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.
1970s Space Age Atomic Folding TV Tray
Located in San Diego, CA
Classic vintage folding TV tray from the 1970s in a playful bright yellow with white legs and a drink holder. Made in the USA by Bliss Craft of Hollyw...
Plastic
Italian ceramic and wood 1960s fruit bowl for aperitifs and sweets.
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Decorative ceramic and wood fruit bowl. Also ideal for serving appetizers or desserts. Fairly good condition: visible white chips on the lower stem. The red plate has a chip on the b...
Brass
$746Sale Price / set|47% Off
Heinrich & Co. Space Age Porcelain Set, White & Orange, 73 Pieces
Located in London, England
Space Age service in white and orange porcelain of 73 pieces. It consists of: 13 flat plates 12 deep plates 13 dessert plates 1 large round serving dish 1 large oval serving dish 1...
Porcelain
$521Sale Price|20% Off
Modernist cube plexy fumè Cini & Nils Ice Bucket Italian 1970's home accessory
Located in Milano, IT
Space Age Ice Bucket - Cini & Nils Italy - Vintage Serweware Designed by OPI Milano for Cini & Nils, this vintage Ice Bucket is what you could find in the most elegant homes of 1970...
Metal
Vintage clear & grey glass 1970s punch set
By Seguso Vetri d'Arte, Rosenthal
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Vintage hand-crafted glass punch set consisting of a large bowl and 9 cups. The transparent glass parts are very thick and have a craquelè surface treatment. The handles are in hand-...
Art Glass
Italian Space Age Black and White Plastic Tray by Pino Spagnolo for Biesse
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Italian Space Age Black and White Plastic Tray by Pino Spagnolo for Biesse, 1970s
Plastic
Erik Magnussen 1970s Stelton Serving Tray & Service Set, Red Melamine
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage 1970s Stelton serving tray and service set designed by Erik Magnussen exemplifies Danish Space Age minimalism with a spirited pop of bold red color. Established in 1960, Stel...
Plastic
Set of 6 Vintage Stainless Steel Egg Cups, Italy, 1970s
Located in Montecalvoli, IT
This vintage set of 6 egg cups from 1970s Italy embodies the timeless elegance of Space Age design. Crafted from stainless steel, each piece features a classic rounded form elevated ...
Stainless Steel
Minimalist Cast Aluminium Nut Cracker by Pierre Vandel, France, 1970s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Minimalist - Modern - Vintage This nut cracker was designed by Pierre Vandel for Espace Pierre Cardin, in the 1970s. It is a minimalist and functional piece made of aluminum. Elegant...
Aluminum
$369Sale Price / set|20% Off
Space Age Ceramic Condiment Set by SIC, Italy, 1970s, Set of 5 Pieces
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Striking 70s condiment set by SIC, made in Italy. This complete menage set includes four ceramic containers—salt, pepper, oil, and vinegar—housed in a sculp...
Ceramic, Wood
$376Sale Price|20% Off
Amazing, Space Age, Transparent Lucite Serving Tray with Chromed Metal Edges
Located in Catania, IT
Amazing, Space Age, Square Transparent lucite serving tray with chromed metal edges. Very good condition with slight scratches. Italy 1980. Good conditions...
Metal, Chrome
Set Waiter Orange On Stand Champagne Cooler
Located in Paris, FR
Champagne Cooler Set Waiter Orange On Stand, for 2-3 bottles, Including a polished stainless steel stand covered with orange genuine Leather and a champagne cooler bucket in stainle...
Stainless Steel
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
$528
H 9.06 in W 24.02 in D 13.78 in
Luigi Massoni Minimalist Plastic White Bed Tray Element by Guzzini, Italy, 1980s
By Luigi Massoni, Guzzini
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Plastic tray Design: Luigi Massoni Producer: Guzzini, Italy Decade: 1980s Description: This tray table was designed by Luigi Massoni and produced by Guzzini in Italy in the 1980s. It is made from white-colored plastic and is in very good vintage condition, and would be ideal to serve breakfast in bed. It still features the original Guzzini box...
Plastic
Seletti "Hybrid-Armilla" Porcelain Spoon, Three Pieces
By Seletti
Located in Doral, FL
From its very first year in 1964, Seletti in Cicognara, Mantova, has followed its principle of professionality service and constant research to strive for betterness innovation and o...
Porcelain
$160
H 0.75 in W 18.88 in D 14.25 in
Stunning Italian Florentine Gilded Gilt Wood Serving Tray Toleware Tole, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, 1960s Italian giltwood serving tray. Minor patina and paint lost gives this piece a classy statement. A nice addition to any table or room.
Wood
Bamboo and Red Lucite Serving Tray, Signed, Italy, 1970s
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Rectangular serving tray in red lucite framed with bamboo and cane wrapping. Signed by artist in brass. Circa 1970s.
Bamboo, Cane, Lucite
Cocktail by OPI Milano for Cini & Nils
By Cini & Nils
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A group of six (6) sculptural and superbly executed polished steel cocktail forks.
Stainless Steel
$1,066
H 2.37 in W 18.51 in D 15.56 in
Willy Rizzo Tortoiseshell Lucite & Brass Italian Serving Tray, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Roma, IT
Marvelous mid-century tray in a single piece of curved tortoiseshell-effect lucite and solid brass. This incredibly stylish piece was produced in Italy during the 1970s and its desig...
Brass
$180
H 1.13 in W 21.75 in D 14.13 in
Stunning Italian Florentine Gilded Gilt Wood Serving Tray Toleware Tole, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, 1960s Italian giltwood serving tray. Minor patina and paint lost gives this piece a classy statement. A nice addition to any table or room.
Wood
$220
H 0.75 in W 21.38 in D 15.75 in
Stunning Italian Florentine Gilded Gilt Wood Serving Tray Toleware Tole, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, 1960s Italian giltwood serving tray. Minor patina and paint lost gives this piece a classy statement. A nice addition to any table or room.
Wood
Blue & White Royal Copenhagen Denmark Part Dinner Set With Serving Pieces
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Discover the timeless beauty of a blue and white Royal Copenhagen Denmark part dinner set, complete with exquisite serving pieces. This remarkable collection encapsulates the essence of classic elegance and danish craftsmanship, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience. The part dinner set features a carefully selected assortment of essential pieces designed to cater to your entertaining needs. From dinner plates that provide a stunning backdrop for your culinary creations to complementing salad plates that add a touch of grace, every element of this collection is meticulously crafted. Enhancing your dining experience, the set includes an array of serving pieces that elevate the art of hospitality. Serve delectable main courses and side dishes with the elegant designed serving platters, while the covered serving bowls ensure your food stays warm and enticing. Additionally, the charming gravy boat and saucer add a touch of refinement to your dining presentation. Including 2 medium tureens, two gravy boat ( one with handle , one without ) footed serving piece, coffee tray, creamer, tea pot, coffee pot, water pitcher, two wine pitcher, sugar pot, 7 expresso cup, 4 large coffee cups,10 two handle cups,2 round serving platter, 10 lunch / dinner plates, 18 butter plates, 15 cake plates, 10 first course big plate, 9 second course medium plate, 8 first course medium plate, 8 salad plates, 6 olives little plates , 5 small...
Porcelain, Paint
Italian Glass, Brass and Wood 1970s Serving Tray
By Cesare Lacca
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This sculptural serving tray with shaped handles is made from wood, brass and glass tray. It remains in very good condition.
Brass
Space Age Orange Plastic Jar by Luigi Massoni for Guzzini, 1960s
By Guzzini, Luigi Massoni
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Iconic space age plastic jar designed by Luigi Massoni for Guzzini. This flying saucer shaped jar was produced by Guzzini for the renowned chocolate factory Venchi, founded in Turi...
Plastic
Sold
H 3.94 in W 5.91 in D 3.15 in
Menage Aperitivo Set EMSA Plastic Brown and Orange Hues, West Germany 1970s
By Emsa Germany
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Infuse your space with the refined allure of retro 70s decor, embodied in this vintage Emsa Menage Aperitivo set from West Germany. A masterpiece of mid-century design, this set features one rich brown plastic support with a gracefully integrated breadstick holder and six delicately contoured bowls. It combines elegance and functionality, offering a sophisticated way to present hors d'oeuvres or snacks. The smooth, sleek lines of the base and the soft gleam of the glossy finish create a sense of understated luxury. The rich brown tones evoke the natural elegance that defined 1970s interiors, while the subtle scratches and spots enhance its authenticity. This piece is more than just a serving set; it is a striking decorative element that complements any modern or retro-inspired home. Crafted with the precision of German manufacturing, this Emsa menage set...
Stainless Steel
Cini & Nils Ice Bucket
Located in Milano, IT
Space Age Ice Bucket - Cini & Nils Italy - Vintage Serweware Designed by OPI Milano for Cini & Nils, this vintage Ice Bucket is what you could fi...
Metal
Space Age Orange Plastic Jar by Luigi Massoni for Guzzini, 1960s
By Guzzini, Luigi Massoni
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Iconic space age plastic jar designed by Luigi Massoni for Guzzini. This flying saucer shaped jar was produced by Guzzini for the renowned chocolate factory Venchi, founded in Turi...
Plastic
Sold
H 1.58 in W 19.3 in D 13.78 in
Italian Modern Set of Three Green Plastic Breakfast or Canteen Trays, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern or space age style set of three green plastic breakfast or canteen trays, 1970s. Set of three green plastic trays for breakfast or canteen, equipped with small compar...
Plastic
Massimo Vignelli Stackable Dinnerware Set, Heller 1964
Located in Las Vegas, NV
31 piece stackable dining set by Massimo Vignelli for Heller, 1964. Innovative and versatile design in a rare and vibrant pink plastic. Purple set also available.
Plastic
Friesland Germany Teapot, 1970
By Friesland Porcelain 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural porcelain teapot with detachable lid by Friesland, Germany, marked.
Porcelain