Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
POSTMODERN STYLE
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
- Emerges during the 1960s; popularity explodes during the ’80s
- A reaction to prevailing conventions of modernism by mainly American architects
- Architect Robert Venturi critiques modern architecture in his Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (1966)
- Theorist Charles Jencks, who championed architecture filled with allusions and cultural references, writes The Language of Post-Modern Architecture (1977)
- Italian design collective the Memphis Group, also known as Memphis Milano, meets for the first time (1980)
- Memphis collective debuts more than 50 objects and furnishings at Salone del Milano (1981)
- Interest in style declines, minimalism gains steam
CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
- Dizzying graphic patterns and an emphasis on loud, off-the-wall colors
- Use of plastic and laminates, glass, metal and marble; lacquered and painted wood
- Unconventional proportions and abundant ornamentation
- Playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art
POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
- Ettore Sottsass
- Robert Venturi
- Alessandro Mendini
- Michele de Lucchi
- Michael Graves
- Nathalie du Pasquier
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.
Style: Post-Modern
Color: Beige
1980 Lacquer Coffee Table in the style of Karl Springer
Located in Staten Island, NY
Lacquer coffee table with faux goatskin finished, circa 1980.
Custom made by the original owner, condition consistent with age
Category
1980s Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Lacquer
Blackwood Bellini Coffee Table by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Blackwood Bellini Coffee Table by Coco Flip
Dimensions: D 126 x W 66 x H 32 cm
Materials: Timber / Stone tops, Powder-coated steel frame.
Weight: 20kg
Frame Finishes: Textura Paperb...
Category
2010s Australian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Stone, Steel
Jean Claude Dresse Pair of Coffee Tables in Resin with Bone Inlay
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, pair of coffee tables, resin, bone, lacquered steel, circa 1970
This eccentric coffee table is a design by the hand of Belgian designer Jean Claude Dresse. Obser...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Steel
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Resin with Bone Inlay
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, resin, bone inlay, lacquered steel, Belgium, circa 1973
A luxurious coffee table crafted with high attention for detail which is characteristic for...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Steel
Vintage postmodern American grasscloth triangle coffee table, 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Postmodern grasscloth triangular coffee table, USA 1980s. Made from a heavyweight fiberglass material, with a grasscloth.
Dimensions: width 104cm, depth 55cm, height 41cm
Category
1980s American Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Grasscloth, Fiberglass
Magnussen Ponte Mactan Stone or Fossil Stone Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Rare and very nice coffee or side table by Magnussen Ponte, 1980's.
This stunning table is made of rough edged brick motif Mactan stone or Fossil Stone.
We work with professional p...
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
Vintage Italian Travertine Coffee Table with Live Edge, by Stone International
Located in St Louis Park, MN
Vintage Italian travertine coffee table with live edge detail. Made by Stone International Italy, this Italian travertine is of the highest quality. This table has stunning natural m...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble
Stone International Parsons Natural Travertine Square Coffee Table Italy 1980s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Likely designed and manufactured by Stone International in Italy circa 1980s, this natural travertine coffee table has an amazing prese...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
Italian Travertine Coffee Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Solid Italian travertine coffee table with large beveled edge.
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
1980s Postmodern Mactan Coffee Table by Magnussen Ponte
Located in Miami, FL
The 1980s Postmodern Mactan Coffee Table, designed by Magnussen Ponte, is a distinct piece of furniture. Its eye-catching design is sure to make a ...
Category
20th Century European Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Stone
Postmodern Beige and Pink Tessellated Stone Coffee Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your space with the exceptional vintage postmodern coffee table. This table features a polished beige stone surface with a stunning pink stone border, creating a unique and c...
Category
1990s Philippine Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Stone
1970s Up and Up Travertine Coffee Table - Set of 2
Located in Chicago, IL
Such a good design. Two triangles that form a square 39” by 39”. The taller triangle is 16” in height and the shorter is 13”. Place them as you like.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine, Marble
Vintage Lucite Waterfall Small Coffee Table with Laminate Top
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage lucite waterfall coffee table with a laminate top, circa 1970-80's.
Chic little table with a high quality lucite base and lower shelf with a faux monolith slab top in a vibr...
Category
1980s Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Composition
Modern to Postmodern Coffee Table Travertine Hexagon Base Glass Rectangle Top
By Artedi
Located in Topeka, KS
Lovely vintage Modern to Postmodern Italian coffee table comprised of a hexagon shaped travertine pedestal base, rectangular chrome tub...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine, Metal
Mactan Stone or Fossil Stone Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very nice and rare coffee or side table, 1980s.
This stunning table is made of rough edged brick motif Mactan stone or Fossil stone.
The weight is around 15 kg (55 lbs).
We wo...
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Stone
Post Modern Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Coffee Table
Located in Clermont, FL
Tessellated stone low profile coffee table by Maitland Smith. The company's tessellated stone furniture pieces are known for their durability, beauty, and unique character.
This particular piece table top is bordered by coral tile...
Category
1980s American Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Stone
Post Modern Two Part Onyx Marble and Chrome Coffee Table
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Two part Onyx Marble post modern coffee table set atop chrome cylindrical legs. While marble typically produces a sense of heaviness and weight, this Post Modern marble coffee table seems to float with a sense of lightness. Rich marble grain the sort famed Designer Kelly Wearstler would be drawn to. The grain is a symphony of beautiful hues of ivory, taupe, gray and pink. The illusion of ripples. Of Movement. Playful in its design, position the two parts in any way that best compliments your space. Versatile in use, reposition the two parts for a new and fresh look anytime. Lots of ways to show off this onyx marble coffee table and make it work for you. Section measurements below. Ready to ship. Want to see more beautiful things? Scroll down below and click "View All From Seller" or favorite our shop to get your 1stDibs on our new inventory.
Photographed along with and also currently available in our shop:
Vladimir Kagan Post Modern Marilyn Sofa...
Category
1990s American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Chrome
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.
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
1980s, Postmodern Channeled Travertine Coffee Table on Wheels
Located in Chicago, IL
Absolutely stunning table in impeccable vintage condition. I love that it’s on wheels!! Making this table easily moveable but because of its weight ...
Category
1980s Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Limestone, Travertine, Marble
Hand-Sculpted Contemporary Crystal Table
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-sculpted contemporary crystal table
Crystal table
Handcrafted decor made from crystal
Measures: W 90 x H 90 x D 44.5 cm
Hand-sculpted in crystal and glass
A versatile table for the living room. Playfully and uniquely designed with pure geometric forms and three legs, the table fits right in whether placed next to the couch or the lounge chair. Use in pair with the smaller crystal table...
Category
2010s Danish Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Crystal
Coffee Table by Studiopepe
Located in Geneve, CH
Coffee table by Studiopepe
Dimensions: D 90 x H 23 cm
Materials: Onyx
Multifaceted design agency Studiopepe was founded in Milan in 2006. Eclectic, voguish, it is the
brainchil...
Category
2010s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Onyx
Blocks Coffee Table
Located in Mérida, MX
The blocks coffee table was inspired by the construction context in Mexico, a reinterpretation of an authentic multitask table by Mexican workers: cast blocks and a multi-material top. These pieces are hand carved by artisans from the region in mexican stones...
Category
2010s Mexican Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Stone
Puvvi Foyer Table by Studio Lel
Located in Geneve, CH
Puvvi foyer table by Studio Lel
Dimensions: D 91.5x H 91.5 x H 76 cm.
Materials: lapis lazuli, onyx, marble, brass.
From the Urdu word for the chrysan...
Category
2010s Pakistani Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Marble, Brass
Vintage Monumental Postmodern Textured Metal Coffee Table
Located in west palm beach, FL
A fantastic monumental vintage coffee table. A chic PostModern design with a textured finish over metal. Thick glass top rests on the frame. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Category
Late 20th Century North American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Metal
Champa Nesting Tables by Studio Lel
Located in Geneve, CH
Champa nesting tables by Studio Lel
Dimensions: Large:D 122 x W 92 x H 41 cm; Small: D 76 x W 61 x H 33 cm
Materials: Serpentine, onyx, marble, metal.
These are handmade from se...
Category
2010s Pakistani Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Onyx, Marble, Serpentine, Metal
Brass Coffee Table, Galaxy, Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass coffee table - Galaxy - Misaya by Misaya
Dimensions: W 48 x L 45 x H 43 cm
Hand-sculpted brass table.
Category
2010s Thai Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
Travertine Table Side Table / Coffee Table, Travertine, 1970s, Italy
Located in London, England
Side table / coffee table, travertine, 1970s, Italy. Travertine side table with a square top with rounded corners and a block-shaped base, H.45cm, W.70cm, D.70cm.
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
Bubble Gum Accent Table, Onyx Marble Top, Hand made in UAE
By Design Kraft
Located in دبى, DU
A tall accent table comprised of 3 custom-made aluminum spheres
arranged in playful, gravity defying manner & painted in vibrant
colors. The compos...
Category
2010s Emirian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble, Steel, Nickel
Luten, Clary, Stern, Inc. High Style Fossil Stone and Satin Brass
Located in New York, NY
American High Style (circa 1980) rectangular coffee / cocktail table with a natural fossil stone top and a satin brass frame. (Luten, Clary, Stern, INC.)
Category
20th Century American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Stone, Metal, Brass
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.
This stunning table is made of rough edged brick motif Mactan stone or Fossil stone.
The weight is around 25 kg (55 lbs...
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
1980's Custom Faux Stone Sculptural Base Coffee Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
Unique custom post-modern faux stone sculptural base coffee table.
The base is three independent pieces, each identical but intended to sit on differing angles lending depth and an...
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass, Resin, Laminate
Plaster Coffee Table Post Modern Grey, Pink, White, 1970
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern gray, pink, & white Plaster Coffee Table, 1970. Original
Category
1970s American Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Plaster
1980s Postmodern Faux Marble Resin Handcrafted Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Late 20th Century Postmodern Faux Marble Resin coffee / cocktail table. Circa 1980s
Probably one of a kind, this handcrafted coffee or cocktail table features a green-yellowish tone...
Category
1980s American Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Resin
1980s Postmodern Italian Travertine Coffee Table by Stone Intentional, Italy
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern Italian Travertine coffee table by Stone Intentional Italy. Circa 1980s.
Features a nicely curved border at edges and a gorgeous natural grain.
Top removes for e...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
Magnussen Ponte Mactan Stone or Fossil Stone Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very rare coffee or side table by Magnussen Ponte, 1980's.
The stunning table base is made of Mactan stone or Fossil Stone.
It has a facetted glass plate.
Category
1980s Unknown Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
Time-Space Portal Table in Peach Kiln Cast Glass by Neal Aronowitz Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Time/space portal coffee table in Peach Kiln Cast Glass by Neal Aronowitz Design
Dimensions: D 167.7 x W 63.5 x H 45.7 cm
Materials: peach colore...
Category
2010s American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Glass
Mid-Century Italian Marble Coffee Cocktail Table
Located in Saint Paul, MN
A lovely minimalist Italian modern travertine marble cocktail table circa 1970s-80s. This stunning square table top with beveled edge features shades of white and cream veining with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble
Postmodern Chrome Glass and Lacquered Legs Karl Springer Coffee Table
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
From Le Shoppe Too in Michigan comes this simply stunning, this large scale coffee table by Karl Springer, a foremost name in postmodern and modern design. The table consists of a la...
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Chrome
1980s Italian Postmodern Modular Coffee and Nesting Tables, in Travertine
Located in Boynton Beach, FL
Gorgeous set of modular travertine tables. Authentic Italian design and marble from the late 20th century. Travertine has beautiful figures and veining throughout.
Three separate...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine, Marble
Large Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Resin Inlayed with Agate
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, cocktail table, resin, steel and agate, Belgium, 1970s.
This luxurious and artistic resin center table is a design by the hand of Belgian designer Jean Claude Dr...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Agate, Steel
Italian Post-Modern Travertine Side, Coffee Table, 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Modern Roche Bobois Style Travertine Side or End Table, Italy 1970s
This beautiful post-modern travertine side coffee table, circa the 1970s, has beautiful graining and a pentagonal top. This sculptural travertine side table...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
Italian Post-Modern Two-Piece Oval Parchment and Marble Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Italian Post-Modern oval coffee table in two sections with parchment veneer bases supporting beige Breccia Onitiata marble tops.
Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Breccia Marble
Bronze Hollywood Regency Coffee Table by Kouloufi
By Kouloufi
Located in Antwerp, BE
Kouloufi cocktail table, polished bronze, Belgium 1970s
the base is composed of double arches which are connected to each other via two stretchers.
The base supports a thick clea...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Brass
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...
Category
Late 20th Century Brazilian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Carrara Marble
Post-Modern Travertine Side/Coffee Table, Italy, 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
This beautiful post-modern travertine side - coffee table, circa 1970s, has beautiful graining and pentagonal top. This sculptural travertine side table...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
Round 'Upsilon' Coffee Table by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round 'Upsilon' marble and blackened steel coffee table by Design Frères.
Polished round rain forest green veined marble over a heavy m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Marble, Steel
Minimalist Postmodern Coffee Table Att. to Saporiti
By Saporiti
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural coffee table attributed to Saporiti. This sophisticated table is constructed of painted steel, it is square with angle corner legs. Very heavy and well constructed...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Steel
'Don't Jump until You Get to the Style' Coffee Table by Peter Shire, 1989
By Peter Shire
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Large Vintage Coffee Table by Peter Shire, 1989.
Glass Top with Steel and Stainless Steel base with Two Part Polyurethane Paint.
Exact dimensions avail. upon request.
Peter Shir...
Category
1980s American Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Steel, Stainless Steel
American Modern Design Faux Ivory Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
American Modern design rectangular coffee table with faux ivory brick design surface. (from the estate of Pamela Harriman)
Category
20th Century American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Architectural Belgian Coffee Table in Travertine
Located in Tilburg, NL
Large architectural coffee table in travertine, Belgium, 1970’s.
This is a real conversation piece with fantastic proportions and detail. The inlayed travertine is very refined and ...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Materials
Travertine
Post-modern coffee and cocktail tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Post-Modern coffee and cocktail tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage coffee and cocktail tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Post-Modern coffee and cocktail tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, Denmark, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for coffee and cocktail tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $363 and tops out at $117,157 while the average work can sell for $3,490.
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