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.
Postmodern Perforated Metal Nesting Side Table from Ikea, 1980s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern metal side table from Ikea from the 1980s. A delicate design. The finely crafted frame forms runners. A perforated metal sheet serves as the table top. The entire table i...
Metal
Gallotti & Radice Chrome Smoked Glass Nesting Tables 1980s Coffee Vintage Retro
Located in London, GB
Nest of 1980s Italian tables in steel chrome frame and brown smoked tempered glass, from design powerhouses Gallotti & Radice. Imported from Italy to the UK in the 1990s. The smoked...
Chrome
Pair of Waterfall Nesting Tables done in tinted glass attr. to FIAM, Italy 1980s
By FIAM
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a pair of Waterfall Nesting Side Tables attributed to Fiam. They are made of tinted, gray glass. Fitting one under the other, they don't take up much sp...
Glass
Angelo Cortesi for Fiam Italia Set of Three waterfall Nesting Tables.
By FIAM, Angelo Cortesi
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of three waterfall bent and checker board scored glass nesting tables by Angelo Cortesi for FIAM Italia. Fantastic condition with no chips, cracks or deep scratches. Rubber runne...
Glass
Set of 3 Late 20th Century Nesting Side Tables in Chrome and Smoked Glass
Located in Beirut, LB
A sophisticated set of nested tables from the late 1970s, showcasing Italian craftsmanship in chrome and smoked glass, exuding post-modern elegance. The cantilever design adds a tou...
Chrome
"Tango" Glass Nesting Table Set by Fabio Di Bartolomei for Fiam Italia
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
This lovely and rare nesting table set was designed in 1996 by Fabio di Bartolomei for Fiam Italy. The tables are made of very solid curved glass. It is no longer in production. ...
Glass, Wood
Cassina Set of 1960s 'Marema' Nesting Tables by Gianfranco Frattini
By Cassina, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Toronto, CA
Designed by Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina in the mid-1960s, the Marema nesting tables are a standout example of Italian modernism. Featuring four low tables that stack into a sculp...
Plastic
Unique Wrought Iron Nesting Tables in 24 Ct Gold Leaf with Bronze Glass Tops
Located in London, GB
This stunning set of 3 nesting tables was designed by Andrew and originally made by the famous Italian craftsmen at Li Puma in the heart of Florence in Italy - it is a unique "one of...
Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf
$781Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern Glass Nesting Tables
Located in Weesp, NL
Glass nesting tables Mid-Century Modern. 1970s Dutch fume glass nesting tables in very good condition. Measurements: H 41 x W 434 x D 42 cm. The nesting tables will be send disass...
Metal
Postmodern Perforated Metal Nesting Side Tables from Ikea, 1980s, Set of 2
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern metal nesting side table from Ikea from the 1980s. A delicate design. The finely crafted frame forms runners. A perforated metal sheet serves as the table top. The table ...
Metal
1970's Italian Design Travertine Nesting Side Table Set
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage 1970's Italian Design set of 3 Travertine Nesting Side Tables. Made in Italy in the 1970's. Square with rounded edges on each table. All are in good condition, the largest mo...
Travertine
Vintage Set of 3 Flame Mahogany/Chrome Nesting Tables
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Whether nested together or used as a combination of end tables, this trio of mahogany and chrome nesting tables - with their spectacular wood grain patterns - give depth and a retro ...
Chrome
Dining Room / Coffee Tables "Livingislands" by Smarin
Located in London, GB
Free shape, massive, which seems to float as a new challenge to the gravity in the living room. Two small islands which can be stacked, forming two independent consoles, a nomad archipelago, a game of upside-down summits, convertibles in tables ! Livingisland is a wooden table system put together horizontally, in epicea whose visible sections form a random combination evocative of the remarkable form of geological strata. o Coffee table system...
Spruce
$2,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Rare Pair of Post-Modern Lacquered Nesting Tables Signed by Pietro Costantini
Located in San Diego, CA
Stunning pair of Italian post-modern lacquered nesting tables signed by Pietro Costantini, circa 1990s. The table tops are made of hardwood veneer with a clear high gloss lacquer fin...
Chrome
Italian Postmodern Nesting and Stacking Tables, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Italian Postmodern set of Nesting tables. Made in Italy in the 80s Very good condition Dimensions Table 1 52cm x 58cm x 45cm Table 2 47,5cm x 54cm x 38,5cm Table 3 42,5cm x 49cm x 32cm
Glass, Smoked Glass, Wood
Brasilia Nesting Tables, Three, by The Campana Brothers, Blue Glass Tops, Chrome
By Campana Brothers, Edra
Located in Kansas City, MO
Set of three Brasilia tables designed by Fernando and Humberto Campana for Edra, Italy, 2006. Blue colored mirrored Reflex glass tops and chrome-plated aluminum legs. The glass shard...
Aluminum
A Pair of Post Modern Faux Marble Resin Nesting Tables. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
A Pair of Vintage Post Modern Faux Marble Cast Resin Accent / Nesting Tables. Circa 1980s Feature a minimalist design with rounded edges and beatiful faux stone veins design in shade...
Resin
Maurice Villency Post-Modern Trio 3 Faux Coral Stone Round Nesting Tables 1970s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very cool set of three Post-Modern, Faux Coral or Fossil Stone, composition made, round nesting tables. Made and retailed by Maurice Villency in the late 1970s or early 80s, this s...
Composition
Les Prismatiques Pair of Triangular Lucite and Glass Nesting Tables Post-Modern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These stunning lucite and glass tables were made in the 1990s by manufacturer Les Prismatiques. Shaped like rounded triangles, each table is made of 1.5 inch thick lucite and 3/4 inc...
Glass, Lucite
$1,899Sale Price / set|20% Off
Postmodern Design Handmade Nesting Table set by J. Berdou, France 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Postmodern Design Art Handmade Nesting Table set by J. Berdou. Made in France, 1980's period. Signed by the artist on the large model table. A Rare nesting / side table set with beau...
Cast Stone, Metal
Postmodern Travertine Nesting Side Tables, a Set of 3
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A set of three nesting side tables in solid travertine, designed in a stepped form typical of postmodern furniture. Each table is constructed as a U-shaped volume, allowing the small...
Travertine
Set of 3 Postmodern Nesting Tables done in Granite, Italy 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a set of three Postmodern nesting tables done in natural granite, with beautiful top shape. Made in Italy in 1980s. The tables can partly fit undernea...
Granite
$2,504 / item
ASTER Table in Lacquered MDF by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ASTER Table in Lacquered MDF by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 39 x W 39x H 56 cm. Materials: Lacquered MDF. Available in a variety of colors. The Aster Side Table by Daniel Coutto...
Wood
$2,504 / item
ASTER Table in Natural Tzalam by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
ASTER Table in Natural Tzalam by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 39 x W 39x H 56 cm. Materials: Natural Tzalam. The Aster Side Table is a versatile masterpiece by Daniel Couttolenc ...
Hardwood
Set of 3 upholstered nesting tables by Pierre Frey, France, 1970s
By La Maison Pierre Frey, Patrick Frey
Located in Lyon, FR
Rare set of three triangular nesting tables in wood, fully upholstered in Pierre Frey fabrics, from the Patrick Frey collection (Pierre Frey’s son, who took over the artistic directi...
Fabric, Wood
1986 Fan Nesting Table by DIA (Design Institute America) 3 tier glass and brass
By Design Institute America, Rick Berry
Located in Phoenix, AZ
“Fan Nesting Table” by DIA (Design Institute America), labeled, 1986. Brass and glass three-tiered nesting swivel cocktail, side or coffee table designed by Rick Berry. Perfect for a...
Brass
1980s-1990s post modern swivel side table or display stand
Located in Phoenix, AZ
1980s-1990s post modern swivel side table or display stand. Wood with chrome, black, purple and turquoise laminate. The laminate tops swivel 360 degr...
Chrome
$4,273Sale Price / set|20% Off
Govert Heikoop, minimal Art, De Stijl, Coffee/Side tables, vase & console.
Located in CASTENRAY, NL
Furniture set by Artist Govert Heikoop (1951-2007) What shall we call it Post modern, Abstract, Minimalist, Memphis Style, De Stijl. Heikoop's artwork has been described by Art critics as "Linear...
Plywood, Paint
$7,038 / item
Levels Low Table by Dan Yeffet & Lucie Koldova
Located in Geneve, CH
Levels low table Dan Yeffet & Lucie Koldova Dimensions: Ø75 x 25 cm Materials: Solid oak, natural oiled & oak tainted black. Inlays: glass (4mm), mat black/white or marble (20mm) ...
Marble
Set of three vintage rope nesting tables
Located in MILL, NL
Set of three vintage nesting tables With rope finish on the frame. From France, mid/late 20th century. Beautiful original and weathered glass. Dimensions: 56L x 35D x 43H cm
Metal
Pair Of Nesting Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Located in NY.
Metal, Iron
$26,707 / set
H 18.9 in W 83.08 in D 73.63 in
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/3, Marble, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/3, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Bordeira nesting coffee table was designed to bring the ess...
Travertine, Granite, Marble, Carrara Marble, Onyx, Quartz, Brass, Stainl...
$746Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 19.5 in W 20.5 in D 14.5 in
Pr MCM Coral Painted Outdoor Nesting Side Tables Metal Wire & Expanded Metal Top
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Mid-20th Century MCM (Mid-Century Modern) coral painted metal wire famed with expanded metal mesh top outdoor nesting tables, a pair. ...
Metal
Henredon Set of Three Nesting Tables
By Henredon
Located in Highland, IN
A handsome and nicely detailed set of three tables by Henredon. The large table is 20"h X 24"w X 15"d The two small tables are 18"h X 11"w X 11"d
Wood
$1,768
H 11.82 in W 27.56 in D 51.19 in
Mid-century modern glass curved table by Angelo Cortesi for Fiam, Italy, 1970s
By Angelo Cortesi, FIAM
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Illuminate your space with elegance and style with this stunning glass table from Fiam Italy, designed by Angelo Cortesi in the 1970s. With a width of 130 cm, a depth of 70 cm, and a...
Glass
$1,250Sale Price / set|67% Off
H 19.75 in W 25.75 in D 19.75 in
R&Y Augousti Pair of Mosaic Inlay Nesting Side Tables, 1980s, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This ingenious pair of nesting side tables designed by Ria & Yiouri Augousti for R&Y Augousti (France circa 1980), feature mosaic i...
Wood
$11,614 / set
H 14.97 in W 18.12 in D 24.02 in
Marcel Breuer, 'Isokon Nesting Tables, ' Set of Three Tables, for Isokon, 1936
By Isokon, Marcel Breuer
Located in London, GB
Marcel Breuer, Hungary (designer) ‘Isokon Nesting Tables’ Designed 1936 for the Isokon Furniture Company, this set manufactured c. 1968 as part of a licenced edition by John Alan D...
Plywood
$490Sale Price|65% Off
H 16.5 in W 38.5 in D 19.7 in
Gallotti & Radice T35 Smoked Glass Brass Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Gallotti & Radice T35 coffee table Measures: 100 x 50 x 42cm H, 39.5" W x 19.7" D x 16.5" H satin brass smoked grigo Italia glass.
Glass
$2,295 / set
H 24 in W 20.5 in D 11.75 in
Set of Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture Mahogany Nesting Tables Circa 1980s
By Barbara Barry, Baker Furniture Company
Located in Peabody, MA
Set of three nesting tables in mahogany with elegantly curved legs, designed by Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture, circa 1980s. Largest table measures 24" high, 20.5" wide, 11.75" d...
Mahogany
$1,736Sale Price|20% Off
H 19.25 in W 47.25 in D 18.57 in
Post Modern Fiam Italia Curved Glass Coffee Table
By Angelo Cortesi, FIAM
Located in Chicago, IL
Curved waterfall cocktail table by Angelo Cortesi for FIAM. FIAM being the leading glass furniture manufacturer in the world. Waterfall edges on this 1/2” thick tempered glass coffee table...
Glass
$11,244 / set
H 14.97 in W 60.24 in D 40.16 in
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/2, Marble, Handmade by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Bordeira Nesting Coffee Table, Set/2, Contemporary Collection, handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Bordeira nesting coffee table was designed to bring the ess...
Quartz, Granite, Travertine, Carrara Marble, Marble, Stainless Steel, Brass
Vintage wrought iron and glass coffee table set, 1970s - Belgium
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Exclusive vintage nest of coffe or side tables. The organic tree shaped bases are made of bent wrought iron with brass leafs supporting organically shpaed clear glass tops fixed ont...
Wrought Iron
780/783 Stacking Tables, Gianfranco Frattini for Cassina, Italy, set of 3
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Cassina, Mario Bellini, Joe Colombo, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Playful and iconic set of 3 black nesting tables which can be arranged in many ways. Model 780/783 by Cassina. Designed by Gianfranco Frattini in 1966. Set of three low tables in ...
Hardwood
Set of 3 stackable side tables, Isocèle, by Max Sauze, 1970s
By Max Sauze
Located in Lyon, FR
Set of 3 stackable side tables, model Isocèle, designed by Max Sauze in the 1970s in France. The “Isocèle” model stands out with its lightweight white lacquered metal frames and its ...
Metal
Sold
H 15.75 in W 38.98 in D 26.38 in
Set of 2 Postmodern Nesting Tables done in Cipollino Ondulato Marble, Italy 1980
By Roche Bobois
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a set of two Postmodern nesting tables done in Cipollino Ondulato marble with beautiful curly stone patterns in ...
Marble
Artistic nest of tables, Kakadu, 1990s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Set of 3 postmodern wooden nesting tables decorated with painted artistic figures signed Kakadu. The tables also have a signature from the Artist. 1990s - Unknown Very good condit...
Wood
Sold
H 15.75 in W 25.6 in D 25.6 in
Pair of Heinz Lilienthal style Nesting Tables done in Fossil Stone, Germany 1980
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a set of two Postmodern nesting tables done in fossil stone with beautiful fossilized sea shells in various shap...
Stone
1980s Onyx and Iron Postmodern Artisan Side Tables - Set of 2
Located in Miami, FL
Beautiful pair of 1980s artisan made, hand forged iron and rainbow onyx nesting side tables. We custom made the onyx tops to add a stunning contrast to the iron base, allowing for th...
Onyx, Iron
Trio Coffee Table c. 1980s
Located in Chicago, IL
The three tables can be moved around to create a larger or smaller table. There is vintage wear present but no major damage. See photos for reference Dimensions: 22.75"D 16.25"H 22...
Plaster
Sold
H 11.11 in W 15.08 in D 15.08 in
2 SIDE TABLES or NIGHTSTANDS by GUY LEFEVRE for MAISON JANSEN, France 1970
By Guy Lefevre
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and rigorous pair of bedside tables, end tables or side tables, Post-Modernist, Radical, Constructivist, Shabby-Chic, geometric structure in brushed metal with a square se...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 22.05 in W 22.05 in D 22.45 in
Limited Series Wood and Leather Nesting Tables by Stefan Zwicky for De Sede
By Stefan Zwicky, De Sede
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
Nesting tables by Stefan Zwicky, model DS 9400, with a graphic design in square, round and triangular shapes. The frame in black-stained solid oak is partially covered with leather ...
Leather, Ash
Sold
H 14.97 in W 20.48 in D 15.75 in
Postmodern Nesting Side Tables 1970s Chrome Cantilever Pieff Style Smoked Glass
Located in London, GB
A nest of late-1970s Italian tables in chrome and smoked glass, featuring a smart cantilever design that oozes post-modern chic. The smoked green glass sits in a chrome frame, with...
Chrome
Sold
H 15.75 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in
Gallotti & Radice Chrome Smoked Glass Nesting Tables 1980s Coffee Vintage Retro
Located in London, GB
Nest of 1980s Italian tables in chrome frame and brown smoked tempered glass, from design powerhouses Gallotti & Radice. Imported from Italy to the UK in the 1990s. The smoked glass...
Chrome