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.
Space Age White Vintage Plastic Bibendum Michelin Advertising Sign 1960s France
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage white Bibendum Michelin advertising sign from plastic 1960s France. The Michelin man lamp was made of white plastic and shows a yellow ribbon across its body with the black emblem Michelin. The Bibendum Michelin lamp was the mascot for many trucks. The ad sign...
Metal
Satellite Murano Glass Metal Chrome Pendant Lightning by Reggiani, Italy, 1970s
By Reggiani
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Mid-Century Modern Space Age satellite UFO ceiling pendant lightning lamp chandelier with white opaline Murano glass and metal chrome by the italian designer editor Reggiani. Famous ...
Metal, Chrome
$2,250 / set
Vintage Stacked Bamboo Lantern Lamps - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This pair of vintage lantern lamps exudes an effortless Boho Chic and Tropical vibe, perfect for creating a warm, ambient glow in any space. Meticulously crafted from stacked horizon...
Bamboo, Paper
Italian Ribbed Glass Pendant, circa 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Italian pendant, circa 1970, with a ribbed glass diffuser. The unusual clear glass body has a horizontal ribbed structure on the outside juxtaposed with vertical ribs on the ins...
Chrome
8 Unused Mid-Century Modern Lanterns by Doria, Germany, circa 1970
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Set of 8 chandeliers or lanterns manufactured by Doria Leuchten in Germany in opaline glass and blue and yellow lacquered metal, circa 1970s Unused and still holding the original t...
Opaline Glass
Italian Space Age Pendant Lamp in Metal with Glass Spheres, 1980s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Fantastic and rare "Space Age" hanging lamp from Italy's 1980's in shiny red-orange metal with glass spheres of different sizes attached inside the lamp's dome. Reminds to a big wond...
Metal
Italian Handmade Ivory Murano Glass 1960s Suspension Lamp
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Spherical diffuser in ivory Murano hand made glass with decorative treatment in strong relief as to emulate a Japanese paper lantern. Very good ...
Metal, Chrome
$1,850
H 26 in W 14 in D 14 in
Wonderful Navy Blue Gold Gilt Pagoda Bamboo Chinoiserie Lantern Pair Fixtures
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful medium sized navy blue & gold gilt pagoda bamboo form chinoiserie lantern fixtures with a 4 candelabra light clusters Rewired and ready to install with chain canopy and mounting hardware. Pair lanterns...
Paint
Pair of Bamboo Rattan Large Drum Pendant Lights / Lanterns
Located in Barcelona, ES
A cool pair of handcrafted rattan drum shaped ceiling suspension lamps with inner paper lampshades. France, 1960s These large lanterns have an...
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane, Rattan, Paper
$3,262 / set
H 15.36 in Dm 11.82 in
Limburg Large Pair of Vintage 1970s Clear Bubble Glass and Chrome Pendant Lights
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Large vintage pair of German made late Mid-Century Modern wall or ceiling flush mount lights produced by Glashütte Limburg, circa 1975. Featuring a round domed mouth blown bubble gla...
Chrome
Doria XXL Chandelier, Germany, 1970s
Located in Berlin, BE
Doria XXL Chandelier. 8 x E14 socket. Very good condition with only light signs of use. To be on the the safe side, the lamp should be checked locally b...
Glass
Midcentury Table Lamp Rocket, Space Age, 1960s
By Pokrok
Located in Praha, CZ
- very nice style of lighting.
Wood
Murano Opalescent Glass Globe Brass Pendant by Azucena, Italy, 1950s
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A refined three-light pendant by the famous Italian artist and designer Luigi Caccia Dominioni, Italy, 1950. Large-sized lamp of hand blown opalescent glass and brass. The Model LS1 ...
Brass
$2,190
H 39.38 in Dm 18.12 in
Space Age Sphere Chandelier ITSO Mazzega in Murano Glass, Italy, circa 1970s
By AVMazzega
Located in Merida, Yucatan
Space Age pendant light manufactured in cream and orange mottled hand blown Murano glass, in the style of Mazzega, circa 1970. This sphere is 41 cm in Diameter. It has its original...
Murano Glass
Venini Murano Glass Brass Pendant by Carlo Scarpa, Italy, 1950s
By Carlo Scarpa, Venini
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
A Venini hand blown Murano glass "Filigrana" sphere pendant, Italy, 1950s, atributed to designer Carlo Scarpa. Brass mounted in conical shape showing its elegant and clean lines desi...
Brass
$1,894
H 25.6 in Dm 11.82 in
Italian Mid-Century Pendant in Brass and Opaline Textural Murano Glass, 1970
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Beautiful pendant lamp or lantern made of brass base and shiny opaline Murano glass. Made in Italy during the 1970s. This gorgeous glass lantern is very difficult to photograph and d...
Brass
Modern Murano Glass Lantern
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorative modern Murano glass lantern. Beautiful textured Murano glass in a brass base. Adds a real touch of elegance!
Brass
Rare & Stylish Mid-Century Modern Glass & Metal Lined Pendant / Ceiling Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Timeless and good size mid-century pendant. This rare ceiling lamp from the mid-century era could be the perfect lighting solution for an entrance or any other small living space. T...
Metal
Italian Midcentury Brass and Glass Pendant Lamp or Lantern, 1970s
Located in Morazzone, Varese
Gorgeous lantern or pendant lamp from the late Italian midcentury, made during the 1960s-1970s. The pendant lamp is made of transparent glass, the golden details are made of brass, ...
Brass
Vintage Ivory Cocoon 1960s Pendant by Castiglioni Bros for Flos
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This pendant lamps named Viscontea, designed by Castiglioni Brothers in the early 1960s and produced by Flos. The chandelier remains in pretty good overall condition: the yellowing o...
Metallic Thread
Sold
H 31.5 in W 11.03 in D 11.03 in
Murano Glass Pendant Light by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy, 1970s
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Mid-Century Modern Space Age Ghost ceiling pendant light lamp chandelier with triple smoke white Murano glass and metal by the italian designer Carlo Nason for the editor Mazzeg...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Murano Glass Artichoke Pendant Light by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy, 1970s
By Mazzega, Carlo Nason
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Mid-Century Modern Space Age Artichoke ceiling pendant light lamp chandelier in smoke gray and frosted Murano glass and metal by the italian designer Carlo Nason for the editor ...
Metal
Murano Glass Cloud Pendant Light by Mazzega, Italy, 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Mid-Century Modern Space Age Cloud ceiling pendant light lamp chandelier in baby blue opal Murano glass and metal by the italian editor Mazzega. Des...
Metal
Murano Glass Cloud Pendant Light by Mazzega, Italy, 1970s
By Mazzega
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare Cloud ceiling pendant light lamp chandelier in Murano glass and metal by the italian editor Mazzega. Design attributed to Carlo Nason. Famous design like Venini, Vistosi, Seleno...
Metal
Vintage Pendant , Space Age Style, Italy 1970s
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage Pendant , Space Age Style, Italy 1970s A 1970s vintage chromed pendant in fine italian space age style. In very good conditions. Chromed...
Chrome
Sold
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Murano Glass Metal Pendant Light by Carlo Nason for Mazzega, Italy, 1970s
By Carlo Nason, Mazzega
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rare ceiling pendant light lamp chandelier in Murano glass and metal by Carlo Nason for the italian editor Mazzega. Famous design like Venini, Vistosi, Selenova, La Murrina, Aldo Nas...
Metal
Vintage Ivory Cocoon 1960s Pendant by Castiglioni Brothers for Flos
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This pendant lamps named Viscontea, designed by Castiglioni Brothers in the early 1960s and produced by Flos. It remains in very good vintage con...
Metallic Thread
Large Murano Glass Pendant, 1970s
By Venini, Barovier&Toso
Located in Vienna, AT
Lovely Murano glass pendant from the 1970s. Transparent glass with thousands of air bubbles of varying sizes. The rim of the frilled glass is composed of a white opaque glass border....
Chrome
Italian Fiberglass Pendant, circa 1970
By Salvatore Gregorietti, Valenti Luce
Located in Vienna, AT
Rare Italian fiberglass suspension light by Salvatore Gregorietti for Valenti Luce, circa 1970. Good original condition with a some patina on the fi...
Steel, Nickel
Pair of 1960s Glass Pendants
By Holmegaard, Staff Leuchten, Hans-Agne Jakobsson
Located in Vienna, AT
Very sensuous pair of orange glass pendants by Staff, Germany, 1970s. The onion shaped glass bodies are made of thick deep orange glass with white inner casing and were produced by H...
Glass
Vintage Ivory Cocoon 1960s Pendant by Castiglioni Brothers for Flos
By Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, Flos
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This pendant lamps named Viscontea, designed by Castiglioni Brothers in the early 1960s and produced by Flos. It remains in very good vintage cond...
Metallic Thread