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.
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
Gigantic Rare Heavy Sunburst Mirror Wall Clock from the 1970s
Located in München, DE
Gigantic very rare heavy Sunburst mirror wall clock from the 1970s. Beautiful elaborate high quality design. The clock has a body made of black lacquered wood, at the front there are...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
XL Space Age Wall Clock in electric blue acrylic by Iskra, Yugoslavia 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a striking extra large Space Age electric clock in electric blue acrylic. The clock was manufactured by Iskra, one of the largest companies in Yugoslavi...
Acrylic
Vintage Alarm Table Clock by Krups - 70s Space Age Design in Mustard Yellow
By Krups
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
A definitive example of 1970s space age design, this Krups alarm clock showcases innovation and bold aesthetics. Crafted in West Germany, it features a mustard-yellow plastic casing ...
Plastic
1960's Space Age Electric Wall Clock by General Electric Lime Green Rare
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool beautiful color Lime green plastic case with electric movement General Electric, wall clock in working condition original cord very nice simple design, and beautiful colo...
Plastic
1970 Museum Wall Clock by Nathan Horwitt for Howard Miller/ POP MODERN SPACEAGE
By Howard Miller, Nathan Horwitt
Located in Buffalo, NY
1970 "Museum Wall Clock" model 622-342 Pop Modernist / Space age design by Nathan George Horwitt for Howard Miller featuring a white enameled steel frame with a composite pressboard...
Steel
$380Sale Price|20% Off
H 2 in W 11 in D 11 in
1980s Postmodern Memphis Era Wall Clock by Howard Miller
Located in San Diego, CA
Great design and rare piece circa 1980s glass face with a brass ring frame, and a black plastic frame with a withe plastic accent edge line, Classic design from the Memphis era nice ...
Aluminum
Grey Industrial Factory Wall Clock from Siemens, 1970s
By Siemens
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This wall clock was produced by Siemens in Germany during the 1970s. It features a grey iron frame, a metal dial and a clear glass cover. The piece has been converted into a battery-...
Aluminum, Iron
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
$644
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
$761
H 4.34 in W 7.09 in D 2.96 in
Vintage Hollywood Regency Brass Table Clock by Diehl Electro, Germany, 1960s
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Table clock Origin: Germany Producer: Diehl Electro, Germany Age: 1960s This original vintage table clock...
Metal
Vintage Swiss Beige Wall Clock from Favag, 1970s
By Favag
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage industrial wall clock produced by Favag in Switzerland during the 1970s. It features a beige iron frame, an aluminium dial and ha...
Aluminum, Iron
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
George Nelson Birch & Brass Wall Clock for Howard Miller
By George Nelson, Howard Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
George Nelson Birch & Brass wall clock for Howard Miller.
Brass
$287
H 7.29 in W 7.29 in D 2.17 in
Mid-Century Krups Wall Clock 1970s Orange Chron-Color 605, Domed, Germany
By Krups
Located in Andernach, DE
Absolutely fantastic colours & design by the star of German mid- and late century design, KRUPS. Made in the late 60s, early 70s. Here a juicy bright orange wall clock, with white (y...
Plastic
Iconic George Nelson for Howard Miller Mid-Century Modern Starburst Clock
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
An iconic and authentic George Nelson for Howard Miller Mid-Century Modern Starburst Clock with its original stamp / maker’s mark intact. Measurements: 19.5ʺ wide, 2.5" deep and 19....
Metal
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
$350
H 5.25 in W 4.75 in D 2.32 in
Mid Century Modern Nathan George Horwitt Brass Museum Clock for Howard Miller
By Nathan Horwitt, Howard Miller
Located in San Jose, CA
Vintage Howard Miller museum clock originally designed by Nathan George Horwitt. This piece has a brass finish with a glass faceplate. Operates with one AA battery. Perfect to use as...
Brass
Sold
H 8.08 in W 9.26 in D 2.17 in
Beautiful original 1970s Krups wall clock in typical Space Age design
By Krups
Located in München, DE
Beautiful 1970s original KRUPS wall clock in typical Space Age design. Made in Germany. Case is made entirely of plastic. Front is in bright shiny orange, back in black. No damage. N...
Plastic
Sold
H 6.89 in W 6.89 in D 1.97 in
1970s Krups Space Age Wall Clock Blue Dial Beige Case German Design
By Krups
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Experience the iconic design of the Seventies with this space age wall clock by Krups, made in West Germany in November 1973. Featuring a round green dial framed in beige with distinctive graphics, this vintage wall clock is a striking example of space age aesthetics and superior craftsmanship. The bold graphics and sleek design make it a versatile addition to various interior styles, from mid-century modern to retro-inspired spaces. Ideal for collectors and design enthusiasts, this Krups clock...
Metal
Sold
H 2.76 in W 4.93 in D 2.17 in
1970s Italian Space Age Perpetual Calendar – Orange Plastic, UK Reg.
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
A rare and characterful Italian space age perpetual calendar dating from the 1970s, designed during the golden era of futuristic home accessories. This model is crafted in bright ora...
Plastic
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
Sold
H 8.67 in W 8.67 in D 2.6 in
Vintage Wall Clock by JAZ - Iconic 70s Space Age Design in Mustard Yellow
By Jaz
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Original Space Age wall clock by JAZ, featuring a bold mustard yellow plastic case and sleek black dial. Made in the 1970s, it embodies the retro-futuristic design of the era with i...
Plastic
Vintage Wall Clock by Krups - Iconic 70s Space Age Design in Green
By Krups
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Experience the iconic design of the Seventies with this space age wall clock by Krups, made in West Germany in November 1973. Featuring a round green dial framed in beige with distinctive graphics, this vintage wall clock is a striking example of space age aesthetics and superior craftsmanship. The bold graphics and sleek design make it a versatile addition to various interior styles, from mid-century modern to retro-inspired spaces. Ideal for collectors and design enthusiasts, this Krups clock...
Metal
Sold
H 8.47 in W 11.23 in D 2.56 in
Vintage Design Clock with Mustard & Brown Hues by Japy, New Old Stock 1970s
By Japy
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Striking 70s space age clock by Japy France perfectly blending retro futurism with bold visual flair. Featuring a large rectangular frame softened by curvaceous edges, it sports a vi...
Plastic
Sold
H 8.47 in W 11.23 in D 2.56 in
Space Age Design Clock with Cream & Brown Hues by Japy of France, 1970s
By Japy
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This 70s vintage clock by Japy France exudes retro charm with its black, brown and cream color scheme. Featuring a rectangular frame with curved details, it captures the essence of m...
Plastic
Sold
H 8.08 in W 8.08 in D 2.76 in
Vintage Wall Clock by Stärke - 70s Design with Orange and Chrome Hues
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Enhance your space with this striking vintage wall clock by Stärke, an authentic piece from the 60s/70s. Featuring a bold orange plastic frame and sleek chrome accents, this clock em...
Metal
Sold
H 8.27 in W 8.27 in D 0.4 in
Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Calendar - Retro Futuristic Red Timepiece
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Journey back to the space age era with this rare Italian wall calendar, a true testament to retro-futuristic design. Crafted in the 1970s, this space age calendar features a distinct...
Plastic
Sold
H 9.06 in W 9.06 in D 2.17 in
Rare 70s Space Age Perpetual Calendar – Orange Vintage Design Collectible
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Uncover a rare gem from the 1970s with this exquisite Space Age calendar, a stunning piece of Italian design. Crafted from durable orange plastic, this vintage calendar is a true rep...
Plastic
Vintage Wall Clock by Krups - Iconic 70s Space Age Design in Green
By Krups
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Experience the iconic design of the 1970s with this space age wall clock by Krups, made in West Germany. Featuring a round green dial framed in beige with distinctive graphics, this vintage wall clock is a striking example of space age aesthetics and superior craftsmanship. The bold graphics and sleek design make it a versatile addition to various interior styles, from mid-century modern to retro-inspired spaces. Ideal for collectors and design enthusiasts, this Krups clock...
Metal