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Mid-20th Century European Space Age Table Lamps
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A Close Look at Space-age Furniture
Vintage Space Age furniture captured post–World War II optimism with swooping shapes, bowed lines and experimentation with new materials including plastic and fiberglass.
From the launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite in 1957 to the landing of Apollo 11 astronauts on the moon in 1969, the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States propelled advancements in technology that transformed culture. Space Age design encompassed fashion, architecture, cars, furniture and objects for the home, bringing wonder and hope for the future into everyday life.
Coinciding with Pop art, Space Age style featured bold colors and forms. Eero Aarnio’s Ball chair, which debuted in 1966, used molded fiberglass for a capsule-like space while Verner Panton’s 1959 Panton chair was a single piece of molded plastic for a gravity-defying S shape. Red versions of Olivier Mourgue’s 1964 Djinn chair were futuristic enough to appear on the space station in Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey. Today, Joe Colombo is revered as a master of modern Italian design thanks to the provocative modular furniture pieces he created, such as the Tube chair and the Elda armchair, both of which embody the future-forward spirit of the Space Age.
The Space Age spirit extended to home building too. The futuristic Case Study Houses, which were designed by the likes of Pierre Koenig, Charles and Ray Eames, Richard Neutra and Whitney R. Smith, are considered a high point of modernism and the Southern California lifestyle.
Sometimes the nods to space exploration were more literal, like moon and star motifs or the 1965 Eclisse lamp by Vico Magistretti that saw the mid-century Italian designer integrating a movable inner shade to “eclipse” the light source. Alongside the pioneering moon missions, JVC manufactured the Videosphere portable television reminiscent of the Apollo 11 space helmets.
Although the style faded in the 1970s — with the 1975 joining of the Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts signaling a new era of cooperation and the global oil crisis impacting the availability of plastics — the era’s innovations influenced designers into the 21st century such as Zaha Hadid and Djivan Schapira.
Find a collection of vintage Space Age seating, tables, lighting and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Decorative-lighting-lamps for You
A wide range of antique and vintage lighting can be found on 1stDibs — shop Tiffany Studios table lamps, modern chandeliers, understated wall pendants and other decorative lighting and fixtures now.
While we’re indebted to thinkers like Thomas Edison for critically important advancements in lighting and electricity, we’re still finding new ways to customize illumination to fit our personal spaces all these years later.
Today, lighting designers like the self-taught Bec Brittain have used the flexible structure of LEDs to craft glamorous solutions by working with what is typically considered a harsh lighting source. By integrating glass and mirrors, reflection can be used to soften the glow from LEDs and warmly welcome light into any space.
Although contemporary innovators continue to impress, some of the classics can’t be beat.
Just as gazing at the stars allows you to glimpse the universe’s past, vintage chandeliers like those designed by Gino Sarfatti and J. & L. Lobmeyr, for example, put on a similarly stunning show, each with a rich story to tell.
As dazzling as it is, the Arco lamp, on the other hand, prioritizes functionality — it’s wholly mobile, no drilling required. Designed in 1962 by architect-product designers Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, the piece takes the traditional form of a streetlamp and creates an elegant, arching floor fixture for at-home use.
There is no shortage of modernist lighting similarly prized by collectors and casual enthusiasts alike — there are Art Deco table lamps created in a universally appreciated style, the Tripod floor lamp by T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Greta Magnusson Grossman's sleek and minimalist Grasshopper lamps and, of course, the wealth of mid-century experimental lighting that emerged from Italian artisans at Arredoluce, FLOS and many more are hallmarks in illumination innovation.
With decades of design evolution behind it, home lighting is no longer just practical. Crystalline shaping by designers like Gabriel Scott turns every lighting apparatus into a luxury accessory. A new installation doesn’t merely showcase a space; carefully chosen ceiling lights, table lamps and floor lamps can create a mood, spotlight a favorite piece or highlight your unique personality.
The sparkle that your space has been missing is waiting for you amid the growing collection of antique, vintage and contemporary lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
- Were there watches in the 1960s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Yes, there were watches in the 1960s. The first recorded wristwatch dates back to 1868, when Patek Philippe, a watchmaker founded in Geneva in 1839 by Polish expats Antoni Patek and Franciszek Czapek, designed a timepiece for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary. Shop a collection of vintage watches from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- What is a caftan from the 1960s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023A caftan from the 1960s or any other era refers to a long ankle-length variation on a robe or a tunic. Caftans, which are sometimes referred to as kaftans, feature full sleeves and usually have a deep, open neck. While these garments can be made from any fabric, most caftans are made of wool, silk or cotton. Find a selection of caftans from top fashion boutiques around the world on 1stDibs.
- What was worn in the 1960s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Fashion in the 1960s progressed toward a more casual look for men and for women during the decade. For women, the skirt suits of the 1950s prevailed during the early ‘60s and eventually miniskirts came along. Late-1960s fashion included ponchos, peace signs, chain belts, puffed “bubble” sleeves, frayed bell-bottom jeans for men and women, tie-dyed shirts, work shirts, sandals, headbands and moccasins.
- What did men wear in the 1960s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 26, 2024What men wore in the 1960s varied over the course of the decade. At the start of the ’60s, when the Mod style was all the rage, men often sported boxy Italian-style suits with tight-fitting trousers for work and dressier occasions and polo shirts and turtlenecks paired with fitted trousers for casual dress. As the decade progressed, the Peacock Revolution occurred, with menswear becoming flashier with bright colors and bold prints. Fedoras and trilby hats were common in the early ’60s, but by the start of the 1970s, hats for men were much less common, marking a major departure from the style conventions of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. Explore an assortment of 1960s men's apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024The dresses they wore in the 1960s varied depending on the time of day and the occasion. For everyday wear, many women opted for simply tailored frocks called shift dresses. They often featured bold geometric prints in eye-catching colors. In the evening, women tended to opt for gowns with plunging necklines, fitted waists and flowing full skirts. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of vintage dresses from the 1960s.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023Furniture from the 1960s is often called mid-century modern. This style emphasizes the importance of good design that looks attractive and performs its function well. Notable mid-century modern designers include Eero Saarinen, George Nelson, Florence Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of mid-century modern furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To tell if a dress is from the 1960s or 1970s, first look for a label. You may be able to determine the approximate date of the dress simply by researching the designer using reputable online sources. Also, check the zippers. Dresses from the 1960s will usually have metal or nylon zippers. Ones from the 1970s are more likely to be plastic. You'll find a large selection of vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Go-go boots were fashionable in the late 1960s through the 1970s. A calf-length to knee-length boot became synonymous with 1960s and 1970s fashion and is still highly coveted today by fashion enthusiasts. Shop a wide range of vintage go-go boots on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 21, 2024Who the most famous fashion designer of the 1960s was is open to debate. Many designers helped define the looks of the decade, each influencing style in their own way. Among these notable designers were Mary Quant, André Courrèges, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint Laurent, Bonnie Cashin, Hubert de Givenchy, Emilio Pucci, Paco Rabanne and Ossie Clark. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of vintage apparel and accessories from the 1960s.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024Generally, 1960s-style furniture is called mid-century modern. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living. Some of the most notable furniture designers of the time include Charles and Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen and Hans J. Wegner. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of mid-century modern furniture.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024What the dress style was called in the 1960s varied, as there were several types of dresses that were fashionable during the decade. At the start of the 1960s, many women wore swing dresses featuring fitted bodices and full skirts. Collared, button-up belted dresses called shirtwaist dresses were also popular, as were loose-fitting, flowy shift dresses. By the late 1960s, new styles emerged, such as flared, flowing tent dresses, sleeveless jumpers usually styled over sweaters and blouses and drop-waist dresses, which had their waist seams at the hips rather than the natural waist. Find a variety of 1960s dresses and other vintage dresses on 1stDibs.
- Which artist became famous for his series of black paintings in the late 1950s and early 1960s?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025Frank Stella is the artist who became famous for his series of black paintings in the late 1950s and early 1960s. These works featured bands of black paint separated by thin, precise stripes of bare canvas. At a time when contemporary painting was all about wild gestures, thick paint and formal abandon, the “Black Paintings” created a sensation. Explore a range of Frank Stella art on 1stDibs.