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.
Psychedelic Ceramic Wall Art ''The Smile ?'' Karel F.van der Wilk . 1977 Holland
Located in Den Haag, NL
Unique work by the Dutch Artist Karel F.van der Wilk . The work is named by the Artist .The Smile ? 1977 Holland multi colored Ceramic . comes in a a symmetric frame . Space Ac...
Ceramic
Red tap shaped ceramic, JC Peiré, France ca. 1970
By JC Peire
Located in Firenze, IT
Space age red tap shaped ceramic JC Peiré, France ca. 1970 H 23 cm x 19 cm Conditions: excellent, no defects
Ceramic
Vintage Engraved Colored Glass Lantern
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This enchanting Moroccan-style lantern is a masterwork of artisanal metalcraft and exotic design. Featuring an intricately hand-pierced and engraved metal frame, it showcases traditi...
Metal
Belgium Handcrafted Ceramic Wall Art, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage ceramic wall art. Brown earthenware with hand painted accents. Design of 8 figures in ceramic and glazed in the tones blue, gold, whit...
Ceramic
Monique Gerber Bronze Fruit Sculptures France ca' 1970's
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A group of three fruit sculptures by Monique Gerber, French sculptor, ca' 1970's. Done is solid patinated bronze. Each one signed with engraving.
Bronze
Hervé van der Straeten, "Coupe Nid" Bronze Centerpiece, France, 2012
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary bronze centrepiece by Hervé van der Straeten.
Bronze
Ceramic Tile Wall Art Decoration from a Cat
By Tackoen
Located in Antwerp, BE
Ceramic tile wall art decoration from a cat. Height 94 cm. Width 47 cm. Depth 3 cm.
Wood, Ceramic
$766
H 7.09 in W 18.12 in D 4.34 in
Art Deco Saint-Clément Style French Panther In Antique Glazed Red Ceramic
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly invite you to read the entire description, as it provides detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity of our items. A stunning and large Art De...
Ceramic
Hervé van der Straeten, "Coupe Nid" Bronze Centerpiece, France, 2012
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary bronze centrepiece by Hervé van der Straeten.
Bronze
$3,472
H 23 in W 0.1 in D 0.1 in
Large Art Nouveau Bronze Lady Bust Sculpture by Georges Van der Straeten, Paris
Located in Lisse, NL
Finest workmanship bust with original and beautiful patina from an important Belgian sculptor 'George Van der Straeten.' This stunning bust depicts a beautiful young lady with a big...
Bronze
$575
H 7.5 in W 4 in D 3.25 in
Patinated Antique Art Nouveau "Shy Girl" Bronze by Georges Van der Straeten
Located in San Diego, CA
Gorgeous art nouveau "Shy Girl" bronze by Georges Van der Straeten for Société des Bronzes de Paris, circa 1900s. The bust has wonderful detail and is in very good vintage condition ...
Marble, Bronze
$1,412Sale Price / item|25% Off
H 24.02 in W 20.48 in D 9.06 in
Round Shelf with Blue Matte Finish, Colored Glass, by Erik Olovsson
Located in Stockholm, SE
Round shelf with matte Nextel coating. A centered lacquered glass shelf with a brown hand blown glass piece thats included in the shelf. The core is made i...
Cement
Organic modern Ceramic link chain wall sculpture art
Located in Attleboro, MA
Composed of interlocking links that are both earthy and organic. Each link is crafted from unglazed stoneware clay in muted tones, evoking the warm hues of a desert at dusk. The lin...
Ceramic
$675
H 23 in W 20 in D 8 in
Small Vintage Indian Exterior Rust Colored and Carved Wooden Horse from Madras
Located in Yonkers, NY
A small Indian vintage carved and rust colored wooden horse sculpture from Madras with distressed patina. Born in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu during the midcentury period, this small carved wooden horse sculpture from Madras captivates with its petite proportions and rust-colored distressed patina. Standing proudly on its four legs, this charming horse, circa 1950, showcases an appealing archaic style. The weathered patina adds a touch of rustic authenticity, enhancing the horse's character and highlighting its age and history. The sculpture exudes an undeniable 'joie de vivre,' making it a delightful decorative object, perfect for adding a whimsical touch to a child's room. The horse's graceful stance and detailed carving demonstrate the artisan's skill and attention to detail. The rust-colored finish, distressed over time, brings a vintage charm that will complement various interior styles, from rustic farmhouse to eclectic bohemian. As an accent piece, this Madras carved horse can be placed on a chest, or console table, infusing the space with a sense of history and cultural richness. Its compact size makes it versatile and easy to incorporate into different settings, while its unique patina ensures it stands out as a conversation piece. This vintage Indian wooden horse...
Wood
Handmade Ceramic Accessories Ladybug Red
Located in Lisbon, PT
These handmade decorative accessories combine the traditional Portuguese ceramic and glazing techniques in a modern approach of shapes and color, as they bring such brightness and jo...
Brass
Sold
H 7.88 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
Set of Different Sizes French 1970 Resin HourGlass in the Style of Giraudon
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
The set is composed of three resin sculptures with an HourGlass inside. The French artist Pierre Giraudon, probably did it in the period 1970-1980. The biggest is 20 cm high and the...
Glass, Resin