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.
Very rare, large SABA designer table clock with an aluminum housing from 1975
Located in München, DE
A very rare, large, original SABA designer table clock with an aluminum housing. Manufactured in 1975. Made in Germany. Features a beautiful, minimalist design. This clock is now ext...
Metal, Aluminum
Beautiful original 1970s Krups wall clock in typical Space Age design
By Krups
Located in München, DE
Beautiful 1970s original KRUPS wall clock in typical Space Age design. Made in Germany. Case is made entirely of plastic. Front is in green, back in black. No damage. No chips or scr...
Plastic
Mid-Century Modern Space Age IBM System/3 Scale Miniature Model 10, 1960s
By IBM
Located in Hamburg, DE
Very rare scale model of an IBM System/3 from the late 1960s. This model was probably used as a sales model or was a gift for employees or customers. Such miniature models were use...
Plastic
Ice Bucket in Chrome in the shape of a bowling ball, France, 1970
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Vintage chrome ice bucket with an iconic spherical design reminiscent of the 1970s. Its perfectly round shape and mirrored finish give it a futuristic aesthetic typical of space age ...
Chrome
Monumental 1970s Italian Fiberglass Male Anatomy Sculpture With Metallic Finish
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Monumental male anatomy fiberglass sculpture with metallic finish made for Italian theatrical productions—1970s. Incredible scale with excellent detail. A showstopper of a conversat...
Fiberglass
Original BRAUN HL 1 Table Fan from 1961 by Reinhold Weiss, with Leather Finish
By Braun, Reinhold Weiss
Located in München, DE
A very rare, original BRAUN HL 1 table fan from 1961, featuring a dark blue leather details. Designed by Reinhold Weiss. Made in West Germany. The air outlet is steplessly rotatable,...
Metal
4.5 Billion Year Old Sculptural Stone Meteorite - NWA 17936
Located in London, GB
This striking stone meteorite is a rare type of natural sculpture from outer space. Its form and radiating thumb-shaped impressions - known as regmaglypts - are the result of its fie...
Stone
Iron Meteorite Sphere with Crystalline Structure Unique to Outer Space
Located in London, GB
This polished extraterrestrial iron sphere is a fascinating display piece, dating back to the formation of the Solar System and from the core of a large asteroid. Carved from the fam...
Iron
Pink Stilbite Bowtie Formation on Green-Grey Sparkling Stalactites
Located in London, GB
A remarkable mineral specimen from the famed Jalgaon location in India, and once belonging to one of the greatest art collections of the 20th century, the Sheikh Al Thani Collection....
Other
Swiss made, small, and rare original mechanical Swiza 8 table clock in brass
Located in München, DE
A beautiful, rare, and authentic small SWIZA 8 mechanical brass table clock. Features a fantastic minimalist design. Manufactured in the 1960s. Made in Switzer...
Brass
Mosaic-like Lunar Meteorite Cross Section
Located in London, GB
This spectacular polished slice of the Lunar meteorite Gadamis 004, reveals a mosaic-like interior, evoking the surface of the Moon as seen by the eye on a clear night. Weighing 149 ...
Stone
1970s UNIVERSUM Wall Clock with Radio by Adriano Rampoldi for Quelle Versand
Located in München, DE
Original 1970s UNIVERSUM Wall Clock with Radio. Designed by Adriano Rampoldi for Quelle Mail Order (Germany). Made in Italy. Includes the original German instruction manual and invoi...
Metal
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
$79 / item
BMF Nagel Candleholder Stackable Modular
By Fritz Nagel, Bmf Nagel, Caesar Stoffi
Located in Vienna, AT
Stackable modular candleholder by BMF Quist Nagel, The candleholders were designed by Ceasar Stoffi and Fritz Nagel and manufactured by BMF (Bayerische Metal...
Brass, Chrome
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
1960 Scheurich "Lava" Germany Ceramic Enamel Red Horses Vase Umbrella Stand
Located in Brescia, IT
Vase Scheurich Ceramic Germany, 1960 Ceramic Black and Red Lava Perfect Condiction
Ceramic
1990s Space Age Silver Plated Atomes Vase by Richard Hutten for Christofle
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A silver plated and glass vase designed and manufactured in France by Christofle. Richard Hutten, a renowned Dutch designer known for his innovative and playful approach to design, collaborated with Christofle, a prestigious French silverware and luxury goods manufacturer, to create the Atomes Vase...
Silver Plate
Space Age Metal Dice, attributed to Danese, Italy, 1960s
Located in Firenze, IT
Space Age Metal Dice attributed to Danese, Italy, 1960s 11 × 11 × 11 cm Condition: excellent, no defects.
Metal
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
Huge Iron Meteorite Sphere with Crystalline Structure
Located in London, GB
A magnificent, and particularly large meteorite sphere – weighing an impressive 4.5 kg – cut from the famous Aletai meteorite and etched to reveal the shimmering Widmanstätten patter...
Iron
XL Space Age Wall Clock in electric blue acrylic by Iskra, Yugoslavia 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a striking extra large Space Age electric clock in electric blue acrylic. The clock was manufactured by Iskra, one of the largest companies in Yugoslavi...
Acrylic
$117Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Fruit Bowl in the Shape of a Leaf Vallauris France
By Vallauris
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage dish or vide poche dish in the shape of a leaf, made of multi-coloured glazed ceramic, by Vallauris, France, 1960s-70s. In good but used vintage condition, a chip from the t...
Ceramic
Meteorite Display Piece, Iron Sphere with Metallic Matrix and Peridot Gems
Located in London, GB
A mesmerising iron sphere carved from a mass of the Seymchan meteorite, one of the most important meteorite discoveries of the twentieth century. Found in the Magadan region of the R...
Iron
1970s table clock and alarm clock COMFORTIME 3 by Krups in very good condition
By Krups
Located in München, DE
Original 1970s Krups table clock and alarm clock in very good condition. Krups Type 672. Made in Germany. The 1970s Pop Art classic in typical orange. Clock and alarm functions are w...
Plastic
Aespi Italian Space Age Green Thermoplastic Oscillating Fan Model 5056 1970s
Located in Lisboa, PT
Italian Space Age thermoplastic oscillating fan by Aespi, model 5056, produced in the 1970s. This sculptural desk accessory exemplifies the bold material experimentation and futurist...
Chrome
1970s Letter Holder in Black & Transparent Lucite - French Desk Accessory
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
1970s Letter Holder in Black & Transparent Lucite - French Desk Accessory Minimal and chic letter holder, made of lucite. Perfect to place on a desk or in the entryway. Dimens...
Lucite, Plexiglass
Sculptural Oriented Meteorite with Wave-Like Surface
Located in London, GB
Formed during the earliest moments of our Solar System, around 4.5 billion years ago, this meteorite originates from a small rocky parent body that later became part of the asteroid ...
Stone
1960's Space Age Electric Wall Clock by General Electric Lime Green Rare
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool beautiful color Lime green plastic case with electric movement General Electric, wall clock in working condition original cord very nice simple design, and beautiful colo...
Plastic
Rare Sculptural Meteorite with Wave-Like Impressions
Located in London, GB
This striking natural sculpture is in fact a meteorite, formed at the creation of our Solar System around 4.5 billion years ago. Journeying across hundreds of millions of miles from ...
Stone
Vintage Space Age Orion Stacking Candleholder by Ceasar & Fritz Nagel, 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Space Age Orion Stacking Candleholder by Ceasar Stoffi & Fritz Nagel for BMF, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 have official proof of authenticity such a...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Space Age Vase by Kingston Pottery
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Beautiful timeless piece of ceramics by Kingston Pottery UK.
Ceramic
Small Twisted Meteorite Fragment with Impressions
Located in London, GB
This small, but perfectly formed extraterrestrial sculpture originates from the Sikhote-Alin meteorite, which fell to Earth on 12 February 1947 in the largest recorded fall in histor...
Iron
Big Scheurich Lava Vase by Designer Scheurich Keramik, 1970s Germany
Located in Milano, IT
1970s Gorgeous big Scheurich Lava vase in excellent condition. This vase is a true piece of modern art Dimensions: diameter 4,72" x 15,74" height inches...
Ceramic
$191Sale Price|43% Off
Murano Glass Faceted Geode Dish in Red and Yellow Sommerso
By Mandruzzato
Located in Glasgow, GB
A vintage Murano glass, Mandruazatto sommerso dish, handcrafted in Italy in the 1970s. A colourful piece of Murano glass showcasing the 'geode style' crafted using the renowned 'sommerso' technique, which translates to 'submerged.' A skilled art glass process that involves layering two or more tones of glass submerged within one another. The result of this revered process results in a bold and colourful display of layers of glass. In this dish, a warm yolk-toned yellow glass is paired with a vibrant tomato-red glass. The combination of the colors create a beautiful and unique optical display...
Murano Glass
1960 Fontana Arte Max Ingrand Italian Design Mid Century Modernist Crystal Bowl
By Fontana Arte
Located in Brescia, IT
Bowl Fontana Arte 1960-1969 Smoked Crystal Ground Crystal on the edge Perfect Condiction
Crystal
Polished Seymchan Meteorite Sphere with Olivine Crystals in Iron Matrix
Located in London, GB
A magnificent iron sphere carved from the renowned Seymchan pallasite meteorite, discovered in the Hekandue River in the Russian Far East. This sculptural example reveals the distinc...
Iron
Black-Green Spotted Martian Meteorite
Located in London, GB
This striking meteorite slice is perfectly polished to reveal the mesmerising green-black crystalline interior unique to the Martian surface. This specimen belongs to the rare class ...
Stone
Studio Opi, White space age mod. Ikebana C ceramic vase, Gabbianelli Italy 1970
By Gabbianelli
Located in Firenze, IT
White modern ceramic / ashtray / vase mod. Ikebana C designed by Studio OPI (F. Bettonica, M. Melocchi) Italy ca. 1970 Marked under the base H 13 cm - 24 × 24 cm Conditions: exce...
Ceramic
$815Sale Price / set|42% Off
Set of 2 Space Age Flower glass and metal vases design by Lisa Mori, Italy 1980s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
If you're looking to add a striking piece of vintage Italian design to your home, this Set of 2 Space Age Flower glass and metal vases by Lisa Mori is a must...
Metal
$1,303Sale Price|60% Off
Late 20th Century sculptural & Rare Ceramic Vase in Chrome Finish, with holes
Located in Milano, IT
Ceramic Vase - Ceramic Sculpture - Italian Ceramic Vase - Rare Object This is an intriguing and rare ceramic vase, coated in a shiny chromed paint coat. Handcrafted in a playful an...
Ceramic
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
Vibrant Green ‘Rocket’ Tourmaline with Red Rubelite Stem
Located in London, GB
A rare, vibrant green ‘rocket’ tourmaline, with a red rubellite stem from the celebrated 2001 discovery of the ‘Rocket Pocket’ at the Pederneira Mine in Brazil. Famed among the min...
Other
Pantonova Planters by Verner Panton for Fritz Hansen, Denmark, 1971
By Fritz Hansen, Verner Panton
Located in Echt, NL
Rare Pantonova planters in very good condition. Designed by Verner Panton in 1971 Produced by Fritz Hansen. The mat chrome frame consists of fine parallel wire rods that hold a m...
Metal, Chrome
Monolithic Meteorite Cross Section with Mirror-Polish and Translucent Gemstones
Located in London, GB
This small, monolithic meteorite cross-section originates from the famed pallasite meteorite, Seymchan. Formed over 4.5 billion years ago at the creation of our Solar System, it was ...
Iron
"Coo Coo" radio alarm clock by Philippe Starck for Alessi - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Philippe starck for Alessi - Italy 20th Iconic "Coo Coo" radio alarm clock, designed by Philippe Starck in 1996. Manufacturer: Distributed by Alessi and produced by Thomson. Design: ...
Plastic
$814 / set
Seventies Fat Lava Vases Germany (3 pcs)
By Scheurich Keramik, Carstens Tönnieshof, Bay Keramik
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Three vibrant colored vases. The highest vase is from Scheurich Keramik and the height is 28 cm The orange vase is from Bay Keramik and its height is 20 cm The triangle vase is fro...
Ceramic
Space Age Vanity Set by Makio Hasuike for Gedy, Italy 1970s
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This Space Age vanity set was designed by Makio Hasuike for Gedy and produced in Italy during the 1970s. It represents a refined example of Italian plastic design, where functionalit...
Glass, Plastic
Huge Translucent Golden Yellow Desert Glass from Meteorite Impact
Located in London, GB
An extremely large and sculptural piece of Libyan Desert Glass, a rare type of impact glass formed when a meteorite impacted in the eastern Sahara around 29 million years ago. This...
Glass
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
Mid-Century Modern Space Age Blue Bowl from decembre, Finland, 1960s
By Décembre Oy
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Space Age Blue Bowl from decembre, Finland, 1960s
Plastic
Large Modular Set of 12 Nagel S22 Chrome-Plated Candleholders for Stoff, Germany
By Werner Stoff
Located in BORGO, FR
An iconic set of 12 original Nagel S22 modular candleholders, designed for Stoff Nagel in Germany during the 1970s. Recognized as one of the most enduring ic...
Chrome
Swiss Modern Desk Organizers, Pencil Holders by Pentex, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A red and a black pencil-holder in cast acrylic. 1970s Modern architectural styling. Designed and manufactured by Pentex in Switzerland. Each with 6 cylindrical compartments for uten...
Acrylic
Iconic Mannequin Twiggy Model Head Vintage German, Space Age Design
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Rare hard plastic store display hat stand or model featuring iconic English mannequin Twiggy Lawson. Very Good, used, vintage condition. Lesley Lawson, widely known by the nickname Twiggy, is an English model, actress, and singer. In the mid-1960s, she became a prominent British teenage model of swinging 1960s London...
Plastic
Mosaic-Like Lunar Meteorite Specimen with Grey and White Brecchiated Interior
Located in London, GB
This spectacular polished slice of Gadamis 004 reveals the lunar meteorite’s mosaic-like interior, with its matrix of white, grey, and charcoal angular clasts, evoking the surface of...
Stone
Greyish-White Lunar Meteorite Fragment
Located in London, GB
This beautifully polished lunar meteorite fragment is a precious but powerful display piece, offering both extraterrestrial provenance and striking natural beauty. This specimen is f...
Stone
‘Fat Lava’ Large Ceramic Jug by Scheurich, Germany, 1970s
Located in GORINCHEM, NL
This eye-catching ceramic jug by Scheurich is a fine example of the expressive West German ceramics that became internationally known as “Fat Lava.” Produced during the 1970s, the ju...
Ceramic
Pale Blue Aquamarine Crystals on Sparkling White Feldspar Matrix
Located in London, GB
A fine cluster of water-like blue aquamarine crystals on a feldspar matrix. The elongated, prismatic formations of the crystals display crisp, vertical striations and a delicate, pal...
Other
Vintage 'Space Age' Set Opaline Florence Vase, Empoli, 1955
Located in Verviers, BE
Vintage opaline from Florence. This is a rare color and size, a must have for any collector. Looks simply stunning. The piece is in excellent condition and a real beauty! With best wishes, Geert ?Early Bird Gallery...
Murano Glass, Opaline Glass
Abstract Reversible Modular Sculpture in Metal and Acrylic by Miguel Ángel Vidal
By Miguel Ángel Vidal
Located in North Miami, FL
Abstract reversible modular sculpture in aluminum, metal and acrylic by argentine artist Miguel Ángel Vidal By: Miguel Ángel Vidal Material: acrylic, aluminum, synthetic, plastic, m...
Metal, Aluminum
Seventies Green Vase or Jug
Located in Waddinxveen, ZH
Stunning large Seventies Vase in Green
Ceramic