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.
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Vintage Velvet Bent Wood Rocking Chair and Ottoman by BioForm
Located in Denver, CO
Post 1950s, believed to be 1970s Manufactured by BioForm Seating Systems Solid bentwood frame. Two area of small wear and a few very light scratches consistent with age. (see p...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Foam, Laminate, Wood, Bentwood
Elda Armchair, Joe Colombo for Conforti, white leather, 1975
By Joe Colombo
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Elda Armchair, designed by Joe Colombo for Comfort Italia in 1963, is an icon of modern design. Featuring an avant-garde and futuristic design, this armchair offers extraordinary...
Leather, Fiberglass
Swedish Designer, Rocking Chair, Wood, Velvet, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A moulded wood and brown velvet rocking lounge chair designed and produced in Sweden, 1940s. Release to lamination and traces of glue as illustrated Overall Dimensions (inches): 29...
Velvet, Wood
Joe Colombo Swivel "Elda" Italian Lounge Chair
By Joe Colombo, Comfort, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Lounge chair designed by Joe Colombo (1930-1971) in 1963 model "Elda"for Comfort. Made of fiberglass structure reupholstered with creme bouclé fabric which make it very unique. It ha...
Bouclé, Fiberglass
$8,156Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.01 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in
Elda Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort - 1960's Italy
By Joe Colombo
Located in Lisboa, PT
Iconic Elda Chair by Joe Colombo for Comfort - Collectible Design Masterpiece The Elda Chair, designed by visionary Italian designer Joe Colombo for Comfort in the 1960s, is an unpa...
Leather, Fiberglass
Siesta rocking chair and ottoman by Ingmar Relling
By Westnofa Furniture, Ingmar Relling
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Siesta rocking chair and ottoman by Ingmar Relling for Westnofa. Black leather. Excellent original condition.
Leather, Beech
Universal chair by Joe Colombo for Kartell , 1960s
By Joe Colombo, Kartell
Located in Athens, Attiki
Joe Colombo’s ‘Universale’ chair, Kartell late 1960s. Solid, stackable, and colorful, this red Universale chair reflects a late-1960s enth...
Plastic
$991Sale Price|40% Off
H 34.65 in W 47.25 in D 22.45 in
Mid Century Franco Albini Bent Bamboo and Rattan Rocking Chair, Italy 1950's
Located in London, GB
This iconic Albini piece has all the aspects of beautiful Italian design sensibility of good taste and great form making the material create a form that is both beautiful and light i...
Bamboo, Cane
Joe Colombo Elda swivel chair in original condition.
By Joe Colombo
Located in Greensboro, NC
Iconic swiveling "Elda Chair" by Italian designer Joe Colombo. This chair was designed in 1963, and put into production in 1965. Our chair is an early production in original condit...
Leather, Fiberglass
Vintage Bentwood Rocking Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Bentwood Rocking chair. This unique chair is a perfect conversation piece for any living room or lounge space. Please confirm...
Wood, Bentwood
Joe Colombo 'Supercomfort' Armchair for B-Line
By Joe Colombo
Located in Tilburg, NL
Joe Colombo 'Supercomfort' Armchair for B-Line. Designed in 1964. New, current production. The Supercomfort armchair designed by Joe Colombo is the result of a meticulous ergonomi...
Leather, Oak
Swedish Rocking Chair in Pink Velvet
Located in London, England
This art deco danish modern rocking chair was produced in the 1940s. It is made of bentwood and features wooden components and spring seats. Completely restored and reupholstered in ...
Wood, Velvet
Voluta Wood and Brass Handmade Rocking Chair
Located in Roma, IT
The Voluta rocking chair, designed by Stefano Marolla, made of wood, carbon fiber and brass, is inspired to the classical organic plastic shapes, hidin...
Brass
Amish Bent Wood Child's Rocking Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This vintage Amish child's rocking chair is in fine condition and was found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The chair is in fine working order as well. This rocking chair has a ve...
Bentwood, Wood
Pair of Very Early Pastil Chairs by Eero Aarnio for Asko, 1967
By Asko, Eero Aarnio
Located in Munster, NRW
They call it the "swinging sixties" – but everything was "pop" then. from music to graphic design, from fashion to furniture. and the finnish designer eero aarnio presented two icons...
Fiberglass
Hans Kaufeld Aluminum Leather Rocking Chair 1970
By Hans Kaufeld
Located in Munster, NRW
Hans Kaufeld rocking chair from the 1960s with aluminum frame, seat upholstered in black leather. H. 79 cm, W. 71 cm, D. 110 cm. Normal signs of use.
Aluminum
Custom Fiberglass Rocking Chair
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Custom one of a kind fiberglass rocker. Stylish and completely unique this surprisingly comfortable rocker can slide into any-style interior (or outdoor space) with ease. Shows some ...
Fiberglass
Telstar Gemini Rocking Chair by Walter S Chenery for Lurashell
By Lurashell, Walter S. Chenery
Located in London, GB
Telstar Gemini rocking chair by Walter S Chenery for Lurashell, 1960s Fibreglass shell with foam padding and chenille upholstery, over teak roc...
Chenille, Fiberglass, Teak
Sold
H 20.87 in Dm 37.01 in
Eero Aarnio Space Age Pastille Vintage Red Fiberglass Armchair, 1960s, Finland
By Eero Aarnio
Located in Vienna, AT
Eerio Aarnio space age vintage organic red fiberglass armchair or rocking chair or patio chair Pastille for Asko, which was designed 1960s Finland. It features a rocking motion in a ...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 30.71 in W 27.56 in D 43.31 in
Pair of Rocking Lounge Chair Metal Leather by Renato Zevi, Italy, 1970s
By Renato Zevi
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Pair of rocking chair or lounge armchairs by the designer Renato Zevi for his edition Zevi international. Metal chrome, fully upholstered with a very nice full grain leather. Famous ...
Metal, Chrome
Rocking Chair Leather and Chrome by Renato Zevi, Italy, 1970s
By Renato Zevi
Located in SAINT-OUEN, FR
Rocking chair or lounge chair by Renato Zevi. Unusual version with original light brown leather. Nice patina.
Metal, Chrome