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.
$4,937 / item
Frequency Side Table by Sebastián Angeles
Located in Geneve, CH
Frequency Side Table by Sebastián Angeles Material: Bronze, Silver Patina Dimensions: W18 x D21 x H47 cm Weight: 7 kg Love is a powerful emotion that can bring people together and c...
Silver, Bronze
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
$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
$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
Original USM Haller Schreibtisch neu lackiert schwarz Design Tisch
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten mehrere USM Haller Schreibtische mit neu lackierter Tischplatte (hier in schwarz) zum Verkauf an. Wir haben mehrere Tische auf Lager, die wir auf Kundenwunsch aufarbeiten ...
Steel
“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
$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
Italian Modern Astrolabio Center Table By Oscar Tusquets
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Modern Center Table By Oscar Tusquets. We offer this iconic Italian modern Oscar Tusquets Astrolabio for Aleph-Driade Center Table or dining table. This table was designed by...
Bronze
Giancarlo Piretti Platone Folding Table in Steel and Black Polyurethane 1970s
By Giancarlo Piretti, Anonima Castelli
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Platone folding table or desk with structure in chromed steel and die-cast aluminum, table top in black ABS. Designed by Giancarlo Piretti and produced b...
Aluminum, Steel
$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
Tetris Patagonia Glass and Bronze Dining Table, 10 Seats, by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Tetris Patagonia Glass and Bronze Dining Table, 10 Seats, by Morica Design Dimensions: D 120 x W 300 x H 75 cm. Materials: Patagonia glass, oxidized bronze, dark burnished metal. Av...
Metal
Postmodern Wooden Plant Stand or Side Table, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Wooden Plant Stand or Side Table, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989. Additional information: Materials: Wood Style: Memphis, Postmodern Period: 1980s Item Ty...
Wood
Postmodern Italian Dining Table in Cherry, Wood and Natural Stone
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, cherry, black lacquered wood, natural stone, Italy, 1980s This Postmodern Italian dining table is a refined expression of balance and material contrast. The generous c...
Stone
Postmodern Floating Foax Goatskin & Glass Cocktail Table
By Karl Springer, Milo Baughman, J. Wade Beam
Located in Bensalem, PA
Very unique, floating top coffee table with faux goat skin lacquered finish & 3/4” glass top please look at pictures and video for overall details. Feel free to reach out with any qu...
Glass, Fiberglass, Lacquer
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
Early Gerard Van Den Berg for Montis Burled Wood Desk with Cast Aluminum Legs
By Gerard Van Den Berg, Montis
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An early Gerard Van Den Berg desk for Montis. The design is almost Saporiti meets Sottsass in appearance, and the table is expertly crafted from handsome burled wood with cast alumin...
Aluminum
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
$2,797 / item
Volta Side Table 50 by Wentz
Located in Geneve, CH
Volta Side Table 50 by Wentz Dimensions: D 50 x W 50 x H 55 cm Materials: Wood, Plywood, MDF, Veneer, Steel The Volta table references nature in its im...
Steel
Postmodern French Dining Table in Solid Elm
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, elm, France, 1970s This striking 1970s French custom-made table is a beautiful expression of craftsmanship and natural materiality. Executed in solid elm wood, the pie...
Elm
$19,953 / item
Turn Blue Dining Table in Lacquered Wood by Hermhaus
Located in Geneve, CH
Turn Blue Dining Table in Lacquered Wood by Hermhaus Dimensions: D 230 x W 100 x H 75 cm Materials: Wooden frame with lacquer finish. The dining table is also a social space. It of...
Wood
$2,424 / item
Vintage Medium Console by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Vintage Medium Console by Pastform Dimensions: D 31 x W 120 x H 85 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes and combinations. Available ...
Wood
Large Bespoke Study Desk with Four Drawers / Customizable
By &New
Located in Leicester, GB
This large burgandy color study desk is made with a powder coated steel frame and a beautiful natural linoleum top made out of linseed oil. This modern minimal desk has four steel dr...
Steel
$620 / item
Object 015 Console Table by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 015 console table by NG Design Dimensions: D75 x W20 x H75 cm Materials: Powder coated steel. Also available: All of objects available in different materials and colors on de...
Steel
$6,667 / item
Ut 01 Cowhide and Walnut Sofa by Sing Chan
Located in Geneve, CH
Ut 01 Sofa by Sing Chan Dimensions: W 76 x D 56 x H 67 cm Materials: Cowhide, North American Black Walnut, waxing. Sing Chan ( Chinese: 陈星宇/Xingyu Chen), the founder of SINGCHAN DE...
Upholstery, Walnut
Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia Postmodern Freeform Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional postmodern free form coffee table By Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia Italy, 1980s Red lacquered tiger...
Metal
$8,007 / item
Jura Coffee Table by Ah Um Design Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Jura Coffee Table by Ah Um Design Studio Handmade Dimensions: D 118.1 x W 85 x H 33 cm. Materials: Mahogany wood, oil finish, hand-glazed tiles. Available in other wood and tile opt...
Mahogany
Interconnected Form Deep Green and Ivory Marble Coffee Table by Antonio De Marco
Located in Geneve, CH
Necklace Mod 2 Verde Notte And Adria Venato Coffee Table by Antonio De Marco Dimensions: D 120 x W 128 x H 40 cm. Materials: Verde Notte and Adria Venato marbles. Available in diff...
Marble
Epicure II Venom Quartzite Limited Edition Coffee Table by Grzegorz Majka
Located in Geneve, CH
Epicure II Venom Quartzite Limited Edition Coffee Table by Grzegorz Majka Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 101,6 x W 147 x H 33 cm. Materials: Venom quartzite and aluminum...
Other, Aluminum
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
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
Ultra raro escritorio y silla Bonacina · Negro · Castiglioni
Located in Barcelona, ES
Escritorio Bonacina en acabado negro, pieza poco frecuente posiblemente realizada por Castiglioni, referente del diseño italiano del siglo XX. De líneas limpias y estructura funcion...
Wood
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
$28,000 / set
Marc Held French Dining Set IBM Office
By Marc Held
Located in New York, NY
The great French dining set was designed for the IBM office in Montpellier , France . Marc Held created the interiors and furniture for the building . This table was used in the exe...
Iron
$3,066 / item
Pina High Light Grey Brass Side Table by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Pina high light grey brass side table by Pulpo Dimensions: D 34 x H 52 cm Materials: glass; brass and steel Also available in different colours. Sebastian Herkner’s distinctively t...
Brass, Steel
Set of 2 Nemo & Dory Side Table by Studio Indigene
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Nemo & Dory Side Table by Studio Indigene Dimensions: Nemo: ⌀ 33 x 54 cm / Dory: ⌀ 41 x 41 cm Materials: Reclaimed Teak Wood. Colors Brown; Natural Wooden Finish Nemo & Dor...
Wood
Black Marble Long Slate Dining Table Signed by Frédéric Saulou
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble Long Slate Dining Table Signed by Frédéric Saulou Designer: Frédéric Saulou. Materials: Trélazé black slate. Dimensions: 75 x 300...
Slate
Kavachi Dining Table in White Marble & Glass by MANTA Handmade Stone Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Kavachi Dining Table in White Marble & Glass by MANTA Handmade Stone Design Limited Edition of 6 Pieces. Dimensions: D 133 x W 258 x H 93 cm. Marble base: D 64 x W 177 x H 78 cm. Gl...
Marble
$5,535 / item
SSC103-1 Console Table by Stone Stackers
Located in Geneve, CH
SSC103-1 console table by Stone Stackers Limited edition of 5 products. Dimensions: W 92 x D 39 x H 81 cm. Materials: Patagonia and Marquina marbles. Marble Structure: Patagonia ...
Marble
Post Modern Contemporary Wood Steel and Glass Console Table
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
A striking and architecturally inspired modern console table, masterfully designed with a dramatic intersecting X-form base in richly toned hardwood and topped with an expansive beve...
Steel
Italian Postmodern Nesting and Stacking Tables, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Italian Postmodern set of Nesting tables. Made in Italy in the 80s Very good condition Dimensions Table 1 52cm x 58cm x 45cm Table 2 47,5cm x 54cm x 38,5cm Table 3 42,5cm x 49cm x 32cm
Glass, Smoked Glass, Wood
1970’s Max Sauze 'ISOCELE' side table - Atrow
1970s Post-Modern Chrome and Glass Dining Set by Daystrom, 5 Pieces
By Chromcraft, Daystrom Furniture, Giotto Stoppino, Bassett Furniture
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
Pair of Vintage Leather Parsons Side Tables, Vintage Design, USA
By (after) Jean Michel Frank, Pierre Cardin, Karl Springer, Maitland Smith, Harrison Van Horn
Located in Round Top, TX
Postmodern Leather Parsons Side Tables A pair of genuine leather wrapped side tables with protective glass tops. Whimsical yet neutral tables in peach-hued tones. Original glass top...
Leather, Glass, Wood
Pierre Chapo - Variable Geometric Dining Table
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Stratford, CT
The Chapo Variable Geometric table is an eye-catching, elegant elm dining table. It can be extended by adding four extension leaves, increasing its length from 50" to 89". The width ...
Elm
Contemporary Riviera Armchair in lacquered Ivory metal for Outdoors
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...
Metal
$6,224 / item
Dolmen Console by Ginger & Jagger
Located in Geneve, CH
Dolmen Console by Ginger & Jagger Dimensions: D 50 x W 160 x H 87 cm. Materials: Lacquer. Finish: Lacquered in Miosotis, in gloss finishing. This product is suitable for custom...
Lacquer
Ondulae Coffee Table in Stainless Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ondulae Coffee Table in Stainless Steel by Metalmorphosis Studio Dimensions: D 35 x W 75 x H 50 cm. Materials: Stainless steel. An irregular surface shaped like lived muscle. Tensio...
Stainless Steel
Postmodern Black Lacquer Console Table with Brass Banding, Attributed to Century
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A refined Postmodern console table crafted in a lustrous piano black lacquer finish and accented by a polished brass band that elegantly wraps the apron. The streamlined form feature...
Wood, Lacquer
$1,736Sale Price|20% Off
Post Modern Fiam Italia Curved Glass Coffee Table
By Angelo Cortesi, FIAM
Located in Chicago, IL
Curved waterfall cocktail table by Angelo Cortesi for FIAM. FIAM being the leading glass furniture manufacturer in the world. Waterfall edges on this 1/2” thick tempered glass coffee table...
Glass
$12,506 / item
Ut 02 Cowhide and Walnut Sofa by Sing Chan
Located in Geneve, CH
Ut 02 Sofa by Sing Chan Dimensions: W 76 x D 135 x H 67 cm Materials: Cowhide, North American Black Walnut, waxing. Sing Chan ( Chinese: 陈星宇/Xingyu Chen), the founder of SINGCHAN D...
Upholstery, Walnut
Toffee GM Side Table in Stained Rattan and Glass Top by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Toffee GM Side Table in Stained Rattan and Glass Top by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: Ø 60 x H 65 cm. Materials: Tinted rattan weave base with a glass tabletop surface. Fabric is not ...
Rattan, Glass
Explore III Calacatta And Bronze Limited Edition Coffee Table by Grzegorz Majka
Located in Geneve, CH
Explore III Calacatta And Bronze Limited Edition Coffee Table by Grzegorz Majka Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 94 x W 180 x H 35,5 cm. Materials: Solid bronze and Calaca...
Marble, Bronze
$11,177 / item
Mar Dining Table by Laluz
Located in Geneve, CH
Mar Dining Table by Laluz Dimensions: W 123 x D 240 x H 77 cm Materials: Bronze, Polyurethane. Weight: 150 kg. LaLuz Design is a young, dynamic company that specializes in the produ...
Bronze
Stunning Architectural Set of Sectional Coffee or Side Tables 1980s
Located in Meer, VAN
Architectural Set of Sectional Coffee or Side Tables 1980s A spectacular pair of architectural side or coffee tables in solid and veneered maple. Europe, 1980s. These 1980s tables ...
Wood, Maple
Pair of 1980s Postmodern Green Figured Marble Side Tables
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A pair of 1980s postmodern side tables crafted in highly figured green marble. The stone displays sweeping forest-green and slate-gray veining against a pale celadon ground, giving e...
Marble
Postmodern Artifici Table designed by Paolo Deganello for Cassina 1985
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Artifici coffee table, designed by Paolo Deganello for Cassina, 1985. Two Table top of superimposed glass plates, with exchangeable graphic inlets from textile, legs in natural wood...
Cast Stone
$7,098 / item
Delano 5064 Desk by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Delano 5064 Desk by Redeco Dimensions: W 160 x D 60 x H 77 cm Materials: Mdf structure. One soft closing drawer, Structure in Palissandro Santos veneer with polyester matt finish. In...
Marble
$15,129 / item
Stainless Steel Pebble Coffee Table by NITUSH AROOSH
Located in Geneve, CH
Stainless Steel Pebble Coffee Table by NITUSH AROOSH Dimensions: W 150 x D 80 x H 40 cm Materials: Stainless Steel (Grade 304) Finish: Antique & Polished Available in different fini...
Stainless Steel
Postmodern Green Marble Dining Table Base / Pedestal. Circa 1980s.
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Green Marble Dining Table Base / Pedestal. In the Stone iternational Italy Style. Circa 1980s. Feature a Postmodern / Minimalist design, displaying beautiful marble veins....
Marble
$2,972 / item
Large Lagoa Table by Giacomo Tomazzi Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Lagoa Table by Giacomo Tomazzi Studio Dimensions: W 70 x D 70 x H 35 cm Materials: 10mm extra clear fusing glass top, 10mm extra clear cur...
Glass