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
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 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
$298Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
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
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
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
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
Angelo Mangiarotti, centerpiece / vide poche, model Tremiti 4035, Danese, Italy, 1970
Located in Firenze, IT
Modern white ceramic centerpiece / vide-poche, model Tremiti 4035 Manufactured by Danese Italy, ca. 1968 H 7 cm - 28 × 28 cm Marked on the base Conditions: excellent. No defects
Ceramic
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
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
$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
$1,600
Crystal 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...
Crystal
$2,470
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
$676
H 1.78 in W 21.26 in D 14.38 in
French Riviera Serving Tray in Rattan and Hand-Woven Wicker, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful rectangular organic serving tray fully made in bamboo, rattan and hand-woven wicker. This gorgeous French Riviera style tray was hand-made in Italy during the 1970s. This...
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
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
$2,612Sale 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
Gianfranco Frattini, Red Centerpiece / Tray, Progetti Italy, 1970s
By Progetti, Gianfranco Frattini
Located in Firenze, IT
Red enamelled aluminium stackable tray / centerpiece designed by Gianfranco Frattini Manufactured by Progetti, Italy, 1970s. Manufacturer's label on the base Measures: Height 6 cm...
Aluminum
$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
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
$629
H 3.94 in W 11.03 in D 13 in
French Riviera Rattan and Brass Centerpiece or Catchall Tray, Italy, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century organic centerpiece or tray entirely made of curved rattan, hand-woven wicker, and brass. This stylish French Riviera–style tray was produced in Italy during th...
Metal, Brass
$2,624
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
Art Deco Blue Glass Centerpiece Bowl by Rudolf Schrötter, 1970s
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Poland, 1970s This is a thick and heavy blue glass bowl. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but overall it can be considered as in excellent...
Glass
$1,574
H 1.97 in Dm 14.57 in
Large Handmade Hammered Silver Centerpiece Bowl by Renzo Cassetti, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Fantastic large round shell shaped centerpiece completely handmade in hammered silver plate. This beautiful piece was designed by Renzo Cassetti in Italy in the 1970s and is signed i...
Silver Plate
Hand-Crafted Italian Murano Glass Ashtray by Bonimi, 1970s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Murano thick glass ashtray by Bonimi.
Murano Glass
20th Century Italian Murano Centerpiece, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
A beautiful Mid-Century Modern centerpiece bowl or art glass vase in the hand blown Sommerso technique of hues of pink and purple, Italy, circa 1960s. Spirit Gallery presents a h...
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