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.
$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
Charles Hollis Jones Style Lucite & Glass Square Cocktail Table
By Charles Hollis Jones, Karl Springer
Located in Bensalem, PA
Charles Hollis Jones style square cocktail table please look at pictures and video for overall detail. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Glass, Lucite
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
$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
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
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
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
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
Vintage Italian Beveled Travertine Pedestal Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition This vintage Italian coffee table from the 1970s showcases the natural beauty of travertine through a clean, architectural form. The elongated...
Travertine
1970s Parsons Style Chrome & Solid Travertine Coffee Table
By Willy Rizzo, Karl Springer, Heinz Lilienthal
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
Faceted Postmodern Style Coffee Table in Hand-Lacquered Custom RAL Colors
Located in New York, NY
Coffee table lithic collection explores the tension between primitive, rock-like formations and refined, architectural silhouettes. This set features a low-profile coffee table and a...
Wood, Lacquer
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
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
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
Christopher Guy Lacquered and Gilt Coffee "Harper" Table
Located in Peabody, MA
A coffee table in highly polished lacquer with gilt wood accents from the "Harper" line, by the celebrated British designer Christopher Guy (1960-2020). Displays a fusion of modern m...
Wood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Modernist Design Bamboo Coffee Table by Axel Vervoordt, 1980's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Modernist Design Bamboo Coffee Table by Axel Vervoordt. Made in Belgium, 1980's period. Bamboo top and side topped slender coffee table. This has been refinished. ...
Bamboo
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
French Nickeled Bronze Glass Bar Cart
Located in Houston, TX
1940s French bronze and glass bar cart with nickel finish and on casters.
Bronze
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
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
Paolo Piva B&B Italia Alanda 1980s Black Steel Square Glass Coffee Table sofa
By Paolo Piva
Located in London, GB
An iconic design by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, this coffee table made in Italy around the 1980s. This coffee table consists of a geometric black lacquered iron base giving the illus...
Metal
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
Jan Vlug Rare Dining Table in Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jan Vlug, dining table, walnut, metal, brass, Belgium, 1970s Glorious and rare dining table with characteristic and stunning executed tabletop. The table is made by Belgian designer...
Metal
Maison Regain Dining Table in Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Maison Regain dining table, elm, France, 1970s This dining table by Maison Regain is a refined example of French design from the 1970s, defined by its solid construction and express...
Elm
Postmodern Design XL Wengé Coffee Table
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Modernist Design XL Wengé Coffee Table in the manner of Axel Vervoordt or Linteloo Designs. Made in Belgium, 1980's / 1990's period. Beautifully constructed low co...
Oak, Wenge
1970s Italian Travertine Dining, Conference Table, Desk, Rectangle Post-Modern
By Willy Rizzo, Stone International
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
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
Important round table made of onyx and black Marquina marble with a sun-shaped inlay
Located in NAPOLI, NP
A notable Italian table from the 1980s, crafted from natural onyx and Nero Marquina marble, featuring a large, inlaid circular top and a striking central pedestal base. The countert...
Onyx
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
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
Italian Modern Bronze Octopus Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Bronze Octopus Center Table. This stunning Italian sculptural bronze table in the shape of an octopus is expertly detailed and comes with a 59 inch glass top. This v...
Bronze
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
Play Time Table by Panorammma, Hand-Carved Stone & 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
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 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
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
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
$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
Zero Rectangular Dining Table in Epoxy Resin & Crystal Clear Glass by WeDO
Located in Geneve, CH
Zero Rectangular Dining Table in Epoxy Resin & Crystal Clear Glass by WeDO Dimensions: D 100 x W 210 x H 75 cm. Materials: Epoxy resin, glass, and paint. Customizations are availab...
Epoxy Resin, Glass, Paint
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
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
$2,765Sale 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
Rei Kawakubo triangular coffee table, for "Comme des Garçons", by Pallucco, 1986
By Rei Kawakubo, Pallucco, Comme des Garçons
Located in London, Fitzrovia
Rei Kawakubo post modern triangular coffee table, for "Comme des Garçons", by Pallucco, 1986 Granite and black metal legs on castors.
Granite, Steel
Post Modern Square Mersman End Table designed by Lou Hodges for Mersman c. 1970s
By Lou Hodges, Mersman
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
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
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
Mid-Century Janni van Pelt Style Black Bar Cart, Wire Grid Glass, Two Tier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modernist Dutch bar cart in the manner of Janni van Pelt, rendered in a spare rectilinear form that reflects the discipline of postwar Dutch design. The tubular black enameled metal ...
Metal, Enamel
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
Italian Modern Karl Springer Style Travertine Biomorphic Coffee Table
By Romeo Rega, Karl Springer, Angelo Mangiarotti, Mario Bellini
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Karl Springer Style Travertine Free Form Coffee Table. Beautifully designed Italian Modern travertine free form or amoeba coffee table or cocktail table. This shapely ...
Travertine
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
$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
Vintage 1980s Postmodern Round Coffee Table Memphis Milano
By Gaetano Pesce, Mario Botta, Ettore Sottsass, Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Milano
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Vintage round coffee table featuring the iconic 1985 design by Ettore Sottsass, professionally restored while preserving the integrity and character of the original design. The tabl...
Wood
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
$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
Fleur de Fer coffee table by Maurice Barilone, 1980s
By Maurice Barilone, Roche Bobois
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Sculptural bent steel 'Fleur De Fer' Coffee table by Maurice Barilone and produced and sold by Roche Bobois. The timeless design and use of rough and heavy steel makes this piece st...
Steel
Postmodern Italian-Style Black Lacquer Console Table with Wood Inlay
Located in Trenton, NJ
This console table is a compelling example of Postmodern design, characterized by its faceted, geometrically canted tabletop edges and dramatically curved, sculptural legs — a marked...
Wood
$4,850 / item
Empat Arched Console Table Hunter Green
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
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Architectural Square Oak Coffee Table
By Giuseppe Rivadossi, Officina 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
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