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.
Vintage Postmodern Curved Side Blue Leather Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage Post Modern Blue Leather Curvy Sculptural 3 Seat Leather Sofa. High quality soft and thick top grain leather in a rich teal blue color with curved sides, and single long seat...
Leather
Longue Chair Zyklus By Peter Maly For COR 1980s
By Peter Maly
Located in Čelinac, BA
Peter Maly Zyklus Longue Chair For COR 1980s
Chrome
Art Deco Revival. Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s
By Cerámicas BONDIA, Capo Di Monte, Bassano, Hispania CH
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Art Deco Revival and Post-Modern style ceramic sconces, Italy, 1980s. Each wall light is made of black glazed ceramic in the shape of a hand holding a spherical diffuser. The diffuse...
Ceramic, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Paint
Antique Brass Sculptural Singing-Stone MDL. C. Speaker
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Playfully referencing outdoor rock-shaped speakers, this bronze cast music box reinterprets a mountain stone from the outskirts of Mexico City, transforming it into a listening stone...
Bronze
Carsons 5 Piece Post Modern Modular Sectional Sofa
By Carsons
Located in Lutz, FL
Being offered AS-IS for reupholstery. 5 piece Carsons of High Point post modern modular sectional in white wave upholstery. Frames are solid and in great condition, upholster to your...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage French Post Modern Console Table - Circa 1980s - Maple Entry Table
Located in Decatur, GA
Vintage post modern squiggle leg console table, France circa 1980s. Gorgeous from any angle. Finished on all sides allowing it to float in a room. Very good original condition with m...
Maple
Postmodern Italian Folding Stool Chair from Enolinea, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Foldable stool by the Italian manufacturer Enolinea. A functional design with postmodern styling. The support is made of wood. The seat is coated with plastic and framed by black ru...
Plastic, Rubber, Wood
Monumental Sergio Bustamante 'Sol Eclipse' Papier Mâché Wall Sculpture, 1997
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Monumental wall-mounted sculpture executed in painted papier-mâché by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante (b. 1949). Titled "Sol Eclipse" (Solar Eclipse), this large-scale composition f...
Paper
Postmodern Italian Foldable Coat Rack Patrizia Angeloni Confalonieri, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Italian Foldable Coat Rack by Patrizia Angeloni for Confalonieri, 1980s Postmodern coat rack by Italian manufacturer Confalonieri, designed by Patrizia Angeloni in the 19...
Plastic
Marble Onyx Soap Dish
Located in New York, NY
A rectangular footed marble and onyx soap dish, Postmodern design period, circa late-20th century. Vessel is rectangular, footed, with an oval 'bowl', with square marble and onyx pat...
Onyx, Marble
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Velvet Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa, Maxalto
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Italian midcentury modern design set of two sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s, with a wooden frame featuring decorative bands...
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric 3 Modules Wall Lamp for Cassina
Postmodern Set of Three Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Estiluz, Barcelona, 1990s
By Leonardo Marelli, Estiluz, Estiluz Lighting
Located in Badajoz, Badajoz
Beauty Postmodern Set of Three Gold Metal Wall Sconces by Leonardo Marelli for Estiluz. Model: A-2044 Gold These fixtures were designed and manufactured in Barcelona (Spain) by Estil...
Metal
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Italian Postmodern Wall Clock from Junghans, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark.
Plastic
$1,800
Bubble Glass Side Table
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
The Bubble Glass Side Table embodies a retro-futuristic fantasy. Inspired by past visions of the future, it draws from mysterious tales of speculative technologies and flying saucers...
Glass
Postmodern Modern Black Round Chandelier Art Nouveau XXL
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of postmodernism and experience pure elegance with our breathtaking black chandelier decorated with crystals. This work of art of lighting m...
Crystal, Metal
Awesome Pair of Vladimir Kagan for Weiman Preview Bilbao Sculptural Sofas
By Vladimir Kagan, Weiman Preview Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed in the early 1990s by American design icon Vladimir Kagan, this pair of sofas was made by Weiman Preview, now known for their production of many iconic designs from Kagan, F...
Upholstery, Hardwood
Neri & Hu 3T09 Bronze Structure and Ivory Fabric Floor Lamp for Cassina
Monumental 1980s 3 Piece Sofa by Steve Chase
By Steve Chase, A. Rudin, Martin Brattrud
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This MASSIVE 3 piece sofa by Steve Chase is a sight to behold. Measuring in at just under 15 feet across, it is a real statement maker. The slightly asym...
Fabric
M. Fillmore Harty, Preview Super Sculptural Signed 3 Part Sectional Sofa 1990s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Available right now is this stunning M. Fillmore Harty for Weiman Preview, tagged, 3 piece sectional. A sculpture that happens to be a sofa! It is upholstered in the original white f...
Upholstery
Post Modern Oak and Tinted Glass Coffee Table att. to Lou Hodges for Mersman
By Mersman, Lou Hodges
Located in New York, NY
Classic mid century, postmodern coffee table design attributed to Lou Hodges, for Mersman, circa 1970's. The table features it's original tinted glass top, which rests in the solid ...
Glass, Oak
$1,197 / item
Postmodern Modern Black Round Chandelier Art Nouveau
Located in Berlin, DE
Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of postmodernism and experience pure elegance with our breathtaking black chandelier decorated with crystals. This work of art of lighting m...
Crystal, Metal
Postmodern Banana Floor Lamp from Heico, 1980s
By Heico
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern floor lamp in the shape of a banana. An object in style of postmodern design and art movements like memphis. A unique object and rare eye-catcher. This lamp is shaped lik...
Plastic
Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Mactan Stone Coffee Table. C 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Postmodern Maitland Smith Style Tessellated Mactan Stone Coffee Table. Circa 1980s Features four independent peach, emerald, and ivory geometric stone bases with built-in slots to ho...
Stone
Vladimir Kagan “Matinee” Sofa /Daybed for American Leather
By Vladimir Kagan, American Leather
Located in Roanoke, VA
Beautiful "Matinee" sofa that doubles as daybed designed by Vladimir Kagan for American Leather. The sofa converts effortlessly into daybed by removing the bolster back and side bol...
Textile
Salvador Dalí Leda Armchair Sculpture in Polished Brass, Spain
By Salvador Dalí, BD Barcelona Design
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Leda armchair designed by Dali manufactured by BD. Structure in polished cast brass varnish. Measures: 47 x 60 x 92 H. cm Year: 1935-1937 Taken from “Femme á la téte rose” 1935 (...
Brass
Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto Italian Solid Wood Fabric "Artona" Sofas
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Set of two Italian midcentury modern design three-seater sofa and two-seater sofa from the “Artona” series designed by Afra & Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto in the 1970s with solid wood fr...
Fabric, Wood
1980s brass Florian Schulz Onos 55 pendant lamp with adjustable pulley system
Located in München, DE
Large, original 1980s Florian Schulz Onos 55 pendant light, height adjustable by one counterweight. The lamp is made entirely of brass. Beautiful minimalist design in very good vinta...
Brass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Sculptural Lounge Chair Jaymar 1980s
By Jaymar
Located in Toronto, ON
Gorgeous pop art chair by Jaymar in a dark nylon like material. It's a blueish black fabric colour with slight prints/texturing on the fabric (see photos). This bold and modern chair...
Leather
A rare silver box / pop art sculpture by Fratelli Cacchione, late 20th century
Located in View Park, CA
An extraordinarily rare silver « cigarette » box / pop art sculpture by Fratelli Cacchionr, 20th century. This amazing silver box was created to resemble several boxes of cigarettes ...
Silver
Ettore Sottsass Style Memphis Group Metal & Acrylic Lamp Set
By Pierre Cardin, Memphis Group, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Bensalem, PA
This listing is for the set please look at pictures for overall detail stunning black electroplatied metal with acrylic rings feel free to reach out with any questions
Metal
Funky Red Framed Stacking Chairs with Fritz Hansen Style Plywood Seating
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Spirited postmodern stacking chairs showcase the playful geometry and joyful color that defined the hip era of postmodernism. Each chair features a single-shell molded plywood seat t...
Metal
$910Sale Price|35% Off
Vintage IKEA Rattan Wicker “Karlskrona” Chaise Lounge Chair
By IKEA, Carl Öjerstam
Located in Toronto, ON
Vintage IKEA 'Karlskrona' Wicker Rattan Chaise Lounge Chair by Carl Öjerstam made in the 1990s. This highly sought after chaise lounge is made in woven wicker, it features a headrest...
Wicker, Rattan
$325 / set
Agate Coasters Brazilian
Located in New York, NY
A set of Brazilian neutral agate stone wine, champagne or cocktail coaster set, Postmodern design, circa late 20th century, Brazil. Set includes six (6) round agate stone and rosewoo...
Onyx, Agate
A Pair Of Travertine and Brass Floor Lamps By Michael Taylor
Located in London, GB
A Pair of floor lamps from the post modern era by American designer Michael Taylor, with travertine bases supporting a tapering stem with travertine sphere decorated with brass accen...
Travertine, Brass, Iron
Heide Warlamis Postmodern Skyscraper Salt Pepper Shakers, Vienna Collection 1990
Located in Vienna, AT
A pair of beautiful and decorative postmodern Skyscraper Pop Art salt and pepper shakers, designed in 1990 by artist and designer Heide Warlamis as part of her renowned Vienna Collec...
Porcelain
1980s Rounded Brass Mirrored Front Nightstand Side Tables
By Karl Springer, Ello Furniture
Located in Bensalem, PA
This listing is for a pair of Ello Furniture rounded brass nightstands with tinted mirrored front and top. I also have a floating king bed and tall b...
Brass
Cult Stool, Sculptural Side Table, Mexican White Onyx / Marble
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Cult stool / side table; a hand sculpted stone from an incredibly particular stone; Mexican White Onyx, remits to primal sculptural-architectural language while displaying materials ...
Onyx
Beautiful Table Lamp in Dark and White Alabaster 1980s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Beautiful Table Lamp in Dark and White Alabaster 1980s A wonderful table lamp in both dark and white alabaster. Great slender and sophisticated post-modern design with a base in dar...
Alabaster
Cassina Veranda 3 seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti
Located in Bern, CH
Cassina Veranda 3 seater Sofa by Vico Magistretti and produced by Cassina, Italy in the late 1980's. Based on the Maralunga Sofa with fold down back rest. Adjustable three seater des...
Metal, Steel
Mario Tsai, Aluminium Tsai Suspension Lamp by Cassina
By Ico Parisi
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Mario Tsai, Aluminium Tsai Suspension Lamp by Cassina UNIT OF LIGHT A collection of modular metal lamps in which the base unit alludes to the shape of a brick. A simple lighting sy...
Aluminum
Postmodern Pluto Desk by Pierre Colleu for Starform and Disney, France 1980s.
By Disney Studios, Pierre Colleu 1, Starform
Located in Lille, FR
Table height: 58 cm. Total height with the head: 90 cm Good condition. No restorations. Some fading on the head and legs, with a few spots and other age-related marks.
Resin, Plastic
$1,000Sale Price / item|20% Off
Rare Post Modern Black Ribbed leather Office desk chair on casters made in Italy
By De Sede, Poltrona Frau, Cassina
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Rare Post Modern Black Ribbed leather Office desk chair on casters made in Italy. Beautiful Designed chairs with great leather upholstery. These chairs chan be used as a dining, desk...
Leather, Plastic
Vintage Wrought Iron Chandelier Candleholder by Ehlén Johansson for Ikea, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Wrought Iron Chandelier Candleholder by Ehlén Johansson for Ikea, 1990s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1990 to 1999 I have ...
Wrought Iron
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
All black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather lounge chair. Very fun Beautiful pop art wide leather chair. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in thick soft leath...
Leather
$3,400Sale Price / item|20% Off
Superb All Black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low Sofa
Located in Brooklyn, NY
All black Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Sofa. Very fun Beautiful pop art long leather sofa. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in leather. Beautiful vintag...
Leather
All Gray Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather Low lounge chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
All light gray Nicoletti Salotti Post Modern Italian Leather lounge chair. Very fun Beautiful pop art wide leather chair. Has unique back supports and legs upholstered in thick soft ...
Leather
Postmodern Coat Rack designed by Rutger Andersson for Ikea circa 1980's
By IKEA
Located in New York, NY
Classic 1980's post - modern design made in Sweden by Ikea. This piece was designed by Rutgers Andersson, it features 8 hooks at the top, a center pole, and three legs. Solid, sturdy...
Metal
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair For Kartell 1980s
Located in Čelinac, BA
Anna Castelli Ferrari 4841 Longue Chair for Kartell 1980s
Fabric, Plastic
Vintage French Wave Floor Lamp from SCE, 1980s
By SCE France 1
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage French Wave Floor Lamp from SCE, 1980s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an attribution mark. European Plug (up to...
Metal
Postmodern 1990’s Sculptural Pink Leather Sofa
Located in Lutz, FL
Vintage Post Modern Pink Leather Sculptural 3 Seat Leather Sofa. High quality soft and thick top grain leather in a light pinkish lavender color with angular shape, armrests extended...
Leather, Wood
Italian Postmodern Zeta Terra Floor Lamp by Giuseppe Linardi for Lumina, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The standing lamp from the Zeta series from the Italian lighting manufacturer Lumina according to a design by Giuseppe Linardi from the early 90s. The Zeta Terra is a classic ceilin...
Metal
Karel Mintjens Brutalist Oak Sideboards with Aluminum Pulls
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karel Mintjens Brutalist Oak sideboard with aluminum pulls, 2 storage cabinets and 3 drawers. Lovely box joint detail. Handsome construction with legs that wrap around the piece. In ...
Aluminum
$479Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 2 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Ulrich Bohme, Thonet
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 2 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Chrome
$728Sale Price|20% Off
Postmodern German Lumibär Bear Floor Lamp by Klein & Leidig for Flötotto, 1990s
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Lumibär is a design classic from Flötotto. The bright bear. Not just something for the children's room. The design is so simple that it also fits wonderfully as a light object...
Plastic
$959Sale Price / set|33% Off
Set of 4 THONET S320 Stacking Chairs designed by Ulrich Boehme & Wulf Schneider
By Thonet, Ulrich Bohme
Located in Schwerin, MV
Set of 4 Thonet S 320 Armchairs in stained reddish-brown plywood and chrome plated Steel, Germany, 1980s A striking set of four original Thonet S 320 armc...
Chrome
$910Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of 6 Postmodern Flash One Series Coffee Service Plates, Cups, Saucers, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Flash One Series Coffee Service Plates, Cups, Saucers by Dorothy Hafner for Rosenthal, 1980s, Set of 6, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1980 to 1989 This piece has an at...
Porcelain
Michel Ducaroy Ligne Roset Blue Leather Togo Corner Sofa France 1980s
By Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset
Located in Benalmadena, ES
This authentic Michel Ducaroy design for Ligne Roset is the iconic Togo Ottoman, executed in France during the 1980s. The piece features supple Blue Leather upholstery, defining the ...
Leather
Ligne Roset Inspired 1980s Tan Leather Loveseat w/ Slanted Profile
By Ligne Roset
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking Ligne Roset inspired loveseat from the 1980s showcases the era's bold approach to leather furniture design. The slanted profile creates an eye-catching silhouette that defin...
Leather
Stainless Steel and Glass Sphere Top Floor Lamp att. to Matteo Thun for Leucos
By Leucos, Matteo Thun
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional, stainless steel and blown glass floor lamp attributed to Matteo Thun for Leucos, circa 1990's. The lamp features a satin finish glass orb top, which screws into the sati...
Stainless Steel
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