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.
Vintage Boho Original Limited Edition Michael Kahn Canoe Photo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Immerse yourself in the tranquil beauty of this vintage, limited edition photograph by renowned artist Michael Kahn, titled "Connie." This exquisite piece captures a serene canoe on ...
Brass
Nasa, Mission Gemini Charles Conrad & Gordon Cooper , 1965 lot de 5 photographie
NASA Mission GEMINI XI Richard "Dick" Gordon, 20th Century, Photograph
By Nasa
Located in London, England
Gemini 11 Photo original tamponnée au dos World Book Encyclopedia Science Service,inc 516 Travis Street Houston Texas Gemini 11 (officiellement Gemini XI) est la 9e mission habitée ...
Paper
Black & White Photography Limited Edition Portrait of a
Located in Weesp, NL
Limited Edition #01/10 Black & White portrait of a road house Chef in Nikko, October 2022 by Taco Joustra. This portrait is part of a series titled "Faces of Japan". The museum quality fine art B&W print measures Height : 20.866 x Width : 15.994 inches. This includes the 0.787 inch white border The photograph will be signed and numbered . Japanese cuisine, also known as washoku, is characterized by its emphasis on seasonality, simplicity, and balance of flavors. It also places a strong emphasis on the appearance of dishes, with a focus on presentation. Sushi, ramen, and tempura are some of the most well-known Japanese dishes...
Paper
$18,160
H 21.66 in W 21.66 in D 0.6 in
Peter Hujar, "Diane B. in Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Monkey Dress", 1987
By Peter Hujar
Located in Catonvielle, FR
Peter Hujar (1934-1987), original bromoil silver print titled "Diane B. in Jean-Charles de Castelbajac Monkey Dress", dated 1984, printed in 1987. Signed and...
Paper
$1,942 / set
H 3.15 in W 5.12 in D 0.12 in
Early 20th Century Police Booking Photographs Portraits Mug Shots Criminals
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A collection of 27 police booking photographs, male and female detainees in typical profile and straight-on poses, some with contemporary manuscript name and dates. The majority cap...
Paper
$280Sale Price|20% Off
H 11 in W 14 in D 0.5 in
Vintage 1950s Male Original Nude Photo of Brothers Playing Records
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A rare original b & w photograph of 2 brothers listening to records on the floor nude. Many decades ago we saw a second image from this series and it was listed as the models were brothers. Listening to Les Baxter and Dinah Washington albums! Mid 1950s. I believe the photo to be an “Athletic Model Guild” photo, a competitor of the equally famous, Bruce Bellas aka Bruce of Los Angeles. The 8x10 photograph has a 11x14 white acid free matt. Ready for framing. If you would like this framed for a gift, we can frame it in a simple black frame for $100. Without a frame, it is easy to be shipped UPS. Makes a great gift for collectors of Male Nude and Beefcake Physique photography. These high quality originals are very difficult to come by. They are NOT computer generated...
Paper
$2,000
H 13 in W 10 in D 0.5 in
Ensembles Mobiliers, Charles Moreau Editor Deco Book, 1930s-1940s, France
Located in New York, NY
Large incredible book in very good condition documenting and referencing incredible dining sets, bedroom sets and living room sets and furniture pieces from masters such as Royere, A...
Paper
$569
H 19.3 in W 13.39 in D 0.2 in
Original Photo Limited to Photography by Helmut Newton Printed in 2002
Located in Sofia, BG
Here we present a large photo, limited to original Photography by Helmut Newton (1920-2004) that was printed in 2002.
Paper
$195
H 10.5 in W 16 in D 0.18 in
Original Vintage Photo; The Lake Tahoe Area "Early Tennis Image" Circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage "Lake Tahoe Area Photograph", circa 1920, of a large group of people, (mostly women) practicing their tennis on what is likely being promoted as a brand new cement tennis court at a Lake Tahoe resort, with the line "Do you ever indulge in this sport" written in script at the bottom of the photograph. In addition to the lady's formal tennis attire of the day, what is of particular interest are the very fancy luxury touring cars off to the side; obviously "summer tennis camp for wealthy adults". Just another lovely day at Lake Tahoe. This is a wonderful image for those who collect Tahoe area images; in addition to those who are tennis and sports collecting...
Paper
$750
H 19.3 in W 13.39 in D 0.2 in
Original Photo Limited to Photography by Helmut Newton Printed in 2002
Located in Sofia, BG
Here we present a large photo, limited to original Photography by Helmut Newton (1920-2004) that was printed in 2002.
Paper
Stunning Original Roger Moore Signature & Photo
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A rare signature & photograph of Roger Moore, the longest standing 007 Agent for MI6. He played James Bond in seven films: “Live and Let Die” (1973), “The Man with the Golden Gun” (1...
Paper
Pictorialist Photograph Nude Wood Nymph by Charles Cook Circa 1910
Located in Rochester, NY
Pictorialist photograph of nude woman in a forest interior by Charles Cook. Silver print. Circa 1910. Charles J. Cook was a painter and pho...
Paper
Modernist Nude Woman Photogravure Early 20th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
Modernist nude photogravure. Circa 1910. Nicely framed and matted. Silver leaf frame.
Paper
Original Press Photo of Otto Kahn's "Ohetka II"
Located in Norwell, MA
Original 1929 black and white press photograph of Otto Kahn's "Oheka II". Otto Hermann Kahn (1867-1934) was a German investment banker who built "Oheka Castl...