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.
Bubble Glass Side Table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Bubble Glass Side Table embodies a retro-futuristic fantasy. Inspired by past visions of the future, it draws from mysterious tales of speculative technologies and flying saucers...
Glass
Post Modern Oak and Tinted Glass Coffee Table att. to Lou Hodges for Mersman
By Lou Hodges, Mersman
Located in New York, NY
Classic mid century, postmodern coffee table design attributed to Lou Hodges, for Mersman, circa 1970's. The table features it's original tinted glass top, which rests in the solid ...
Glass, Oak
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
1970's Glass & Travertine Coffee Table
Located in Bern, CH
1970’s glass topped travertine lounge table. Round glass tabletop set on a two part solid natural stone base. The heavy travertine base is can be set as required to enable changeable...
Travertine
Ado Chale 'Goutte d’Eau' Free-Form Coffee Table in Aluminium
By Ado Chale
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ado Chale, Goutte d’Eau coffee table, cast aluminum, lacquered steel, Belgium, ca. 1977 The Goutte D’Eau coffee table is exemplary for Ado Chale’s exceptional talent in creating int...
Aluminum, Steel
Warren Platner Bronze Coffee Table
By Warren Platner, Knoll
Located in Oakland, CA
Architect Warren Platner bronze finish coffee with a circular glass top. A 1980s production from Knoll. The design consists of an array of bronze finish...
Bronze
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
1980s Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table. Circa 1980s Features a square-shaped top with concave edges and a soft pink color with gorgeous ...
Marble
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
Christopher Guy Lacquered and Gilt Coffee "Harper" Table
Located in Peabody, MA
A coffee table in highly polished lacquer with gilt wood accents from the "Harper" line, by the celebrated British designer Christopher Guy (1960-2020). Displays a fusion of modern m...
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Paolo Piva B&B Italia Alanda 1980s Black Steel Square Glass Coffee Table sofa
By Paolo Piva
Located in London, GB
An iconic design by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, this coffee table made in Italy around the 1980s. This coffee table consists of a geometric black lacquered iron base giving the illus...
Metal
Bernard Vuarnesson early PAR4 coffeetable for Bellato Italy, 1970's.
Located in CASTENRAY, NL
PAR4 modular coffee table by French designer Bernard Vuarnesson for Bellato, Italy 1970's. 4 pull out table tops. light (yellow) Iroko wood frame. Each top has a white or blue side ...
Laminate, Wood
Bubble glass coffee table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Bubble Glass Coffee Table embodies a retro-futuristic fantasy. Inspired by past visions of the future, it draws from mysterious tales of speculative technologies and flying sauce...
Glass
Rei Kawakubo triangular coffee table, for "Comme des Garçons", by Pallucco, 1986
By Rei Kawakubo, Comme des Garçons, Pallucco
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Rei Kawakubo post modern triangular coffee table, for "Comme des Garçons", by Pallucco, 1986 Granite and black metal legs on castors.
Granite, Steel
Italian Post Modern Travertine Triangular Marble 2 Piece Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Italian post-modern cocktail table is crafted from luxurious travertine marble, showcasing two pieces that seamlessly fit together. The timeless design adds a touch of elegance ...
Travertine
2-Piece Up & Up Triangular Nesting Staggered Coffee Tables in Travertine Stone
By Stone International, Up & Up
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in Italy, these were most likely manufactured by Stone International and distributed by retailers like Up&Up and Roche Bobois. This pair was bought from Up&Up by th...
Stone, Travertine, Marble
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
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
Maurizio Salvato Rotating Burlwood Coffee Table for Saporiti Italia, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern rotating coffee table with burl wood lacquered tops and powder-coated burgundy colored steel legs by Maurizio Salvato for Saporiti Italia, 1980s. Taller Table Height: 14....
Metal
Postmodern Design XL Wengé Coffee Table
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Modernist Design XL Wengé Coffee Table in the manner of Axel Vervoordt or Linteloo Designs. Made in Belgium, 1980's / 1990's period. Beautifully constructed low co...
Oak, Wenge
Iron and Brass Cocktail Table
Located in Houston, TX
Iron and brass cocktail table featuring tapered legs with brass feet, flat bar bracing, and glass top.
Metal, Brass
Chi Wing Lo ‘Tiche’ Coffee Table for Giorgetti, Italy, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Chi Wing Lo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and sculptural “Tiche” coffee table designed by Chi Wing Lo for Giorgetti, Italy, circa 1990s. This sophisticated piece exemplifies Giorgetti’s masterful blend of craftsmansh...
Glass, Stained Glass, Fruitwood
Washington Corona Coffee Table by David Adjaye for Knoll, Signed
By Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Washington Corona Coffee Table reflects Sir David Adjaye's architectural and sculptural vision on a new scale. The table is constructed from four die-cast aluminum panels, conn...
Aluminum
J Wade Beam for Brueton Cantilevered Glass and Steel Postmodern Coffee Table
By Brueton
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A J Wade Beam for Brueton cantilevered coffee table. A wonderful postmodern style coffee table with a clean, simple design. A rounded glass table top floats through a polished steel ...
Steel
"Borghèse" Coffee Table, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
The Borghese coffee table, designed by French designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, is a statement piece that seamlessly blends art and functionality. Inspired by the iconic umbrella pin...
Metal
Unique Armand Jonckers Coffee Table in Green Resin and Copper
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Armand Jonckers, coffee table, resin, copper, wood, metal, Belgium, 1984 Gorgeous, custom-made coffee table by Belgian designer Armand Jockers. Every detail of this sculptural table...
Metal, Copper
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Brass Inlayed with Agate
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, brass, lacquered steel and wood, agate, Belgium, 1970s A luxurious square cocktail table, crafted with high attention for detail which is character...
Agate, Brass, Steel
“Murmansk” Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass for Rossi e Arcandi, Italy 1980's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking and sculptural “Murmansk” coffee table designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Rossi e Arcandi, Vicenza, Italy. This impressive piece captures Sottsass’s postmodern mast...
Steel, Nickel
Aequus Coffee Table 285 in Graphite Marble by Brent Lee
Located in Geneve, CH
Aequus Coffee Table 285 in Graphite Marble by Brent Lee. Signed by Brent Lee. Limited Edition of 12. Dimensions: W 285 x D 100 x H 30 cm. Materials: Graphite Marble. Part of the exc...
Marble
Post Modern Enamel and Glass Coffee Table Dated '91 Probably Made in Italy
By Ettore Sottsass, Michael Graves (b.1934)
Located in New York, NY
Intriguing Post Modern, Memphis style coffee table having opposing curved bases, of turquoise and white enameled metal, which support the th...
Metal
1070s Coffee Table Marble Brass Birds Glass Vintage Gold Hollywood Regency
Located in London, GB
This gorgeous coffee table consists of two solid black marble spheres, atop which sits an elegant brass albatross figure. The two orbs hold a rectangular piece of bevelled glass. T...
Marble, Brass
Melancholy Coffee Table by Saturday Yard Work
Located in Geneve, CH
Melancholy Coffee Table by Saturday Yard Work Dimensions: D 60 x W 90 x H 40 cm Materials: Aluminium. SATURDAY YARD WORK by Nathan Martin is a Kaurna/Adelaide-based practice that ai...
Aluminum
Design Institute of America Post Modern Cantilevered Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Black beveled glass with black lacquered wood base cantilevered coffee or cocktail table by Design Institute of America. Signed on the inside of base.
Smoked Glass, Wood
“Calder” Square Coffee Table by Rodolfo Dordoni for Minotti, Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The “Calder” coffee table, designed in 1999 by Rodolfo Dordoni and manufactured in Italy by Minotti, exemplifies Dordoni’s refined approach to modern design, defined by clean lines, ...
Stainless Steel
Post Modern Low Profile Square Coffee Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Big on style but not on size, this petite low profile, Post Modern coffee table is perfect for that small space that needs a unique piece. The rounded square corners and bullet shape...
Wood
Aequus Coffee Table 225 in Graphite Marble by Brent Lee
Located in Geneve, CH
Aequus Coffee Table 225 in Graphite Marble by Brent Lee. Signed by Brent Lee. Limited Edition of 12. Dimensions: W 225 x D 100 x H 30 cm. Materials: Graphite Marble. Part of the exc...
Marble
Solid 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
Armand Jonckers Monumental Engraved Brass Coffee Table
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Armand Jonckers coffee table, brass, France, 1970s This jewel of a coffee table, crafted in brass by Armand Jonckers, embodies the fusion of art and functionality. What immediately ...
Brass
Carved Marble Figure of a Nude Woman Coffee Table Glass Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This carved marble figure of a nude woman coffee table with a glass top is a striking example of functional art that blurs the line between scu...
Marble
Coffee table 'Jarpen' by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea 1983
Located in Herentals, BE
Post Modern white lacquered metal coffee table or side table ' Jarpen' with original transparent glass top.
Metal
Memphis Design Style Coffee Table, circa 1980
By Aldo Rossi, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Memphis Design Style Coffee Table circa 1980 "lacquer finish in glossy black and red" "glass is beveled at the edge" "glass is in very good conditions, some very minor surface ware"...
Glass, Lacquer
Willy Rizzo 'TRG' Circular Yellow Coffee Table
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, TRG (Tavolo Rotondo Girevole) coffee table, lacquered wood, stainless steel, design 1969 The TRG (Tavolo Rotondo Girevole), designed by Willy Rizzo in 1969, is a master...
Stainless Steel
Italian Modern Karl Springer Style Travertine Biomorphic Coffee Table
By Mario Bellini, Romeo Rega, Angelo Mangiarotti, Karl Springer
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Karl Springer Style Travertine Free Form Coffee Table. Beautifully designed Italian Modern travertine free form or amoeba coffee table or cocktail table. This shapely ...
Travertine
Pair of 1970's Italian Traventine Coffee/Side Tables
Located in Bern, CH
Pair of identical 1970’s Travertine Coffee / Side Tables. Marked beneath tabletop: 'Made in Italy'. Solid travertine tabletop and base. Perfect use as side tables, bedside tables or...
Travertine
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
Large Post Modern Coffee Table with Formica Base and Textured Glass Top
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular two tier triangular coffee table, having a glossy black Formica base, with a thick ( 1 in. ) deeply textured plate glass top. The base feat...
Glass, Laminate
1970s Solid Wood Base on Italian Carrara Marble Cocktail Low Table by Lafer
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful 1970s low cocktail, coffee, end table by Percival Laufer, circa 1970s, nice clean condition hard to find. Solid rose wood base with solid Italian Carrara marble. Nice condi...
Carrara Marble
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
Dutch Postmodern Red Side Drinks Table w/Shelf by Erik van Buijtenen for Nebu
By Erik van Buijtenen, Nebu
Located in New York, NY
A Dutch Postmodern red lacquered side drinks table with shelf by designer Erik van Buijtenen for Nebu, circa 1970s, Holland. This Post-Modern / '70s Modern table is round, has a 'Coc...
Composition
Seven Salotti Italian Coffee Table in Brown Leather and Black Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Seven Salotti, coffee table, leather, glass, Italy, 1970s The coffee table by Seven Salotti, Italy, 1970s, is defined by its strict geometric clarity: a low, square form with sharp...
Leather, Glass
Rattan and Glass Waterfall Coffee/Cocktail Table, 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Rattan and Glass Waterfall Coffee Table, 1970s. Great condition. Matching side/end table in separate listing. Measures 15.25” tall 55” long 24” deep
Rattan, Smoked Glass
Porfido Coffee Table by Piero Gilardi for Gufram Limited Edition, 1974
By Memphis Group, Piero Gilardi, Gufram Furniture
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare limited edition table by Piero Gilardi from 1974. This is an early piece numbered 27/500 Measurements are 38 x 26 x 14 inches. Resembling an ancient engraved piece of stone, i...
Polystyrene
Mactan Stone Coffee Table by Magnussen Ponte, 1980s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful coffee table or side table by Magnussen Ponte, 1980s. The beautiful base of the table is made of Mactan stone or Fossil Stone. Faceted glass ...
Stone
Tecton Coffee Table in Red Alabaster by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980
Located in Geneve, CH
Tecton Coffee Table in Red Alabaster by Félix Millory for Monitillo 1980. Limited Edition of 2 Pieces. Dimensions: W 140 x D 140 x H 35 cm. Materials: Alabaster. Please note that wh...
Alabaster
Postmodern Pink Ceramic and Stucco Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Amazing vintage postmodern rectangular beveled glass top coffee table. Feature a white stucco finish with a pink ceramic tile border.
Wood, Ceramic, Glass
‘Strada’ Stone Coffee Table by Giulio Lazzotti for Mageia, 1981
Located in Chicago, IL
The ‘Strada’ coffee table was designed by Italian architect Giulio Lazzotti and produced by Mageia in 1981. The square top, carved from solid stone, is hand-chiseled into a rhythmic ...
Stone, Metal
Vintage coffee table by Roche Bobois, 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage wooden and black glass coffee table by Roche Bobois with storage space and bottle holders. Cool coffee table from the 1980s. 1980s - France Good overall condition with nor...
Glass, Wood
Bubble Glass Coffee Table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Bubble Glass Coffee Table embodies a retro-futuristic fantasy. Inspired by past visions of the future, it draws from mysterious tales of speculative technologies and flying sauce...
Glass
Magnussen Ponte Mactan Stone or Fossil Stone Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice coffee or side table by Magnussen Ponte, 1980's. The stunning table base is made of Mactan stone or Fossil Stone.
Travertine
American Walnut and Glass Sidewinder I Coffee Table by David Tragen
Located in Geneve, CH
American Walnut and Glass Sidewinder I Coffee Table by David Tragen Dimensions: W 135 x D 75 x H 43.5 cm Materials: American Walnut (solid), 10mm toughened glass. Weight: 40 kg. T...
Cherry, Walnut, Glass