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.
Giuseppe Rivadossi Round Dining Table in Oak 150cm/58.86in.
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi, dining table, oak, Italy, 1970s Giuseppe Rivadossi’s mastery of material and construction is beautifully expressed in this dining table. Architecturally composed...
Oak
Vico Magistretti for De Padova 'Vidun' Dining Table with Colorful Geometric Base
By DePadova 1, Vico Magistretti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 'Vidun' round dining table, stained beech, glass, Italy, 1986 Although the object appears immediately playful because of its vivid coloration and exp...
Glass, Beech
Grand Monumental Modernist Dining Table in Pine 1970s 400cm/157in
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Large dining or multifunctional table, pine, Europe, 1970s An exceptionally large table (400cm/157in) with monumental proportions. The design of this table is balanced by a beautifu...
Pine
Postmodern “Grid” Aluminum & Glass Dining Table by Robert Josten
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition, New Glass Top Materials: Cast Aluminum, Black-Painted Steel, New Glass Top This striking 1970s dining table by Robert Josten features a highly...
Aluminum, Steel
Luciano Frigerio 'Luky' Dining Table in Hammered Brass and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio 'Luky' dining table, glass, brass, Italy, 1980s A striking "Luky" dining table by renowned Italian designer Luciano Frigerio, embodying the sculptural elegance and...
Brass
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Dining Set in Carved Pine
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, unique set of seven dining armchairs with table, solid pine, Italy, 1970s This unique dining ensemble is among the finest works we have en...
Pine
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Trestle Dining Table in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, oak, Italy, 1970s A masterful expression of Italian craftsmanship, this exceptional oak dining table was designed by Giuseppe Rivadossi an...
Oak
Vintage German Postmodern Profilsystem Series Desk or Dining Table, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Simple dining or desk from the profile system collection from Flötotto. A very simple and functional design. The table comes from the profile system collection, which is known from ...
Metal
Postmodern Italian Oak Dining Table, Sottsass Inspired, Fat Cylindrical Legs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian oak dining table embodies the playful spirit of Postmodern design with exaggerated proportions inspired by Ettore Sottsass and the Mem...
Oak
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Trestle Dining Table in Chestnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi dining table, chestnut, Italy, 1970s A striking dining table handcrafted by Giuseppe Rivadossi in solid chestnut wood. Created in Italy dur...
Chestnut
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
Dining Table in the Form of a Draped Cloth by Marzio Cecchi, Italy, mid-1970s
Located in New York, NY
A rare sculptural dining table by Italian architect Marzio Cecchi (Capalle, Florence, 1940 – New York, 1990), executed in the mid-1970s as a unique private commission. Accompanied by...
Cotton, Resin
Italian Post-Modern Polished Beige or Cream Marble Pedestal Dining Table C.I.M
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in Italy in the late 1970s or early 1980s, a simple design, but stunning in its large scale, warmth and functionality, a large pedestal base, cream or beige, marble dining table...
Marble
1970s Italian Travertine Dining, Conference Table, Desk, Rectangle Post-Modern
By Willy Rizzo, Stone International
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Simple is so often better! This elegant rectangular dining table shows us that. Filled and polished travertine-marble, with just the right amount of attractive natural grain. And a b...
Travertine, Marble
Postmodern 80s Milo Baughman Chrome + Glass Extendable Dining Table / Desk table
Located in Basel, BS
Incredible postmodern extendable smoked glass and chrome dining table, also perfect for use as a desk table. Excellent size for any space, can form into a square when the leaves are...
Chrome
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
1980s Italian Fior Di Pesco Marble Postmodern Vintage Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A classical marble with a muted, tonal palette of soft grey with tints of rose and teal, strongly accented by stunning veins in pearl white, blush, raisin, and the rich peach that gi...
Marble
Postmodern Italian Dining Table in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, walnut wood, Italy, 1970s/1980s Elegant Italian dining table crafted from walnut, dating to the late 1970s or early 1980s. The sculptural trestle base with gracefully ...
Walnut
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
Maison Regain Dining Table in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain dining table, elm, France, 1970s This dining table by Maison Regain is a refined example of French design from the 1970s, defined by its solid construction and express...
Elm
Brueton Chrome and Glass Cylindrical Pedestal Dining Table, 1980
By Brueton
Located in Chicago, IL
Brueton Chrome and Glass Cylindrical Pedestal Dining Table, 1980’s. Polished chrome base. Measures glass 44” diameter 25.25” tall
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
Zero Rectangular Dining Table in Epoxy Resin & Crystal Clear Glass by WeDO
Located in Geneve, CH
Zero Rectangular Dining Table in Epoxy Resin & Crystal Clear Glass by WeDO Dimensions: D 100 x W 210 x H 75 cm. Materials: Epoxy resin, glass, and paint. Customizations are availab...
Epoxy Resin, Glass, Paint
Large Italian Verde Marble Stone Rectangular Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Elkton, MD
Postmodern Italian dining table in verde marble, late 20th century. Rectangular slab top in richly veined marble, showing deep green tones with white veining and natural burgundy in...
Marble
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
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
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
1980s Maitland Smith Mactan Tessellated Stone Brass Dining Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exquisite Sculptural Maitland Smith Style, Tessellated Mactan Stone Brass & Beveled Glass Dining Table. Dating back to the 1980s.. Crafted wi...
Stone, Brass
Italian Postmodern Dining Table in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, walnut, Italy, 1980s This Italian dining table from the 1980s is a beautiful example of straightforward quality and honest design. Crafted in rich, honey toned walnut,...
Walnut
SuperCalif Crystal Dining Table by Luigi Massoni for Galotti & Radice, 1970s
By Luigi Massoni, Galotti & Radice
Located in Brooklyn, NY
SuperCalif Crystal Dining Table by Luigi Massoni for Galotti & Radice, 1970s. Oval Glass Top Dining Table, on four fluted glass L-shaped supports. Provenance: New York City Coll...
Glass
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti 'Paracarro' Dining Table in Glass and Mosaic
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti, 'Paracarro' dining table, glass, concrete, chrome-plated steel, mosaic, Italy, 1970 This sculptural dining table is designed by Giovanni Offredi for S...
Concrete, Steel, Chrome
Vico Magistretti for De Padova 'Vidun' Dining Table with Colorful Geometric Base
By DePadova 1, Vico Magistretti
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 'Vidun' dining table, stained beech, glass, Italy, 1986 Although the object appears immediately playful because of its vivid coloration and exposed m...
Glass, Beech
1990's Postmodern Italian Frosted Glass Dining Table by Calligaris
By Philippe Starck, Ello Furniture, Calligaris
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage 1990's dining table for sale. It was manufactured by Calligaris, and was made in Italy. It's in excellent condition, and has a solid wood frame with frosted glass inserts. Th...
Glass, Wood
Vintage Italian Beveled Travertine Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition This vintage Italian dining table from the 1970s makes a striking statement through its sculptural form and beautifully figured natural traver...
Travertine
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
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
Post modern round maple butcher block dining table on chrome base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern round maple butcher block dining table on chrome base. Has a 1.75" thick solid maple butcher block round table top. Chrome base is in excellent condition with 4 adjustabl...
Chrome
Square Italian Dining Table in Oak and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, oak, glass, Italy, 1970s This Italian dining table from the 1970s is defined by its clear structure and careful craftsmanship. The square top is arranged in a grid-lik...
Glass, Oak
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Dining Table in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, dining table, oak, Italy, 1970s Giuseppe Rivadossi once again proves his great eye for materialization and technicality this table is exem...
Oak
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
Dining table Filicudi by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta - 1990s
Located in Uccle, Bruxelles
Filicudi dining table designed by Ettore Sottsass for Zanotta in the 1990s. This magnificent round pearwood table features a stunning patterned laminate tabletop. The combination of...
Wood
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "L5" Center Table for Goppion, 1983
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "L5" Center Table for Goppion, Metal and Glass, Italy, 1983. Designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Goppion, this center table belongs to the Bisante series, ...
Metal
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
Cicla Unique Dining Table in Solid Oak Wood by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Cicla Unique Dining Table in Solid Oak Wood by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 80 x W 120 x H 72 cm. Materials: Solid oak wood. Available in different finishes and materia...
Oak
Post modern beech round dining Table with tapered legs by Lluis Clotet
By Lluis Clotet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern beech round dining Table by Lluis Clotet. Clean pre owed table Labeled Parco Coffee Table Aleph Atlantide Designer Lluis Clotet Made in Italy - Located in Broooklyn NYC. ...
Beech
Postmodern Vintage Marble Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Stunning marble dining table with channel bases. This table is so solid and can be used as table for 6 or maybe a desk? The perfect blend of neutrals - ivory gray brown.
Marble
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
1980s Sculptural DIA Dining Circular Oval Glass Table and 8 Chairs, Set of 9
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1980s dining set. The ultra rare set exudes an air of luxury and refinement. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The lu...
Steel
Organic Modern Side Table Catus in Terrazzo Sage 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
1980s Postmodern Travertine Pedestal Base Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Such an elegant table. It’s really hard for me to believe this table is over 40 years old. The previous owner inherited it from her mother and sold it to me bc she runs an in house d...
Travertine, Marble, Soapstone, Metal
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
Contemporary Riviera Armchair 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
1970s Post-Modern Chrome and Glass Dining Set by Daystrom, 5 Pieces
By Giotto Stoppino, Daystrom Furniture, Chromcraft, Bassett Furniture
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Exuding bold elegance and unapologetic mid-century charm, this four-piece dining ensemble encapsulates 1970s modernist glamour. A quartet of sculptural Daystrom “scoop” chairs—sinuou...
Chrome
1970s Italian Postmodern Rosso Levanto Marble Dining Table
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An exceptional 1970s Italian Postmodern dining table crafted entirely from richly veined Rosso Levanto marble. This monumental piece showcases the bold sculptural presence and refine...
Marble
Postmodern Dining Table Geometrical Base Round & Glass Top Style Memphis Group
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Postmodern dining table w/geometrical pedestal base & scalloped edge glass top in the style of the Memphis Group. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this...
Metal
1980s Sculptural Clover Artistic Pedestal Dining Table
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, rare, hand sculpted and painted dining or versatile table you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. J...
Glass, Plaster, Wood
Contemporary Riviera Bar Chair in Lacquered Mint 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
Folio Table XL by De Castelli, Aluminium, Post-Modern Design, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
Folio Table XL in Aluminium by De Castelli. Dimensions: W 398 x D 125 x H 75 cm. Materials: Aluminium. Design by Draw Studio. The Folio Table XL is an architectural statement piece ...
Metal, Aluminum
Karl Springer Lizard-Embossed Leather Pedestal Dining Table, 1985
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A striking dining table by Karl Springer, its broad circular top cantilevered over a substantial drum-form pedestal base. The table is fully wrapped in a rich cognac-toned lizard-emb...
Leather, Wood
Italian Dining Table in Oak with Aluminum Inlays 250cm/98.43in.
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, oak, aluminum, Italy, 1980s This Italian table, dating from the 1980s, is made in oak and has a long rectangular top with softly rounded edges. Narrow aluminium secti...
Aluminum