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.
Original 1970s National Panasonic flip-number radio alarm clock model RC-6003B
By Panasonic
Located in München, DE
Near mint condition original 1970s National Panasonic flip-digit clock radio, model RC-6003B. 100% original condition with beige plastic casing. Manufacturer: Matsushita Electric Ind...
Metal
"Coo Coo" radio alarm clock by Philippe Starck for Alessi - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Philippe starck for Alessi - Italy 20th Iconic "Coo Coo" radio alarm clock, designed by Philippe Starck in 1996. Manufacturer: Distributed by Alessi and produced by Thomson. Design: ...
Plastic
$812Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Space Age Digital Alarm Clock by LOGO, Plastic, Taiwan, 1970s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This electronic clock with alarm was produced by the Taiwanese manufacturer LOGO during the 1970s. It is made of white and black plastic. The clock has an easy-to-read 24-hour displa...
Plastic
Space Age Round Table Clock by Bino Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Bino Table Clock was made in '70s in Italy. BINO is one of the most known names in Italian clocks industry. The Clock is in excellent, working condition. It is very retro and stylish.
Glass, Fiberglass
Original 1970s table clock and alarm clock COMFORTIME 3 by Krups
By Krups
Located in München, DE
Original 1970s Krups table clock and alarm clock. Krups Type 672. Made in Germany. The 1970s Pop Art classic in typical red and orange. Clock and alarm functions are working. Quiet a...
Plastic
Square Atlanta Electric Table Clock, by Kienzle Germany 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
German desk clock from the 1960s Atlanta electric It is made of White colored Brass base , in the shape of a cube with hands and hour markers, also made of brass. It has a back that...
Metal
Winding Alarm Clock by PRIM, Czechoslovakia, "Space Age" 1960s
By PRIM Clocks
Located in Praha, CZ
Good original condition. Made by 1960s, in the Space Age. Fully functional, repolished.
Plastic
$980
H 10.63 in W 10.24 in D 1.97 in
Big Kienzle Weltzeituhr Modernist Table World Timer Zone Clock, 1960s
By Heinrich Möller, Kienzle Clocks
Located in Vienna, AT
Kienzle automatic world timer zone clock. An exclusive big table clock from Ø 26 cm wonderful clocks face with world map and world time zones, glass, the heavy case & base are of sol...
Brass
$662
H 6.54 in W 5.52 in D 2.76 in
Vintage 1960s Hollywood Regency brass walnut Table Clock by Kienzle, Germany
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Table clock Origin: Germany Producer: Kienzle, Germany Age: 1960s This original vintage table clock was produced in the 1960s by the prem...
Metal, Brass
Vintage Swiss Mantel Alarm Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Vintage mantel clock resting within a gilded strut frame supphandsorting a circular dial surrounded by rope decoration. Silvered dial with o...
Brass
Vintage Red Plastic Wall Clock from Prim, 1970s
By PRIM Clocks
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage bakelite wall clock was made by Prim in former Czechoslovakia during the 1970s - 1980s. It features a red plastic body with black clockface and a convex clear glass cover. Th...
Glass, Plastic, Bakelite
Vintage German Electric Wall Clock from Palmtag, 1960s
By Jacob Palmtag
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was produced by Palmtag in Germany during the 1960s. It features a silver chrome plated iron frame, a metal dial and a curved clear glass cover. Original electric mov...
Iron, Chrome
Kienzle Uhren Brutalist Wall Mount Ceramic Clock, 1970s German
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking German Mid-Century wall-mounted clock from the 1970s, masterfully crafted by Kienzle Uhren. This clock stands out for its bold, sculptural form, featuring a textured matte...
Ceramic
Rare original round 1960s brass table clock by Schatz Germany
By Schatz
Located in München, DE
Beautiful, rare, round, original 1960s battery-operated brass table clock by Schatz. The original clockwork is still installed. Runs quietly and accurately. Great minimalist 1960s de...
Brass
Travel Alarm Clock by Junghans, circa 1960s
Located in Wien, AT
Travel alarm clock by Junghans, circa 1960s Original condition Brass with green faux leather cover Still working Measures: Open height 8cm, wide 7cm, deep 8cm Closed height 3cm,...
Brass
Vintage Round Brass “Floating” Desk Clock by Seiko
By Seiko
Located in San Diego, CA
A refined example of late 20th-century modern design, this elegant desk clock by Seiko features a sculptural round form in warm polished brass that appears to “float” above its curve...
Quartz, Brass
Kienzle GMT World Time Zone Brass Table Clock, Midcentury, Germany, 1960s
By Kienzle Clocks, Wilhelm Kienzle
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and decorative Mid-Century Modernist solid brass Kienzle desk or table clock with a world map clocks face and world time zones. Executed in the 1960s by Kienzle in Wester...
Brass
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s
Located in Wien, AT
Travel alarm clock "Europa", 1950s Excellent original condition Brass with a green faux leather cover Still working On the face of the it states that it h...
Brass
Original 1970s table clock and alarm clock COMFORTIME 3 by Krups
By Krups
Located in München, DE
Original 1970s Krups table clock and alarm clock. Krups Type 672. Made in Germany. The 1970s Pop Art classic in typical red and orange. Clock and alarm functions are working. Quiet a...
Plastic
Sold
H 2.76 in W 4.34 in D 2.96 in
1970s French Perpetual Calendar in Vibrant Red Retro Plastic Design
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
An authentic 1970s French perpetual calendar, designed as both a practical office tool and a statement piece of Pop design. Featuring the days and months in French, this desk accesso...
Plastic
Large Space Age Table or Desk Clock by Kastell, Italy 80s
Located in Lucija, SI
Round table or desk clock from the space age era Made in Italy by Kastell in the 80s
Plastic, Fiberglass
Sold
H 2.76 in W 5.12 in D 2.96 in
1970s Orange Flip Clock by Sankyo – Space Age Design Sculptural Desk Clock
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This 1970s flip clock by Sankyo is a vibrant example of Japanese Space Age design. Crafted in Japan, the clock features a glossy orange plastic casing ...
Plastic
Sold
H 9.06 in W 9.06 in D 8.27 in
Vintage Flip Alarm Clock with Nightlight COPAL 227 Made in Japan, 1960-70s
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
The Copal Vintage Flip Clock with Alarm and Nightlight, Model 227, exemplifies precision and style. Crafted with care in Japan during the 60s/70s, this timepiece features a durable...
Metal
Sold
H 9.06 in W 9.06 in D 8.27 in
Vintage Flip Clock with Radio and Alarm Sanyo SCA-T45 Made in Japan, 1960-70s
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
The Sanyo SCA-T45 vintage flip clock is a hallmark of mid-century Japanese design, representing the innovation and style of the 1960s-70s. This timepiece, crafted from durable plasti...
Metal
Sold
H 9.45 in W 8.67 in D 6.7 in
Space Age 70s Design Clock with Orange Globe Design - Vintage Tabletop Decor
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This Space Age clock from the 1970s is a prime example of retro-futuristic innovation. Its globe-shaped structure, crafted in vibrant orange plastic, reflects the bold aesthetic of t...
Plastic
Sold
H 9.06 in W 9.06 in D 8.27 in
Space Age 70s Design Clock Wetter - Rare Orange Tabletop Decor Made in Germany
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Enhance your space with the Space Age 70s clock by Wetter, a prime example of German industrial design from the Seventies. The orange plastic housing and cle...
Metal
Japanese Space Age Flip Alarm Clock by Copal, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
There certainly a vibe of early James Bond to this vintage flip clock from Japanese Copal LTD Co. Design/model number: 109416. It was manufactured in the 1970s and is in working orde...
Plastic
Sold
H 9.45 in W 9.45 in D 3.94 in
Space Age 70s Design Clock by Comsest - Rare Orange Tabletop Decor Made in Italy
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Enhance your interior decor with an iconic piece of design history—the Space Age 70s Clock by Comsest, expertly crafted in Italy. This distinctive vintage cl...
Plastic
Sold
H 7.09 in W 7.49 in D 5.52 in
Mid-Century Modern Prisma aluminum Aurora clock by Kirsch Hamilton 1970s
By Kirsch/Hamilton
Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp
A vintage 1970s Aurora clock with original box. These stunning clocks are in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art MOMA in NY. Developed in the 1970s by a NASA engineer and an architect these stunners were first produced by Rathcon and later for mass production...
Aluminum
Bulova 214 Accutron Spaceview Men's Watch
Located in Hanover, MA
Bulova 214 Accutron Spaceview men's watch featuring proprietary electrostatic movement. Serial number J88896/M9 = 1969. 35 mm x 38 mm Internal bezel ring, originally with luminous material for chapters, all second/minute hash marks on the bezel ring. Painted white truncated tapered minute/hour hands, white tapered sweep indicator with marquee. Hand setting by means of flip up bow on case back. Gold filled top and stainless back. Water resistant up to 50m and has a power reserve of two years. New I.W. Suisse dark brown leather watch strap. The Accutron was the world's first electronic watch. Designed by Max Hetzel, the Accutron made waves, becoming the first wristwatch to be precise enough to be qualified for U.S. Railroad certification, guaranteed to be accurate to about one minute per month, or about 2 seconds per day. Unlike traditional watches with balance wheels, the Bulova Accutron is based on a tuning fork design, a 360-hertz steel tuning fork powered by electromagnets attached to a battery-powered transistor oscillator circuit, thus hole it to your ear and hear the quiet hum. Reference: 1963 Bulova Spaceview...
Gold Plate, Stainless Steel