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.
1980s Postmodern Unique Shape Floral Pink & Purple Rug 12’x9’
Located in Bensalem, PA
Stunning pick and violet floral postmodern custom wool rug signed on bottom
Wool
$3,220 / item
Hand-Knotted Textile Poster #11 by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-knotted textile poster #11 by Lyk carpet Dimensions: W 140 x L 164 cm. Materials: 100% hand-spun tibetan highland wool from living sheep, traditionally plant-dyed, pot-dyed. Manual techniques and traditional pot-dying makes every piece unique, slight variations in size & tone are possible. Designs #9, #10 and #11 expand the graphic tapestry...
Wool
No. 219 Hand-Knotted Textile Poster by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 219 hand-knotted textile poster by Lyk Carpet Homage to the Bauhauswomen Dimensions: W 55 x L 69 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun ...
Wool
No. 221 Hand-Knotted Textile Poster by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 221 Hand-knotted textile poster by Lyk Carpet Homage to the Bauhauswomen Dimensions: W 42 x L 82 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun woo...
Wool
No. 217 Hand-Knotted Textile Poster by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 217 hand-knotted textile poster by Lyk Carpet Homage to the Bauhauswomen Dimensions: W 48 x L 58 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun woo...
Wool
$9,214 / item
Rock Paper Edge Small Rug by Art & Loom
Located in Geneve, CH
Rock Paper Edge small rug by Art & Loom Dimensions: D243.4 x H304.8 cm Materials: 100% New Zealand wool Quality (Knots per Inch): 80 Also available...
Wool
No.274 Freeplay Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 274 freeplay hand-knotted rug by Lyk carpet Dimensions: W 45 x L 90 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed w...
Wool
$2,950
Tapete Glifo
Located in Mérida, MX
Handmade on a pedal loom by Zapotec weavers working from their community in Oaxaca. The traditional patterns in the Zapotec wool rugs are glyphs, fretwork animals and idols taken fro...
Wool
Fantastic vintage large graphic postmodern sculpted wool mix rug, USA 1980s
Located in Hastings, GB
Fantastic large postmodern sculpted wool-mix rug, USA 1980s. Strikingly strong graphic motifs in earthy neutral tones. Small amount of age-related wear- could use a professional clea...
Wool, Nylon
Large postmodern vintage pink, blue, cream carved geometric rug, 1980s American
Located in Hastings, GB
Large vintage postmodern pink, blue, black & cream geometric rug, with carved details, USA 1980s. Lovely colours and textures on this one. The photos show it looking a bit bumpy- th...
Wool, Polyester
$3,220 / item
Hand-Knotted Textile Poster #10 by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Knotted textile poster #11 by Lyk carpet One of a kind. Dimensions: W 140 x L 164 cm. Materials: 100% hand-spun tibetan highland wool from living sheep, traditionally plant-dyed, pot-dyed. Manual techniques and traditional pot-dying makes every piece unique, slight variations in size & tone are possible. Designs #9, #10 and #11 expand the graphic tapestry...
Wool
No. 272 Freeplay Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 272 freeplay hand-knotted rug by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: L 120 x W 60 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed ...
Wool
$22,285 / item
Samalayuca Large Rug by Brera Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Samalayuca large rug by Brera Studio. Limited Edition of 10 pieces. Dimensions: W 304 x L 204 cm. Materials: 100% wool. Also available in medium size (W 225 x L 164 cm). Please contact us. The Samalayuca Rug...
Wool
$9,742 / item
Kotoubia Pausa Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Kotoubia Pausa Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 9' x H 6' Pile Height: 6 mm low pile, 10mm high pile. Materials: 70% Merino wool, 30% silk. Eskayel hand-knotted rugs a...
Wool, Silk
$1,923 / item
Hand-Knotted Textile Poster #14 by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Knotted textile poster #14 by Lyk carpet One of a kind. Dimensions: W 120 x L 170 cm. Materials: 100% hand-spun tibetan highland wool from living sheep, traditionally plant-d...
Wool
$1,570 / item
Hand-Knotted Textile Poster #9 by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-knotted textile poster #9 by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: W 80 x L 140 cm. Materials: 100% hand-spun tibetan highland wool from living sheep, traditionally plant-dyed, pot-dyed. Hand-knotted manual techniques and pot-dying makes every Lyk Carpet unique, slight variations in size & tone is possible. Designs #9, #10 and #11 expand the graphic tapestry...
Wool
No. 275 Freeplay Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 275 Freeplay Hand-knotted rug by Lyk carpet Dimensions: W 30 x L 150 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed ...
Wool
$9,640 / set
Set of 2 Medusa Mirror and Rug by Brera Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Medusa Mirror and Rug by Brera Studio Dimensions: Rug-framed Mirror: H 190 x W 150 cm. Wool Rug: L 120 x W 60 cm. Materials: 100% wool, mirror. Dimensions measured from extreme points. Please contact us. The Medusa rug...
Wool, Mirror
No. 273 Freeplay Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 273 freeplay hand-knotted rug by Lyk carpet Dimensions: L 120 x W 60 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed ...
Wool
$3,607 / item
Bold Stripe Isthmus Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Bold Stripe Isthmus Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 5' x H 8' Pile Height: 15 mm. Materials: Merino wool, NZ wool. Eskayel hand-knotted rugs are woven to order and ca...
Wool
Set of No.269 Freeplay Hand-Knotted Rugs by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of No. 269 freeplay hand-knotted rugs by Lyk Carpet. Dimensions: W 90 x L 90 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetab...
Wool
$18,438 / item
Biami Black Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Biami black hand-knotted rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D8' x H10' Pile height: 10 mm Materials: 100% Silk Eskayel hand-knotted rugs are woven to order a...
Silk
$704Sale Price|28% Off
Vintage Postmodern Geometric Area Rug, circa 1980s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Postmodern Geometric Area Rug. circa 1980s Features an abstract design on tufted wool in dark tones of greens, magenta, and cream around a black center. In excellent origin...
Wool
$295 / item
Hand-Knotted Textile Poster #7 by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Knotted textile poster #7 by Lyk Carpet. Dimensions: W 50 x L 80 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed woo...
Wool
$2,950
Tapete Glifo
Located in Mérida, MX
Handmade on a pedal loom by Zapotec weavers working from their community in Oaxaca. The traditional patterns in the Zapotec wool rugs are glyphs, fretwork animals and idols taken from the archeological remains in the town's church and Mitla as well as the Mixtec codices. Chuch's zapotec rug...
Wool
No. 281 Freeplay Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 281 freeplay hand-knotted rug by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: W 60 x L 150 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed ...
Wool
$6,294 / item
Little Sister Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Little sister hand-knotted rug by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: W 170 x L 230 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wo...
Wood
$1,195 / item
No. 280 Freeplay Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 280 Freeplay hand-knotted rug by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: W 90 x L 180 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed ...
Wool
$2,777 / item
Hand-Knotted Textile Poster #13 by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-knotted textile poster #13 by Lyk carpet One of a kind. Dimensions: W 200 x L 160 cm. Materials: 100% hand-spun tibetan highland wool from living sheep, traditionally plant-d...
Wool
No. 3 Freeplay Hand Knotted Rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 3 Freeplay hand knotted rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: L 180 x W 150 cm. Materials: 100% handspun, Tibetan highland new wool, obtained from living sheep, traditionally ...
Wool
No. 4 Freeplay Hand Knotted Rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 4 Freeplay hand knotted rug ensemble by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: L 260 x W 180 cm. Materials: 100% handspun, Tibetan highland new wool, obtained from living sheep, traditionally ...
Wool
No.282 Freeplay Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 282 freeplay hand-knotted rug by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: W 120 x L 120 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed...
Wool
$14,830 / item
Kalypto Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Kalypto Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel. Dimensions: D 10' x H 8'. Pile Height: 4 mm. Materials: 50% New Zealand wool, 50% silk. Eskayel hand-knotted...
Wool, Silk
No. 220 Hand-Knotted Textile Poster by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 220 hand-knotted textile poster by Lyk Carpet Homage to the Bauhauswomen Dimensions: W 55 x L 69 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun ...
Wool
$28,135 / item
Balboa Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Balboa Hand-Knotted rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D9.6' x H13' Pile Height: 30 mm Materials: 50% Bamboo Silk, 50% Pashmina Eskayel hand-knotted rugs are woven to order and can be ...
Silk
$25,949 / item
Adriatico Tesoro Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Adriatico Tesoro Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel. Dimensions: D10' x H14'. Pile Height: 5 mm. Materials: Merino wool and silk. Eskayel hand-knotted rugs are woven to order and can ...
Wool, Silk
No. 2 Freeplay Hand Knotted Rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 2 Freeplay hand knotted Rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet. Dimensions: L 180 x H 290 cm. Materials: 100% handspun, Tibetan highland new wool, obtained from living sheep, traditionally...
Wool
$20,486 / item
Alabaster Light Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Alabaster light hand-knotted Rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 8' x H 10' Pile Height: 4 mm Materials: 100% Silk Eskayel hand-knotted rugs are woven to order and can be customized i...
Silk
$1,456 / item
No.276 Freeplay Hand Knotted Rugs by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No.276 freeplay hand knotted rugs by Lyk Carpet. Dimensions: L 180 x W 30 cm each. Materials: 100% Tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable...
Wool
$1,593 / item
No.265 Freeplay Hand-Knotted Rug by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No.265 Freeplay Hand-knotted rug by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: W 120 x L 210 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun wool, natural vegetable-dyed ...
Wool
$11,097 / item
Quotidiana Isthmus Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Quotidiana isthmus hand-knotted rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 6' x H 9' Pile Height: 5 mm, 4 mm, 3 mm. Materials: Merino wool, silk. Eskayel hand-knotted rugs are woven to order...
Wool, Silk
$16,025 / item
Quotidiana Burnt Sienna Hand Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Quotidiana Burnt Sienna hand knotted rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 8' x H 10' Pile Height: 4 mm Materials: Matka silk, wool. Eskayel hand knotted rugs are woven to order and can...
Wool, Silk
No. 218 Hand-knotted Textile Poster by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 218 Hand-knotted textile poster by Lyk Carpet Homage to the Bauhauswomen Dimensions: W 37 x L 82 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun woo...
Wool
No. 1 Freeplay Hand Knotted Rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 1 Freeplay hand knotted rug ensemble by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: L 180 x H 260 cm. Materials: 100% handspun, Tibetan highland new wool, obtained from living sheep, traditionally ...
Wool
$8,012 / item
Quotidiana Corinth Hand Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Quotidiana Corinth hand knotted Rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 5' x H 8' Pile Height: 4 mm Materials: Matka silk, wool. Eskayel hand knotted rugs are woven to order and can be cu...
Wool, Silk
$14,830 / item
Tonal Stardust Hand Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Tonal Stardust hand knotted rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 8' x H 10' Pile Height: 6 mm low pile, 10mm high pile. Materials: Merino wool, Bamboo silk Eskayel hand knotted rugs ar...
Wool, Silk
$27,668 / item
Wetland Rug by Estudio Raffreyre
Located in Geneve, CH
Wetland rug by Estudio Raffreyre Dimensions: W 500 x 800 cm Materials: Hanging Fibers ESTUDIO RF is located in Lima, Peru. We are dedicated to the research of the contemporary h...
Other
$3,057 / item
Skin Rug - Brazillian designers collection
By Tri Design
Located in Londrina, Paraná
This rug was named Skin for representing different shades of people skin colors. It pays a homage to cultural diversity. This rug is produced in association with Tapetah. Reference ...
Polyester
$18,938 / item
Linea Blanca Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Linea Blanca Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel. Dimensions: D 12' x H 9' Pile Height: 4 mm pile, 3mm loop. Materials: Matka silk and New Zealand wool. Eskayel hand-knotted rugs are w...
Silk, Wool
No.233 Hand-Knotted Textile Poster by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 233 hand-knotted textile poster by Lyk Carpet Homage to the Bauhauswomen Dimensions: W 56 x L 84 cm. Materials: 100% tibetan highland-wool, new pure hand-combed and hand-spun ...
Wool
$21,624 / item
Quotidiana Sage Hand Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Quotidiana Sage hand knotted Rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 9' x H 12' Pile Height: 4 mm Materials: Matka silk, wool. Eskayel hand knotted rugs are woven to order and can be cust...
Wool, Silk
$10,425 / item
Portico Greyscale Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Portico Greyscale Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel. Dimensions: D 8' x H 10'. Pile Height: 4 mm pile, 3mm loop. Materials: New Zealand wool. Eskayel hand-knotted rugs are woven to o...
Wool
$2,140
Embryo Rug
Located in Londrina, Paraná
This rug is produced in association with Tapetah. Reference in high-end carpets in Brazil, Tapetah has the innovation as one of its greatest pillars. In more than 20 years of operati...
Polystyrene
$7,215 / item
Bold Stripe Thalassa hand knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Bold stripe Thalassa hand knotted Rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 8' x H 10' Pile Height: 15 mm Materials: Merino wool, NZ wool. Eskayel hand knotted rugs are woven to order and c...
Wool
$8,661 / item
Drippy Stripe Sienna Hand Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Drippy Stripe Sienna hand knotted rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 6' x H 9' Pile Height: 6 mm Materials: 100% Merino wool. Eskayel hand knotted rugs are woven to order and can be customized in various sizes, colors, materials, and weave constructions. The concept for the Striped...
Wool
$16,833 / item
Kotoubia Duomo Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Kotoubia Duomo Hand-Knotted Rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 10' x H 8' Pile Height: 6 mm low pile, 10mm high pile. Materials: 30% Merino wool, 70% silk. Eskayel hand-knotted rugs ...
Wool, Silk
No. 5 Freeplay Hand Knotted Rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
No. 5 Freeplay hand knotted rug Ensemble by Lyk Carpet Dimensions: L 180 x W 180 cm. Materials: 100% handspun, Tibetan highland new wool, obtained from living sheep, traditionally ...
Wool
$1,297 / item
Hand-Knotted Textile Poster #12 by Lyk Carpet
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-knotted textile poster #12 by Lyk carpet One of a kind. Dimensions: W 85 x L 140 cm. Materials: 100% hand-spun tibetan highland wool from living sheep, traditionally plant-dy...
Wool
$17,277 / item
Large Musgo Gris Rug by Brera Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Musgo Gris Rug by Brera Studio. Unique piece. Handmade. Dimensions: W 324 x L 200 cm. Materials: 100% wool. Musgo Rug is a unique piece, part of the Terra collection desi...
Wool
$12,827 / item
Drippy Stripe Morea Hand Knotted Rug by Eskayel
Located in Geneve, CH
Drippy Stripe Morea hand knotted Rug by Eskayel Dimensions: D 8' x H 10' Pile Height: 6 mm Materials: 100% Merino wool. Eskayel hand knotted rugs are woven to order and can be customized in various sizes, colors, materials, and weave constructions. Please contact us. The concept for the striped rugs was to take a Classic design and reapproach it with a non-traditional hand. After creating our striped wallpaper and fabric patterns it was inevitable that the next part of that process would be to push them further from their traditional bounds and into the rug realm with bold, contrasting colors and hybrid weaving techniques. They were designed in conjunction with the Quotidiana Rugs as a deep exploration of the colors found on the Peloponnesus, a peninsula in the southern region of Greece. Drippy Stripe in Morea is a playful hand knotted rug in a complimentary color way, the loose coral...
Wool