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.
Goatskin Long Chic Lacquered Console Table with Chrome Base Karl Springer Style
Located in Bensalem, PA
Amazing console circa 1980s lacquer over goat skin with chrome surrounds in the manner of Karl Springer
Goatskin, Fiberglass, Lacquer
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
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
Postmodern Sofa or Console Table with Mirror Top & Black Lacquered Pedestal Base
Located in Topeka, KS
Magnificent vintage Postmodern sofa or console table comprised of a black lacquered pedestal base with beveled edges & gold base trim and a rounded rectangular 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 found. There are some scratches on mirror top & pedestal as you would expect for age. 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…. Sofa 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
Ibuju Side Table 01 in Colombian Woven Yaré Natural Fiber by Fango Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ibuju Side Table 01 in Colombian Woven Yaré Natural Fiber by Fango Studio Dimensions: H 40 cm x W 30 cm x L 45 cm. Materials: Colombian woven yaré natural fiber Available in differe...
Natural Fiber
$42,233 / item
Folio Table by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Folio Table by De Castelli Dimensions: W 298 x D 110 x H 75 cm Materials: DeMarea Brass Other dimensions and versions are available. Please contact us for any request. The Folio tab...
Brass
$20,212Sale Price|25% Off
Cocobolo Dining Table by Don S. Shoemaker, 1960s Modern Design
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An architectural marvel in living form, this Cocobolo rosewood dining table by Don S. Shoemaker for Señal, Mexico, commands attention as both functional object and sculptural stateme...
Cocobolo
Vintage coffee table by Roche Bobois, 1980s
By Roche Bobois
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage wooden and black glass coffee table by Roche Bobois with storage space and bottle holders. Cool coffee table from the 1980s. 1980s - France Good overall condition with nor...
Glass, Wood
Mastercraft Console Table Designed By William Doezema
By Mastercraft, William Doezema
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
1970s Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin pair of end, side or coffee tables
By Milo Baughman, Thayer Coggin
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Pair of 1970s Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin parsons style end/side or coffee tables. Both are labeled and stamped with the manufacturing date, ...
Plywood
Square Honed Montclair Danby Marble Center Table
Located in Houston, TX
Square honed Montclair Danby marble center table featuring a tapered, square column.
Marble
$925 / item
Imi Two Side Table by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Imi two side table by Pulpo. Dimensions: D32 x H40 cm. Materials: ceramic. Other color combinations available on request. Colourful, shiny, round: imi is dedicated to the minimal artist...
Ceramic
$3,937Sale Price|20% Off
Writing desk space age ORIX model produced by Molteni Italia 1970s
By Vittorio Parigi, Molteni & C
Located in Milano, Lombardia
iconic vintage space age design desk model Orix designed by Vittorio Parigi and Nanni Prina, production Molteni 1971. Orange-colored ABS plastic top, the chromed steel frame, tilting...
Chrome
$2,425 / item
Calligraphic Sculpted Brass Side Table by Misaya
By Misaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Calligraphic sculpted brass side table by Misaya Dimensions: W 27 x L 30 x H 57 cm Hand-sculpted brass table. Misaya emulates Chinese ink paintings through the process of lost-wax c...
Brass
C1094 Console Table in Oak And European Walnut Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
C1094 Console Table in Oak And European Walnut Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 40 x W 136 x H 84 cm. Materials: Oak and walnut. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for ce...
Oak, Walnut
Harrison Van Horn Deep Chocolate Brown Console Table, Raffia & Brass, 1980s
By Harrison Van Horn, Roger Sprunger, Karl Springer
Located in Round Top, TX
Harrison Van Horn "belly" console table in lacquered raffia and brass in deep, dark espresso brown with unlacquered brass trim. Uncommon piece and always desirable in size, quality,...
Brass
Set of Palissade Table & Chairs, Anthracite by Ronan/Erwan Bouroullec for Hay
Located in Bayrut, Beirut Governorate
Designed by French brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, Palissade is a collection of outdoor furniture for HAY in powder coated or hot galvanized steel. United by a common principle ...
Steel
$3,080
Butt Stool
Located in Mérida, MX
Solid wood stool sculpted by hand into a butt shape as a symbol of equality (we all have butts).
Wood
1970s Maitland Smith Tessellated Fossil Stone Swivel Tier Drum Coffee Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1970s with this Maitland Smith Tessellated Stone swivel coffee table. The ultra rare table exudes an air of luxury and refineme...
Stone
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
Post Rural Model Coffee Table by Studio Superego, Italy
Located in Asti, Piemonte
Post Rural model coffee table designed by Studio Superego for Superego Editions. Colored plexiglass table revisiting rural design. Biography Superego editions was born in 2006, perf...
Plexiglass
Memphis Table By Shiro Kuramata Sally Glass Chrome Rolling Table, 1987
By Memphis Group, Shiro Kuramata
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
Dining Table with Trestle Base in Solid Pine Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, solid pine, Europe, 1980s This dining table showcases a beautifully simple yet robust construction, crafted entirely from solid pinewood. Its design is centered around...
Pine
Midcentury Italian Post Modern off White Plaster Cube Pedestal or Side Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Heavy textured plaster pedestal from Italy circa 1990s. Casted plaster table in bone white color. Very good condition and ready to use.
Plaster
Postmodern Floating Foax Goatskin & Glass Cocktail Table
By J. Wade Beam, Milo Baughman, Karl Springer
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
$2,917 / set
Mamun No.2 Side Table by Studio Kallang
Located in Geneve, CH
Mamun No.2 Side Table by Studio Kallang Dimensions: W 45 x D 35 x H 62.5 cm Materials: Solid Teak, Fluted Glass. STUDIO KALLANG IS A SINGAPORE AND SEATTLE BASED PROJECT FOCUSING ON...
Teak, Glass
1986 Fan Nesting Table by DIA (Design Institute America) 3 tier glass and brass
By Rick Berry, Design Institute America
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
Pair of Sculptural Travertine Display Pedestals in the Post-Modern Style, 1980s
Located in Odense, DK
Elegant pair of travertine pedestals crafted in a clean architectural form. Featuring square tops and stepped bases, the design highlights...
Travertine
$35,905 / item
Abstraction II Side Table by Kris Lamba Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Abstraction II Side Table by Kris Lamba Studio Edition Number: 9 +2 AP Dimensions: W 33 x D 33 x H 70 cm Materials: Hand burnished bronze. Weight: 60 Kg. Options: polished, patinated...
Copper
$1,886 / set
Hilu Side Table by Studio Kallang
Located in Geneve, CH
Hilu Side Table by Studio Kallang Dimensions: W 38 x D 38 x H 45 cm Materials: Solid Teak, Solid Sungkai. STUDIO KALLANG IS A SINGAPORE AND SEATTLE B...
Wood, Teak
Natural Plaster Hand-Sculpted Outdoor Dining Table 360 by Philippe Colette
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Plaster Hand-Sculpted Outdoor dining table 360 by Philippe Colette Dimensions: L 360 x W 110 cm Customized height, please contact us. 10/12 pers. Materials: Mineral lime ...
Organic Material, Plaster
$222 / item
Black Trumpet Table by OK Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Trumpet Table by OK Design Dimensions: D 45 x W 47 x H 105 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal. Available in black or white. Please contact us. The Trumpet Table is a minimal ...
Metal
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
Set of Mid Century Postmodern Side Tables or Cocktail Table after Enrique Garcel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Set of two faux painted tables in the manner of Enrique Garcel. These would be great as a coffee table.
Wood
1980s Postmodern Lucite Waterfall Vanity Desk With Chair
Located in Elkton, MD
Vintage Lucite waterfall desk dating to the 1970s–1980s. The desk features a clean-lined waterfall silhouette constructed from thick, clear acrylic, accented with an inset glass top ...
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
Tessellated Horn Drum Table After Karl Springer
By R & Y Augousti, Maitland Smith, Casa Bique, Enrique Garcel, Karl Springer
Located in Houston, TX
Tessellated Horn Drum Table. Offered is a handsome round Post-Modern Karl Springer inspired tessellated horn table on a raised plinth. This is the perfect side table for between two ...
Horn
$19,980 / 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
Arquitectonica 1984 Madonna Table Desk Memphis Milano Postmodern Miami Sottsass
By Memphis Milano, Arquitectonica, Memphis Group
Located in Munster, NRW
Madonna table by Arquitectonica Miami for Memphis Milano, 1984. Iconic an extremely rare postmodern piece and one of the only Memphis Group productions whose design was commissione...
Wood
Postmodern Coffee Table in tubular steel and glass top in Bauhaus style, Italy
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a striking Italian coffee table dating from the late 1970s, combining the rational geometry of Bauhaus design with an emerging Postmodern sensibility. ...
Steel
Tetris Laguna Oak and Marble Console by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Tetris Laguna Oak and Marble Console by Morica Design Dimensions: D 49 x W 150 x H 75 cm. Materials: Laguna oak, White Carrara marble, metal. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Laguna O...
Marble, Metal
Coffee Table by Piero De Longhi Catalan Italia Travertine Glass and Brass 1980s
Located in London, GB
The Dielle coffee table, is a timeless piece designed in 1984 by Piero De Longhi for Catalan Italia is a sophisticated design. The transparent glass top allows you to fully appreciat...
Travertine, Metal, Brass
Java Dining Table in Tinted Rattan & Imitation Grained Leather by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Java Dining Table in Tinted Rattan & Imitation Grained Leather by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 230 x D 100 x H 75 cm. Materials: Tinted rattan and grained imitation leather finished...
Rattan, Faux Leather
$15,468 / item
Orbis Side Table in Marble with Mirror Core by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbis Side Table in Marble with Mirror Core by Homa. Dimensions: W 50 x D 50 x H 30 cm Materials: Marble, Green Onyx. HOMA is a contemporary design atelier based in Istanbul. The a...
Onyx, Marble
Conference Table in Walnut, Carrara Marble and Red Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Conference table, Carrara marble, walnut, iron, Italy, 1970s. This captivating oval table from Italy serves as an ideal choice for either a conference or a dining setting. It achie...
Carrara Marble, Steel
$14,624 / item
Walnut Cloud Table L by Veermakers
Located in Geneve, CH
Walnut Cloud Table L by Veermakers Dimensions: W 185 x D 130 x H 30 cm. Materials: Walnut Classic with a satin clear coat / Walnut Rich Hi-gloss legs. About: After years of success...
Walnut
Lyora FSC Teak Wood Round Side Coffee Table by SNOC
Located in Geneve, CH
Lyora FSC Teak Wood Round Side Coffee Table by SNOC Dimensions: Ø 43 x H 46 cm. Materials: Teak wood. A delicate mid-century style, tempered by contemporary and eclectic incursions ...
Teak
$8,085 / item
Medium Ita Center Table by Estudio Prosa
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Ita Center Table by Estudio Prosa Dimensions: W 100 x D 75 x H 30 cm Materials: Wood. Available in Cedro Arana, Jequitiba, Muiracatiara, or Cumaru wood options. Please contac...
Wood
Mutation Console – Contemporary Sculptural Design in Blackened Brass by Misaya
By Masaya
Located in Geneve, CH
Mutation Console – Contemporary Sculptural Design in Blackened Brass by Misaya Dimensions: W 118 x D 44 x H 80 cm Materials: Brass Also available: Different colors (gold, polished b...
Brass
$6,187 / item
Fragment Side Table in Resin & Marble by Fict Studio
By Fict Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Fragment Side Table in Resin & Marble by Fict Studio Dimensions: D 33 x W 33 x H 45 cm. Materials: Resin and marble. Jang Hea-Kyoung is a Seoul-based artist and designer whose p...
Marble
Side Table with Hidden Compartment, Black Marble & Travertine, Sculptural
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Umbral Side Table Composed of black marble and travertine, this side table contrasts deep darkness with warm neutrality through its varicolored stone segments. The object is balance...
Stone, Onyx, Travertine, Marble
$10,673 / item
Luca Coffee Table Small by Umberto Bellardi Ricci
Located in Geneve, CH
Luca coffee table small by Umberto Bellardi Ricci Dimensions: W 71.1 x D 109.24 x H 22.9 cm Materials: Travertine, bronze legs. Umberto Bellardi...
Travertine, Bronze
$311,946 / item
590 Million Years Love Table by Alina Alamorean, France
Located in Geneve, CH
590 Million Years Love Table by Alina Alamorean One Of A Kind. Dimensions: D 90 x W 170 x H 82 cm. Materials: Granite and iron steel. This table can be used as an office desk. Diffe...
Granite, Steel, Iron
$1,600 / item
Post Modern Occasional Table Marble Top
By Andreu World
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Sleek marble table with lacquered blue aluminum circular base and oval column. Incredibly sturdy and well made. Perfect cafe table for the kitchen or small apartment dining. Post mod...
Marble, Aluminum
$1,335 / item
Object 057 Console Table by NG Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Object 057 console table by NG Design. Dimensions: D 90x W 20 x H 90 cm. Materials: powder coated steel, marble Nero Marquina Also available: all of objects available in different ...
Marble, Steel
Pierangelo Caramia Arcadia Swing Table Phillipe Starck XO 1987 Side Glass Chrome
Located in London, GB
Signed Arcada Swing table by Pierangelo Caramia for the Phillipe Starke Label XO-Design, 1987 This an amazing petite side table featuring a futuristic aerodynamic figure in postmode...
Metal, Aluminum
$43,475 / item
Chunky Cloud Coffee Table L by Veermakers
Located in Geneve, CH
Chunky Cloud Coffee Table L by Veermakers Dimensions: W 160 x D 140 x H 30 cm. Materials: Marquetry in thick Mahogany Classic veneer with a satin clear c...
Mahogany
Ettore Sottsass City Dining Table for Memphis Milano, 1983
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ettore Sottsass "City" dining table in black and brown spotted laminate with chrome plated steel legs. Very good condition with light scratches seen upon close inspection in raking ...
Steel, Chrome
Yoma Console by Andy Kerstens, Bleached European Oak & Brass, Belgium
Located in Geneve, CH
Yoma Console by Andy Kerstens. Limited Edition of 20 Dimensions: W 255 x D 70 x H 100 cm Materials: Wood bleached and brushed European oak, solid + ve...
Stone, Metal
21st Century by Ce Studio Coffee Table Steel Artisan Finish Custom
Located in Lecce, IT
Indoor-outdoor coffee table, elongated and curved cylindrical base, steel top.
Steel