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.
$7,500Sale Price|23% Off
Missoni Post-Modern Wool Rug, 1980s, Italy, Signed
By Missoni Home, Missoni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attention interior designers, this is the rug you need for that high-profile cover-worthy room you're working on. This signed Missoni rug is from the 1980s Italy and in an oh-so-on-t...
Wool
$2,266 / item
Funky Punk Taupe Camel Rug in Silk & Wool by Cocono
Located in Geneve, CH
Funky Punk Taupe Camel Rug in Silk & Wool by Cocono Dimensions: W 200 x L 300 cm. Materials: Silk and wool. Available in other sizes. Please contact us. Rugs were once created as l...
Wool, Silk
$640Sale Price|20% Off
ATB Imagine Studio Design Carpet by Desso The Netherlands, Late 1970s
By Desso
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
All Terrain Bicycle was a trend that became worldwide very popular in the late 1970s early 1980s This carpet is made by Desso in The Netherlands and represents a colorful part of ...
Acrylic
Memphis "Arizona" Rug by Nathalie du Pasquier, Hand-Knotted Wool, 1983
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
Looking at ARIZONA by Nathalie Du Pasquier feels like standing in front of an abstract painting, where the sculptural forms of Memphis design seem to be flattened onto a two-dimensio...
Wool
$2,266 / item
Funky Punk Camel Grey Rug in Silk & Wool by Cocono
Located in Geneve, CH
Funky Punk Camel Grey Rug in Silk & Wool by Cocono Dimensions: W 200 x L 300 cm. Materials: Silk and wool. Available in other sizes. Please contact us. Rugs were once created as la...
Wool, Silk
Natural Shape Hand-Dyed Blanc Sable Ecru Corca Sheepskin Rug by Carine Boxy
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Shape Hand-Dyed Blanc Sable Ecru Corca Sheepskin Rug by Carine Boxy Dimensions: 195 x 135 cm Materials: Naturally dyed sheepskin. Size and color can be customized upon reques...
Sheepskin
Vintage Hand-Knotted Rug, model "Orion" designed by Ottavio Missoni for Missoni
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a breathtaking postmodern rug designed by Ottavio Missoni for Missoni. Model "Orion" is an iconic piece designed as a patc...
Wool
Nomad Brown Rug in Wool, Linen, Polyester, Cotton & Acrylic by Cocono
Located in Geneve, CH
Nomad Brown Rug in Wool, Linen, Polyester, Cotton & Acrylic by Cocono Dimensions: W 350 x L 450 cm. Materials: 45% Wool, 34% Linen, 10% Polyester, 9% Cotton, 2% Acrylic. Available i...
Wool, Cotton, Linen, Acrylic, Polyester
Limited Edition Geometric Rug by George Sowden, "GJS1" Handmade Wool, 2003
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
This striking & elegant carpet is from a Limited Edition of 36 units (ours is Edition # 5 of 36, hand signed by the artist/designer George J Sowden, one of the original MEMPHIS m...
Wool
Hand-Knotted Wool Poseidon Rug by Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
By Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti
Located in London, London
A whimsical and highly graphic wool rug titled Poseidon and designed by Garouste & Bonetti, its field framed by an animated border of coral-like forms in shades of turquoise, sea gre...
Wool
$5,762 / item
Round Naiad Nuances Rug by Gandia Blasco
Located in Geneve, CH
Round Naiad Nuances Rug by Gandia Blasco Design by Patricia Urquiola Dimensions: W 250 x H 300 cm. Materials: Fiber composition: Felt base (75% wool + 25%...
Wool, Natural Fiber
Vanity 400 Rug by Illulian, Wool and Silk, Post-Modern Design, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
VANITY 400 rug by Illulian Dimensions: D400 x H300 cm Materials: Wool 50% , Silk 50% Variations available and prices may vary according to materials and sizes. Illulian, hist...
Wool, Silk
Aztec Yellow Rug in Wool, Polyamide & Linen by Cocono
Located in Geneve, CH
Aztec Yellow Rug in Wool, Polyamide & Linen by Cocono Dimensions: W 98 x L 132 cm. Materials: 84% Wool, 5% Linen, 11% Polyamide. Defined by a structured geometry and a layered, text...
Wool, Linen, Polyamide
Seaworld Orange Circular Rug in Wool, Linen, Cotton, Bamboo & Silk by Cocono
Located in Geneve, CH
Seaworld Orange Circular Rug in Wool, Linen, Cotton, Bamboo & Silk by Cocono Dimensions: Ø 250 cm. Materials: 72% Wool, 2% Wool Mohair, 8% Linen, 7% Cotton, 7% Bamboo, 3% Silk, 1% Al...
Wool, Cotton, Linen, Silk, Bamboo
Unique Artistic Rug by Carine Boxy
Located in Geneve, CH
Unique Artistic Rug by Carine Boxy One of a Kind Dimensions: 300 x 200 cm Materials: Naturally dyed sheepskin. Each rug is different and unique, please contact us for made to order ...
Sheepskin
Modern Organic Shape Hand-Dyed Azur Blue European Sheepskin Rug by Carine Boxy
Located in Geneve, CH
Modern Organic Shape Hand-Dyed Azur Blue European Sheepskin Rug by Carine Boxy Dimensions: 250 x 200 cm Materials: Naturally dyed sheepskin. Size and color can be customized upon req...
Sheepskin
Rustic 400 Rug by Illulian, Wool and Silk, Post-Modern Design, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
RUSTIC 400 rug by Illulian Dimensions: D400 x H300 cm Materials: Wool 50%, Silk 50% Variations available and prices may vary according to materials and sizes. Illulian, histor...
Wool, Silk
$6,250Sale Price|26% Off
Missoni Post-Modern Striped Rug, circa 1980, Italy, Signed
By Missoni Home, Missoni
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Attention interior designers, this is the large rug you need for that high-profile cover-worthy room you're working on. This signed Missoni rug is from the 1980s Italy and in an oh-s...
Wool
Late 1960s German Woven Pure Wool Flower Rug Wolf Bauer with Artist Signature
By Wolf Bauer
Located in Firenze, FI
This circular vintage carpet in the shape of a flower was loom-woven with pure wool. The beauty of this decorative element lies in the very particular shape and in the different shad...
Wool
$6,024 / item
Terra Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Terra Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 250 x 3...
Wool, Bamboo
$2,038 / item
Pistachio RePeat Carpet by Massimo Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Pistachio RePeat carpet by Massimo Copenhagen Handtufted Materials: 100% recycled Pet, cotton. Dimensions: W 250 x H 350 cm Available colors: Graphite, cream, beige, pistachio, and pastel yellow. Other dimensions are available: 160 x 230 cm, 200 x 300 cm, and special sizes. RePeat collection represents an innovative and sustainable take on textiles. Handtufted from 100% recycled plastic (rPET), with an additional OEKO-TEX cotton layer on the backside, making it suitable for any type of floor. A lightweight fibre obtained from the material produced through the process of recovery and reuse of PET, presents a high resistance to wear and tear, and offers good thermal properties, which makes it a perfect choice for textiles at home and commercial settings. The composition makes the RePeat rugs both earth-friendly and easy to care for. The fibre resists stains, mold, mildew and moisture. You can clean them simply by using a garden hose...
Cotton, Plastic
$6,024 / item
Army Green Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Army Green Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 25...
Wool, Bamboo
$4,407 / item
Cashmere Earth Bamboo Carpet by Massimo Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Cashmere Earth bamboo carpet by Massimo Copenhagen Handwoven Materials: 50% New Zealand Wool, 50% Bamboo Dimensions: W 300 x H 400 cm Available color...
Wool, Bamboo
$3,157 / item
Circular Rug III by Raul
Located in Geneve, CH
Circular rug III by Raul Dimensions: D 200 cm Materials: viscose, linen Available in other colors. The Circular rug is part of a series called “Cos...
Linen
$22,775 / item
Sottoportico Rug by Seraina Lareida
Located in Geneve, CH
Sottoportico rug by Seraina Lareida. Dimensions: W 300 x H 390 cm. Materials: 100% New Zeland top-quality wool. Available in sizes: Medium (150 x 200cm), and Large (200 x 260cm)....
Wool
$2,220 / item
Aurorix Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Aurorix Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 200 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool and cotton. Available in four size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, and 200 x 300 cm. Al...
Wool, Cotton
$6,844 / item
No.07 Rug by Cappelen Dimyr
Located in Geneve, CH
No.07 Rug by Cappelen Dimyr Dimensions: D290 x H350 cm Materials: 85% wool 15% cotton no.07 is an homage to the understated bohemian elegance that ...
Wool, Cotton
Forme celate Rug abstract motif Agostino Goccione, Paracchi
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Forme Celate carpet with abstract carpet motif designed by Agostino Goccione for Paracchi, characterized by the artist's typical pictorial language. Fluid geometries and chromatic ba...
Textile, Cotton
$6,024 / item
Eik Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Eik Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 250 x 350...
Wool, Bamboo
$6,024 / item
Mint Chocolate Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Mint Chocolate Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm...
Wool, Bamboo
Hand-Knotted Riders of Silence Rug in Wool, Silk & Alpaca by Dinodo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Knotted Riders of Silence Rug in Wool, Silk & Alpaca by Dinodo Studio Designed by Julien Jaca Limited Edition of 9 Dimensions: L 300 x W 250 cm Materials: 40% wool, 30% alpaca, ...
Wool, Alpaca, Silk
Hand-Knotted Sugar Magnolia Rug in Silk & Oxidised Wool by Dinodo Studio
Located in Geneve, CH
Hand-Knotted Sugar Magnolia Rug in Silk & Oxidised Wool by Dinodo Studio Designed by Julien Jaca Limited Edition of 9 Dimensions: L 300 x W 250 cm Materials: 60% silk, 40% oxidised w...
Wool, Silk
$22,333 / item
Fresque Wool & Silk Rug by Olivia Cognet
Located in Geneve, CH
Fresque Wool & Silk Rug by Olivia Cognet Dimensions: W 275 x L 305 cm. Materials: 90% Wool, 10% Silk. Each of Olivia’s handmade creations is a unique work of art, the snapshot of a...
Wool, Silk
$3,621 / item
Moss Green Earth Carpet by Massimo Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Moss Green Earth Carpet by Massimo Copenhagen Handwoven Materials: 100% New Zealand Wool Dimensions: W 300 x H 400 cm Available colors: Verte Grey, Mos...
Wool
$5,011 / item
No.18 Rug by Cappelen Dimyr
Located in Geneve, CH
No.18 Rug by Cappelen Dimyr Dimensions: D 230 x H 280 cm (excl. fringes) Materials: 85% wool, 15% cotton Colonnade no.09 & Rug no.18 is a grey-brown flat-w...
Wool, Cotton
Memphis "California" Rug by Nathalie du Pasquier, Hand-Knotted, 1983
Located in Tinton Falls, NJ
CALIFORNIA, the rug created by Nathalie Du Pasquier in 1983, reflects the designer’s creativity: it is a festival of different visual stimuli gathered over the years, presented here ...
Wool
$6,024 / item
Surf Blue Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Surf Blue Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 250...
Wool, Bamboo
$6,776 / item
Aja Green Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Aja Green Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and viscose. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 25...
Other
$40,328 / item
MAKAO 400 Rug by Illulian
Located in Geneve, CH
MAKAO 400 rug by Illulian Dimensions: D400 x H300 cm Materials: Wool 50% , Silk 50% Variations available and prices may vary according to materials and sizes. Illulian, histor...
Wool, Silk
$6,024 / item
Surf Beige Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Surf Beige Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 25...
Wool, Bamboo
XXL Postmodern Rug in style of Memphis Group, 100% acrylic, Italy 1990s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a breathtaking XXL hand-tufted postmodern. It is designed in style of Memphis Milano, featuring vibrant geometric pattern in red, blue, green, black and...
Acrylic
$9,088 / item
Nude Round Mirage Rug by Gandia Blasco
Located in Geneve, CH
Nude Round Mirage Rug by Gandia Blasco Design by Patricia Urquiola Dimensions: W 210 x H 300 cm. Materials: Fiber composition: 100% wool. Weight: 20,2 kg Passion for life outdoors...
Wool
$4,361 / item
Ono Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Ono Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 250 x 350...
Wool, Bamboo
Luxury Natural Shape Hand-Dyed European Sheepskin Brown 1 Big Rug by Carine Boxy
Located in Geneve, CH
Luxury Natural Shape Hand-Dyed European Sheepskin Brown 1 Big Rug by Carine Boxy Dimensions: 240 x 450 cm Materials: Naturally dyed sheepskin. Each rug is different and unique, plea...
Sheepskin
Luxury Natural Shape Hand-Dyed European Sheepskin Brown 2 Big Rug by Carine Boxy
Located in Geneve, CH
Luxury Natural Shape Hand-Dyed European Sheepskin Brown 2 Big Rug by Carine Boxy Dimensions: 400 x 327 cm Materials: Naturally dyed sheepskin. Size and color can be customized upon r...
Sheepskin
Spirit 400 Rug by Illulian, Wool & Silk, Post-Modern Design, Italy
Located in Geneve, CH
SPIRIT 400 rug by Illulian Dimensions: D400 x H300 cm Materials: Wool 50%, Silk 50% Variations available and prices may vary according to materials and sizes. Illulian, histor...
Wool, Silk
$8,712 / item
Blue Mirage Rug by Gandia Blasco
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Mirage Rug by Gandia Blasco Design by Patricia Urquiola Dimensions: W 200 x H 310 cm. Materials: Fiber composition: 100% wool. Weight: 18,4 kg Passion for life outdoors, a dr...
Wool
$4,521 / item
Grey Bamboo Carpet by Massimo Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
GrecCarpet by Massimo Copenhagen. Handwoven Materials: 100% bamboo. Dimensions: W 300 x H 400 cm. Available colors: light grey, grey, stiffkey b...
Bamboo
$40,328 / item
Fcuk 400 Rug by Illulian
Located in Geneve, CH
FCUK 400 rug by Illulian Dimensions: D 400 x H 300 cm Materials: Wool 50%, silk 50% Variations available and prices may vary according to materials and sizes. Illulian, histor...
Silk, Wood
$40,328 / item
Madama Butterfly 400 Rug by Illulian
Located in Geneve, CH
MADAMA BUTTERFLY 400 rug by Illulian Dimensions: D400 x H300 cm Materials: Wool 50% , Silk 50% Variations available and prices may vary according to materials and sizes. Please c...
Wool, Silk
$6,320 / item
Brick Nesso Uno Free Rug by Seraina Lareida
Located in Geneve, CH
Brick Nesso Uno free rug by Seraina Lareida Dimensions: W 150 x H 200 cm Materials: 100% New Zeland top-quality wool. Available in sizes Small or Medium. Also available in Sulfur...
Wool
$6,776 / item
Uma Terracotta Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Uma Terracotta Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and viscose. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200...
Other
$2,220 / item
Requem Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Requem Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 200 x L 300 cm. Materials: Wool and cotton. Available in four size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, and 200 x 300 cm. Als...
Wool, Cotton
$20,169 / item
OTTO 200 Rug by Illulian
Located in Geneve, CH
OTTO 200 rug by Illulian Dimensions: D300 x H200 cm Materials: Wool 50%, Silk 50% Variations available and prices may vary according to materials and sizes. Illulian, histori...
Wool, Silk
$2,425 / item
Blue Tetragon Parquet Rug by Gandia Blasco
Located in Geneve, CH
Blue Tetragon Parquet Rug by Gandia Blasco Design by Front Dimensions: W 147 x H 213 cm. Materials: 100% wool. Weight: 3.2 kg Passion for life outdoors, a dream come true on the ed...
Wool
$40,328 / item
REHAB 400 Rug by Illulian
Located in Geneve, CH
REHAB 400 rug by Illulian Dimensions: D400 x H300 cm Materials: Wool 50%, Silk 50% Variations available and prices may vary according to materials and sizes. Illulian, histori...
Wool, Silk
$20,169 / item
Kommando 200 Rug by Illulian
Located in Geneve, CH
KOMMANDO 200 Rug by Illulian Dimensions: D300 x H200 cm Materials: Wool 50%, Silk 50% Variations available and prices may vary according to materials and sizes. Please contact us...
Wool, Silk
$7,755 / item
Lilac Giro Rug by Gandia Blasco
Located in Geneve, CH
Lilac Giro Rug by Gandia Blasco Design by MUT Design Dimensions: W 264 x H 363 cm. Materials: 100% wool. Weight: 34 kg Passion for life outdoors, a dream come true on the edge of a...
Wool
$4,407 / item
Concrete Earth Bamboo Carpet by Massimo Copenhagen
Located in Geneve, CH
Concrete Earth bamboo carpet by Massimo Copenhagen Handwoven Materials: 50% New Zealand Wool, 50% Bamboo Dimensions: W 300 x H 400 cm Available color...
Wool, Bamboo
$6,024 / item
Dahlia Rug by Volver Studios
Located in Geneve, CH
Dahlia Rug by Volver Studios Dimensions: W 250 x L 350 cm. Materials: Wool and bamboo. Available in seven size options: 90 x 240 cm, 140 x 200 cm, 170 x 240 cm, 200 x 300 cm, 250 x ...
Wool, Bamboo