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
$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
$653Sale 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
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
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
$385
H 7.29 in W 8.86 in D 2.84 in
1960s Scandinavian Modern Candelabra by Pukeberg, Lead Crystal Glass
By Kosta Boda, Pukeberg Sweden, Göran Wärff, 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
$125
H 12.5 in W 4.25 in D 9 in
Vintage Sculptural Candelabra Candle Holder, Black Metal, Sweden, 1970s
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage sculptural candelabra marked Boda Shop, Sweden, circa 1970s. This unique piece has a black metal finish and holds up to three taper candles.
Metal
$228
H 10.83 in W 5.52 in D 7.09 in
Candelabra Candle Holder, Midcentury Danish Sculptural Dansk style metal & teak
Located in London, GB
Candleholder for 3 candles, circa 1960 Teak, black metal. A lovely midcentury item. Overall very good with good age and patina. Slight split in wood to central holder, but thi...
Metal
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
Matthew Hilton Zig Zag & Swan aluminium candleholders
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
Matthew Hilton Zig Zag & Swan aluminium candleholders Zig Zag dimensions: 30cm Height , 11cm Width, 5,5cm Depth Swan dimensions: 34cm Height , 13cm Width, 8cm Depth
Aluminum
$269Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.92 in W 13.77 in D 5.11 in
Handmade 1950s Stainless Steel Candelabra for Three Candles, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1950s Stunning candelabra for three candles in stainless steel. Handmade, in excellent condition. Made in Italy Dimension: 13,77 x 5,11 x 16,92 inches (size without candles) cm 35 x ...
Stainless Steel
Brutalist Candle Holder, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Vintage brutalist torch cut metal candle holder with 6 arms. Beautiful and timeless piece which is very decorative. The Brut design is very attractive. Very good condition ...
Metal
$899
H 18.25 in W 9.5 in D 3.75 in
Contemporary Georg Jensen Polished Stainless Steel Candle Holder or Candelabra
By Georg Jensen
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large double candleholder was designed by the Georg Jensen studio in approximately 1990 and done in an organic Mid Century style. The two towered candelabra is done with a polis...
Stainless Steel
Sold
H 7.88 in W 3.55 in D 3.55 in
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
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