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.
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
$4,800 / item
Ceiba Lamp
Located in Mérida, MX
The Ceiba lamp is a clay lamp handmade by artisans from Yucatan and designed by Chuch Estudio. The large scale clay as an ancestral tradition allowed the pr...
Clay
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table with Geometric Sculptural Base in Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, brass, glass, Belgium, 1970s This captivating coffee table by Jean Claude Dresse is deeply reflective of the design trends that emerged in the 1970...
Brass
$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
Percival Lafer 'MP 87' Lounge Chair in Beige Suede
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Percival Lafer, lounge chair, model ‘MP-87’, leather, chrome-plated steel, rope, Brazil, 1971 The MP-87 lounge piece is conceived by Brazilian designer Percival Lafer in the 1970s....
Steel, Chrome
$1,480 / item
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
$5,120Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pr. Postmodern Kurve Lounge Chairs by Karim Rashid for Nienkamper c. 2000/2020
Located in New York, NY
Rare and important pair of Post Modern, Contemporary Kurve lounge chairs, designed by Karim Rashid, made in Canada for Nienkamper, circa 2000/2020. The chairs feature a sexy curvac...
Naugahyde, Bentwood
Joan Casas i Ortinez 'Tema' Bar Stools (set of 10) for Indecasa, Spain 1980s
By Indecasa, Joan Casas Y Ortinez
Located in Hellouw, NL
A refined example of late twentieth-century Spanish design, this rare set of ten 'Tema' bar stools was designed by Joan Casas i Ortinez for Indeca...
Metal
$5,500 / set
Post Modern 6 Piece Modular Sofa
By Rolf Benz
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Great 6 piece Post Modern modular sectional sofa attributed to Rolf Benz. A gorgeous sofa that will make a massive statement. Sofa is being sold as found, reupholstery is needed b...
Fabric
Jamaica Bar Stool Pepe Cortes for Amat-3 Aluminum Post-Modern
By Amat-3, Pepe Cortés
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of Jamaica Bar Stool, an iconic piece of contemporary Spanish furniture designed by Pepe Cortés in 1991. Created by Barcelona-based interior designer...
Aluminum, Chrome
Postmodern Pair of "Bonsai" Wood Table Lamps by Blauet, Barcelona, 1990s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Unique and pretty Postmodern Spanish "Gran Bonsai" Pair of Beech Wood Table Lamps by Blauet. Model: B1458-15 Natural / Chrome. These Table Lamps were designed by Josep Llusca for Bla...
Metal
Rare Pierre Chapo Set of Eight S11 Dining Chairs in Sipo Wood and Leather
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, rare set of eight dining chairs, model S11, sipo wood, leather, France, circa 1966 A set of eight chairs in solid sipo wood, which makes this set so rare, with cognac...
Leather, Wood
$440Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Bonbon Dish, English, Art Glass, Ornamental Bowl, Post Modern, C.1980
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage bonbon dish. An English, art glass ornamental bowl in post-modern taste, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1980. Fascinating, unusual form catches the eye Di...
Art Glass
Iconic Knoll Hat Trick Table & Chairs Dining Set by Frank Gehry Stamped & Dated
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Iconic Knoll Hat Trick Table & Chairs Dining Set by Frank Gehry Stamped & Dated, circa 1992. An exquisite and collectible Frank Gehry sculptural design...
Wood, Maple, Bentwood
Post-Modern hand-crafted Cocoon resin table lamps, Italy, 70s
By Achille Castiglioni, Flos, Tobia Scarpa
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Pair of sculptural hand-crafted cocoon table lamps, Italy, 1970s. Formed by several varnished pine wood elements of different shapes and sizes, creating two curious columns of a cert...
Resin, Wood, Pine
Mid-Century Post Modern Loveseat or Sofa Produced by Preview Furniture
By Preview
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural base with floating front sofa made by Preview circa 1992. It features the original tweed fabric in good condition. Could use cleaning before use.
Fabric
$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
Italian Post Modern Slide Sunday Design Pendant Lamp
By Slide
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Post Modern Slide Sunday Pendant Lamp, Italy 2010 The Sunday pendant lamp is a design icon crafted by Slide using rotational molding technology in polyethylene, a material that is 1...
Plastic
$1,600 / item
Silla Sol
Located in Mérida, MX
“Silla Sol” Silla Sol chair is not just a chair but a Mexican cookie-inspired chair, a happy face object that livens up any space it enters. You can sit on it, you can place your fav...
Wood
Pair of Burl Wood Drinks Tables with Turned Legs and Brass Bound Tops
Located in Duxbury, MA
Unusual pair of burl wood drinks tables featuring brass bound tops and sculptural turned legs. The tops display richly figured burl veneer surrounded by a brass edge, creating a warm...
Brass
Dining Table in the Form of a Draped Cloth by Marzio Cecchi, Italy, mid-1970s
Located in New York, NY
A rare sculptural dining table by Italian architect Marzio Cecchi (Capalle, Florence, 1940 – New York, 1990), executed in the mid-1970s as a unique private commission. Accompanied by...
Cotton, Resin
Italian Modern Polished Travertine Pedestal
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Polished Travertine Pedestal. Offered is an Italian Post Modern Mangiarotti style travertine pedastal with beautiful variegation and a highly polished surface. This lo...
Travertine
Majestic Controlled Bubble Bullicante Cobalt Blue Art Glass Large Paperweight
Located in San Diego, CA
Majestic Controlled Bubble Bullicante Cobalt Blue Art Glass Large Paperweight, beautiful excellent condition rich color nice and heavy art piece sculpture.
Blown Glass
Large Howard Keith Custom 'Cloud' Sofa 440cm/173in
By Howard Keith
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Howard Keith for HK Furniture, special order custom 'Cloud' sofa, velvet, United Kingdom, 1970s Stunning Howard Keith for HK Furniture “Cloud” modular sofa, made in the 1970s. This ...
Fabric
Post-Modern Italian Executive Desk Piano Black Burl by G&C Italia Art Deco Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in the 1980s in Italy, this desk features a sleek, post-modern, and angular design. Finished in a gloss piano black complemented by burl drawer-fronts, the large work surface ha...
Burl, Lacquer
$1,960Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Post Modern gloss white laminate 2 Drawer curved nightstands
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Mid Century custom made gloss white laminate and Nightstands 2 Drawers. Beautiful condition inside and out. Circa 1970 - 3 Drawer Nightstands all drawers have metal glides al...
Chrome
Memphis First Chair by Michele de Lucchi circa 1983
Located in Oakland, CA
Early production Memphis First chair designed by Michele de Lucchi this chair that was purchased by the original owner who was working at the de Lucchi design studio in the 1980s in ...
Metal
Lumina Floor Lamp Walter Monici Italy Model "Zelig Terra"
By A. Monici, Lumina
Located in Den Haag, NL
Black counterweight floor lamp. Design by Walter Monici for Lumina Italy 1980 model ''Zelig Terra '' Very nice adjustable halogen floor lamp. Two-light intensities. Very flexible, it...
Metal
Art Deco Revival. Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s
By Hispania CH, Cerámicas BONDIA, Capo Di Monte, Bassano
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Art Deco Revival and Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s. Each wall light is made of black glazed ceramic in the shape of a hand holding a spherical diffuser. The diffuse...
Ceramic, Paint, Blown Glass, Art Glass
Spiral Clock a Shiro Kuramata Japanese Zen Minimal Postmodern
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Spiral clock designed by Shiro Kuramata. Dial is inside acrylic edge rounded shade.
Acrylic
Ottoman in Chromed Metal and Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ottoman, footrest, leather, chromed metal, Europe, 1970s This sleek ottoman from the 1970s combines comfort with a timeless appearance. Made in Europe, it features a generously cush...
Leather
$1,500 / item
Martine Bedin Super Memphis Milano Postmodern
By Memphis Group, Martine Bedin
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Famous Super lamp deigned by Martine Bedin. Six light bulb along with its back. With wheel and movable. Iconic one in Memphis Milano and 1980s Postmodern designs.
Stainless Steel
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Trestle Dining Table in Chestnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi dining table, chestnut, Italy, 1970s A striking dining table handcrafted by Giuseppe Rivadossi in solid chestnut wood. Created in Italy dur...
Chestnut
Longue Chair Zyklus By Peter Maly For COR 1980s
By Peter Maly
Located in Čelinac, BA
Peter Maly Zyklus Longue Chair For COR 1980s
Chrome
Carsons 5 Piece Post Modern Modular Sectional Sofa
By Carsons
Located in Lutz, FL
Being offered AS-IS for reupholstery. 5 piece Carsons of High Point post modern modular sectional in white wave upholstery. Frames are solid and in great condition, upholster to your...
Fabric, Wood
up-lighter Floor lamp Tronconi - design Barbieri & Marianelli - model 'Frack'
Located in Den Haag, NL
Vintage 1980s floor lamp designed by the Italian company Tronconi, designed by Barbieri and Marianelli, model 'Frack' Stylish and sleek design, design from 1984. The lamp consists o...
Metal
Pr. Vintage Brown Jordan Lounge Chairs c 1970/1980's
By Brown Jordan
Located in New York, NY
Pair of stylish lounge chairs by top quality maker, Brown Jordan. This pair of chic vintage lounge chairs are in very good, clean, ready to use condition, showing only light cosmeti...
Aluminum
Postmodern Pepper and Salt Shaker from Ide-Bank, Norway, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Pepper and Salt Shaker from Ide-Bank, Norway, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials:...
Plastic
Ettore Sottsass Memphis Knoll 80s Eastside Two Sofas +1 Lounge Chair, SET 3 PCS
By Knoll, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Basel, BS
The Eastside sofa and chair are quintessential pieces of 1980s postmodern design from Ettore Sottsass, the founder of Memphis. The Eastside collection takes cues from Biedermeier st...
Metal, Aluminum
Ambrogio Tresoldi e Alberto Salvati Wardrobe Cabinet in Purple Blue Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati, cabinet / wardrobe, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati began their careers at the Politecnico di Milano under ...
Wood
Philipp Mainzer Set of 2 'Stop' Bookends in Onyx 'Fantastico' for E15 Selected
Located in Tilburg, NL
Philipp Mainzer Set of 2 'Stop' bookends in Onyx 'Fantastico' for E15 Selected. One 10cm version and one 17cm version. New, current production. With its cubic form, the book end STOP ONYX is a valuable accessory. Carved from finest onyx, in warm spice tones of Fantastico, the sculptural shape emphasizes pure material, making it a refined and striking desk or shelf accessory...
Onyx
B&B Italia Diesis Chaise Longue by Antonio Citterio & Paolo Nava, Italy, 1979
By Antonio Citterio, B&B Italia, Paolo Nava
Located in Langemark-Poelkapelle, BE
An iconic Diesis chaise longue designed by Antonio Citterio and Paolo Nava for B&B Italia. Originally introduced in 1979, the Diesis collection is considered one of the defining achi...
Aluminum
Italian Postmodern Calligaris Valet Stand, Made in Italy 1980s
By Calligaris
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Coat rack / valet from the Italian manufacturer Calligaris. A mute servant in a postmodern design language and materiality. The metal parts are mostly painted and partly ornamentall...
Metal
$33,500Sale Price|20% Off
Richard Meier for Knoll International Architectural Rocking Chaise, 1982, Signed
By Richard Meier, Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking and exceptionally rare rocking chaise designed by Richard Meier for Knoll International (circa 1982), this sculptural lounge piece beautifully captures Meier’s architectur...
Leather, Wood
Ovni Uovo Black Marble Glass Sculptural Coffee Table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Ovni Uovo Sculptural Coffee Table presents a retro-futurist fantasy. Performing as a past vision of the future Ovni Uovo constructs over mysterious tales of speculative technolog...
Stone, Marble
Post-Modern Pink Marble Cylindrical Box, Carved, Pakistan, Circa 1980s
By Renoir Designs, Maitland Smith
Located in Round Top, TX
A diminutive carved pink marble Postmodern cylindrical trinket box. The perfect size for gifting a piece of jewelry or as a gift in itself for a box collector. In excellent condition...
Marble
Postmodern Gray Ceramic Braided Woven Abstract Centerpiece Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Stunning woven braided ceramic centerpiece bowl glazed in a wonderful shade of gray with some blue tones. Great size for a coffee table or entryway. Very unusual abstract shape, plea...
Ceramic
Corsi Medusa Vase (Large), Matte White by Gaetano Pesce
By Corsi Design Factory, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Toronto, ON
Large Matte White "Medusa" Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. * All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Variations in the hu...
Resin
Medusa Vase (Large), Matte Cherry by Gaetano Pesce, Corsi
By Gaetano Pesce, Corsi Design Factory
Located in Toronto, ON
Large 'Medusa' Vase in soft resin designed by Gaetano Pesce in 1995 for Fish Design collection. Colour: Matte Cherry *All the pieces are hand-made and therefore unique. Variations ...
Resin
Peter Ghyczy for Horn Collection Pair of Nesting Tables in Yellow Fiberglass
By Peter Ghyczy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Peter Ghyczy for Horn Collection, pair of nesting tables, lacquered polyurethane, Germany, 1970s This set of tables is designed by Peter Ghyczy (1940-2022), who is particularly kno...
Plastic
David Hockney, A Diver from Paper Pools Lithograph
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Exciting Hockney A Diver from Paper Pools Lithograph. This is a wonderful exciting lithograph, Original Exhibition Poster for The Australian National Gallery Canberra, Paper Pools, 1...
Paper
Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina 'Toledo' Single Bed in Padouk and Leather
By Simon Gavina Editions, Carlo Scarpa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carlo Scarpa for Simon Gavina, 'Toledo' single bed, padouk, maple, leather, metal, Italy, 1975 Created by the Italian master Carlo Scarpa, this bed clearly demonstrates his studies ...
Metal
$4,141Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern 1980s Design Icon "Alice" Chairs by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Ita
By Cattelan Italia, Giorgio Cattelan
Located in Basel, BS
Fabulous set of Rare "Alice" chairs by Giorgio Cattelan for Cattelan Italia, Postmodern 1980s. Made of Stitched red leather. Designed in 1984, iconic design by Cattelan Italia. Feat...
Metal
Vintage Vladimir Kagan Directional Cloud Sofa 1980s
Located in Chicago, IL
This spectacular Vladimir Kagan 'Cloud' sofa was produced by Directional Furniture in the 1980s and was just newly reupholstered in a gorgeous two toned velvet, and has the lucite ce...
Textile
1 x Hourglass Rope Dining Chair Tom Dixon Style Metal Frame UK, 1980s Postmodern
By Tom Dixon
Located in London, GB
An amazing hourglass rope chair designed after the famous 'S' chair of Tom Dixon. The chair is weaved with rushed rope weaved around a metal frame. It holds a playful and beautiful...
Iron
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Architectural Square Oak Coffee Table
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi coffee table, oak, Italy, 1980s A beautifully crafted coffee table by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, Italy, 1980s. Executed in ...
Oak
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto 'Artona' Sideboard in Black Lacquered Wood
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto, 'Artona' sideboard, walnut, lacquered wood, ebony, brass, Italy, 1975/1979 This sideboard with strong geometrical lines is a design by Afra & Tobia ...
Brass
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
Italian Cubic Lounge Chair in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, leather, Italy, 1970s This striking lounge chair comes in a black leather upholstery that gives the room a vibrant and interesting touch. The design is further charact...
Leather
Single Amisco Stool
Located in New York, NY
Single Amisco stool
Metal