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.
Javier Mariscal Post-Modern Bar Cart Hilton For Memphis , Italy, 1981
By Javier Mariscal, Memphis Milano
Located in Vienna, AT
Javier Mariscal Post-Modern Bar Cart Hilton For Memphis , Italy, 1981 Rare Memphis bar cart ‚Hilton’, trolley on smoothly running casters offering a ...
Steel
Mid-Century Janni van Pelt Style Black Bar Cart, Wire Grid Glass, Two Tier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modernist Dutch bar cart in the manner of Janni van Pelt, rendered in a spare rectilinear form that reflects the discipline of postwar Dutch design. The tubular black enameled metal ...
Metal, Enamel
$12,892 / item
French Oak Highliner Cart by Studio Caramel
Located in Geneve, CH
French Oak Highliner Cart by Studio Caramel Dimensions: W 47 x D 84 x H 69 cm. Materials: Natural walnut or french oak, steel, lacquered wheel. Studio Caramel is a contemporary furn...
Walnut
$7,630 / item
Trink Walnut Bar Cart by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Trink Walnut Bar Cart by Kann Design Dimensions: D 54 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Materials: Steel frame, walnut solid wood, wood veneer, rubber wheel, aluminum. With the Trink bar cart, the...
Aluminum, Steel
Trolley / cart by Bieffeplast Padova 1970s
By Bieffeplast
Located in Athens, Attiki
Italian drinks and serving trolley by Bieffeplast Padova. Upper and lower removable and interchangeable tray sections as well as bottle storage.
Metal
$1,800Sale Price|20% Off
Mid century Dutch modern steel and glass bar cart or tea trolley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Dutch Minimalist bar cart or tea trolley in black powder-coated metal and glass, with three stainless steel chafing surfaces. Upper and lower glass surfaces and Black wheels wit...
Iron, Steel, Stainless Steel
Post-Modern Vintage Hybrid Bar Cart Sofa Table Raoul Barbieri Ycami 1990s Italy
By Ycami Collection, Raul Barbieri
Located in Vienna, AT
Post-Modern vintage hybrid bar cart or sofa table from aluminum and formica in black and silver color by Raul Barbieri for Ycami 1990s, Italy. A gorgeous wheel supported bar cart and sofa table in one piece, this adjustable bar cart...
Aluminum
1980s Postmodern Curvaceous Aluminum Bilevel Bar Cart Attributed to Woodard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This 1980s Postmodern Curvaceous Bilevel Bar Cart is a unique and stylish addition to any home bar or entertaining space. Designed and attributed to Woodard, this bar cart features a...
Aluminum
Postmodern Italian Glass and Metal Bar Cart from Metalnova, 1980s
By Metalnova
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern bar cart from the 1980s by the Italian manufacturer Metalnova. The design impresses with its clear geometry and themes of transparency ...
Metal
Postmodern Perforated Metal Serving Bar Trolley, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Perforated Metal Serving Bar Trolley, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Metal Styles: Memphis, Postmodern Color: B...
Metal
Italian Convertible Bar Cart / Coffee Table, Raul Barbieri for Ycami, 1990
By Raul Barbieri, Ycami Collection
Located in Chicago, IL
Italian Convertible Trolley / Coffee Table, Raul Barbieri for Ycami, 1990 Main image shows the 1 single cart in its 2 forms, bar cart and coffee table this is not 2 pieces of furniture.
Wood
Postmodern Trolley, Memphis Style, Quaderna Pattern, Italy 1980s
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Black White Postmodern Serving Trolley with Quaderna Pattern. In a minimalist, efficient style typical of 80s design, this serving trolley has a highly graphic silhouette. In blac...
Metal, Steel
$20,416 / item
Baron Cart by Studio Caramel
Located in Geneve, CH
Baron Cart by Studio Caramel Dimensions: W 62 x D 89 x H 95 cm. Materials: Natural walnut or ebony, steel, solid brass. Studio Caramel is a contemporary furniture design studio co-f...
Steel, Brass
Italian Memphis Style Two Tiered Rolling Bar Cart with Black Frame and Glass Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Memphis style two tiered rolling bar cart with black metal frame, lacquered wood lower shelf and glass top shelf. In original condition with visible wear consistent with its ...
Metal
Post-Modern Memphis Style Italian Aluminum Frame Bar Cart
By Philippe Starck, Mario Botta, Mario Bellini, Ettore Sottsass
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful example of Italian Post-Modern Memphis design, circa 1980s. Versatile piece on casters that can be used as tea, bar or serving serving cart. The piece is made of wood with ...
Aluminum
$27,499 / item
Regalia Cart by Studio Caramel
Located in Geneve, CH
Regalia Cart by Studio Caramel Dimensions: W 55 x D 89 x H 89 cm. Materials: Natural walnut, steel, glass, genuine leather, solid brass. Studio Caramel is a contemporary furniture d...
Brass, Steel
Postmodern Bar Trolley from Ligne Roset, 1980s
By Ligne Roset
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mobile side table from the renowned manufacturer Ligne Roset. A postmodern design in wood and aluminum. Ideal as a mobile side table or home bar. The two shelves are carried out in ...
Metal
Gilles Derain, bar trolley for Lumen, 1980
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
Bar trolley by Gilles Derain in black lacquered iron in two levels, each with a transparent glass pane.
Iron
$10,797 / item
Natural Walnut SCP Cart by Studio Caramel
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Walnut SCP Cart by Studio Caramel Dimensions: W 60 x D 75 x H 100 cm. Materials: Natural walnut, steel, solid brass, stone. Studio Caramel is a contemporary furniture design...
Stone, Brass, Steel
$2,400
Chrome Bar Cart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an amazing post-modern chrome and glass rolling bar cart or console.
Chrome
$7,630 / item
Trink Teak Bar Cart by Kann Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Trink Teak Bar Cart by Kann Design Dimensions: D 54 x W 100 x H 75 cm. Materials: Steel frame, teak solid wood, wood veneer, rubber wheel, aluminium. With the Trink bar cart, the tw...
Aluminum, Steel
Postmodern Franco Raggi for Fontana Arte Drinks Trolley / Bar Cart, Circa 1980s
Located in Peabody, MA
A postmodern drinks trolley by the Milanese designer Franco Raggi for Fontana Arte, circa 1980s.
Glass, Acrylic
French Nickeled Bronze Glass Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
1940s French bronze and glass bar cart with nickel finish and on casters.
Bronze
$15,380 / item
Ejes Bar Table by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Ejes bar table by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 250 x W 55 x H 70 cm Materials: oak wood, stainless steel. Bar table made of white oak, stainless steel, electro-painted steel ...
Steel
$17,904 / item
Sanayi313 Serving Bar Cart by Sanayi 313
Located in Geneve, CH
Sanayi313 serving bar cart by Sanayi 313 Unique Piece Dimensions: W 77 x D 46 x H 82 cm Materials: Ash Veener, Bronze Wine Rack and Wheel, Bronze D...
Bronze
$9,749 / item
Powder Coated Steel Glazed Cart by Studio Caramel
Located in Geneve, CH
Powder Coated Steel Glazed Cart by Studio Caramel Dimensions: W 48 x D 71 x H 90 cm. Materials: Powder coated steel, satin-finished solid brass. Studio Caramel is a contemporary fur...
Brass, Steel
Postmodern Glass Service Trolley or Side Table
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Glass Service Trolley or Side Table, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 Additional information: Materials: Glass, Metal Color: Black Styles: Memphis, Postmode...
Metal
Vintage Italian Postmodern Model Bobo Trolley for Magis, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Rarely side table on roles from Magis according to a design by Boccato, Gigante and Zambusi Archetti from the 80s. A postmodern design in typical coloring. In a foldable frame made ...
Metal
1980's Postmodern Iron & Glass Wine Rack with Table Top
By Paul McCobb
Located in San Diego, CA
Versatile wine rack , glass holder with thick glass top excellent piece for any kitchen simple elegant with black enameled finish.
Iron
$15,404 / item
Pivot Bar Standing Bar by Studio Caramel
Located in Geneve, CH
Pivot Bar Standing Bar by Studio Caramel Dimensions: W 60 x D 140 x H 109 cm. Materials: Lacquered wood and powder coated steel. Studio Caramel is a contemporary furniture design st...
Steel
$12,892 / item
Natural Walnut Highliner Cart by Studio Caramel
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Walnut Highliner Cart by Studio Caramel Dimensions: W 47 x D 84 x H 69 cm. Materials: Natural walnut or french oak, steel, lacquered wheel. Studio Caramel is a contemporary ...
Walnut
$13,833 / item
Bistrot Bar Cart by Studio Caramel
Located in Geneve, CH
Bistrot Bar Cabinet by Studio Caramel Dimensions: W 45 x D 96.5 x H 80 cm. Materials: Natural walnut, steel, solid brass. Studio Caramel is a contemporary furniture design studio co...
Brass, Steel
Italian post-modern cart black laminate shelves and green metal structure 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post-modern cart black laminate shelves and green metal structure 1980s Trolley with two shelves in black laminate with light wood profiles. The sup...
Metal
Postmodern Serving Cart Fontana Arte Style with Three Glass Shelves, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This serving cart features a chrome-plated steel frame and three glass shelves, which can be used as trays. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show sligh...
Steel
Gilles Derain Black Metal and Glass Trolley for Lumen circa 1980, France .
Located in Brussels, BE
Rare trolley designed by Gilles Derain for Lumen Center, circa 1980, Italy. Black lacquered steel frame and clear glass. Dimensions: 125 cm W, 50 cm D, 69 cm H. Good original conditi...
Metal
American post modern cart in steel, 1990s
Located in MIlano, IT
American post modern cart in steel, 1990s Cart wit three shelves made of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal steel rods. The trolley structure is composed of four metal tubes and four...
Metal, Steel
$7,392 / item
Natural Walnut HOB Cart by Studio Caramel
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Walnut HOB Cart by Studio Caramel Dimensions: W 42 x D 60 x H 70 cm. Materials: Natural walnut, plywood, steel. Available in multiple finishes. Studio Caramel is a contem...
Walnut, Plywood
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Cart with Wheels in Metal and Glass Italian Manufacture 70s
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Cubic-shaped cart with wheels with frame realized in metal which present a circular void on each side, the top and the bottom of the cart has realized in glass. The cart was design...
Metal