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Space Age Glass

SPACE AGE STYLE

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.

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Style: Space Age
1960 Barbini Italian Space Age Design Murano Glass Cube Vase
Located in Brescia, IT
Vase Barbini Italy, 1960 Square Clear Murano Glass Space Age Design Perfect Condiction
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass

1970 Toni Zuccheri VeArt Italian Design Space Age Murano Glass Plate Sculpture
Located in Brescia, IT
Glass Plate Sculpture Toni Zuccheri VeArt 1970 Murano Glass Sticker Manufacture Label Perfect Condiction
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

1970 Toni Zuccheri VeArt Italian Design Space Age Murano Glass Sculpture
Located in Brescia, IT
Glass Sphere Sculpture Toni Zuccheri VeArt 1970 Murano Glass Sticker Manufacture Label Perfect Condiction
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Cristal 1960s Vase Mod. 3586 by T. Wirkkala for Karhula- Iittala
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Vintage cristal vase mod. 3586 designed by T. Wirkkala for Karhula- Iittala. Good condition: alone slightly opaque at the edge.
Category

1960s Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass

Vintage 'Space Age' Opaline Florence Vase, Empoli, 1955s
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!  ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

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...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

Vintage 'Space Age' Set Opaline Florence Vase, 1955
Located in Verviers, BE
Vintage opaline from Florence. This is an unusual period colorway and size, that will give a midcentury touch to your interior. Size of the smaller one H 12.6 in x D 4.33 in. ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

Italian "Membrane" Tray / offering bowl - Clear Murano Glass - by Toni Zuccheri
Located in Landshut, BY
Italian "Membrane" Tray offering bowl Clear Murano Glass by Toni Zuccheri 1970s diameter 23cm weight: 1.5 Kg The object is completely transparent the reflections on the phot...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass

Big Clear Murano Glass Bottle Attributed to Barovier & Toso, 1960s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This big bottle was produced in Italy in the 1960s. It is made from a clear Murano glass with air bubbles inclusions which reminiscent of the Barovier and t...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Purple Murano Glass Sculpture/Paperweight, Ball with Included Bubbles
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Murano paperweight in the shape of a sphere with a flat bottom to make it stand still. Made in a deep, vibrant hue of purple glass,...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage Italian Valet Tray in Thick Grey Murano Glass, Space Age Era Vide Poche
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage big and heavy valet tray/vide poche made in thick grey Murano glass. It has a nice, elegant and essential shape, which makes it absolutely timeless. Coming in at 20 centimete...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass

Vintage 'Space Age' Multiple colors Opaline Florence Vase, Empoli, 1955s
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!   ...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

1960s by Lino Tagliapietra Design Glass Table Lamp
Located in Brescia, IT
Murano glass shade and chrome metal base Perfect working order Perfect condition.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Chrome

Yellow, Red, Blue, Green, and Teal Murano Glass Paperweights, 1970s, Set of 2
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This pair of vintage Murano glass paper weight was produced in Italy around the 1970s. They are hand made in multicored glass. Very good con...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Clear, White & green glass 1960s vase attributed to Mazzega
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Hand made glass vase in light green, clear and white glass attributed to AV Mazzega, Murano. Very good condition.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass

Vintage 'Space Age' Pitcher, Opaline Florence Vase, circa 1955
Located in Verviers, BE
Vintage pitcher vase by Opaline di Florence. High contrast black red and white decor This is a rare color and size, a must have for any collector...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

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...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass, Opaline Glass

Vintage Fluid and Massive Murano Sculpture in "Sommerso" Clear and Green Glass
Located in Milano, IT
Very big and heavy Murano vase in "Sommerso" glass. The peculiar technique, translating to "submerged", consists in joining two layers of different colours glass, so that one looks to be absorbed by the other. In this case, the two colours are green for the core and clear/crystal for the outer layer. The piece is fluid, and is an abstract sculpture in its own right beside being an actual vase. It is preserved in very good original conditions, with minor scratches/hairlines and the expectable patina of a four decades old object...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass

Yellow Murano Glass / Ashtray - Decorative bowl from the 70's
Located in Milano, IT
Murano Glass / Ashtray / Pop Art Glass / Coffee table decorative Decorative bowl in yellow glass with a dotted pattern all around. Originally intended as an ashtray, as proven by t...
Category

1970s European Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass

Vintage Decorative Sperical Vase in Black and White Filigree Glass
Located in Milano, IT
Vintage Decorative Vase - Collectible Glass Sculpture Vintage decorative glass vase, spherical shape, in black and white filigree glass. Slices of plain black are paired to clear on...
Category

1980s European Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass

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Moretti Carlo Murano Small Vase In Colored Opaline Glass
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Smal...
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Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

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Murano Glass

Splendid Barbini 'Puzzle' Murano Vase
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Barbini 'Puzzle' Murano vase.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Splendid Barbini 'Puzzle' Murano Vase
Splendid Barbini 'Puzzle' Murano Vase
H 8.08 in W 5.12 in D 1.97 in
Italian Vintage Murano Glass 'Scavo' Vase by Alfredo Barbini II 'circa 1970s'
Located in London, GB
Italian glass 'Scavo' vase by Alfredo Barbini, Murano (circa 1970s). This vase has a rounded triangular opening. Scavo glass indicates that the glass went through a specific glass fi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

1960s Mid-Century Italian Pink Cased Empoli Glass Pitchers Vases Apothecary Jars
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very pretty set of seven 1960s Italian Empoli Rossini and Stelvio Opalina Fiorentina cased glass vases, decanters and candy or apothecary jars. In sweet baby pink tone colours. A pretty mixture of different shades, shapes and styles and in clear and cased glass. Measurements from highest to lowest: Large blown apothecary jar with lid on clear base 39cm high, Ø 17cm (15.35"x6.69") High narrow blown glass pitcher with clear handle and base 37cm high, Ø9cm (14.57"x3.54" Pressed glass with motifs and milky white handle 30cm high, Ø16cm (11.81"x6.3") Bulbous blown pitcher with milky white handle 29cm high, Ø 15cm (11.42"x 5.91") High tazza bowl on turned clear base 28cm high, Ø 19cm (11"x7.49") Diabolo shaped vase 25cm high, Ø14cm (9.84"x5.51") Handblown lidded candy dish...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Opaline Glass

Murano Glass Dog, Italy, 1970s
Located in Palermo, IT
Murano glass dog, Italy, 1970s Purchased by my grandparents during a pleasure trip to Venice. Intact.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Glass Dog, Italy, 1970s
Murano Glass Dog, Italy, 1970s
H 7.88 in W 4.73 in D 2.76 in
Mid-Century Murano Orange Cased Glass Vase, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury Murano glass vase in a vibrant orange encased glass. This lovely piece was realized in Murano, Italy during the 1970s. The quality of the encased glass amd the si...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Murano Glass

Cylindrical Green Hand-Blown Glass Vase, Empoli, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1940s - 1950s. Made in green hand-blown glass, in Empoli. It is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be considered as in perfect ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Tall Italian Turquoise Green Glass Bottle Vase
Located in New York, NY
Tall turquoise green glass bottle vase with rim. Made in Italy by Empoli, circa 1970s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

Materials

Art Glass

1960s Purple Glass Set of Ten Italian Empoli Genie Bottles, Vases and Candy Jars
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very decorative aubergine, amethist, plum coloured purple set of ten different size and colour Italian art glass bottles, vases and apothecary or candy jars. Mention Italian glass and probably everyone’s mind immediately leaps to Venice and Murano. But there is another almost equally famous centre of Italian glass making known as Empoli. Empoli glass is generally much simpler and does not have the intricately applied trim or decorations associated with Venetian and Murano pieces. The simple traditional styles of Empoli glass were quickly adapted to the abstract shapes of mid 20th century modernism. It became hugely popular as a decorative home accent, and was exported across the world. Now they are highly sought after by international collectors and look beautiful arranged together. This set consists of three pressed genie bottles and seven blown glass items. The bottles have their stopper and all items are different in design, shape and size (height with stopper): Large striped swirl genie bottle, pressed glass, 53cm high, ø 13.5cm (20.9"x5.3") Diamond design pressed 'genie' bottle, pressed glass, 55cm high, ø 13cm diameter (21.7"x5.1") Angular 4 sided genie bottle with dancing women, pressed glass, 48cm high, 15x15cm depth and width (18.9"x5.9") Carafe with clear handle and foot, without stopper, marked, made in Italy, blown glass, 38cm high, ø 13cm (15"x5.1") Large cognac glass, blown glass, 27cm high, ø 18cm (10.6"x7.1") Small cognac glass, blown glass, 23cm high, ø 13cm (9.1"5.1") Optic bubble small vase on clear foot, blown glass, clear glass foot, 22cm high, ø 10cm (8.7"x3.9") Small long vase with swirl design, blown glass, 25cm high, ø 8cm (9.8"x 3.1") Bonbon or candy jar with clear foot and handle, blown glass, 24cm high, ø 11cm (9.5"x4.3") Small bonbon or candy jar with clear foot and handle, blown glass, 16cm high, ø 11cm (6.3"x4.3") Like Murano glass in the 1950s-1960s the great majority of Empoli glass was marked only with relatively generic “Made in Italy” paper or foil label. Over time, many of the original labels have fallen off and the majority of Empoli MCM glass...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

Materials

Blown Glass, Glass

Italian Vintage Murano Art Glass Vase, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
An Italian 20th century vintage art glass red vase with white detailed swirls all over and blue and yellow millefiori inspired patterns. Italy, circa 1960s.   Spirit Gallery presen...
Category

20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Alfredo Barbini Murano Glass Bird for VAMSA, Italy, 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Alfredo Barbini Murano glass bird for VAMSA, Italy, 1930s Murano glass maestro Alfredo Barbini Art Deco bird.
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Murano Bowl in Mouth-Blown Art Glass, Italian Design, 1960s-1970s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Murano bowl in mouth-blown art glass. Italian design, 1960s-1970s. Measures: 15.5 x 8.5 cm. In excellent condition.
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Previously Available Items
Clear & black Murano Glass ottagonali serie flutes by Carlo Moretti, 1974
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 12 thin and light Murano glass flutes designed by Carlo Moretti in 1974 from the serie "ottagonali". Engraved sign at the base of each item. Very good condition.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

1970s Pierre Carin Space Age Tumbler Glasses – Set of 6
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a set of six exquisite tumbler glasses crafted by the legendary French fashion designer Pierre Cardin, circa the 1970s. Each Sasaki glass is a testament...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass

Blue/violet Glass "Smoke" by Joe Colombo per Arnolfo di Cambio, 1964, set of 12
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Designed by Ignazia Favata e Joe Colombo in 1964. Produced by Arnolfo di Cambio, Forlì. its glass, blue or violet, presents a different color depending on whether it is exposed to li...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass

Striking Glass Centerpiece Decorative Freeform Bowl in Red
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful decorative plate S-shaped with raised edge, circa 1970s great condition no chips or cracks, beautiful colors.
Category

20th Century American Space Age Glass

Materials

Art Glass

Murano Sommerso Purple Alexandrite Red Italian Art Glass Hovering UFO Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage Murano hand blown purple "Alexandrite" with red bullseye Italian art glass UFO bowl. Attributed to designer Galliano Ferro. Created with Neodymium glass, which chan...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

Materials

Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso

Murano Glowing Uranium Green Bubbles Blue Italian Art Glass Hovering UFO Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful vintage murano hand blown Sommerso green, controlled bubbles and cobalt blue center Italian art glass UFO bowl. Attributed to designer Galliano Ferro. Created in thick Uranium glass, and glows like crazy under a black light (see photo). The bowl is tapered, and looks like it hovers when displayed. Great for any Space Age decor...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass, Uranium Glass

Cenedese Murano Sommerso Alexandrite Blue Red Italian Art Glass Jar Container
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Beautiful large, vintage Murano hand blown Sommerso red and light blue / purple “Alexandrite” Italian art glass rocket shaped container / jar. Attributed to designer Antonio da Ros, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

Materials

Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass, Sommerso, Glass

Space Age Crystal 1970s Drinking Glasses by Italian Designer Joe Colombo
Located in Uccle, BE
A truly historic collection, the first ever produced by Arnolfo di Cambio, signed by the great designer. Drinking glasses with an asymmetric form, from the Smoke series can be held ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Crystal

Light Blue and Orange 1960s Matching Plate by Gian Maria Potenza for La Murrina
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This Murano glass matching plate was handcrafted by Gian Maria Potenza for La Murrina in the 1960s and remains in excellent vintage condition, with ...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Glass

Materials

Murano Glass

Alfredo Barbini Murano White Green Gold Leaf Italian Art Glass Melon Cut Bowl
Located in Kissimmee, FL
Priced per item, beautiful Murano hand blown white, olive green and gold leaf Italian art glass melon cut bowls. Documented to designer Alfredo Barbini. Cut at an angle on both sides...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

Materials

Gold Leaf

Striking Glass Centerpiece Decorative S-Shape Plate in Orange Yellow
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful decorative plate S-shaped with raised edge, circa 1970s great condition no chips or cracks, beautiful colors.
Category

20th Century American Space Age Glass

Materials

Cut Glass

Pair of Italian Vintage Glass Vases, 1970s
Located in Paris, FR
A set of two Italian 20th century glass vases of different shapes in garnet red and Space Age style circa 1970s. Vase 1: H 34 cm large: 6 cm Vase 2: H 23 cm large 6 cm.  
Category

20th Century Italian Space Age Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

Space Age glass for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Space Age glass for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage glass created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, murano glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Space Age glass made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Italy pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original glass, popular names associated with this style include Empoli, Opaline florence, Alfredo Barbini, and Arnolfo di Cambio. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for glass differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $237 and tops out at $3,208 while the average work can sell for $594.

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