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 Italian Modern Rectangular Black Vinyl Bench
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Add bold Post Modern style to your interior with this striking circa 1980s black vinyl bench. Featuring a sleek upholstered seat paired with an eye-catching geometric chrome metal ba...
Metal
$31,417 / item
Orbis Bench II in Marble with Reflected Core by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Orbis Bench II in Marble with Reflected Core by Homa Dimensions: W 110 x D 42 x H 40 cm Marble Thickness: 2 cm. Materials: Brown Marble and Cream-Honey Onxy, Mirror Polished Stainle...
Onyx, Marble, Stainless Steel
$17,090 / item
Salvante BS1 Bench by Piotr Dąbrowa
Located in Geneve, CH
Salvante BS1 bench by Piotr Dabrowa Unique Piece Dimensions: W 160 x D 40 x H 40 cm Materials: Calacatta marble, Rosa Peralba marble. Also available: Calacatta Viola marble, walnut b...
Marble
L'ecorce Asymmetrical Bench in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
L'ecorce Asymmetrical Bench in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 143 x D 50 x H 52 cm. Materials: Solid Teak Wood, fabric. This listing features our Asymmetrical L'ecorce B...
Wood, Hardwood, Teak
$7,920Sale Price|20% Off
Gomez Gazelle Bolster Bench
By Jose Gomez
Located in Saint Louis, US
This original handmade bench is a part of the Gomez originals inventory. Fashioned with black French natural nail heads. The wood bench hosts 10 full-down feather pillows outfitted with fine South African gazelle...
Leather, Wood
$1,300Sale Price|27% Off
Il Loft Gray Upholstered Kyoto Bench
By Il Loft
Located in Astoria, NY
Il Loft Postmodern Gray Upholstered and Tufted Kyoto Bench, the underside marked "Loft". 19.5" H x 75" W x 22" D. Provenance: From a Vintage Collection of Italian Designer Furniture ...
Upholstery, Wood
$910Sale Price|30% Off
Keilhauer Bentwood Mahogany and Aluminum Occasional Table or Bench
By Keilhauer
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Provoking, iconic, and covetable, Keilhauer is recognized around the world for design excellence. Every piece in our expansive offering features unparalleled craftsmanship, thoughtfu...
Aluminum
Art Deco Revival Upholstered Waterfall Bench by Thayer Coggin. Circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern / Art Deco Revival Upholstered Waterfall Bench by Thayer Coggin. Circa 1980s Features the original cream color upholstery with soft pastel pinks and teals tones al...
Upholstery
T-Bench Single Bench in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
T-Bench Single Bench in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: D 75 x W 180 x H 79 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Available in single and double options. Dimensio...
Aluminum
Post-Modern Freeform Amoeba Coral Pink Fiberglass Bench
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A bold and playful statement piece, this freeform amoeba-style bench is crafted from molded fiberglass and finished in a striking pink hue. Its organic, sculptural shape evokes post ...
Fiberglass
Fisherman Bench in Upcycled Steel & Copper with Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Fisherman Bench in Upcycled Steel & Copper with Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma Dimensions: D 45 x W 96 x H 70 cm. Materials: Steel, copper, nickel, and chrome. Custom pieces availab...
Steel, Nickel, Copper, Chrome
Mid-Century Italian Post Modern Bench in Gunmetal and Black Colors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sleek post modern design from Italy circa 1990's. It features heavy solid wood construction with gunmetal lacuer and black vinyl seat cushion. Very good overall condition.
Naugahyde, Wood
Postmodern Two-Seater Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
This two seater postmodern bench has been reupholstered in lush, burnt brick Designs of the Time linen, viscose, and cotton blend. Yes, the two 'chairs' are connected!
Cotton, Linen
$3,264Sale Price|20% Off
Mod. SoftWave storage bench in white Bouclè Newly manufactured
Located in Milano, IT
This storage bench by Vintage Domus is a true gem of contemporary design, crafted for those who seek not just practicality but also elegance and refinement. Its sleek, compact form, ...
Metal
Textured Uneven Sculptural Classic Coral Stone Seating by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Fractus sculptural seating by Andres Monnier. One of a Kind. Dimensions: W 120 x L 50 x H 50 cm. Materials: Coralina clasica. Stone options availabl...
Stone
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Sculptural Bench or Settee in Black & Grey
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A funky design bench from Italy circa 1990's. It features the original naugahyde upholstery but would look amazing with an updated textile. Great unusual form.
Naugahyde
Pair of Enrique Garcel Bone-Clad Stools or Benches, Karl Springer Style, 1980s
By Karl Springer, Enrique Garcel
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Stylish pair of Enrique Garcel tessellated bone benches. Use them in the living room, or a bedroom. Separate them and use one in a foyer and another in the ...
Bone, Fabric, Resin
$7,040Sale Price|20% Off
Contemporary "Bullet Proof" Bench by Brazilian designer Alê Jordão, Brazil 2017
By Alê Jordão
Located in Deerfield Beach, FL
The 2017 "Bullet Proof" Bench by the contemporary Brazilian designer Alê Jordão is structured in welded steel and armoured glass, featuring the unique shots...
Steel
Fisherman Chair in Recycled Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma
Located in Geneve, CH
Fisherman Chair in Recycled Steel, Copper, Nickel & Chrome by Panorammma Dimensions: D 36 x W 36 x H 76 cm. Materials: Steel, copper, nickel, and chrome. Custom pieces available to...
Copper, Steel, Chrome, Nickel
$7,181 / item
Nexus 67 Stainless Steel Bench by Drusch Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Nexus 67 Stainless Steel Bench by Drusch Design Dimensions: W 90 x D 38 x H 38 cm Materials: Stainless steel sheet, C150 Channel Section 1 1/2” thickness, 8-gauge. Weight: 85 kg. I...
Stainless Steel
$15,388 / item
The Tweezers Decorative Bench in Ash Wood by KV Design
Located in Geneve, CH
The Tweezers Decorative Bench in Ash Wood by KV Design Dimensions: D 115 x W 39 x H 42 cm. Materials: Ash Wood, Metal. Limited Edition of 12. Based on the precise geometry of tweez...
Metal
$11,412 / item
Noaxis Bench, Aluminium by ORFEO STUDIO
Located in Geneve, CH
Noaxis Bench, Aluminium by ORFEO STUDIO Dimensions: W 180 x D 55 x H 43 cm. Material: Aluminium Finish: Patina finish Weight: 35 kg. About ORFEO STUDIO is an Italian design studio ...
Aluminum
The Tweezers Decorative Bench in American Walnut by KV Design
Located in Geneve, CH
The Tweezers Decorative Bench in American Walnut by KV Design Dimensions: D 115 x W 39 x H 42 cm. Materials: American Walnut, Metal. Limited Edition of 12. Based on the precise geo...
Metal
Postmodern Ripple Wave Bench Newly Reupholstered In Kate Spade Bow Tie Mohair
Located in Chicago, IL
Postmodern Ripple Wave Bench Newly Reupholstered in Kate Spade Bow Tie Patterned Mohair Circa 21st Century Dimensions H 20.5” W 100” D 19”
Mohair
Black Stal Bench, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Stal Bench, MDF and 3D Printed Petg, Furniture by Arthur Bitsch Dimensions: W 168 x D 30 x H 63 cm. Materials: MDF, PETG, Dark Matter. Weight: 46 kg. This bench is made of MDF...
Other
Monolit Bench & Table in Silver Modular Mirror Glass Bricks by Homa
Located in Geneve, CH
Monolit Bench & Table in Silver Modular Mirror Glass Bricks by Homa. Dimensions: W 60 x D 30 x H 40 cm Unit Size: W 15 x D 15 x 40 cm (each). Materials: Glass Bricks, Silver Mirror....
Glass, Mirror
$11,890 / item
Romy Bench by Haymann Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Romy Bench by Haymann Editions Dimensions: D 60 x W 174 x H 45 cm. Materials: Upholstery, wood. Available in different fabrics. This set of seats wi...
Upholstery, Wood
Gusanito One Of a Kind Bench in Travertine Stone by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Gusanito One Of a Kind Bench in Travertine Stone by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 70 x W 160 x H 60 cm. Materials: Travertine. Available in different finishes and materi...
Travertine
Robin Berrewaerts Black Eboninzed Oak Bench, Belgium 21st Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
Robin Berrewaerts’s black oak bench is hand-sculpted and made of ebonized oak with an oil finish. Each piece is a unique expression, attacking the wood...
Wood
$4,173 / item
Alchemy Bench by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Alchemy Bench by De Castelli Dimensions: W 90 x D 35 x H 42 cm Materials: DeLabré Brass, Polished Stainless Steel Other versions are available, please contact us for any request. Al...
Stainless Steel, Brass
$1,250
Darko Waterfall Bench
Located in Medina, OH
Bring some elegance into any room with our Darko Waterfall Bench. These are hand-crafted by our upholstery shop in Medina, Ohio, and are comprised of the highest quality materials. ...
Velvet, Foam, Hardwood
Sculptural Bench by Cor de Ree, The Netherlands, 1999
By Cor de Ree a
Located in Utrecht, NL
Created by Cor de Ree during a period marked by a break from traditional creative conventions, this sculptural bench combines unconventional materials and bold forms that challenge t...
Copper, Zinc
Architectural Postmodern Bench / Coffee Table White Lacquer & Polished Steel
Located in Las Vegas, NV
In the style of Karl Springer Sleek Architectural Postmodern Bench / Coffee Table in High-Gloss White Lacquer and Polished Stainless Steel Exceptional architectural bench / coffee ...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
T-Bench Double Bench in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
T-Bench Double Bench in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: D 165 x W 189 x H 79 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Available in single and double options. Dimensi...
Aluminum
Post Modern High Arm Bench by Directional, 1970
By Directional
Located in Chicago, IL
Post Modern high arm bench by Directional, 1970. Original upholstery.
Upholstery
$3,205 / item
Jet Black Iron Modular Bench by Sebastian Bergne
Located in Geneve, CH
Jet Black Iron Modular Bench by Sebastian Bergne Dimensions: D 92 x W 121 x H 45 cm. Seat Height: 45 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 25 kg. Available in different color options...
Other
Bench / Sofa in Oak & Leather in the Manner of Thomas Stender, c. 1980s
By Thomas Stender
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing an extraordinary Post Modern, studio craft three-seater bench crafted in the manner of Thomas Stender. Utterly unique, free form and definitely a one-of-a-kind statement...
Fabric, Oak
$2,331 / item
Milky White Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Milky White Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto Dimensions: D 43 x W 147 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in a standard version an...
Other
$2,423 / item
Rumbo Stool by Jean-Baptiste Van Den Heede
Located in Geneve, CH
RUMBO stool by Jean-Baptiste Van den Heede Dimensions: W 49 x D 28 x H 40 cm Materials: white beech The RUMBO stool version in beech wood with walnut plywood bottom Jean-Baptiste V...
Textile, Beech
Alice & Gertrude Bench in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Alice & Gertrude Bench in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: D 40 x W 124 x H 42 cm. SH: 100 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Bench, tribute to Gertrude Stein & ...
Aluminum
$4,872 / item
Bench I by Donatas Zukauskas
Located in Geneve, CH
Bench I by Kasanai Dimensions: D 100 x W 80 x H 45 cm. Materials: Oak, cement, recycled paper, glue, paint. 25 kg. The visual inspiration for the bench is a combination of natural wood and concrete. These two opposite materials combined, create a unique character of the product that has the coldness of concrete and the coziness of wood. The tabletop is made of natural oak, and the base of the table, resembling concrete in appearance, is made by pouring solid mass. The set task was technologically challenging - it was necessary to fuse wet mass and moisture-sensitive wood. The entire structure of the table is manufactured at the same time, so that the two materials join together smoothly and precisely to avoid any gaps. After the product dries, it is scrubbed, and the tabletop is oiled. The black concrete-like material is the result of various experiments. It is a mixture of several components: an eco-friendly of cement, recycled paper, glue, and paint. Dried it becomes as strong as wood, it resembles concrete but is slightly elastic, so it does not split or crumble.The result is a natural texture and strength that ensures durability. Donatas Žukauskas...
Concrete
Post Modern Bench Settee Newly Upholstered in Luxurious Ivory White Bouclé
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Post Modern bench settee newly professionally reupholstered in super soft ivory white bouclé. Pair available. Glamorous tall arm rests with scrolled ...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$8,463 / item
Triolith Bench by NITUSH AROOSH
Located in Geneve, CH
Triolith Bench by NITUSH AROOSH Dimensions: D 50 x W 165 x H 38 cm. Materials: Stainless steel and faux fur. Available in different finishes. All our lamps can be wired according t...
Stainless Steel
$5,968 / item
Galore 3 Seater Vintage Rose by Warm Nordic
Located in Geneve, CH
Galore 3 seater Vintage rose by Warm Nordic Dimensions: D222 x W83 x H 76 cm Material: Textile upholstery, Powder coated black steel legs, Wooden frame, foam, spring system. Weigh...
Steel
$12,578 / item
Ash Keeva Bench by Nish Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Ash Keeva bench by Nish Studio Dimensions: W 206 x D 52.5 x H 84.5 cm. Materials: Ash. Price based on stained, sand blasted finish. Other finished available. Also available in A...
Ash
$4,103 / item
Tide Bench by Studio Christinekalia
Located in Geneve, CH
Tide Bench by Studio Christinekalia Dimensions: W 40 x D 180 x H 45 cm Materials: Wood, Macro Plush Fabric. Christine Kalia is a design studio exploring modes of spatial relations between architectural, interior and product design. The studio’s vision is calibrated towards ecocentric design and contemporary aesthetics; where the end products manifest the prime materials. The various collections take different approaches to this design mode, often seen as sitting in-between reality and daydreaming. The “coming from” of each design’s unique materiality is carefully crafted towards a “belonging with”, where the sophisticated design of the studio’s products is complementing any environment, in order to elevate its aesthetic aura. Christine Petrou...
Fabric, Wood
$4,464 / item
Small Headland Red Curved Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Headland Red Curved Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 65 x W 165 x H 42 cm Materials: Mild steel, powder-coated with zinc undercoat. Weight: 42 kg Coco Flip is a Melbourne bas...
Steel, Zinc
$8,650 / item
Feast Walnut Bench by Bowen Liu
Located in Geneve, CH
Feast Walnut Bench by Bowen Liu Dimensions: D 19.5 x W 66 x H 18 Materials: brass, walnut, leather upholstery Based in, produced and shipped from the US. The Feast bench is a new a...
Brass, Other
$2,331 / item
Lime Green Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Lime Green Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto Dimensions: D 43 x W 147 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in a standard version and...
Other
$8,603 / item
Tripot Bench by Arturo Verástegui
Located in Geneve, CH
Tripot bench by Arturo Verástegui Dimensions: D 35 x W 110 x H 45 cm Materials: walnut wood. Double bench made of walnut. Arturo Verástegui has been the director and founder ...
Walnut
$10,352 / set
Set Of Two Striped Oak Twin Benches by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
Striped Oak Single Bench by Goons Dimensions: D 120 x W 35 x H 55 cm. Materials: Oak. Goons is located in Paris, France. All of their designs are made out of wood.
Oak
Rare French Modern Craftsman Stool / Chair Attr. to Garouste and Bonetti, 1988
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in New York, NY
A rare and unique stool or bench attributed to the French design team of Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti. Garouste and Bonetti are known for their original creations that are bold and dramatic and feature exquisite materials and craftsmanship. This rare creation demonstration is an exciting work of imagination and sensuosity while displaying beautiful materials and finishing. This post-modern object...
Brass, Wrought Iron
$2,949 / item
Fringes 140 Bench by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Fringes 140 Bench by Munna Dimensions: D 50 x W 140 x H 50 cm. SH: 50 cm. Materials: Wood, foam, and upholstery. Finish: Upholstery: Cotton Velvet, ref. Mustard, CV10. Fringes: Camel...
Upholstery, Foam, Wood
$12,823 / item
Vertigo Bench by Pol Quadens
Located in Geneve, CH
Vertigo Bench by Pol Quadens Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 65 x W 220 x H 80 cm. Materials: Polished stainless steel. Pol Quadens was born in Brussels. His...
Stainless Steel
$22,441 / item
Rockbench Signed Rock Shaped Bench by Rockstool Paris
Located in Geneve, CH
Rockbench Signed Rock Shaped Bench by Rockstool Paris Unique numbered edition Dimensions: W 165 x D 102 x H 65 cm Materials: Stoneware Available in different colors and sizes, pleas...
Stone, Other
$4,663 / item
Sanguine Bellini 2040 Bench by Coco Flip
Located in Geneve, CH
Sanguine Bellini 2040 Bench by Coco Flip Dimensions: D 204 x W 54 x H 52.5 cm Materials: Timber / Upholstered tops, Powder-coated steel frame. Weight: 30kg Frame Finishes: Textura P...
Steel
$4,779 / item
Lighted In Glacé Bench by Alessandro Mendini
Located in Geneve, CH
Lighted In Glacé Bench by Alessandro Mendini Dimensions: D 125 x W 180 x H 50 cm. Seat Height: 50 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 27 kg. This product is suitable for indoor use...
Other
$6,889 / item
Flash Bench in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Flash Bench in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: D 58 x W 142,5 x H 86 cm. SH: 44 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. A comet-sitting: a trail of sparkling colours...
Aluminum
$2,331 / item
Elephant Grey Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto
Located in Geneve, CH
Elephant Grey Wow Bench by Kazuko Okamoto Dimensions: D 43 x W 147 x H 43 cm. Materials: Polyethylene. Weight: 20 kg. Available in a standard version and lacquered (glossy/matte) v...
Other
$1,025 / item
Willow Bench by OK Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Willow Bench by OK Design Dimensions: D 45 x W 100 x H 44 cm. Materials: Powder-coated metal, willow wicker, MDF with ash veneer. Available in black or white frame. Please contact u...
Metal