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.
$2,502 / item
Duplex Copper Center Table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
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
Post-Modern Memphis Style Italian Aluminum Frame Bar Cart
By Mario Bellini, Ettore Sottsass, Philippe Starck, Mario Botta
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful example of Italian Post-Modern Memphis design, circa 1980s. Versatile piece on casters that can be used as tea, bar or serving serving cart. The piece is made of wood with ...
Aluminum
Brazilian Modern Coffee Table by Sergio Rodrigues in Lacquered Wood
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Brazilian modern "Augusto" round coffee table by Sergio Rodrigues, 1991 Black lacquered wood and marble top Sergio and Adolpho were already old acquaintances when, in 1991, the entr...
Marble
$2,502 / item
Duplex Salmon Center Table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
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
$3,183 / item
Walker Whiskey Table by Gisbert Pöppler
Located in Geneve, CH
Walker whiskey table by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: D 16 x W 16 x H 59 cm Materials: Laquered wood, steel Available in blue, green, red and yellow. ...
Steel
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
$2,524 / item
Duplex Oak Center Table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
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
Servomuto table by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1974
By Zanotta, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Athens, Attiki
Servomuto table of the range Servi by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Zanotta, 1974. Servomuto, light and easy to move, is the worthy heir of the essential stylish and balan...
Metal, Steel
$2,524 / item
Duplex Center Table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
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, Metal
$1,271Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Serving Cart Fontana Arte Style with Three Glass Shelves, Italy
By Fontana Arte
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This serving cart features a chrome-plated steel frame and three glass shelves, which can be used as trays. It is a vintage item, therefore it might show sligh...
Steel
Duplex Lilac Lacquered Side Table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
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
$1,866 / item
Duplex Side Table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
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, Metal
Italian Post Modern Red Wine and Chromed Steel Foldin Table by Zerodisegno 1980s
By Zerodisegno
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern red wine and chromed steel foldin table by Zerodisegno, 1980s Folding table with structure in chromed steel rod, with wine-colored top and black border, divided ...
Steel
Post-Modern Solid Oak Wine Glass Stand
Located in New Windsor, NY
Solid white oak wine glass holder. Circa 1980. Good overall condition with minor cosmetic wear due to age and use. Structurally sound and sturdy. The stand measures approximately 14...
Oak
$1,304 / item
Brass Swinging Drink Table by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Brass swinging drink table by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 14 x W 14 x H 55.8 cm Materials: brass A table for your drink that is already a li...
Brass
Marble Modular Base Contemporary Art Side Table Set by Samuele Brian
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble side table set by Samuele Brianza. Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 57 cm. 45 x 45 x 75 cm. Materials: - paonazzo marble 16 blocks. - sarnico stone round top. Primo is a modul...
Stone, Marble
$6,105 / item
Queen Nenzima Server, Solid Ash by Theurbanative
Located in Geneve, CH
Queen Nenzima Server, solid ash by TheUrbanative Dimensions: W 200 x D 50 x H 85 cm Material: Powder-coated steel Natural and stained solid Ash timber Also Available: Queen ne...
Steel
$1,870 / item
Duplex Lacquered Side Table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
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 Modular Base Contemporary Art Low Coffee Table by Samuele Brianza
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble low coffee table by Samuele Brianza Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 38.5 cm Materials: Paonazzo marble 6 blocks Glass round top Primo is a modular system made of load-bearing ...
Marble
$9,594 / item
Queen Nenzima Server, Terrazzo by TheUrbanative
Located in Geneve, CH
Queen Nenzima server, Terrazzo by TheUrbanative Dimensions: W200 x D50 x H85 cm Material: Powder-coated steel Terrazzo doors and top Bamboo inner shelf Also available: Queen n...
Steel
$1,999 / item
Duplex Walnut Side Table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
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 Modular Base & Steel Top Contemporary Art Coffee Table by Samuele Brianza
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble coffee table by Samuele Brianza Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 75 cm Materials: Paonazzo marble 12 blocks Glass round top Primo is a modular system made of load-bearing marbl...
Marble
Italian Design Mid-Century Bar Cart, 1950s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
Rare 1950s Italian desgin serving bar cart. Made of beech wood equipped with two glass shelves and brass wheels for convenient movement. Perfect for serving drinks to your guests. Vi...
Glass, Beech
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 38.25 in W 53 in D 19 in
Pair of American Mahogany Console Servers in Natural Washed Finish
Located in North York, ON
American mahogany console servers in natural washed finish. Original design and look with beautiful inlaid work and slender curved legs. This piece is p...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Bar Cart by Cesare Lacca, Walnut & Glass, Italy
By Cesare Lacca, Cassina
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian bar cart made of hand crafted polished Walnut, designed by Cesare Lacca and produced by Cassina, enhanced by detailed wood carvings, in good cond...
Metal, Chrome
Moroccan Moorish Copper Tray Table with Hand-Carved Folding Base
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An exceptional Moorish Moroccan folding tray table, featuring a beautifully hand-hammered round copper top resting on an intricately hand-c...
Brass
$3,672Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 21.66 in
Console Table, High Gloss Laminate & Brass Details, Burgundy - L
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
Julieta Collection. Console Table with High Gloss Top, Brass Tape Framed, Black Powder Coating Conical Legs with Brass End Introducing the stunning console table with black powder...
Brass
$8,000 / set
H 25.6 in W 20.5 in D 13 in
Brazilian Modern Pair of Sergio Rodrigues “Yara” Jacarandá Side Tables, Brazil
Located in New York, NY
A refined example of Sergio Rodrigues’ architectural restraint, the “Yara” side tables distill structure, proportion, and material integrity into a compact yet powerful form. Designe...
Chrome
$24,000
H 37.5 in W 72 in D 27.25 in
English Regency Mahogany Bow Front Ebony Inlaid Sideboard, Circa 1800
Located in Charleston, SC
English Regency mahogany bow front sideboard with a upper case centered long drawer, flanked by a cutlery drawer and bottle box drawer, lower case arched centered silver drawer, flan...
Brass
$21,600Sale Price|25% Off
H 15 in W 59 in D 24 in
Sergio Rodrigues Eleh Jacaronda Coffee Table or Bench, Brazil, 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sergio Rodrigues Eleh Jacaronda coffee table or bench, Brazil, 1965. "Eleh" model from the "Arcos" series, Made by Oca, Brazil, 1965. Jacaranda (Brazili...
Jacaranda
John Widdicomb Rolling Flip Top Server Serving Cart Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, John Widdicomb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Nice Mid-Century Modern rolling server cart.
Walnut
Sergio Rodrigues, Console Table, Wood, Formica, Brazil, 1980s
Located in High Point, NC
A wall-mounted wood and white formica "Cuiabá" console table designed and produced by Sergio Rodrigues, Brazil, c. 1980s Overall Dimensions (inches): 9.25"H x 70.75"W x 10.0"D All ...
Formica, Wood
English Style Painted Dresser Base
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Huge 19th century style painted potboard dresser base. Dimensions: 124 inches (315 cms) wide 22 inches (56 cms) deep 30.5 inches (77 cms) high.
Pine
$15,298
H 33.08 in W 45.28 in D 22.84 in
Gustavian Late 18th Century Neoclassical Swedish, White-Painted Console Table
Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE
Carved wood with original white paint, carved giltwood rosettes, original grey white-veined marble top. The rectangular top above a Greek key frieze with applied rosettes on square t...
Marble
Curved Burl Wood Coffee Table
Located in Antwerpen, BE
This burl wood coffee table features a sculptural shape and warm natural tones. The curved tabletop creates a soft and flowing silhouette. The solid b...
Wood
Vintage Flower Power Tray, 1970s
Located in Bingen am Rhein, RP
Flower Power Tray - 1970s This beautiful tray from the flower power era of the 70s. The serving tray still impresses with its beautiful straight shape and great colors. It is very d...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 34.65 in W 26.78 in D 21.66 in
Italian Post Modern Black White Metal Glass Food Trolley or Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern black and white metal and glass food trolley or coffee table, 1980s Food trolley or tall coffee table on wheels with white metal structure with double shelf, of ...
Metal
Drexel Heritage Chinoiserie Parsons Console Tables
By Drexel
Located in Southampton, NJ
An especially long lithe pair of Asian Modern Parsons console tables by Drexel Heritage. New refinished tops showcase striking fiery Mahogany woo...
Mahogany
Sold
H 9.45 in W 53.15 in D 13.39 in
Italian post modern light solid wood console with three drawers, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian post modern light solid wood console with three drawers, 1980s. Console in light solid wood with three drawers and rounded top. 1980s...
Wood
Postmodern Italian Bar Cart, Table
By Mario Bellini, Ettore Sottsass, Mario Botta, Philippe Starck
Located in San Diego, CA
Wonderful example of Italian Postmodern design. Versatile piece on casters that can be used as tea cart, bar cart, serving cart, table. Table is made of leather and stainless steel w...
Stainless Steel
Postmodern Side Table or Serving Cart on Casters
Located in Astoria, NY
Postmodern side table or serving cart on casters, designed in the style of Dakota Jackson. The piece has a circular glass top held in place by ...
Metal
Maison Jansen Brass Bar Elements
Located in Antwerp, BE
Pair of brass bar corner elements acid etched brass plates ebonised wood and smoked glass shelves Maison Jansen France, 1980s. Measures: H 120 c...
Brass
Ko-Ko Table by Shiro Kuramata
Located in New York, NY
Service table "Ko-Ko" in black-stained ash and polished chrome, designed by Shiro Kuramata and produced by Cappelini, c. 1990's. One of many successful post-modern designs by Memphi...
Chrome