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.
Grassi&Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzoni Set of Eight 'Pasqualina' Dining Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Grassi&Bianchi for Enrico Pellizzoni, set of eight 'Pascqualina' dining chairs, leather, steel, Italy, 1980s The Pasqualina armchair, designed by Grassi & Bianchi for Enrico...
Steel
Unique Christian Heckscher Etched Brass Coffee Table
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Christian Heckscher, coffee table, brass, Belgium, 1980s A unique handcrafted coffee table by Christian Heckscher. Originally trained in Belgium as both a fine artist and a master c...
Brass
Rare Ado Chale Round Coffee Table with Mosaic Top in Malachite
By Ado Chale
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ado Chale coffee table, malachite, resin, black lacquered steel, Belgium, 1980 This monumental table by Ado Chale is a powerful testament to the artist’s ability to transform rare a...
Malachite, Steel
Postmodern Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Gold Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model A-1149. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. “Estiluz” or...
Metal
Vintage post modern pink laminate sideboard / dresser with 6 drawers, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Vintage post modern pink laminate sideboard / dresser with six drawers, USA 1980s. It's in the shade 'Wisteria' (written on the back) which I kind of love- a deep pink with lilac ton...
Laminate, Plywood, Particle Board
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
Vico Magistretti for De Padova 'Vidun' Dining Table with Colorful Geometric Base
By Vico Magistretti, DePadova 1
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 'Vidun' round dining table, stained beech, glass, Italy, 1986 Although the object appears immediately playful because of its vivid coloration and exp...
Glass, Beech
Midcentury Large Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Large and beauty Postmodern Gold Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1186 Oro. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 198...
Metal
Postmodern Pair of Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Pair of Gold Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-9000 Gold. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 19...
Metal
A POSTMODERN "DR GLOB" chair, by PHILIPPE STARCK, KARTELL, Italy 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
An iconic "Dr Glob" postmodern chair, silver lacquered metal tube structure and stylized plastic seating area, by Philippe Starck, produced by Kartell, Italy 1980. Kartell signature ...
Metal
Midcentury Pair of Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Pair of Gold Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1184 Oro. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 198...
Metal
Luciano Frigerio 'Luky' Dining Table in Hammered Brass and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio 'Luky' dining table, glass, brass, Italy, 1980s A striking "Luky" dining table by renowned Italian designer Luciano Frigerio, embodying the sculptural elegance and...
Brass
Rare Ado Chale Round Coffee Table with Mosaic Top in Malachite
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ado Chale coffee table, malachite, resin, black lacquered steel, Belgium, 1980 This monumental table by Ado Chale is a powerful testament to the artist’s ability to transform rare a...
Malachite, Steel
Post-Modern Chaise Longue By Weiman
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin, Directional, Weiman
Located in Houston, TX
Post-Modern Chaise Longue By Weiman. This stunning postmodern chaise made by Weiman and was inspired by the designs of cloud series. Great size that could be used as a sofa, chaise ...
Bouclé, Wood
Italian Post-Modern Set of Six Dining Chairs in Walnut Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of six dining chairs, walnut, Italy, 1980s A striking example of Italian design from the 1980s, these walnut chairs embody a refined balance between sculptural form and everyday...
Walnut
A pair of Postmodern Pink Formica Waterfall Nightstands. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Vintage Custom Made Postmodern Pink Waterfall Formica Nightstands. Circa 1980s Features three drawers with hidden pulls, a waterfall front design, and a laminated light pi...
Formica, Wood
Postmodern Italian Opaline Murano Art Glass Chalice, Abstract Decoration, 1980s
Located in Valencia, VC
Postmodern Italian Opaline Murano Art Glass Chalice, Abstract Polychrome Decoration, 1980s Strikingly beautiful in the hand, this sculptural Italian art glass vessel is an elegant e...
Opal
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' Curved Sofa in Turquoise Upholstery
By Alberto Rosselli Saporiti, Mauro Lipparini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mauro Lipparini for Saporiti 'Avedon' sofa, fabric, lacquered wood, chrome-plated steel, Italy, 1980s A truly wonderful piece that breathes the elegance of Italian Post-Modern desig...
Steel, Chrome
Large postmodern curved waterfall glass coffee table with ball, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Large postmodern curved waterfall glass coffee table with plaster effect fiberglass ball, USA 1980s. Very hard to find this model- I've been looking for a while. There are some scr...
Glass, Fiberglass
Mario Bellini Set of Six 'Lira e Liuto' Dining Chairs in Cognac Leather
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Bellini for Cassina, set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs, cognac leather, Italy, 1989 This set of six ‘Lira e Liuto’ dining chairs has beautiful cognac colored leather tha...
Leather
French Postmodern Ceramic Table Lamp, Private Detective, by J.C. Peiré, 1980s
By JC Peire
Located in Lille, FR
Jean-Claude Peiré built his signature in the 1980s with a series of ceramic light fixtures reimagining everyday objects at full scale — a tennis racket, a weightlifter's arm, a boxin...
Ceramic
Italian Bulky Low-Slung Lounge Chair
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Avilla, lounge chair, fabric, beech, Italy, 1980s This bulky, low-slung lounge chair captures the relaxed confidence of Italian design in the 1980s. Rather than appearing light, rat...
Fabric, Beech
Post Modern Oak Bookshelf Shelving Unit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition This postmodern oak shelving unit from the 1980s offers a striking blend of display, storage, and functional versatility. The open architectura...
Oak
Pair of "Colefax" Swivel Lounge Chairs & Ottoman Made in the USA by Pearson
By Pearson Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An elegant and exceptionally comfortable pair of vintage swivel lounge chairs with matching ottoman, manufactured by Pearson Furniture in High Point, North Carolina, circa 1980s. The...
Fabric, Wood
Postmodern Dimmable Gold Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty and unique Dimmable Postmodern Black Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-1069 Oro. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz...
Metal
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern Italian black leather sofa in the style of Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Italian black leather 3 seat long sofa in the manner of Nicoletti Salotti. Very clean sofa high quality leather and very comfortable modern design. Located in Brooklyn NYC 11...
Leather
Set of 2 Ettore Sottsass Mandarin Chairs by Knoll - Black + Red Post Modern
By Ettore Sottsass, Knoll
Located in Decatur, GA
Set of two (2) Knoll International "Mandarin" chairs by Ettore Sottsass. Exemplifying Sottsass’s bold postmodern sensibility, these sculptural chairs feature vivid red enameled arms ...
Metal
Sheep by Hanns Peter Krafft for Meier, made of genuine sheepskin, as a stool
Located in München, BY
Rare small 'sheep' stool made of genuine sheep's wool by Hanns Peter Krafft, handcrafted by Meier. Made in Germany in the 1980s. This charming sheep has thick, creamy-white wool, lea...
Leather, Wool, Pine
Large Wall Sculpture Silver-Colored Metal Safety Pin Post Modern
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, large wall sculpture , silver-colored metal safety pin is styled similarly to oversized fashion jewelry, made of steel in silver paint. An oversized safety p...
Steel
Post modern Joe Colombo Floor lamp 3321 Black Gloss
By Oluce, Joe Colombo
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Joe Colombo Floor lamp 3321. Pre owned Coupe Floor Lamp in black adjustable, an original Joe Colombo design (circa 1967) for Oluce model 3321. Oluce's 1960s Coupe floor lamps pairs a...
Metal
John Dickinson Plaster Rope Table, Model 111
Located in Los Angeles, CA
John Dickinson rope table, model 111. Painted plaster that only shows very minimal signs of wear. Excellent vintage condition. This table is very heavy / sturdy. Signed by the make...
Plaster
Organically Shaped Post-Modern Sectional Sofa in Black Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Modular sofa, leather, Europe, 1980s This sofa is fully executed in a black leather that contributes to a unified look. The construction consists of four elements. The sofa embraces...
Leather
$1,400 / set
Matteo Grassi Dining Chairs in Leather and Steel
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Matteo Grassi, set of four dining chairs, leather and steel, Italy, 1980s. Sophisticated set of four dining chairs designed by Italian designer Matteo Grassi in the 1980s. These cha...
Steel
$470Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 2 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 2 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Chrome
$2,125Sale Price|50% Off
Superb Red & Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Red & black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Sofa. Very fun Beautiful pop art long leather sofa. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in leather. Beautiful ...
Leather
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern space age gloss white laminate queen platform bed with headboard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern space age gloss white laminate queen platform bed with headboard. Custom fabricated queen bed with headboard that has blanket or pillow storage. Labeled made in 1989 in U...
Steel
Tito Agnoli Set of Six 'Ilex' Dining Chairs in Solid Oak
By Tito Agnoli
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Tito Agnoli for Tarpac Data International, set of six 'Ilex' dining chairs, oak, lacquered metal, Italy, 1980s This pristine set of six dining chairs exemplifies the furniture desig...
Metal
Postmodern Gold Metal Wall Sconce by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1980s
By Estiluz Lighting, Estiluz, Leonardo Marelli
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Cool Postmodern Gold "Mate" Wall Sconce by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-9000 Gold. This fixture was designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estiluz during 1980s. ...
Metal
Vintage Ekornes Stressless Regent Leather Recliner Armchair with Ottoman, 1980s
Located in Berlin, DE
A distinctive vintage Stressless Regent reclining armchair with matching ottoman by Ekornes, dating from the 1980s. Made in Norway, the chair combines the exceptional comfort for whi...
Metal
$1,625Sale Price|50% Off
Red & Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low Loveseat Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Red & Black 2 tone Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Loveseat Sofa. Very fun Beautiful pop art leather sofa. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in leather....
Leather
$975Sale Price|35% Off
Sculptural Lounge Chair Jaymar 1980s
By Jaymar
Located in Toronto, ON
Gorgeous pop art chair by Jaymar in a dark nylon like material. It's a blueish black fabric colour with slight prints/texturing on the fabric (see photos). This bold and modern chair...
Leather
Postmodern Banana Floor Lamp by Heico, Plastic, Germany, 1980s Design
By Heico
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp in the shape of a banana. An object in style of postmodern design and art movements like memphis. A unique object and rare eye-catcher. This lamp is shaped lik...
Plastic
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Bedroom Divider Wardrobe Walnut
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, bedroom divider or wardrobe unit, walnut, glass Italy, 1980s This exceptional piece by Italian sculptor and designer Giuseppe Rivadossi is a testament to his exquisite woodworking skills. This monumental wardrobe displays...
Glass, Walnut
Vigo Magistretti for Cassina Sofa in Dark Grey Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for Cassina, two-seater sofa, model 'Veranda', fabric, aluminum, Italy, 1983. Beautiful esthetically balanced two-seater sofa designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassi...
Aluminum
Postmodern Gold Metal Set of Four Flush Mounts by Blauet, Barcelona, 1980s
By Blauet
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Pretty Postmodern Spanish Set of Four Gold metal Flush Mounts or Wall Sconces by Blauet. Model: Birimbao-2 Oro. These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by ...
Metal
"Hestra" for Ikea Italian Postmodern Design Rattan Bamboo Armchair 1980s
By Tito Agnoli, IKEA
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian post modern design set of two armchairs "Hestra" model produced by Ikea from 1980s, with iron structure and wicker covering, Sweden 1980s. Please note that the armchairs are...
Iron
Hollywood Regency Faux Tusk Sculpture Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills
By Marquis Collection of Beverly Hills 1
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of vintage Hollywood Regency style faux tusk sculpture. It is part of a matching decorative pair crafted from tessellated stone or marble with a polish...
Stone, Brass
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century Modern Ostrich skin Leather Post modern waterfall bench coffee table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Modern Ostrich skin Leather Post modern waterfall bench or coffee table. Nice Patina shows normal use and wear. Great Bench. Located in Brooklyn NYC. Measures 16" H x 46...
Leather, Wood
Bořek Šípek “Luigi” Chandelier for Driade, Italy, 1989
Coffee Table with Marble Top and Chrome Base
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Coffee table, marble, chrome, Europe, 1980s. Exuding simplicity, this unassuming side table exudes an aura of pure elegance. Its design showcases a square, delicately marble tablet...
Marble, Chrome
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
Large Gaetano Pesce for Cassina 'Cannaregio' Modular Sofa
By Cassina, Gaetano Pesce
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gaetano Pesce for Cassina, sofa, model ‘Cannaregio’, multicolored upholstery, Italy, 1987 Large ‘Cannaregio’ sofa, designed by Gaetano Pesce for Cassina. The 1987 design is playful,...
Fabric
Vico Magistretti for De Padova 'Vidun' Dining Table with Colorful Geometric Base
By DePadova 1, Vico Magistretti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 'Vidun' dining table, stained beech, glass, Italy, 1986 Although the object appears immediately playful because of its vivid coloration and exposed m...
Glass, Beech
Ron Rezek Table Lamp 1980s
By Ron Rezek
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Post-modern table lamp by Los Angeles lighting designer Ron Rezek, c.1980s. The lamp features a black enameled metal frame and removable black shade with polished brass ring accent t...
Metal
Posmodern Mantel Clock by Michael Graves for Alessi, 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Alessi, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in Lille, FR
Michael Graves, the renowned American architect and one of the leading figures of Postmodernism, created for Alessi a series of objects that translated his architectural language int...
Plastic, Wood
Vintage Danish Spherical Ceramic Table Lamp w. Pink Glaze, 1980s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A 1980s Danish table light by Lamperiet Aarhus. The ceramic ball base features a monochrome pink glaze and the light comes installed with a fluted white shade. Measurements: H: 36 ...
Ceramic
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Post modern Italian black leather loveseat sofa style of Nicoletti Salotti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Italian black leather loveseat two-seater 6 foot long sofa in the manner of Nicoletti Salotti. Very clean sofa high quality leather and very comfortable modern design. Locate...
Leather
Italian Side Tables in Metal and Round Granite Top
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Side tables, granite, metal, brass, Italy, 1980s These side tables feature a red granite tabletop in round format. The granite shows a vivid surface. A brass pedestal ends in a blac...
Granite, Metal, Brass
Postmodern T Line Lounge Chairs by Arflex, Red Alcantara, Italy, 1982
Located in Den Haag, NL
Two iconic armchairs by Arflex Design Burkhard Vogtherr. Model T Line Beautiful Postmodern lounge chairs. Very good sitting comfort. In a very nice red color. The Alcantara fabric ...
Fabric
Postmodern Italian Mantel Clock by Michael Graves for Alessi, 1980s
By Michael Graves (b.1934), Alessi
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rare table clock of the Italian manufacturer Alessi after a design by Michael Graves from 1986. A special and rare collector's object of Postmoderne. The coat Clock is a miniature a...
Metal