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.
1970's Chrome Robot Lamp by Torino Lamps
Located in Hanover, MA
Highly desirable chrome robot standing lamp by Torino Lamps, 1978. Often believed to be of Italian origin this robot and other character lamps were des...
Steel, Chrome
Space Age Red Black Vintage Plastic Television Discoverer by Philips Netherlands
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage red and plastic television named discoverer, which was manufactured by Philips, Netherlands, 1980s. Its outstanding shape makes this design piece so fascinating. T...
Glass, Plastic
Unique Mannequin Pop Art Fashion Sculpture, Schläppi Switzerland 1960's
By Schlappi
Located in Den Haag, NL
Unique Pop Art Fashion mannequin. Made by Schlappi circa 1960's.
Fiberglass
Set of 3 Bill Curry Gold Bronze Finished Cast Iron Jacks Sculptures Atomic Age
By Bill Curry & Design Line, Bill Curry
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 3 Jack Sculptures, Door Stopper, Paperweight or decorative accent pieces, designed by Bill Curry of Design Line, 1967. Features a Mid-Century Modern atomic, geometric shape ma...
Iron
1960's Italian Murano Saturn Glass Sculpture Attributed To Lino Tagliapietra
Located in San Diego, CA
Controlled Bubbles with red ring glass sculpture attributed to Lino Tagliapietra, circa 1960's excellent condition no chips or cracks or scratches , Murano Italy.
Blown Glass
Machine II Big 1967 Space Age Artwork
By Kor Bekker
Located in Weesp, NL
1967 Big Space Age artwork Machine II. This impressive and unique sculpture titled Machine II, was created by the Dutch sculptor Kor Bekker (Rotterda...
Steel
Space Age Mannequin Long Jenny by Prifio Germany Years 70
Located in Biella, IT
Space Age mannequin Long Jenny by Prifio Germany years 70 for inauguration of the Rinascente in Milan Italy. Round base in black metal and hand pink color...
Plastic, Acrylic
1971, Le Temoin by Man Ray, Dino Gavina, Simon, International Ultramobile
By Dino Gavina, Ultramobile Collection
Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL
This chair is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beac...
Upholstery, Faux Leather
"Junkyard" robot sculpture by Steve Heller
By Steve Heller
Located in Tarrytown, NY
Robot sculpture composed of various scrap metal elements, vintage electronic equipment and car parts by Steve Heller. Internally lit head and torso.
Metal
20th Century Astronaut Bronze Sculpture by Italian-Brazilian Artist D. Calabrone
By Domenico Calabrone
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-20th century astronaut bronze sculpture by italian-brazilian artist Doménico Calabrone By: Doménico Calabrone Material: bronze, copper, metal Technique: cast, hammered, hand-cra...
Bronze, Copper, Metal
Vintage Boho Copper Spire
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Introduce a piece of architectural intrigue and bohemian charm into your space with this Vintage Boho Copper Spire. Crafted from genuine copper, this stri...
Copper
Contemporary Cast Iron Bicycle Sculpture
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century cast iron sculpture of a bicycle racer on a solid cast iron rectangular base
Iron
Italian Murano Glass Abstract Sculpture Attributed to Seguso
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Wonderful small-scale Murano glass sculpture in clear glass on a black glass plinth. Lyrical and expressive, appears to be the work of Seguso and most often would have been signed wi...
Glass
Vintage Cast Iron Jack by Bill Curry, Mid-Century Modern, 1967
By Bill Curry, Bill Curry & Design Line
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Large Handmade Iron Jack by Bill Curry paperweight or bookend. Large vintage original handmade cast iron Jack, Jax, designed by Bill Curry of Design Line, 1967. This jack is made of cast iron and is in original condition. Great addition to any decor, Industrial retro Pop Art...
Iron
$3,225Sale Price|26% Off
H 11.03 in Dm 24.81 in
Lino Tagliapietra for Effetre, Magia, Opaline Cased Amber, Filigrana Incalmo
By Effetre International Company, Lino Tagliapietra
Located in Tavarnelle val di Pesa, Florence
This suspension is a bit of history of glass making. It's the enfancy of Lino Tagliapietra, made when he was at Effetre International. The shape is known as Magia and was produced in...
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$890
H 20 in W 20 in D 20 in
Classic Danish Pop 1960s /Space Age Flemming Brylle & Preben Jacobsen Table Lamp
By Flemming Brylle & Preben Jacobsen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Danish Pop 1960s /Space Age Flemming Brylle & Preben Jacobsen table lamp, 1960s fabulous, plastic, screens with white plastic slats. Lucite, ac...
Plastic, Acrylic
Copper Artwork
Located in Antwerp, BE
Copper wall artwork, 1950s. It could also be from the art nouveau period. Height 75 cm. Width 53 cm.
Copper
Cast Iron Foo Dog Sculpture
Located in Asheville, NC
This cast iron piece features a statuary male Chinese guardian Lion (Foo Dog) proudly balancing both hands atop an embroidered ball, representing supremac...
Iron
Markel Robot Sculpture by Bennett Robot Works
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Custom robot sculpture named Markel by Bennett Robot Works, Brooklyn, NY Bennett Robot Works, robot sculptures created by Gordon Bennett, are comp...
Metal
Stainless Steel Ball Sculpture - Space Age Decorative
Located in Milano, IT
Decorative Steel Sculpture - Mirror Polished Steel Sphere - Space Age Decorative Unusual, attractive and highly decorative abstract sculpture from the 1980s - a stainless steel ball...
Steel, Stainless Steel
$327Sale Price|44% Off
H 11 in W 10 in D 4 in
Mide-century Murano Pheasant Art Glass Sculpture attributed to Barovier & Toso
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Mid-century Murano Art Glass Pheasant Figurine Attributed to Barovier & Toso, this exquisite mid-century sculpture features a striking deep blue hue enhanced by controlled bubbles an...
Art Glass
Italian Glass Sculpture Attributed to Fontana Arte
By Fontana Arte, Pietro Chiesa
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful and substantial glass sculpture attributed to Italian design Maison, Fontana Arte, Mid-Century Modern to '70s Modern design period, circa mid to late-20th century, Italy....
Glass
Cast Bronze Snail Sculpture
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This exquisite brass snail sculpture captures the beauty of nature with remarkable craftsmanship and elegant form. The spiraled shell is adorned with delicate, swirling etchings that...
Bronze
Sold
H 9.45 in W 8.67 in D 3.94 in
Green Ceramic Horse Figurine - 1970s Handmade Sculpture by Roberto Rigon Italy
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Discover a rare and captivating piece of 1970s art by renowned Italian artist Roberto Rigon. This exquisite green ceramic horse figurine epitomize...
Ceramic
Vintage Glazed Porcelain Space Shuttle Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-20th century American space-age porcelain sculpture is a striking ode to NASA's space exploration. Depicting a space shuttle in the initial stages of launch, the orbiter and...
Porcelain
Bronze sculpture representing Diana the huntress, XXth c.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Bronze sculpture representing Diana the huntress after HOUDON, XXth. c.
Bronze
The Beatles "Yellow Submarine" Lego Model with Mini Figures
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool small-scale model of the Beatle's "Yellow Submarine" complete with mini figures of John, Paul, George and Ringo made of Legos circa 2016. The set is in very good conditi...
Plastic
1990's Scale Guggenheim Museum Model Lego Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in San Diego, CA
A beautiful small-scale model of the Guggenheim Museum made of Legos circa 1990's , original box and manual.
Plastic
Italian Yellow Glazed Space Age Ceramic La Sfera 1970s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Stunning Decorative Ceramic signed LA Sfera, very bright yellow glaze ceramic perfect as in interesting sculptural object to have on the sideboard or a table.
Ceramic
Space Age Metal Rocket Art Sculpture
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Metal space age rocket art sculpture titled VFR Zeta II by J. Bescant dated 10/2000. This extraordinary futuristic piece features a rocket leaving its launc...
Metal
Sold
H 2.96 in Dm 4.73 in
Christmas Tree FUTURO UFO Bas van Beek, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Rotterdam
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
This Futuro Christmas ball is by Dutch artist Bas van Beek who made this creation from a few of the highlights of the permanent collection of the Boijmans van Beuningen Museum in Rotterdam The Netherlands A small series of each collection object has been handcrafted in Poland by a company that is specialized in unique handcrafted glass ornaments for your Christmas tree Offered here is a Christmas Ornament of the prototype of the Futuro house...
Blown Glass
Majestic Agave Lucite Sculpture Signed by Hivo Van Teal
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful solid thick Lucite sculpture by Hivo Van Teal, circa 1970s.
Lucite
Very Rare Squirrel 'Lucite' by Silvio Russo for Guzzini Italy
By Guzzini
Located in MIlano, IT
A very rare Squirrel 'lucite'. Designed by Silvio Russo for Guzzini Italy in the 1970 period The Animal is in clear plexiglass and present part of the lab...
Lucite
Sold
H 5.91 in W 7.88 in D 1.19 in
Very Rare Snake 'Lucite', Designed by Silvio Russo for Guzzini, Italy, 1970
By Guzzini
Located in MIlano, IT
A very rare Snake 'Lucite'. Designed by Silvio Russo for Guzzini Italy in the 1970 period The Animal is in clear plexiglass and present part of the labe...
Lucite
Sold
H 4.73 in W 7.88 in D 1.19 in
Very Rare Lion 'Lucite' Animal by Silvio Russo for Guzzini Italy 1970 Period
By Guzzini
Located in MIlano, IT
A very rare Lion 'Lucite'. Designed by Silvio Russo for Guzzini Italy in the 1970 period The animal is in clear plexiglass and present part of the label of productor 2 little dama...
Lucite