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.
$9,247 / item
Blush No.2 Round Dining Table in Jesmonite by Perler
Located in Geneve, CH
Blush No.2 Round Dining Table in Jesmonite by Perler. Dimensions: D 120 x H 76 cm. Materials: Jesmonite. Color: The piece features a subtle warm white or ivory tabletop with a decor...
Other
Gianfranco Fini for Poltronova 'Regolo' Square Dining Table in Pine and Glass
By Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Fini for Poltronova, 'Regolo' dining table, pine, glass, Italy, 1975 This dining table by Gianfranco Fini for Poltronova, introduced in in 1975, is a truly special piece ...
Glass, Pine
Post Modern Luna Dining Table, Oval Dining Table For 6 People
Located in İnegöl, TR
Natural wood veneered on MDF. Dimensions: Lenght: 72" Width: 36" Height: 29" Custom colours are available!
Other
Lorenzo Burchiellaro Dining Table in Copper
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Lorenzo Burchiellaro, dining table, copper, wood, Italy, 1960s This dining table, crafted in the 1960s by Italian designer and sculptor Lorenzo Burchiellaro (1933-2017), stands as a...
Copper
Mid Century Italian Square Onyx & Blush Marble Dining Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning marble dining from Italy, circa 1980's. It features a large 38 x 40 top that seats 4 comfortably. Beautiful natural onyx top. Traditional column base in a blush colored ma...
Marble, Onyx
Ettore Sottsass City Dining Table for Memphis Milano, 1983
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass "City" dining table in black and brown spotted laminate with chrome plated steel legs. Very good condition with light scratches seen upon close inspection in raking ...
Steel, Chrome
$18,755 / item
Cherry Wood Dining Table by Studio Mano & Mambo Jambo
Located in Geneve, CH
Cherry Wood Dining Table by Studio Mano & Mambo Jambo. Dimensions: W 200 x D 100 x H 75 cm. Materials: Wood and Ceramic. Also available in Cherry, Walnut, White Oak, and Mahogan...
Ceramic, Wood
Extendable white lacquered dining table, 1970s
Located in Athens, Attiki
Stunning super long extendable dining table in white lacquer. The min. dimensions are 100 cm diameter as a round table and the max length is up to 300 cm. Beautiful and elegant! (the...
Wood, Lacquer
Post Modern Rectangular Verde Green Marble Dining Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Absolutely stunning Post Modern Verde Green marble, rectangular dining table. The beveled edges of the top set this piece off perfectly. It is the ultimate statement maker for that s...
Marble
1980s Postmodern Vintage Italian Emperado Marble Honed Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning dining table in Emperado Marble made in Italy. I’ve never seen a slab like this! It was previously lacquered which we had professionally...
Marble
1970s Postmodern Cipollino Ondulato Marble Dining Table with Channeled Edge
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautiful beautiful beautiful. My favorite marble in tones of blush black and ivory. Gorgeous veining on this particular table. The top floats on two triangular channeled bases.
Marble
Maitland Smith Fossilized Coral Tessellated Stone Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Absolutely stunning dining table from the 80s. It is made of tessellated fossilized coral in a beautiful floral pattern. The colors are beige and salmon. The original owner (a furnit...
Stone, Travertine, Marble
Post Modern Italian Oval Top Pedestal Base Crystal Alabaster Marble Dining Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare marble table made of Alabaster-Crystal, with a thick, very durable and perfectly polished resign coating on the top and base. This large and super cool table easily seats 8 to...
Alabaster, Marble
$2,880Sale Price|20% Off
Superb Post modern gloss lacquer tan round oval dining table with 1 leaf
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern gloss lacquer tan round dining table with 1 leaf. Taupe gloss Lacquered expanding oval dining table with one leaf that seats 4-6 chairs. Has curved popsicle shaped legs. ...
Wood, Lacquer
$114,666 / item
Aequus Dining Table 360 in Graphite Marble by Brent Lee
Located in Geneve, CH
Aequus Dining Table 360 in Graphite Marble by Brent Lee. Signed by Brent Lee. Limited Edition of 12. Dimensions: W 360 x D 120 x H 74 cm. Materials: Graphite Marble. Part of the exc...
Marble
Large Vintage Circular Indoor/Outdoor Bistro Table By Jorge Pensi For Amat-3
By Knoll, Amat-3, Jorge Pensi
Located in Bristol, GB
VINTAGE ALUMINIUM AND STEEL DINING TABLE We have eight of these tables in stock, available to purchase individually. The price is per table. An iconic post-modern design by award-w...
Aluminum, Steel
$2,400Sale Price|25% Off
Post modern chrome with glass top Tobia Scarpa for Knoll Dining Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern chrome with glass top Tobia Scarpa for Knoll Dining Table. Very heavy solid steel chrome frame with thick chrome tube legs. Designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Knoll. Squ...
Chrome
Artedi Post Modern Marble Glass Dining Table
By Artedi
Located in Sheffield, MA
Made in Italy, this 20th century glass, marble and brass accented dining table by noted Italian furniture maker, Artedi, makes a statement in ...
Marble, Brass
$101,636 / item
Aequus Dining Table 285 in Graphite Marble by Brent Lee
Located in Geneve, CH
Aequus Dining Table 285 in Graphite Marble by Brent Lee. Signed by Brent Lee. Limited Edition of 12. Dimensions: W 285 x D 120 x H 74 cm. Materials: Graphite Marble. Part of the exc...
Marble
$34,500Sale Price|28% Off
Documented 'Kono' Dining Table / Desk by Lella & Massimo Vignelli, 1984, Italy
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This exceptionally rare documented 'Kono' table, which works excellent as either a dining table or a desk, by Lella Vignelli and Massimo Vignelli was designed in 1984 and this example created in the mid-to-late 1980s by Casigliani in Pisa, Italy. This rare example of the 'Kono' design features a monumental Black Granite slab for the top, two thick slabs of Imperial Red Granite which connect together to form one of the bases, and the Vignellis signature Patinated Copper cone which forms the other base. The 'Kono' design was normally made as coffee tables so it is quite rare to find examples made scaled up in dining table size. In addition, typical Kono tables were made with glass tops and a single slab granite base. This example however, the Vignellis selected Black Granite instead of the typical glass tops. Also, rather than using a rectangular single-slab base, this example features an L-shaped base constructed with two slabs that connect together along one angled edge. It still employs the cone-shaped patinated copper base typical of Kono tables, however this example is much larger of course than cocktail table versions. The Vignelli Center for Design Studies, which houses the artists’ archive, confirmed this table to be one of two known drawings by the Vignellis (a copy of the Vignelli sketch, which they provided, is included in the photo gallery) though it is unknown if the other table was ever produced, making this table potentially an important one-of-a-kind. The Black Granite top in lower light settings is dark, deep and mysterious. With direct sunlight its luminosity is intense - see the photo gallery for images of the table in direct sunlight from our skylight above. It glows, shines and shimmers with incredible vibrancy, similar to diamonds - to see it in person is quite exquisite and remarkable. While we only had it set up under our skylight for a couple hours, I would describe the experience as recharging - I felt like I had just spent a couple hours meditating, this would be incredible to wake up to every day before leaving to work. The Vignellis described the 'Kono' table as: “This design exploits the relationship between geometrical figures and material finishes." Over the course of their four-decade-long design practice, Lella and Massimo Vignelli collaborated on projects that ranged from product design and brand identity to interior and furniture design. Whether designing New York City’s subway map...
Granite, Copper
Contemporary Riviera Bar Chair in Lacquered Gold metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
1980s Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Dining Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exquisite dining table, dating back to the 1980s. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this piece showcases a stunning hand crafted finish, ensuring a rich, lustrous appearance that highlights its intricate design. This tessellated Mactan stone table...
Cast Stone
Large Ebonized Dining or Conference Room Table Custom Made by BH&A
Located in Sheffield, MA
This is a made-to-order bold and elegant clean lined conference table made by our own shop. It features a pair of large geometric pedestal bases supporting a streamlined elegant top. The pedestals can be spaced to suit your needs. Used it for a large dining room table or a conference room table...
Poplar
Italian Post-Modern Dining Table Rectangle Top Exotic Cipollino Ondulato Marble
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Stunning! Large vintage Cipollino Ondulato marble dining table, designed and manufactured in Italy. This table has a strong formal design wit...
Marble
Canopée Bois Déchiré Sculptural Dining Table by Meubles Thouret
Located in Geneve, CH
Canopée Bois Déchiré Sculptural Dining Table by Meubles Thouret. Numbered and signed by the artists. Delivered with a Certificate of Authenticity. Dimensions: Ø 180 cm x H 79 cm. Mat...
Resin, Oak
80s Post Modern Joe D'Urso for Knoll International Racetrack Dining / Work Table
By Joe D'Urso, Knoll
Located in St. Louis, MO
Post-Modern design, from 1980s, by Joe D'Urso for Knoll International 'Racetrack' which functions perfectly as a dining table, conference table, work table, meeting table or desk. Th...
Metal
1980s Sculptural Helix Spiral Swivel Top Glass Dining Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, dining table you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it being a most spectacular and beautifully-presented table. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful table is a statement piece and packed with personality!! In the style of Danny Lane. The vintage helix spiral...
Stainless Steel
$12,250Sale Price|30% Off
Ettore Sottsass "OSPITE" Dinning Table Bria Wood Veneer 3 Silver Plated Legs
Located in New York, NY
Ettore Sottsass, "Ospite" round dining table with three silver plated brass legs. The table and center column leg are veneered in Briar root of the Erica Arborea, or tree heather, a ...
Silver Plate, Brass
Contemporary Riviera Day Bed in Earth lacquered metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
Gaetano Pesce, Nobody's Perfect Zerodesegno Dining Table, Multicolor Resin
Located in Kansas City, MO
Rare and exceptional Gaetano Pesce Nobody's Perfect Zerodesegno dining table. Tubular resin legs support a sturdy resin grid top with a resin "tab...
Resin
Pierre Chapo 'T35C' Aban Table in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining table, model 'Aban T35C', solid elm, France, 1970s This table is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood...
Elm
Post modern dining table by Roche Bobois, 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Rare post modern dining table with a black metal frame and a black glass top. Beautiful post modern design. Good overall condition with normal user traces on the glass. 1980s - It...
Metal
Contemporary Riviera Bar Chair in Lacquered Ivory metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
$1,875Sale Price|25% Off
Mid century post modern chrome cane glass dining table by DIA
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid century post modern chrome cane glass dining table by DIA. A table well suited as a dining or breakfast kitchen, or game table. A perfect size dining table for a small urban apar...
Chrome
Serenissimo Dining Table by Lella & Massimo Vignelli for Acerbis, Italy, 1970s
By Massimo and Lella Vignelli, Acerbis
Located in Antwerp, BE
The Serenissimo dining table is an iconic design by Lella and Massimo Vignelli for Acerbis, dating from the 1970s. It features a square turquoise-green glass top paired with cylindri...
Metal, Steel
Table Africaniste pour Artelano, France, 1996
Located in Rouen, FR
Imaginée par Gene Summers pour Artelano dans les années 1990, la table incarne la rencontre entre architecture moderniste et influences primitives. Réalisée en bois de wengé brun et...
Wenge
Contemporary Riviera Chair in Lacquered Salmon metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
Organic Modern Side Table Catus in Terrazzo Green Marble
Located in Lisbon, PT
Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, a country with a long crafts tradition, Mambo Unlimited Ideas' design team researches for innovation and creativity developments around...
Travertine, Marble, Metal
Handmade Contemporary Mambo Unlimited Ideas Choux Chair
Located in Lisbon, PT
Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, a country with a long crafts tradition, Mambo Unlimited Ideas' design team researches for innovation and creativity developments around...
Fabric, Wood
Postmodern High-Gloss Blue Lacquered Dining Table Anhelo
By Moanne
Located in Almería, ES
The Anhelo Dining Table is an ode to desire, to that quiet and persistent force that drives us toward what we yearn for most. Its high gloss blue lacquered surface reflects not just ...
Wood, Lacquer
$8,860 / item
Blush No.1 Round Dining Table in Jesmonite by Perler
Located in Geneve, CH
Blush No.1 Round Dining Table in Jesmonite by Perler. Dimensions: D 120 x H 76 cm. Materials: Jesmonite. Color: A subtle shade of warm white/ivory with a Terracota ''splash''. Finis...
Other
Midcentury Italian Post Modern Travertine Marble Rectangular Dining Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple modern travertine marble dining table circa 1980s. It features solid slab Travertine construction with thick apron edge. Gorgeous highly grained Italian travertine. Clean re...
Travertine
Mario Bellini Italian Carrara Marble Oval Dining Table for Cassina, 70s
By Mario Bellini, Cassina
Located in Puglia, Puglia
'Il Colonnato' oval dining table in white Carrara marble with evident gray veins by Mario Bellini for Cassina. The table features an...
Carrara Marble
Post Modern Tessellated Stone Leaf Motif Split-Base Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Tessellated Stone, Original Glass Top This sculptural dining table features a striking split-base design crafted from tessellated s...
Stone
Renato Mandurini Very Large Dining Table Post-Modern, 1980
Located in Vienna, AT
Unusual original dining table by Renato Mandurini designed and produced 1980 Dimensions are 77.16" x 77.16" x 30.3" (height) This extraordinary dining table was designed by Renato ...
Steel
$1,750Sale Price|50% Off
Post modern Knoll white laminate racetrack dining table by joe d'urso
By Knoll, Joe D'Urso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern Knoll white laminate racetrack dining table by joe d'urso. Simple design oval conference or dining table with white laminate top and rubber edge molding that sits on 4 st...
Steel
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Nero Marquina Marble Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Absolutely stunning veining on this black marble dining table. Even the base has intricate veining on all four sides, it’s hard to pick a favorite angle. We also had the lacquer pro...
Marble
Horn Collection Post-Modern Dining Table in Red Polyurethane Plastic 1970s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Horn Collection, dining table, lacquered polyurethane plastic, Germany, 1970s Created for the Horn collection in the seventies, this well-formed table is made entirely from polyuret...
Plastic
"Arrowhead" Dining/Center Table designed by Stanley Jay Friedman for Brueton
By Stanley Jay Friedman, Brueton
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Arrowhead" Dining/Center Table designed by Stanley Jay Friedman and manufactured in the United States by Brueton. The inverted arrowhead pedestal is supported by the radiused, inte...
Steel, Stainless Steel
BOX Italian Travertine Marble Dining Table Architectural Design by Joaquín Moll
By Joaquín Moll, Meddel
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
BOX Italian Travertine Marble Dining Table Architectural Design by Joaquín Moll BOX travertine marble dining table is a bold, architectural statement piece designed by Joaquín Moll f...
Crystal, Travertine, Marble, Metal, Iron
Jan Vlug Rare Dining Table in Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jan Vlug, dining table, walnut, metal, brass, Belgium, 1970s Glorious and rare dining table with characteristic and stunning executed tabletop. The table is made by Belgian designer...
Metal
$39,351 / item
Helle Hardwood Dual Base Dining Table by Bowen Liu
Located in Geneve, CH
Helle Hardwood Dual Base Dining Table by Bowen Liu Dimensions: D 40 x W 120 x H 30 cm Materials: Hardwood, White Oak, Stainless Steel Based in, produced and shipped from the US. Th...
Stainless Steel, Other
Vintage Curtis Jere Brass Trefoil Clover Form 42" Dining or Center Table
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made by Curtis Jere in the US, this table features a wooden frame wrapped in sheets of brass to form its clover-like trefoil shape. Construction quality is excellent - h...
Brass
$2,474 / item
Organic Modern Catus Console in Travertine Marble
Located in Lisbon, PT
Catus console is unique in its conception with Organic Modern inspiration. Natural Stone is unrepeatable in its individuality, this way each Catus table is unique featuring the marbl...
Travertine, Marble
Ettore Sottsas Ospite Table Zanotta Postmodern, 1980s
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Ettore Sottsass's Ospite dining table. Designed in 1984 and produced by Zanotta. Painted brier veneer top and three brass silver legs.
Brass
Contemporary Outdoor Riviera Side table in lacquered Sage metal and Travertine
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
Jean Nouvel 'Less' table for Molteni - Italy, 1996
Located in London, GB
The Less steel table is part of a family of functional furniture created for the Fondation Cartier offices in Paris. Its graphic silhouette, abstract design and lightness exemplify J...
Steel
Contemporary Riviera Armchair in lacquered Sage metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
Pierre Chapo 'Sfax' T21E Dining Table in Solid Elm 160cm/62.99in.
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, 'Sfax' dining table, model 'T21E', elm, France, 1970s This table is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood and...
Elm
Contemporary Black Burnt European Oak Darling Dining Table by Dennis Kaiser
Located in Geneve, CH
Handmade Burnt European Oak Contemporary Darling Dining Table by Dennis Kaiser Dimensions: D 110 x W 270 x H 75 cm. Materials: European oak. Handcrafted in Tuscany, Italy. Customiza...
Oak