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.
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
Brueton “Gepetto” Side Table, Designed by Stanley Jay Friedman, Circa 1990
By Stanley Jay Friedman, Brueton
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Brueton “Gepetto” Side Table, Designed by Stanley Jay Friedman USA, circa late 1980s–1990s Red-stained ash wood, inset black glass top 23.5" diameter x 21" H This sculptural Gepetto...
Glass, Ash
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
$1,312Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern Glass Top Side Table with Black Sphere Faux Marble Lacquer Base 1980s
Located in Toronto, CA
A sculptural Postmodern pedestal side table in the Memphis style, circa 1980s, featuring a high-gloss black lacquered base with stepped plinth detail and a floating tempered glass to...
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
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
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 Enrico Baleri, Baleri Italia
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
Travertine Square Cube Post Modern side end table or Plinth
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Travertine Square Post Modern Cube side or end table. Beautiful Stone cube table all solid Travertine hollow inside. Great condition. Listing is for (1) Table. Local Pick up avai...
Travertine
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
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
$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
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
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
Dutch Postmodern Red Side Drinks Table w/Shelf by Erik van Buijtenen for Nebu
By Erik van Buijtenen, Nebu
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
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
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
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
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
$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
$778 / 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 green / ...
Epoxy Resin
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
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
Vintage Pair Post-Modern Side or End Tables Chrome & Glass Architectural Style
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed and made in the 1980s, this pair of side or end tables features architectural design, with a one-piece chromed steel body, three U-shaped legs, meeting at the center of the ...
Chrome
$870Sale Price|45% Off
Hans Ullrich Bitsch Side Table Series 8600, circa 1980
By Kusch+Co, Hans Ullrich Bitsch
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
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
$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
$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
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
Set Of 2 Epicure XIII White Marble & Antique Brass Side Tables by Grzegorz Majka
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 2 Epicure XIII White Marble & Antique Brass Side Tables by Grzegorz Majka Limited Edition Of 8 Sets. Dimensions: D 50 x W 60 x H 55 cm. Materials: Solid brass and white m...
Marble, Brass
Original USM Haller Beistelltisch Fritz Haller Nachttisch Design
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen USM Haller Nacht-/ Beistelltisch mit Schublade und geräumigen Ablagefach zum Verkauf an. Zustand: Guter gebrauchter Zustand mit altersbedingten Gebrau...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
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
$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 Milano Hyatt Table by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
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
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
Pair of Brutalist "Sculptura" Cube Tables / Pedestals by Adrian Pearsall
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of brutalist side tables or display pedestals by designer Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, circa 1970's. The frames are comprised of solid wood adorned with sculpted resin ...
Resin
$4,413 / 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
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
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
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
$27,989 / 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
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
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
$4,402 / 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
$2,994 / 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
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
Contemporary Round Stainless Steel Maresa Side Table by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Maresa Side Table by Pietro Franceschini Dimensions: D 90 x H 77 cm Materials: Stainless Steel Pietro Franceschini is an architect and designer based in New York and Florence. He wa...
Stainless Steel
$259 / item
Jupiter Birchwood Side Table by Cuero Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Jupiter Birchwood Side Table by Cuero Design Dimensions: D 40 x W 44 x H 40 cm. Materials: Birch wood and steel. Weight: 7 kg. This birchwood sid...
Steel
Play Time Toy Table, Stone and Onyx, 100cm Diameter
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
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican 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
Modernist Chrome and Glass Side, End Table after Baughman
Located in New York, NY
Stylish, chic architecturally designed chrome base, glass top end, or side, table in the style of Milo Baughman. The table is in very fine, original condition, clean and ready to use...
Chrome
Port Saint Laurent Refined Contemporary Marble Side Table 62/45
Located in Geneve, CH
Port Saint Laurent Refined Contemporary Marble Side Table 62/45 Dimensions: Diameter 62 x height 45 cm Materials: Port Saint Laurent Angelo is the...
Marble
$5,191 / 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
$2,678 / 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
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
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
$4,059 / item
Drop 38 Side Table by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Drop 38 Side Table by De Castelli Dimensions: W 69 x D 55 x H 38 cm Materials: Copper, Other Other versions are available, please contact us for any request. Drops is a family of co...
Copper, Other
$1,404 / 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
$3,503 / 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
$1,899 / 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
$495 / 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