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.
$79 / item
BMF Nagel Candleholder Stackable Modular
By Bmf Nagel, Fritz Nagel, Caesar Stoffi
Located in Vienna, AT
Stackable modular candleholder by BMF Quist Nagel, The candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische Metal...
Brass, Chrome
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 Three Nagel and Stoffi Candleholders
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Stackable modular candleholders set by BMF Quist Nagel, The candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische ...
Metal
Silver Plated Metal 1970s Candleholder by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Very good condition. Very high quality. Manifacture's mark on the handle.
Silver Plate
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
$276Sale Price / set|30% Off
Set of Six German 1960s 3Plus Sinodin Silver-Plated Interlocking Candle Holders
By Bmf Nagel
Located in London, England
A set of 6 silver-plated 1960s German 3Plus Sinodin interlocking candle holders which are similar in design and style to the BMF Stoffi range of candle holders and are often mistaken...
Metal, Silver Plate
1970s Space Age Yellow Vetrochina Italian Candle Holder by Gabbianelli
By Gabbianelli
Located in Aci Castello, IT
An iconic Italian candle holder or vase designed and manufactured in Italy in the Seventies by Gabbianelli, it's marked and labeled on the bottom. This kind of ceramic named vetrochi...
Ceramic
Classic Rosenthal Horizon Lead Crystal Glass Candle Holder Catchall Vide Poche
By Rosenthal
Located in Miami, FL
Striking original Rosenthal Space Age Lead crystal glass horizon pillar candle holder, vide poche, catchall, bowl made in Germany. To me it looks...
Crystal
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
Set of 2 Vintage Candle Holders Stainless Steel Space Age, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
Vintage Candle Holders Set of 2 - Stainless Steel Space Age Design - Italy 1970s - Gift Idea Elegant, Retro Table Decoratio This rare vintage bottle opener from 1960s Italy is a ref...
Stainless Steel
Liisi Beckmann's 1960s Ceramic Blue Candle Holder by Gabbianelli Made in Italy
By Gabbianelli, Liisi Meronen Beckmann
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
$392Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.63 in Dm 1.97 in
Moritz vase, design Lino SABATTINI in silvered metal and glass. Italy, 90s
By Sabattini Argenteria, Lino Sabattini
Located in Torino, IT
Moritz vase, design Lino SABATTINI for Sabattini Silverware, in silver metal and glass base. ORIGIN Italy PERIOD 1990s DESIGNER Lino SABATTINI (1925-2016) was born in Correggio (R...
Metal, Silver Plate
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
"Germoglio" Lino Sabattini Italian Design 1970s Silver Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
"Germoglio" Vases design Lino Sabattini 1979 Silver metal Excellent condiction.
Metal
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
$98 / item
H 2.76 in W 4.34 in D 4.34 in
BMF Nagel Quist Variomaster Brutalist Stockable Modular Candleholder
Located in Vienna, AT
Stackable modular candleholder by BMF Quist Nagel, the candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische Metal...
Brass, Chrome
$2,153
H 12.41 in W 4.34 in D 5.12 in
Elegant Mid-Century Modern Candle Holder Flamma by Lino Sabattini Italy 1970s
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Munich, DE
Extremely rare, elegant and highly decorative Mid-Century Modern candle holder / candelabra 'Flamma'. Designed by Lino Sabattini for Sabattini Argenteria, Italy, 1970s. Signed to the...
Metal
$598
H 5.12 in W 4.73 in D 5.52 in
A Rare 1980s Minimalist Silver Plated Round Design Vase by Lino Sabattini
By Lino Sabattini, Sabattini Argenteria
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This post-modern vase designed by Lino Sabattini exemplifies the clean, sleek aesthetic typical of Sabattini's work and the minimalist movement of the era. This vase features a perfe...
Silver Plate
$882Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.21 in W 4.73 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Antique Silver Plated Corinthian Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique silver plated Corinthian candlesticks having pretty shaped removable sconces to the top and supported by attractive circular re...
Silver Plate
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
Silver-Plated Modernist Triple Candle Holder 1960s
Located in Debrecen, HU
This modernist triple candle holder was likely produced in the 1960s during the height of Mid-Century Modern design. The piece features a distinctive geometric base with an angular, ...
Silver Plate
$1,196 / set
H 9.45 in W 5.52 in D 5.52 in
Pair of vintage Orion candlesticks by Nagel & Stoffi for Bmf , Germany 1960s
By Bmf Nagel
Located in Delft, NL
Pair of vintage Orion candlesticks by Nagel & Stoffi for Bmf , Germany 1960s Dimensions: 24cm Height, 14cm Depth, 14cm Depth Conditon: Good Material: Metal
Metal
$1,400Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 2.38 in Dm 4 in
24 Modern Chrome Candleholders + Ashtray Bowl, Werner Stoff Nagel Germany 1960s
By Nagel AG, Bmf Nagel, Caesar Stoffi, Stoff Nagel
Located in Miami, FL
A set of 24 S-22 model stackable 3-legged chrome modular candleholders plus an S-44 Ashtray/Bowl by two German artists, Hans Nagel (1926-1978) and Werner St...
Stainless Steel, Chrome
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
Sold
H 2.37 in W 2.76 in D 2.76 in
late 60s early 70s SET of a sommerso glass ashtray a candle holder and a lighter
By Seguso
Located in Landshut, BY
late 1960s / early 1970s SET of an ashtray a candle holder and a lighter Sommerso, an Italian term signifying "submerged," is a technique developed by Carlo Scarpa from 1934 onw...
Art Glass
Set of 8 Fritz Nagel stackable candlesticks, West Germany, 1960s
By Fritz Nagel, Bmf Nagel
Located in Lyon, FR
Set of 8 metal modular and stackable candlesticks designed by Caesar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel for BMF Quist Nagel (Bayerische Metallwaren Fabrik), in West Germ...
Metal
Pair of candlesticks
Located in PARIS, FR
A pair of modernist silver-plated metal and plexiglass candlesticks. In perfect condition. LP2631
Metal
Space Age Cauldron Brass Candlesticks, Scandinavian 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Atomic space age candleholders in the shape of cauldrons. They are made from brass during the 1950s Scandinavia and feature patina from the spand of time. They are to be fitted with ...
Brass
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
Modular Candlesticks in Chromed Steel and Plastic by BMF Nagel, 1970s
By Bmf Nagel
Located in Lille, FR
Modular Candlesticks in Chromed Steel and Plastic by BMF Nagel, 1970s.
Metal, Chrome
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
1970s American Space Age Portable Heater by Intermatic Heatwave
Located in San Diego, CA
American Space Age design, on this cool portable heather by Intermatic heatwave in perfect condition very light use, with thermostat. Great orange color.
Plastic
Marc Brazier Jones Astro Charger Table Candleholder
Located in Hamburg, DE
Decorative candle light holder by Marc Brazier Jones, with engraved glass and blue glass ball as the centre of the eye, wrought iron and bronze, gi...
Bronze, Iron
Sold
H 11.62 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Sculptural Murano Vase or Candle Holder by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, 1970s
By AVMazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare tall sculptural Murano glass vase or candle holder by Carlo Nason for AV Mazzega from the 1970s. The handblown clear and white glass culminates in an organic "vessel" ...
Murano Glass
Salviati Murano Rainbow Colors, Sommerso Italian Art Glass Candlesticks
By Salviati
Located in Kissimmee, FL
FREE Shipping Worldwide! See details below description. Amazing Murano Handblown Sommerso Rainbow Colors Art Glass Candlesticks. Documented to th...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Uranium Glass