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Space Age Seating

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
White Plastic & Chrome Plated Metal 1970s Stools by C. Salocchi for Alberti
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Pair of stool with tubolar chrome plated support and white painted plastic (maybe resine of fiberglass) folding seat. These thick seats are ergonomic and designed to fold away. The t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Chrome

Rare and Quite Unique Space Age Loveseat by Tue Poulsen for Domus Danica, 1970
Located in Haderslev, DK
Seven different danish furniture companies went into a collaboration - Domus Danica - in a very short period in the start of 1970. Tue Poulsen who was a well respected danish ceramist was given an assignment to come up with a line of modern furnitures which should be produced in fiberglass. Tue Poulsen made a serie of fiberglass furnitures for the danish fair at Bella Center in Copenhagen and the serie consisted of a loungechair, a double loungechair, a chaiselongue, a sofa and a table. They were the eye-catchers of the fair and several of Tue Poulsen collegues mocked him with the space design he had created because at that time fiberglass was not a frowned material. This double lounge chair...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Fabric, Fiberglass

Vintage Orange Bucket Seats or Cocktail Chairs, 1960s
Located in Hemiksem, VAN
A set of bucket seats in a deep orange color. These armchairs are from the 1960s. The fabric shows no stains or damage and the seating comfort is still very good. The wooden legs are...
Category

1960s German Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Wool, Wood

Navy blue and off white panther fabric sofa, 1960s.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Navy blue and off white panther fabric sofa resting on four feet covered with fabric . France 1960s.
Category

1960s French Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Fabric

La Chair Sculptural Velvet Contemporary 'Olive Green'
Located in Berkshire, England
LA CHAIR Handcrafted-to-order in the UK by local craftsmen. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. A functional design piece, La Chair bridges the gap between fine...
Category

2010s British Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal

Space Age Blue Vintage Teak Armchair or Lounge Chair 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage blue armchair or lounge chair or club chair from teak plywood and chromed tubular steel. The upholstery is covered with faux leather in bold blue color tone, which ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal

Space Age Vintage White Plastic Metal Stool by Luigi Colani Germany 1971
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage organic stool from plastic in white and ivory color designed by Luigi Colani. Germany 1971 / 1972. A rare collector piece, this new arrival, a stool from white and ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Plastic

Unique High Back Dining Chairs, 1970s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Unique hand made dining chairs with space age design influence. They have a sort of 'star trek' look about them. They where hand made by a local metal smith in Germany. Strikin...
Category

1970s German Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal

Verner Panton ‚Panton’ Cantilever Chair in Black Pu, Germany, 1971
Located in Regensburg, DE
Early Space Age Cantilever Chair 'Panton' by Verner Panton in Black, Germany 1970s Design: Verner Panton, 1958-60 Execution Fehlbaum Productions under license from Hermann Mille...
Category

1960s German Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Plastic

8 Chairs , 1950, Country: Italy, Material: Wood
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
6 chairs Material: Wood Country: italian Year: 1950 We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982.If you have any questions we are at you...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Wood

Green Velvet Modern Armchair, Danish Design, 1970s
Located in Chorzów, PL
This modern armchair from 1970s Poland is a standout piece of Eastern European design, celebrated for its unique, sculptural shape that became iconic during the era. The armchair has...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Velvet

Lounge Chair Set in Orange and Black 1970s
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Elevate your space with this bold and stylish lounge chair set, perfect for contemporary interiors or modern office settings. Featuring a vibrant orange base made in resin and luxuri...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Leather, Resin

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 Seating

Materials

Polyester

Space Age Vintage Ivory Vintage Modular Leather Lounge Chairs Wittmann 1970
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage sectional two lounge chairs with one stool from leather in ivory color tone 1970s by Wittmann Austria. The very comfortable settee model Rhombos features stitched ...
Category

Late 20th Century Austrian Space Age Seating

Materials

Leather

Chairs in Painted Metal and Leather, 1970s, Set of 2
Located in Montelabbate, PU
A pair of armchairs with suspended seats, featuring a painted metal base and upholstered backrest and seat covered in black leather. Light wear due to age and use, in overall good c...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal

pair of vintage aluminum cast leather eco chairs
By Elledue Arredamenti
Located in Medesano, Parma
Discover a hidden gem in the world of furniture - exquisite vintage Italian chairs crafted from posh cast aluminum, boasting a space age design that will transport you to another era...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Italian Black fiberglass fabric Armchair Girasole Tournesol by Frigerio, 1960s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age Black fiberglass and fabric Armchair Girasole by Frigerio, 1960s Armchair mod. Girasole (Tournesol) with flower-shaped seat, padded and upholstered in colorful fab...
Category

1960s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Fabric, Fiberglass

Lounge Chair, White Lacquer, Faux Leather in Reptile Look, Germany, 1970s
Located in Regensburg, DE
Space Age lounge chair, white lacquer, faux leather in reptile look, Germany, 1970s Extraordinary rare design lounge chair from Germany, 1970s (Verner Panton Era style, Space Age) W...
Category

1970s German Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Stainless Steel

Space Age Chairs by Nanna Ditzel for Domus Danica, Circxa 1960
Located in Surbiton, GB
A set of four rare fibreglass chairs designed by Nanna Ditzel and produced by OD Møbler / Domus Danica in 1969. Dimensions (cm, approx): Height: 78 Width: 55 Depth: 52 Hei...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Pair of Solid Lucite Vanity Chair, 1940s
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Pair of solid lucite chairs We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982. If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style for sale. Why are there so many antiques in Argentina? In the 1880 – 1940 there was a grate wave of immigration encouraged by the periods of war that were taking place. 1st World War took place between 1914 and 1918 2nd World War took place between 1939 and 1945 The immigrants options were New York or Buenos Aires. Tickets were cheap and in Buenos Aires they were welcomed with open arms, as it was a country where everything was still to be done. Argentina was the country of new opportunities, labour was needed and religious freedom was assured, in many cases the of the family travel first until they were settled and then the rest of the family members join them. In the immigrant museum “Ellis Island Immigrant Building” in New York you can se the promotional posters of the boats that would take them to a new life. Between the years 1895 and 1896, Argentina had the highest DGP (gross domestic product) per capita in the world according to the Maddison Historical Statistics index, this situation arose due to the large amount of food being exported to European countries, which were at war. The Argentinean ships left the port of Buenos Aires with food, but they returned with furniture, clothes and construction elements, (it´s common to see this the old buildings of the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, the beams with the inscription “Made in England)”, as well as many markets that were built in Buenos Aires, such us the San Telmo Market, whose structure was brought by ship and afterwards assembled in 900 Defensa Street. With the great influence of European immigrants living in the country, the children of the upper classes travelled to study in France, resulting in the inauguration of “La Maison Argentinienne”, on 27th of June 1928, in the international city of Paris, which hosted many Argentinians that were studying in Frace. It´s the fourth house to be built after France, Canada and Belgium, being the first Spanish-speaking one. Still in place today (17 Bd Jourdan, 75014, Paris, France). Many of the children of these wealthy families who attended international art exhibitions, museums and art courses abroad, took a keen interest in the European style. This is why Buenos Aires was at the time referred as “The Paris of South America”. Between the years 1890 and 1920 more than a hundred Palaces were built on Alvear Avenue the most exclusive avenue in Buenos Aires. Today some of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels and embassies. In the year 1936, the Kavanagh building was inaugurated, it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in South America. During 1994 the American Society of Civil Engineers distinguished it as an “international engineering milestone”, and it´s now considered a World Heritage of Modern Architecture. At the time was common to hire foreign architects such as Le Corbusier, who visited Buenos Aires/Argentina in 1929 and in 1948 he drew up the blueprints for a house built in La Plata City (which was declared a World Heritage Site). In 1947, the Hungarian architect Marcelo Breuer designed “Parador Ariston” in the seaside city of Mar del Plata. After an Argentinean student at Harvard University convinced him to come to Argentina. He worked on an urban development project in the Casa Amarilla, area of La Boca. The Ukrainian architect, Vladimiro Acosta, arrives in Argentina in 1928 and worked as an architect until que moved to Brazil. Antonio Bonet, a Spanish architect who worked with Le Corbusier in Paris, arrives in Argentina in 1937, where he carried out several architectural works and in 1938 designs the well-known BFK chair...
Category

1940s American Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Lucite

2 Armchairs, Year 1960, Denmark
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
2 Lounge chairs year: 1960 Material: Leather and wood Why are there so many antiques in Argentina? In the 1880 – 1940 there was a grate wave of immigration encouraged ...
Category

1960s Danish Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Space Age Cube Bar or Side Table in Off-White, West Germany 1970s
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a very rare Space Age Cube bar or side table with 3 bottle holders and a small shelf. It is done in beautiful, minimalist ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Chrome

Embryo ii Patterned Sofa/ Couch
Located in Larnaca, CY
4er Couch, CNC wooden structure upholstered in comfortable cushions and water repellent fabric, which is easy to clean. Gentle removal of stains with a cloth. ...
Category

2010s Cypriot Space Age Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Stool in wood, Sign Denmark, 1950
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Stool / Sign: Denmark You want to live in the golden years, this is the stool that your project needs. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles since 1982....
Category

1950s Danish Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Wood

'Auberge' Seating Group by Günter Beltzig, Germany, 1971
Located in Antwerp, BE
The 'Auberge' seating group by Günter Beltzig is made from durable fiberglass and immaculately preserved. With its organic curves and sculptural form, this seating group is simply a ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Space Age Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

Vintage Space Age Italian Black Leather Side Chairs - Set of 7
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Space Age Italian Black Leather Side Chairs - Set of 7 This set of vintage space age chairs would be a comfortable and sleek addition ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal

set of 2 Space Age Armchairs Production Hille designer Robin Day 1970's
Located in Milano, MI
ara pair of Armchairs manufactured in England by Hille and designed by Robin Day in the early 1970s. Metal Base, Shaped Plastic Shell and Blue Fabric Cushions. The Armchairs are pres...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Seating

Materials

Aluminum

White Bouclet armchair, Manifattura Italiana, 1990 Circa
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Condition: Good - Restored Materials: Boucle, Steel Era: 1990 Measurements: 104x90x79 cm Style: Post Modern Seat height: 43 cm.
Category

1990s Italian Space Age Seating

Materials

Steel

Michel Cadestin Orchidée Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Orchidée armchair designed by Michel Cadestin Produced by Airborne in the 1960s-1970s Very comfortable seat Features a white-lacquered fiberglass shell and new orange leatherette ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Space Age Seating

Materials

Faux Leather, Fiberglass

Space Age Armchair in Pink and Black Leather with Steel Structure
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Exceptional space age style armchair, steel base with satin-finish steel fitting, rotatable seat in black and pink leather. On one side halo of presence of manufacturer's label. Sign...
Category

1970s Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Steel

Swivel Re.Lounge Armchairs by Burkhard Vogtherr for König & Neurath
Located in Izegem, VWV
The Re.Lounge armchair was produced by König + Neurath for very relaxed sitting and good conversation. A beautifully designed quality chair that of...
Category

Early 2000s German Space Age Seating

Materials

Chrome

4 Chair, Italian, 1950
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
4 Chairs Country: Italian If you are looking for a desk chair to match your desk, we have what you need. We have specialized in the sale of Art Deco and Art Nouveau and Vintage styles since 1982.If you have any questions we are at your disposal. Pushing the button that reads 'View All From Seller'. And you can see more objects to the style. Why are there so many antiques in Argentina? In the 1880 – 1940 there was a grate wave of immigration encouraged by the periods of war that were taking place. 1st World War took place between 1914 and 1918 2nd World War took place between 1939 and 1945 The immigrants options were New York or Buenos Aires. Tickets were cheap and in Buenos Aires they were welcomed with open arms, as it was a country where everything was still to be done. Argentina was the country of new opportunities, labour was needed and religious freedom was assured, in many cases the of the family travel first until they were settled and then the rest of the family members join them. In the immigrant museum “Ellis Island Immigrant Building” in New York you can se the promotional posters of the boats that would take them to a new life. Between the years 1895 and 1896, Argentina had the highest DGP (gross domestic product) per capita in the world according to the Maddison Historical Statistics index, this situation arose due to the large amount of food being exported to European countries, which were at war. The Argentinean ships left the port of Buenos Aires with food, but they returned with furniture, clothes and construction elements, (it´s common to see this the old buildings of the historic neighbourhood of San Telmo, the beams with the inscription “Made in England)”, as well as many markets that were built in Buenos Aires, such us the San Telmo Market, whose structure was brought by ship and afterwards assembled in 900 Defensa Street. With the great influence of European immigrants living in the country, the children of the upper classes travelled to study in France, resulting in the inauguration of “La Maison Argentinienne”, on 27th of June 1928, in the international city of Paris, which hosted many Argentinians that were studying in Frace. It´s the fourth house to be built after France, Canada and Belgium, being the first Spanish-speaking one. Still in place today (17 Bd Jourdan, 75014, Paris, France). Many of the children of these wealthy families who attended international art exhibitions, museums and art courses abroad, took a keen interest in the European style. This is why Buenos Aires was at the time referred as “The Paris of South America”. Between the years 1890 and 1920 more than a hundred Palaces were built on Alvear Avenue the most exclusive avenue in Buenos Aires. Today some of these palaces have been transformed into museums, hotels and embassies. In the year 1936, the Kavanagh building was inaugurated, it was the tallest reinforced concrete building in South America. During 1994 the American Society of Civil Engineers distinguished it as an “international engineering milestone”, and it´s now considered a World Heritage of Modern Architecture. At the time was common to hire foreign architects such as Le Corbusier, who visited Buenos Aires/Argentina in 1929 and in 1948 he drew up the blueprints for a house built in La Plata City (which was declared a World Heritage Site). In 1947, the Hungarian architect Marcelo Breuer designed “Parador Ariston” in the seaside city of Mar del Plata. After an Argentinean student at Harvard University convinced him to come to Argentina. He worked on an urban development project in the Casa Amarilla, area of La Boca. The Ukrainian architect, Vladimiro Acosta, arrives in Argentina in 1928 and worked as an architect until que moved to Brazil. Antonio Bonet, a Spanish architect who worked with Le Corbusier in Paris, arrives in Argentina in 1937, where he carried out several architectural works and in 1938 designs the well-known BFK chair...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Wood

Salotti PD armchairs - purple mohair velvet - Italy 70s
Located in Paris, FR
Pair of Italian Salotti PD edition armchairs from the 1970s. Fully restored in light purple mohair velvet. The foam is also new for optimum comfort. The play of curves of the cushion...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Space Age Seating

Materials

Velvet

Space Age seating for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Space Age seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, tables, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with plastic, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Space Age seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Joe Colombo, Mario Bellini, Verner Panton, and Pierre Paulin. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $139 and tops out at $170,000 while the average work can sell for $3,783.

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