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.
Vittorio Livi for FIAM Italy Curved Glass Waterfall Table
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Vintage Glass Coffee Tables A refined and highly collectible curved-glass waterfall table by Vittorio Livi for FIAM Italy, crafted in the 1980s using FIAM’s pioneering glass...
Glass
Large Ebonized Dining or Conference Room Table Custom Made by BH&A
Located in Sheffield, MA
This is a made-to-order bold and elegant clean lined conference table made by our own shop. It features a pair of large geometric pedestal bases supporting a streamlined elegant top. The pedestals can be spaced to suit your needs. Used it for a large dining room refectory table or a conference room table...
Poplar
Umberto Bellardi Ricci Pica Table
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
An original prototype, hand-fabricated by designer Umberto Bellardi Ricci crafted in glass and folded aluminum. Umberto Bellardi Ricci is prominent Italian sculptor and architect b...
Aluminum
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau Dining Table in Leather and Smoked Glass
By Poltrona Frau, Luigi Massoni
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, dining table model ‘Dinette’, leather, smoked glass, Italy, 1972 A remarkable Dinette dining table, designed by Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau in 1...
Leather, Glass
$3,000Sale Price|25% Off
Post modern beech round dining Table with tapered legs by Lluis Clotet
By Lluis Clotet
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Post modern beech round dining Table by Lluis Clotet. Clean pre owed table Labeled Parco Coffee Table Aleph Atlantide Designer Lluis Clotet Made in Italy - Located in Broooklyn NYC. ...
Beech
$7,723Sale Price|20% Off
STUNNING Postmodern Black Marble Dining Table w/ Extendable leaf Pedestal Base
Located in Basel, BS
Incredible Postmodern 1980s Italian Marble Table with Ebonized Lacquered Wooden base and the same style lacquered wooden table leaf extension for the table. This piece is versatile ...
Marble
$17,517 / item
Anemos Large Dining Table in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Anemos Large Dining Table in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 240 x D 120 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid teak wood. This piece offers a choice between a textured or smooth fi...
Hardwood, Teak
Contemporary Riviera Dinner table in Sage metal and Green Terrazzo for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
Studio Smania Briar Wood Smoked Glass Round Brass Dining Table 1970s Hollywood
By Smania
Located in London, GB
A circular dining table by Fabrizio Smania. The base is formed by Y-X-shaped tubular ridged base in a striking golden yellow/lime hue interconnected wi...
Chrome
$15,000
HAL2 Table Shiro Kuramata
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
HAL2 table designed by Shiro Kuramata for Cassina Interdecor in 1988. Unique steel legs and oriented strand board.
Steel
Pierre Chapo - Variable Geometric Dining Table
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Stratford, CT
The Chapo Variable Geometric table is an eye-catching, elegant elm dining table. It can be extended by adding four extension leaves, increasing its length from 50" to 89". The width ...
Elm
Horn Collection Post-Modern Dining Table White Polyurethane Plastic 1970s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Horn Collection, dining table, lacquered polyurethane plastic, Germany, 1970s Created for the Horn collection in the seventies, this well-formed table is made entirely from polyuret...
Plastic
Vintage Italian Postmodern Dining Table with Terrazzo Style Surface, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern table from Italy. The four simple tubular steel legs are painted glossy white. The feet at the bottom are set off in black and can be balanced. The special feature of thi...
Metal
Hex Diamond Table in White Oak and Aluminum by Simon Johns
By Simon Johns
Located in East-Bolton, Quebec
The hex diamond table’s slight angles focus guests around a middle point that can accommodate a centerpiece. The traditional circular approach to seating guests is deconstructed to encourage more dynamic exchanges between people. The surface plays tribute to the approximate geometries of stones, reminiscent of, but not quite a hexagon. The central base is equally asymmetrical, made up of an assembly of soft rectangular columns of different dimensions, congregating, as do the unique individuals around the table. The base is offered in all oak or oak and aluminum. The aluminum is hand polished to a satin finish, wrapped around and supported by a thick plywood form. This table is perfect for 3-6 people. *Also available in oblong shapes, at 82, 95 and 105" in length. Custom lengths also available upon request. The Diamond collection congregates similar but unique forms into constructions that celebrate subtle differences. There is intent and organization in the results, but also a desire for some freedom from symmetry or rigid guidelines. Composed of different tables and soon a sideboard, this collection uses primarily white oak, either alone, or paired with aluminum, hand polished to a satin finish. Rendered photo by Charlotte Taylor...
Aluminum
Arnaldo Gamba and Leila Guerra for Naos "Lunch Time" Dining Table
By Arnaldo Gamba, Naos
Located in Astoria, NY
Arnaldo Gamba and Leila Guerra for Naos "Lunch Time" Dining Table, the extending glass top above two angled enameled steel supports on rectangular base, with "Naos / L Casa Animata /...
Steel
Modern Richard Shapiro Studiolo Designer Dining Table
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Modern & Unique Richard Shapiro Studiolo Dining Table made with epoxied pig skin table top & wood table. Wood lacquered with a black finish.
Goatskin, Resin, Bentwood
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Dining Table or Desk in Grey Tone Granite Marble
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A simple form design dining table that would also make a fabulous desk. It features solid slab speckled granite construction. In very good ready to use condition.
Granite
$5,576 / item
Mio Table by Thorup Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Mio Table by Thorup Copenhagen Dimensions: D 140 x H 73 cm. Materials: Stained oak. Available in stained oak or oiled oak. Available in D 120cm, D 140cm, or D 160cm. Please contact ...
Oak
Astra Dining Table in Solid Oak and Natural Oak Veneer by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Astra Dining Table in Solid Oak and Natural Oak Veneer by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 250 x D 120 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid oak wood, Natural oak veneer. Please note that the price li...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Italian modern round dining table Tulip by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 2000s
By Eero Saarinen, Knoll
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern round dining table Tulip by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 2000s Dining table model Tulip with a round top in white Calacatta marble with gray streaks. The table leg has a r...
Marble, Metal
Shanghai Sculpural Table, designed and assembled in Italy by Dario Nasuti
Located in Parma, IT
The Shanghai Tribute Table is an extraordinary feat of artistic engineering, designed by Dario Nasuti. It marks a high point in his transition from a 35-year career in Italian high f...
Steel
L-K2519 Contemporary Sculptural Monolithic Oak Dining Table by Isac Elam Kaid
Located in Geneve, CH
L-K2519 Contemporary Sculptural Monolithic Oak Dining Table by Isac Elam Kaid Dimensions: W 135 x D 450 x H 75,6 cm Materials: Ebonized, sealed and lacquered european oak Object is ...
Wood, Oak
$2,452 / item
Organic Modern Catus Console in Travertine Marble
Located in Lisbon, PT
Catus console is unique in its conception with Organic Modern inspiration. Natural Stone is unrepeatable in its individuality, this way each Catus table is unique featuring the marbl...
Travertine, Marble
$3,287Sale Price|20% Off
Organic Monumental Faux Bamboo Glass Top Dining Table in the style of McGuire
By McGuire
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Organic Monumental Modern Design Faux Bamboo with Glass Top Large Dining Table in the style of McGuire. Made in the 1980's, probably Italy. Beech wood constructed base with r...
Glass, Beech
Mangala Dining Table in Natural Oak Veneer with Lava Stone Finish by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Mangala Dining Table in Natural Oak Veneer with Lava Stone Finish by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 300 x D 110 x H 74 cm. Materials: natural oak veneer, lava stone simple glaze finish. Th...
Oak
$6,405Sale Price|20% Off
Dining table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1970s.
Located in LYON, FR
Dining table by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti Italia, 1970s. This iconic piece features a large, clean-lined top and two sculptural bases in reconstituted stone — heavy and monument...
Concrete
$16,026 / item
Bent Dining Table Medium Black Transparent by Pulpo
Located in Geneve, CH
Bent dining table medium black transparent by Pulpo Dimensions: D130 x H74 cm. Materials: Casted glass, carrara, black nero or light green marble table top. Also available in di...
Marble
XL Lucite Glass Chrome Round Dining Table Retro Space Age Postmodern Dumond 1970
Located in London, GB
A very large custom-made circular dining table (or commercial display centre table), in the manner of Jacques Dumond. The base is formed by Y-shaped thick lucite panels and chrome fittings, which support the big and heavy round glass top. Originally custom-made in 1990 for a prestigious fashion boutique in Brussels. Acquired from their first owners in Brussels and imported in to UK, the table spent most of its time covered...
Steel, Chrome
"Arrowhead" Dining/Center Table designed by Stanley Jay Friedman for Brueton
By Brueton, Stanley Jay Friedman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
"Arrowhead" Dining/Center Table designed by Stanley Jay Friedman and manufactured in the United States by Brueton. The inverted arrowhead pedestal is supported by the radiused, inte...
Steel, Stainless Steel
5'x5' Postmodern Attr. Jeffrey Bigelow 1990s Beveled Glass Lucite Dining Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
The base is composed of clear lucite / acrylic panels arranged in a geometric, sculptural form, giving the table a gallery-like quality. The thick beveled glass top adds impressive w...
Glass, Lucite
Original Desalto Clay Concrete Design Esstisch rund Marc Krusin
By Desalto, Marc Krusin
Located in Berlin, DE
Wir bieten einen wunderschönen und äußerst hochwertigen Design Esstisch des italienischen Premiumherstellers "Desalto" zum Verkauf an. Der skulpturale Entwurf stammt von Marc Krusin,...
Stone, Lava
Tulipano Walnut Dining Table With Lazy Susan, 10 Seats, by Morica Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Tulipano Walnut Dining Table With Lazy Susan, 10 Seats, by Morica Design Dimensions: D 180 x W 180 x H 75 cm. Materials: Canaletto walnut, metal. Available in Canaletto Walnut, Lagu...
Metal
Jens Risom Teak Dining Table, Danish Design, Bowed Top, Good Condition
By Jens Risom
Located in Queens, NY
Danish Post-War Design teak dining table with a bowed design top and resting on square legs connected by a stretcher on either side. (label: JENS RISOM)
Teak
Mid Century Italian Post Modern Travertine Marble Dining Table or Center Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A beautiful dining table or center table from Italy circa 1980's. The table features a travertine slab X-base with a thick clear glass top.
Travertine
$43,334 / item
XII Doceava Dining Table by Joel Escalona
Located in Geneve, CH
XII Doceava dining table by Joel Escalona. Dimensions: D 240 x W 120 x H 78 cm Materials: oak wood, metal, Negro Monterrey marble. White oak with metal base and Negro Monterrey ...
Marble, Metal
$20,017 / item
Turn Green Dining Table in Lacquered Wood by Hermhaus
Located in Geneve, CH
Turn Green Dining Table in Lacquered Wood by Hermhaus Dimensions: D 230 x W 100 x H 75 cm Materials: Wooden frame with lacquer finish. The dining table is also a social space. It o...
Wood
Zeus Gradient Oval Dining Table with Lacquer Finish by Ultramobili
Located in Geneve, CH
Zeus Gradient Oval Dining Table with Lacquer Finish by Ultramobili. Dimensions: W 250 x D 120 x H 76 cm. Materials: Solid structure, gradient lacquer finish. Zeus is an oval dining...
Lacquer
1980s Sculptural Clover Artistic Pedestal Dining Table
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, rare, hand sculpted and painted dining or versatile table you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. J...
Glass, Plaster, Wood
Tecla Round Dining Table in Red Lacquered Glossy Wood & Horn by Arcahorn
Located in Geneve, CH
Tecla Round Dining Table in Red Lacquered Glossy Wood & Horn by Arcahorn Dimensions: Ø 180 x H 73 cm. Materials: Lacquered glossy wood and horn. In 1958, Mario Guerra, a young artis...
Other
"The Great Dining" Table, Modern Solid Bronze Base with Grey Glass Top
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
The great dining table is a stunning piece of furniture that showcases the craftsmanship and creativity of Australian designer Daniel Barbera. Barbera has been working with bronze fo...
Granite, Marble, Metal, Aluminum, Bronze
$3,640Sale Price|58% Off
Mid-Century/Postmodern Marble Dining Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern dinging table styled after Angelo Mangiarotti. Shades of black and grayish/green with white veining. Each corner has a 45-degree angle. Could also ma...
Marble
$41,327 / item
Arco Polished Bronze Dining Table by Palena Furniture
Located in Geneve, CH
Arco Polished Bronze Dining Table by Palena Furniture Dimensions: Small: D 137.16 x H 76.2 cm Large: D 152.4 x H 76.2 cm Materials: Polished Bronze, Black Lacquer Available in cust...
Bronze, Other
Enigma Round Dining Table in Powder-Coated Aluminum & Glass Top by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Enigma Round Dining Table in Powder-Coated Aluminum & Glass Top by altreforme Dimensions: Ø 140 x H 73 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Available in a glass or aluminum top. ...
Aluminum
Plex Rectangular Dining Table in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme
Located in Geneve, CH
Plex Rectangular Dining Table in Powder-Coated Aluminum by altreforme Dimensions: D 90 x W 200 x H 74 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminum. Available in different finish options. ...
Aluminum
Postmodern Italian Memphis Design dining table 1980s Marble Base
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare majestic Dining table from the 1980's Memphis movement with Italian Carrara marble uprights and steel elements. very rare piece striking and unique in great condition the top is...
Marble, Steel
Tabula Magna Dining Table by Oscar Tosquets Blanca for Driade Aleph, '1991'
By Oscar Tusquets Blanca, Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A extraordinarily stately extendable dining table in cherry and wenge woods designed by Spanish designer Oscar Tosquets Blanca in 1991 for Driade Aleph. His aim was to design a table...
Wenge
$4,800 / set
McGuire Style Rattan Dining Table & Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Odd rattan bases with woven faux leather seats with high backs. Table has rattan base with oval glass top. 2 arm chairs measure 49" H x 26 1/4" W x 26" D. Seat height 18 1/2". 6 ...
Rattan
$22,154 / item
Kupoli Dining Table 12 by Cameron Design House
Located in Geneve, CH
Kupoli Dining Table 12 by Cameron Design House Dimensions: D 155.7 x H 75 cm. Materials: Steel, glass. Available in other dimensions. Available in paint or pigmented chrome finishes...
Metal
American Designer, Dining Table, Walnut, USA, 1990s
Located in High Point, NC
A studio-produced dining or center table designed and produced in the US, c. 1990s. Signed "Kavinsky".
Walnut
$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
Asthila Circular Dining Table in Solid Oak with Lacquer by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Asthila Circular Dining Table in Solid Oak with Lacquer by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 150 x D 120 x H 74 cm. Materials: Solid oak wood, Lacquer. This listing features our Circular Dini...
Oak, Wood, Hardwood, Lacquer
1970s Aluminum Spiral Leg Table Desk Black Granite Top
By Paul Evans
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Massive spiral aluminum leg table with raised polished black granite top, circa 1970s. Spiral legs screw to a large solid aluminum top while granite...
Granite, Aluminum
1990s Post Modern Colorful Abstract Oval Wood Dining Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, dining table you could hope to find. In its original condition. No restoration. Outstanding design is exhibited throug...
Wood, Paint
Handmade Contemporary Mambo Unlimited Ideas Choux khaki seat Chair
Located in Lisbon, PT
Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, a country with a long crafts tradition, Mambo Unlimited Ideas' design team researches for innovation and creativity developments around...
Fabric, Wood
Contemporary Riviera Chair in Lacquered Ivory metal for Outdoors
Located in Lisbon, PT
Our newly unveiled collection is meticulously handcrafted in Portugal. Departing from conventional norms, we embrace a palette of unconventional materials, including different marble...
Metal
Set of 2 Anemos Large Dining Tables in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Anemos Large Dining Tables in Solid Teak Wood by Pendhapa. Dimensions: W 240 x D 120 x H 74 cm (each table). Materials: Solid teak wood. This piece offers a choice between ...
Hardwood, Teak
$2,499 / item
Duplex Oak Center Table by Mambo Unlimited Ideas
Located in Lisbon, PT
Open since 1997 and based in Lisbon, Portugal, a country with a long crafts tradition, Mambo Unlimited Ideas' design team researches for innovation and creativity developments around...
Travertine
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "L5" Center Table for Goppion, 1983
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "L5" Center Table for Goppion, Metal and Glass, Italy, 1983. Designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Goppion, this center table belongs to the Bisante series, in w...
Metal
$9,580Sale Price|76% Off
CasaDecor Marble & Steel Dining Table Unique Piece Modern Design Joaquín Moll
By Meddel, Joaquín Moll
Located in VALVERDE DEL MAJANO, CL
CasaDecor Marble & Steel Dining Table Unique Piece Modern Design Joaquín Moll The CasaDecor dining table is a striking sculptural design by Spanish designer Joaquín Moll, combining natural stone, raw steel, and glass into a sophisticated collectible piece of contemporary furniture. The table is composed of two sculptural bases made of natural limestone and raw steel, each forming a gentle convex curve. Resting above them is a 19 mm thick curved glass top, shaped in a concave form that creates a dynamic dialogue of opposing curves and visual balance. The interplay between the materials and the geometry gives the piece a strong architectural presence. This design was originally presented at Casa Decor...
Crystal, Marble, Steel
$14,088Sale Price|20% Off
Tavolo Orrido Canyon, Paolo Pallucco e Mireille Rivier, 1987
By Paolo Pallucco & Mireille Rivier, Pallucco
Located in Firenze, IT
Rarissimo tavolo Orrido Canyon, disegnato da Paolo Pallucco e Mireille Rivier, prodotto da Pallucco nel 1987. Rara edizione in metallo laccato argento e con un piano di vetro di cm 140
Steel