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.
Stelton Service Set by Erik Magnussun, Denmark, 1970s, Red and White Mixed Set
Located in Chicago, IL
Fabulous mixed set of 1970s Danish Erik Magnussen serveware for Danish maker Stelton. Founded in 1960, Stelton had its first success when it established a cooperation with the leadin...
Plastic
Vintage Boho Glazed Ceramic Floral Pitcher
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Invoke the rustic charm of a European countryside cottage with this enchanting vintage ceramic pitcher. Crafted in the Majolica style, this substantial vessel features a deeply relie...
Ceramic
Vintage Decorative Pitcher by Cloutier Brothers, circa 1970s
Located in London, GB
Decorative ceramic pitcher / vase by the Cloutier brothers (circa 1970s). An outer surface decorated in the Cloutier's trademark soft mauve with an e...
Ceramic
Arne Jacobsen Stelton Cylinda Line Stainless Salad Set, 1970s
By Arne Jacobsen, Stelton
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Set of Stelton Arne Jacobsen Salad Server Fork and Spoon in Stainless Steel Cylinder. This line of serveware was called "Line 023-1"
Stainless Steel
Spanish Bull Shaped Glazed Ceramic Pitcher
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching ceramic bull jug / pitcher, Spain, 1960s. Spanish ceramic bull shaped jug with romanesque inspired decorative details in green, white and brown-black. This kind of tradi...
Ceramic, Majolica
Stelton Fondue Lazy Susan Set by Peter Holmblad Denmark
By Stelton
Located in Cincinnati, OH
What a better way to bring family or friends together than a good fondue , this well designed 10 piece set has it all . Six bowls , large pot with lid and fork holder , drip tray , s...
Stainless Steel
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Oranges Pitcher / Jug, Spain, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica oranges jug / pitcher in orange and green glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the shape of a bunch of ...
Ceramic, Majolica
Majolica Glazed Ceramic Lemons Pitcher / Jug, Spain 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching realistic Majolica lemons jug / pitcher in multicolor glazed ceramic, Spain, 1950s-1960s. Hand-painted Manises ceramic decorative jug in the sh...
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century Glazed Earthenware Talavera Floral Painted Pitcher
Located in Miami, FL
A striking Spanish glazed earthenware handled yellow, green and blue painted pitcher, the body underglaze floral decorated Talavera de la Reina pottery is a craft made in Talaver...
Ceramic
Ceramic Owl Pitcher, Brown Glazed Majolica, France c.1960
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This charming vintage French ceramic pitcher takes the form of a stylized owl, beautifully rendered in the tradition of mid-20th century barbotine ware. Likely dating from the 1960s–...
Ceramic, Faience, Paint, Majolica
Glazed Ceramic Gurgle Fish Jug Pitcher by Vallauris, 1950s
By Vallauris
Located in Barcelona, ES
Oversized Mid-Century Modernist glazed ceramic gurgling fish water jug / pitcher. Manufactured by Vallauris, France, 1950s Eye-catching hand painted brown, orange and blue-green large Majolica ceramic vase, fish glug jug...
Majolica, Ceramic
Rooster Glazed Ceramic Pitcher, Ukraine, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching black and amber Majolica ceramic rooster jug / pitcher, Ukraine, 1950s-1960s. A cool accent to any kitchen or to be user as serving pitcher. Lovely as a part of a cerami...
Ceramic, Majolica
$940
H 5.91 in Dm 8.27 in
Mid-Century Modern Danish Space Age Red Ice Cooler Bucket Erik Magnussen Stelton
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Danish Space Age Red Ice Cooler Bucket by Erik Magnussen for Stelton, 1970s
Metal
$250 / set
H 14 in W 3 in D 0.75 in
Pair of Post-Modern Salad Servers by Erik Magnussen for Stelton of Denmark, NOS
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish pair of post-modern salad servers by Erik Magnussen for Stelton of Denmark, circa 1980s. The set is in brand new condition and each server ...
Plastic