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.
Postmodern Plaster Coffee Table
Located in West Chester, PA
Plaster postmodern coffee table circa 1970 with column like round legs and rounded corners. Incised design on the top with blue accent.
Plaster
Vintage Bruce Burdick for Herman Miller Executive Desk, Burdick Group System
By Herman Miller, Bruce Burdick
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Vintage Bruce Burdick executive desk for Herman Miller from the Burdick Group System, a rare Postmodern 1980s modular workstation executed in aluminum, glass, enameled steel, and ena...
Aluminum, Enamel, Steel
$2,000Sale Price|20% Off
1970s Acrylic and Glass Coffee Table
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Vintage 1970s. Thick crystal clear acrylic legs and body support glass. Great for staging and rooms that need to look bright and open.
Glass, Acrylic
Papilio 3 Trier Glass Side Table by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta 1990's Italy
Located in Lisboa, PT
A striking example of 1990s Italian postmodern design, this "Papilio" three-tier side table was designed by Alessandro Mendini for Zanotta. Named after the Latin word for butterfly, ...
Metal
Two Unique Italian Postmodern Gilt and Copper Cantilevered Consoles / Sofa Table
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Italian consoles or sofa tables in giltwood with copper stretchers and copper side panels. Glass tops are 47.25 x 15.75 x 3/4". The pieces are Postmodern in conception. The...
$1,960Sale Price / set|30% Off
Postmodern Smoked Chrome Glass Cocktail Tables by DIA, '90s, Set of 2
Located in New York, NY
A set of two (2) designer 1990s Post-Modern 'smoked' gray-charcoal chrome round bi-level cocktail/coffee tables with cylindrical legs...
Chrome
Red Acrylic Lucite Bench Cocktail Table
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial high-gloss red opaque acrylic/Lucite bench or cocktail table, in the Modern style or Postmodern period, circa late-20th to early 21st-century. Great as a ...
Acrylic, Resin, Lucite
1980s Postmodern Curvaceous Aluminum Bilevel Bar Cart Attributed to Woodard
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This 1980s Postmodern Curvaceous Bilevel Bar Cart is a unique and stylish addition to any home bar or entertaining space. Designed and attributed to Woodard, this bar cart features a...
Aluminum
Italian postmodern round coffee table Lady-Fat by Patricia Urquiola for B&B 2002
By Patricia Urquiola, B&B Italia
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian postmodern round coffee table Lady-Fat by Patricia Urquiola for B&B 2002 Coffee table mod. Lady-Fat round in shape. The external ...
Metal
Lacquered Black and Brass Accent End Table Nighstands
Located in Toronto, ON
Gorgeous lacquered black and brass accent tables. Two available, sold/priced indovidually. These beautiful tables that are intended to be nighstands, they can also be used as end tab...
Brass
$13,130 / item
Luca Coffee Table Large by Umberto Bellardi Ricci
Located in Geneve, CH
Luca coffee table large by Umberto Bellardi Ricci Dimensions: D 139.7 x W 86.36 x H 34.29 cm. Materials: Travertine, bronze legs. Umberto Bellardi R...
Travertine, Bronze
Cascata Side Table in Crystal Glass by Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Geneve, CH
Cascata Side Table in Crystal Glass by Barberini & Gunnell Limited Edition of 10 + 2 AP + 1 p. Dimensions: D 36 x W 36 x H 62 cm. Materials: Crystal glass. Limited Edition, signed a...
Glass
$2,430Sale Price|25% Off
"Borghèse" Coffee Table, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
The Borghese coffee table, designed by French designer Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance, is a statement piece that seamlessly blends art and functionality. Inspired by the iconic umbrella pin...
Metal
1980s Sculptural Eye Shaped Coffee Table in Fossil Marble
Located in London, London
A sculptural low table in dark fossil stone or marble, dating to the late 20th century. The organically shaped top is supported by four substantial cylindrical and panel-form legs, ...
Marble
Cult Stool, Sculptural Stool, Hand-Carved Mexican Ice Onyx Marble, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool / side table; a hand sculpted stone from an incredibly particular stone; Mexican Ice Onyx, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials in...
Onyx
Mario Botta Dining Table ‘Terzo’ with Granite Top
By Mario Botta, Alias
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Mario Botta for Alias, dining table model ‘Terzo’, metal, granite, Italy, 1983 The ‘Terzo’ dining table features a long rectangular granite tabletop that consists of three parts an...
Granite, Metal
$7,536 / item
Asami Dining Table by Kasanai
Located in Geneve, CH
Asami Dining Table by Kasanai Dimensions: D 91 x W 200 x H 76 cm. Materials: Lime plaster. Also available in different dimensions and colors. Please contact us. Natural Mortex minerals, clean lines and minimal detail: Asami epitomises Japanese design. This beautiful table has plenty of room to seat 8 people, so get your dinner party invitations...
Plaster
Jordi Casablanca Muntañola Dining Table in Solid Oak
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jordi Casablanca Muntañola, dining table, oak, Spain, 1979. Catalan designer Jordi Casablanca Muntañola (1940-2001) designed this table in...
Oak
$4,353 / 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
$35,225 / item
Shell Calacatta Midnight Coffee Table by Etamorph
Located in Geneve, CH
Shell Calacatta Midnight Coffee Table by Etamorph Dimensions: W 150 x D 85 x H 35 cm. Materials: Calacatta Midnight. Carved from a block of natural stone and manually honed. Differe...
Stone
$1,392 / 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
$16,219 / item
Rose Gea Coffee Table by Martina Guandalini
Located in Geneve, CH
Rose Gea Coffee Table by Martina Guandalini Dimensions: W 60 x D 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Scagliola and polished pink resin. Custom colors and size available, please contact us. Ma...
Resin, Scagliola
$6,764 / item
Cloud Mirror Side Table by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Cloud Mirror Side Table by Homa Dimensions: D 50 x H 0.4 cm Marble Block: 32 x 25 x 47 cm Materials: Smoke and Silver Mirror. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbu...
Mirror
C1166 Console Table in Beech And Smoked Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
C1166 Console Table in Beech And Smoked Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 40 x W 154 x H 51 cm. Materials: Beech and smoked oak. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for...
Oak, Beech
Set of 2 Andrea and Luca Coffee Table by Umberto Bellardi Ricci
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Andrea and Luca coffee table by Umberto Bellardi Ricci Dimensions: Andrea: D 94 x W 71 x H 28 cm. Luca: D 140 x W 86.5 x H 34.29 cm. Materials: Travertine, bronze legs. Umb...
Travertine, Bronze
Post Modern Travertine Marble Pedestal Dining Table Made in Italy c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Post Modern dining table, made in Italy circa 1970/80's. The table is constructed of travertine marble, and features a large rectangular top which rests on a rectangular ...
Marble
Ernest 'Igl' Hofmann 'Jet' Corner Desk in Polyurethane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest 'Igl' Hofmann for Wilhelm Werndl, corner desk, model 'Jet', polyurethane, Germany, 1970/71 Ernest Hofmann, also known by his artist name 'Igl', recently gained an internation...
Plastic
$514 / item
Cyborg Side Table by Mati Sipiora
Located in Geneve, CH
Cyborg Side Table by Mati Sipiora Dimensions: D 37 x W 52 x H 65 cm Materials: Steel. Finish: Glossy Powder Coating Paint. Weight: 7 Max Capacity: 9 KG ...
Steel
1986 Fan Nesting Table by DIA (Design Institute America) 3 tier glass and brass
By Design Institute America, Rick Berry
Located in Phoenix, AZ
“Fan Nesting Table” by DIA (Design Institute America), labeled, 1986. Brass and glass three-tiered nesting swivel cocktail, side or coffee table designed by Rick Berry. Perfect for a...
Brass
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
$26,728 / item
Flake Round Center Table by Barberini & Gunnell
Located in Geneve, CH
Flake Round Center Table by Barberini & Gunnell Limited Edition of 45 Dimensions: D 112 x H 74 cm. Materials: Carrara marble, mirror polished stainless ste...
Marble, Stainless Steel
Memphis Milano Mimosa Table by Ettore Sottsass
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
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
Play Time Table by Panorammma, Hand-Carved White Onyx, 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
$14,148 / item
Candy Chess Table by Luis Gimeno
Located in Geneve, CH
Candy Chess Table by Luis Gimeno Dimensions: W 40 x D 40 x H 45 cm Materials: Resine. This chess table is a playful and innovative piece, crafted entirely from resin. Its transluce...
Resin
$3,800Sale Price|34% Off
Postmodern Bamboo Desk in Red Formica, Italy, Circa 1985
By Andrea Branzi, Archizoom Associati, Memphis Group
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Red (oxblood red) Formica bamboo desk, Italy, circa 1985 Dimensions are: 55.12" x 29.92 x 15.74". A Postmodern desk or console table, perfect and stylish, comprised of for...
Bamboo, Formica
$15,447Sale Price / item|40% Off
Vittorio Introini Rare Sculptural Fiberglass Desk for Saporiti Italy
Located in Padova, IT
This sculptural free-standing desk was designed by the Italian designer Vittorio Introini. Due to its all-white design and the distinct shapes, this desk has a strong sculptural look...
Fiberglass, Wood
Black Pedestal Column, Marble, Circa Late-20th Century
Located in New York, NY
A black and white 'Nero Marquina' marble pedestal column or end/side/drinks table, Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century. Piece can be used to support art/sculpture, as a...
Marble
$155,201 / item
Vastra Dining Table in Breccia Medicea Marble by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Vastra Dining Table in Breccia Medicea Marble by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 266 x D 118 x H 74 cm. Materials: Breccia Medicea Marble. This listing features our Vastra Dining Table expe...
Marble, Breccia Marble
$14,160 / item
S2 Coffee Table in Brushed Aluminium by Giotto Pagani
Located in Geneve, CH
S2 Coffee Table in Brushed Aluminium by Giotto Pagani. Dimensions: W 110 x D 110 x H 30 cm Materials: Non directional brushed finish aluminium. Belonging to the Subversive Angles se...
Aluminum
Slice Me Up Sculptural Coffee Table by Pietro Franceschini
Located in Geneve, CH
Slice me up sculptural coffee table by Pietro Franceschini. Manufacturer: We Do. Dimensions: W 160cm x L 120cm x H 36 cm Materials: Aluminium, Golden Leaf. Pietro Franceschini is ...
Gold Leaf
Drapery Table made in Italy from Silver Traverte 51" diam designed by Yaniv Chen
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Known for his signature sense of nostalgia, designer Yaniv Chen shares the story behind the Drapery Table—an evocative piece carved in Italy from a single block of travertine. Produc...
Travertine
Vintage oval beech wood coffee table, 1980s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage beech wood oval shaped two tierr coffee table with inlaid two tone stone and 4 elegant legs. 1980s - Germany Very good condition Signed under the table top with makers ma...
Stone
Vittorio Introini Oval Shaped Dining Table in Steel ang Glass by Saporiti 1970s
By Vittorio Introini, Saporiti
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Dining table with a beautiful base in steel and top in thick glass, designed by Vittorio Introini and manufactured by Saporiti in the 1970s. The table present an elegant and beautif...
Steel
$1,158 / item
Cubo Side Table by Edoardo Lietti Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Cubo Side Table by Edoardo Lietti Studio Unique Piece Dimensions: D 32 x W 32 x H 32 cm. Materials: Birch plywood. Weight: 8 kg. All objects are self-m...
Birch, Plywood
Vintage Boho Intrex Burl Wood Side Table - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the sculptural elegance of this exceptional pair of vintage burl wood side tables by Intrex. Embodying the sophisticated minimalism of the Postmodern era, each table feature...
Burl
$2,668 / item
Rúna White Oiled Solid Oak Desk by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Rúna White Oiled Solid Oak Desk by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D130 x W65 x H74 cm Material: White oiled solid oak Weight: 37 kg Also available in different finishes. Please contact ...
Oak
Postmodern Birdseye Maple Accent Table
Located in Richmond, VA
Fantastic postmodern neo classical accent table in the manner of Michael Graves. Table is handcrafted in birdseye maple veneer with ebony inlay. Italy, circa 1980
Birdseye Maple, Ebony
$1,334 / item
Object 096 Console Table by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 096 Console Table by NG Design Dimensions: W 100 x D 27 x H 90 cm Materials: Powder-Coated Steel Also Available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on...
Steel
1x USM Haller Couchtisch Fritz Haller coffee table Beistelltisch
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen Couch-/ Beistelltischen vom Schweizer Traditionshersteller USM Haller zum Verkauf an. Die Tische verfügen über eine untere Ablagefläche aus Metall, ein...
Steel, Chrome
Lola Round Dining Table in Solid European Cherry by Standard Practice
Located in Geneve, CH
Lola Round Dining Table in Solid European Cherry by Standard Practice. Limited Edition. Dimensions: Ø120 x H 74 cm. Materials: European Cherry (Solid). Sustainability 'Digital Product Passport' included. FSC Certified. The Lola Table, Standard Practice's take on the traditional Italian farmhouse table...
Hardwood
$725 / item
Pégasus Dining Table by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
Pégasus Dining Table by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: D 80 x H 75 cm Materials: Base: Veneer, Top: Veneer. Also available in D 80, D 100, D 120 cm. Please contact us. With the intenti...
Wood
Orange Acrylic Top Desk/ Game Table
Located in North Miami, FL
This waterfall design all acrylic desk or game table has perfect lines and scale, heavy and perfect for any space. The top is a VIVID orange and the side panels are 2 inches thick cl...
Acrylic
1970s, Postmodern Travertine Dining Table With Angled Edge Top and Base
Located in Chicago, IL
Every once in a while I find a table that is perfect. I don’t need to do a thing to it and this is one of those occasions. The natural patina is breathtaking. The previous owner kept...
Travertine
$1,750Sale Price|50% Off
Post modern Knoll white laminate racetrack dining table by joe d'urso
By Knoll, Joe D'Urso
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern Knoll white laminate racetrack dining table by joe d'urso. Simple design oval conference or dining table with white laminate top and rubber edge molding that sits on 4 st...
Steel
$6,448 / item
Baltic Darkened Bronze Side Table by Gentner Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Baltic darkened bronze side table by Gentner Design Dimensions: D 33 x W 33 x H 48 cm Materials: darkened bronze Available in lightened bronze and darkened bronze. The Baltic ...
Bronze
Postmodern Writing Desk by Bohuslav Horak for Anthologie Quartett, 1993
Located in Hellouw, NL
Bohuslav Horák’s work often sits at the intersection of sculpture and function. Known for his imaginative forms, he developed a distinct voice in postmodern design, particularly thro...
Wood
Postmodern Waterfall Console, 1980s, USA
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Custom postmodern waterfall console table in mauve laminate. Good condition with minor scratches and scuffing.
Laminate, Wood
$1,291Sale Price / item|20% Off
20th Century Italian Post Modern Adjustable Metal Side Tables by Sergio Terzani
Located in Sofia, BG
Here is a great example of post-modern design. This side table was designed by Sergio Terzani, Scandicci, Jean Francois Crochet and produced in Italy in 1985. It is made from hand pa...
Metal
Giuseppe Rivadossi Dining Table in Oak with Cross Shaped Double Base
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi dining table, oak, Italy, 1968 This exceptional dining table, crafted by Giuseppe Rivadossi in the 1960s, showcases the mastery of Italian woodworking. Made from ...
Oak
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