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.
Mid-Century Modern Tessellated Stone / Marble Cocktail Table by Maitland Smith
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning two-tone tessellated stone by Maitland Smith circa 1980's. It features an off white and charcoal grey marble seamlessly done in a free-form shape.
Stone, Marble
Picasso Green Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table, 36/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Picasso Green Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table, 36/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 36 cm. Materials: Picasso green marble Available in Kyknos, Grafite, Travertino Rosso, Grey Sain...
Marble
Midcentury Italian Post Modern Travertine Marble 2 Piece Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Two piece contemporary design circa 1990s from Italy. Solid travertine construction. Each table measures 55 inches from corner to corner. 27.5 inches wide. The taller table is 16 inc...
Travertine
Large Travertine Mid Century Italian Modern Trapezoidal Glass Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An extra long coffee table from Italy circa 1970's. It features 2 triangular travertine pedestals supporting a thick clear glass top.
Travertine
Travertino Silver Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 36/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Travertino Silver Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 36/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 36 cm Materials: Travertino silver Available in Kyknos, Grafit...
Marble
$43,289 / 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
$9,953 / item
Kynos Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table
Located in Geneve, CH
Kynos Refined Contemporary marble low round table Dimensions: 100 x H 36 cm Materials: Kynos Angelo is the essence of a round table in natural stone, a sculptural shape in robust material with elegant lines and refined finishes. The collection consists of a round/oval dining or conference table, side tables and lower tables. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use! All tables are made by order and finished by hand to be sure that the table top and base become one piece The basic collection consists of 9 different marbles and different standard dimensions, however on request we make to measure. Almost any size or marble is possible! All tables are signed and numbered (the low and side tables are only signed). All tables are impregnated with Lithofin Nanotop. This protection is not visible and the marble keeps its natural look and feel. With the delivery of every table, a maintenance set of Lithofin is included. The production time is standard 12 weeks. The design Angelo is the essence of a round or oval table in natural stone, it features a sculptural form, sturdy material, an elegant line and a refined finish. Two elements, table base and top, form one whole together. The bottom is one running curve from table foot to edge. The conical connection creates a stable whole. To show the marble in it’s most expressive character, different finishes are possible (polished, honed, brushed, striped, sandblasted & brushed). The basic collection consists of nine different types of marble and different sizes. On request this design can be executed in almost any type of marble and on measure. This table is perfectly suitable in a housing, retail or office environment. As the table is supported by one central foot it creates a lot of flexibility in seating. Executed in hard variations of natural stone suited for external use, this design can be a perfect garden table or sculpture. Angelo M...
Marble
Rosso Lepanto Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 36/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Rosso Lepanto refined contemporary marble low round table 36/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 36 cm. Materials: Rosso Lepanto Available in Kyknos, Grafite, Trave...
Marble
Travertino Silver Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Travertino silver refined contemporary marble low round table 27/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 27 cm Materials: Travertino Silver Available in Kyknos, Grafite, Travertino Rosso, Grey S...
Marble
Picasso Green Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Picasso Green Refined Contemporary marble low round table 27/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 27 cm Materials: Picasso Green marble Available in Kyknos, Grafite, Travertino Rosso, Grey Sai...
Marble
Travertino Rosso Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Travertino Rosso Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 27 cm Materials: Travertino Rosso marble Available in kyknos, grafite, travertino rosso, grey ...
Marble
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Black & White Kidney Shape Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large free form coffee table from Italy circa 1980's. It features cast concrete legs with textured wood and clear inlayed glass.
Concrete
Italian Postmodern Smaller Scale Marble and Glass Square Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This cocktail table is so architectural and modern, made in Italy, circa 1990s. It’s constructed of thick slabs of marble and clear glass. Very clean and ready for immediate use.
Marble
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Rectangular Cocktail Table in Glass & Marble
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large and substantial coffee table from Italy circa 1970's. It features a thick clear glass top with chunky solid marble marble legs in white with grey veining.
Metal, Brass
Travertino Rosso Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 36/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Travertino Rosso refined Contemporary marble low round table 36/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 36 cm Materials: travertino rosso marble Available in kyknos,...
Marble
Kyknos Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Kyknos Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 27 cm Materials: Kynos Angelo is the essence of a round table in natural stone, a sculptural shape in ro...
Marble
Grafite Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Grafite refined Contemporary marble low round table 27/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 27 cm Materials: Grafite marble Angelo is the essence of a round table in natural stone, a sculptu...
Marble
Grafite Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 36/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Grafite Refined Contemporary marble low round table 36/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 36 cm Materials: Grafite marble Angelo is the essence of a round tab...
Marble
Rosso Lepanto Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Rosso Lepanto Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 27 cm Materials: Rosso Lepanto Available in Kyknos, Grafite, Travertino Rosso, Grey Saint Lau...
Marble
Bianco Statuarietto Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 36/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Bianco Statuarietto Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 36/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 36 cm Materials: Bianco Statuarietto Available in Kyknos, Gra...
Marble
Grey Saint Laurent Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey Saint Laurent refined contemporary marble low round table 27/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 27 cm Materials: Grey Saint Laurent marble Available in Kyknos, Grafite, Travertino Rosso...
Marble
Grey Saint Laurent Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 36/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Grey Saint Laurent Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 36/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 36 cm Materials: Grey Saint Laurent marble Available in Kyknos, Grafite, Travertino Rosso, G...
Marble
Bianco Statuarietto Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table 27/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Bianco Statuarietto refined contemporary marble low round table 27/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 27 cm Materials: Bianco Statuarietto Available in Kyknos, Grafite, Travertino Rosso, Gre...
Marble
Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone Side Table
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for accurate shipping quote to your location. This item is somewhat fragile. It may need a crate or in-home delivery depending on your location. Singl...
Travertine
$1,400
H 18.5 in W 20 in D 20 in
Tessellated Stone and Brass Square Occasional Table by Maitland Smith
Located in Hanover, MA
Versatile occasional table by Maitland Smith in tessellated fossil stone and brass inlay over wood structure. Tapered 3-D geometric pyramidal legs. Engraved brass label on underside....
Stone, Brass
$800
H 12 in W 26 in D 22.88 in
Ole Gjerlov-Knudsen France & Sons Teak Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee Table
By Ole Gjerløv-Knudsen and Torben Lind, France & Søn
Located in Wayne, NJ
France & Sons teak Danish Scandinavian Modern coffee table. Designed by Ole Gjerlov-Knudsen and Torben Lind. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please contact...
Teak
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
$2,925 / item
H 30.32 in W 35.83 in D 15.75 in
French Directoire Style Console Table in Solid Cherry Wood, Secret Drawer
Located in Landivy, FR
This rectangular console table is a craft handed re-interpretation of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. The Directoire period style is remarkable with its ...
Brass
$1,480
H 17 in W 36 in D 30 in
Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Mactan Stone Coffee Table. C 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Mactan Stone Coffee Table. Circa 1980s Features four independent peach, emerald, and ivory geometric stone bases with built-in slots to ho...
Stone
$5,872
H 29.53 in W 35.44 in D 70.87 in
Midcentury Italian Post Modern Travertine Marble Rectangular Dining Table
Located in DE MEERN, NL
Introducing our stunning rectangular Travertine dining table, a true masterpiece of Italian design from 1980. Crafted with exquisite attention to detail, this table features a luxuri...
Travertine
$4,000
H 15.36 in W 24.81 in D 24.81 in
Painted Iron and Glass Low Table by Curtis Jere, United States, circa 1960
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Painted iron and glass low table by Curtis Jere. United States, circa 1960. Glass dimensions: 80 x 80 cm.
Iron
Destructured Console by Studio Glustin
Located in Saint-Ouen (PARIS), FR
Destructured console in tainted mirrors. Creation by Studio Glustin.
Brass
$4,800
H 12 in W 40.5 in D 40.5 in
Low Midcentury Italian Modern Square Travertine Marble Cube Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple and natural square coffee table made of travertine for Italy circa 1970s. It features a very low profile with solid slab travertine construction with beautiful veining and m...
Travertine
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.75 in W 66 in D 40.25 in
Mid Century Modern Cast Hardstone Indoor/Outdoor Cocktail Table w/Fossils 20thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote*** A Mid Century Modern Cast Hardstone Indoor/Outdoor Coffee Table with Fossils and Fossil Imprint...
Cast Stone, Concrete
Plaisance Console Table, by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Art Deco inspired console table. Steel frame with a gun metal patina and brass accents. The top has an exceptional marble top. Black, grey with blue and silver crystalized marble. Cu...
Marble
Picasso Green Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table, 36/100
Located in Geneve, CH
Picasso Green Refined Contemporary Marble Low Round Table, 36/100 Dimensions: 100 x H 36 cm. Materials: Picasso green marble Available in Kyknos, Grafite, Travertino Rosso, Grey Sain...
Marble
Sold
H 18.5 in W 53.5 in D 38 in
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Glass & Gunmetal Tear Drop Form Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning S Form coffee table from Italy circa 1990's. It features a gunmetal steel finish base with brass colored trim and a clear glass top.
Steel
Sold
H 15 in W 51 in D 33 in
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Travertine Marble Cocktail Table in Triangular
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A chunky and substantial cocktail in travertine from Italy circa 1992. It features heavy travertine construction with extra thick bullnose edge and column form legs. Clean ready to u...
Travertine
Mid-Century Post Modern Glossy Black Scrolled Rectangular Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A heavy substantial coffee table from Italy circa 1980's. It features solid wood construction with a high gloss lacquer finish.
Wood
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Black Marble 3 Legged Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A chic post modern Italian design coffee table from the early 1990's. It consists of black marble slab construction with white and grey veining.
Marble
Sold
H 15.5 in W 55 in D 38.5 in
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Beige Marble Cocktail Table in an Eye Form
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning vintage marble coffee table made in Italy circa 1980's. It features a 3 piece design constructed of thick marble slabs.
Marble
Sold
H 16 in W 73.5 in D 33.5 in
Large Oval Post Modern Space Age Modern Cocktail Table in Black Metal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large an impressive post modern design coffee table. It features all enameled metal construction with racetrack oval top.
Steel
Sold
H 16.25 in Dm 35.5 in
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Circular Coffee Table in Marble with X Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek modern round cocktail table made in Italy in the 1980's. It features a beige colored slab marble with an X base and chrome ring acc...
Marble
Monumental Midcentury Postmodern Italian Travertine Marble Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A larger scale and substantial cocktail table from Italy, circa 1980s. The piece is constructed of two base parts with a large honed travertine top. In excellent overall condition.
Travertine
Sold
H 16 in W 50 in D 30 in
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Black and White Pop Art Triangular Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An incredible Postmodern design circa 1980s. This table consists of two triangular forms made of heavy wood construction with a seamless textured lacquer finish. Heavy and well made.
Wood
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Sculptural Bent Acrylic Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An impressive molded resin coffee table from the 1970s. It features a marble swirled white acrylic resin sheet, sculpted into a modern form table.
Resin, Acrylic
Sold
H 13 in W 55 in D 33 in
Midcentury Italian Postmodern Murano Freeform Glass Cocktail Table Roche Bobois
By Murano 5
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This table is truly a work of art with Murano glass legs designed by Maurice Barilone for Roche Bobois. It features turquoise and purple art glass legs with a freeform glass...
Glass, Art Glass