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.
$24,280 / 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
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
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
Monumental Artisan Post-Modern Mahogany Marquetry Inlaid Console Dining Table
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a monumental artisan crafted post-modern mahogany marquetry inlaid console or dining table. The elaborate geometric mixed wood inlay is a blend of walnut, satinwood and mahog...
Mahogany, Satinwood, Walnut
Polished Stainless Steel Console with Marble Top Insert by Ultramobili
Located in Geneve, CH
Perseo Console in Polished Steel with Marble Top Insert by Ultramobili Dimensions: W 148.3 x D 36 x H 91.6 cm Materials: Polished stainless steel console with cylinder leg. Structur...
Stainless Steel
$8,659 / 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
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
$2,976 / 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
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
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
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
$636Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Tempo Designs Extra Long Laminate Console Table
Located in Medina, OH
Postmodern Tempo Designs Extra Long Laminate Console Table. Unfortunately one side of the table has black imperfections due to movers not using a proper ...
Laminate
Duna Unique Console in Red Travertine Stone & Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Duna Unique Console in Red Travertine Stone & Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 20 x W 120 x H 40 cm. Materials: Travertine and steel. Available in different finish...
Travertine, Steel
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
$2,000
Oto Console Table
By Design Institute America, Kaizo Oto
Located in New York, NY
Iconic Post Modern design console table by Kaizo Oto for the Design Institute America, circa 1980's. The table features a thick shaped glass top which rests on the stylized mixed met...
Steel
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
$10,312 / item
Unique Console Table in Poplar Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Console Table in Poplar Wood by Jörg Pietschmann. Dimensions: D 30 x W 80 x H 44 cm. Materials: Poplar. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were part of a l...
Poplar
$2,450 / item
Eland Lounge Chair in Espresso Walnut with Headrest
Located in New York, US
Drawing inspiration from mid-century aesthetics, our Eland lounge chair brings a fresh focal point to any living space with its striking curved details. The distinctive curved legs a...
Wood, Walnut
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
$5,577 / item
Anna Console by DUISTT
Located in Geneve, CH
Anna Console by DUISTT Dimensions: W 130 x D 55 x H 77 cm Materials: Black Limed Oak, Satin Black Lacquered Wood and Brass Anna is an elegant console, crafted with great attention ...
Brass
Console Table, Mappa Burl Wood, Sculptural Post-Modern Design, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A console table which’s minimalist qualities are clocked by a clasic burl wood veneer. The mappa burl’s patterns grant the object an eccentric elegance while its brutalist structure ...
Wood, Burl
$7,734 / item
Jaguarcito Console Table by Andres Gutierrez
Located in Geneve, CH
Jaguarcito console table by Andres Gutierrez. Dimensions: D35 x W120 x H75 cm. Materials: Solid white oak. Available in natural or black lacquer finish. — Inspired by the jaguar— In the Aztec civilization, the jaguar was worshiped as a deity; Due to their ability to see in the dark, jaguars were believed to be able to travel between realms. This sacred animal also represented the image of Tepeyolotl, "The Heart Of The Mountain", the Aztec god of mountains and earthquakes. Made out of solid oak wood,this slim console table...
Oak
$43,181 / 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
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
Hold Up Console Table in Natural Oak Veneer and Lacquer by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Hold Up Console Table in Natural Oak Veneer and Lacquer by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 150 x D 37 x H 90 cm. Materials: Natural Oak Veneer, Lacquer. You can customize the finish with a ...
Oak, Lacquer
$23,073 / item
Para Console Table in Lacquer by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Para Console Table in Lacquer by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 200 x D 47 x H 70 cm. Materials: Lacquer. This listing features our Para Console Table, expertly crafted with a premium lacq...
Lacquer
$1,340Sale Price|45% Off
Brass Plated and Beveled Glass Postmodern Console Sofa Table
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful brass polished flat metal and beveled glass top console table, beautiful simple elegant, circa 1980's.Post-modern design.
Brass
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
Maitland Smith Style Travertine Console Table with Brass Inlay, 1970s
By Maitland Smith, Robert Marcius
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A modernist symphony in stone and metal, this striking travertine pedestal console table marries sculptural minimalism with curated extravagance. Its monolit block base—hewn from ri...
Stone, Brass
Console, Table, Painted, Steel, Bronze, Lion, Sculpture
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
A painted steel, console table with a shaped frieze inspired by a 17th century, Flemish cabinet. Standing on turned legs joined by an ‘H’ stretcher with a bronze, sculpted lion on on...
Bronze, Steel
Post Modern Mirrored Console Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Post modern console table with a mirrored top and long mirrored slats along the frame with matte black edges. This table has a beautifully b...
Mirror
Jagged Edge Console in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor
Located in Geneve, CH
Jagged Edge Console in Welded Mirror-Polished Stainless Steel by Julian Mayor Limited Edition of 8 + 4AP. Dimensions: D 30 x W 118 x H 89 cm. Materials: Mirror-polished stainless st...
Stainless Steel
Gray Shagreen/ Stingray Console Table
By John Lyle
Located in North Miami, FL
This wonderful console table with natural stingray shagreen and bone trim. The coloring is a rich deep gray and very sturdy and important.
Bone, Shagreen Stingray
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
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
$7,734 / item
Jaguarcito Black Console Table by Andres Gutierrez
Located in Geneve, CH
Jaguarcito Black Console Table by Andres Gutierrez Dimensions: D 35 x W 120 x H 75 cm. Materials: Solid white oak with black lacquer finish. Also available in natural finish. Pl...
Oak
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Memphis Pedestal Console Entryway Table
By Ettore Sottsass, Shiro Kuramata, Kazuhide Takahama, Gaetano Pesce, Mario Bellini
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
$32,869 / item
Bellissimo Console in Travertine by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Bellissimo Console in Travertine by Pietro Franceschini. Dimensions: W 200 x D 40 x H 80 cm. Materials: Travertine. This listing features the Bellissimo Console in its travertine ve...
Travertine
Impressive French 70's Ebonized and Gilt Bronze Console
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Impressive French 70's ebonized and gilt bronze console. Beautiful patina on the gilt bronze accent strips.
Bronze
$3,880Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern John Mascheroni Attributed "Tubo" Chrome & Marble Console Table, 1970
Located in Basel, BS
This one is a stunner, a very hard to find and cool Postmodern statement console table piece! Attributed as the "Tubo" Series console table, d...
Marble, Aluminum
Ventura Console Table in Natural Oak Wood & Oak Plywood by Joyful Objects Yes!
Located in Geneve, CH
Ventura Console Table in Natural Oak Wood & Oak Plywood by Joyful Objects Yes! Dimensions: D 40 x W 150 x H 80 cm. Materials: Oak wood and oak plywood. Joyful Objects, Yes! is a Mex...
Oak, Plywood
Venice Cannaregio Console Table with Drawers by Morici
Located in Geneve, CH
Venice Cannaregio Console Table with Drawers by Morici Dimensions: W 113 x D 41 x H 73 cm. Drawers : 42×32.5 H6 covered in black alcantara. Materials: Wood, inlay veneer, black Alcan...
Wood
Set Of 2 Itzel Green And Blue Cast Glass Coffee Tables by Fred and Juul
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Itzel Green And Blue Cast Glass Coffee Tables by Fred and Juul Dimensions: Large: D 60 x W 140 x H 35 cm. Small: D 60 x W 100 x H 45 cm. Materials: Colored cast glass. Dime...
Glass
$8,823 / 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
Art Deco Revival Travertine Mirror & Console Table Set, Att. Maitland Smith '80s
Located in Richmond, Surrey
A striking postmodern mirror and console table set attributed to Maitland-Smith, crafted in the 1980s. The Art Deco revival ensemble features tessellated travertine stone inlaid with...
Travertine, Brass
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Waterfall Console Table, Light Pink & Purple, 1980s
Located in Charleston, SC
One of a kind light pink and purple console table. Custom made for original owners in the early 1980’s. Springer style. Formica over solid wood...
Formica, Wood
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
Pair of Wall-Mounted Brass and Murano Glass Console Tables / Nightstands, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. These wall-mounted console tables / nightstands feature a brass frame and a yellow polychromed Murano glass top with a marble effect. They might show slight t...
Brass
Silas Seandel, Freeform Console Table, Bronzed Steel, Marble, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A cast bronze and marble console table designed and produced by Silas Seandel, USA, c. 1970s. With artists signature to base. Replaced marble top.
Bronze, Steel
Herringbone Tile Console Table Black Tiles Black Steel by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Herringbone tile console table black tiles black steel by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D100 x W35 x H80 cm Material: Ceramic tiles, MDF, Powder coated steel ...
Steel, Other
Set Of 2 Itzel Clear And Etched Cast Glass Coffee Tables by Fred and Juul
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Itzel Clear And Etched Cast Glass Coffee Tables by Fred and Juul Dimensions: Large: D 60 x W 140 x H 35 cm. Small: D 60 x W 100 x H 45 cm. Materials: Clear and etched cast g...
Glass
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
Postmodern Free Standing Console Table
Located in Houston, TX
Postmodern free standing console table. This stunning Modernist console table or bookcase has a unique design with a glass shelf in the center.
Composition
Rectangular Gold Aluminum Console Table with Two Glass Shelves, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1980s. This shelving unit is made in anodized aluminum and glass. It can be used as a divider. It may show slight traces of use since it's vintage, but it can be consi...
Aluminum
Limited Edition, Black Plywood Console with Five Legs by Lucas Tyra Morten
By Lucas Morten
Located in Geneve, CH
Bro Console by Lucas Tyra Morten Limited Edition of 11 + 1 AP Signed Dimensions: D40 x W250 x H90 cm Material: Hand-waxed plywood. Objects comes with a "Certificate of Authenticity"...
Plywood
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Memphis Charcoal and Grey Wood Console
By Peter Shire, Memphis Group, Gaetano Pesce, Ettore Sottsass, Shiro Kuramata
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A 1980s Postmodern console defined by its strong architectural form and sculptural presence. Finished in charcoal and soft grey tones, the surface features a dynamic grain pattern th...
Wood
$14,026 / item
Undum Console by HADGE
By Hadge
Located in Geneve, CH
Undum Console by HADGE Dimensions: D 40 x W 150 x H 80 cm. Materials: Chrome deepbrown I red, steel. Also available in different materials. Custom dime...
Chrome, 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
$10,288 / item
Medium Ita Console Table by Estudio Prosa
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Ita Console Table by Estudio Prosa Dimensions: W 175 x D 45 x H 20 cm Materials: Wood. Available in Cedro Arana, Jequitiba, Muiracatiara, or Cumaru wood options. Please conta...
Wood
Ettore Sottsass Montenegro Carrara Marble & Granite Console for Ultima Edizione
By Ettore Sottsass, Ultima Edizione
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
Paco Rabanne 1970s Console Table in Gilt Brass & Quartz, French Design
By Paco Rabanne
Located in Queens, NY
French (1970s) postwar design console table with a gilt brass base supporting a brown lacquered top having a protruding quartz sculpture (signed: Paco Rabanne on top edge). There i...
Quartz, Brass