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.
Garden Bench, Model 1000 by Walter Papst for Wilkhahn 1964
By Wilkhahn, Walter Papst
Located in Halle, DE
Garten Bench Model “1000”, so called “Bärenbank”. Organic post-war design from 1964 von Walter Papst for Wilkhahn. Executed in fibreglass / fiberglass. Original surface, not repainte...
Fiberglass
1970s Meritalia Sculptural Space Age Air Loungers Chairs, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Extremely rare Fabio Novembre for Meritalia sculptural chairs. The beautiful set in dark and light gray ultra suede is statement piece which is also extremely comfortable and packed with personality! The fabulous chairs of the Air Lounge System...
Ultrasuede
Vintage Atomic Shaped Off White Bench
Located in Seattle, WA
This Space Age Design Bench has Beautiful Lines Throughout. Possibly Metal or other Similar Material. Dimensions. 20 W ; 13 D ; 15 H
Metal
$2,450 / item
Vintage Wrought Iron Ivy Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Evoke the charm of a sun-drenched European estate with this striking vintage wrought iron bench. Defined by its elaborate backrest featuring a winding ivy and floral motif, this piec...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Italian Scrolled Wrought Iron Leopard Bench
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage Italian Scrolled Wrought Iron Bench with Tasseled...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Lucite Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Go retro with this transparent Lucite bench. Its ¾ inch thick Lucite material makes it sturdy, and ideal as a single-seat bench, vanity seat or foot stool.
Lucite
$595
H 27 in W 27.5 in D 18 in
Vintage Neoclassical Style Wrought Iron Curule Savonarola X-Form Bench Chair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Neoclassical Style Wrought Iron Curule Savonarola X-Form Bench Chair. Item fe...
Iron
$2,460
H 45 in W 48 in D 20 in
Whimsical Vintage Wrought Iron Peacock Garden Bench – Ornate Scrollwork
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Bring an enchanting sense of romance and old-world artistry to your space with this exceptional vintage wrought iron garden bench, ma...
Wrought Iron
Sold|$7,200
H 33.5 in W 53.5 in D 17 in
Vintage Wrought-Iron Diana the Huntress Pattern Garden Bench with Upholstery
By Molla
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Molla painted wrought iron upholstered garden bench from the mid-20th century depicting Diana, goddess of the hunt and her arrows. Created in the midcentury, this exquisite iron bench features a nicely weathered painted finish. Revealing its neoclassical influence, the nicely curved back is adorned with arrow motifs in its upper section that give us a hint about the character depicted below in each pierced splat. We are indeed in the presence of Diana, goddess of the moon and of the hunt, also known as Artemis in Greek mythology. Dressed in her typical garment and showcasing the moon crescent on her head, she is ready to draw an arrow from her quiver. One of her canine companions is placed behind her. Both of them are surrounded by delicate foliage reminding us of Diana's taste for the outdoors. Two scrolling open arms flank the rectangular seat, recovered with a new upholstery. The ensemble is raised on eight slightly splaying legs. With its neoclassical theme and weathered patina, this American painted bench...
Iron
Vintage Italian Scrolled Wrought Iron Vanity Bench
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Wrought Iron
$8,661Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 29.14 in W 19.49 in D 20.48 in
Space Age Vintage Sculptural White Plastic Dining Room Set Finland 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage Dining Room Set consists of a circular like dining table and six matching sculptural dining chairs from white lacquered fibe...
Fiberglass
Vintage Wrought Iron Hollywood Regency Bench, Silver Sphere Finials
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Wrought Iron Hollywood Regency Bench, Silver Sphere Finials Offered for sale is a vintage wrought iron Hollywood Regency bench with scrolled arms and silvered sphere finials...
Wrought Iron
Antique Mixed Wood Children’s L Shaped Corner Bench
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique L-shaped School Bench with hardwood slats and pine uprights. The bench with slatted back, center divided support. Dimensions: 31 1/2" H, footprint - 64" x 52" and 13 3/4" H....
Wood
The Camel Back Garden Bench
Located in Sturminster Marshall, Dorset
An exceptional Georgian Camel back design carved teak slatted back garden bench. Exterior seat pads can be supplied if required. Seat pad upholstered in client’s own material. Pleas...
Teak
Pair Of Brass And Wrought Iron Benches
Located in Essex, MA
Possibly Jansen. With brass duck head hand terminals and strap iron seats and arched classical style legs. Newly painted black and brass polished.
Brass, Wrought Iron
$4,300 / set
H 18.5 in W 21 in D 21 in
Custom Made Modern Ottomans or Benches With Off White Boucle Upholstery USA Pair
Located in North Miami, FL
This pair of fabulous custom made limited edition modern benches or ottomans are coined the Cloud Series. They have never been used and are upholstered in a thick large off white fin...
Upholstery, Wood
Lacquered bench - 1970s
Located in Paris, FR
Attributed to Danielle QUARANTE - 1970s Deep red and cream lacquered fiberglass bench. Fully restored. Extraordinary organic shape. A unique piece in these colors, highly decorativ...
Resin
Sold
H 33 in W 72 in D 72 in
Sintoform bench/planter by Elsie Crawford for Architectural Fiberglass, 1970
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Exceedingly rare Sintoform carousel bench and planter by Elsie Crawford for Architectural Fiberglass. 6 seats surround a planter large enough for a substantial tree. Refinished and i...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 15.75 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Iconic Carlo De Carli Wooden Bench with Storage by Fiarm, Venice - 1960s
By Carlo di Carli, Fiarm
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
Immerse yourself in the iconic era of Space Age Furniture Design with this rare bench seat designed by Carlo De Carli for Fiarm, Venice. Instantly evoking the spirit of the 60s with ...
Wood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 68.12 in D 23.04 in
3 seater bench by Dominque Prevot & Jean-Luch Favriau for Édition France Design
By Dominique Prevot, France Design S. A., Prevost & Favriau
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
this 3-seater bench was designed around 1970 by dominique prevot and jean-luc favriau and produced by edition france design. that’s about all we know about these benches and their de...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 29.14 in W 94.49 in D 31.11 in
Blue Fiberglass Bench by Walter Papst for Wilkhahn, Germany, 1960s
By Walter Papst
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Stunning blue fiberglass bench designed by Walter Papst for Wilkhahn, Germany, 1960s. Walter Papst was one of the first European designers to use fiberglass to fabricate furniture. The design of the bench is naive, almost simplistic since it is made out of 1 piece of molded fiberglass. But nonetheless, it is a very sophisticated item because it was made with beautiful slanted angles, which gives it a very sculptural and architectural look. The stunning bright blue color makes it pure eye candy. The blue color is the original color and could be described as 'modernist blue' or 'le corbusier blue...
Fiberglass
Midcentury Bench by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful Space Age waiting bench designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti. Simple, elegant and timeless design. Very good condition. D...
Metal
Midcentury bench by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Beautiful Space Age waiting bench designed by Ettore Sottsass for Olivetti. Simple, elegant and timeless design. Very good condition...
Metal
Olivier Mourgue Djinn Bench Made by Airborne, France circa 1963
Located in Munster, NRW
An Olivier Morgue Djinn Two Seater Bench for Airborne.