Single Amisco Stool
Located in New York, NY
Single Amisco stool
Late 20th Century Canadian Post-Modern Furniture
Metal
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.
Single Amisco Stool
Located in New York, NY
Single Amisco stool
Metal
Roger Rougier Cream Modernist Dresser — Sculptural c1980s Canadian Design
Located in Montréal, CA
** full set is also available in our other listings ** Roger Rougier dresser in a refined cream-white finish, embodying the understated luxury of 1970s Canadian modernist design. T...
Lacquer
Post Modern Sculptural Clock in the Style of Sosstass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Really cool sculptural clock in the memphis style powered by a battery.
Stainless Steel
Italian Large Pair of Murano Glass Wall Sconces by Barbini Alfredo, 1980s
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Marvelous and unique Pair of Italian Colorful Murano glass Wall Sconces from 1980s. These fixtures were designed and munufactured during the 1980s in Italy by Alfredo Barbini. “Barb...
Metal
$2,456Sale Price|20% Off
Marcel Breuer b34 Chair 1930s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Marcel Breuer B34 chair was made in Czechoslovakia in 1930 for Bata Snofmaner store.
Formica
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Steel and Resin Inlayed with Agate
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, stainless steel, agate, resin, wood, Belgium, 1970s This striking coffee table by Belgian artist-designer Jean Claude Dresse is a masterwork of 197...
Agate, Stainless Steel
Postmodern Chrome and Red Wood Chairs, Set of 4, 1980s
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Set of four chairs featuring a flat-profile chrome-plated steel frame and red lacquered wood seats. The design emphasizes geometric verticality through high, rectangular backrests th...
Chrome
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
Mid century post modern chrome cane glass dining table by DIA
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century post modern chrome cane glass dining table by DIA. A table well suited as a dining or breakfast kitchen, or game table. A perfect size dining table for a small urban apar...
Chrome
6 Post-Modern Arrben Italy 'Canasta' Armchairs Leather Enameled Tubular Steel
By Arrben
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Post-Modern set of six (6) 'Canasta' armchairs by Arrben of Italy, in stitched thick saddle-leather mounted on enameled tubular steel frames. N...
Steel
$1,484Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Design Brass Fluted Torchiere Floor Lamp by Relco, Italy 1980's
By Relco Milano
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Italian Design Brass Fluted "TORCHIERE" Floor Lamp by Relco. Made in Milano, Italy, 1980's period. Marked on the dimmer switch. Design in the style of Terra A. Ton...
Brass
Post Modern Brushed Metal Dual Light Table Lamp by Michael Graves
Located in San Diego, CA
Post Modern Brushed Metal Dual Table Lamp by Michael Graves, circa 1990s. Add a bold Postmodern touch with this Brushed Metal Dual Table Lamp by Michael Graves. This lamp is in good ...
Metal
A set of three postmodern bar stools by Martin, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
A set of three vintage postmodern bar or counter stool featuring gilt metal frames and faux leather seating, probably circa late 1970s. The statement geometry of these pieces will a ...
Brass
Glass chair in the Manner of Louis Dierra
By Louis Dierra
Located in London, GB
This striking curved glass chair, inspired by the iconic designs of Louis Dierra for the Glass Centre Pavilion at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York, represents a masterful blend of a...
Glass, PVC
Set of Four Post-Modern "Anziano" Dining Chairs by John Hutton for Donghia
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice set of four post-modern "Anziano" dining chairs by John Hutton for Donghia, circa 1990s. The chairs are made of beech bentwood construction with black hairpin metal legs....
Steel
$2,240Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post Modern Luna Dining Table, Oval Dining Table For 6 People
Located in İnegöl, TR
Natural wood veneered on MDF. Dimensions: Lenght: 72" Width: 36" Height: 29" Custom colours are available!
Other
Postmodern Tessellated Stone Pedestal
Located in Houston, TX
1980s Tesselated stone pedestal.
Travertine
Guido Faleschini for I4 Mariani Set of Ten 'Dilos' Dining Chairs
By i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani set of ten 'Dilos' dining chairs, leather, beech, Italy, circa 1975 These 'Dilos' chairs are designed by the creative Italian designer Guido Faleschi...
Leather, Beech
Bouloum Lounge Chair by Olivier Mourgue for Arconas
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1980s. Reupholstered in Kvadrat felt. More available if needed.
Felt
Babylone Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Babylone Bench in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 122 x D 40 x H 48 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not i...
Foam, Beech
Italian 1970s Erasmo Sofa Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia Manner Living Room
Located in London, GB
This stunning and amazingly comfortable sofa in the manner of the iconic Erasmo sofa from Afra & Tobia Scarpa for B&B Italia , is a beautiful example of 1970s Italian design. Curren...
Wood, Fabric
Kazuhide Takahama Totem Floor Lamp, Sirrah Italy 1981
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare Kazuhide Takahama “Totem” floor lamp is one of his most sculptural and architectural lighting designs, designed in the late 70s for Sirrah...
Cement, Metal, Brass
$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
De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for BBB Pair of 'Flap' Transformable Lounge Chairs
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, BBB Bonacchina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi for BBB, pair of 'Flap' lounge chairs, metal, plastic, alcantara, Italy, 1975 The "Flap" lounge chair, produced in 1975 by BBB, tr...
Metal
$6,000Sale Price / set|50% Off
Set of Five Fratelli Martini Polished Bronze 1980 Italian Wall Lamps
Located in New York, NY
A set of 5 finely crafted polished bronze floral wall lights by the Italian maker, Fratelli Martini. Newly Rewired.
Bronze
"Big Easy" Ron Arad Design for Moroso Italian Postmodern White Lounge Chair 1990
Belgian Wall-Mounted Modern Fire Place in Sheet Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Fire place, sheet steel, Belgium, 1980s. A well-designed fire place executed in sheet steel fits perfectly in the focal point of the room or can be ...
Steel, Sheet Metal
Post-Modern Burl Oak Dining Table with Wengé Inlay
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, oak, burl, wengé, Europe, 1980s An elegant modern dining table. The oval top is highlighted by striking cloud-like burl patterns, framed by a decorative wengé inlay th...
Oak, Wenge, Burl
Lena 230 Sofa in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Lena 230 Sofa in Solid Beech, Particle Board and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 230 x D 95 x H 75 cm. Materials: Solid beech, particle board, and HR foam. Fabric is not in...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood, Beech
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Dark Resin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, large coffee table, resin, lacquered steel, Belgium, late 1970s This eccentric coffee table is a masterful creation by Belgian designer Jean Claude Dresse. Every...
Steel
$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
$4,500Sale Price / set|23% Off
Vintage Post-Modern Bernhardt Flair Channel 4-Piece Modular Sectional Sofa 1980s
By Bernhardt, Steve Chase
Located in Southampton, NJ
4-Piece channeled modular sofa in the manner of Steve Chase by Bernhardt Flair having beautifully pattered original upholstery that features wind swooshes throughout. In very good vi...
Steel
1980s Sculptural Eye-Shaped Green Marble Coffee Table
Located in London, London
A sculptural Italian marble coffee table from the 1980s, formed in a striking biomorphic silhouette with softly curved edges and a deeply architectural presence. Executed in richly v...
Marble
Set of 4 Sculptural High Back Dining Chairs, Europe 1980s
Located in Utrecht, NL
This stunning set of dining chairs embodies an era of bold, sculptural furniture with a focus on comfort and organic form. Postmodernism in the 1980s embraced a playful approach to d...
Wood, Fabric
1980s Postmodern Lego Telephone by Tyco
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible vintage Lego telephone by Tycho. Original piece from the 1980s with striking yet endearing presence. The nostalgic elements come thru in this piece catapulting it to a s...
Plastic
Pr. Oversize Black Leather Club Chairs by Brayton International Collection 1991
By Walter Knoll, Brayton International
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of over scale lounge, or club chairs in black leather - made by the Brayton International Collection, circa 1991. These exceptional chairs are very well constructed, comfo...
Leather
Italian Lounge Chair in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lounge chair, leather, aluminum, Italy 1970s A lounge chair made in Italy in the 1970s. This chair strongly represents the essence of furniture design of the 1970s, going beyond the...
Aluminum
Postmodern End or Side Table with Mirror Top & Black Laquered Pedestal Base
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Postmodern end or side table comprised of a black lacquered pedestal base with beveled edges & gold base trim and a rounded square shaped top with gold trim edges and mirror surface. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. No outstanding flaws seen but there are a couple small dots on the mirrored top where the silvering is missing along with some scratches, and a few scuffs in the black paint. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century. Mirror, Mirror on the…. End Table?? That’s right folks! It doesn’t get any more 1980’s than this little gem!!! Only the coolest houses had furniture with mirror...
Composition
Art Deco Blue Glass Centerpiece Bowl by Rudolf Schrötter, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Poland, 1970s This is a thick and heavy blue glass bowl. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but overall it can be considered as in excellent...
Glass
$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
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
Vintage German Kreuzschwinger Lounge Chair by Till Behrens for Stahlmöbel, 1980s
By Till Behrens
Located in Hamburg, DE
Till Behrens Kreuzschwinger in the version as an armchair. This version is wider and flatter than the normal Kreuzschwinger chair. Elegant ...
Metal
Italian Postmodern Koncord Series Espresso Maker by Walter Capp, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Italian Postmodern Koncord Series Espresso Maker by Walter Capp for Vev Vigano, 1970s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional ...
Plastic
Coffee Table by Piero De Longhi Catalan Italia Travertine Glass and Brass 1980s
Located in London, GB
The Dielle coffee table, is a timeless piece designed in 1984 by Piero De Longhi for Catalan Italia is a sophisticated design. The transparent glass top allows you to fully appreciat...
Travertine, Metal, Brass
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
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
Pierre Chapo Cabinet Model 'R18' in Solid Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, cabinet model 'R18', solid elm, France, 1960s This exquisitely crafted 'R18' cabinet combines a simplified yet complex design combined with nifty, solid construction d...
Elm
The Beatles 'Yellow Submarine' Original Vintage Movie Poster, Japanese, 1969
Located in Devon, GB
Issued for the first Japanese release of the film in 1969, this fantastically bizarre Japanese B2 poster offers some of the best artwork created to promote the Beatles' 1968 hit psyc...
Paper
Vintage Abstract Postmodern Ikebana Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage Post Modern Sculptural Ikebana vase by Keiko & David Hergesheimer of Catalpa Lane Pottery c.1990’s. Interesting abstract hashtag shape and lovely gradient glaze in pink, peac...
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
Vivai Del Sud Superstar Lounge Chair in Olive Green Fabric
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vivai Del Sud, 'Superstar' lounge chair, fabric, Italy, 1970s A splendid design by Vivai del Sud, known as the Superstar, is distinguished by its organic layout and substantial size...
Fabric
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner Dining Chair in Red Leather
By Gilbert Steiner, Kwok Hoi Chan
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Kwok Hoi Chan for Steiner, dining chair, leather, lacquered steel, France, circa 1970 A postmodern design by Chinese designer Kwok Hoi Chan known for his works that are immediately ...
Steel
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Off White Plaster Pedestal Table after Sirmos
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful off white textured pedestal. Heavy plaster rock form in very good condition.
Plaster
$2,016Sale Price|30% Off
Toshiyuki Kita Wink Charcoal Gray Leather Lounge Chair for Cassina, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Charcoal gray leather Wink lounge chair designed by Toshiyuki Kita for Cassina, 1980s. Wink rises out of the complex interweaving of Western ways and Asian influences, a versatile...
Leather
$4,550Sale Price|30% Off
Post Modern Rectangular Verde Green Marble Dining Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Absolutely stunning Post Modern Verde Green marble, rectangular dining table. The beveled edges of the top set this piece off perfectly. It is the ultimate statement maker for that s...
Marble
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
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa/ Daybed for American Leather, Postmodern
By American Leather, Vladimir Kagan
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Vladimir Kagan "Matinee" sofa/ daybed produced by American Leather, 2007. Pewter leather with soft light grey backrest and grayish brown bolster pillows. Backrest easily lifts off t...
Leather, Upholstery
Vintage Tamiami Garden Patio Poolside Lounge Chair att. to Brown Jordan c 1980s
By Brown Jordan
Located in New York, NY
Stylish lawn, garden, patio, poolside \lounge chair attributed to Brown Jordan, as part of the Classic Tamiami series, circa 1980s. This example is structurally sound and sturdy, it ...
Aluminum
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
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Nero Marquina Marble Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Absolutely stunning veining on this black marble dining table. Even the base has intricate veining on all four sides, it’s hard to pick a favorite angle. We also had the lacquer pro...
Marble
Rimo Maturi for Mimo Padova Sofa Model ´Nuvolone´ in Brown Leather
By Mimo Padova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
RImo Maturi for Mimo Padova, ´Nuvolone´ sofa, leather, Italy, 1970s Stunning modular sofa by Italian designer Rimo Maturii for manufacturer Mimo Padova. The 'Nuvulone', meaning 'cl...
Leather
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