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.
Sculptural Diamond Faced Credenza / Sideboard With Leather Top, Italy, c. 1970's
Located in Deland, FL
As rare as it is aesthetically captivating this extraordinary Italian-made credenza is the very epitome of "functional art". Featuring fascinating geometric diamond covered door face...
Wood
Italian 1970's Walnut Credenza / Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
An exquisite Italian 1970's walnut and satinwood credenza featuring stunning design variations in the woods to create a magnificent graphic motif. The mid-section consists of two d...
Satinwood, Walnut
74" Vintage Stow Davis Credenza with Leather Top
By Stow Davis
Located in Pasadena, TX
Stow Davis A vintage Stow Davis credenza with a leather top and chrome legs. This large storage unit has six small pencil drawers and three filin...
Steel
$5,800
H 29.14 in W 78.75 in D 16.54 in
Midcentury Black Lacquered Italian Credenza with Gold Leaf Glass Top
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury black lacquered credenza with a sets of drawers and shelves, red lacquered inside. Gold leaf glass top.
Wood, Lacquer
$7,617 / item
H 29.93 in W 70.87 in D 19.69 in
Hammered Brass Sideboard with Travertine Top, Modern Luxury Credenza
Located in Guazzora, IT
This elegant sideboard is defined by its striking façade in hand-hammered brass, featuring three doors with a richly textured surface that reflects light with depth and warmth. The a...
Travertine, Brass
Early C19th Italian Painted Pine Credenza Sideboard
Located in London, GB
Early C19th Italian painted credenza. Exceptional geometric hand-painted pine sideboard with cupboard storage and extendable shelf. In very good condition with original lock, key and door hook...
Pine
$3,800
H 32 in W 50 in D 19 in
Exposed Sculptural Legs Walnut Three Drawers Two Doors Credenza Server Sideboard
By Tomlinson, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century exposed sculptural legs walnut three drawers two doors credenza server sideboard cabinet with caned front doors.
Walnut
$8,750
H 30.5 in W 80.5 in D 20 in
Stunning Mastercraft Credenza with Sculptural Brass Doors & Burl, 1970s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous Brass and burl credenza with drawers on the left and shelves on the right. 1970s. From a Mid Century Estate in Los Angeles. Smoke free home. Dark walnut burl contrasts beaut...
Brass
Tommi Parzinger Lacquer Marble Top Sideboard Credenza 10 Ft
Located in Rio Vista, CA
A sublime mid-century modern marble top sideboard or credenza designed by Tommi Parzinger (German 1903-1981) for Parzinger Originals New York. The monumental case measuring ten feet ...
Marble, Brass
Italian Olivewood Credenza with Marble Top, Serpentine Design, 1960s
Located in Perkasie, PA
Italian Marble Top Stunning Sideboard Credenza – Item L68305 Exceptional Italian sideboard credenza, approximately 50 years old, showcasing gorgeous olivewood construction, elegant ...
Wood
$24,900
H 32.29 in W 19.69 in D 71.26 in
Credenza / Sideboard, Hand-Carved White Onyx, Sculptural Design, Panorammma
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Carved from solid onyx, the Eoli Credenza is a sculptural storage piece shaped by the idea of wind in motion. Its form recalls slow, continuous forces: erosion, pressure, flow. The...
Onyx
$12,000
H 36 in W 84 in D 18 in
Swivel Centre Bar Walnut Mid-Century Modern Credenza Sideboard Sculptural Legs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Kagan influence sculptural legs Mid-Century Modern three compartment side board credenza with swivel bar in the centre compartment. Beautiful walnut finish. When fully open the centr...
Walnut
Sieling Modern Dresser/Sideboard/Credenza with Sculptural Legs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A most unique and elegant Midcentury modern dresser by Sieling Modern. Clean lines of the cabinet are contrasted with the organic external arched legs. Very heavy and solidly built. ...
Wood
Sold
H 28.5 in W 96 in D 22 in
A rare chrome and walnut executive credenza by M.F. Harty for Stow Davis
By Stow Davis
Located in Houston, TX
An incredibly rare executive credenza designed by M.F. Harty for Stow Davis as part of the 1974 “Tomorrow” collection—produced in extremely limited numbers, with only around 30 made....
Walnut
Sold
H 30.13 in W 60.75 in D 18 in
Raymond Loewy Inspired Green Chapter One Credenza by Broyhill Premier
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Well it’s 2023, and Broyhill’s Chapter One Collection is officially harder to find and more sought after than the Raymond Loewy originals. With all due respect to Raymond Loewy, there really is something magical about the Chapter One line. Maybe they’re just more fun and approachable. Maybe it’s the proportions and practicality. Regardless, they’re one of our favorite collections of all time. The restoration team pulled no punches on this Chapter One Green Credenza, and the end result exceeded our expectations. Every inch of painted wood and metal was professionally sanded primed and painted to match the original bright white. The laminate top and green molded plastic door fronts were finally buffed and polished to a glassy shine. It’s tough to see this one go, but we know it will be loved. Broyhill’s Chapter one collection borrowed from the plastic mold injection designs made famous by legendary designer Raymond Loewy. Like Loewy, this Chapter One Green Credenza employs the futuristic use of color and materials in a way that had not been seen before. The bright green plastic captures the playful spirit of the 1970s. The cabinet is supported by two Saarinen-style white lacquered, spun steel pedestal tulip bases. Four hinged doors conceal fixed shelves on each end, with two roll-out drawers at center. This colorful, curvaceous case-good could have blended in nicely on the set of 2001 A Space Odyssey. The space-age look has never been more desirable, which may help explain the recent scarcity of all things Chapter One. Chapter One green credenza original catalog description: Broyhill’s Chapter One is the beginning of a new era in furniture design and technology. It emphasizes the use of new materials, new shapes and new finish concepts. Chapter One uses plastic for design as well as durability. The fronts are of “Cycolac” polymer, the tops are of newly developed Pionite high gloss laminate, pedestal tulip bases of spun steel. Curved wood areas of select tupelo veneers with cabinet hardwoods are the result of advanced woodworking technology. The bright lacquer finish was especially blended for Chapter One. The House & Garden colors are impregnated into the plastic so that the brilliant colors are completely through the Cycolac. All this plus the outstanding Premier features that are standard in Chapter One, make it one of the most outstanding furniture values...
Plastic, Hardwood
Vintage 1976 Mirrored Console by Xception
Located in Denver, CO
Made in Canada by Xception, Registered design 1976 (marked inside case) Space Age Solid wood and wood veneer Plexiglass-like mirrored veneer on fronts of doors and drawers a...
Acrylic, Hardwood
Sold
H 74.81 in W 86.62 in D 11.82 in
Libreria "Multiplo", Rodolfo Bonetto, Guzzini, Vintage for Sale, 1970 ITA
Located in Milano, IT
Libreria "Multiplo" disegnata da Rodolfo Bonetto per Guzzini storico marchio italiano creato da Enrico Guzzini nel 1912 a Recanati. La libreria è modulabile pertanto si può modula...
Plastic
1960’ File Credenza by Elite Interiors of Canada Ltd.
Located in Hanover, MA
Montreal modern walnut credenza with space age styling exemplified in the top and bottom waterfall edges of the long slender case appearing to float on two eight inch legs. Finished on backside so can float in the room and be viewed from all angles. Produced by Elite Interiors of Canada Ltd. around the time of Montreal Expo...
Chrome
Sold
H 29.5 in W 62.25 in D 18 in
Raymond Loewy Inspired Green Chapter One Triple Dresser by Broyhill Premier
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Well it’s 2022, and Broyhill’s Chapter One Collection is officially harder to find and more sought after than the Raymond Loewy orginals. With all...
Plastic, Hardwood
Sold
H 30.13 in W 60.75 in D 18 in
Raymond Loewy Inspired Yellow Chapter One Credenza by Broyhill Premier
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Well it’s 2022, and Broyhill’s Chapter One Collection is officially harder to find and more sought after than the Raymond Loewy orginals. With all...
Plastic, Hardwood
Italian Lacquered Walnut Burr Credenza
Located in Brooklyn, NY
High gloss lacquered walnut burr / burl credenza. Rich grain detail creates a book-matched surface pattern throughout. 3 cabinet doors open to inner shelves. One cabinet door opens t...
Walnut, Burl, Lacquer
Sold
H 28 in W 68 in D 17 in
Unusual Modernist, Space Age 9-Drawer Dresser, Aluminum and Melamine Rosewood
By (after) Raymond Loewy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist. Space age 9-drawer dresser. Elegance blended with Space Age design, most unusual!!! Rosewood melamine (laminate) and aluminum, dated 1974. Three drawers on left. Three dra...
Aluminum
Ello Sideboard Bronze Tinted Mirror and Brass
Located in Hanover, MA
Very chic sideboard credenza by Ello with five bronze tinted mirrored doors and floating on brass supports with bronze mirrored top.
Brass
Pierre Cardin Long Dresser Cabinet
Located in Hanover, MA
1970's glamorous long low dresser by Pierre Cardin for Dillingham in gloss white laminate and polished chrome trim. Signed "Pierre Cardin" Note our separate listings for the matching nightstands, queen size platform bed and queen size headboards. We also have the tall dresser cabinet...