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.
Post Modern Bleached Oak and Tinted Glass Console Table by Lou Hodges c. 1980's
By Lou Hodges
Located in New York, NY
Chic Post Modern console table designed by Lou Hodges, circa 1980's. The table is constructed of solid oak in original bleached finish, with a beveled and tinted glass insert panel t...
Smoked Glass, Oak
Play Time Coffee Table by Panorammma, Hand-Carved Stone & Onyx, Oval, 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
Pierre Chapo 'Sfax' T21E Dining Table in Solid Elm 160cm/62.99in.
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, 'Sfax' dining table, model 'T21E', elm, France, 1970s This table is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood and...
Elm
Italian Post-Modern Polished Beige or Cream Marble Pedestal Dining Table C.I.M
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Made in Italy in the late 1970s or early 1980s, a simple design, but stunning in its large scale, warmth and functionality, a large pedestal base, cream or beige, marble dining table...
Marble
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
1970s Italian Travertine Dining, Conference Table, Desk, Rectangle Post-Modern
By Stone International, Willy Rizzo
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Simple is so often better! This elegant rectangular dining table shows us that. Filled and polished travertine-marble, with just the right amount of attractive natural grain. And a b...
Travertine, Marble
Postmodern Dalmatian Pongo Desk by Pierre Colleu for Starform and Disney, 1980s.
By Pierre Colleu 1, Disney Studios, Starform
Located in Lille, FR
Table height: 50 cm. Total height with the head: 80 cm Good condition. Some chips on the top.
Resin, Plastic
Large Italian Verde Marble Stone Rectangular Pedestal Dining Table
Located in Elkton, MD
Postmodern Italian dining table in verde marble, late 20th century. Rectangular slab top in richly veined marble, showing deep green tones with white veining and natural burgundy in...
Marble
Chi Wing Lo ‘Tiche’ Coffee Table for Giorgetti, Italy, 1990s
By Giorgetti S.p.A., Chi Wing Lo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant and sculptural “Tiche” coffee table designed by Chi Wing Lo for Giorgetti, Italy, circa 1990s. This sophisticated piece exemplifies Giorgetti’s masterful blend of craftsmansh...
Glass, Stained Glass, Fruitwood
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
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
Mid century Postmodern glass waterfall coffee table
By FIAM
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern coffee table with a waterfall top. Glass is very clean no chips or major scratches. May have light normal use wear to surface. Rounded polished edges. Annealed glass has ...
Glass
1980s Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern Pink Marble Coffee Table. Circa 1980s Features a square-shaped top with concave edges and a soft pink color with gorgeous ...
Marble
Piano Desk by Panorammma, White Lacquered Wood, Post-Modern Design, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A sleek, white-polished, sculptural piece conjuring the presence of a grand piano. Piano Desk evokes an intricate fusion of the grace in artistic expression and the discipline of w...
Wood
Square Italian Dining Table in Oak and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, oak, glass, Italy, 1970s This Italian dining table from the 1970s is defined by its clear structure and careful craftsmanship. The square top is arranged in a grid-lik...
Glass, Oak
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
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
Post Modern Black Marble Pedestal Base Coffee Table Made in Italy c 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Stunning graphic back and white marble coffee table having a square pedestal base ( 16 x 16 x H 15 ) with a square top ( 39 x 39 x 1 ). The table is in excellent original condition ...
Marble
A Lacquered JAPANESE Style COFFEE TABLE by ROCHE & BOBOIS ALDO TURA France 1970
By Roche Bobois
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant and luxurious coffee table, of a Japanese inspiration, Post-Modern, Memphis, Constructivist, geometric structure of two, terrace-like overlapping trays in lacquered wood: ...
Wood, Lacquer
Pierre Chapo Seating Set with Rare 'T21A' Table and 'S13A' Stools
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining table, model 'T21A', solid elm, France, 1970s This table is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood and ...
Elm
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
Pierre Chapo 'T35C' Aban Table in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, dining table, model 'Aban T35C', solid elm, France, 1970s This table is one of the early editions designed by Pierre Chapo, known for his hallmark use of solid elmwood...
Elm
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
Postmodern Italian Oak Dining Table, Sottsass Inspired, Fat Cylindrical Legs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian oak dining table embodies the playful spirit of Postmodern design with exaggerated proportions inspired by Ettore Sottsass and the Mem...
Oak
Italian Memphis Style Two Tiered Rolling Bar Cart with Black Frame and Glass Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Italian Memphis style two tiered rolling bar cart with black metal frame, lacquered wood lower shelf and glass top shelf. In original condition with visible wear consistent with its ...
Metal
$1,400Sale Price|35% Off
1980s Laminated waterfall Scroll table by Jeffrey Craig
Located in Toronto, CA
A large vintage laminated waterfall scroll coffee table from the 1980s. It was created in Canada by renowned expert Jeffrey Craig, known for crafting high-quality laminated furniture...
Laminate
Anthony Redmile Bespoke Octagonal Pedestal Table, London 1970s
Located in Houston, TX
1970s Octagonal pedestal table produced by the London workshop of Anthony Redmile. The top is a hand-painted faux-malachite surface and edged with c...
Malachite, Metal
Italian Modern Polished Travertine Pedestal
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Polished Travertine Pedestal. Offered is an Italian Post Modern Mangiarotti style travertine pedastal with beautiful variegation and a highly polished surface. This lo...
Travertine
Post Modern Rectangular Verde Green Marble Dining Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Absolutely stunning Post Modern Verde Green marble, rectangular dining table. The beveled edges of the top set this piece off perfectly. It is the ultimate statement maker for that s...
Marble
Ovni Uovo Black Marble Glass Sculptural Coffee Table, by Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Ovni Uovo Sculptural Coffee Table presents a retro-futurist fantasy. Performing as a past vision of the future Ovni Uovo constructs over mysterious tales of speculative technolog...
Stone, Marble
Vintage Cream Marble Console Table
Located in Denver, CO
1970’s - 80’s Post Modern Believed to be American-made when similar items were being imported from Italy. Double chamfer table top. Solid marb...
Marble, Stone
1980s, Post Modern Black Lacquer Coffee Table in the Roger Rougier Style
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage, large scale post modern sculptural Black Lacquer Coffee Table with a Triangular Glass top in the of Roger Rougier's Style. Circa 1980s. Features a glossy lacquered six inch...
Glass, Lacquer
1980's Post Modern Raspberry Waterfall Console
Located in Redding, CT
1980's Post Modern Raspberry Waterfall Console. Heavy well made console table in a deep rich raspberry color. Hard to find. Use in an entry way or in a dining room as a server.
Laminate, Wood
$1,400Sale Price / set|42% Off
Post-Modern Dining Table Set by Driade & Ycami, Glass & Aluminum
Located in Miami, FL
Kitchen Table Set, Modern dining table and 4 chair set attributed to Driade & Chairs by Ycami. The sleek and stylish post modern table attributed to the renowned Italian company Driade boasts a round frosted glass top poised atop three legs crafted from cast aluminum. The sloping legs, with their elegantly tapered bodies, serve as a defining characteristic of design aesthetic, giving the table a blend of sophistication and refinement. The legs are similar in design to those of the "M" table by designer Philippe Starck. Included are uniquely designed set of 4 dining chairs by Ycami having gorgeous sculptural case...
Aluminum
Olo Eclipse Nightstand, Hand-Carved Onyx, 45cm, Sculptural Side Table, 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 Square Mersman End Table designed by Lou Hodges for Mersman c. 1970s
By Mersman, Lou Hodges
Located in New York, NY
Chic, architectural sidebar end, table designed by Lou Hodges for Mersman, circa 1970's. The table features a sculptural solid oak frame with a bevelled tinted glass top. This exampl...
Glass, Oak
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Nero Marquina Marble Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Absolutely stunning veining on this black marble dining table. Even the base has intricate veining on all four sides, it’s hard to pick a favorite angle. We also had the lacquer pro...
Marble
$2,240Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post Modern Luna Dining Table, Oval Dining Table For 6 People
Located in İnegöl, TR
Natural wood veneered on MDF. Dimensions: Lenght: 72" Width: 36" Height: 29" Custom colours are available!
Other
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
$2,773Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern 80s Milo Baughman Chrome + Glass Extendable Dining Table / Desk table
Located in Basel, BS
Incredible postmodern extendable smoked glass and chrome dining table, also perfect for use as a desk table. Excellent size for any space, can form into a square when the leaves are...
Chrome
Dino Gavina Studio Simon for Cassina brass top Constantin table
By Studio Simon, Ultramobile Collection, Cassina, 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
Sculptural Italian Coffee Table, Grey Green Marble, Eye Shaped Design, 1980s
Located in London, London
A sculptural Italian marble coffee table from the 1980s, formed in a striking biomorphic silhouette with softly curved edges and a deeply architectural presence. Executed in richly v...
Marble
1980s Italian Fior Di Pesco Marble Postmodern Vintage Dining Table
Located in Chicago, IL
A classical marble with a muted, tonal palette of soft grey with tints of rose and teal, strongly accented by stunning veins in pearl white, blush, raisin, and the rich peach that gi...
Marble
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
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper 'Eros' Dining Table in Marquina Marble
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Skipper
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Angelo Mangiarotti for Skipper, dining table ‘Eros’, Marquina marble, 1971 This sculptural table by Angelo Mangiarotti is a skilful example of postmodern design. The table is execut...
Marble
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Concrete Cantilever Coffee Table
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
Rare coffee table designed in the late 1970s by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia.
Concrete, Metal
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Off White Plaster Pedestal Table after Sirmos
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautiful off white textured pedestal. Heavy plaster rock form in very good condition.
Plaster
Maurizio Salvato Rotating Burlwood Coffee Table for Saporiti Italia, 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern rotating coffee table with burl wood lacquered tops and powder-coated burgundy colored steel legs by Maurizio Salvato for Saporiti Italia, 1980s. Taller Table Height: 14....
Metal
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
$4,850 / item
Empat Arched Console Table Cherry Red
Located in New York, US
Elegant, deep detailing gives the Empat console table a sculptured appearance that makes it an artistic accent as well as a functional table. Its graceful arches add interest without...
Resin, Plywood
Pair of Burl Wood Drinks Tables with Turned Legs and Brass Bound Tops
Located in Duxbury, MA
Unusual pair of burl wood drinks tables featuring brass bound tops and sculptural turned legs. The tops display richly figured burl veneer surrounded by a brass edge, creating a warm...
Brass
Angelo Cortesi for Fiam Italia Set of Three waterfall Nesting Tables.
By FIAM, Angelo Cortesi
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of three waterfall bent and checker board scored glass nesting tables by Angelo Cortesi for FIAM Italia. Fantastic condition with no chips, cracks or deep scratches. Rubber runne...
Glass
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
$3,800 / item
Jarvits Arched Console Table in Espresso Walnut
Located in New York, US
The minimal, stylistic arches of Jarvits Consoles give it a sculptured appearance, transforming it into both an artistic accent and a functional table ...
Wood, Walnut
Monumental three-tier Post-Modern wooden coffee table, Italy, 1980s
Located in Argelato, BO
This coffee table embodies the bold aesthetic of 1980s Italian postmodern design through a functional nest-like structure. The piece unfolds across three staggered, concealed levels,...
Metal
Iconic Knoll Hat Trick Table & Chairs Dining Set by Frank Gehry Stamped & Dated
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in San Diego, CA
Iconic Knoll Hat Trick Table & Chairs Dining Set by Frank Gehry Stamped & Dated, circa 1992. An exquisite and collectible Frank Gehry sculptural design...
Wood, Maple, Bentwood
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
Memphis Milano Mimosa Table by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
With its elementary shapes and delicate pastel colours, Mimosa by Ettore Sottsass seems to have come out of the world of childhood or dreams. This work asks us to free our imaginatio...
Glass, Laminate, Wood
Javier Mariscal Post-Modern Bar Cart Hilton For Memphis , Italy, 1981
By Javier Mariscal, Memphis Milano
Located in Vienna, AT
Javier Mariscal Post-Modern Bar Cart Hilton For Memphis , Italy, 1981 Rare Memphis bar cart ‚Hilton’, trolley on smoothly running casters offering a ...
Steel
Post Modern Memphis Style Wavy Steel Plant or Speaker Stand, 5 Available
Located in Chesterfield, NJ
Fun and wavy post modern metal plant stands or speaker stands. These stands are made of steel with a wavy 3 bar design and have a fresh coat of black paint on them. Look great indivi...
Steel
Artedi Post Modern Marble Glass Dining Table
By Artedi
Located in Sheffield, MA
Made in Italy, this 20th century glass, marble and brass accented dining table by noted Italian furniture maker, Artedi, makes a statement in ...
Marble, Brass