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.
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican Green Onyx
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble and Mexican onyx conglomerate, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a ...
Onyx
Eclipse Olo Sculptural Nightstand / Side Table, with compartments
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rings of white onyx tower in a light gradient descent to create Olo Eclipse Nightstand. This iteration of our beloved nightstand hides two secret compartments which are revealed with...
Stone, Onyx, Marble
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican White Onyx / Marble
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool / side table; a hand sculpted stone from an incredibly particular stone; Mexican White Onyx, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials ...
Onyx
Rodolfo side table 90s Y2K style Baleri Italia
By Baleri Italia, Enrico Baleri
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Rodolfo side table designed by Enrico Baleri for Baleri Italia. This table was published in the 90s. Half transparent table top and steel legs in polished finish. Really good exampl...
Steel
Pair of 1970s Chrome and Glass Side Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A captivating pair of 1970s chrome and glass side tables in the style of Milo Baughman and John Mascheroni. Showcasing the refined minimalism of sophisticated mid-century modern desi...
Chrome
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican Green Onyx
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble and Mexican onyx conglomerate, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a ...
Onyx
Vintage Post Modern Round Travertine Stone Pedestal Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Italian Travertine Stone This vintage Italian pedestal table is a striking example of Post Modern minimalism, crafted entirely from ...
Travertine
Hybrid Objects Small Side Table in Natural Stone & Aluminum by Estudio Material
Located in Geneve, CH
Hybrid Objects Small Side Table in Natural Stone & Aluminum by Estudio Material. Signed and numbered by Estudio Material. Dimensions: W 25.4 x D 17.8 x H 40.6 cm Materials: Natur...
Stone, Aluminum
$15,902 / item
Orbis Side Table in Marble with Mirror Core by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbis Side Table in Marble with Mirror Core by Homa. Dimensions: W 50 x D 50 x H 30 cm Materials: Marble, Green Onyx. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The a...
Onyx, Marble
$3,200 / item
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Blue Calacite
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican Blue Calacite, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a modernist manner. The p...
Stone
Pair of Bench Made Steel Fan Side Tables in Manner of Pierre Chareau
Located in Peabody, MA
A pair of bench made steel fan tables in the manner of the French Constructivist Architect Pierre Chareau. His extraordinary design work from the 1920s and 30s, which often utilized ...
Steel
$870Sale Price|45% Off
Hans Ullrich Bitsch Side Table Series 8600, circa 1980
By Hans Ullrich Bitsch, Kusch+Co
Located in Vienna, AT
Hans Ullrich Bitsch side table Series 8600, circa 1980. Postmodern classic with black metal table top and highly delicate metal joints. Good original condition with minor wear, some ...
Chrome, Metal
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Modern Karl Springer Style Sculptural Curved Waterfall Side End Table, 1980's
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Modern curved waterfall side end table in the style of Karl Springer. This sculptural piece features a neutral cream-beige tone laminate. Beautiful as is or could be wrapped in grass...
Laminate, Wood
Post-Modern Memphis Style Side Table Fontana Arte, solid Glass, Italy 1980s
By Fontana Arte
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Mid-Century Memphis Style Side Table Fontana Arte, solid Glass, Italy 1980s- very heavy, very solid. perfect condition.
Glass
$419Sale Price / set|40% Off
Pair of Pierre Vandel Paris side tables, 1970s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Pair of Pierre Vandel Paris side tables circa 1970, black lacquered aluminum structure, gold band inclusion, original beveled glass resting on black rubber glides. All in good condi...
Aluminum
Postmodern Design Bamboo Side Table by Axel Vervoordt, Belgium 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Design Bamboo Side Table by Axel Vervoordt. Made in Belgium, 1980's / 90's period. Wood construction with tops in bamboo finish. Square two tier side table. This c...
Bamboo
Rare Adjustable Cassina 'Kick' Side Table by Toshiyuki Kita
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Rare 1980’s Cassina 'Kick' side table by renowned Japanese designer Toshiyuki Kita. Constructed of powder coated charcoal gray steel with black lacquered with rubber edges. Design w...
Steel
$4,505 / item
Half Moon Bedside Table in Jesmonite by Perler
Located in Geneve, CH
Half Moon Bedside Table in Jesmonite by Perler. Dimensions: W 55 x D 34 x H 45 cm. Materials: Jesmonite. Color: A subtle shade of warm white or ivory, complemented by a ceramic inla...
Other
Wide & Tall Mid Century Italian Modern Dark Green Marble Pedestal or Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple yet elegant green marble pedestal table from Italy circa 1980's. It features beautiful veining of solid slab marble construction. ...
Marble
$840Sale Price / set|43% Off
Post-Modern Cantilever Side Tables by Interlude Home, Pair
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Pair of gray tone birdseye maple top, chrome base cantilever side tables. These tables are great for multiple seating styles and can be very convenient for long sofas or benches. Goo...
Chrome
Chrome Spiral Coil Table by Pace
Located in New York, NY
Classic coil base side, or end table by Pace, circa 1970's. The bright chrome base supports the original plate glass inter top, this example is in very good, original, clean and read...
Chrome
$1,542 / item
Grão Wood Side Table by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Grão Wood Side Table by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 45 x D 39 x H 42 cm Materials: Solid wood. Finishes: Solid Imbuia wood or Solid Freijo wood. About: Studio Orth is a multidiscipli...
Wood
Post Modern Geometric Painted Wood Table
Located in Hudson, NY
Post modern sculptural wood side table. Faux birch painted. Geometric and ever changing design when altering viewpoint. Very interesting and super fun to look at.
Hardwood, Paint
Vintage brass side tables - set of 2, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage brass Z-shaped side table or plant stand with smoked glass. Good condition. Late 1970s - Belgium Height: 55cm Diameter: 34cm Ref.: 25071811
Brass
American Designer, Side Table, Burlwood, USA, 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A burlwood side table designed and produced in the US, c. 1970s.
Wood, Burl
Play Time Toy Table Oval, Stone and Onyx
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rounded pillars of blue calcite, pink marble, caramel onyx and green onyx carry a black marble top to create Play-time Table; An elegant rendition of children’s furniture. A piece m...
Stone, Onyx, Marble
$3,300 / item
A Heavy Plaster Tri-Legged Side Table
Located in North Miami, FL
These heavy plaster tri-legged side tables with foot details to legs. Sourced from a Miami Beach hotel and in wonderful condition (light touch up and repaint). SEE all detail images ...
Plaster
$1,880 / item
Canels
Located in Mérida, MX
This unique side table is inspired by the traditional Mexican chiclets, "Canel's," evoking a sense of nostalgia and a playful reminder of childhood memories. Its vibrant design and q...
Fiberglass
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Glass Top Side or End Table by Becker Designs, 1990s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern black lacquered steel side or end table with three stacked pieces of glass designed and manufactured by Becker Designs USA circa 1990s. Height to top of glass 19-5/8”.
Steel
Solid Capulín Wood Colorae Side Table by Taller Batán
Located in Geneve, CH
Solid Capulín Wood Colorae Side Table by Taller Batán Dimensions: W 36 x D 36 x H 50 cm Materials: Single block, wood; volcanic, stone; marble. Finishes: White cedar, blackened ced...
Stone, Marble
$2,228 / item
Wood Rino I Side Table by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Wood Rino I Side Table by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 51 x D 40 x H 48 cm Materials: Solid wood. Finishes: Solid Imbuia wood or Solid Freijo wood. About: Stu...
Wood
Silos Small Side Table in Steel, Paper & Vegetable Tanned Leather by UNIQKA
Located in Geneve, CH
Silos Small Side Table in Steel, Paper & Vegetable Tanned Leather by UNIQKA Designed by Studiopepe Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 45 cm. Materials: Vegetable-tanned leather, paper,...
Steel
Postmodern Square Blue End Side Drink Table Memphis Style, Small
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Group
Located in New York, NY
A cool, chic, small royal blue side/end/drinks table, Postmodern period, Memphis style, after designer Marco Zanini, circa late-20th century, 1980s. A monochromatic table in wood and...
Laminate, Wood
Post Modern Glass and Acrylic Side Table in Manner of Shlomi Haziza, c. 1980s
Located in Peabody, MA
Postmodern glass and acrylic side table in the manner of Shlomi Haziza, c. 1990s. The top is beveled glass. The colored acrylic elements are faceted, creating a prismatic effect.
Glass, Acrylic
Play Time Toy Table, Mexican White Onxy Stone, 70cm Diameter
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rounded pillars of white Mexican onyx carry a white marble top to create Play-time Table; An elegant rendition of children’s furniture. A piece meticulously hand-sculpted from stone...
Stone, Onyx, Marble
$691Sale Price|53% Off
Maitland Smith Wedge Coffee Table, Mactan Stone & Glass, 1980s
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Vintage 1980s, this wedge-shaped tessellated Mactan stone coffee table exudes sculptural grandeur with textured sophistication. The top is triangular glass, clear and generously si...
Stone
Cream Lacquered Glass Side Tables Wheels 1970s Hollywood Regency Pair bedside
Located in London, GB
A pair of effortlessly chic side tables, made of lacquered metal and sat atop castor wheels. Each table is composed of a cream lacquered frame, inside which is housed three glass pa...
Metal
Memphis Milano Hyatt Table by Ettore Sottsass
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Toronto, ON
Imposing and superb, Hyatt by Ettore Sottsass evokes the structure of the classical column with the “capital” equal to the base. A side table that certainly does not go unnoticed for...
Metal, Chrome
Italian Side Tables in Metal and Round Granite Top
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Side tables, granite, metal, brass, Italy, 1980s These side tables feature a red granite tabletop in round format. The granite shows a vivid surface. A brass pedestal ends in a blac...
Granite, Metal, Brass
1970's Sculptural Chrome & Glass End Table by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman, Design Institute America
Located in Dallas, TX
An uncommon 'Spider' table designed by Milo Baughman for Design Institute of America (DIA), American circa 1970s. Minimalist design with a stunning profile befitting of a range of in...
Chrome
$2,650 / item
Ettore Sottsass Single Side Table by Petra Madalena
Located in Geneve, CH
Ettore Sottsass Single Side Table by Petra Madalena Dimensions: W 45 x D 45 x H 65 cm Materials: multilaminar wood veneer. Weight: 20 kg (± 5 kg for packaging) Introducing an unpara...
Wood
Eclipse Olo Sculptural Nightstand / Side Table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rings of white onyx tower in a light gradient descent to create Olo Eclipse Nightstand. This iteration of our beloved nightstand hides two secret compartments which are revealed with...
Stone, Onyx, Marble
Postmodern Side Table in Beech Plywood by Ekornes Stressless, Norway 1980s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this losting you will find a sleek, playful triangle side table by Ekornes and their Stressless line. Crafted out of beechwood in a lovely warm light wood color. Excellent quality...
Plywood
Dutch Postmodern Red Side Drinks Table w/Shelf by Erik van Buijtenen for Nebu
By Nebu, Erik van Buijtenen
Located in New York, NY
A Dutch Postmodern red lacquered side drinks table with shelf by designer Erik van Buijtenen for Nebu, circa 1970s, Holland. This Post-Modern / '70s Modern table is round, has a 'Coc...
Composition
$28,575 / item
Olaf Mint Green Cast Glass Side Table by Fred and Juul
Located in Geneve, CH
Olaf Mint Green Cast Glass Side Table by Fred and Juul Dimensions: D 20 x W 20 x H 50 cm. Materials: Colored cast glass. Different colors are ...
Glass
$1,433 / item
Alvorada Side Table by Giacomo Tomazzi Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Alvorada Side Table by Giacomo Tomazzi Studio Dimensions: W 62 x D 35 x H 55 cm Materials: Woven wicker, Polished stainless steel. ABOUT Giácom...
Stainless Steel
$3,047 / item
Woodland Grey Table 02 by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Woodland Grey Table 02 by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 48 / 85 x H 32 / 36 / 40 / 42 cm Materials: Mild steel, powder-coated with zinc undercoat. Weight: 20 kg Coco Flip is a Melbourne ...
Steel, Zinc
Pucci De Rossi for H Dolin Stuart Signed Battista Occasional Table, 1987
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Pucci De Rossi for H Dolin Stuart Signed Battista Occasional Table, 1987 A delightful postmodern sculptural side table with an interlocking charcoal color metal base with glass top ...
Metal
Three Curved Seperate Structure Wood and Bronze Side Table by Ultramobili
Located in Geneve, CH
Jeanjean Chestnut Burl Side Table by Ultramobili Dimensions: D 80 x H 36 cm Materials: Chestnut Burl, Bronze. Oval occasional table with shaped rounded edges and top insert in nat...
Bronze
$2,734 / item
Pins Round Side Table with Spheres by Marioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Pins Round Side Table with Spheres by Marioni Dimensions: D 65 x H 65 cm. Materials: Brass details, 4 spheres and glazed ceramic base. Back painted...
Brass
$5,300 / item
Ahadi Side Table by Albert Potgieter Designs
Located in Geneve, CH
Ahadi side table by Albert Potgieter Designs Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 45 cm. Materials: different types of wood. The Ahadi Side table is a functional sculptural design. Made to be b...
Wood
$2,400 / item
Honed Travertine Occasional Side Table
Located in Houston, TX
Honed travertine occasional side table with column base.
Travertine
Mactan Stone Coffee Table by Magnussen Ponte, 1980s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Beautiful coffee table or side table by Magnussen Ponte, 1980s. The beautiful base of the table is made of Mactan stone or Fossil Stone. Faceted glass ...
Stone
$505 / item
Object 084 Side Table by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 084 Side Table by NG Design Dimensions: ⌀ 28 x H 50 cm Materials: Powder-Coated Steel Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on demand. A...
Steel
$4,481 / item
Ludovica Table by Ayres
Located in Geneve, CH
Ludovica Table by Ayres Dimensions: W 41 x D 41 x H 48 cm. Materials: Red Travertine. At AYRES we design utilitarian objects and furniture with a primary aesthetic. Our basic shap...
Marble
$3,228 / item
Pina Low Light Grey Black Side Table by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Pina Low Light Grey Black Side Table by Pulpo Dimensions: D44 x H42 cm Materials: glass; brass and steel Also available in different colours. Please contact us. Sebastian Herkner’s distinctively tall, skinny side table...
Brass, Steel
Set of 2 Luxurious ART-DECO MODERNIST NIGHSTANDS by MAISON JANSEN, France, 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant pair of rectangular nightstands, Art-Déco, Modernist, Cubist, Bauhaus, Shabby-Chic, in wood lacquered in buttery cream, enhanced with...
Bronze
$3,758 / item
Drop Side Table by Idaaf Architects
Located in Geneve, CH
Drop Side Table by Idaaf Architects Dimensions: Ø 40 x H 50 cm. Materials: Solid walnut. Created and handcrafted in Tbilisi using domestic walnut wood, the ‘Drop’ Table combines traditional craftsmanship with the contemporary language of sinuous form which almost turns it into a sculpture. The round, gently carved table top is supported by three drop legs. Each part of the table is carefully cut from a massive piece of walnut by a carpenter, ensuring that each piece is unique and individually textured. The final touches, such as sanding and wax coating, are applied by the Idaaf Architects. This unique wood is identifiable by its pronounced patterns with veiny cracks and imperfections that together give the table a warm, lustrous quality. Made always from massive wood, the ‘Drop’ table makes use of trees that have been felled because of natural causes, or village trees that have been cut because they no longer bear fruit. So, they continue to live in a different form as indoor sculptures. Born and based in Tbilisi, Nana Zaalishvili...
Walnut
$1,939 / set
Hilu Side Table by Studio Kallang
Located in Geneve, CH
Hilu Side Table by Studio Kallang Dimensions: W 38 x D 38 x H 45 cm Materials: Solid Teak, Solid Sungkai. STUDIO KALLANG IS A SINGAPORE AND SEATTLE B...
Wood, Teak
Pair of Post Modern Red Lacquer Round Side Tables, 1980s, USA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Post Modern Red Lacquer Round Side Tables, 1980s, USA Geometric End Tables in Memphis style A versatile pair of 1990's barrel or dowel-shaped side tables crafted from lacque...
Wood, Lacquer