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.
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
Olo Eclipse Nightstand by Panorammma, 45cm height. Hand-Carved Onyx, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rings of white onyx tower in a light gradient descent to create Olo Eclipse Nightstand. Without compartments.
Stone, Onyx, Marble
Olo Eclipse Nightstand by Panorammma, Hand-Carved Onyx, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Rings of white onyx tower in a light gradient descent to create Olo Eclipse Nightstand. Without compartments..
Stone, Marble, Onyx
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
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
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
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
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
Fidji Side Table in Rattan and HR Foam 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 is not included. Please contact us for further informati...
Rattan, Foam
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
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
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
Play Time Toy Table Oval, Hand-carved Stone and Onyx, Mexico
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
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
Toffee GM Side Table in Stained Rattan and Glass Top by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Toffee GM Side Table in Stained Rattan and Glass Top by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 65 cm. Materials: Tinted rattan weave base with a glass tabletop surface. Fabric is not ...
Rattan, Glass
Rosalie 50 Side Table in MDF Board, Wood and 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...
Wood, Hardwood, Beech, Foam
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
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
Olo Nightstand by Panorammma, Hand-Carved Marble and Onyx, Mexico
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, Marble, Onyx
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
One-of-a-kind Missisquoi Side Table (№ 10) by Simon Johns
By Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
The Missisquoi № 10 from the collection integrates a stone who's contour and features were traced and shaped into the tabletop, hovering above it to mirror its origins. The top is fl...
Stone, Steel
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
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
Dino Gavina Studio Simon for Cassina brass top Constantin table
By Cassina, Studio Simon, Ultramobile Collection, Dino Gavina
Located in Ferndale, MI
Constantin side table designed by Dino Gavina Studio Simon distributed by Cassina . Part of Cassina Ultra Mobil collection . Solid oak base holds eighth of an inch thick brass top f...
Brass
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
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
Monolit Side Table, Stainless Steel by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolit Side Table, Stainless Steel by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore Dimensions: W 45 x D 45 x H 45 cm. Material: Stainless steel. Metal finishes: Brushed stainless steel. The Monolit Si...
Stainless Steel
Post Modern Travertine Side Table by Stone International. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Post Modern Travertine Side Table by Stone International. Circa 1980s Features a minimalist design with a light tan polished travertine stone, beautiful natural stone veins a...
Travertine
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
Tessellated Horn Drum Table
By Casa Bique, R & Y Augousti, Maitland Smith, Karl Springer, Enrique Garcel
Located in Houston, TX
Tessellated Horn Drum Table. Offered is a handsome round Post-Modern Karl Springer inspired tessellated horn table on a raised plinth. This is the perfect side table for between two ...
Horn
$2,400 / item
Porada Birillo side table postmodern 80s style
By Tarcisio Colzani, Porada Arredi
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
Melts Like Butter Collection Butter Side Table by Monics+Vieira
Located in Geneve, CH
Melts Like Butter Collection Butter Side Table by Monics+Vieira Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 40 cm. Materials: Solid Wood Frame, Steel. “Melts Like Butter” by Monics+Vieira is a coll...
Steel
Monolit Side Table, Alpi Veneer by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolit Side Table, Alpi Veneer by Cezar Moldovan x Arbore Dimensions: W 45 x D 45 x H 45 cm. Material: MDF, veneer. Wood finishes: Alpi Sottsass grey. The Monolit Side Table — ALP...
Wood
Olo Eclipse Nightstand by Panorammma, Hand-Carved Onyx, 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
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
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
Postmodern Swedish Model OTI Lounge Chair by Niels Gammelgaard for Ikea, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
A design classic from the 1980s by Danish architect Niels Gammelgaard. At first glance, the OTI Chair is somewhat reminiscent of the classic Diamond Chair, but it has entirely diffe...
Metal
Ecorce Side Table in Ceramic, Copper and Resin by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Ecorce Side Table in Ceramic, Copper and Resin by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 35 x H 50 cm. Materials: Handmade ceramic with a copper finish and a high-density resin base covered i...
Copper
Umbral Side Table, with hidden compartment, black marble and travertine
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Composed of black marble and travertine, this side table contrasts deep darkness with warm neutrality through its varicolored stone segments. The object is balanced by a subtle simpl...
Stone, Onyx, Travertine, Marble
$772 / 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
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
Marble side table by Vico Magistretti for Cattelan Italia
By Vico Magistretti, Cattelan Italia
Located in Athens, Attiki
Round glass and marble coffee table by Vico Magistretti for Cattelan, 1980s, Excellent condition Dimensions: height 60 cm including handle, diameter 60
Marble, Metal
Postmodern White Carrara Marble Flower Stand Pedestal Table, Italy, 1980s
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful Italian post-modern pedestal / flower table / plant stand with a white marble base and top and a black metal stem. Made in Italy in the 1980s, in good condition, with mar...
Marble, Carrara Marble, Metal
Will Stone Style Postmodern Marble Side Table
By Will Stone
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Bold and sculptural, this striking postmodern side table is a masterful expression of form and material in the style of Will Stone. The table features a dramatic conical base crafted...
Marble
Olo Nightstand by Panorammma, Hand-Carved Onyx, Mexico, with compartments
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
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Hand-Carved Blue Calacite, Mexico
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
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
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
$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
Ceramic Tile Mosaic Top Side Table with Sculptural Black Iron Base Artist Made
Located in Troy, MI
Unique artist made side table with geometric mosaic top Circa 1990's Inlaid mosaic surface of sharply angled ceramic tiles in a vibrant color palette giving an almost stained glass...
Wrought Iron
Gene Summers Bronze F4 Side Table
By Gene Summers
Located in Highland, IN
Architect Gene Summers (b. 1928) studied at Texas A&M and Illinois Institute of Technology under Mies van der Rohe, becoming Mies' project manager and right-hand man from 1950 un...
Bronze
Postmodern Square Blue End Side Drink Table Memphis Style, Small
By Memphis Group, Marco Zanini
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
Ettore Sottsass Style Red Granite Side Table with Architectural Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ettore Style red granite side table with architectural metal bases. In original condition, with some wear to granite tops and metal bases, including chips and patina to the frames. W...
Granite, Metal
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
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
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
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
Italian Side Table in Metal and Round Granite Top
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Side table, granite, metal, brass, Italy, 1980s This side table features a red granite tabletop in round format. The granite shows a vivid surface. A brass pedestal ends in a black ...
Granite, Metal, Brass
$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
Belgo Chrom Serving Table in Brass and Lucite
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Belgo Chrom, serving table, brass, lucite, glass, Belgium, 1980s. This sculptural serving table features a smoked glass table top. This top is aligned with a geometrical double br...
Brass