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.
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
Shiny Red Ceramic Vase "Idole" Signed by French Ceramist Dalo
By Dalo
Located in Paris, FR
Famous sculpture "Idole", decorative vase in clay with stylized face, handmade by French ceramicists Dalo Earthenware with shiny dark red enamel. On...
Ceramic
$745
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
White Glazed Ceramic Dog Sculpture, France, 1970s
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Charming French ceramic sculpture dating from the 1970s, depicting a seated dog with an attentive and expressive posture. Finished in a glossy white glaze, the figure is enhanced by ...
Ceramic
$260Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.5 in W 4 in D 7 in
1970s Heidi Caillard Handmade Ceramic Quail Caille Lussan France
By Roger Capron
Located in Chula Vista, CA
French Art Pottery handmade Quail figurine Caille France signed Caille Heidi Caillard Southern France French ceramic 4.5 h x 7 d x 4 w Preowned Original vintage condition original c...
Wood, Burl
Vintage Murano Glass Rhinoceros
By Ercole Barovier, Seguso, Venini, Archimede Seguso, Barovier&Toso
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Murano Glass Rhinoceros. This realistic Murano rhino sculpture is clear and gray glass with controlled bubbles and in great condition.
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
$13,627
H 44.89 in W 13 in D 9.85 in
Mid Century Colored Murano Glass Sculpture by Alessandro Barbaro. Italy, 1970s
Located in Madrid, ES
Alessandro Barbaro, artist and master glassmaker (Dorsoduro, 1936), transforms glass by playing with large-scale pieces that challenge the material'...
Murano Glass
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
Aqua Colored Art Glass Orb Sculpture on Stand
Located in San Diego, CA
Aqua colored art Ggass orb sculpture on wooden stand, circa 1980s. The glass orb is in very good condition with no chips or cracks and measures 3"D x 4.5"H. Great color and clarity o...
Art Glass, Wood
$420
H 5.63 in W 2.63 in D 4 in
Hand Carved Black Forest Brienz Wooden Bear with an Engraved Glass Vase or Flute
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 1900s Black Forest Brienz work of art. This small and hand carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsm...
Cut Glass, Wood
1970s Italian Murano Signed Colored Glass Animalier Sculpture
Located in Roma, IT
1970s Italian Murano Signed Colored Glass Animalier Sculpture A beautiful and rare object handmade by the Murano masters, representing an animalier crystal sculpture in the shape of...
Crystal
$715
H 12 in W 5 in D 5.5 in
Black Forest Carved Wooden Standing Bear with an Engraved Glass Vase or Flute
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 20th century Swiss work of art. This small and hand-carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in early 20th century, Switzerland. Anyone who i...
Glass, Wood
$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
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