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.
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
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
Soft Futurism Lamina Console in Aluminum by Filippo Andrighetto
Located in Geneve, CH
Soft Futurism Lamina Console in Aluminum by Filippo Andrighetto. Dimensions: W 145 x D 40 x H 83 cm. Materials: Gently brushed aluminium. The Lamina console, crafted from laser-cut ...
Aluminum
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
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 Cherry Red
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
$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
$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
Postmodern Italian-Style Black Lacquer Console Table with Wood Inlay
Located in Trenton, NJ
This console table is a compelling example of Postmodern design, characterized by its faceted, geometrically canted tabletop edges and dramatically curved, sculptural legs — a marked...
Wood
$1,600 / set
1970s Modern Console Vanity with Mirror
Located in Forney, TX
A vintage Post-Modernist hall console / vanity dressing table and mirror, circa 1970s, having a curved woven cane and brass framed flat mirror plate, abov...
Brass
$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
Cabaret 02 Console Table in Licorice Glossy Varnished Aluminum by CASPAL
Located in Geneve, CH
Cabaret 02 Console Table in Licorice Glossy Varnished Aluminum by CASPAL Dimensions: D 40 x W 180 x H 114 cm. Materials: Varnished aluminum. Available in different color options. P...
Aluminum
Hand Painted Faux Malachite Console / Desk, Alessandro, Baker, 1980's
By Alessandro Gambrielli, Baker Furniture Company
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
Richard Himmel Post Modern Corner Console/Desk, 1970
Located in San Francisco, US
Designed by Richard Himmel, this corner console doubles as a writing desk, merging sculptural presence with quiet utility. Its angled form is engineered to anchor a room’s corner, tu...
Laminate, Acrylic
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
Bamboo and Formica Demilune Console Table with a Lower Shelf, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. It features a bamboo frame with a formica veneered top. The lower shelf has a missing band (as you can see in the pictures) but this doesn't affect its stabili...
Formica, Bamboo
Modern Sculptural Console Table in "Hermes" Orange Lacquer
Located in Norwalk, CT
Dynamic form on this cantilevered console. Newly lacquered in high gloss Benjamin Moore Electric Orange (Hermes? orange). The heavy, weighted base makes the table very stable. Excell...
Wood
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
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
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
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
$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
Post Modern Contemporary Wood Steel and Glass Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
A striking and architecturally inspired modern console table, masterfully designed with a dramatic intersecting X-form base in richly toned hardwood and topped with an expansive beve...
Steel
Two Unique Italian Postmodern Gilt and Copper Cantilevered Consoles / Sofa Table
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian consoles or sofa tables in giltwood with copper stretchers and copper side panels. Glass tops are 47.25 x 15.75 x 3/4". The pieces are Postmodern in conception. The...
Postmodern Black Lacquer Console Table with Brass Banding, Attributed to Century
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A refined Postmodern console table crafted in a lustrous piano black lacquer finish and accented by a polished brass band that elegantly wraps the apron. The streamlined form feature...
Wood, Lacquer
Postmodern Ivory Lacquered Walnut Wall Mirror and Console Table, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This set features a walnut frame, with ivory lacquered parts. They might show slight traces of use since they are vintage, such as their original patina, but t...
Mirror, Walnut
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
C1166 Console Table in Beech And Smoked Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
C1166 Console Table in Beech And Smoked Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 40 x W 154 x H 51 cm. Materials: Beech and smoked oak. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for...
Beech, Oak
Postmodern Waterfall Console, 1980s, USA
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Custom postmodern waterfall console table in mauve laminate. Good condition with minor scratches and scuffing.
Laminate, Wood
$1,342 / 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
$2,448 / item
Vintage Medium Console by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Vintage Medium Console by Pastform Dimensions: D 31 x W 120 x H 85 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes and combinations. Available ...
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
$619 / 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
$3,800Sale Price|34% Off
Postmodern Bamboo Desk in Red Formica, Italy, Circa 1985
By Andrea Branzi, Archizoom Associati, Memphis Group
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
$6,242 / item
Dolmen Console by Ginger & Jagger
Located in Geneve, CH
Dolmen Console by Ginger & Jagger Dimensions: D 50 x W 160 x H 87 cm. Materials: Lacquer. Finish: Lacquered in Miosotis, in gloss finishing. This product is suitable for custom...
Lacquer
$5,568 / item
SSC103-1 Console Table by Stone Stackers
Located in Geneve, CH
SSC103-1 console table by Stone Stackers Limited edition of 5 products. Dimensions: W 92 x D 39 x H 81 cm. Materials: Patagonia and Marquina marbles. Marble Structure: Patagonia ...
Marble
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
C1094 Console Table in Oak And European Walnut Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
C1094 Console Table in Oak And European Walnut Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 40 x W 136 x H 84 cm. Materials: Oak and walnut. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for ce...
Oak, Walnut
Tetris Laguna Oak and Marble Console by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Tetris Laguna Oak and Marble Console by Morica Design Dimensions: D 49 x W 150 x H 75 cm. Materials: Laguna oak, White Carrara marble, metal. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Laguna O...
Marble, Metal
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
Post-Modernist Marble Console Table, Circa 1980, Italy
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Post-Modernist Marble Console Table, Circa 1980, Italy. Carrera Marble Marble base, top and sides CONDITION: Good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. DIMENSIO...
Carrara Marble
Postmodern Pink Lacquered Karl Springer Style Column Console Glass Table
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning three piece console table with pink tiered lacquered columns and a 3/4” thick glass top.
Glass, Fiberglass
$1,332 / 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
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
$1,227 / 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
$8,404 / 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
$15,429 / item
Calcatta Viola Cut and Fold Console Table by dAM Atelier
By dAM Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Calcatta viola cut and fold console table by dAM Atelier Dimensions: W 150 x D 42 x H 80 cm Materials: Calacatta viola marble. dAM atelier is...
Marble
$2,707 / item
Bowl Console Table by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Bowl Console Table by Wentz Dimensions: D 45 x W 165 x H 80 cm Materials: Steel, Ceramic, Stainless Steel. Coffee table with steel structure and top with textured electrostatic paint...
Steel, Stainless Steel
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
1980s Jonson & Marcius Console Table from Lorin Marsh Gallery
By Gene Jonson and Robert Marcius, Lorin Marsh
Located in West Chester, PA
A show stopping console designed by Gene Jonson and Robert Marcius featuring two lacquered pedestals with brass mounts and painted details. Each pedestal retains the original Jonson ...
Brass
$24,392 / item
Kupoli Console Table 16 by Cameron Design House
Located in Geneve, CH
Kupoli Console Table 16 by Cameron Design House Dimensions: D 35 x W 127 x H 75 cm. Materials: Steel, glass. Available in other dimensions. Available in paint or pigmented chrome fi...
Steel
Black Walnut Hand Carved Wall Mount Console by Michael Wilson
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Walnut Hand Carved Wall Mount Console by Michael Wilson Dimensions: W 148.59 x D 36.83 x H 23.50 cm Materials: black walnut The Michael Wilson Studio was founded in the fall o...
Other
$17,358 / item
Gol. 001 Marble Console Table by Chapter Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Gol. 001 marble table by Chapter Studio Dimensions: H 86 x W 40 x D 150 Material: marble (bianco carrara, black marquina) Effortless composition and eccentric design bring forth...
Marble
$210Sale Price|73% Off
Postmodern Pink and Beige Tessellated Stone Glass Top Console Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
The Postmodern Pink and Beige Tessellated Stone Glass Top Console Table is a stunning fusion of postmodern design and elegance. Featuring a tessellated stone base in pink and beige, ...
Glass
$2,990 / item
Luna 130 Metal Console Table by Laurence Du Tilly
Located in Geneve, CH
Luna 130 Metal Console Table by Laurence Du Tilly Dimensions: D 130 x W 37 x H 85 cm Materials: Metal Also available in two hundred different colors from the RAL color chart, please...
Metal, Other
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Console Table Rounded Edge Hallway Table Caramel Grain
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This vintage 1980s Postmodern console table features a sculptural rounded edge profile and a golden caramel grain finish that enhances its architectural form and sleek linear design....
Wood
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
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
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
Prisma Console Table in Trani Marble & Curved Iron by D´ARK Atelier
Located in Geneve, CH
Prisma Console Table in Trani Marble & Curved Iron by D´ARK Atelier One Of a Kind Dimensions: D 25 x W 120 x H 110 cm. Materials: Iron and Trani marble. PRISMA — the latest prototyp...
Marble, Iron