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.
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi Grid Wall Cabinet in Oak
By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, wall cabinet, oak, Italy, 1970s A striking piece from the 1970s, this hanging cabinet by Giuseppe Rivadossi reflects his deep respect for ...
Glass, Oak
USM Haller 2x2 Cabinet in Pure White with Flip-Up Doors, Swiss Modern 1960s
By Usm Haller
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An authentic USM Haller 2x2 Cabinet in the highly desirable Pure White finish, showcasing the timeless elegance, functionality, and precision engineering that have made USM Haller on...
Steel, Chrome
USM Haller Bookshelf in Pure White with Drop-Down Door, Swiss Modular 1960s
By Usm Haller
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An authentic USM Haller Bookshelf in the iconic Pure White finish, combining timeless Swiss craftsmanship with the clean architectural lines that have made the USM Haller system one ...
Steel, Chrome
USM Haller Modular Sideboard Cabinet, Black & Chrome, Swiss Design, 1960
By Usm Haller
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An authentic USM Haller 3x2 Modular Sideboard Cabinet in a striking Black finish, showcasing the timeless functionality and refined aesthetics that have made USM Haller one of the mo...
Steel, Chrome
$8,700 / item
1970s Italian Tall Cabinets in Walnut
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinets, walnut, glass, Italy, 1970s These three walnut cabinets from 1970s Italy have a strong and unusual shape that immediately stands out. The most noticeable element is the ro...
Walnut
USM Haller Low Media Console by Fritz Haller, White & Chrome, 1960
By Usm Haller
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A highly sought-after USM Haller 3x2 Low Media Console in the iconic Pure White finish, showcasing the timeless elegance and exceptional craftsmanship of Swiss modular design. Desig...
Steel, Chrome
Ambrogio Tresoldi e Alberto Salvati Wardrobe Cabinet Purple Blue Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati, cabinet / wardrobe, lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s Ambrogio Tresoldi and Alberto Salvati began their careers at the Politecnico di Milano under ...
Wood, Lacquer
USM Haller Modular Sideboard Cabinet, White & Chrome, Swiss Design, 1960
By Usm Haller
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An authentic USM Haller 3x2 Modular Sideboard Cabinet in a sophisticated Pure White finish, showcasing the timeless functionality and refined aesthetics that have made USM Haller one...
Steel, Chrome
USM Haller 2x2 Storage Cabinet, Pure White, Modular Swiss Design, 1960s
By Usm Haller
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Authentic USM Haller 2x2 storage cabinet / media console in Pure White, featuring two flip-up doors for clean, unobstructed access and the iconic modular Swiss design. This versatil...
Steel, Chrome
Otto Zapf for ZapfDesign 'Softline' Cabinet in Grey
By Otto Zapf
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Otto Zapf for Zapfdesign 'Softline' cabinet, plastic, fabric, Germany, 1969 A grey-colored detachable 'Softline' cabinet with shelves designed by the German designer Otto Zapf. Pres...
Plastic, Fabric
Postmodern Cabinet in the Manner of Philippe Starck, France, 1980s
Located in ROUEN, FR
Postmodern cabinet in the manner of Philippe Starck. Raised on slender black metal legs with conical feet, the mahogany-veneered case is topped by a distinctive architectural pedime...
Metal
Pierre Chapo Cabinet Model 'R18' in Solid Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, cabinet model 'R18', solid elm, France, 1960s This exquisitely crafted 'R18' cabinet combines a simplified yet complex design combined with nifty, solid construction d...
Elm
Memphis Milano Freemont Cabinet by Ettore Sottsass, Italy
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass
Located in Toronto, ON
Resting on a base with five cylindrical legs, Freemont by Ettore Sottsass appears to grow strongly from the bottom to the top. With its fractured shapes, it branches out into the spa...
Gold Leaf
Sculpt Black Cabinet in Stone Textured Lacquered MDF by Hermhaus
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpt Black Cabinet in Stone Textured Lacquered MDF by Hermhaus Dimensions: D 80 x W 35 x H 150 cm Materials: MDF with stone texture and special lacquer finish. 3 Glass Shelves and...
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)
Ettore Sottsass Style Postmodern Magenta and Orange Lacquered Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Postmodern magenta and orange lacquered cabinet, bookcase, or bar cabinet In the manner of Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano USA, Circa 1980s Measures: 51.25"W x 2...
Wood, Lacquer
USM Haller 4×3 Modular Shelving Unit in Pure White, Swiss Modern Storage 1960s
By Usm Haller
Located in Chattanooga, TN
An authentic USM Haller 4×3 Modular Shelving Unit in the timeless Pure White finish, showcasing one of the most iconic modular furniture systems ever created. Designed by Fritz Halle...
Steel, Chrome
USM Haller Modular System Six Drawer Cabinet in Light Grey
By Usm Haller
Located in Seattle, WA
This is a modular USM Haller two-column, six-drawer cabinet in original light gray, made in Switzerland, in overall good condition with some surface wear and scratches. Height: 45 ...
Steel
Henredon Scene Two Cabinets, Olive Burl Wood, Post-Modern Design, 1986
By Henredon
Located in Round Top, TX
Pair of Scene Two Henredon cabinets in honey colored olive burl wood with one adjustable shelf inside each cabinet. These feature Macassar ebony wood trim around the doors and sculpt...
Olive, Burl
Bridget Low Cabinet in Natural Rattan by POPUS EDITIONS
Located in Geneve, CH
Bridget Low Cabinet in Natural Rattan by POPUS EDITIONS. Dimensions: W 110 x D 35 x H 100 cm. Materials: Natural stained rattan and wrapped rattan. Fabric is not included. Please co...
Rattan
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl Cabinet in Off-White Polyurethane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, sideboard, polyurethane, Germany, 1970/71 Ernest Hofmann, also known by his artist name 'Igl', recently gained an international audience for his desig...
Plastic
Italian Postmodern Sideboard with Geometric Front
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinet, cherry wood, ebony wood, mahogany wood, Italy 1970s This stunning sideboard, made from a luxurious combination of cherry, ebony wood, and mahogany, is a true statement piec...
Cherry, Ebony, Mahogany
$1,126Sale Price|25% Off
Vintage Post Modern Deco Revival Black Lacquer Tall Cabinet / Tallboy, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
1980s deco revival black lacquer tall cabinet, by Millennium, USA. Looks like chrome edging, but is actually mirror glass. Double doors open onto shelved storage; 2 large drawers bel...
Mirror, Lacquer
Pair of bedside cabinets by Interluke, 1970s
By Interlübke
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Pair of vintage black lacquered bedside cabinets by Interlubke. Each cabinet has 2 drawers. Timeless design 1970s - Germany good condition Dimensions: Height: 43cm Width: 65cm...
Wood, Lacquer
$9,634 / item
Sona Cabinet in Aluminium by Animate Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Sona Cabinet in Aluminium by Animate Objects. Dimensions: W 48 x D 48 x H 172 cm. Materials: Aluminium. Inspired by Sonia Delaunay’s stage costumes, where geometry became performanc...
Aluminum
Memphis Style Tall Cabinet by Eugenio Pinuer, Colorful Design, 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Ettore Sottsass, Wassily Kandinsky
Located in ECHT, NL
Quality made tall cabinet. Made in Switzerland by Wohnsinn AG in the 1980s. Crazy post modern design in true Memphis style. Lots of colors and asymmetric patterns. A style that let g...
Metal
Guido Faleschini for Mariani Cabinets in Red Brown Leather
By Guido Faleschini, i4 Mariani
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guido Faleschini for i4 Mariani, cabinets from the 'Pace Collection', leather, fabric, chrome-plated steel, aluminum, mahogany, Italy, circa 1975 This captivating set of four cabin...
Chrome, Aluminum, Steel
Vintage Model Märd Rolling Storage Box from Ikea, 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Model Märd Rolling Storage Box from Ikea, Sweden, 1991 This piece has an attribution mark. Additional information: Materials: Plastic, Wood Color: Red Period: 1990s Item ...
Plastic, Wood
$11,461 / item
Geller Credenza by Madheke
Located in Geneve, CH
Geller Credenza by Madheke Dimensions: D 202 x W 54 x H 76.1 cm. Materials: Marbled stone credenza top, Walnut credenza body with pronounced front edge profile, Walnut veneered sculp...
Brass
Post modern bar cabinet by Belgochrom, 1980s
By belgochrom
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful brass/copper postmodern design cabinet by Belgochrom. Belgochrom used to make high quality furniture that was sold in high end furniture shops all around belgium. The we...
Brass
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti Wall Unit in Lacquered Ash and Chrome
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Introini for Saporiti, multifunctional wall unit, black lacquered ash, chrome and white fabric, Italy, 1980s. Rare multifunctional wall unit designed by the Italian design...
Chrome
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl Shelving Cabinet in Black and Beige Polyurethane
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl, shelving cabinet, polyurethane, Germany, 1970/71 Ernest Hofmann, also known by his artist name 'Igl', recently gained an international audience for hi...
Plastic, Fiberglass
Late 20th Century Postmodern to Art Deco Revival Mirrored Entertainment Cabinet
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Postmodern to Art Deco Revival or Hollywood Regency layered mirrored entertainment cabinet, in the style of Ello Furniture Manufacturing. Beautiful condition, keepi...
Chrome
Contemporary Swedish Cabinet model "Visir" by Max Lund.
Located in Stockholm, SE
Contemporary Swedish Cabinet model "Visir" by Max Lund. With double doors made of perforated metal and inside with glass shelves. Signs of age and wear, overall nice condition with ...
Metal
Unique Rectangular Deep Blue Brass Cabinet with Two Doors by Christopher Boots
Located in Geneve, CH
Curiosity Cabinet by Christopher Boots Unique Piece Dimensions: D 50 x W 97 x H 140 cm. Materials: Reclaimed oak, cast bronze, clear quartz, smoky quartz, lapis lazuli, pyrite, indus...
Lapis Lazuli, Quartz, Pyrite, Brass, Bronze
$17,891 / item
Marea Cabinet by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Marea Cabinet by De Castelli Dimensions: W 90 x D 45 x H 155 cm Materials: DeMarea Brass, Titanium Oak Wood Stainless Steel and Copper versions also avai...
Brass
Post Modern Lacquered Wall Unit Entertainment Center Chest of Drawers c 1970/80s
Located in New York, NY
Massive lacquered sideboard, entertainment center, chest of drawers, in faux marbleized finish, made by Elkins Industries c. 1970/80's. This impressive cabinet features two banks of ...
Lacquer
$15,882 / item
Marea Cabinet by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Marea Cabinet by De Castelli Dimensions: W 90 x D 45 x H 155 cm Materials: DeMarea Stainless Steel, Titanium Oak Wood Brass and Copper versions also avai...
Stainless Steel
$3,597 / item
Dinastía Entry Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Dinastía Entry Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 35 x W 88 x H 135 cm Materials: Wood. The smallest of the Dynasty series, but not for that reason renounces its grandeur. Four-d...
Wood
$3,500
Curvy Wood Cabinet
Located in Toronto, CA
A sculptural take on classic storage. This tallboy twists tradition with its undulating silhouette and rich, honeyed wood grain. Each of the nine narrow drawers is a little offbeat, ...
Wood
$14,338 / item
Tako Floor Console by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Tako Floor Console by De Castelli Dimensions: W 220 x D 41 x H 40 cm Materials: DeLabré B Stainless Steel, Natural Oak Wood Copper and Brass versions are available. One drawer versio...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Yellow Acrylic Storage Cube with Three White Drawers after Joe Colombo
$20,554 / item
Solomia Cabinet by Ruda Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Solomia Cabinet by Ruda Studio Dimensions: D 45 x W 170 x H 75 cm. Materials: Solid Ash Wood, Rye Straw Inlay, Plywood, Brass handles and legs. Weight: 70 kg. Design brand RUDA Stud...
Brass
$3,737 / item
Small Cibeles Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Small Cibeles Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 41 x W 73 x H 130 cm Materials: Wood. We are Félix and Désirée Ramos, brothers and product designers of our brand, Lola Glamour....
Wood
Half-moon Wall Patinated Bronze Cabinet with Jade Green Stone by Pierre De Valck
Located in Geneve, CH
Bow wall cabinet by Pierre De Valck Dimensions: D 100 x W 28 x H 15 Materials: Stone, bronze Weight: 25 kg Each piece is unique Pierre De Valck (1991) ...
Stone, Bronze
$10,277 / item
Black Sea Natūra Cabinet by Ruda Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Sea Natūra Cabinet by Ruda Studio Dimensions: D 45 x W 100 x H 100 cm. Materials: Solid wood (ash), rye straw inlay, plywood and brass. Weight: 70 kg. Dimensions are customiza...
Brass
$1,763 / item
TV Mini Vinyl Small Cabinet With Drawers by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
TV Mini Vinyl Small Cabinet With Drawers by Pastform Dimensions: D 35 x W 100 x H 57 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes: Whiskey, ...
Wood
$4,940 / item
Pez Cabinet by Lola Glamour
Located in Geneve, CH
Pez Cabinet by Lola Glamour Dimensions: D 42 x W 140 x H 166 cm Materials: Wood. It is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside. The front scales, which can change positio...
Wood
Luxurious Italian Cabinet in Bamboo and Brass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cabinet, lacquered bamboo and ash, brass, Italy, 1970s. This glamorous cabinet, dating from the 1970s, has a compact geometric shape that is at once simple and assertive. Yet the e...
Brass
USM Haller Bürocontainer Büroschrank Design weiß klein Fritz
By Fritz Haller, WK Möbel
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen, kleinen USM Haller Bürocontainer in weiß zum Verkauf an. Der kleine Büroschrank lässt sich ideal unter dem Schreibtisch positionieren und bietet dank ...
Metal
Postmodern Ash Cabinet, c.1980
Located in Surbiton, GB
A late 20th Century bespoke cabinet made by fine furniture makers Pierre Cronje of South Africa, c.1980. Made from solid ash stained in a deep red and featuring a concealed drawer an...
Ash
$16,018 / item
Rockhound Cabinet by Laylo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Rockhound Cabinet by Laylo Studio Limited Edition Dimensions: D 50 x W 106.6 x H 91.4 cm. Materials: Steel, stainless steel, linoleum, oak, limestone. Deposited by prehistoric seas ...
Limestone, Steel, Stainless Steel
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
Drexel Heritage Cabochon TV Console Entertainment Center Cabinet 868-960 72"
By Drexel
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Drexel Heritage Cabochon TV console / entertainment center / bar or liquor cabinet featuring post modern styling. Made from whitewashed oak with paneled doors over an iron ba...
Iron
$6,726 / item
Lyn High Green Black Cabinet by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Lyn high green black cabinet by Pulpo. Dimensions: D60 x W45 x H185 cm. Materials: glass; powder coated steel. Also available in different colours. Studio Visser & Meijw...
Steel
$16,534 / item
Tlaloc Wine Cabinet by Andres Gutierrez
Located in Geneve, CH
Tlaloc Wine cabinet by Andres Gutierrez Dimensions: D40 x W80 x H130 cm Materials: Body: solid white oak wood, Legs: white oak plywood. — Inspir...
Oak, Plywood
$6,995 / item
Maple Path of Totality Bar Cabinet
Located in Portland, OR
Prototyped in the weeks leading up to a solar eclipse, this bar cabinet is an exploration of partially obscured light. The laser cut lattice work on the bypass doors is an interpreta...
Steel
$16,534 / item
Solomia 2 BI Cabinet by Ruda Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Solomia 2 BI Cabinet by Ruda Studio Dimensions: D 45 x W 170 x H 75 cm. Materials: Solid wood (ash), rye straw inlay, plywood and brass. Weight: 70 kg. Dimensions are customizable. Please contact us. Inspired by the wealth of Ukrainian land, RUDA Studio has created an interior object – the Solomia cabinet...
Brass
5x USM Haller Rollcontainer Büroschrank Rollen dunkelblau offen
By WK Möbel, Fritz Haller
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen von fünf wunderschönen USM Haller Rollcontainern in dunkelblau zum Verkauf an. Die Bürocontainer lassen sich ideal unter dem Schreibtisch positionieren und bieten da...
Metal
$2,830 / item
LOTV Vinyl Slide Cabinet by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
LOTV Vinyl Slide Cabinet by Pastform Dimensions: D 41 x W 150 x H 57 cm Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finis...
Wood
$19,635 / item
Trono Credenza by Andres Gutierrez
Located in Geneve, CH
Trono credenza by Andres Gutierrez Dimensions: D50 x W186 x H74 cm Materials: Solid white oak wood — Inspired by Xochiquetzal, the aztec godess as...
Oak
$65,680 / item
Longing Cabinet by De Castelli
Located in Geneve, CH
Longing Cabinet by De Castelli Dimensions: W 150 x D 47 x H 177 cm Materials: Mix Copper, Wood Brass version also available. Please contact us for any request. Composed by small squ...
Copper