Skip to main content

Memphis Milano Seating

Italian

To many people, postmodern design is synonymous with the Memphis Group. This Italian collaborative created the most radical and attention-getting designs of the period, upending most of the accepted standards of how furniture should look. Today, the Memphis Milano brand, which is managed by Alberto Bianchi Albrici, still produces designs created by the group between 1981 and 1988.

The Memphis story begins in 1980, when Ettore Sottsass, then a beacon of Italian postmodernism, tapped a coterie of younger designers to develop a collection for the Milan Furniture Fair the next year, determined that all the new furniture they were then seeing was boring. Their mission: Boldly reject the stark minimalism of the 1970s and shatter the rules of form and function. (Sottsass’s Ultrafragola mirror, designed in 1970, embodied many of what would become the collective’s postmodern ideals.)

The group decided to design, produce and market their own collection, one that wouldn’t be restricted by concerns like functionality and so-called good taste. Its debut, at Milan’s 1981 Salone del Mobile, drew thousands of viewers and caused a major stir in design circles.

So as a record of Bob Dylan’s “Stuck Inside of Mobile” played on repeat, they took their name from the song, devised their marketing strategy and plotted the postmodern look that would come to define the decade of excess — primary colors, blown-up proportions, playful nods to Art Deco and Pop art. A high-low mix of materials also helped define Memphis, as evidenced by Javier Mariscal’s pastel serving trays, which feature laminate veneer — a material previously used only in kitchens — as well as Shiro Kuramata’s Nara and Kyoto tables made from colored glass-infused terrazzo.

An image of Sottsass posing with his collaborators in a conversation pit shaped like a boxing ring appeared in magazines all over the world, and Karl Lagerfield furnished his Monte Carlo penthouse entirely in Memphis furniture. Meanwhile, members like Andrea Branzi, Aldo Cibic, Michele de Lucchi, Nathalie du Pasquier, Kuramata, Paola Navone, Peter Shire, George Sowden, Sottsass and his wife, journalist Barbara Radice, went on to enjoy fruitful careers.

Some people think of the Milan-based collective as the design equivalent to Patrick Nagel’s kitschy screenprints, but for others Memphis represents what made the early 1980s so great: freedom of expression, dizzying patterns and off-the-wall colors.

Eventually, the Reagan era gave way to cool 1990s minimalism, and Memphis fell out of fashion. Sottsass left the group in 1985, and by 1987, it had disbanded. Yet decades later, Memphis is back and can be traced to today’s most exciting designers.

“As someone who was born in the 1980s, Memphis at times feels like the grown-up, artsy version of the toys I used to play with,” says Shaun Kasperbauer, cofounder of the Brooklyn studio Souda. “It feels a little nostalgic, but at the same time it seems like an aesthetic that’s perfectly suited to an internet age — loud, colorful and utilizing forms that are graphic and often a little unexpected.”

Find a collection of Memphis Milano seating, tables, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.

8
7
to
12
3
15
9
10
5
8
7
8
6
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
14
8
8
9
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
7
8
7
4
3
2
10
10
197
1,326
1,158
1,154
1,053
Creator: Memphis Milano
Lido Sofa by Michele De Lucchi For Memphis Milano, 1982.
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Kansas City, MO
"Lido" sofa / loveseat / settee designed by Michele De Lucchi For Memphis Milano, 1982. This early example retains the original fabric and finish in very good condition. An icon of...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Memphis Milano – First Chair – Michele De Lucchi – 1983
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
Located in NIEUWKUIJK, NB
Striking and bold, this chair designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1983 for Memphis will be a superb addition to a contemporary dining room, study, or entryway when used as a unique acce...
Category

1980s Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Bel Air Armchair by Peter Shire, Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Peter Shire
Located in Milano, MI
La poltrona Bel Air di Peter Shire, prodotta da Memphis Milano è un pezzo di design unico che rappresenta l'audacia e l'originalità del movimento Memphis. Questo esemplare è stato p...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Memphis Milano, First Chair, Set of 4, Michele De Lucchi, 1983
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
Located in NIEUWKUIJK, NB
Striking and bold, this chair designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1983 for Memphis will be a superb addition to a contemporary dining room, study, or entryway when used as a unique acce...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Wood

First Wood and Metal Chair, by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The First chair in enameled wood and metal, was originally designed in 1983 by Michele De Lucchi. Michele De Lucchi was born in 1951 in Ferrara and graduated in architecture in Florence. During the period of radical and experimental architecture he was a prominent figure in movements like Cavart, Alchymia and Memphis. His architectural designs have been mainly for office buildings in Japan, in Germany, in Switzerland and in Italy. He has taken care of numerous art and design exhibitions and has planned buildings for museums as Triennale di Milano, Palazzo delle Esposizioni di Roma and Neues Museum...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Italian modern Green wood black metal chair Kim by De Lucchi for Memphis, 1980s
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern Green wood and black metal Chair mod. Kim by Michele De Lucchi for Memphis, 1980s Fantastic chair mod. Kim with the seat and the back in bright green painted wood. The...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Big Sur Wooden Couch, by Peter Shire for Memphis Milano Collection
By Peter Shire, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Big Sur couch is made out of 100% wool, and the structure is in lacquered wood. The couch was originally designed in 1986 by Peter Shire for Memphis M...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Wool, Wood

Palace Wood Chair, by George Sowden for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, George Sowden, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Palace chair in colored lacquered wood, designed in 1983, by George Sowden. George Sowden was born in Leeds, UK in 1942. He studied architecture at Glou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Wood

Riviera Chair in Plastic Laminate Memphis Milano Collection
By Michele de Lucchi, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Riviera chair in plastic laminate with cushions covered for Memphis Milano collection Additional Information: Chair in plastic laminate with cushions...
Category

2010s Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Plastic

Lucrezia Armchair by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano
By Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An aluminum arm chair designed by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano in 1984 and upholstered in Letraset, a cotton fabric designed by Ettore Sottsass. Signed on underside of the sea...
Category

Late 20th Century Post-Modern Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Palace Chair by George Sowden for Memphis, Milano, Blue, Green, Yellow, Black
By Memphis Milano, George Sowden
Located in Kansas City, MO
George Sowden for Memphis "Palace Chair", 1983. Multicolor form with arms. Completely original with very few signs of use.
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Wood

Paris Chair in Veneer and Metal by Martine Bedin for Memphis Milano Collection
By Martine Bedin, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Paris chair in veneer and metal by Martine Bedin for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Chair in reconstituted veneer and metal. Collection: Memphis Milano Desig...
Category

2010s Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Roma Green Armchair, by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Group, Marco Zanini, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Roma Green Armchair in fiberglass with iridescent finish, designed by Marco Zanini in 1985. Marco Zanini was born in Trento in 1954. He graduated in architecture at the University o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Dublin Couch by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano Collection
By Marco Zanini, Memphis Milano
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Dublin couch in plastic, metal and fabric by Marco Zanini for Memphis Milano collection Additional information: Couch in plastic laminate, metal and no...
Category

2010s Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Plastic

Kim Chair by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis-Milano, 1980s
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Renens, CH
The Kim chair was designed by the Italian architect Michele de Lucchi in 1987: De Lucchi was one of the co-founders of the Postmodern design group Memphis, headed by Ettore Sottsass....
Category

1990s Italian Post-Modern Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Steel

Related Items
First Chair by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis
By Memphis Group, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Vienna, AT
Iconic "First Chair" designed by Michelle de Lucchi for Memphis Milano 1983 in good condition, some scratches to the seat.
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of Four Tripod Memphis Dining Chairs in the Manner of Michele de Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful set of four steel and wood dining chairs from the Memphis period in the manner of Italian designer Michele De Lucchi. Newly powder coated satin black and the seat and bac...
Category

1980s Italian Memphis Group Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Steel

"First" Chair by Michele De Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Michele de Lucchi was one of the cofounders of the Milano Design Group Memphis, which emerged at the end of 1980 around the central figure of Ettore Sottsass. The group’s very first...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

"First" Chair by Michele De Lucchi
"First" Chair by Michele De Lucchi
H 35 in W 24 in D 20 in
Pair of 1980s Memphis Milano Style Wood and Metal Kids' Chairs
By Memphis Milano
Located in San Gabriel, CA
1980s Memphis Milano style wood and red metal chairs for small children aged 2-4. Both have a significant amount of paint and wear to wood. Two availa...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Bel Air Armchair by Peter Shire
By Peter Shire
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bel Air armchair, designed in 1982 for the second historic Memphis exhibition, is by radical Southern California iconoclast Peter Shire. With its "beachball"-like corner sculptur...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Wool

Bel Air Armchair by Peter Shire
Bel Air Armchair by Peter Shire
H 50 in W 46 in D 44 in
5 Postmodern Memphis Milano Style Chairs from the 1980s
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
5 Memphis Milano style chairs, newly upholstered with a beautiful blue-green color fabric. Black coated metal frame and wooden back.
Category

1980s European Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of Six Memphis Tripod Dining Chairs in the Manner of Michele De Lucchi
By Michele de Lucchi
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A set of six Memphis dining chairs in the manner of Michele de Lucchi. The steel frame is powder coated black and the seat and back are white pick...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Steel

Big Sur Wooden Couch, by Peter Shire for Memphis Milano Collection
By Peter Shire, Memphis Milano, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
The Big Sur couch is made out of 100% wool, and the structure is in lacquered wood. The couch was originally designed in 1986 by Peter Shire for Memphis M...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Wool, Wood

Palace Wood Chair, by George Sowden for Memphis Milano Collection
By Memphis Milano, George Sowden, Memphis Group
Located in La Morra, Cuneo
Palace chair in colored lacquered wood, designed in 1983, by George Sowden. George Sowden was born in Leeds, UK in 1942. He studied architecture at Glou...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Wood

8 Memphis Postmodern Dining Chairs Manner of Michele De Lucci, Italy, 1980s
By Memphis Group
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
8 Memphis Postmodern dining chairs manner of Michele De Lucci, Italy, 1980s. Fiberglass seat. Metal frame. Solid and stabile. Perfect condition,...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Progetti Tecno Modern Pair of Italian Chairs, 1980s
Located in Ibiza, Spain
Modern pair chairs series 148_S designed by Progetti Tecno, inspired by the S142 by Eugenio Gerli. Made of solid wood, reupholstered in bouclé Centro...
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Bouclé

Original Maurizio Peregalli 1988 Chair, Noto Zeus Milano Modern Art Piece
By Woka Lamps, Maurizio Peregalli
Located in Vienna, AT
Design: Maurizio Peregalli, Noto Zeus, Milano, 1988. Square steel tube, powder-coated, seating- and backrest surface formed Polyurethan.  
Category

1980s Italian Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Iron

Previously Available Items
Memphis Milano, First Chair, Michele de Lucchi, 1983
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in NIEUWKUIJK, NB
Striking and bold, this chair designed by Michele De Lucchi in 1983 for Memphis will be a superb addition to a contemporary dining room, study, or entryway when used as a unique accent piece. The sophisticated design evokes planetary orbits...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Limited Edition Memphis Milano Century Sofa by Andrea Branzi, 1982
By Andrea Branzi, Memphis Milano
Located in Benalmadena, ES
Spectacular extremely exclusive Memphis sofa. Designed by Andrea Branzi, it is a limited edition made of wood and metal, with elegant lines with striking...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Set of Four 'First' Chairs by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis 1980's Milan, Italy
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Set of Four 'First' chairs by Michele de Lucchi for Memphis 1980's Milan, Italy Hard-to-find set of the dynamic, iconic design. Lacquered wood seats and moveable backrests mounted o...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal

Mythical Michele De Lucchi "The First Chair"
By Memphis Milano, Michele de Lucchi
Located in Malibu, US
In its fifty-five years of existence, the Salone Del Mobile in Milan has had some outstanding editions. Among the unforgettable years, let's mention 1981, the moment chosen by Ettore Sottsass and his friends to organize the first exhibition of the Memphis group. Or the birth of a movement that changed Italian design forever... Among the designers present from the start, Michele De Lucchi presented a chair that has become mythical, the First Chair...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Marco Zanini 'Roma' Fiberglass Throne Chair for Memphis Milano, Italy, c. 1986
By Memphis Milano, Marco Zanini
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This conversation starter and Post-Modern collectors dream piece is the 'Roma' chair by Marco Zanini, designed in 1986 for Memphis Milano, Italy. Constructed of fiberglass, we fully ...
Category

1980s Italian Post-Modern Vintage Memphis Milano Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Memphis Milano seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Memphis Milano seating are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Memphis Milano seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. We have 8 vintage editions of these items in-stock, while there is 7 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of the original seating by Memphis Milano were created in the modern style in italy during the late 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Memphis Group, Anna Castelli Ferrieri, and Andrea Branzi. Prices for Memphis Milano seating can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,095 and can go as high as $16,291, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,104.

Recently Viewed

View All