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.
Set of 5 SPACE-AGE Concrete BOOKCASES by WILLY GUHL for ETERNIT, Swiss 1970
By Willy Guhl
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 5 (on a total of 20 identical pieces!!!) modular concrete bookcases, Modernist, Free Form, Brutalist, rectangular loop cases with rounded edges, with a great grey patina wit...
Concrete
Post Modern Space Age Plastic Shelves by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell c. 1970's
By Olaf von Bohr, Kartell
Located in New York, NY
Space Age, Postmodern plastic shelf unit, designed by Olaf Von Bohr for Kartell, made in Italy circa 1970's. This example is in very good, original, clean and ready to use condition,...
Plastic
DF2000 trolley bar cabinet by Raymond Loewy for the Doubinsky Frères 1968
By Raymond Loewy, Doubinsky Freres
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
After a brief but promising career as a fashion illustrator, French- American designer Raymond Loewy dedicated his talent to the field of graphic and industrial design. Loewy’s creat...
Metal
Iconic Michel Dumas Plexiglas Bookcase – 1970s French Space Age Design
By Michel Dumas
Located in Oirlo, LI
This striking bookcase by Michel Dumas is a powerful expression of 1970s French space-age design. Crafted from high-quality Plexiglas, the piece showcases Dumas’s mastery of trans...
Plexiglass
Chrome Plated & Black Metal Vintage USM Wall Cabinet by Fritz Haller, 1980s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Small three-module cabinet in black metal with a chrome frame. Adjustable plastic feet. The upper compartment features a drop-down door. The middle and lower compartments feature two...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Libreria Modulare in Legno Laccato - Carlo De Carli per Fiarm - Italia - Anni 70
Located in Milano, IT
La libreria in foto, attribuita a Carlo De Carli, prodotta da Fiarm negli anni '70 del XX secolo, è composta da due corpi distinti ma offre la possibilità di unirli in un unico eleme...
Bentwood
Blue Plastic Table Desk "Orix Blu" by Parigi and Prina for Molteni, Italy 1970s
By Vittorio Parigi and Nani Prina, Molteni & C
Located in Argelato, BO
Questa scrivania è il modello "Orix" prodotto da Molteni & C negli anni '70, progettato dai designer italiani Vittorio Parigi e Nani Prina. Si tratta di un pezzo iconico del design ...
Metal
Peter Marino ex -Barney's Display Pair Side Tables
By Peter Marino
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of custom display stands ex-Barney's New York designed by starchitect Peter Marino meticulously constructed with mirror-polished stainless steel and clear glass plate. Very heav...
Stainless Steel
Orange Coral steel freestanding Congress Bookcase by Lips Vago, 1968
By Lips Vago
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Congress model bookcase produced by Lips Vago since the 60s in painted steel. The bookcase is completely dismantled and its shelves adjustable in height. This is one of the best book...
Steel
Raymond Loewy double sided Sideboard DF 2000 Doubinsky Frères 1965 France Space
By Raymond Loewy, Doubinsky Freres
Located in Munster, NRW
Raymond Loewy - Double Sided Sideboard DF 2000 - 1965 by Doubinsky Frères, France Each side of the board has 4 doors, each with a color gradation. With organically shaped handles in...
Plastic
Mid-Century Modern German Space Age Yellow SoftLine Wall Unit by Otto Zapf 1960s
By Otto Zapf
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern German Space Age SoftLine Series Wall Unit Shelf System by Otto Zapf for In Design Zapf, 1960s Very rare wall unit system from the SoftLine series by In Design/Zap...
Metal
Totem shelve by Valeric Doubroucinskis for Rodier, 1970s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Totem - 1970s - Vintage Measures : 30x44cm H:208cm Material : Fiberglass Knitwear shelves specially manufactured for the Rodier store interiors in the 1970's. Great display for your ...
Fiberglass
70s Uten.Silo by Dorothee Maurer-Becker M-Design production in dark brown
By M Design, Ingo Maurer
Located in München, DE
Original Uten.Silo II. Designed by Dorothee Maurer-Becker. For storage in various rooms. Versatile. A beautiful decorative design classic. Original Design-M Munich production from th...
Plastic
$4,326Sale Price|40% Off
Dry Bar Set by Willy Rizzo in Chrome and lacquered Wood, 1970s
By Sabot, Willy Rizzo
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and extraordinary lacquered wood and metal bar designed by Willy Rizzo for Sabot, 1970s. A sophisticated, elegant, versatile work, which will add a touch of style and glamour t...
Metal
Set of 3 mirrored cabinets, Italy, 1970s
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Set consisting of three elements, 2 square cabinets and one rectangular cabinet. Inside small glass shelves. Three truly distinctive pieces that are still super relevant today. The c...
Steel
Sculptural Diamond Faced Credenza / Sideboard With Leather Top, Italy, c. 1970's
Located in Deland, FL
As rare as it is aesthetically captivating this extraordinary Italian-made credenza is the very epitome of "functional art". Featuring fascinating geometric diamond covered door face...
Wood
1970's Umbo Modular Shelving System By Kay Leroy Ruggles
By Kay Leroy Ruggles, Directional
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1970's Umbo modular shelving system in canary yellow designed by Kay Leroy Ruggles for Directional. In good vintage condition.
Plastic
$4,996Sale Price|38% Off
Space Age White Italy Dresser Vanity Table Lacquer Wood Fibreglass
By MB Italy
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind dressing table, space age style, 70s, with great influence of Art Deco aesthetics. In white lacquered wood, with a black marble effect fiberglass top. Large circular mirror in the upper part and the storage part is divided into two drawers on each side. With lighting in the upper and lower fin shapes. A piece of great sophistication and glamour, very difficult to find. It has a plate with the name of the Italian manufacturer DBM. The period known as the Space Age or Space Age was the post Atomic Age, that is, the late 50's and early 70's. It is part of the “stylings” that reigned in the US during the 20th century. The concept of an optimistic world based on a possible "Earth of Tomorrow" reigned by the dominance of atomic energy and space travel. This "Styling" is inspired by the North American space race, but above all, the aesthetics based on Science Fiction, space satellites, helmets, ships, the effect of weightlessness and a "cinematic" proposal of a new style. of life of the future. Movies like Barbarella 1968, James Bond, Space Odyssey 2001...
Mirror, Fiberglass, Wood, Lacquer
A rare chrome and walnut executive credenza by M.F. Harty for Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in Houston, TX
An incredibly rare executive credenza designed by M.F. Harty for Stow Davis as part of the 1974 “Tomorrow” collection—produced in extremely limited numbers, with only around 30 made....
Walnut
$15,674
Bernard Govin's desk
Located in Saint Ouen, France
This Bernard Govin desk is the only one currently on the market. Its design is as precise as the other pieces by this designer. The workmanship is of the highest quality. Bernard Go...
Stainless Steel
Space Age White Plastic Vintage Storage Trolley Container Joe Colombo 1970 Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage storage trolley container boy from plastic in white color by Joe Colombo for Bieffeplast 1970s Italy. Iconic white vintage ...
Plastic
$12,500 / set
Vintage Italian Tricom Chrome Etagere - Set of 3
By Tricom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capture the essence of 1970s Italian design with this exceptional set of three vintage chrome etageres by Tricom. A stunning example of Space Age minimalism, each unit is masterfully...
Chrome
Michel Dumas Large Chrome, Clear Plexiglass Shelf Unite by Roche Bobois
Located in Haderslev, DK
Rare shelf system by Michel Dumas for Roche Bobois, France early 1970s. High quality built clear plexi glass and chrome plated details. The system consists of a bar, cabinet for vinyl...
Chrome
Pair of Leather Wardrobe Cabinets by Guido Faleschini for Mariani - Pace
By Pace Collection, i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
Located in Hanover, MA
I don’t know if these were ever retailed by Hermes but they ought to have been! They have a very equestrian vibe. Pair of wardrobe cabinets designed by Guido Faleschini for the itali...
Chrome
Custom U.T.Kartell Modular Storage / cubbies / bookcase. 70's Plastic Spaceage
By Kartell
Located in Buffalo, NY
Custom U. T. Kartell Modular Storage / cubbies / bookcase/shelving. 1970's Plastic Spaceage Design ! nOT sure if this was ever produced?? Possibly cus...
Plastic, Wood
Space Age Atomic Highboy Dresser in Yellow and White or Green and White
Located in Redding, CT
Space Age Five Drawer Dresser in Yellow and White. Or Green and White. Or Green and Yellow! The colored panels are interchangeable. Choose Lime green or lemon yellow. How creative. P...
Metal
$3,665Sale Price|35% Off
1970s Space Age lacquered wood and fibreglass DBM Italia Dressing Table
Located in IT
A very original Space Age dressing table by DBM Italia from the 1970s in white lacquered wood and fully functional built-in coloured lights. ...
Fiberglass, Wood
Orba Wall Shelves By Janet Schwietzer For Pace Collection
By Janet Schweitzer, Pace Collection
Located in Hanover, MA
Impressive wall system of extruded polished aluminum incorporating lighting and shelves. Schwietzer's patented design incorporates sophisticated engineering to achieve the appearance of invisible joinery at each cantilevered shelf.
Aluminum
Vintage Boho Rattan Dry Bar
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite vintage dry bar captures the spirited luxury and organic texture of the late Mid-Century era, specifically channeling the popular Boho Chic and Tropical aesthetics of ...
Bamboo, Rattan
Bookcase and bar, 1960, italian , Material: Wood and (parchment leather)
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Bookcase Year: 1960 Country: French Wood and parchment leather It is an elegant and sophisticated bookcase. You want to live in the golden years, this is the bookcase that your pro...
Wood, Leather
Ello Gunmetal Stainless & Smoked Mirror Tall Boy Dresser
Located in Hanover, MA
1970 designed "Moods" tall boy wardrobe designed by O. B. Solie for Ello Furniture Mfg. Co. clad in gunmetal tinted brushed stainless steel and smoked mirror. Post Moden space age v...
Stainless Steel
Space Age Italian Chrome Plated Steel & Smoke Glass Pair of Wall Mounted Shelves
Located in San Diego, CA
Striking quality and simplicity on this pair of chrome plated steel and .5" thick smoke glass, the side poles unscrew to place in the wall and screw back to cover the screws, the bea...
Chrome
$3,163Sale Price / set|20% Off
A Pair of 1970s Shelves / étagère in Chromed Metal, Solid Wood and Smoked Glass
Located in Roma, IT
Two twin shelves perfect for being positioned symmetrically on the sides of a door or for use as a room divider. This pair of vintage bookcases...
Metal, Chrome
Space Age Vintage Dancing Shelf, circa 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage dancing shelf from tube steel and plexiglass. The dancing shelf features a black lacquered tube steel base and five ( 5 ) plexiglass pl...
Steel
Vintage Bottle Holder / Bar Stand by Flair, Netherlands, 1970s
By Flair
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Vintage bottle holder and bar stand designed and produced by Flair in the Netherlands during the 1970s. This elegant space age piece features a white molded plastic structure with a ...
Plastic
1970, Rare Important Space Age Sideboard
Located in Perpignan, FR
Element decoration - sideboard for music TV Show. removable. Big size 400 x 120x 120 cm Fiberglass and metal.
Fiberglass
$3,761Sale Price|20% Off
1980s Italian Space Age Memphis Corner Cabinet / Copper Doors and Black Corpus
Located in Berlin, DE
This unique and unusual Italian 1980s corner cabinet / cabinet comes with copper doors. It has this Space Age or Memphis look. The cabinet is in good vintage condition. Of course it ...
Metal, Copper
1970, Rare Important Space Age Sideboard
Located in Perpignan, FR
Element decoration - sideboard for music TV Show. removable. Big size 400 x 120x 120 cm Fiberglass and metal.
Metal
Monumental Dry Bar Hollywood Regency in the style of Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Argelato, BO
Monumental Dry Bar Hollywood Regency in the style of Willy Rizzo, Italy 1970s
Metal
$10,851
Light chest of drawers
Located in Paris, FR
lluminated chest of drawers - Italy, 1970s Illuminated chest of drawers with a wooden frame and brown suede upholstery. Cream lacquered handles and top. Veneered wood drawers. Three...
Suede, Lacquer
Joe Colombo Black Lacquer Bar Cabinet, Italy, 1970s
By Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This cylindrical dry bar is a bold example of futuristic Italian design from the 1970s by visionary Joe Colombo. Crafted in high-gloss black lacquer with polished chrome accents, it ...
Chrome
Vintage Boho Woven Rattan Trellis Dresser
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Transform your bedroom or living space into a tropical sanctuary with this exquisite vintage rattan and cane dresser. A stunning example of coastal chic design, this expansive nine-d...
Wicker, Rattan
Pace Collection ORBA System Wall Unit
By Pace Collection, Janet Schweitzer
Located in Hanover, MA
Pace collection ORBA wall system by Janet Schweitzer, 1974. Four extruded highly polished aluminum standards incorporating half inch thick glass s...
Aluminum
rare space age big cabinet molded plastic - edition Somop 1970s - France
By Somop
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
At a time when plastic was still a new material, French industrialists wanted to show what was possible with plastic. For this purpose, an over-dimensioned wall cabinet was produced ...
Plastic
Set of Tow Space Age Midcentury Tulip Show Case Drawers with Glass Front, 1970s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Set of 2 space age midcentury tulip glass fronted display case drawers 1970s. rare chest of drawers with glass front showcase Vintage blue_Yellow body with creamy white tulip base in Space Age design Front and top glass with 4x white drawers...
Glass, Wood
Aluminum and Glass Etagere with Five Glass Shelves c. 1970’s
Located in New York, NY
Chic, architectural freestanding shelf unit, having an aluminum frame with five glass shelves. This Etagere is reminiscent of the designs of Milo Baughman, Paul Magen etc, it is unsi...
Aluminum
Red Lacquered Wood Desk from the 50s, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Red lacquered wood desk from the 50s, Italian. Desk 1950s Country: Italian Materials: Red lacquered wood Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an ...
Wood
1970s Ron Arad for Kartell Vintage Infinity Rack
1970s stock of Ron Arad's Infinity wine bottle rack for Kartell. Can be assembled in several configurations. From Kartell's website description: Infinity is a colorful and curvilin...
Plastic
Space Age Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl Directors Igl-Jet Fiberglass Desk, 1970s
Located in Gaggenau, DE
Space Age Ernest Igl for Wilhelm Werndl directors Igl-Jet fiberglass desk, 1970s This design really evokes the ethos of the seventies - a bright and bold era - with the commonly u...
Fiberglass
Italian Desk from the 60s
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Red lacquered wood desk from the 60s, Italian. Desk 1960s Country: Italian Finish: polyurethanic lacquer It is an elegant and sophisticated desk. If you...
Wood
$5,787Sale Price / set|20% Off
Living room and bookcase set Attr. a Acerbis black with display cabinet
By Acerbis
Located in Milano, IT
In the world of vintage Italian furniture, few pieces are as striking and versatile as your Black Acerbis lounge and bookcase set from the 1970s. This collection, comprising three di...
Metal
Iconic Boby Trolley by Joe Colombo - Space Age Award Winning Cabinet, 1970s
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
tep into the world of timeless design with the legendary Boby Trolley, a masterpiece crafted by the visionary Joe Colombo and produced by Bieffeplast in the 1970s. This iconic storag...
Plastic
$2,995Sale Price|38% Off
Pierre Cardin Tall Chest of Drawers Brass & Ivory
Located in Hanover, MA
Unbelievably clean and glam Pierre Cardin for Dillingham Linen Press or chest of drawers in off-white ivory laminate with brass banding
Brass
Modular Storage Units 'Incubo' by Rodolfo Bonetto for Artemide, Italy, 1970s
By Flair
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Designed in the early 1970s by Rodolfo Bonetto for Artemide Milano, the "Incubo Quadro" modular storage units are a brilliant fusion of conceptual design and functional utility. Each...
Plastic
$4,900 / item
Pair Pierre Cardin Tall Wardrobe Chests of Drawers
Located in Hanover, MA
We have a pair of Pierre Cardin tall wardrobe dresser cabinets with double doors which open to reveal 6 pull-out drawers. Produced by Dilingham. White l...
Aluminum
Space Age Style Lacquered Wooden Cabinets, 1970s, Set of 2
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Pair of white lacquered cabinets of excellent quality, generously thick carved and shaped wood. Furniture that can be used in bathrooms, offices. The design style is close to Joe Col...
Wood, Lacquer
$771Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of two Saporiti Wall Shelf Vintage Modular Design: 1 Red 1 Black 60s, Italy
By Saporiti
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Saporiti Wall Shelf - Vintage Modular Design (1960s, Italy) in Red and Black Add a touch of Italian mid-century modern elegance to your space with this vintage Saporiti Wall Shelf, ...
Plastic
Wood & Glass Vitrine Cabinet or Bookcase LB65 by Marco Zanuso for Poggi, 68
By Succ. Carlo Poggi, Marco Zanuso Jr.
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This bookcase or vitrine cabinet is made from a wooden structure with a grid design front side. It features a unique door with a magnetic closure and 4 thi...
Glass, Wood
Guido Faleschini Tucroma Sideboard, Wood & Glass, I4 Mariani, 1970s
By i4 Mariani, Guido Faleschini
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Sideboard by Guido Faleschini for Hermès, 1970s Measures : 100x46cm H: 86cm Materials : Wood - glass - steel - leather - felt "Tucroma" module by Guido Faleschini, 1970s, produced b...
Metal
Italian Space Age orange beige plastic round wardrobe by Gilberto Peguri 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Space Age orange and beige plastic round wardrobe by Gilberto Peguri, 1970s Round-based wardrobe made entirely of plastic. It features two sliding orange plastic doors on two...
Plastic