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.
$1,700
Murano 1950, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'V...
Murano Glass
Monumental Clear Glass Centerpiece Attributed to Vistosi, Murano, 1970s
Located in BARCELONA, ES
This monumental piece (64 × 60 × 11 cm) exemplifies the sculptural clarity and refined minimalism of post-war Italian glass design. Crafted in transparent crystal glass, its free-for...
Murano Glass
Vintage Italian Sculptural Ashtray Centerpiece from Studio Del Campo, 1975
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This ashtray comes from a serie "Composizione" produced by Studio Del Campo in 1975. It is made from bronze and enameled silver.
Bronze, Enamel
$2,880
Murano 1970, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'Vi...
Murano Glass
Space age mod. "Something Else" black centerpiece, Mariotti bros. Asea, Italy 70
By ASEA
Located in Firenze, IT
Space age mod. "Something Else" black abs tray designed by Mario and Marcello Mariotti for ASEA Studio, Florence, in 1969. Italy 1970s Can be used as a serving tray or as a decorat...
Plastic
Space Age Ceramic Vases by Gabbianelli, Red Glazed, Italy, 1970s
By Gabbianelli
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
1970s astonishing Space Age red vase in ceramic by Gabbianelli. Made in Italy. Both Vases are extremely well design and very stylish shapes. Beautiful astonishing brigth Red colour c...
Ceramic
Murano, 1950, Italian, Attributed to Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'V...
Murano Glass
Murano, 1950, Italian, Attributed to Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'Vi...
Murano Glass
Vintage Steel Centerpiece by A. Panzeri for Robots Milano, 1970s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This sculptural centerpiece was manufactured in steel and produced by Robots, Milano. It remains in a pretty good condition: normal signs of wear, mostly located under the base.
Steel
Space Age Etagere Serving Set in Multicolor Plastic by Emsa West Germany 1970s
By Emsa Germany
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Original 1970s etagere by Emsa, made in West Germany. A true space age gem, this sculptural serving piece features curvy, glossy plastic components in striking primary colors—red, y...
Plastic
Vintage Italian enameled Ashtray from Studio Del Campo, 1970s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Chrome plated & green enameled metal manufactured by Studio Del Campo in 1970s. Very good condition. Manufacture signature on the base.
Bronze, Enamel
$2,470
Murano, 1950, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'V...
Murano Glass
$1,600
Crystal 1950, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Crystal We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'V...
Crystal
$1,325
Murano, 1950, Italian.
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'V...
Murano Glass
1960's Italian Decorative Centerpiece Plate
Located in Paris, FR
An Italian mid-century century vintage glass decorative dish, vide-poche or centerpiece in beautiful hues of blue and white. Italy, Circa 1960's. We are an exhibition space and ...
Glass
$239
H 2.37 in W 5.91 in D 5.91 in
Vintage Square Transparent Molded Thick Glass Ashtray - Trinket Bowl, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1968. Made in thick molded glass. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in perfect original condition and r...
Glass
$705
H 2.56 in W 5.32 in D 5.32 in
Large Murano Glass "Yellow" Bowl Element Shell Ashtray Murano, Italy, 1970
By Flavio Poli, Alessandro Mandruzzato
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Murano glass bowl, ashtray element Origin: Murano, Italy Decade: 1970s This original vintage glass bowl element, ash tray was produced in the 1970s in Murano, Ital...
Murano Glass
Triangular White Ceramics Vase signed by Gabbianelli, Italy, 1970s
By Gabbianelli
Located in Rome, IT
Particular triangular vase made of white ceramics by the Italian designer Gabbianelli during the 1970s. As the photos show, this wonderful item has two little grains on the bottom.
Ceramic
$418
H 5.91 in W 6.3 in D 6.3 in
Italian mid-century Orange ceramic Vase by Bettonica for Gabbianelli, 1970s
By Gabbianelli, Franco Bettonica
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century Orange ceramic Vase by Bettonica for Gabbianelli, 1970s Vase with a helix shape in orange ceramic. Produced by Gabbianell...
Ceramic
$454 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 9.45 in
Black Glazed Ceramic Centerpiece by Roberto Arioli for Gabbianelli, Italy 1960s
By Roberto Arioli, Gabbianelli
Located in Milan, IT
Black centerpiece by Roberto Arioli for Gabbianelli. Orange piece pictured is not available and not offered here.
Ceramic
$2,680Sale Price / set|22% Off
H 22.05 in W 16.93 in D 16.93 in
Pair of Black Ceramic Italian Vases, Bucaros, Centerpieces
Located in Valladolid, ES
Amazing pair of Italian black vases or Bucaros with lid ,in black ceramic , large in size and of great decorative strength in their shapes. The pieces are made by hand, so each piec...
Ceramic
$1,780 / set
H 5.91 in W 17.33 in D 10.24 in
Set of Two Ceramic Centerpieces by Gabbianelli, Italy, 1970s
By Gabbianelli
Located in Milan, IT
Set of two huge ceramic centerpieces by Gabbianelli. Oversized handles and pure sculptural shape.
Ceramic
Murano, 1950, Italian, Attributed to Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Murano We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'Vi...
Murano Glass
Italian Ceramic Fruit Basket Topiary Compote Centerpiece
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian glazed ceramic fruit basket figure sculpture. This compote is handmade with the greatest attention to detail. We see this piece on a kitchen counter or table. The basket is m...
Ceramic
$4,188 / item
H 12.6 in Dm 17.33 in
Blue Butterflies Vase, Vessel Glazed Ceramic, Majolica Ornament, Handmade Italy
By deBlona
Located in Recanati, IT
Of extraordinary beauty and unique charm, the blue butterfly has always been considered the bearer of wishes. According to ancient beliefs it has the power to make dreams come true. ...
Ceramic, Majolica
$2,692
H 2.37 in W 6.89 in D 6.11 in
Large Cenedese Italian Asymmetric Blue Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish, Ashtray
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros (attributed) for Cenedese large and heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this large, hea...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Sold
H 12 in W 6.25 in D 8 in
Barbini Murano Vintage White Gold Flecks Bubbles Italian Art Glass Flower Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful and large, vintage Murano hand blown white, controlled bubbles and gold flecks Italian art glass swirling ribbed surface flower vase. Documented to designer Alfredo Barbini...
Gold Leaf
Italian Murano Uranium Green Glass Vase by Flavio Poli
By Flavio Poli
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Murano Uranium Green Glass Vase by Flavio Poli 1960s. Incredible work by Flavio Poli creating this unique colours vase in green, yello...
Murano Glass
Sold
H 13 in W 8 in D 5.5 in
Alfredo Barbini Murano 1950s Orange Stripes Gold Flecks Italian Art Glass Vase
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Gorgeous large Murano handblown orange stripes and gold flecks Italian art glass pillow quilted surface flower vase. Documented to designer Alfredo Barbini, circa 1950s (published in...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 14.57 in W 7.88 in D 5.12 in
Mid-Century Modern Green and Brown Murano Glass Centerpiece by Seguso, 1970s
By Seguso
Located in Aci Castello, IT
A stylish Sommerso Murano glass centerpiece made in the 1970s by Seguso. It's in perfect conditions.
Murano Glass
Reserved for Lewis - Barbini Signed Moon Landscape Italian Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Reserved for Lewis. Beautiful large vintage Murano handblown, soft pink / lavender with scattered bubbles Italian art glass moonscape centerpiece bowl. Documented, and signed by Mas...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass
Italian White Glazed Ceramic 1970s Centerpiece Ashtray
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Large centerpiece / ashtray made from white glazed ceramic with a chrome-plated metal base. The cover can be rotated on the base in order to open pr close the 2 holes. Perfect condit...
Metal, Chrome
Sold
H 4.25 in Dm 11.5 in
Alfredo Barbini Murano Pink Moon Landscape Italian Art Glass Centerpiece Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful large Murano handblown, soft pink with scattered bubbles Italian art glass moonscape centerpiece bowl. Documented, and signed by designer Alfredo Barbini. Also looks like a...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Glass
Murano Sommerso Blue Yellow Orange Italian Art Glass Start Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Free shipping worldwide! See details below description. Beautiful large Murano handblown Sommerso blue to yellow orange center art glass start shaped ...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso
Sold
H 6.75 in W 3.75 in D 15 in
Archimede Seguso Murano Cranberry Red Sommerso Italian Art Glass Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
FREE Shipping Worldwide! See details below description. Large Murano Hand Blown Cranberry Red Sommerso Art Glass Wings Centerpiece Bowl. Documented to designer Archimede Seguso, c...
Art Glass, Blown Glass, Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso