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.
large knut hesterberg CANDLE HOLDER candelabra stainless steel and glass 1970s
Located in Mannheim, DE
Very rare large candle holder from the 1970s. It consists of 3 stainless steel tubes which are connected to each other by a round glass disc. For large candles up to 4.3" (11 cm) in ...
Stainless Steel
Set of 2 Space Age Candleholders made of Aluminium Jorge Pensi Design
By Jorge Pensi
Located in BARCELONA, ES
If you're seeking a unique blend of mid-century modern flair and futuristic design, this set of 2 Space Age candleholders in aluminum is a must-have. Their sleek, sculptural form ins...
Aluminum
Liisi Beckmann's 1960s Ceramic Blue Candle Holder by Gabbianelli Made in Italy
By Liisi Meronen Beckmann, Gabbianelli
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Liisi Beckmann’s exquisite ceramic vase/candle holder from the 1960s crafted by Gabbianelli. This vintage ceramic vase feature a calming blue hue, showcases Beckmann’s visionary des...
Ceramic
$460Sale Price|20% Off
Danish Modern Scandinavian Large Enameled Metal Candelabra
Located in San Diego, CA
1970's large white metal enameled swivel candelabra holder, each disk has a 4" diameter, the top part swivels to adjust as desired, a really unique Scandinavian Pop Space-age piece.
Metal
$669Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.14 in W 16.15 in D 6.5 in
Scandinavian Candelabra in Brass & Glass, Gunnar Ander Ystad Metal Sweden 50-60s
Located in Brussels, Brussels
A Swedish Modernist candelabra by Gunnar Ander. Produced by Ystad-Metall, located in the town of Ystad in Sweden. Candle-holder for 6 candles in solid, polished brass glass cups in...
Brass
1970s Dansk Star Shaped Glass Candle Holder Pair
By Dansk
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair of Dansk star shaped glass votive candle holders, Set of two, Denmark, circa 1970s. Unmarked Dimensions: 2.25 H x 3.75 diameter- candle 1.25 diameter....
Art Glass
1970s Sweden Kosta Boda Ice Glass Candle Holder Goran Warff
By Kosta Boda
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s Sweden Kosta Boda Polar Ice Art Glass Votive Candle Holder by Goran Warff 3.25 h x 4 diameter Preowned original vintage condition See all images provided.
Art Glass
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s
Located in Meer, VAN
Large Tree Shaped Candle Holder in Hand Forged Steel 1970s This well sized hand forged candle holder is wonderfully shaped like a tree, it origins from Europe, 1970s. It is original...
Wrought Iron
Ceramic mermaid statuette / candle holder, Italy
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Magnificent ceramic mermaid statuette / candle holder, Italian production from the 2nd half of the 20th century. The mermaid's tail forms the handle of the candle holder. In the styl...
Ceramic
$394
H 7.29 in W 8.86 in D 2.84 in
1960s Scandinavian Modern Candelabra by Pukeberg, Lead Crystal Glass
By Göran Wärff, Kosta Boda, Pukeberg Sweden, Iittala
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Beautiful vintage Scandinavian Modern lead crystal glass candelabra for three candles manufactured by Pukeberg in the 1960s. Handmade in one piece with textured glass and stylized fl...
Glass, Art Glass
Scandinavian Wooden Candleholders, Set of 5
Located in KUTNO, PL
This set of Scandinavian wooden candle holders is a perfect example of the simplicity and natural beauty that characterize Scandinavian design. Made of wood, often from light species...
Wood
Silvered Candle Holder Vienna Around 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Silvered Candle Holder Vienna Around 1960s Original condition
Brass
$1,049Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 15.75 in D 11.82 in
Large Tetra CL Candle Holder in Polished Stainless Steel & Brass
Located in Beirut, LB
Inspired by the Tetra Line, this large candle holder can be joined with a small one (TETRA - CS) dynamically, allowing many combinations to fit the setting. Made of Polished stainles...
Brass, Stainless Steel
Gucci Vintage Quail Candle Holder 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Munich, DE
Gucci Vintage quail teal light candle holders in silver plated metal and little sapphire glass eyes and signed with Gucci. Very good vintage condition.
Silver Plate
$352
H 3.54 in W 4.33 in D 3.94 in
Vintage Space Age Orion Stacking Candleholder by Ceasar & Fritz Nagel, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Space Age Orion Stacking Candleholder by Ceasar Stoffi & Fritz Nagel for BMF, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 have official proof of authenticity such a...
Metal
Brass Candelabra - 7-Branch Menorah - Judaica Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brass Candelabra - 7-Branch Menorah - Judaica Candle Holder, 1970s Elegant 7-branch menorah crafted in solid brass, with an elegant and modern design. ...
Metal, Brass
Set of 3 Space Age Candleholders made of Aluminium
By Jorge Pensi
Located in BARCELONA, ES
If you're seeking a unique blend of mid-century modern flair and futuristic design, this Set of 3 Space Age Candleholders made of aluminum is a must-have. Their sleek, sculptural for...
Aluminum
Pair of candlesticks
Located in PARIS, FR
A pair of modernist silver-plated metal and plexiglass candlesticks. In perfect condition. LP2631
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 47.25 in D 35.44 in
1970s Space Age Malleable Brass Tubo Gas Eight Arms Italian Candelabra
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An amazing eight-arm candelabra, designed and manufactured in Italy in the Seventies. The dimensions indicated are not the maximum dimensions that the candelabra can reach; it can co...
Brass
Set of Nagel and Stoffi Candleholders with Dish, Germany, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
A Classic Nagel candleholder set, with a rare dish. The set holds 4 candle segments and a dish. It can be configured in various number of ways, as well vertically as horizontally by ...
Nickel