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.
J. Wade Beam Postmodern Black Marbleized Console Table w/Matching Round Mirror
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A monumental and highly sculptural postmodern console table with matching round mirror by acclaimed American designer J. Wade Beam, created in the 1980s. Renowned for his bold geomet...
Fiberglass, Lacquer
Modernist Antiqued Reeded Glass & Mirror Console Table by John Himmel, Canada
By Himmel Galleries
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking modernist console table designed and manufactured by John Himmel in Montreal, Canada, this piece exemplifies refined craftsmanship and architectural clarity. The console ...
Mirror, Wood
Vintage Cream Marble Console Table
Located in Denver, CO
1970’s - 80’s Post Modern Believed to be American-made when similar items were being imported from Italy. Double chamfer table top. Solid marb...
Marble, Stone
$3,800 / item
Jarvits Arched Console Table in Espresso Walnut
Located in New York, US
The minimal, stylistic arches of Jarvits Consoles give it a sculptured appearance, transforming it into both an artistic accent and a functional table ...
Wood, Walnut
1980's Post Modern Raspberry Waterfall Console
Located in Redding, CT
1980's Post Modern Raspberry Waterfall Console. Heavy well made console table in a deep rich raspberry color. Hard to find. Use in an entry way or in a dining room as a server.
Laminate, Wood
$4,850 / item
Empat Arched Console Table Hunter Green
Located in New York, US
Elegant, deep detailing gives the Empat console table a sculptured appearance that makes it an artistic accent as well as a functional table. Its graceful arches add interest without...
Resin, Plywood
Postmodern Faux Marble Lacquered Console Table Circa 1970s
Located in Peabody, MA
A dazzling 1970s postmodern console in lavender lacquer with hand finished faux marbling.
Wood
Kaizo Oto for Dia Postmodern Memphis Style Console Table
By Kaizo Oto, Design Institute America
Located in Miami, FL
Steel, brass, chrome and glass console table in the Memphis style by Kaizo Oto for Design Institute of America. Glass is 3/4”.
Steel, Chrome
Klein Blue Silk Matt Lacquer Paint, Klavelle Console By OMER OZTURK
Located in Geneve, CH
Klein Blue Silk Matt Lacquer Paint, Klavelle Console By OMER OZTURK Dimensions: W 150 x D 45 x H 95 cm. Materials: Boucle Fabric Light Brown Natural Oak Wood, Gold Spheres. About: D...
Lacquer
A 1970s, lacquered wood, mirrored glass and brass, Italian console table
Located in Oxford, GB
This is a unique piece of furniture designed in the late 1970s for a boutique in Milan . Exeptional quality, the legs are turned wood , lacquered in an eau de nil colour and capped ...
Brass
Tessellated Stone Console
Located in Denton, TX
Black & grey tessellated stone console table with glass top. Base measures 24.63 L x 11 D x 26.13 H.
Stone
$1,380Sale Price|25% Off
Post Modern 1980's Laminated Turquoise Waterfall Console Table by Jeffrey Craig
Located in Toronto, CA
This 1980s turquoise laminated waterfall console table is a striking example of postmodern design by Jeffrey Craig, a distinguished Canadian designer known for his craftsmanship and ...
Laminate, Wood
Harrison Van Horn Lacquered Raffia Belly Console Table
Located in Round Top, TX
Harrison Van Horn "belly" console table in lacquered raffia and brass in deep, dark espresso brown with unlacquered brass trim. Uncommon piece and always desirable in size, quality,...
Brass
Postmodern steel console table with spiral squiggle design USA 1980s / 1990s
Located in Hastings, GB
Stylish skinny postmodern steel console table with spiral squiggle design. USA 1980s/ 90s. Some wear to surface on right hand side (see video) Dimensions: width 120.5cm, depth 30.5c...
Steel
Postmodern 1980s Art Deco Revival Style Console/ Entry Table. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern 1980s Art Deco Revival Style Console/ Entry Table. Circa 1980s Features two Art Deco-inspired soft pink columns supporting a 5/8" thick removable glass top. In e...
Glass, Plaster, Wood
Ioro Unique Console in Travertine Stone & Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Ioro Unique Console in Travertine Stone & Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 30 x W 120 x H 90 cm. Materials: Travertine an...
Travertine, Steel
Post Modern Italian Travertine Console Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Crafted in Italy during the 1980s, this Post Modern console table features clean, architectural lines in natural travertine. The elongated to...
Travertine
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Memphis Pedestal Console Entryway Table
By Gaetano Pesce, Mario Bellini, Kazuhide Takahama, Ettore Sottsass, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Striking vintage console table featuring a bold Postmodern silhouette and dramatic charcoal and light grey geometric pattern throughout. This piece showcases exceptional visual depth...
Wood
Postmodern Mosaic Top Console Table with Patinated Iron Base. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Modern Mosaic Top Console Table. Circa 1980s Features a patinated iron base with a mosaic top. In excellent, near mint original condition with very minor signs of wear and...
Iron
$46,956 / item
Pop Story Console Table by Vetralia
Located in Geneve, CH
Pop Story Console Table by Vetralia Designed by Leo De Carlo Dimensions: W 180 x D 42 x H 90 cm Materials: Engraved coloured matt mirror, silver leaf coated wood. VETRALIA Function...
Mirror, Wood
Postmodern Pedestal Console Table
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Postmodern Pedestal Console Table This console measures: 52 wide x 16 deep x 26.25 inches high About Photos: We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as much deta...
Wood
Stone Bronze Settanta Oval Console Table with Steel Frame by Disain1971
Located in Geneve, CH
Stone Bronze Settanta Oval Console Table with Steel Frame by Disain1971 Dimensions: W 160 x D 45 x H 75 cm Materials: Dark brown steel plate frame /...
Steel
Post Modern Bleached Oak and Tinted Glass Console Table by Lou Hodges c. 1980's
By Lou Hodges
Located in New York, NY
Chic Post Modern console table designed by Lou Hodges, circa 1980's. The table is constructed of solid oak in original bleached finish, with a beveled and tinted glass insert panel t...
Smoked Glass, Oak
Sculptural Sirene Console in Wood by Tomasz Omachel Studio & Palucki Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Coffee Table by Tomasz Omachel Studio & Palucki Studio Dimensions: L 125 × W 39 × H 92.5 cm Materials: Solid ash, natural goat parchment, bronze (foot) Colours: Smoked wood...
Bronze
Pacific Green "Mendi" Hall Table, 2000s
Located in Coronado, CA
A charming and incredibly versatile "hall" table or petite console made by Pacific Green Furniture. The table features 100-year-old palm wood construction with leather accents. The t...
Iron
$1,100Sale Price|50% Off
Post Modern 1980s artistic Painted narrow forced perspective console table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Post Modern artistic forced perspective design softly painted light pink and off white splatters with narrow console table. Would make a great entry way hallway or sofa t...
Wood, Paint
$1,350 / item
Object 057 Console Table by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 057 console table by NG Design. Dimensions: D 90x W 20 x H 90 cm. Materials: powder coated steel, marble Nero Marquina Also available: all of objects available in different ...
Marble, Steel
Maitland Smith Tesselated Stone Bronze Ribbon Console Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Elegant and graceful console table crafted from a veneer tesselated stone in the form of an elongated infinity ring with folded ribbon ends. The post modern design has a bold presenc...
Stone, Bronze
Mid Century Post Modern Studio Patchwork Console Table & Wall Mirror or Vanity
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Studio made one of one. Constructed of heavy assorted mixed woods in a patchwork design. Mirror measures 37 x 29 inches. Table 19.5 x 51.5 x 30 inches. Very good ready to use condit...
Mirror, Wood
Ettore Sottsass Montenegro Carrara Marble & Granite Console for Ultima Edizione
By Ultima Edizione, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Almelo, NL
Ettore Sottsass Montenegro Carrara Marble & Granite Console for Ultima Edizione 1980s The Montenegro console table, created by Ettore Sottsass in...
Granite, Carrara Marble
$8,917 / item
Small Ita Console Table by Estudio Prosa
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Ita Console Table by Estudio Prosa Dimensions: W 120 x D 35 x H 20 cm Materials: Wood. Available in Cedro Arana, Jequitiba, Muiracatiara, or Cumaru wood options. Please contac...
Wood
Mastercraft Console Table Designed By William Doezema
By Mastercraft, William Doezema
Located in Houston, TX
Mastercraft Console Table Designed By William Doezema. Offered is a shapely black lacquer and brass console table desgined by William Doezema for Mastercraft in the 1980's. This time...
Brass
$627 / item
Object 015 Console Table by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 015 console table by NG Design Dimensions: D75 x W20 x H75 cm Materials: Powder coated steel. Also available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on de...
Steel
Mutation Console – Contemporary Sculptural Design in Blackened Brass by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Mutation Console – Contemporary Sculptural Design in Blackened Brass by Misaya Dimensions: W 118 x D 44 x H 80 cm Materials: Brass Also available: Different colors (gold, polished b...
Brass
$4,334 / item
Unique Console Table by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique console table by Goons Dimensions: W 120 x D 27 x H 74 cm Materials: Wood Dimensions can be adjusted +/- 10 cm Goons is located in Paris, France. All of their designs are ma...
Wood
A POST-MODERN Lacquered CONSOLE Table, ALDO TURA, ROCHE & BOBOIS, France 1970
By Roche Bobois
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and luxurious console table with 2 trays, of Japanese inspiration, Post-Modern, Memphis, Constructivist, sophisticated geometric structure in lacquered wood, two separate ...
Wood, Lacquer
Calligraphic Sculpted Console Table in Black Painted Brass by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Calligraphic Sculpted Console Table in Black Painted Brass by Misaya Dimensions: W 137 x L 39 x H 75 cm Materials: Brass Hand-sculpted brass console. Available in different brass fi...
Brass
A postmodern lacquered console table with gold detail, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
An art deco style postmodern lacquered console table with gold edge, circa 1980. Attributed to Karl Springer, this piece borrows heavily from the Art Deco movement whilst holding fir...
Acrylic, Wood, Lacquer
Console Table Design Calligaris Mod. Modì 90s Vintage Contemporary
By Calligaris
Located in Taranto, IT
Console Table Design Calligaris Mod. Fashion 90s Vintage. The item is in good conservative condition, present some signs of time due to use and age . (Please see photos) Height 84...
Wood
Goatskin Long Chic Lacquered Console Table with Chrome Base Karl Springer Style
Located in Bensalem, PA
Amazing console circa 1980s lacquer over goat skin with chrome surrounds in the manner of Karl Springer
Goatskin, Fiberglass, Lacquer
Tessellated Fossil Stone Console or Altar Table in the Manner of Mailtand Smith
By Maitland Smith, Karl Springer
Located in Peabody, MA
A post modern console of tessellated fossil stone with brass accents, in the manner of Karl Springer or Mailtand Smith, ca. 1980s.
Stone, Brass
Sculptural Hollywood Palm Regency Entry Hall Console Table Tropical Banana Leaf
By Dorthy Draper, Serge Roche
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Fabulous Hollywood Palm Regency console sofa table featuring a tropical banana leaf design. This dramatic sculptural table has a matte cream/white finish with a removable beveled cle...
Composition
$8,497 / item
Dark Green Lazy-O Console by Somaschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Dark Green Lazy-O Console by Somaschini Dimensions: W 150 x D 35 x H 75 cm Materials: Lightened mdf monolithic structure. Console in N.115 Dark green lacquered high gloss finish Ab...
Lacquer
Customizable Luxury Giraffe Console Table with Granite Top - Made in England
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
The Giraffe console table is made to order with a powder-coated steel frame and a natural granite stone top. This luxury console has been designed to be geometric and compact with be...
Granite, Steel
$43,640 / item
Credenza Console by Studio Boheme
Located in Geneve, CH
Credenza console by Studio Boheme Gardenia collection Dimensions: W 238.7, D 44.9, H 71.4 cm Materials: Birch plywood Knobs: Black powder/brushed br...
Brass
$1,350 / item
Object 096 Console Table by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 096 Console Table by NG Design Dimensions: W 100 x D 27 x H 90 cm Materials: Powder-Coated Steel Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on...
Steel
$1,240 / item
Metropolis Console by Mati Sipiora
Located in Geneve, CH
Metropolis Console by Mati Sipiora Dimensions: D 42 x W 94 x H 90 cm Materials: Steel. Finish: Glossy Powder Coating Paint. Weight: 16 KG Max Capacity: ...
Steel
$8,751 / item
Orta Bridge Console Table by NITUSH AROOSH
Located in Geneve, CH
Orta Bridge Console Table by NITUSH AROOSH Dimensions: D 40 x W 135 x H 100 cm. Materials: Stainless steel and tinted glass. Available in different finishes. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA it will be wired for the USA for instance. Please contact us. Aroosh and Nitush Mahipal, the creative minds behind Nitush-Aroosh, were born and raised in New Delhi, India, amidst a vibrant cultural and artistic milieu. Their parents instilled in them a love of beauty and creativity from a young age, and they were fortunate to travel extensively to different parts of the world, where they were exposed to diverse forms of art, design, and architecture. From childhood, Aroosh and Nitush were captivated by the stainless steel available at their family’s factory, spending countless hours creating their toys and honing their skills. This fascination laid the foundation for their future design and art endeavors, eventually leading to the birth of Nitush-Aroosh. The Mahipal brothers use innovative techniques to create a crumbled effect on stainless steel, resulting in sculptural pieces that appear to be made of a different material altogether. Their sculptural objects, including furniture, lights, sculptures, and wall installations, are carefully crafted to invite the viewers to embark on self-discovery and introspection. The Mahipal brother’s maiden international art exhibition at the Marbella Art...
Stainless Steel
Post Modern Pink Plaster Sculptural Console Table, 1980
Located in Chicago, IL
Post Modern Pink Plaster Sculptural Console Table, 1980. Original in beautiful condition.
Plaster
Vintage Karl Springer Style Faux Goatskin Console Table With Mirror Set
Located in West Chester, PA
A high quality Karl Springer style console table and mirror set with the original tri color goatskin faux finish. Circa late 20th century and unsigned. Mirror measures 45.25”w x 39....
Mirror, Wood, Lacquer
Scandinavian Post Modern Sofa Console Table Marble Top Bendixen Designs Denmark
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous Late 20th Century Scandinavian Modern to Postmodern end or side table comprised of a rectangular shaped gray & black Gneiss or marble top with an eased edge & quarte...
Marble
Yoma Console by Andy Kerstens, Bleached European Oak & Brass, Belgium
Located in Geneve, CH
Yoma Console by Andy Kerstens. Limited Edition of 20 Dimensions: W 255 x D 70 x H 100 cm Materials: Wood bleached and brushed European oak, solid + ve...
Stone, Metal
Pencil Reed Console Table Circa 1980s
Located in Peabody, MA
A post modern art deco style console table in wide pencil reed molding, ca. 1980s.
Reed, Glass
A RADICAL POSTMODERN COFFEE TABLE by GUY LEFEVRE for MAISON JANSEN, France 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A beautiful, elegant and rigorous coffee table, Post-Modernist, Radical, Constructivist, Shabby-Chic, geometric structure in brushed stainless steel, with an additional shelve, with ...
Metal, Brass
Bespoke Spruce Wood Console Table with Columns, Italy, circa 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
Bespoke monumental console table from spruce wood, produced circa 1980 Dimensions are 70.5" x 30.7" (height) x 15.35" This bespoke large spruce wood console table from Italy is a true work of art. The formal aspect of the table is highlighted by its resemblance to a portico, with its antique...
Wood, Spruce
Mid-Century Post Modern Large Wall Mirror or Console Table Shelf by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large, rare and impressive wall mirror designed by Jay Spectre in the 1980's. It consists of a faux marble finish on wood with a very large round mirror. Frame could easily be pain...
Mirror, Wood
Custom Post Modern Console Table with Column Bases and Sphere Detail
By Jhon Ortiz, The Tailored Home
Located in Greenwich, CT
A bold, graphic console table defined by its contrast of forms. An elongated, softly rounded top rests over two lacquered column bases, each capped with a cluster of oversized orb de...
Metal, Aluminum
Hand Painted Faux Malachite Console / Desk, Alessandro, Baker, 1980's
By Baker Furniture Company, Alessandro Gambrielli
Located in Culver City, CA
This rare desk / console was designed by European designer and artist Alessandro Gambalogna, known simply as “Alessandro,” for Baker Furniture in the 1980s ~ and she is not your stan...
Malachite
Bamboo Console Table Red Formica Desk Postmodern, Italy
By Memphis Group, Archizoom Associati, Andrea Branzi
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Red (oxblood red) Formica bamboo desk, Italy, circa 1985 Dimensions are: 55.12" x 29.92 x 15.74". A Postmodern desk or console table, perfect and stylish, comprised of for...
Bamboo, Formica
Postmodern console/table in thick transparent plexiglass glass top, 1980
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Thick transparent plexiglass console table with glass top, 1980. Elegant and minimalist, this console table is distinguished by its remarkably thick plexiglass frame, which lends sta...
Glass, Plexiglass