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.
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
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
Silvio Russo, lucite giraffe sculpture, Guzzini Italy 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in Firenze, IT
Rare lucite giraffe sculpture designed by Silvio Russo Team Guzzini, Vedril, Guzzini Italy 1970s H 33 cm x 14 cm x 3 cm Conditions: excellent
Lucite
Vintage Boho Cast Bronze Rams Head
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This compelling vintage cast bronze ram's head sculpture embodies a distinctive blend of rustic charm and artistic sophistication. Crafted with meticulous detail, the piece showcases...
Bronze
Vintage Bronze Flying Angle Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This striking vintage bronze sculpture depicts an angel in a dynamic, mid-air flight, capturing a profound sense of ethereal movement and grace. The artist employs a modernist, almos...
Marble
Vintage Boho Monumental Fiberglass Mushrooms - Set of 2
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
These exceptional sculptural pieces capture the irreverent charm of 1970s Pop Art and whimsical design, utilizing durable molded fiberglass for a grand, monumental scale. The bold, h...
Resin, Fiberglass, Paint
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
Italian modern lucite sculpture by Silvio Russo for Guzzini, 1970s
By Guzzini
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern lucite sculpture by Silvio Russo for iGuzzini, 1970s Sculpture in the shape of a stylized monkey on four-legged, in transparent lucite. The animal's eyes are two holes...
Lucite
Murano, 1950, Italian Attributed to Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Murano Glass
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
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
$2,950
Murano, 1950, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Murano Glass
Murano, 1950, Italian Attributed to Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Murano Glass
Murano, 1950, Italian Atribuido a Flavio Poli-Medida
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Logistics and International Shipping We provide a comprehensive export service so that your only concern is enjoying your acquisition. • Door-to-Door Service: Pieces located in our A...
Murano Glass
Iron Antelope Sculpture, 1970s
Located in Lisboa, PT
Sculpture in welded metal and nails depicting an antelope. In the African style. France, 1970s.
Iron
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