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.
Silvi Vanity Table on Wheels and Chair from Studio Kastilia, 1970s, Set of 2
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
“Silvi” model dressing table, cylindrical body in plastic material containing a chair with padded seat and backrest covered in fabric, a tilting extactable mirror and storage space, ...
Plastic
$1,708Sale Price|20% Off
Italian 1970s Vanity Table & Seat made in chrome and smoked glass
Located in Roma, IT
A dressing table with sparkling and mirrored chrome like the rims of vintage cars. Made in Italy between the 60s and 70s, it is composed of two modules, a practical hexagonal section...
Chrome
Vintage vanity dresser by Studio Kastilia Silvi with blue seat, Italy, 1970's
Located in Tel Aviv-Yafo, IL
Fantastic Mid-Century transformable vanity table in a charming ivory-cream color with its original blue velvet seat. This stunning piece was designed in Italy during the 1970s and is...
Fabric, Mirror, Plastic
Cool Dutch 1970's Space Age Vanity Dressing Table & Matching Wallmounted Mirror
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Fantastic 1970's Space Age Bedroom Vanity / Dressing Table The Vanity has an adjustable mirror and a drawer unit for storing your make up goodies ...
Brass
$4,916Sale Price|38% Off
Space Age White Italy Dresser Vanity Table Lacquer Wood Fibreglass
By MB Italy
Located in Valladolid, ES
One of a kind dressing table, space age style, 70s, with great influence of Art Deco aesthetics. In white lacquered wood, with a black marble effect fiberglass top. Large circular mirror in the upper part and the storage part is divided into two drawers on each side. With lighting in the upper and lower fin shapes. A piece of great sophistication and glamour, very difficult to find. It has a plate with the name of the Italian manufacturer DBM. The period known as the Space Age or Space Age was the post Atomic Age, that is, the late 50's and early 70's. It is part of the “stylings” that reigned in the US during the 20th century. The concept of an optimistic world based on a possible "Earth of Tomorrow" reigned by the dominance of atomic energy and space travel. This "Styling" is inspired by the North American space race, but above all, the aesthetics based on Science Fiction, space satellites, helmets, ships, the effect of weightlessness and a "cinematic" proposal of a new style. of life of the future. Movies like Barbarella 1968, James Bond, Space Odyssey 2001...
Mirror, Fiberglass, Wood, Lacquer
1930s Deco vanity table/dressing table
Located in London, Lambeth
Compact Deco dressing table chrome metal frame with mirrored surface and vanity mirror Cc 1930 French
Chrome
French Double Sided Dressing Table / Vanity
Located in Dallas, TX
Stunning Louis XVI style dressing table/vanity. Featuring a double sided mirror and painted metal legs, this dressing table is a stunning addition to any bedroom, dressing room or ba...
Metal
Harvey Probber Double Chest and Vanity with Leather and Brass
Located in Hanover, MA
Two beautifully restored complimentary chests flanking a hanging vanity case from Harvey Probber's "Cabinet Series" circa 1957. Hazelnut finished mahog...
Brass
Dutch Mahogany Vanity Dresser with Tri-Fold Mirror
Located in Voorburg, NL
Gorgeous original Dutch mahogany vanity dresser with tri-fold mirror, circa 1950s. The vanity features beautiful mahogany wood grain, nice carved wood details, and a large tri-fold m...
Mirror, Mahogany
Silvi red Vanity table on wheels by Studio Kastilia , 1970s
Located in Padova, IT
“Silvi” model dressing table, cylindrical body in plastic material containing an armchair with padded seat and backrest covered in fabric, a tilting mirror, wheels. Good conditions. ...
Fabric, Plastic
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
H 67.5 in W 51 in D 18.5 in
Vintage Victorian Revival Walnut Dressing Table Vanity Desk w Trifold Mirror 68"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian Revival, dressing table / vanity. Made of walnut featuring a trifold mirror and four drawers. Dimensions: 67.5" h x 18.5" d x 51" w, surface 30"
Walnut
$6,999
H 71.66 in W 71.66 in D 18.12 in
Italian Midcentury Vanity Dresser in Parchment by Pierluigi Colli, 1950s
By Colli Torino
Located in Traversetolo, IT
This is a splendid vanity table or petineuse designed by Pierluigi Colli and crafted in Turin in the first half of the 1900s. The attention to detail is remarkable, with a plethora of exquisite features that elevate it to a true design masterpiece. The panels are adorned with parchment, while the solid maple is expertly carved with intricate designs. The golden frames finished with pure gold leaf add an opulent touch, the marvelous embossed brass lamps...
Glass, Mirror, Maple
Swedish Art Deco Dressing Table Vanity
Located in Atlanta, GA
Unique Art Deco dressing table with foldable mirrors. Ample storage on the sides and pull-out drawer in the center.
Mirror, Teak
$1,715
H 63.39 in W 48.43 in D 20.48 in
VINTAGE QUEEN ANNE STYLE LEGS DRESSING TABLE VANITY WITH LARGE MiRROR
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This elegant dressing table in the Queen Anne style features a stunning hardwood with a rich, warm finish. The serpentine front is complemented by six drawers,...
Hardwood
$3,850
H 50.79 in W 50.01 in D 19.69 in
Danish Dressing Table in Navy Blue Leather and Red Lacquered Wood
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dressing table, leather, glass, wood, Denmark, 1940s. With a dark blue leather surface with red lines this dressing table has a rare texture and appearance. The front with two stora...
Leather, Glass, Wood
$462Sale Price|50% Off
H 28.35 in W 31.5 in D 17.72 in
Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
By Up Závody
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...
Birch, Mahogany
$2,609
H 57.88 in W 30.32 in D 16.15 in
Italian Vanity Table with Chair in Bamboo and Rattan by Vivai del Sud, 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful Mid-Century vanity table with matching chair in bamboo, rattan, and wicker. This stylish and unique organic set was designed by Vivai del Sud and produced in Italy during t...
Brass
Sold
H 28.35 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
1970s Italian Soft-Form Vanity in Brown Moulded Plastic by Fanini Fain
By Flair
Located in San Benedetto Del Tronto, IT
This 1970s Italian vanity by Fanini Fain is an expressive example of the country’s early exploration of moulded plastic furniture. Known as the Silvi model, it reflects the soft-form...
Glass, Plastic, Fabric
Sold
H 78 in W 29.75 in D 17 in
1970s Joe Colombo Inspired Half Round Space Age Vanity with Mirror and Light
By Kartell, Joe Colombo
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This funky, Joe Colombo Inspired, curved white painted acrylic and wood free standing vanity has everything you need to powder your nose before a swinging party (powder not included)...
Mirror, Laminate
1970s ''Silvi'' Atomic Orange Vanity by Fanini Fain S.P.A and Studio Kastilia
By Silvi Fanini Fain S.P.A
Located in San Gabriel, CA
1970s rare atomic orange “Silvi” vanity mounted on wheels with pull-out chair and adjustable mirror. Plastic produced by the firm Studio Kastilia and cons...
Fabric, Mirror, Plastic
Sold
H 28.75 in W 70.48 in D 21.07 in
Black Wood & Leather Samarcanda 1970s Desk by V. Magistretti for Poggi
By Vico Magistretti, Succ. Carlo Poggi
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Large desk or vanity desk in black lacquered wood with top covered in leather from the series of modular cabinets "Samarcanda" designed by Vico Magistretti for the Poggi furniture fa...
Leather, Plastic, Wood
Space Ace Round Purple Fur Vanity, 1970s
By Willy Rizzo
Located in Den Haag, NL
Round dressing table or vanity. On wheels. Comes with the original smoked glass shelves.With 4 lights. Switch on the table. Aluminum back. Matching stool fits right in. Purple faux fur. New Three way mirror. Iconic space ace...
Faux Fur
Poltrona Frau Round Fur Vanity Luigi Massoni, 1970s
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Den Haag, NL
Round dressing table or vanity. On wheels. Comes with the original smoked glass shelves. With 4 lights. Switch on the table. Aluminum back. Match...
Faux Fur
Poltrona Frau Vanity by Luigi Massoni, Italy, 1970s
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Den Haag, NL
Poltrona Frau vanity by Luigi Massoni, Italy, 1970s. Lovely corner vanity al around mirror. With light. Upholstery with a brown velvet, comes wit...
Velvet