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.
'KD 6 Grande’ Pendant by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Kartell, 1959
By Kartell, Achille & Pier Giacomo Castiglioni
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful Kartell ‘KD 6 Grande’ Pendant in very good condition. Designed in the 1959 by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. This 'Grande' version is har...
Metal
Peill & Putzler Germany Production Ice Cube Two Table Lamps Years, 1970
Located in Biella, IT
Peill & putzler Germany production ice cube two table lamps years 1970 perfect structure in glass with to the inside of the missing of reflect warnish gold, your see in photo's detai...
Art Glass
Pair of Gino Sarfatti Design Arteluce Italy Production Set Two Wall Lamps 327/2
Located in Biella, IT
Gino Sarfatti design for Arteluce Italy production set of two wall lamps 327/2 year '59 Measure 48 cm long x 20 cm high x 28 cm deep = 19 inches long x 82 height x 11" deep M...
Metal
1970s Sputnik Chandelier, 8 Glass Globes, Vintage Lighting Design
Located in Nagykovácsi, Central Hungary
A truly eye-catching lamp from the 1970s. It resembles a Sputnik lamp, but without the long extending arms, it could just as well be compared to a cluster of grapes or a light, airy ...
Metal
$1,739 / item
Chandelier Vistosi 1970
By Gino Vistosi
Located in Bruxelles, BE
Chandelier in glass with a colored murrine made by famous company Vistosi. I have a pair of these lamps.
Glass
$4,058
1970, Glass Lamp
Located in Perpignan, FR
Very beautiful lamp dating from the 1970s in glass, chrome metal. Very good and original conditions.
Glass
Space Age white glass table lamp, Faver Italy 1970s
Located in Firenze, IT
Space Age white glass table lamp Faver Italy 1970s Double lamp bulbs, one for the top one for the base. Separate switch for the two lights Opaline glass, white lacquered aluminum...
Metal
Gino Sarfatti, Set of 2 Table Lamps mod. 600/C, Arteluce Italy, 1966
Located in Firenze, IT
Set of2 black table lamps mod. 600/C designed by master Gino Sarfatti, manufactured by his own Arteluce. Designed in 1966, produced 1960 - 1969 Lacquered aluminium. The leather base is filled with small lead balls...
Aluminum
Rare Metal and Chrome Floor Lamp by Goffredo Reggiani, Italy, 1970s
By Reggiani, Goffredo Reggiani
Located in Echt, NL
Beautiful space age floor lamp in very good condition. Designed by Goffredo Reggiani in the 1970s. Manufactured by Reggiani, Italy. The lamp is entirely made of metal which is lac...
Metal, Chrome
Minimal 4 lights Italian floor lamp
Located in NICE, FR
This Italian space age floor lamp from the 1970s combines sleek modernist design with timeless elegance. It features a slim, vertical structure crafted from chrome-plated metal, exud...
Metal
Plexiglas and Lucite Pendant Lamp by Harco Loor, 1980s
By Harco Loor 1
Located in Echt, NL
Unusual pendant lamp by Harco Loor in very good condition. A Lucite rod which holds two plexiglas discs hangs on two very fine black wires. The discs are made of three layers o...
Acrylic, Lucite
$3,339Sale Price|20% Off
Late 20th Century Space Age Floor Lamp, Chromed Metal with "Flying Saucer" Shade
Located in Milano, IT
This is a vintage floor lamp in stainless steel, chrome and painted metal. The flying saucer-like shade in painted in cream white, and clearly identifies the piece as a Space Age man...
Metal, Steel, Chrome
Studio Brocky Handblown Glass and Aluminium ‘Neutrino’ Sculptural Table Light
Located in London, GB
The Neutrino Table Lamp has a matte Leopard Glass shade that emits a warm, diffuse glow, complimenting the cast aluminium base that provides a bold, sculptural foundation. The minima...
Aluminum
Pair of table lamp model "P600," Gino Sarfatti, Arteluce, Milan, 196
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Table lamp mod. P600, design by Gino Sarfatti for Arteluce, Italy, 1966. Painted metal frame, vinyl leather base. Slight defects. Bibliography: G. Gramigna, Repertorio del design ita...
Plastic, Rubber
Set of Two 1970s ‘Eclipse” Table Lamps, Italy, 1970s
Located in Echt, NL
Two ‘eclipse’ table lamps in vey good condition. These lamps are made of metal en lacquered in a dark blue color. They have fins that can be rotated, by rotating them you can a...
Metal
Brazilian contemporary acrylic and steel pendant
Located in Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
The Lichia Haste pendant has a modern design. It's structure is made of black, white or corten steel. It has one light difusor in a round shape, made of acrylic, which can be the col...
Steel
Yellow Cased plexiglass Mushroom Pendant
Located in Mortsel, BE
This pendant light dates from the 1970s and features a classic organic "Mushroom" silhouette. The lamp is crafted from hand-blown cased glass, utilizing the "duotone" technique: the ...
Plexiglass
$5,500 / item
2 Hanging Lamps in Chrome, 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...
Chrome
1970s French Pendant Light, Opalescent Glass & Metal Frame, 70cm
Located in Beirut, LB
Ceiling pending fixture made with a structured iron rigid rod and that has a large elegant striped opalescent glass. It is a very elegant and timeless piece. Can be delivered and wi...
Metal
Sciolari Italy ceiling lamp crystal sphere space age design years '70 modernism
Located in Biella, IT
Sciolari Italy ceiling lamp crystal sphere design years '70 with structure in metal chrome and sphere in crystal
Crystal, Metal, Chrome
Pair of large chromed steel lamps, Reggiani, Italy, circa 1970
By Reggiani
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of chrome-plated metal lamps consisting of four hollow tubes welded to a central stem and a round base plate. The top of the lamp supports a cap that unscrews to install the lam...
Steel, Chrome
$1,855 / item
Set of 5 bubble glass and chrome pendant
Located in Brussels, BE
Set of 5 bubble glass spheres lightened by 4 lightbulbs each into sleek chrome platted sockets. Available per piece or for the all set. Theses pendant recall for Art Deco style i...
Chrome
Selenova Murano Glass Table Lamp, 1970s
By Selenova
Located in Parma, IT
Table lamp manufactured by Selenova 1970s. Painted metal base opal blown glass diffuser. Marked on the inside. In excellent condition.
Murano Glass
$1,090 / item
Triple Stem Space Age Table Lamp by SIS
Located in Mortsel, BE
The Sis Leuchten table lamp with model number "483" is a unique and highly functional lighting solution. It features three separate stems, each with its own light source, that can be...
Metal
Long Chrome Space Age Wall Lamp With Reflector, Cosack Leuchten
Located in Mortsel, BE
Introducing the Space Age Wall Lamp with Reflector, a remarkable creation by Cosack that exudes futuristic charm. This fully chrome lamp features sleek lines and a captivating design...
Chrome
$985 / set
Pair of 1970s Targetti Sankey Sconces
Located in Echt, NL
Pair of 1970s Targetti Sankey sconces / wall lamps. Chromed metal tube with a black flexible arm. The tube can be moved up and down through the wall mount. If you have any q...
Chrome, Metal