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 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
$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
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
Post Modern Italian Travertine Console Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Crafted in Italy during the 1980s, this Post Modern console table features clean, architectural lines in natural travertine. The elongated to...
Travertine
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
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
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
$13,133 / 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
$2,200
Blocks Coffee Table
Located in Mérida, MX
The Blocks coffee table was inspired by the construction context in Mexico, a reinterpretation of an authentic multitask table by mexican workers: cast blocks and a multi-material top. These pieces are hand carved by artisans from the region in mexican stones...
Stone
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
Rare Unique Size Maarten Van Severen T88A Aluminium Table, c. 2000
Located in London, GB
A uniquely sized design classic, this T88A table was designed by Maarten van Severen in 1988 and produced by Lensvelt Netherlands circa 2000 as a special private commission. Suita...
Aluminum
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
$3,932Sale Price|42% Off
MEC Italy Travertine Marble Coffee Table Brazilian Sandstone Modern Design Spain
By Meddel, Joaquín Moll
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
MEC Italy Travertine Marble Coffee Table Brazilian Sandstone Modern Design Spain The MEC Coffee Table is a remarkable example of Italian modern design, combining the elegance of trav...
Crystal, Travertine, Marble, Sandstone
“Murmansk” Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass for Rossi e Arcandi, Italy 1980's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking and sculptural “Murmansk” coffee table designed by Ettore Sottsass and produced by Rossi e Arcandi, Vicenza, Italy. This impressive piece captures Sottsass’s postmodern mast...
Steel, Nickel
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
$10,950 / item
Paulín Cast Aluminum Coffee Table by OHLA Studio, Mexico
By Ohla Studio
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking in form and finish, this sculptural “Paulín” coffee table by OHLA Studio is crafted in cast aluminum, offering a bold reinterpretation of ...
Aluminum
$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
$7,538 / 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
$35,232 / 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
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
$4,354 / 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
$6,765 / 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
$15,450Sale 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
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
$1,292Sale 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
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
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
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
$26,734 / 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
Postmodern Ivory Lacquered Walnut Wall Mirror and Console Table, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1970s. This set features a walnut frame, with ivory lacquered parts. They might show slight traces of use since they are vintage, such as their original patina, but t...
Mirror, Walnut
$515 / 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
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Formica and Glass Coffee Table After Panton, C 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Post Modern coffee, or cocktail, table having dramatic C shaped black formica ends which support the thick ( .50 in. ) plate glass center panel. Design reminiscent of Verner Panton...
Glass, Formica
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
1970s Post-Modern Chrome and Glass Dining Set by Daystrom, 5 Pieces
By Chromcraft, Daystrom Furniture, Bassett Furniture, Giotto Stoppino
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Exuding bold elegance and unapologetic mid-century charm, this four-piece dining ensemble encapsulates 1970s modernist glamour. A quartet of sculptural Daystrom “scoop” chairs—sinuou...
Chrome
$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
$14,163 / 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
$999Sale Price|23% Off
Postmodern Tangent Coffee Table by Jensen-Lewis
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Tangent Cocktail Table. Graceful, timeless, elegant. A sophisticated statement that is at home in any architectural setting, The Tangent will handsomely complement the finest con...
Steel
Sculptural Postmodern Side Table by Jonathan Christian, Wood & Marble, France
Located in Lille, FR
Sculptural Postmodern side table by Jonathan Christian.
Carrara Marble
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
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
Pierluigi Molinari Lacquered Wood and Green Felt Game Table for Pozzi 1970
Located in Conversano, IT
If you would like to receive additional photos of this item, please feel free to contact us directly through the 1stDibs messaging system. We will be happy to provide you with furthe...
Wood, Lacquer
Piano Desk by Panorammma, Blue Lacquered Wood, Post-Modern Design, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
A sleek, blue-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 wo...
Wood
$3,600Sale Price / item|20% Off
Post Modern Square Marble Coffee Tables, circa 1970s, Pair Available
Located in New York, NY
Chic Postmodern square coffee table(s) constructed of polished marble. circa 1970s, the tables have their original ball coaster feet, both are in very fine, original condition, clea...
Marble
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
Mastercraft Console Table Designed By William Doezema
By William Doezema, Mastercraft
Located in Houston, TX
Mastercraft Console Table Designed By William Doezema. Offered is a shapely black lacquer and brass console table desgined by William Doezema for Mastercraft in the 1980's. This time...
Brass
$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
Pair of Handcrafted Solid Walnut Nightstands / End Tables by SUM Furniture
Located in London, GB
A Larger version of our architectural American black walnut pillar nightstands / end tables. These Pillar tables are a bold expression of early European modernism with the restraint...
Walnut
$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
$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
Matek Rooted Coffee Table in Recycled Composite by Project Materia
Located in Geneve, CH
Matek Rooted Coffee Table in Recycled Composite by Project Materia. Designed by Oliver Thygesen. Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 35,5 cm Materials: MATEK™ recycled composite. A coffee table co...
Composite
Contemporary Riviera Rectangle center table in Earth lacquered metal for Outdoor
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Travertine, Marble, Metal
Memphis Table By Shiro Kuramata Sally Glass Chrome Rolling Table, 1987
By Shiro Kuramata, Memphis Group
Located in Vienna, AT
Round rolling table sally by Shiro Kuramata for Memphis, 1987 Dimensions are 30.31" x 23.35" x 23.35" Iconic table 'Sally' by Shiro Kuramata, Japan, 1987 for Memphis. Comprised of ...
Metal, Chrome
Pucci De Rossi for H Dolin Stuart Signed Battista Occasional Table, 1987
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Pucci De Rossi for H Dolin Stuart Signed Battista Occasional Table, 1987 A delightful postmodern sculptural side table with an interlocking charcoal color metal base with glass top ...
Metal
Midcentury Italian Post Modern Nero Marquina Marble Cube Side Table or End Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
An unusual modern geometric design marble cube from Italy, circa 1980s. A super dynamic design accented by extraordinary Nero Marquina marble. You'll love this table in your home. ...
Marble
$6,449 / 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
$14,500 / item
Large Deep Black Steel Dining Table
Located in Treadwell, NY
Collection I: Marianas table The Marianas table is an expansive presence in a room. Featuring a tabletop constructed from Richlite, a paper-based material infused with resin, the ...
Steel
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
$500Sale Price|28% Off
Postmodern Nero Marquina Black Marble Coffee Table, Square Design
Located in Trenton, NJ
A dramatic centerpiece for any space, this striking black marble coffee table captures the bold refinement of Postmodern design. Crafted from genuine Nero Marquina marble, the table’...
Marble
Original USM Haller Schreibtisch weiß Esstisch Design Tisch
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen schönen und sehr gut erhaltenen USM Haller Schreibtisch mit weißer Tischplatte zum Verkauf an. In unseren anderen Anzeigen bieten wir viele weitere USM Haller Schrei...
Steel
$14,151 / 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