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.
Carla Venosta & Guido Zimmerman for Arflex 'Valiant' Bookcase in Stainless Steel
By Guido Zimmerman, Arflex, Carla Venosta
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Carla Venosta and Guido Zimmerman for Arflex, 'Valiant' wall unit / room divider, stainless steel, glass, Italy, 1971 The 'Valiant' wall unit that doubles as room divider, designed...
Stainless Steel
Early Pierre Chapo 'B10' Bookcase or Room Divider in Solid Elm
By Pierre Chapo
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pierre Chapo, shelf unit, model 'B10', solid elm, France, 1975 Dating from 1975, this open bookcase that doubles as a room divider is an early example of the designer's work. It is ...
Elm
Postmodern Manhattan 5th Avenue CD Rack Tower from Koziol, Germany, 1990s
By Koziol
Located in Hamburg, DE
Postmodern Manhattan Series 5th Avenue CD Rack Tower from Koziol, Germany, 1990s
Plastic
Post-Modern Wall Unit in Glass and Travertine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit, travertine, glass, Europe, 1970s Elegant and architectural wall unit crafted during the 1970s, composed of travertine supports and glass shelves. The design is defined by...
Travertine
Paul Evans for Directional 'PE 68' Wall Unit in Bronzed Resin and Glass
By Paul Evans
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paul Evans, Paul Evans Studio for Directional, wall shelves, model 'PE 68', epoxy bronzed resin over wood, glass, United States, 1970s Grand wall unit by Paul Evans, designed for Di...
Glass, Resin, Wood
$2,500 / set
1970s Wavy Chrome & Glass Etagere Shelving Unit
Located in Bensalem, PA
Two piece shelving unit in the style of Milo Baughman please look at pictures for overall detail. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Chrome
Hook System Library Shelf by Luciano Pagani & Angelo Perversi, 1987
Located in Vienna, AT
Graphical shelf system called 'Hook System' by Pagani & Perversi, Italy 1987 Very rare Library shelf system by Luciano Pagani and Angelo Perversi,...
Steel
Large French Modular Room Divider in Mahogany 1970s
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit, mahogany, France, 1970s A large French wall unit from the 1970s, entirely executed in warm mahogany. Its architectural framework is composed of cylindrical wooden upright...
Mahogany
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Gilt brass & smoked glass shelves by Renato Zevi, Italy 1970s
By Renato Zevi
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Beautiful shelving unit by Renato Zevi, Italy circa 1970, the design has those iconic geometric accents. Gilded brass body with two smoked glass trays, others can be added as desired...
Brass
Bronze and Glass Etagere Shelf by Milo Baughman c. 1970's
Located in New York, NY
Architectural, voguish, stylish freestanding shelf unit, design attributed to Milo Baughman. This model is particularly chic in the brass, bronze finish, it is more commonly found i...
Bronze
Time of Dream Objet Shelf S in Lime Plaster & Fiberglass by Plature
Located in Geneve, CH
Time of Dream Objet Shelf S in Lime Plaster & Fiberglass by Plature Dimensions: L 18 x D 13.5 x H 16 cm. Materials: Lime plaster, fiberglass. Available in White Clay, Sand Hill, Nat...
Other
Antonio Citterio x B&B Italia "Domus 03" Wall Unit
By B&B Italia, Antonio Citterio
Located in Astoria, NY
Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia "Domus 03" Wall Unit, wood and steel frame with red acrylic sliding door opening to multi-level shelves above bottom drawer. 63.5" H x 94.5" W x 31"...
Steel
Memphis Milano Carlton Shelf by Ettore Sottsass, Wood & Laminate
By Ettore Sottsass, Memphis Milano
Located in Toronto, ON
An absolute icon of Memphis designed by Ettore Sottsass in 1981, Carlton fully represents the programmatic intention of the group: the desire to transgress with an irreverent, unorth...
Laminate, Wood
$2,374 / set
Set of 3 Kinko Brass Shelves by Zincutec
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Kinko Brass Shelves by Zincutec. Dimensions: W 25 x D 17 x H 170 cm each (1 unit = mounting bracket + 3 shelves) Materials: Brass. Kinko is designed to settle into daily li...
Brass
Set of 3 Kinko Stainless Steel Shelves by Zincutec
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 3 Kinko Stainless Steel Shelves by Zincutec. Dimensions: W 25 x D 17 x H 170 cm each (1 unit = mounting bracket + 3 shelves) Materials: Stainless Steel. Also available in a s...
Stainless Steel
Wave Bookshelf in Powder Coated Aluminium by Julien Vidame
Located in Geneve, CH
Wave Bookshelf in Powder Coated Aluminium by Julien Vidame. Dimensions: W 50 x D 35 x H 135 cm. Materials: Powder-coated aluminium. Available in Dull Black, Shiny White, or Silver Va...
Aluminum
Pia Manu Hand Crafted Room Divider in Burnished Concrete and Stained Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Pia Manu, room divider, burnished concrete, stained glass, steel, Belgium, 1970s This unique piece of art is assembled in the workshop of Pia Manu and is a great testament to their ...
Concrete, Steel
Vintage Post Modern Chrome & Glass Etagere Bookshelf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Polished Chrome, Original Glass Shelves This striking Post-Modern étagère features a clean architectural chrome frame paired with i...
Chrome
Postmodern German Metal Wall Shelf from Radius Design, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Metal wall shelf from Radius Design. A design with an industrial design language. The materiality and workmanship are particularly eye-catching. Galvanized sheet steel that is folde...
Metal
Vittorio Introini for Proposals Wall Unit in Steel and Glass
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Vittorio Introini for Proposals wall unit or library, glass, steel, brass, Italy, 1970s This exceptional made-to-order wall unit was designed by Vittorio Introini and manufactured b...
Steel
W2320 Wall Hanging Shelf in Honduras Rosewood Burl Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W2320 Wall Hanging Shelf in Honduras Rosewood Burl Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 35 x W 69 x H 2,5 cm. Materials: Honduras rosewood burl. All wall shelves include steel pin...
Wood
Soft Futurism Veliero Bookshelf in Solid Oak by Filippo Andrighetto
Located in Geneve, CH
Soft Futurism Veliero Bookshelf in Solid Oak by Filippo Andrighetto. Dimensions: W 220 x D 35 x H 200 cm. Materials: Solid oak. Available wood essences include solid oak or other es...
Wood, Hardwood, Oak
Black Marquina Marble and Black Steel Morse Shelf by OxDenmarq
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Marquina marble and black steel morse shelf by OxDenmarq Dimensions: D 21 x W 80 x H 87 cm Materials: Steel, black Marquina marble Also available: Different marble and frame...
Marble, Steel
$5,695 / item
Mid-Century inspired Bookshelf by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Mid-Century Bookshelf by Pastform Dimensions: D 45 x W 150 x H 200 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes: Whiskey, Rum, BPA, Nobel, B...
Wood
$776 / item
Mortaise Wall Shelf-700 by Clemence Birot
Located in Geneve, CH
Mortaise wall shelf-400 by Clemence Birot Dimensions: 75 x 25 x 6,5 cm Materials: cork, metal. Clemence Birot started her career in Copenhagen, Denmark, and discovered a design prac...
Metal
W2380 Wall Hanging Shelf in Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W2380 Wall Hanging Shelf in Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 27 x W 212 x H 23 cm. Materials: Oak wood. All wall shelves include steel pin holders for discreet mounting. P...
Oak
$31,958 / item
Proportions of Stone Shelf 03 by Lee Sisan
Located in Geneve, CH
Proportions of Stone Shelf 03 by Lee Sisan Dimensions: W 120 x D 40 x H 200 cm Materials: Stainless steel, natural stone Each piece is made to order and u...
Stone, Steel
Contemporary Zebrano Wood Shelf by Soft Baroque
By Soft Baroque
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Unique handmade solid Zebrano wood shelf from the "Hard Round" series by the London based design duo soft Baroque. Custom designs and sizes are available ...
Zebra Wood
$3,230 / item
Ju Shelf by Estudio Prosa
Located in Geneve, CH
Ju Shelf by Estudio Prosa Dimensions: W 90 x D 90 x H 25 cm Materials: Wood. Available in Cedro Arana, Jequitiba, Muiracatiara, or Cumaru wood options. Please contact us. The Prosa...
Wood
Postmodern Italian Graffiti Shelf by Rodney Kinsman for Bieffeplast, 1980s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Metal shelf from the Italian manufacturer Biefeplast according to a draft from Rodney Kinsman from the 80s. A design classic of the 80s in postmodern formal language. This modular s...
Metal
Postmodern American Studio Craft Sculptural Wood Display Console Shelf 1990s
Located in Troy, MI
American studio craft sculptural shelf or console table circa 1990s Unique Memphis inspired step design executed in ash and walnut with dovetail joinery and lower wave stretcher So...
Wood
Black Painted Oak Stedge Shelf 60, 3 Shelf Configuration by Leonard Aldenhoff
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Painted Oak Stedge Shelf 60, 3 Shelf Configuration by Leonard Aldenhoff. Materials: black painted metal, Black Painted Oak. Dimensions: D 22 x W 60 x H 160 cm. This listing fe...
Metal
“Abracadabra” Shelving Unit by De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi for Zerodisegnio 1990
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi
Located in Almelo, NL
An iconic large-scale postmodern shelving unit from the “Abracadabra” series, designed by De Pas, D’Urbino & Lomazzi and manufactured by Zerodisegnio, Italy, 1990s. A striking archit...
Metal, Aluminum
Stained Birch XL CNSTR Cabinet by Paul Heijnen, Hand-Crafted in NL
Located in Geneve, CH
CNSTR cabinet, stained birch XL by Paul Heijnen (2009) Dimensions: H230 x L200 x W65 cm Materials: Stained birch Also available in, oak, natural birch, walnut, and other varieti...
Birch, Oak
$3,435 / item
Lop Bookshelf by Pastform
Located in Geneve, CH
Lop Bookshelf by Pastform Dimensions: D 40 x W 240 x H 100 cm. Materials: Stained and varnished wood. Available in different wood color finishes: W...
Wood
$15,065 / item
Foundation Bookshelf by Goons
Located in Geneve, CH
Foundation bookshelf by Goons Dimensions: W 74 x D 30 x H 150 cm Materials: Birch plywood. Oak finish. Dimensions can be adjusted +/- 10 cm Goons is located in Paris, France. All o...
Wood
$1,072 / item
Dream/Reality Shelf by Six Dots Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Dream/Reality Shelf by Six Dots Design Unique Piece. Dimensions: D 23 x W 37 x H 33 cm Materials: Raw aluminum. Six Dots designs and makes bespoke furniture in North London. We want...
Aluminum
W2576 Wall Hanging Shelf by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W2576 Wall Hanging Shelf by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: H 3,5 x W 73,5 x D 26,5 cm (H 1,38 x W 28,94 x D 10,43 in) Materials: Sapeli wood All wall shelves include steel pin holders ...
Wood
Metal shelf Verspanntes Regal design Wolfgang Laubersheimer, Pentagon Group 1984
By Pentagon Group, Wolfgang Laubersheimer
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
One Postmodern shelf „Verspanntes Regal“ designed by Wolfgang Laubersheimer for Pentagon Group in 1984. early edition of the 'Verspanntes Regal', therefore without makers bedge or ...
Steel
$7,065 / item
Marianne Bookshelf by Mingardo
Located in Geneve, CH
Marianne bookshelf by Mingardo Dimensions: D62 x W30 x H240 cm Materials: Matte nickel structure, tempered glass shelves. Natural brass details w...
Brass, Nickel
$13,810 / item
BIS Bookshelf by MOB
Located in Geneve, CH
BIS bookshelf by MOB Limited editions of 15 + 1 prototype Designer: Benjamin Ossa (Chile) Dimensions: H 210 x D 50 x W 210 cm Material: Cherry tree veneer 18mm, steel chrome unions, reflective brown glass The BIS project for MOB seeks to be installed as a sort of island in space, accentuating its semi-translucent composition and operability on both sides of the furniture. In some way this "screen" modifies the space, divides it and conditions its use, allowing to dispose objects or not, on both sides of the furniture. Thanks to the use of reflective glasses as separators; the objects and the traffic can be observed from the opposite side. Its modular, basic and simple way, together with the use of transparency, try to connect conceptually with the use of the oriental screen...
Steel
A RADICAL POST-MODERN MEMPHIS SHELVING SYSTEM, France, 1980
Located in PARIS, FR
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...
Brass, Bronze, Steel
W2393 Wall Hanging Shelf in Walnut Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W2393 Wall Hanging Shelf in Walnut Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 27 x W 140 x H 5 cm. Materials: Walnut wood. All wall shelves include steel pin holders for discreet mounti...
Walnut
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Memphis style floor shelf in plastic, 1980s
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
Superb Memphis-style display unit in ABS plastic, with colors reminiscent of Gerrit Rietveld's creations, in very good condition.
Plastic
W2360 Wall Hanging Shelf in Yew Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W2360 Wall Hanging Shelf in Yew Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 32,5 x W 206 x H 11 cm. Materials: Yew wood. All wall shelves include steel pin holders for discreet mounting....
Yew
$4,394 / item
Statue Book Shelves by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Statue Book Shelves by DAaZ Dimensions: D 34 x W 180 x H 169 cm. Materials: Albizzia wood, Ink stone. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the or...
Stone
Luxurious Italian Library Wall Unit in Green Toned Ash and Aluminum
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Wall unit, green toned ash wood, aluminum, Italy, ca. 1980 This exceptional Italian wall unit from ca. 1980 showcases the extreme glamour and craftsmanship that so clearly resonates...
Aluminum
Ettore Sottsass Cantone Corner Shelves, Italy, 1981
Located in Dronten, NL
Striking “Cantone” corner cabinet designed by Ettore Sottsass, an iconic example of the Italian postmodern master’s sculptural and architectural approach to furniture. This piece emb...
Silver
W1214 Wall Hanging Shelf in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann
Located in Geneve, CH
W1214 Wall Hanging Shelf in Natural Oak Wood by Jörg Pietschmann Dimensions: D 14 x W 149 x H 14 cm. Materials: Oak wood. In Pietschmann’s sculptures, trees that for centuries were ...
Oak
postmodern Abracadabra Modular Shelf Design De Pas Lomazzi & D‘ Urbino
By Gionathan de Pas & Donato D’Urbino & Paolo Lomazzi, Zerodisegno
Located in Offenburg, Baden Wurthemberg
Large Post-modern Abracadabra shelf unit, Laquered Aluminum construction with u-shaped glass shelves. designed by Italian architects De Pas, D‘Urbino & Lomazzi (Studio DDL) ma...
Aluminum, Steel
$12,554 / item
Showcase Cabinet, by Paul Heijnen
Located in Geneve, CH
Showcase Cabinet, 4x2 by Paul Heijnen (2011) Dimensions: H131 x L160 x W50 cm Materials: Steel, Oak, Glass Available in different varieties/stains, Each cabinet is made to or...
Steel
$11,755 / item
Shelf by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Shelf by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 210 x D 15 x H 20 cm Materials: Ceramic. Module of 3 parts. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a preci...
Ceramic
$3,013 / item
Free Bookshelves by DAaZ
Located in Geneve, CH
Free Bookshelves by DAaZ Dimensions: D 35 x W 95 x H 170 cm. Materials: Albizzia wood. DAaZ Furniture honors the spirit of adventure. We embrace the escape of the ordinary and reve...
Wood
M034 Laminar Sculptural Shelving by Mound, Hand-Applied Epoxy, USA, 2026
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Laminar contains multitudes: drips, tips, and lines. A delicately tensioned structure dripping with translucent color. Hand-applied epoxy is allowed to be as it is, fluid suspended i...
Steel
Wall Shelf, Lacquered Wood Ring Form, Post-Modern Design, Panorammma, Mexico
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Ring Shelf is a free-standing, asymmetric, laquered wood ring. This object’s variations in form along with the dynamic composition of aluminum sheets that the ring encompasses open t...
Marble, Aluminum
$36,409 / item
Cnstr Cabinet, Solid Oak M by Paul Heijnen
Located in Geneve, CH
CNSTR cabinet, solid oak M by Paul Heijnen (2009) Dimensions: H200 x L160 x W60 Materials: Oak Also Available in stained birch, natural birch, Walnut, and other varieties of woo...
Birch, Oak
Wall Shelf, Marble & Aluminum Ring Form, Post-Modern Design, Panorammma
By Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Ring Shelf is a free-standing, asymmetric, stone ring that touches on the of modernist sculptor Isamu Noguchi’s incorporation of varicolored stone segments to form larger structures....
Marble, Aluminum
$1,680Sale Price|40% Off
Jig Saw Puzzle Shelf in the Style of Nicola L
By Nicola L.
Located in New York, NY
Groovy cut-out laminate wood two-tier shelf, after Nicole L. This example shows some cosmetic wear including a white paint spot on the back bottom shelf, and one formed drip protrusi...
Plywood
$26,365 / item
Cathedral Cabinet by Paul Heijnen
Located in Geneve, CH
Cathedral cabinet by Paul Heijnen (2013) Dimensions: H 270 x L 240 x W 60 cm Materials: Oak, red cedar, birch Standoffs: Black powder/brushed bras...
Birch, Oak
$11,755 / item
Shelf by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Shelf by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 210 x D 15 x H 20 cm Materials: Ceramic. Module of 3 parts. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a preci...
Ceramic