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.
$2,379 / item
Fat OP Small Standing Lamp by Pani Jurek
By Pani Jurek
Located in Geneve, CH
Fat OP Small Floor Lamp by Pani Jurek Dimensions: D 22 x H 48 cm Material: Hand glazed ceramic. Available in: Ultramarine + Saffron / Brown + Cobalt/Orange / Green + Burgundy / Lil...
Ceramic
$10,268 / item
Shelf Bookcase by Pol Quadens
Located in Geneve, CH
Shelf Bookcase by Pol Quadens Limited Edition Of 8+4 Pieces. Dimensions: D 25 x W 75 x H 200 cm. Materials: Patinated rust steel. Pol Quadens was born in Brussels. His father was a...
Steel
White Rectangular Travertine Marble Minimalist Low Table By Kelly Boukobza
Located in Geneve, CH
Marble Yoki Low Table by Kelly Boukobza Dimensions: W 300 x D 125 x H 75 cm Materials: Marble, Travertine. Available Finishes : Marble / travertine / stone / US walnut wood / metal....
Travertine, Marble
$6,417 / item
Ewa Chair in Beech Wood by Animate Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Ewa Chair in Beech Wood by Animate Objects. Dimensions: W 40 x D 42 x H 94 cm. Materials: Beech Wood. Drawing from Wifredo Lam’s The Jungle, Ojú and Ewa reimagine the interplay of h...
Wood, Beech
Fragments Basalt Bench in Washington Black Basalt & Aluminum by Estudio Material
Located in Geneve, CH
Fragments Basalt Bench in Washington Black Basalt & Aluminum by Estudio Material. Dimensions: W 182.9 x D 43.2 x H 43.2 cm. Materials: Washington Black Basalt and Aluminum. Each Fra...
Stone, Aluminum
Pouf Pill S Contemporary Sculptural Pouf with Velvet and Fringes by Houtique
By Houtique
Located in Geneve, CH
Pouf Pill S Contemporary Sculptural Pouf with Velvet and Fringes by Houtique Dimensions: H 45 x D 35 cm Materials: Velvet upholstery and 30cm fringes Pill Pouf S Art Deco style pouf...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet
$15,982 / item
Awaiting L Bench by Secondome Edizioni
Located in Geneve, CH
Awaiting L Bench by Secondome Edizioni Limited Edition Of 9 pieces + 3 A.P. Designer: Coralla Maiuri + Giorgia Zanellato. Dimensions: D 49 x W 132 x H 67 cm. M...
Brass
$1,329 / item
Form Coffee Table by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
Form Coffee Table by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 100 x D 100 x H 20 cm Materials: Base: Veneer, Top: Clear glass 10mm. Also available in D 100 x H 30, D 120 x H 20, D 120 x H 30 c...
Glass, Wood
$676 / item
Amphora Pendant Lamp by Yalanzhi Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Amphora Pendant Lamp by Yalanzhi Objects Dimensions: D 25 x W 25 x H 35 cm. Materials: Cellulose. Cellulose is a recycled material that was once fo...
Other
$16,297 / item
Candelera 04 Hanging Lamp Steel by Federico Stefanovich
Located in Geneve, CH
Candelera 04 hanging lamp steel by Federico Stefanovich Dimensions: D 90 x H 190 cm Material: Black powder-coated steel, Polypropylene light diffusers, D...
Steel
U-shaped Form Rubber Seat and Burned Steel Large Stool 2.0 by Arno Declercq
Located in Geneve, CH
Large AD Stool 2.0 by Arno Declercq Materials: Burned steel and Rubber seat Measures: W 152 x D 38 x H 69 cm Arno Declercq Belgian designer and art dealer who makes bespoke objects...
Steel
$11,245 / item
Delano 5045 TV Unit by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Delano 5045 TV Unit by Redeco Dimensions: W 250 x D 50 x H 42 cm Materials: Lightened mdf and mdf structure. One sliding doors. Four bronze glass shelves. ReDéco is a truly solid c...
Wood
Swedish Designer, Sconces, Brass, Metal, Glass, Sweden, c. 1960s
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of brass, metal and glass sconces/ wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s. Dimensions of Back Plate (inches) : 2.73 x 0.98 x 0.56 (Height x Width x Depth) So...
Brass, Metal
Artisan Stool in French Oak & Zinc Shorn Shearling by Paloma Editions
Located in Geneve, CH
Artisan Stool in French Oak & Zinc Shorn Shearling by Paloma Editions Dimensions: D 30,5 x W 45,7 x H 45,7 cm. Materials: French Oak & Zinc Shorn Shearling. The Artisan Stoo...
Oak, Sheepskin
$863 / item
Ivory Horizon Vase by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Ivory Horizon Vase by Deetee Home Dimensions: W 26.67 x D 26.67 x H 43.18 cm Materials: Stoneware This handcrafted vase’s flowing black patterns resemble motifs found in Madhubani and Warli art...
Ceramic, Stoneware
$44,423 / item
Byron 5012 Sofa by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Byron 5012 Sofa by Redeco Dimensions: W 465/289/174 x D 101 x H 73 cm Materials: Wooden structure padded with polyurethane foam in different densities. Seat cushions padded in polyur...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
$653 / item
Earthen Gaze Pot by Deetee Home
Located in Geneve, CH
Earthen Gaze Pot by Deetee Home Dimensions: D 22.86 x H 27.94 cm Materials: Stoneware To craft timeless, luxury furniture and objects that celebrates India’s rich artisanal heritage...
Stoneware
Terracotta Moon Jar No 19 by Elena Vasilantonaki
Located in Geneve, CH
Terracotta Moon Jar No 19 by Elena Vasilantonaki Unique Dimensions: ⌀ 13.5 x H 16 cm (Dimensions may vary) Materials: Local Terracotta Clay from the Island of Crete Growing up in Gr...
Clay
$9,918 / item
Let's Play Folding Screen by Munna
Located in Geneve, CH
Let's Play Folding Screen by Munna Dimensions: D 8 x W 195 x H 200 cm. Materials: Wood, upholstery, and brass. Finish: Upholstery: Wild silk, ref. Silver, WS07, ref. Chestnut, WS03,...
Brass
The Shape Floor Lamp, 21513, by Stillux Illuminazione
Located in Geneve, CH
The Shape Floor Lamp, 21513, by Stillux Illuminazione Dimensions: D 30 x H 180 cm. Materials: Steel. Available in velvet black, blue, green, sand, bronze, or copper. Please contact ...
Steel
Tomoon 2.0 Dining Table by Verena Brausch in Silver Travertine & Steel
Located in Geneve, CH
Tomoon 2.0 Dining Table by Verena Brausch Dimensions: D 130 x W 290 x H 75 cm. Materials: Silver travertine, stainless steel. Verena Brausch brings new energy and singularity of pur...
Travertine, Stainless Steel
$3,068 / item
Teo Pink Shades 90 Coffee Table by VUUN ITALIA
Located in Geneve, CH
Teo Pink Shades 90 Coffee Table by VUUN ITALIA Dimensions: D 93 x W 93 x H 28 cm. Materials: Extralight glass with gold mirror base. Available in different sizes and finishes. Plea...
Glass
Chalet Elk & Fallow Deer Antler Chandelier by The Peak Antler
Located in Geneve, CH
Chalet Elk & Fallow Deer Antler Chandelier by The Peak Antler Dimensions: D 152.40 x H 152.40 cm Materials: naturally shed antlers Based...
Antler
Kora Bathtub by Kreoo: Calacatta Carrara Marble & Metal Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Kora Bathtub by Kreoo Designed by Enzo Berti Dimensions: D 84 x W 170 x H 74. Materials: Calacatta Carrara marble and black metal. Weight: 305 kg. Kora is available in one size var...
Metal, Bronze
Spring Cochlea Della Metamorfosi 2 Seasons Edition Vase by Coki Barbieri
Located in Geneve, CH
Spring Cochlea della Metamorfosi 2 seasons edition vase by Coki Barbieri Dimensions: W 14 x D 15 x H 24 cm. Materials: handcrafted stone made with Matera stone fragments, sedimenta...
Stone, Rock Crystal
Burnin Lounger by Christian Friedl: Oak & Leather, Post-Modern Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Burnin Lounger by Christian Friedl Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 81 x W 350 x H 74 cm. Materials: Oak, leather. Burnin tells his story... My body is made of solid oak. My surface is ...
Leather, Oak
$7,956 / item
Dew Brass Suspension Lamp by Marsica Fossati
Located in Geneve, CH
Dew Brass Suspension Lamp by Marsica Fossati Dimensions: D 55 x H 55 cm. Materials: Brass or oxydised copper and murano glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. ...
Onyx, Marble
$21,558 / item
Écon Mural in Basalt Granite & Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Écon Mural in Basalt Granite & Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 15 x W 180 x H 150 cm. Materials: Steel and basalt granite. Available in different finishes and mat...
Onyx, Other
Unique Warrior 3 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 3 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 6.8 x D 11 x H 5.8 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed cer...
Ceramic
$16,682 / item
Exposè II Mirror in Glass and Plywood by Animate Objects
Located in Geneve, CH
Exposè II Mirror in Glass and Plywood by Animate Objects. Limited Edition of 8 pieces. Dimensions: W 150 x D 4 x H 185 cm. Materials: Mirror Glass, Glossy Lacquered Black Plywood. E...
Mirror, Plywood
$711 / item
Venezia Rialto Mirror by Morici
Located in Geneve, CH
Venezia Rialto Mirror by Morici Dimensions: W 57 x H 81 cm Materials: Wood, inlay veneer. Finish : Gloss brushed polyester. About: Driven by a passion f...
Wood
$8,504 / item
Beige Memory Bedside Table by Plyus Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Beige Memory Bedside Table by Plyus Furniture Dimensions: D 60 x W 64 x H 54 cm Materials: Wood, fittings brass. “Memory” Bedside. Collection "Memory" inspired by memories of my tr...
Brass
It's All a Load of Waffle Aluminium Coffee Table by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
It's All a Load of Waffle Aluminium Coffee Table by Mingardo Dimensions: D 90,5 x H 27 cm Materials: Gold liquid varnished alluminium and tempered glass top Variations in material ...
Aluminum
$35,939 / item
Gamp Floor Lamp by Katrien Van Der Schueren
Located in Geneve, CH
Gamp Floor Lamp by Katrien Van Der Schueren Dimensions: W 71.12 x D 45.72 x H 152.4 cm Materials: Sculpted in concrete and plaster and liquid metal Based in, produced and shipped fr...
Concrete, Other, Metal
Swedish Designer, Vase, Glazed Stoneware, Sweden, C. 1970s
Located in High Point, NC
A blue and beige, glazed stoneware vase designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1970s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 7.93"H x 4.5"W x 3.0"D All items ship from High Point, North Caroli...
Stoneware
Obliqua White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips
Located in Geneve, CH
Obliqua White Raku Clay Ceramic Sculpture by Stephanie Phillips Dimensions: D 12 x W 28 x x H 45 cm Materials: Ceramic, Raku Clay Also available in other colors and custom sizes fr...
Ceramic, Clay
$10,009 / item
Alto Table by Martina Guandalini
Located in Geneve, CH
Alto Table by Martina Guandalini Dimensions: W 30 x D 30 x H 60 cm. Materials: Scagliola and polished blue resin.. Custom colors and size available, please contact us. Martina Guan...
Resin, Scagliola
$2,484 / item
Natural Walnut Marius Sideboard by HARTO
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Walnut Marius Sideboard by HARTO Dimensions: W 155 x D 45 x H 65 cm. Materials: Solid Wood, MDF wood veneer. Weight: 51.0 kg The 155cm sideboard from the Marius collectio...
Wood
$8,504 / item
BD 06 Bed Side Table by Laurameroni
Located in Geneve, CH
BD 06 Bed Side Table by Laurameroni Dimensions: W 60 x D 45 x H 55 cm Materials: Wood, Metal, Marble. Wooden bedside table with Maxima carved drawers and structure covered in liquid...
Marble, Metal
Mesa Coffee Table in Bleached Maple with Clear Matte Lacquer by Vonnegut Kraft
Located in Geneve, CH
Mesa Coffee Table in Bleached Maple with Clear Matte Lacquer by Vonnegut Kraft Dimensions: D 91,4 x W 91,4 x H 40,6 cm. Materials: Bleached maple. Vonn...
Maple
Artefacto Serpiente 1 Wall Decoration by Lørdag & Søndag
Located in Geneve, CH
Artefacto Serpiente 1 Wall Decoration by Lørdag & Søndag Dimensions: D 20 x W 40 x H 40 cm. Materials: Wicker. Lørdag & Søndag is a design studio founded in 2011 by Salvado...
Wicker
$9,239 / item
Curulis, Major Aluminium Chair by Bureau of Entropy
Located in Geneve, CH
Curulis, Major Aluminium Chair by Bureau of Entropy. Limited edition, numbered & signed. Dimensions: W 87 x D 48 x H 99 cm. Materials: Aluminium. Curulis Major is the more vertical...
Aluminum
Handcrafted from Earth’s Origins Organic Form, Clay Side Table by Niclas Wolf
Located in Geneve, CH
Geoprimitive 125 Side Table by Niclas Wolf Unique Piece. Dimensions: Ø 48 x H 50,5 cm. Materials: Ceramic. GEOPRIMITIVE_ is a design series that compares and connects the Precambria...
Ceramic
$1,749 / item
Marquise Goccia Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari
Located in Geneve, CH
Marquise Goccia Pendant Lamp by MM Lampadari Dimensions: Ø 24 x H 97 cm. Materials: Metal and Murano glass. All our lamps can be wired according to each country. If sold to the USA ...
Metal
Ego Unique Fire Torch in Red Travertine & Stainless Steel by Andres Monnier
Located in Geneve, CH
Ego Unique Fire Torch in Red Travertine & Stainless Steel by Andres Monnier Unique Piece Dimensions: D 20 x W 25 x H 100 cm. Materials: Travertine and stainless steel. Available in...
Travertine, Stainless Steel
Large Misalliance Ral Ultramarine Suspended Light by Lexavala
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Misalliance Ral ultramarine suspended light by Lexavala Dimensions: D 16 x W 130 x H 8 cm Materials: powder coated aluminium. There are two lenghts of socket covers, exten...
Aluminum
Contemporary Mushroom Rough Beige Stone Table Lamp by Frederic Saulou
Located in Geneve, CH
Doma table lamp by Frederic Saulou Handmade Materials: Limestone, led. Dimensions: D 35 x W 35 x H 65 cm Frederic Saulou's sculpted design artworks introduce a series of works ...
Limestone
Agneta Box III in Aida Pebbled Leather, Horn, Brass, & Ebony Veneer by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Agneta Box III in Aida Pebbled Leather, Horn, Brass, & Ebony Veneer by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 25 x H 16 cm. Materials: Leather, wood, brass, and horn. Round box in Aida pebbled leat...
Brass
Set Of 12 Glans Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster
Located in Geneve, CH
Set Of 12 Glans Pendant Lamps by United Alabaster Dimensions: ⌀ 12,5 x H 19 cm each (Customizable Height) Materials: Alabaster, Copper (Matt Black finish) Also Available: Satin Gold,...
Alabaster, Copper
$4,771 / item
Metal Rino III Side Table by Studio Orth
Located in Geneve, CH
Metal Rino III Side Table by Studio Orth Dimensions: W 64 x D 48 x H 48 cm Materials: Cast Metal and Stone. Finishes: "Base: Polished Cast Brass or Polished Cast Aluminum. Tabletop: ...
Stone, Metal
IXIA Desk in Red Oak with Gray Finish by Daniel Couttolenc
Located in Geneve, CH
IXIA Desk in Red Oak with Gray Finish by Daniel Couttolenc Dimensions: D 152 x W 76 x H 76 cm. Materials: Red Oak. The IXIA Desk by Daniel Couttolenc is a sculptural statement where...
Oak
Unique, Large Bio Composite and Paper Lume Lamp Joanne Odisho
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique, Large Bio Composite and Paper Lume Lamp Joanne Odisho Dimensions: W 55 x D 55 x H 150 cm Materials: Bio Composite, Unryu Rice Paper, Acrylic, Linen Fabric Cord. LIGHTING IN...
Composition
$1,656 / item
Low Frame Bookcase by Doimo Brasil
Located in Geneve, CH
Low Frame Bookcase by Doimo Brasil Dimensions: W 150 x D 30 x H 65 cm Materials: Structure: painted metal, Top: leather, Shelf: venner. With the intention of providing good tas...
Steel
IP Metrop 525 Satin Nickel Wall Light by Emilie Cathelineau
Located in Geneve, CH
IP metrop 525 satin nickel wall light by Emilie Cathelineau Dimensions: D52.5 x W5 X H4.5 cm Materials: solid brass, satin nickel, LED, polycarbonate. Oth...
Brass, Nickel
$3,219 / item
Slab Coffee Table by ONON DETAILS
Located in Geneve, CH
Slab Coffee Table by ONON DETAILS Dimensions: W 95 x D 95 x H 32 cm. Materials: Syzygium Cumini. ONON Details furnitures are chosen by famous design brand, domestic and internatio...
Other
$10,639 / item
Column Root Wood Console by Tuğçe Geyik
Located in Geneve, CH
Column Root Wood Console by Tuğçe Geyik Dimensions: D 45 x W 180 x H 88 cm. Materials: Wood. Tuğçe Geyik is an architect and designer based in Istanbul. She studied at Yildiz Techn...
Wood
TOWERX27 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland
Located in Geneve, CH
TOWERX27 Architectural Elm Wood Sculpture in Dark Finish by Towerland. Dimensions: W 7.5 x D 13 x H 30.5 cm. Materials: Elm Wood with Dark Finish. The TOWERX2 series is a solid wood...
Wood
$6,929 / set
Tango III, Sculpted Pendant by Paul Matter
By Paul Matter
Located in Geneve, CH
Tango III, sculpted pendant by Paul Matter Blackened brass with aged brass details. Shade in blackened brass (also available in aged brass) exterior and a...
Brass
Set of 7 Thonet Antique Bentwood Dining Chairs, Ebonized Wood
By Thonet
Located in Queens, NY
SET of 7 Antique Bentwood dining chairs with steam bent ebonized wooden frames with caned seats and backs, resting on four gently curved...
Wood, Ash
Unique Warrior 2 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Warrior 2 Sculptural Ristretto Cup by Tamara Barnoff. One of a Kind. Signed inside by Tamara Barnoff. Dimensions: W 6.4 x D 9.8 x H 4.7 cm. Materials: Hand-sculpted glazed ce...
Ceramic