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.
Set of Three Round Brutalist Side Tables in Stone Look Resin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of three side tables, resin, Europe, 1970s This set of three side tables is a bold example of 1970s design. Crafted entirely from deep black resin, the material has a richly tex...
Resin
Olo Eclipse Nightstand Set, Hand-Carved Onyx, with secret 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
Pair of Vintage Italian Beveled Travertine Pedestal Side Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition This striking pair of vintage Italian side tables, dating to the 1970s, showcases the natural beauty and sculptural quality of warm cream-tone...
Travertine
Chrome and Glass Side Drinks Table Tord Björklund
Located in New York, NY
A tubular chrome and glass side drinks table, Postmodern design period, by/attributed to Swedish designer Tord Björklund, for IKEA, circa late-20th century, late 1970s to early 1980s...
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
Pair of Casprini Italian Postmodern Side Tables in Brass, Grey Glass and Lacquer
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A striking pair of Italian postmodern side tables by Casprini, produced in the 1980s and defined by their sculptural, architectural form. Each table features a circular grey glass to...
Brass
Vintage Post Modern Stainless Steel Pedestals Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition This vintage Postmodern stainless steel pedestal side table, circa 1980s, features a clean geometric cube form with a sleek reflective surface....
Steel
1990s Steel & Glass Iconography Side or Coffee Table
By (after) Jean-Michel Basquiat, (after) Keith Haring
Located in Bensalem, PA
Pair of heavy, steel and glass iconic design side tables or coffee table acquired in upstate New York please look at pictures for overall detail. Feel free to reach out with any ques...
Cut Steel
Olo Eclipse Nightstand, Hand-Carved Onyx, Sculptural Side Table / Stool, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Olo Eclipse Nightstand Rings of white onyx tower in a light gradient descent to create Olo Eclipse Nightstand. Without compartments.
Stone, Onyx, Marble
Post Modern Abstract Steel & Glass Side Table by Carl Muller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Designer: Carl Muller Manufacturer: Elite Studio Corp.
Steel
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
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican White Onyx Marble, Panorammma, Mexico
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
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican Honey Onyx Marble Conglomerate
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, Marble
$2,400 / item
Porada Birillo side table postmodern 80s style
By Porada Arredi, Tarcisio Colzani
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Birillo side table designed by Tarcisio Colzani for Porada. This table was published in the early to middle 80s. In those days, there are another variation table such as coffee table...
Steel
Sculptural Travertine Stone Side Table with Handcrafted Three-Sphere Base
Located in İnegöl, TR
Material: Travertine Side Table Dimensions: 23.6" diameter × 23.6" high (60 cm diameter × 60 cm high) Base: Three individually shaped marble spheres in different sizes Craftsmanship:...
Travertine
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Hand-Carved Green Onyx Marble Conglomerate
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
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table , Hand-Carved Blue Calacite Marble, Panorammma
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 One & Co for Council Design '47' Tables in Silver & Reclaimed Doug Fir
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Circa 2011, these tables were designed by One & Co. in partnership with Council Design. Every element of its design and philosophy is well thought out. Each table is made from re...
Silver
Hyatt Side Table by Ettore Sottsass, Chrome & Wood, Post-Modern Italy
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
Postmodern End or Side Table with Mirror Top & Black Laquered Pedestal Base
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Postmodern end or side table comprised of a black lacquered pedestal base with beveled edges & gold base trim and a rounded square shaped top with gold trim edges and mirror surface. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear even if it has been refinished or restored. No outstanding flaws seen but there are a couple small dots on the mirrored top where the silvering is missing along with some scratches, and a few scuffs in the black paint. Please see photos, zoom in for details, and see long description as they are part of the condition report. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, Late 20th Century. Mirror, Mirror on the…. End Table?? That’s right folks! It doesn’t get any more 1980’s than this little gem!!! Only the coolest houses had furniture with mirror...
Composition
Olo Nightstand, Hand-Carved Onyx & Marble, Sculptural Side Table, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rings of blue calcite, pink marble, black marble and green onyx tower to create Olo Nightstand Sculptural Side Table; a piece meticulously hand-sculpted from stones endemic to Mexico...
Stone, Onyx, Marble
Vintage Pair Of Post Modern Faux Malachite Tables
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Pair Of Post Modern Faux Malachite Tables. This great pair of post-modern side tables have been beautifully painted in a faux malachite fi...
Wood, Mirror
Post modern polished travertine side or end tables, USA 1980s, two available
Located in Hastings, GB
Simple and stylish postmodern polished travertine side or end tables, two available. Circa 1980s. The tops rest on the cube bases. These will work in any interior setting.
Travertine
$1,960Sale Price / set|30% Off
Postmodern Smoked Chrome Glass Cocktail Tables by DIA, '90s, Set of 2
Located in New York, NY
A set of two (2) designer 1990s Post-Modern 'smoked' gray-charcoal chrome round bi-level cocktail/coffee tables with cylindrical legs...
Chrome
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Marble and Glass End / Side Tables by Kaiser Newman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome matching set of glass drink tables designed and produced by Kaiser Newman in the 1990s. The tables features a black polished stone base and a spun aluminum stem with glass...
Granite, Aluminum, Brass
$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
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Hand-Carved Mexican Rose Marble, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool/ side table; a hand sculpted stone from a Mexican marble remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in a modernist manner. The piece all...
Onyx, Marble
Pair of Postmodern Carrara Marble Pedestal Side Tables
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition A sculptural pair of Postmodern Carrara marble pedestal side tables, circa 1980s. Each table features a square marble top with softly beveled ...
Carrara Marble
Vintage Italian Post Modern Carrara “Tear Drop” Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Italian Carrara Marble Crafted in Italy in the 1970s, this vintage side table is a striking example of Post Modern design, carved e...
Carrara Marble
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Post-modern sculptural memphis style pedestal table, 1980s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Original side table or pedestal in a radical postmodernist design, composed of black-painted folded sheet metal and red-lacquered particleboard. Its dimensions make it ideal as a so...
Steel
Slice Me Up Sculptural Coffee Table in Plaster by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Slice Me Up Sculptural Coffee Table in Plaster by Pietro Franceschini. Dimensions: W 161cm x L 117cm x H 36 cm Materials: plaster. This listing features the Slice Me Up Coffee Table...
Plaster
Handcrafted Architectural Solid Walnut End Table by SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
These architectural Pillar tables are a bold expression of early European modernism with the restraint and clarity of Japanese minimalism. Designed and completely handcrafted in Engl...
Walnut
$3,080
Butt Stool
Located in Mérida, MX
Solid wood stool sculpted by hand into a butt shape as a symbol of equality (we all have butts).
Wood
Set of 1970s Scandinavian Round Side Tables in Solid Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Set of two side or coffee tables, solid pine, Scandinavia, 1970s Wonderful set of side tables that encapsulate the essence of 1970s design, featuring strong, robust shapes that comm...
Pine
Matek Pyrite Side Table in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Matek Pyrite Side Table in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Onno Adriaanse. Dimensions: W 83 x D 64 x H 50 cm. Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. A side table i...
Composite
Fidji Side Table in Rattan and Kaki Green Cotton Velvet by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Fidji Side Table in Rattan and HR Foam by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 50 cm. Materials: rattan and HR foam. Fabric: Dolce vita 4848 Available in COM. Please contact us for...
Rattan, Foam
Rosalie 50 Side Table in Wood and Bold Multicolor Plaid Fabric by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Rosalie 50 Side Table in MDF Board, Wood and Fabric by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 50 x H 55 cm. Materials: Solid beech frame, particle board, and HR foam padding wrapped in cust...
Foam, Wood, Beech, Hardwood
Portofino Side Table in Natural Stained Rattan and Glass by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Portofino Side Table in Natural Stained Rattan and Glass by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: ⌀ 50 x H 52 cm. Materials: Tinted natural rattan, glass tabletop structure finished in a polyu...
Rattan, Glass
Java Side Table in Tinted Rattan & Imitation Grained Leather by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Java Side Table in Tinted Rattan & Imitation Grained Leather by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 50 x H 53 cm. Materials: Tinted rattan and grained imitation leather finished with a...
Faux Leather, Rattan
"Triple Play" Side Table by Gaetano Pesce for Fish Design, Italy 2017
Located in Hellouw, NL
Gaetano Pesce, an influential Italian designer, was known for pushing boundaries in furniture design. His work combined art and function, often reflecting his bold approach to form a...
Resin
Midcentury Postmodern Clear Glass Block End Table or Side Table after Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very cool architectural design from the 1980s. It features heavy solid glass block construction with thick clear glass top.
Glass
Ugo La Pietra Side Table Flessuosa Series Busnelli Italy, Post Modern 1985
By Busnelli, Ettore Sottsass, Ugo La Pietra
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare table from the Flessuosa series by Ugo La Pietra for Busnelli, Italy, 1985 Museal table by Ugo La Pietra, one of the former founding members of famous...
Wood
$640Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Black Enameled Metal and Glass Top Side Table, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern black enameled metal table with glass top circa 1980s. Glass diameter: 23-1/2”
Metal
Magnussen Ponte Mactan Stone Coffee or Fossil Stone Table, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Lovely Postmodern 1980s design, coffee or side table by Magnussen Ponte. The base of this cute table is made of rough edged brick motif Mactan stone or Fossil Stone. Three stone b...
Travertine
French Modern Polyhedron Lacquered Table
By R & Y Augousti, Karl Springer
Located in Houston, TX
French Modern Polyhedron Lacquered Table. This stunning French post modern octagonal table in the manner of R & Y Augousti has a marbleized lacquered finish and a thick acrylic base....
Acrylic, Wood
$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
Sculptural Postmodern Side Table by Jonathan Christian, Wood & Marble, France
Located in Lille, FR
Sculptural Postmodern side table by Jonathan Christian.
Carrara Marble
Italian Postmodern Dark Green Marble Side Table
Located in New York, NY
An Italian Postmodern side drinks table with a grey gun-metal frame and dark green marble top, circa 1990s, Italy. A great table for drinks/cocktails in a convenient size. Very good condition as shown in images and video. All Dimensions: 21.75" Height to top of marble top. 23.5" Height to top of table frame. 14.5" Square frame Marble measures: 11.57" Square. Marble sphere ashtray box...
Marble, Metal
Silent Block Sculptural Table in Stainless Steel by Veliento
Located in Geneve, CH
Silent Block Sculptural Table in Stainless Steel by Veliento. Dimensions: W 35 x D 35 x H 45 cm. Materials: Hand textured Stainless Steel. All pieces are made to order. Custom finis...
Metal, Stainless Steel
Post Modern Golden Metal Ash Vintage Side Table Sergio Terzani Italy 1985
Located in Vienna, AT
Post modern golden metal vintage side table or table with maple top by Sergio Terzani and Jean Crochet and Scandicchi Italy 1985. A stunning side table with an adjustable plate, from...
Metal
Vintage Postmodern Model Servomuto Side Table by Achille Castiglioni, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
A design classic from the Servi series by the Italian manufacturer Zanotta based on a design by Achille Castiglioni from the 70s. A postmodern design with an object character that a...
Metal
Michele De Lucchi "Polar" Side Table, Lacquered Wood, Memphis
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Low coffee table made of lacquered wood and covered with decorative laminate. Another quirky anthropomorphic table by Michele De Lucchi, early Memphis trailblazer (looks a little li...
Laminate, Hardwood, Lacquer
$756 / item
Side Table 01 by Iranzo
Located in Geneve, CH
Side Table 01 by Iranzo Dimensions: D 85 x W 85 x H 45 cm. Material: Epoxy resin & polypropylene Available in: White / Black - at the same price Light pink / Blue / Pastel gree...
Epoxy Resin
$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
Memphis Table By Shiro Kuramata Sally Glass Chrome Rolling Table, 1987
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Group
Located in Vienna, AT
Round rolling table sally by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis, 1987 Dimensions are 30.31" x 23.35" x 23.35" Iconic table 'Sally' by Shiro Kuramata, Japan, 1987 for Memphis. Comprised of ...
Metal, Chrome
Papaia Unique Side Table in Carved Green Onyx by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Papaia Unique Side Table in Carved Green Onyx by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 20 x W 30 x H 50 cm. Materials: Onyx. Available in different finishes and material options...
Onyx
Peter Ghyczy for Horn Collection Pair of Nesting Tables in Yellow Fiberglass
By Peter Ghyczy
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Peter Ghyczy for Horn Collection, pair of nesting tables, lacquered polyurethane, Germany, 1970s This set of tables is designed by Peter Ghyczy (1940-2022), who is particularly kno...
Plastic
Side Table & Stool, Solid Wood & Resin, Sculptural Post-Modern, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Night Log Formed from a reclaimed tree trunk, Night Log preserves the natural silhouette of the wood its knots, cracks, and irregular contours that trace the memory of growth. After ...
Resin, Wood
Pair Rick Berry Side Tables, Drink Tables from Design Institute of America
By Design Institute America, Rick Berry
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Rick Berry Tables for DIA, Pair of Steel & Glass Side Tables, Drink Tables from Design Institute of America Bring a touch of modern elegance to your living space with t...
Metal, Steel
Muladhara Side Table, Walnut and Birch Spheres, by AUSTE OST
Located in Geneve, CH
Muladhara Side Table, Walnut and Birch Spheres, by AUSTE OST Dimensions: W 40 x D 30 x H 50 cm Materials: Walnut, Painted Birch Spheres. The Muladhara side table symbolises the Roo...
Birch, Walnut