A radical shelving system or bookcase, Post-Modern, Constructivist, Memphis, Bauhaus, geometric asymmetric structure in steel lacquered in anthracite, with 5 shelves in glass suspend...

Category

Vintage 1980s French Post-Modern Shelves

Materials

Brass, Bronze, Steel

Post-Modern Metal Shelving Unit by Orezero, Italian Design, 1980s

$4,992Sale Price|20% Off

$1,049 / item

6x Bonaldo Cabinet de Curiosité Regal Bücherregal Fabrice Berrux

By Bonaldo, Fabrice Berrux

Located in Berlin, DE

Wir bieten eins von insgesamt elf Bonaldo "Cabinet de Curiosité" Bücherregale aus dem Jahr 2023 zum Verkauf an. Die Regale wurden von Fabrice Berrux entworfen und verfügen über unter...

Category

20th Century Italian Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Giuseppe Rivadossi Unique Large Freestanding Round Display Cabinet Sculpted Oak

$74,500

Giuseppe Rivadossi Unique Large Freestanding Round Display Cabinet Sculpted Oak

By Officina Rivadossi, Giuseppe Rivadossi

Located in Waalwijk, NL

Giuseppe Rivadossi for Officina Rivadossi, showcase unit, oak and glass, Italy, circa 1980 This tall oak cabinet by Giuseppe Rivadossi is defined by its broad, rounded frame, which ...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Oak

$20,916Sale Price|20% Off

Ettore Sottsass Tempus Wall Cabinet in Wood by Poltronova 1960s

By Poltronova, Ettore Sottsass

Located in Cascina, Pisa

An elegant wall-mounted cabinet in veneered walnut with a white lacquered front and an inset round mirror. Above the mirror there is a barometer, while below it there is a drawer wit...

Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Post-Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

American Post-War Desk, White Painted Wood with Chrome X Base, 1950s

$1,500

American Post-War Desk, White Painted Wood with Chrome X Base, 1950s

Located in Queens, NY

American Post-War Design white painted wood table desk with drawers and supported on 2 chrome "X" form bases. (Desk in need of full restoration) Metal frame has very light scratchin...

Category

20th Century American Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

Bubble Glass Wall Shelf by Panorammma, Hand-Blown Frosted, Post-Modern Design

$6,900

$1,400

Post Modern Space Age Plastic Shelves by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell c. 1970's

By Olaf von Bohr, Kartell

Located in New York, NY

Space Age, Postmodern plastic shelf unit, designed by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell, made in Italy circa 1970's. This example is in very good, original, clean and ready to use condition,...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Shelves

Materials

Plastic

U.S. Post Office Postal Window with Teller's Window, Early 1900s USA

$6,500

U.S. Post Office Postal Window with Teller's Window, Early 1900s USA

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Brass plate reads 'US POST OFFICE CORBIN CABINET LOCK CO. NEW BRITAIN CONN.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Antiquities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Adjustable Desk in Beech by Seltz, France 1980's

$10,778

$5,456

Susi & Ueli Berger ‘Fächermann’ Bookcase for Röthlisberger, Switzerland, 1980s

By Susi & Ueli Berger

Located in amstelveen, NL

An unusual and playful piece of Swiss design from the 1980s. The ‘Fächermann’ bookcase was designed by Susi & Ueli Berger in 1977 and produced by Röthlisberger in Switzerland. T...

Category

Vintage 1980s Swiss Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Plywood

Ebonized White Ash Wishbone Container by A. Jacob Marks

$15,152 / item

Ebonized White Ash Wishbone Container by A. Jacob Marks

Located in Geneve, CH

Ebonized White Ash Wishbone Container by A. Jacob Marks Dimensions: W 213 x D 51 x H 91 cm. Materials: white ash, ebonized. W49 Also available in different materials. The wishbone...

Category

2010s American Post-Modern Desks

Materials

Ash

$6,570 / item

Warm Tone Vibrant Multicolored Geometric Desk by Morici

Located in Geneve, CH

Venice Rialto Desk by Morici Dimensions: W 113 x D 65 x H 77 cm, Drawers : 42 x 43 x H 6 covered in Alcantara. Materials: Wood, black Alcantara, inlay veneer. Finish : Gloss brushed ...

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

Recent Sales

Small Post Office Box Unit

Unavailable

H 32.75 in W 25.625 in D 14.5 in

Small Post Office Box Unit

Located in Minneapolis, MN

Post office box with 15 small boxes and 2 larger. We do not have keys for the boxes. It’s the perfect side table height! But you’ll want to make sure it can be seen from the front, ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Antique Reproduction French Post Office Desk

Unavailable

H 75.75 in W 40.5 in D 29.5 in

Antique Reproduction French Post Office Desk

Located in New York, NY

Steel antique post office desk with compartments and working swing out stool.

Category

Vintage 1930s French Desks

Materials

Steel

Post War Knockdown Furniture Co, Plywood Three-Piece Office Desk Set

Unavailable

H 29 in W 42.25 in D 24.5 in

Post War Knockdown Furniture Co, Plywood Three-Piece Office Desk Set

By Knockdown Furniture Co.

Located in Denver, CO

After WWII, American furniture manufacturers began to explore production options using new materials created for the war effort. The Knockdown Furniture Company, created their simple...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Organic Modern Desks

Post Modern Memphis “Ouzo” Wall Cabinet by Artist Michael Hurwitz 1984

Unavailable

H 33.63 in W 13.88 in D 7 in

Post Modern Memphis “Ouzo” Wall Cabinet by Artist Michael Hurwitz 1984

By Peter Shire, Memphis Group, Barbara Radice, Ettore Sottsass, Michael Hurwitz

Located in Framingham, MA

Excellent Post-modern "Ouzo" Wall Cabinet by artist Michael Hurwitz, 1984. In collections that range from the Smithsonian to Glenn Close - Michael Hurwitz's work encompasses a finer ...

Category

Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Gold Leaf

Unavailable

H 29.53 in W 64.97 in D 29.53 in

Bureau années 1970 métal et stratifié

Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-RIVIÈRE, FR

Bureau et en état moyen. Le bois est taché et rayé. Il est vermoulé. Le métal est rouillé à certains endroits.

Category

Vintage 1970s French Post-Modern Desks

Materials

Iron

Gaetano Pesce Nobody's Guard Red

Unavailable

H 70.87 in W 38.98 in D 15.36 in

Postmodern Shelving Units, 1980s

Located in București, B

Postmodern shelving units made of painted steel. Unknown designer set of 2

Category

Vintage 1980s Unknown Post-Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

Xavier Mategot (Né En 1956) Bookcase Xm2, 1986 Farjon

Unavailable

H 77.96 in W 77.96 in D 17.52 in

Xavier Mategot (Né En 1956) Bookcase Xm2, 1986 Farjon

By Xavier Matégot

Located in PARIS, FR

XAVIER MATEGOT (Born in 1956) XM2 bookcase, 1986 Farjon editor Folded sheet metal, steel, glass and aluminum cables H. 198 cm - L. 198 cm - D. 44.5 cm

Category

Late 20th Century French Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Metal

Unavailable

H 78.75 in W 35.04 in D 25.6 in

Shelf Made in 3096 Minutes by Diego Faivre Minute Manufacture Designs

Located in AMSTERDAM, NH

Everyday functional art handmade, customised design. Say ‘Au Revoir’ to the expected, and a big hello to Diego Faivre’s Minute Manufacture designs. Offering an intimate insight...

Category

2010s Dutch Post-Modern Bookcases

Materials

Clay, Hardwood

"Blob" Shelf by Boonies, 2022

Unavailable

H 51 in W 39 in D 14 in

"Blob" Shelf by Boonies, 2022

Located in Philadelphia, PA

- 51"h, 39"w, 14"d - Off-white powder-coated steel "blob" form etagere with three natural wood shelves - Made-to-order by Boonies of Philadelphia, PA. Six-week lead time. - Condit...

Category

2010s American Post-Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Andréa Branzi "Magnolia" Display Shelf Memphis Milano, 1985, Italy

Unavailable

H 82 in W 79 in D 20 in

Andréa Branzi "Magnolia" Display Shelf Memphis Milano, 1985, Italy

By Andrea Branzi

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Iconic "Magnolia" display shelf designed by Andréa Branzi produced by Memphis Milano, Italy, 1985.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Shelves

Materials

Steel

Sold

H 79.5 in W 39 in D 36 in

French post office desk, attributed to Pierre Charreau

Located in Danville, CA

Pierre Chareau (1883-1950), was a French architect and designer who became famous after having designed his incomparable Maison de Verre in Paris.

Materials

Pine, Plywood

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Alma Upholstered Accent Chair in Faux Mohair Velvet

$1,890

H 39 in W 33.5 in D 36 in

Alma Upholstered Accent Chair in Faux Mohair Velvet

By Bloom Home Inc

Located in Old Town Orange, CA

Introducing the Alma Accent Chair – a timeless piece crafted for comfort and style. Upholstered in a faux mohair style velvet, the color is our french havane, a warm honey, caramel t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chairs

Materials

Metal

Scandinavian Modern, Oak Brutalist Dining Chairs, Henning Kjærnulf, 1960s

$4,490 / set

$6,500 / item

H 27 in W 80 in D 39 in

Upholstered Walnut Buchanan Daybed Twin Size with Dovetails and Turned Legs

By Meredith Hart Furniture

Located in Durham, NC

A simple, sturdy daybed that works well as seating in a living space and as a guest bed. A mix of construction techniques both seen and hidden create a sturdy yet sleek focal point t...

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Daybeds

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Alberto Carlieri, Capriccio with Christ and the Adulteress, Oil on Canvas

$68,075Sale Price|20% Off

H 45.28 in W 59.45 in D 2.76 in

Alberto Carlieri, Capriccio with Christ and the Adulteress, Oil on Canvas

By Alberto Carlieri

Located in IT

Alberto Carlieri (Italy-Roma 1672-1720), "Christ and the adulteress", Oil on canvas, with frame cm H 115 x L 151 x 6.5, only canvas H 98.5 x L 135 cm good conservation conditions ...

Category

Antique Late 17th Century Italian Baroque Paintings

Materials

Canvas

A Primitive Plate Rack, Scandinavia, c. 1800s.

$1,705

H 37.8 in W 38.19 in D 7.49 in

A Primitive Plate Rack, Scandinavia, c. 1800s.

Located in Hønefoss, 30

A Wonderful Primitive Plate Rack, Unknown designer, Scandinavia, c. 1800s.

Category

Antique 19th Century Norwegian Romantic Corner Cupboards

Materials

Pine

Milo Baughman Chesterfield Style Tufted Sofa

$4,800Sale Price|26% Off

$450,000

$1,904

H 63 in W 20.08 in D 18.71 in

Antique Dutch Oak Locker / Filing Cabinet, 1920/30s

Located in Nijmegen, NL

This Dutch oak locker / filing cabinet with 3 doors was made around the 1920/30s in the Netherlands. The interior dimensions of the compartments are: D W H 38 x 40 x 8 cm.

Category

Vintage 1920s Dutch Art Deco Apothecary Cabinets

Materials

Oak

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Post Office Cabinet For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal post office cabinet for your home. A post office cabinet — often made from wood, metal and steel — can elevate any home. Find 98 options for an antique or vintage post office cabinet now, or shop our selection of 19 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Your living room may not be complete without a post office cabinet — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 21st Century. A post office cabinet is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Industrial, Art Deco and Victorian styles are sought with frequency. You’ll likely find more than one post office cabinet that is appealing in its simplicity, but Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Group and Alessandro Zambelli produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Post Office Cabinet?

Prices for a post office cabinet start at $350 and top out at $40,000 with the average selling for $4,500.

A Close Look at Post-modern Furniture

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

Emerges during the 1960s; popularity explodes during the ’80s
A reaction to prevailing conventions of modernism by mainly American architects
Architect Robert Venturi critiques modern architecture in his Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture (1966)
Theorist Charles Jencks, who championed architecture filled with allusions and cultural references, writes The Language of Post-Modern Architecture (1977)
Italian design collective the Memphis Group, also known as Memphis Milano, meets for the first time (1980)
Memphis collective debuts more than 50 objects and furnishings at Salone del Milano (1981)
Interest in style declines, minimalism gains steam

CHARACTERISTICS OF POSTMODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

Dizzying graphic patterns and an emphasis on loud, off-the-wall colors
Use of plastic and laminates, glass, metal and marble; lacquered and painted wood
Unconventional proportions and abundant ornamentation
Playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art

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.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items.

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior.

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time.

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room.

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.