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.
1970s Italian Assymetrical Grid Coffee Table in Walnut and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Coffee table, walnut, lacquered wood, glass, Italy, 1970s This 1970s Italian coffee table is a geometric and highly organized composition, built from walnut, glass, and grey lacque...
Glass, Walnut
Rare Luciano Frigerio Side Table in Hammered Brass
By Luciano Frigerio, Frigerio Di Desio
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio for Frigerio Di Desio, brass, Italy, ca. 1970 An exquisite piece by Italian designer Luciano Frigerio, this side table reflects the bold yet refined character of 1...
Brass
Rare Ado Chale Round Coffee Table with Mosaic Top in Malachite
By Ado Chale
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ado Chale coffee table, malachite, resin, black lacquered steel, Belgium, 1980 This monumental table by Ado Chale is a powerful testament to the artist’s ability to transform rare a...
Malachite, Steel
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
Early and Rare Gianfranco Frattini for Pierluigi Ghianda 'Kyoto' Coffee Tables
By Gianfranco Frattini, Pierluigi Ghianda
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Frattini for Pierluigi Ghianda, pair of 'Kyoto' coffee tables, beech, walnut, Italy, 1974 Designed by Gianfranco Frattini and produced by the master cabinetmaker Pierlui...
Beech, Walnut
Luciano Frigerio 'Luky' Dining Table in Hammered Brass and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luciano Frigerio 'Luky' dining table, glass, brass, Italy, 1980s A striking "Luky" dining table by renowned Italian designer Luciano Frigerio, embodying the sculptural elegance and...
Brass
Unique Christian Heckscher Etched Brass Coffee Table
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Christian Heckscher, coffee table, brass, Belgium, 1980s A unique handcrafted coffee table by Christian Heckscher. Originally trained in Belgium as both a fine artist and a master c...
Brass
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Trestle Dining Table in Oak
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, oak, Italy, 1970s A masterful expression of Italian craftsmanship, this exceptional oak dining table was designed by Giuseppe Rivadossi an...
Oak
Post-Modern Burl Oak Dining Table with Wengé Inlay
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, oak, burl, wengé, Europe, 1980s An elegant modern dining table. The oval top is highlighted by striking cloud-like burl patterns, framed by a decorative wengé inlay th...
Oak, Wenge, Burl
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Trestle Dining Table in Chestnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi dining table, chestnut, Italy, 1970s A striking dining table handcrafted by Giuseppe Rivadossi in solid chestnut wood. Created in Italy dur...
Chestnut
Rare Ado Chale Round Coffee Table with Mosaic Top in Malachite
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ado Chale coffee table, malachite, resin, black lacquered steel, Belgium, 1980 This monumental table by Ado Chale is a powerful testament to the artist’s ability to transform rare a...
Malachite, Steel
De Sede DS47 Tan Leather and Smoked Mirror Glass Coffee Table
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The De Sede DS47 coffee table pairs a smoked mirror glass top with a fully leather-wrapped base. Tan leather covers the entire visible structure, including the rectangular apron fram...
Leather, Smoked Glass
Brutalist Round Coffee Table in Black Stone Look Resin
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cocktail or coffee table, resin, Northern-Europe, 1970s. A striking example of 1970s design, this deep black coffee or cocktail table embodies a bold yet refined aesthetic. Crafted ...
Resin
Giuseppe Rivadossi Hand-Carved Coffee Table in Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, coffee table, oak, Italy, 1970s A beautifully crafted coffee table in solid oak by Giuseppe Rivadossi. Defined by its bold architectural f...
Oak
John Hutton for Donghia Black Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
John Hutton for Donghia black center table composed of wood finished in high-gloss enamel, tapered square legs, metal casters and a single drawer. Two available, sold individually.
Enamel
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Dining Set in Carved Pine
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, unique set of seven dining armchairs with table, solid pine, Italy, 1970s This unique dining ensemble is among the finest works we have en...
Pine
Large postmodern curved waterfall glass coffee table with ball, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Large postmodern curved waterfall glass coffee table with plaster effect fiberglass ball, USA 1980s. Very hard to find this model- I've been looking for a while. There are some scr...
Glass, Fiberglass
$4,200 / set
Italian Travertine Marble End Tables, Pair
Located in New York, NY
A substantial pair of Italian travertine marble end or side tables, Modern style/Postmodern period, circa late 20th century (1970s), Italy. Executed in travertine with a clean square...
Travertine, Marble
Gabriella Crespi Limited Edition ‘Cubo Magico’ Coffee Table in Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gabriella Crespi, limited edition 'Cubo Magico' coffee table from the 'Plurimi' series, brass, aluminum, Italy, 1970 The Cubo Magico was designed by Gabriella Crespi as part of her ...
Aluminum, Brass
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Architectural Square Oak Coffee Table
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi coffee table, oak, Italy, 1980s A beautifully crafted coffee table by Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, Italy, 1980s. Executed in ...
Oak
Patinated Iron Coffee Table with Beveled Glass Top, Late 20th Century
Located in Trenton, NJ
This elegant late twentieth-century coffee table exemplifies the enduring appeal of sculptural iron furniture executed with restraint and architectural clarity. A patinated iron bas...
Metal
Late 20th Century Maitland-Smith Trompe L'oeil Stacked Leather Book Table
Located in Waxahachie, TX
An exceptional example of Maitland Smith's signature trompe l'oeil craftsmanship, this Maitland Smith stacked books side table is a sophisticated conversation piece that effortlessly...
Leather, Wood
Vico Magistretti for De Padova 'Vidun' Dining Table with Colorful Geometric Base
By Vico Magistretti, DePadova 1
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 'Vidun' dining table, stained beech, glass, Italy, 1986 Although the object appears immediately playful because of its vivid coloration and exposed m...
Glass, Beech
Nerone & Patuzzi for Gruppo NP2 'C10T' Coffee Table in Wood and Crystal Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Nerone & Patuzzi for Gruppo NP2, coffee table, wood, glass, iron, Italy, 1970s Designed by the Italian duo Nerone and Patuzzi, this sculptural coffee table is a true statement p...
Iron
Architectural Two-Tier Coffee Table in Oxblood Lacquer with Polished Brass Frame
By JLC
Located in New York, NY
Architectural two-tier coffee table in glossy burgundy lacquer with a brushed brass metal frame. The design is defined by two rounded rectangular surfaces: an upper tabletop and a ma...
Metal
1970s Mid-Century Travertine Marble Cocktail Table Set 3, Variable Levels
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1970s-1980s Mid-Century Travertine Marble Cocktail Table Set 3, in variable height for endless interior combinations. W 23.75 x D 23.75 x H 10.25 in W 23.75 x D 23.75 x H 13.25 in W ...
Travertine
Postmodern Sketchbook Clairefontaine Desk by Pierre Sala, France 1980s.
By Pierre Sala
Located in Lille, FR
Table height: 70 cm. The top panel measures 88 cm by 61 cm without the spring. Good condition. The upper board has been repainted. Some fading on the legs, with a few spots and ot...
Wood, Paper
Jan de Jong Rare Custom Table and Stools in Dark Green Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jan de Jong, custom table and stools, lacquered wood, the Netherlands, 1970s An exceptional dining ensemble by Jan de Jong, comprising a monumental table and six matching stools. De...
Wood
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Brass Inlayed with Agate
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, brass, lacquered steel and wood, agate, Belgium, 1970s A luxurious square cocktail table, crafted with high attention for detail which is character...
Agate, Brass, Steel
Pia Manu Coffee Table in Enameled Concrete and Brazilian Quartzite
By Pia Manu
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pia Manu, coffee table, enameled concrete, Brazilian quartzite, Belgium, 1970s This very rare hand-crafted coffee table was made in the 1970s by the Belgian atelier Pia Manu, known ...
Concrete
Willy Rizzo 'TRG' Circular Yellow Coffee Table
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Rizzo, TRG (Tavolo Rotondo Girevole) coffee table, lacquered wood, stainless steel, design 1969 The TRG (Tavolo Rotondo Girevole), designed by Willy Rizzo in 1969, is a master...
Stainless Steel
Willy Daro Illuminated Coffee Table in Brass and Agate
By Willy Daro
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Willy Daro, illuminated coffee table, etched brass, agate, lacquered laminated wood, Belgium, 1970s Mesmerizing coffee table by the Belgian artist Willy Daro from the 1970s. The re...
Agate, Brass
Vintage German Postmodern Profilsystem Series Desk or Dining Table, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Simple dining or desk from the profile system collection from Flötotto. A very simple and functional design. The table comes from the profile system collection, which is known from ...
Metal
Contemporary Handmade Glossy Yellow Ceramic Raft-Inspired Coffee Table
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Raft Coffee Table is a playful sculptural ceramic piece inspired by the soft geometry and pillowy, rounded edge of a raft. The top is composed of large slab-built ceramic tiles w...
Ceramic, Plywood
Grand Monumental Modernist Dining Table in Pine 1970s 400cm/157in
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Large dining or multifunctional table, pine, Europe, 1970s An exceptionally large table (400cm/157in) with monumental proportions. The design of this table is balanced by a beautifu...
Pine
1970s Parsons Style Chrome & Solid Travertine Coffee Table
By Karl Springer, Heinz Lilienthal, Willy Rizzo
Located in Bensalem, PA
Amazing designer coffee table in solid travertine over a thick chrome base the top is 1” thick and can be lifted out please look at pictures for overall detail feel free to reach out...
Travertine, Chrome
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl 'Directors' Writing Desk in White Polyurethane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, 'Directors' writing desk, polyurethane, Germany, 1970/71 Ernest Hofmann, also known by his artist name 'Igl', recently gained an international audienc...
Plastic
Coffee Table with Marble Top and Chrome Base
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Coffee table, marble, chrome, Europe, 1980s. Exuding simplicity, this unassuming side table exudes an aura of pure elegance. Its design showcases a square, delicately marble tablet...
Marble, Chrome
$3,600Sale Price|20% Off
Rare Giovanni Offredi Steel and Concrete Dining or Center Table for Saporiti
Located in Miami, FL
Round glass top dining or center table with concrete base and postmodern designed steel supports by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Itália, 1980s. The steel beams supporting the glass...
Concrete, 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
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table in Steel and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, brass, brushed steel, Belgium, circa 1970 This remarkable rectangular coffee table, designed by the esteemed Jean Claude Dresse in the 1970s, exemp...
Brass, 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
Richard Himmel Post Modern Corner Console/Desk, 1970
Located in San Francisco, US
Designed by Richard Himmel, this corner console doubles as a writing desk, merging sculptural presence with quiet utility. Its angled form is engineered to anchor a room’s corner, tu...
Acrylic, Laminate
Mid century Post modern square red coffee table on casters made in Italy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern square red coffee table on casters made in Italy. Good design good vintage condition. Ready for use. Located in Brooklyn nyc. Made circa 1970. Only (1) table available ...
Wood, Lacquer
Vico Magistretti for De Padova 'Vidun' Dining Table with Colorful Geometric Base
By Vico Magistretti, DePadova 1
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vico Magistretti for De Padova, 'Vidun' round dining table, stained beech, glass, Italy, 1986 Although the object appears immediately playful because of its vivid coloration and exp...
Glass, Beech
Soft Futurism Lamina Console in Aluminum by Filippo Andrighetto
Located in Geneve, CH
Soft Futurism Lamina Console in Aluminum by Filippo Andrighetto. Dimensions: W 145 x D 40 x H 83 cm. Materials: Gently brushed aluminium. The Lamina console, crafted from laser-cut ...
Aluminum
Dining Table in the Form of a Draped Cloth by Marzio Cecchi, Italy, mid-1970s
Located in New York, NY
A rare sculptural dining table by Italian architect Marzio Cecchi (Capalle, Florence, 1940 – New York, 1990), executed in the mid-1970s as a unique private commission. Accompanied by...
Cotton, Resin
Jean Claude Dresse Coffee Table with Geometric Sculptural Base in Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jean Claude Dresse, coffee table, brass, glass, Belgium, 1970s This captivating coffee table by Jean Claude Dresse is deeply reflective of the design trends that emerged in the 1970...
Brass
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
Exceptionally Rare Christian Krekels Coffee Table in Artisanal Brass Patchwork
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Christian Krekels, coffee table, brass, lacquered steel, Belgium, 1970s This exceptionally rare coffee table exemplifies the artistic vision of Belgian sculptor and metal artist Ch...
Brass, Steel
French Nickeled Bronze Glass Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
1940s French bronze and glass bar cart with nickel finish and on casters.
Bronze
$1,032Sale Price|20% Off
1970's Glass & Travertine Coffee Table
Located in Bern, CH
1970’s glass topped travertine lounge table. Round glass tabletop set on a two part solid natural stone base. The heavy travertine base can be set as required to enable an individual...
Travertine
$650 / item
Italian Coffee Tables in Granite and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Coffee tables, granite, brass, black lacquered steel, Italy, 1980s These Italian side tables showcase a rectangular brown granite tabletop with a striking, vivid surface. The granit...
Granite, Brass, Steel
Warren Platner Writing Desk in Oak with Black Leather Top
By Warren Platner, Florence Knoll
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Warren Platner for Knoll International, writing desk from the Executive Collection, leather, chromed metal, oak, United States, design 1973, production 1974-1980. In 1973, Warren Platner designed a collection of executive office furniture...
Metal, Chrome
Playful Italian Coffee Table in Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Coffee table, pine, Italy, 1970s This playful Italian coffee table shows minimalism in a fun and unique way. The design features four wooden spheres adorned with black stripes, whic...
Pine
Pair of 1970's Italian Travertine Coffee/Side Tables
Located in Bern, CH
Pair of identical 1970’s Travertine Coffee / Side Tables. Marked beneath tabletop: 'Made in Italy'. Solid travertine tabletop and base. Perfect use as side tables, bedside tables or...
Travertine
Gianfranco Fini for Poltronova 'Regolo' Square Dining Table in Pine and Glass
By Poltronova
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Gianfranco Fini for Poltronova, 'Regolo' dining table, pine, glass, Italy, 1975 This dining table by Gianfranco Fini for Poltronova, introduced in in 1975, is a truly special piece ...
Glass, Pine
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
Modernist Antiqued Reeded Glass & Mirror Console Table by John Himmel, Canada
By Himmel Galleries
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking modernist console table designed and manufactured by John Himmel in Montreal, Canada, this piece exemplifies refined craftsmanship and architectural clarity. The console ...
Mirror, Wood
1970s Italian Brutalist Travertine Coffee Table, Mangiarotti Style
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Brutalist coffee table from the 1970s, influenced by the work of Angelo Mangiarotti. Thick glass top rests on two freestanding travertine pedestals, each composed of vertical...
Travertine