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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
Gentilina Leather Lounge Chairs by André Vandenbeuck for Strässle, 1960s, Pair
Located in Varese, Lombardia
This pair of Gentilina lounge chairs was designed by André Vandenbeuck for Collection Strässle International in the 1960s. These swivel armchairs stand on five metal legs and they ar...
Category

1960s Swiss Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Aluminum, Metal

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

Space Age Vintage Red Plastic Dining Chairs Four Steen Ostergaard Denmark
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age four ( 4 ) red plastic vintage dining chairs designed by Steen Ostergaard 1966 for Cado Norway 1971. A set of wonderful red 4 ( four ) dining chairs from plastic with black...
Category

Late 20th Century Danish Space Age Seating

Materials

Fabric, Plastic

Dafne orange chair, Gastone Rinaldi, Thema, 1970
Located in Milano, Lombardia
The Dafne Chair, designed by Gastone Rinaldi for Thema in 1970, represents an icon of Italian modernist design. Characterized by a mix of innovation and aesthetic boldness, it embodi...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal

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

Set of 4 Space Age armchairs in lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare Set of 4 Space Age Chairs in lacquered wood, Italy, 1970s Armchairs with an original, disruptive, ironic design, capable of giving rhythm and dynamism to the environment; he is...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

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

'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

Michel Cadestin Sofa Orchidée for Airborne, French 1970's
Located in VILLEURBANNE, FR
3-seater sofa by Michel Cadestin for Airborne dating from the 1970s Very well made French manufacturing and design. Variant of the "Orchid" model, this sofa is also called "Preside...
Category

1970s French Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Leather, Fiberglass

Scandinavian Leather Armchairs / Lounge Chairs, with Footres 1970s, Finland
Located in Praha, CZ
- very good condition - cleaned - Made of leather, metal, wood - Rocking mechanism. - the skin has worn marks.
Category

1970s Finnish Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Leather

Rudi Verelst Set Of 4 "Radiant" Dinning Room Chairs for Novalux, 1970
Located in The Hague, NL
Space age period set of 4 dinning swivel chairs designed by Rudi Verelst and manufactured by Novalux, in 1970's period Belgium. Model- "Radiant". Very rare set of chairs with a woo...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal, Chrome

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

Materials

Textile, Plastic

Space Age Postmodern Blue Velvet Accent Chair Caos
Located in Almería, ES
The Caos Accent Chair celebrates the unexpected beauty that emerges from disorder. With its sculptural curves and dynamic proportions, it turns chaos into harmony—offering a bold yet...
Category

2010s Spanish Space Age Seating

Materials

Velvet

Pair Restored Black Leather Yrjo Kukkapuro Swivelling Chairs for Haimi Finland
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Pair of swivelling chairs model ‘415A’ Finland 1960s These organic shaped dining chairs were designed by the Finnish artist Yrjö Kukkapuro Molded fiberglass and casted aluminium...
Category

1970s Finnish Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Aluminum

chair sattelite Aerospace, Quasar Khahn , , France 1968
Located in PARIS, FR
Fauteuil aerospace sattelite de quasar khanh orange jamais gonflé au préalable avec sa pochette originale
Category

1960s French Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal

Gaudì Space Age Brown Living Room Set by Vico Magistretti for Artemide, 1974
Located in Vicenza, IT
Gaudì living room set, designed by Vico Magistretti for Artemide in 1970. It is composed of three chocolate brown Gaudì armchairs and a Demetrio 70 coffee table. Excellent vintage condition. The Gaudi and Vicario armchairs...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Fiberglass

American Space Age white chair Tulip by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
American Space Age white plastic and metal chair Tulip by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s Chair with armrests model Tulip with monocoque seat and backrest in white plastic. On the sea...
Category

1970s American Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal

American Space Age white chairs Tulip by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
American Space Age white plastic and metal chairs Tulip by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, 1970s Pair of chairs with armrests model Tulip with monocoque seat and backrest in white plastic. ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Metal

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

Italian Post Modern White Plastic Stool Tokyo Pop by Yoshioka Driade, 2000s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age Post Modern White Plastic Stool Tokyo Pop with Footres by Tokujin Yoshioka for Driade, 2000s Stool mod. Tokyo Pop with a round b...
Category

Early 2000s Italian Space Age Seating

Materials

Plastic

1960s Orange Shell Armchairs
Located in Hemiksem, VAN
Dream away in these orange bucket seats from the 1960s. The fabric shows no stains or damage and the seating comfort is still very good. The wooden legs show some wear & tear but are...
Category

1960s Hungarian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Wool, Wood

Orange plastic chairs from Albaplast's Casa'70 collection for Dal Vera
Located in Premariacco, IT
Set of three stackable chairs in orange plastic manufactured by Albaplast for Dal Vera's Casa'70 collection as indicated by the brand name under the seat. Signs of wear and tear fro...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Space Age Seating

Materials

Plastic

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

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

Michel Cadestin Orchidée Armchair
Michel Cadestin Orchidée Armchair
$3,380 Sale Price / item
35% Off
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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