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.
$11,120 / 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
$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
$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
Post Modern Industrial Steel Cobalt Blue Art Glass Sculptural Tripod Side Table
Located in Troy, MI
Early 21st Century studio artist collaborative side table in steel and glass Unique design of a tripod base with welded discs of steel and cobalt blue art glass discs and a matching...
Steel
Cherry Dining Table by Gisbert Pöppler, Red Lacquered Aluminum
Located in Geneve, CH
Cherry dining table by Gisbert Pöppler Dimensions: D 180 x W 180 x H 74 cm Materials: red lacquered aluminum The refreshing red is not the origin of this dining table’s name, bu...
Aluminum
$15,051 / 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
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
$858 / item
Tall Manhattan Side Table by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Tall Manhattan Side Table by Morica Design Dimensions: D 45 x W 45x H 56 cm. Materials: Canaletto walnut, metal. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Laguna Oak, or natural oak wood. Plea...
Wood
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
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
“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
$1,902Sale Price|20% Off
1980's Postmodern Solid Birch Wood Custom Table Dining Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful custom made dining table solid birch wood excellent condition , 1980's solid sturdy after Adrian Pearsal designs , we are selling the base only you can put a rectangle, ova...
Birch
$916 / 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
$3,896Sale Price|20% Off
Writing desk space age ORIX model produced by Molteni Italia 1970s
By Molteni & C, Vittorio Parigi
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
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
$11,225 / item
Red Green Onyx Coffee Table by OS and OOS
By Oskar Peet and Sophie Mensen
Located in Geneve, CH
Red green onyx coffee table by OS and OOS. Dimensions: 55 x 47 x 40 cm. Materials: Onyx and verde smaragd. Studio OS and OOS is design stu...
Onyx
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
Epicure VII Quartzite And Brass Limited Edition Coffee Table by Grzegorz Majka
Located in Geneve, CH
Epicure VII Quartzite And Brass Limited Edition Coffee Table by Grzegorz Majka Limited Edition Of 8 Pieces. Dimensions: D 101,6 x W 147 x H 33 cm. Materials: Michelangelo quartzite ...
Brass, Other
$2,800 / item
Onde Table — Natural, Black and Dark Walnut
Located in Singapore, SG
This Onde Desk variation, designed by Studio Kallang, features the studio's signature striking Black/Natural Onde Motif along with a rich, dark-stained teak body. Handcrafted in Ind...
Teak
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
$2,957 / 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
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
$10,401 / item
Large Bold Coffee Table by Mohdern
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Bold Coffee Table by Mohdern Dimensions: W 140 x D 80 x H 30 cm (Marble Tray Included ⌀ 52 cm) Materials: Solid Ash Bold is a refined collect...
Ash
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
Italian Postmodern Dining Table in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, walnut, Italy, 1980s This Italian dining table from the 1980s is a beautiful example of straightforward quality and honest design. Crafted in rich, honey toned walnut,...
Walnut
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
$1,994 / item
Jura Pedestal by Ah Um Design Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Jura Pedestal by Ah Um Design Studio Handmade Dimensions: D 29.2 x W 33 x H 38.1 cm. Materials: Walnut wood, oil finish. Available in other finish options. Please contact us. This ...
Walnut
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
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Vintage Leather Parsons Side Tables, Vintage Design, USA
By Karl Springer, Maitland Smith, Harrison Van Horn, Pierre Cardin, (after) Jean Michel Frank
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
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
$1,280Sale 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
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
$971Sale Price|25% Off
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
$41,792 / 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
Post Modern Italian Oval Top Pedestal Base Crystal Alabaster Marble Dining Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A rare marble table made of Alabaster-Crystal, with a thick, very durable and perfectly polished resign coating on the top and base. This large and super cool table easily seats 8 to...
Alabaster, Marble
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...
Walnut, Oak
Post-Modern Laminated Burled Wood Pedestal
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Striking Postmodern laminated burled wood pedestal, circa 1980s, showcasing the bold materials and sophisticated minimalism of the era. The clean architectural form is completely env...
Laminate, Burl
1970’s Max Sauze 'ISOCELE' side table - Atrow
$1,121Sale Price|35% Off
1980s Post Modern Green Marble Black Iron Coffee Table
Located in Stafford, TX
Beautiful marble coffee table in great condition as seen! See photos for details and message with questions.
Marble, Iron
$4,847 / item
Lavanche Side Table by Serafini
Located in Geneve, CH
Lavanche side table by Serafini Special Edition Materials: Marble. Dimensions: D 40 x H 50 cm The Lavanche side table, designed by Piotr Dabrowa for Serafini, is a continuation of ...
Marble
Cristallo Unique Sculptural Coffee Table in Crystal & Quartz by Alex Turco
Located in Geneve, CH
Cristallo Unique Sculptural Coffee Table in Crystal & Quartz by Alex Turco One Of a Kind Dimensions: D 67 x W 79 x H 67 cm. Materials: Crystal and quartz. ...
Crystal, Quartz
Knoll International Round Pedestal Dining Table in Ebony Finish, 2021
By Knoll
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully proportioned round pedestal dining or center table designed and manufactured by Knoll International in the United States in 2021. Executed in solid hardwood and fine w...
Wood
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
Karl Springer Lizard-Embossed Leather Pedestal Dining Table, 1985
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A striking dining table by Karl Springer, its broad circular top cantilevered over a substantial drum-form pedestal base. The table is fully wrapped in a rich cognac-toned lizard-emb...
Leather, Wood
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
$6,525 / item
Clover Blue Jeans Solid Marble Bar Table
Located in New York, US
Featuring the stunning four-leaf clover form from the table top all the way to the base, each curve gives a soft touch to this colossal bar table. Made entirely from solid marble sto...
Marble
Italian Mario Bellini Style Fluted Travertine Pedestal or Table Base
By Angelo Mangiarotti, Mario Bellini
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Mario Bellini style fluted travertine pedestal or table base. This stunning postmodern honed travertine pedestal is substantial enough for a ...
Travertine
Modern Multifunctional 'X' Steel Side Table and Rack (Display Model)
By Erik Johnson, Argosy Designs
Located in Treadwell, NY
Collection I: X Rack The X Rack is an elegant, minimal, and modern object that is both sculptural and functional - a crisp silhouette creating the illusion that the form and its c...
Steel
$308,692 / 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
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
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
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
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
Postmodern Profilsystem Coffee Table by Elmar Flötotto for Flötotto, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Simple coffee table from the Profilsystem collection from Flötotto. A very simple and functional design that is broken up by the gray table surface. The table comes from the profile...
Metal
$35,530 / 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
Kanzitō Unique Side Table in Oak Wood & Travertine Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Kanzitō Unique Side Table in Oak Wood & Travertine Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 30 x W 30 x H 50 cm. Materials: Oak wood and travertine. Available in different...
Oak
$1,565Sale Price / set|25% Off
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
Philippe Starck "Titos Apostos" Table 1985
Located in Naples, FL
Philippe Starck "Titos Apostos" Table Italy/France, 1985, Driade Folding table to pair with "Mickville Chairs" Suitable as a functioning table or wall art
Steel
$1,867 / 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
Eric O'leary Red & Black Decorative Ceramic Stool
By Eric O'leary
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This Postmodern ceramic stool by Eric O’Leary, crafted between 1980-1989, exemplifies his innovative approach to form and glaze. Hand-painted in deep red, rust, and black tones, the ...
Ceramic