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.
1970 Steel Inox Gottingen Italian Space Age Design Flatware Cutlery 18 pieces
Located in Brescia, IT
Space Age Flatware _ set of 18 pieces prod. Gottingen Italy, 1970 Steel Inox Modernist design Very good condiction, light surface scratches spoon: 20x5x1 cm fork: 20x2.5x1 cm knife...
Steel
Vintage Mono Ring cutlery set by Peter Raacke for Mono, 1960's, space age
Located in BELFORT, FR
Rare vintage and original set of Mono Ring cutlery by Peter Raacke for Mono Germany. It was designed in 1962 and is made of stainless steel and red plastic. It is stamped "Mono Stain...
Steel, Stainless Steel
1970s Space Age Ceramic Tableware Set 'La Boule' by Villeroy & Boch, Germany
By Villeroy & Boch, Helen von Boch
Located in North Miami, FL
1970s Space Age avant-garde colorful ceramic tableware 19 pieces set 'La Boule' designed by Helen von Boch for Villeroy & Boch, Germany By: Helen von Boch, Villeroy & Boch Material:...
Ceramic, Clay, Paint
Rare Space Age Picnic Set ‘Pic Boll’ by Carlo Viglino for Guzzini, 1960s
By Guzzini
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Beautiful space age picnic set ‘Pic Boll’ designed by Carlo Viglino in 1968 and produced by Guzzini, Italy in the 60s and 70s. This lovely 6 person picnic features a plastic sphere ...
Plastic
Space Age Drinking Set Orangeade by Jean Pierre Vitrac, 1970s, Set of 9
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Vintage 'Orangeade' 1970s drinking set designed by Jean Pierre Vitrac in a vibrant orange color. This beautiful set includes six plastic cups and a...
Plastic
1960 Nencioni Moleri Space Age design Zani Steel Flatware _ 75 pieces
By Nencioni & Moleri, Zani
Located in Brescia, IT
Cutlery Set Design Carla Nencioni, Armando Moleri Prod. Zani _ Design Line 1960s 12 Person Service + 3 Serving Flatware 75 Steel Pieces Complete with Original Box Excellent condit...
Steel
Set of 6 Vintage Egg Cups Spiral Chrome Metal Timeless Space Age Design, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Set of 6 Vintage Egg Cups - Spiral made of Chrome Metal Timeless Space Age Design Italy 1970s - Gift Idea Retro, Elegant Table Decoration This stylish set of 6 vintage egg cups from...
Chrome
Italian white & orange 1970s ceramic tableware containers, set of 3
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Sculptural table set in painted white ceramic. The set consists of a bottle holder, a napkin holder and a plate container. Ideal for serving an aperitif or a snack in vintage style. ...
Ceramic
1970s Space Age Rotating Bottle Holder in White Plastic Made in Holland
By Kartell
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This Space Age rotating bottle holder is a playful and sculptural piece of Dutch design, made in Holland in the 1970s. With its bold circular geometry and smooth rotating base, it ex...
Plastic
Cutlery by Helmut Alder for Amboss Model 2070
Located in Vienna, AT
Cutlery, model 2070, designed by Helmut Alder, produced by "Amboss Neuzeughammer Steyr" Austria in the 1960s. High quality stainless steel cutlery. For six people, consists of six l...
Stainless Steel
Space age red Ice Bucket, Guzzini Italy, ca. 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Firenze, IT
Space age red plastic Ice Bucket Guzzini Italy, 1970s Manufacture's logo H 18.5 × 17.5 cm diam. Conditions: excellent consistent with age and use.
Plastic
$2,186 / set
H 0.2 in W 7.88 in D 1.97 in
Gio Ponti Silver Cutlery Set for Twelve by Krupp Italy 1950s
Located in Cascina, Pisa
Cutlery silver set for twelve in nickel silver or German silver, this set includes a total of 36 pieces; 12 spoons, 12 forks, and 12 knives with a steel blade. Set designed by Gio ...
Nickel, Stainless Steel
$1,100 / set
H 1 in W 1 in D 1 in
Set for 8 EKCO Eterna "Canoe Muffin" Mid-Century Danish Modern Flatware - 1960s
By EKCO
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic Danish influenced Mid-Century sleek modernist designed stainless flatware / silverware set & serving pieces designed and sold by EKCO Products International and produced in Japan, circa 1960s. This set is from the EKCO Eterna...
Stainless Steel
Ausrian Flatware, Cutlery Set by Berndorf
By Berndorfer Metallwarenfabrik
Located in Vienna, AT
Austrian high-quality flatware silver plated by Berndorf, former Krupp company from the 1960s. The cutlery has a handle with a very interesting geometric decor. Used but in excellent...
Silver, Steel
$2,003 / set
H 9.85 in W 1.58 in D 0.79 in
Cutlery Set by Helmut Alder for Amboss Model 2070, 32 Pieces, 1960s
By Amboss Austria, Helmut Alder
Located in Vienna, AT
This cutlery (model 2070) consist of 32 pieces. Designed by Helmut Alder, produced by "Amboss Neuzeughammer Steyr" Austria in the 1960s. High quality stainless steel cutlery. He...
Stainless Steel
Space Age. Ceramic ashtrays set by Scheurich, Germany, 1970s
By Aldo Londi, Bitossi, Scheurich Keramik, Richard Manz
Located in SANT ADRIÀ DE BESÒS, ES
Sapce Age and Brutalist style ceramic ashtrays set in the style of Scheurich's creations, Germany, 1970s. Set of 6 handmade ceramic ashtrays with a vitrified finish in different colo...
Ceramic
$1,620 / set
H 12 in W 18 in D 18 in
Brahms by Oneida Stainless Steel Flatware Set for 12 Service 68 pieces
By Oneida
Located in Big Bend, WI
Brahms by Oneida estate Stainless Steel Flatware set, 68 pieces. This set includes: 12 Dinner Knives, 9 1/4" 12 Forks, 7 1/2" 12 Salad Forks, 7" 12 Teaspoons, 6" 12 Place Soup Spoon...
Stainless Steel
Vintage Cutlery Set, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage cutlery set was realized in the mid-20th century. This silver plate vintage set is made up of 61 cutleries (forks, knifes, spoons) reali...
Silver Plate
$3,461
H 11.03 in Dm 11.03 in
Villeroy & Boch Helen Von Boch, Ball/Die Kuge, Dinner Service (19 pieces), 1970s
By Villeroy & Boch, Helen von Boch
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb mid century modern design ball service by Helen Von Boch for the 1971 Avant Garde collection of Villeroy & Boch in Germany. Composed of 19 separate pieces. Very good conditio...
Ceramic
Lauffer Palisander Rosewood and Stainless Steel Flatware 57 Pieces
By Lauffer
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid century modern Scandinavian design rosewood and stainless steel flatware set by Lauffer, made in Japan, circa 1960s. The 57 piece set contains 8 teaspoons, 10 tablespoons, 12 sal...
Stainless Steel
$4,615
H 0.4 in W 0.4 in D 0.4 in
Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Cypres by Tias Eckhoff Cutlery Set for 8 Persons
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Georg Jensen silver Denmark Cypres cutlery set for 8 persons in sterling silver designed by Tias Eckhoff in 1952. The set includes: 8 dining knives, length 22.3 cm 8 dining fork...
Sterling Silver
Sold
H 11.03 in W 7.88 in D 11.42 in
Rare Kartell Vintage Bottle Holder in Orange Plastic Made in Italy, 1960s
By Kartell
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Introducing an extraordinary vintage decorative object: the Kartell Mod 1/8760 bottle holder from the late 60s to 70s. This rare piece of Italian design, crafted from polished orange...
Plastic
Sold
H 10.63 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in
Rare Space Age Picnic Set ‘Pic Boll’ by Carlo Viglino for Guzzini, 1960s
By Guzzini
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Beautiful space age picnic set ‘Pic Boll’ designed by Carlo Viglino in 1968 and produced by Guzzini, Italy in the 60s and 70s. This lovely 6 person picnic features a plastic sphere ...
Plastic
Sold
H 6.3 in Dm 2.76 in
Servizio da 6 Bicchieri - 18 pz tot - di Giotto Stoppino per Vursa - Italia '70
Located in Milano, IT
Originale servizio di bicchieri da sei persone suddiviso in: 6 bicchieri da acqua, 6 bicchieri da vino bianco, 6 bicchieri da vino rosso, per un totale di 18 pezzi. Disegnati da Giot...
Crystal
Black Ceramic Tableware Set Makio Hasuike Collection Arnolfo Di Cambio, 1970s
By Ravelli
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Iconic and rare 70s tableware in black ceramic designed by Makio Hasuike for Arnolfo Di Cambio. This amazing set was produced by Ceramiche Ravelli Laveno, with unsurpassed manufacturing quality. The design and color spark the distinctive elegance and originality of Space Age era. This unfindable set is complete and consists of 6 dinner plates, 6 soup plates, 6 dessert plates, 1 salad bowl, 1 serving dish, 1 sauce dish...
Ceramic
Massimo Vignelli Stackable Tableware for Heller, 1964
Located in Las Vegas, NV
33 Piece stackable dinnerware setup by Massimo Vignelli for Heller, 1964 in a vibrant, and rare, purple plastic. Impeccable space saving design gives th...
Plastic
1960s Set of a Jug with Six Cups by Aldo Londi for Bitossi
Located in Milan, IT
1960s set of a jug with six cups by Aldo Londi for Bitossi (Blue Collection) in ceramic. Made in Italy The items are in excellent condition
Ceramic
Sold
H 9.5 in W 1 in D 1 in
60 Pc Space Age Galaxy Pattern Stainless Steel Flatware Set by Cambridge for 12
By Gio Ponti
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Offered here for your consideration is a far-out set of flatware by Cambridge in stainless steel. This pattern called 'Galaxy' appears to have been short-lived. We can find ve...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 10.24 in Dm 2.37 in
Sky Rocket Ship Pepper Mill Wood and Brass, Made in Italy, Space Age, 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Peppermill in wood and brass details, Space Age style, in the shape of a skyrocket. Made in Italy, circa 1970.
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 6 in W 1 in D 1 in
Space Age Sera Set 6 Italian Coffee/Espresso Spoons Designed by Makio Hasuike
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design of these beautiful set of 6 coffee espresso spoons, circa 1970s plastic handle with polished chrome, designed by Makio Hasuike for Nescafe...
Chrome
Sold
H 7.75 in W 0.88 in D 0.38 in
Sergio Asti Red Lauffer Boca Flatware 5-Piece Set Italian Space Age Mid-Century
By Gio Ponti, Sergio Asti
Located in Hyattsville, MD
12 sets are available. One set includes; Dinner fork (7 in.,) Dessert/Salad fork (6 in.,) Soup/Table spoon (each measures (7 in.,) Teaspoon (6 in.,) and Dinner knife (7.75 in.) W...
Stainless Steel
Heller Ice Bucket by Sergio Asti
By Sergio Asti, Heller
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Space age, Op to pop plastic ice bucket with liner by Sergio Asti for Heller. Great the that 1960s bar set up.
Plastic
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 10.24 in
Gio Ponti Tableware Complete Set White Blue Orange Ceramica Italiana Pozzi, 1967
By Gio Ponti
Located in Arosio, IT
Complete tableware set original 1967 by Gio Ponti. He designed this series for the Italian ceramic manufacturer Franco Pozzi. A mentor and friend of Luigi Sormani, owner of the Sorma...
Ceramic