square pedestal base ( 16 x 16 x H 15 ) with a square top ( 39 x 39 x 1 ). The table is in excellent original condition ...
Marble
Toffee GM Side Table in Stained Rattan and Glass Top by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Toffee GM Side Table in Stained Rattan and Glass Top by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 65 cm. Materials: Tinted rattan weave base with a glass tabletop surface. Fabric is not ...
Rattan, Glass
$4,995Sale Price|50% Off
1980s Rare Huge Italian Floor Lamp Odue Astralis by Quaia, Italy
By Fabio Lenci
Located in St- Leonard, Quebec
Massive sensuous shaped red acrylic shade with opale diffuser on top and under , mounted on a heavy stainless steel structure and base . Shade pivot a full 360 degree and measure 20 in. wide by 18 in. high. Light bulb is a round fluorescent tube with a North American 120 voltage system and US 2 prong wall plug...
Stainless Steel
$280Sale Price|20% Off
1990s Ikea Krokig Modular Coat Rack Annie Huldén & Sanna Dahl Postmodern Memphis
By IKEA
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a vintage Ikea krokig modular coat rack designed by Annie Huldén & Sanna Dahlman. Coat hanger rack postmodern Memphis style. Ikea Kids or Adults. Dimensi...
Steel
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Mid century Postmodern glass waterfall coffee table
By FIAM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern coffee table with a waterfall top. Glass is very clean no chips or major scratches. May have light normal use wear to surface. Rounded polished edges. Annealed glass has ...
Glass
1 (of2) ART-DECO NEOCLASSICAL Lacquer TABLE LAMP by PHILIPPE BARBIER France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and singular table lamp, Pop, Post-Modernist, Psychedelic, Shabby-Chic, in lacquered metal in shades of khaki, with cylindrical lampshade, by Philippe Barbier, France 1970...
Metal
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Mid Century Cast Plaster Cactus Table Lamps by Bon Art
Located in New York, NY
Tres chic pair of cast plaster cactus table lamps, in very fine original condition. Both lamps are in working condition, original shades included, but s...
Plaster
Neolithic Thinker Sculptural Stool Tezontle Volcanic Stone, Red
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Neolithic Thinker is a stool hand sculpted from red tezontle stone, a highly oxidized and porous volcanic rock endemic to Mexico. Its design draws from different historical reference...
Stone
Postmodern Design Bamboo Side Table by Axel Vervoordt, Belgium 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design Bamboo Side Table by Axel Vervoordt. Made in Belgium, 1980's / 90's period. Wood construction with tops in bamboo finish. Square two tier side table. This c...
Bamboo
Chainmail Foldable Camping Stool in Nickel Plated Steel by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Chainmail Foldable Camping Stool in Nickel Plated Steel by Panorammma Dimensions: D 35 x W 48,5 x H 43 cm. Materials: Nickel-plated steel. Custom pieces available to quote. Prices ...
Steel, Nickel
543 Broadway Chair, Gaetano Pesce for Bernini S.p.A. 1993
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Designed in 1993 by Gaetano Pesce, the 543 Broadway Chair is a rejection of hyper-rational industrial design. A master of resin and color, the Broadway chair features molded resin se...
Chrome
Gaetano Pesce limited edition Greene Street chair for Vitra Italy / 1995
By Gaetano Pesce, Vitra
Located in Skokie, IL
Gaetano Pesce limited edition Greene Street chair for Vitra Italy / Switzerland, 1984 / 1994. This example 70 /100 pieces produced. Materials: resin reinforced with fiberglass, stee...
Steel
Rare Arteluce Acrylic Glass Chandelier, Italy, 1970s
By Arteluce
Located in Hagenbach, DE
This extraordinary chandelier by the renowned Italian lighting manufacturer Arteluce is a true collector’s piece and a striking example of 1970s Space Age design. With its sculptural...
Metal
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau 'Losange' King Bed in Red Leather
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, double king bed model 'Losange', leather, Italy, 1972 A classic king bed designed by Luigi Massoni in 1972. This bed ...
Leather
Set of 4 Minimalist Postmodern Typ V607 Wall Lamps from Ikea, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern metal wall lamps from Ikea. A minimalist design in terms of shape and color. The body of the light consists of a sheet of metal folded into a funnel shape. The fold cre...
Metal
Sculptural Pair of Fully Restored Post Modern Slipper Chairs in Leopard Velvet
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Get these while you can Pair of Post Modern Leopard Velvet Slipper Chairs fully restored with new foam cushions and new leopard velvet upholstery. Powerful and confident forward angl...
Upholstery, Velvet
Chrome Spiral Coil Table by Pace
Located in New York, NY
Classic coil base side, or end table by Pace, circa 1970's. The bright chrome base supports the original plate glass inter top, this example is in very good, original, clean and read...
Chrome
A Lacquered JAPANESE Style COFFEE TABLE by ROCHE & BOBOIS ALDO TURA France 1970
By Roche Bobois
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and luxurious coffee table, of a Japanese inspiration, Post-Modern, Memphis, Constructivist, geometric structure of two, terrace-like overlapping trays in lacquered wood: ...
Wood, Lacquer
Three Fontana Arte Wall Lights, Gianni Celada, 1980
By Gianni Celada, Fontana Arte
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of three large Postmodern wall lights designed by Gianni Celada for Fontana Arte, 1980. Set at an angle of 45° these large wall lights (model ‚Sisten‘) are made of chromed and la...
Steel, Chrome
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Chaise Longue
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, chaise longue, chrome-plated metal, textured multicolored fabric, Italy, 1970s This exquisite lounge chair, designed by Giovanni Offredi for th...
Chrome, Metal
Post Modern Desk Lamp by Ron Rezek, ca. 1980's
Located in New York, NY
Chic 1980's desk lamp by Ron Rezek, in excellent original, clean and working condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. The hood shade (6.5 in. diam...
Metal
Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Mactan Stone Coffee Table. C 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Mactan Stone Coffee Table. Circa 1980s Features four independent peach, emerald, and ivory geometric stone bases with built-in slots to ho...
Stone
$31,545 / set
Gaetano Pesce Bernini Broadway Chairs, Set of 4
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Broadway chairs Gaetano Pesce Bernini set of 4: iconic Italian design chairs characterized by the experimental approach with the use of epoxy and unconventional resin by Gaetano Pesc...
Metal
80s Pop Art Desk Lamp in the Postmodern Memphis Style
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
80s Pop Art desk lamp in the postmodern Memphis Style 80s 90s Postmodern desk lamp that can be extended to different heights. In the base there is a screw...
Metal
Two abstract metal floor sculptures by Tony Almén and Peter Gest for Ikea 1990
By IKEA
Located in München, DE
Pair of original limited abstract metal Ikea floor sculptures from 1990. In good condition. Suitable for all living areas and very decorative. Design by Tony Almén and Peter Gest. Ik...
Metal
Shipping Box Coffee Table in Stainless Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Shipping Box Coffee Table in Stainless Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 35 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. A volume conceived for transport, now fixed in s...
Stainless Steel
$352Sale Price|19% Off
Tubular Steel “Z” Chair by Les Industries Amisco, 1970's
Located in Lisboa, PT
This chair was designed and produced by Les Industries Amisco, a French Canadian company, maker of the popular "paper clip" stools, during the 1970's. It has a "Z" shape iron structu...
Metal, Iron