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.
Pierre Cardin Silver-Plated Picture Frame, France, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to offer for sale this elegant vintage silver-plated picture frame designed by Pierre Cardin, dating from the 1970s. Showcasing the bold and sophisticated aesthetic s...
Silver Plate
1970s Italian Round Amber Lucite Photo Frame with 925 Silver Band
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Elegant Italian round photo frame from the 1970s, crafted in amber-toned lucite with a refined 925 silver band surrounding the central photo opening. The piece has a sculptural circu...
Silver
Small Italian nickel plated metal & Velvet 1970s Picture Frame
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This small picture frame is made from nickel-plated metal with brown plastic inserts and brown velvet back. 2 worked brass stops complete the object and allow it to be opened and clo...
Metal, Nickel, Brass
$569
H 8.27 in Dm 8.27 in
Midcentury Rounded Picture Frame Made in Silver Plate and Teak, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
We are pleased to offer an elegant circular picture frame, almost certainly made in Italy between 1960 and 1970. This vintage round frame is crafted in silver plate with a mahogany-v...
Silver Plate
$1,127
H 13.78 in W 13.78 in D 9.85 in
Midcentury Tommaso Barbi Burl and Chrome Square Picture Frame, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Astonishing midcentury chromed brass and burl square photo frame. This beautiful piece was designed in Italy in the 1970s by Tomaso Barbi and is als...
Metal, Chrome
$889
H 4.73 in Dm 8.86 in
Dior Round Photo Frame in Golden Brass, Lucite and Vienna Straw, Italy, 1970s
By Dior Home
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning round picture frame made of golden brass and Lucite, enriched inside with Vienna straw. This incredibly stylish photo frame is attributed to a Dior Home design and was produ...
Brass
Italian 1970s Small Oval Nickel Bamboo Picture Frame
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1970s Small Oval Nickel Bamboo Picture Frame
Nickel
Italian Red Marble Picture Frame, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Elegant Italian picture frame crafted from richly veined red marble, featuring a bold beveled geometric profile. The natural white veining makes each section unique, while the warm w...
Marble
$1,216
H 9.85 in W 7.88 in D 0.6 in
Brown Lacquered Picture Frame with Silver Plated Horsebit by Gucci, 1970s
By Gucci
Located in Delft, NL
Brown Lacquered Picture Frame with Silver Plated Horsebit by Gucci, 1970s Italian Gucci picture frame, brown lacquered with silver plated frame and two horse bit lines processed on ...
Silver Plate
Dior Photo Frame in Ice Effect Lucite and Chrome, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous Mid-Century picture frame in a gorgeous frosted lucite and chrome-plated metal. This incredibly charming and unique piece was made in Italy during the 1970s and is attribut...
Metal, Chrome
$1,008
H 9.06 in W 9.06 in D 5.52 in
Squared Faux Bamboo Brass Picture Frame Attributed to Tommaso Barbi Italy 1970s
Located in Rome, IT
Squared picture frame in faux bamboo brass attributed to the Italian designer Tommaso Barbi. Made in Italy in the 1970s.
Metal, Brass
$1,055
H 11.42 in W 13.39 in D 6.3 in
Dior Large Photo Frame in Gilt Brass and Lucite Tortoiseshell, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Stunning Mid-Century rectangular photo frame entirely crafted in vibrant tortoiseshell-effect lucite and gilt brass. This incredibly stylish and elegant piece was produced in Italy d...
Brass
$907Sale Price|55% Off
H 0.6 in Dm 6.89 in
Elegant Gabriella Crespi Circular Photo Frame, Italy, 1970s
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Elegant Gabriella Crespi Circular Photo Frame, Italy, 1970s Renowned for her elegant and sculptural designs, Gabriella Crespi has excelled yet again with this sophisticated piece....
Nickel
1970s Silver Plated Photo Frame, Glass, Made in Italy
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous photo frame in silver plated with glass. Made in Italy. The item is in excellent condition . Photo size is 8 x 10 inches - cm 20 x cm 25 H cm Dimension 10,62 x 2,75 x ...
Silver Plate
Photo Frame in Lucite Tortoiseshell, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Gorgeous photo frame in lucite with a stunning tortoiseshell effect. This elegant piece was produced in Italy in the 1970s. This stunning piece is perfect to enhance a modern studio...
Lucite, Plexiglass
Sold
H 12.41 in W 24.61 in D 1.19 in
70s Design Large Pictures Frame in Orange with Eight Multicolor Inserts
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Rare Pop Art 70s photo frame made in France and bursting with vintage energy. Featuring a vivid orange plastic structure, this eye-catching piece includes...
Plastic
Solid Smoke & Clear Lucite Picture Frame Holder 1970's
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful elegant solid thick lucite frame holder takes pictures 7"x 5" very nice and clean condition we polished the piece smoke lucite that slides in clear thick lucite.
Lucite
Sold
H 8.5 in W 8.5 in D 1 in
Leather and Birchwood Photo Frame for Two Pictures by French Brand Hermès Paris
By Hermès
Located in North Miami, FL
Leather and birchwood photo frame for two pictures by french luxury design house Hermès Paris By: Hermès Paris Material: birch, glass, leather, magnets, thread, wood Technique: embo...
Magnets
Sold
H 22.05 in W 22.05 in D 0.79 in
Italian space age chromed steel frame with optical abstract design print, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age chromed steel frame with optical and abstract design print, 1970s Framework with chromed steel frame and abstract design in shades of blue, white and green, reminis...
Metal
Italian wicker & nickel plated metal 1970s Picture Frame from Tommaso Barbi
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This small picture frame is made from nickel-plated metal and wicker. It remains in very good vintage condition.
Metal, Nickel