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Space Age Side Chairs

SPACE AGE STYLE

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.

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Style: Space Age
Pierre Paulin, Little Tulip chair, Artifort, 1960
Pierre Paulin, Little Tulip chair, Artifort, 1960

Pierre Paulin, Little Tulip chair, Artifort, 1960

By Pierre Paulin, Artifort

Located in Uppsala, SE

Little Tulip chair (originally known as the F163), designed in the 1960s by Pierre Paulin. The Artifort Tulip collection remains a true Mid-Century Modern icon. A perfect fusion of e...

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Space Age Vintage Yellow Plastic Chair Kangaroo Chair Ernst Moeckl 1960s Germany
Space Age Vintage Yellow Plastic Chair Kangaroo Chair Ernst Moeckl 1960s Germany

Space Age Vintage Yellow Plastic Chair Kangaroo Chair Ernst Moeckl 1960s Germany

By Ernst Moeckl

Located in Vienna, AT

Space Age vintage chair or side chair model kangaroo chair or Z chair from yellow plastic by Ernst Moeckl for Baydur, W-Germany, 1960s. Very rare to find in the happy making sunshine...

Category

1960s German Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

20th Century Fiberglass Space Age Chair, 1970's
20th Century Fiberglass Space Age Chair, 1970's

20th Century Fiberglass Space Age Chair, 1970's

Located in Paris, FR

20th century vintage white fiberglass chair of space age design with futuristic curves. In the style of the Orbit chair by Walter Grunder and M...

Category

20th Century French Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass, Lacquer

Pair of Space Age Side Chairs by Olivier Mourgue, 1970s France
Pair of Space Age Side Chairs by Olivier Mourgue, 1970s France

Pair of Space Age Side Chairs by Olivier Mourgue, 1970s France

By Olivier Mourgue

Located in Zagreb, HR

Sleek, vibrant pair of vintage space age side chairs, designed by Olivier Mourgue. (Publication by Minneapolis Institute of Art, accession number 91.151). Organic and sculptural spa...

Category

1970s French Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Upholstery

Set of 4 American 1970s Brushed Aluminum and Eggshell Chairs
Set of 4 American 1970s Brushed Aluminum and Eggshell Chairs

Set of 4 American 1970s Brushed Aluminum and Eggshell Chairs

By Burke, Inc.

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of 4 American 1970s brushed aluminum and eggshell chairs by Burke, Inc. of Texas. Stamped BURKE, INC. DALLAS, TEXAS. Great for a small dining room or a breakfast table.

Category

1970s American Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Set of 4 American 70's Brushed Aluminum and Eggshell Chairs
Set of 4 American 70's Brushed Aluminum and Eggshell Chairs

Set of 4 American 70's Brushed Aluminum and Eggshell Chairs

By Burke, Inc.

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of 4 American 70's brushed aluminum and eggshell chairs by Burke, Inc. of Texas. Stamped BURKE, INC. DALLAS, TEXAS. Great for a small dining room or a ...

Category

1970s American Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Black Dorsal Chair by G. Piretti & E. Ambas, Italy, 1980s
Black Dorsal Chair by G. Piretti & E. Ambas, Italy, 1980s

Black Dorsal Chair by G. Piretti & E. Ambas, Italy, 1980s

By Giancarlo Piretti, Emilio Ambasz

Located in KUTNO, PL

Designed in 1980 by Italian-Argentinian duo Giancarlo Piretti & Emilio Ambasz, exposing modernity and ergonomics - Piretti was already known for his innovative designs, such as the f...

Category

1980s Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Textile, Plastic

Sculptural Hand Chair from the 80's
Sculptural Hand Chair from the 80's

Sculptural Hand Chair from the 80's

Located in Mortsel, BE

This unique stool chair is a standalone piece in the form of a hand. Highly sculptural and well-made, it is both strong and sturdy. Its bright red color makes it a beautiful statemen...

Category

1980s Unknown Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Polyester

Set Of 4 American 70's Brushed Aluminum And Eggshell Chairs
Set Of 4 American 70's Brushed Aluminum And Eggshell Chairs

Set Of 4 American 70's Brushed Aluminum And Eggshell Chairs

By Burke, Inc.

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Set of 4 American 70's brushed aluminum and eggshell chairs by Burke, Inc. of Texas. Stamped BURKE, INC. DALLAS, TEXAS. Great for a small dining room or a ...

Category

1970s American Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Iconic Space Age Red Embryo Chair by Marc Newson
Iconic Space Age Red Embryo Chair by Marc Newson

Iconic Space Age Red Embryo Chair by Marc Newson

By Marc Newson

Located in Brussels, BE

Embryo chair created in Sydney Australia in 1988. tubular steel, polyurethane and neoprene. Three legs and a chromed steel structure padded with moulded p...

Category

1990s Italian Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Midcentury Chair By Kovona In Faux Leather And Chrome, Czechoslovakia 1970s
Midcentury Chair By Kovona In Faux Leather And Chrome, Czechoslovakia 1970s

Midcentury Chair By Kovona In Faux Leather And Chrome, Czechoslovakia 1970s

By Kovona

Located in Zohor, SK

This elegant mid-century modern chair was produced by Kovona in the 1970s and features a distinctive bent tubular chrome frame paired with its original beige leatherette seat and bac...

Category

1970s Czech Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Related Items
Set of Four Kangaroo Chairs Designed by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1968
Set of Four Kangaroo Chairs Designed by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1968

Set of Four Kangaroo Chairs Designed by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1968

By Ernst Moeckl

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

This set is called Z-chair. Designed in 1968 in the GDR by Ernst Moeckl and Siegfried Mehl, German Version of the Panton chair. Also called kangoroo chair or variopur chair. Produced...

Category

20th Century German Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Mid-Century Little Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
Mid-Century Little Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s

Mid-Century Little Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s

$1,400 / item

H 29.53 in W 27.96 in D 23.63 in

Mid-Century Little Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s

By Pierre Paulin, Artifort

Located in Oud Beijerland, NL

Very comfortable and turnable Armchair, named "Little Tulip". Designed by the famous Pierre Paulin in te 60's. Fabricated by Artifort in the 80's. Solid metal base with a wooden f...

Category

1980s Dutch Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Set of 4 yellow chairs “4875” mod. by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell-70s
Set of 4 yellow chairs “4875” mod. by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell-70s

Set of 4 yellow chairs “4875” mod. by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell-70s

By Kartell, Carlo Bartoli

Located in Padova, IT

The almost comical appearance, soft curves and compact proportions of Carlo Bartoli's 4875 chair are very reminiscent of two famous previous Kartell models, the 1960 stackable childr...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

White Glossy Kangaroo Chair Designed by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1960s
White Glossy Kangaroo Chair Designed by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1960s

White Glossy Kangaroo Chair Designed by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1960s

By Ernst Moeckl

Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL

This model is called Z-chair. Designed in 1968 in the GDR by Ernst Moeckl and Siegfried Mehl, German Version of the Panton chair. Also called kangoroo chair or variopur chair. Produc...

Category

20th Century German Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

1969, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Set of Four White Selene Chairs
1969, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Set of Four White Selene Chairs

1969, Vico Magistretti for Artemide, Set of Four White Selene Chairs

By Artemide, Vico Magistretti

Located in Amsterdam IJMuiden, NL

This item is part of the private collection of Casey Godrie and is situated in his private house. Ask him for competitive shipping quotes. His incredible Dune Villa, Amsterdam Beach, check last pictures on this listing and/or find more details on his family name plus eu, is for sale soon too. :-) Set of four Selene chairs...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Vico Magistretti Set of Nine Red Selene Chairs by Heller 2002s
Vico Magistretti Set of Nine Red Selene Chairs by Heller 2002s

Vico Magistretti Set of Nine Red Selene Chairs by Heller 2002s

$3,008 / set

H 30.12 in W 19.69 in D 15.75 in

Vico Magistretti Set of Nine Red Selene Chairs by Heller 2002s

By Heller, Vico Magistretti

Located in Cascina, Pisa

Set of nine Selene stackable chairs in red polyester reinforced with fiberglass, designed by Vico Magistretti in 1967 and produced by Heller in 2002. The Selene chair was designed in 1967 by Magistretti to be produced in a plastic material, as he affirmed: "The seat and the back are simple curved surfaces. For me, the legs represented the real image of the piece, with as small a volume as that of any common wooden chair. I solved it by exploiting the molding of a plastic material formed by a simple 3-millimeter-thick sheet with a simple but very resistant "S" cross-section which inter-related the object with ordinary chairs without however the elephant legs so untypical of chairs. It was fun working with the model maker on the wood model." When produced in series, "a unit comes out of the machine every five minutes": Selene is the fruit of a single compression molding process on a pre-impregnated sheet (Ottagono 15 / 1969). Magistretti solves the problem of leg resistance by adopting an "S-shaped" configuration that confers resistance to a sheet only 3 millimeters thick. The formal and structural solution had already been previously adopted for the Chimera lamp (a self-supporting methacrylate sheet) and in developing the legs of the Demetrio table...

Category

Early 2000s European Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic, Rubber

Set of 6 English Renaissance Ornately-Carved Hall Chairs, Turn of 19th & 20th C
Set of 6 English Renaissance Ornately-Carved Hall Chairs, Turn of 19th & 20th C

Set of 6 English Renaissance Ornately-Carved Hall Chairs, Turn of 19th & 20th C

Located in Atlanta, GA

An English set of six Renaissance style elaborately carved hall chairs from the turn of the 19th and 20th century. This set of antique board chairs from England each have been ornately hand-carved in a series of grotesque figures, embellished with swags, volutes, leaves. An arched crest further adorns the toprail. Center backs show a shied entwined with helmet and arrows. The seats, with their decoratively trim carved edges, are raised by a pair of shapely legs consisting of two carved boards, with front leg board continuing the mythological them of the back. These turn of the century chairs...

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Wood

Artifort Pierre Paulin Little Tulip Swivel Chair in STOCK
Artifort Pierre Paulin Little Tulip Swivel Chair in STOCK

Artifort Pierre Paulin Little Tulip Swivel Chair in STOCK

$1,668Sale Price|20% Off

H 30.32 in W 25.2 in D 22.84 in

Artifort Pierre Paulin Little Tulip Swivel Chair in STOCK

By Pierre Paulin, Artifort

Located in New York, NY

upholstered in vidar 0554 - cat. FF base: p33 grey beige ral 1019 The Tulip midi was the missing member of the Tulip family for a long time. The armchair was designed by Pierre Pa...

Category

2010s Dutch Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Fabric

Mid Century Big Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
Mid Century Big Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s

Mid Century Big Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s

By Pierre Paulin, Artifort

Located in Oud Beijerland, NL

Very comfortable and original Big Tulip lounge chair, designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1965. This model remains one of the best known of the Pierre Paulin's work. The chair ...

Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Steel

Previously Available Items
1969 Executive Armchairs Leather & Fiberglass Shell, Lübke
1969 Executive Armchairs Leather & Fiberglass Shell, Lübke

1969 Executive Armchairs Leather & Fiberglass Shell, Lübke

By Eero Saarinen, Konrad Schäfer, Joe Colombo, Lübke

Located in Grand Cayman, KY

Stunning 1969 leather and fiberglass shell executive armchairs by Konrad Schäfer. The now iconic Space Age style invokes design elements of contemporaries, including Joe Colombo's E...

Category

1960s German Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Set of Four "Sail" Chairs by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti
Set of Four "Sail" Chairs by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti

Set of Four "Sail" Chairs by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti

By Giovanni Offredi

Located in Milano, IT

This stunning set of four 'Sail' chairs is a masterpiece of 1970s Italian design, created by the genius mind of Giovanni Offredi and produced by Saporiti in 1973. The 'Sail' chairs e...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Bentwood

Rare 1st edition Panton chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller 1968.
Rare 1st edition Panton chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller 1968.

Rare 1st edition Panton chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller 1968.

By Herman Miller, Verner Panton

Located in Landgraaf, NL

Rare 1st edition Panton chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller 1968. The design concept for a stackable chair in one molded piece started in the 50’s. With the help of Willi Fehlba...

Category

1960s German Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Pair of 'Scimitar' Chairs by Boris Tabacoff for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne, 1970
Pair of 'Scimitar' Chairs by Boris Tabacoff for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne, 1970

Pair of 'Scimitar' Chairs by Boris Tabacoff for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne, 1970

By Mobilier Modulair Moderne, Boris Tabacoff

Located in Antwerpen, VAN

Stunning pair of ‘Scimitar’ chairs in the style of Boris Tabacoff and made in Belgium during the 1970s. An exceptional design thanks to the half-moon shape of the chromed steel base....

Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

8810 Flower Chair and Table Leg by Pierre Paulin for Boro Belgium, 1973
8810 Flower Chair and Table Leg by Pierre Paulin for Boro Belgium, 1973

8810 Flower Chair and Table Leg by Pierre Paulin for Boro Belgium, 1973

By Pierre Paulin, BORO Belgium

Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE

Originally made as outdoor furniture in 1972 this 8810 model flower chair and table is now a very rare and sought after iconic piece of plastic design history. Designed by Pierre Pau...

Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Rare 1970s Space Age Italian Swivel Accent Chair New Fabric
Rare 1970s Space Age Italian Swivel Accent Chair New Fabric

Rare 1970s Space Age Italian Swivel Accent Chair New Fabric

By Eero Saarinen, Maurice Burke

Located in San Diego, CA

Great and rare unique chair freshly recover in beautiful colorful fabric, the metal base shows a nice patina we polished and cleaned but left its original condition. nice solid and s...

Category

20th Century Italian Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Harry  Bertoia  side chairs in chrome  1980s
Harry  Bertoia  side chairs in chrome  1980s

Harry Bertoia side chairs in chrome 1980s

Sold

H 31.5 in W 20.08 in D 22.05 in

Harry Bertoia side chairs in chrome 1980s

By Harry Bertoia

Located in Den Haag, NL

Iconic Harry Bertoia side chair . Chrome wire chairs .with there slabs ,in Black limitation leather. Very good condition .

Category

1980s Italian Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Willy Guhl Style Side / Lounge Fiberglass Chairs..Garden, Poolside , Spaceage
Willy Guhl Style Side / Lounge Fiberglass Chairs..Garden, Poolside , Spaceage

Willy Guhl Style Side / Lounge Fiberglass Chairs..Garden, Poolside , Spaceage

By Willy Guhl

Located in Buffalo, NY

Willy Guhl Style Side / Lounge Fiberglass Chairs..Garden, Poolside ,Space age,, Possibly Italian ? Incredible design!!.. Extremely comfortable..Will be great for interior or exterior...

Category

1970s American Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Universale Chair Joe Colombo for Kartell, Italy, 1967
Universale Chair Joe Colombo for Kartell, Italy, 1967

Universale Chair Joe Colombo for Kartell, Italy, 1967

By Joe Colombo

Located in Las Vegas, NV

Universale chair by legendary designer Joe Colombo. First adult-sized plastic chair to be produced using a single injection cast mold. ABS plastic wit...

Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Plastic

"Melaina" Fiberglass Chair by Rodolfo Bonetto for Driade
"Melaina" Fiberglass Chair by Rodolfo Bonetto for Driade

"Melaina" Fiberglass Chair by Rodolfo Bonetto for Driade

By Rodolfo Bonetto, Driade

Located in Brooklyn, NY

"Melaina" chair, designed by Rodolfo Bonetto(1929-1991) for Driade in 1970. Manufactured in Italy. Original gloss white finish. Benetto was a Milan native with a passion for ABS p...

Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Fiberglass

Italian Studio Made Experimental Plywood Folding Chair
Italian Studio Made Experimental Plywood Folding Chair

Italian Studio Made Experimental Plywood Folding Chair

Sold

H 36.25 in W 21.75 in L 36.25 in

Italian Studio Made Experimental Plywood Folding Chair

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Studio made plywood folding chair. Oiled finish. Graphic lines. Folds flat to one inch. Upper seating element folds down to rest on two legs that...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Pair of Orange Verner Panton 1-2-3 System "Chair A" Space Age Swivel Chairs
Pair of Orange Verner Panton 1-2-3 System "Chair A" Space Age Swivel Chairs

Pair of Orange Verner Panton 1-2-3 System "Chair A" Space Age Swivel Chairs

By Verner Panton

Located in Houston, TX

Pair of orange 'system 1-2-3' Chair A dining chairs designed by Danish designer Verner Panton. These iconic chairs are upholstered in their original orange wool fabric. Boasting scul...

Category

1970s Danish Vintage Space Age Side Chairs

Materials

Metal

Space Age side chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Space Age side chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage side chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with plastic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Space Age side chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original side chairs, popular names associated with this style include Burke, Inc., Bernard Rancillac, BORO Belgium, and Carlo Bartoli. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for side chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,098 and tops out at $18,000 while the average work can sell for $2,321.