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.
A Post-Modern SPACE-AGE Desk CHAIR by WELLE, Germany 1970
By Joe Colombo
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular adjustable, telescopic and wheeled office chair, Pop, Post-Modernist, Memphis, white lacquered metal structure, white plastic seats, priduced by Welle, Germany 1970-198...
Metal
Pair of Folding Chairs by Team Form AG for Interlübke, 1970s, Germany
By Interlübke
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Pair of Folding Chairs by Team Form AG for Interlübke, 1970s, Germany Team Form Ag (Franz Hero & Karl Odermatt) Measurements : Height: 75 cm Seat height: 46 cm Width: 47 cm De...
Metal
Rare "California Chair" by Ennio Ludovico Chiggio (Gruppo N) for Nikol Internati
Located in leucate, FR
Immerse yourself in the bold spirit of 1970s Italian design with this exceptional and extremely rare "California Chair," conceived in 1973 by the influential designer Ennio Ludovico ...
Metal
$7,350 / set
Giancarlo Piretti “Alky” Chairs, a pair
By Giancarlo Piretti, Castelli
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s, Italy. These are in excellent, restored condition and have been fully reupholstered in a mohair / virgin wool blend fabric
Fabric
Set of Four Space Age Dining Chairs, Chrome & Blue Fabric, 1970s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Set of four Space Age dining chairs manufactured in Toronto, Canada, in the 1970s by All-Tube Products LDT (signed below). These chairs perfectly embody the futuristic aesthetic of t...
Metal
A Post-Modern SPACE-AGE Desk CHAIR by WELLE, Germany 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular adjustable, telescopic and wheeled office chair, Pop, Post-Modernist, Memphis, red lacquered metal structure, white fabric seat with red checks, black faux leather trim...
Metal
Space Age Four White Vintage Plastic Dining Chairs Alexander Begge, 1971
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age set of four vintage dining chairs named Casalino by Alexander Begge, Germany, 1971 for Casala, Germany was made of cream white plastic. Also the dining chairs feature upho...
Fabric, Upholstery, Plastic
A POP POST-MODERN SPACE-AGE CHAIR, by ESTELLE & ERWINE LAVERNE, France 1970
By Joe Colombo, Erwine & Estelle Laverne, Roger Tallon
Located in PARIS, FR
A spectacular set including a large dining table and 4 chairs, Post-Modernist, Space-Age, Shabby-Chic, table structure in thick and heavy chrome-plated metal, ovoid fiued glass top, ...
Metal
Gerard Le Fe Fibreglass Chair for Prisunic Editions, France, circa 1970
By Prisunic
Located in London, GB
Prisunic editions was both a manufacturer and retailer founded in France during 1968. The company’s aim was to revolutionise the furniture industry within France offering the consumer a cutting edge product and retail experience. Prisunic editions sold its futuristic designs often from moulded plastic and fiberglass through a catalogue. Their approach was guided by a desire to create impactful design that was affordable to the masses. Their project attracted highly regarded designers from across Europe such as Marc Held, Gae Aulenti and Terence Conran. This chair’s form is very much a consequence of the moulding process employed. The chairs soft undulating curves are not an aesthetic decision per se but in fact the result of engineering. The chair is in good structural and cosmetic condition with minor signs of use and sits like a dream with our Marc Berthier Ozoo desk...
Fiberglass
Pair of Vitra Verner Panton S Junior Chairs in Red and Orange Plastic 60s Design
By Verner Panton, Vitra
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pair of Vitra Verner Panton S Junior Chairs, produced in 2005 (red) and 2009 (orange). These playful seats reinterpret one of the most iconic furniture designs of the 20th century. O...
Plastic
Space Age Stackable Swing Chairs Model SM400 K designed by Gerd Lange
By Gerd Lange, Drabert
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find Space Age Stackable Swing Chairs, Model SM400 K designed by Gerd Lange for Drabert. The chairs are done in off-white plastic, with the steel legs. The m...
Chrome
Suite de 4 chaises italiennes vintage Gastone Rinaldi en métal chromé et galette
Located in BESANÇON, FR
4 chaises vintage des années 70, attribuées au designer italien Gastone Rinaldi pour RIMA, splendide design, en métal chromé, galettes neuves en tissu bouclettes blanc. Très bon état...
Metal
Pair of vintage chairs by Elmar Flötotto, Germany, 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
A rare and striking pair from one of postwar Germany's most celebrated furniture makers. These swivel chairs capture everything that made 1960s European design so enduringly desirabl...
Chrome
Space Age Vintage Orange Plastic Metal Chair 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Pop Art vintage plastic metal chair from a sports stadium in Vienna shows a steel frame and an orange plastic seat shell. The seat shell is plastered...
Metal
Karim Rashid Aphex Chair Space Age Digital Pop
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Aphex chair designed by Karim Rashid for Idee, Japan. This is one of Karim Rashid furniture produced by Idee in the 90s to early 2000s. Designed in 1997. Black and gray color combina...
Steel
$1,920Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair Restored Black Leather Yrjo Kukkapuro Swivelling Chairs for Haimi Finland
By Haimi, Yrjö Kukkapuro
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...
Aluminum
Space Age "Panton Chair" in black plastic by Verner Panton for Vitra, Germany
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find the iconic S Chair or Panton Chair, designed by Verner Panton for Vitra. It is celebrated for being the first single-form, injection-molded plastic chai...
Plastic
Rodney Kinsman Space Age Yellow Omstak Chair for Bieffeplast, 1971, Set 0f 18
By Bieffeplast, Rodney Kinsman
Located in Vicenza, IT
This set of 18 yellow "Omstak" stackable dining chairs was designed by Rodney Kinsman's eponymous company in London in 1971 and produced in Italy by Bieffeplast. They feature a chrom...
Steel, Chrome
Rodney Kinsman Space Age Red Omstak Chair for Bieffeplast, 1971, Set 0f 4
By Bieffeplast, Rodney Kinsman
Located in Vicenza, IT
This set of four red "Omstak" stackable dining chairs was designed by Rodney Kinsman's eponymous company in London in 1971 and produced in Italy by Bieffeplast. They feature a chrome...
Steel, Chrome
Space Age Pop Art Vintage Red Orange Plastic Dining Chairs Joe Colombo Italy Six
By Joe Colombo
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age red and orange six plastic pop art vintage chairs or dining chairs model Universale designed by Joe Colombo 1965 - 1967 and executed by Kart...
Plastic
Set of 4 Space Age chairs made of metal and fabric, from the 1970s
Located in SAN PIETRO MOSEZZO, NO
Set of 4 chairs from the 1970s, fully restored. These chairs feature a sturdy, swiveling central column made of chrome-plated metal that ends in a flat, circular disc-shaped base. ...
Metal
Space Age Vintage Yellow Plastic Armchair Gaudi by Vico Magistretti 1968 Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage armchair model Gaudi by Vico Magistretti from plastic in yellow color tone for Artemide 1968, Italy. The wonderful armchair model Gaudi in the rare color tone lemon yellow shows...
Plastic
Pair of Vintage Swivel Chairs in Black Vinyl, 1970s
Located in Lille, BE
Pair of Vintage Swivel Chairs in Black Vinyl, 1970s Pair of vintage swivel chairs dating from the 1970s. The chairs retain their original black vinyl upholstery and swivel bases. The...
Chrome
$7,094Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Italian Postmodern Chairs, Black Wood and Steel, 1980
Located in Milano, IT
This stunning set of four postmodern Italian chairs from the 1980s perfectly embodies the bold and avant-garde aesthetic of the era, subtly ...
Steel
$2,842 / set
Set 2 Chairs Michel Dumas
By Michel Dumas
Located in Perpignan, FR
Rare set de 2 chaises sculpture de Michel Dumas - années 70 Plexiglass En bon état général / pas de manque ni fêle . tres robuste 85 x 45 x 45 cm / hauteur assise : 48 cm.
Altuglas, Plexiglass
Space Age Brown Red Plastic Vintage Chair Markus Farner Walter Grunder c 1970
By Markus Farner & Walter Grunder
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage chair designed by Markus Farner and Walter Grunder circa 1970 and executed by Herman Miller Zeeland, USA. A great chair features a brown plastic frame and newly cov...
Plastic
Luigi Colani Space Age Plastic Children Chair 1970s From Ringnor Germany
By Luigi Colani
Located in Osnabrück, NDS
A very rare and important Polyethylene Children Chair from the 1970s in Germany. This chair was designed 1973 by Luigi Colani and produced in a small amount by the manufacturer Ring...
Plastic
Rodney Kinsman Omstak Stackable Chair for Bieffeplast, White & Chrome, 1972
By Bieffeplast, Rodney Kinsman
Located in Vicenza, IT
Omstak chair designed by Rodney Kinsman in 1972 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Bieffeplast. The Omstak chair is recognized as one of the icons of early High-Tech design. C...
Steel, Chrome
Space Age “Plona” Folding Chair by Giancarlo Piretti for Anonima Castelli, Italy
Located in Beograd, RS
In this listing you will find a
Steel
Space Age Vintage Ten Red Plastic Dining Chairs Helmut Baetzner Bofinger, 1964
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage ten dining chairs or chairs from plastic in cherry red color tone by Helmut Baetzner Bofinger 1964 Germany. The chairs are stamped underneath and are presented in ...
Plastic
Gift Bow Modular Seating Sculptural Contemporary Lacquered 'Red'
By Rankin Rugs
Located in Berkshire, England
Handcrafted-to-order in the UK by local craftsmen. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The Gift Bow modular system is comprised of five stackable metal stools an...
Metal, Stainless Steel, Sheet Metal
Space Age Plastic Chair by Reguitti
By Gio Ponti
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1972. Plastic chair attributed to Gio Ponti. Signed. Original vinyl seat.
Plastic
$5,722 / item
Puffer Chair Sculptural Contemporary 'Olive'
By Rankin Rugs
Located in Berkshire, England
Handcrafted-to-order in the UK by local craftsmen. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The Puffer chair is available in a range of materials and customisable fab...
Metal
Rodney Kinsman Omstak Stackable Chairs for Bieffeplast, White, 1972, Set of 2
By Rodney Kinsman, Bieffeplast
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of two Omstak chairs designed by Rodney Kinsman in 1972 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Bieffeplast. The Omstak chair is recognized as one of the icons of early High-Te...
Steel, Chrome
$6,403 / item
Puffer XL Chair Sculptural Contemporary 'Olive'
By Rankin Rugs
Located in Berkshire, England
Handcrafted-to-order in the UK by local craftsmen. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The Puffer XL chair is available in a range of materials and customisable ...
Metal
Rodney Kinsman Omstak Stackable Chairs for Bieffeplast, White, 1972, Set of 8
By Rodney Kinsman, Bieffeplast
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of eight Omstak chairs designed by Rodney Kinsman in 1972 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Bieffeplast. The Omstak chair is recognized as one of the icons of early High-...
Steel, Chrome
Italian Space Age White Plastic Round Chairs, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian space age white plastic round chairs, 1970s. Set of 6 chairs with round seat, entirely in white plastic. The round seat joins the backr...
Plastic
$27,386 / item
Jet Lag Sculptural Modular Sofa Contemporary 'Silver'
By Rankin Rugs
Located in Berkshire, England
Handcrafted-to-order in the UK by local craftsmen. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Available in a range of materials and customisable fabrics - a functional ...
Metal
Rodney Kinsman Omstak Stackable Chairs for Bieffeplast, White, 1972, Set of 4
By Bieffeplast, Rodney Kinsman
Located in Vicenza, IT
Set of four Omstak chairs, designed by Rodney Kinsman in 1972 and produced by the Italian manufacturer Bieffeplast. The Omstak chair is considered one of the icons of early High-Tec...
Steel, Chrome
Gift Bow Modular Seating Sculptural Contemporary 'Silver'
By Rankin Rugs
Located in Berkshire, England
Handcrafted-to-order in the UK by local craftsmen. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The Gift Bow modular system is comprised of five stackable metal stools an...
Metal, Stainless Steel, Sheet Metal
'Auberge' Seating Group by Günter Beltzig, Germany, 1971
By Gunter Beltzig
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 ...
Fiberglass
$72,000 / set
12 Dining Chairs 60° in Leather and Wood, Italian
Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C
Chairs with chromed bronze ferrules 12 Glamorous Chairs Style: 60° Italian Materials: wood, leather and Chrome Finish: polyurethanic lacquer We have s...
Chrome
Space Age Vintage Ivory Plastic Four Dining Chairs Helmuth Bätzner 1960s Germany
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age four white vintage dining chairs from plastic model No. BA 1171 by Helmut Bätzner for Menzolit Werke, 1966-1984. A wonderful set o...
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...
Metal
Red-Eye Ottoman Sculptural Contemporary 'Pink/Orange'
By Rankin Rugs
Located in Berkshire, England
Handcrafted-to-order in the UK by local craftsmen. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The Red-Eye ottoman is available in a range of materials and customisable ...
Velvet, Wood
Jet Lag Chair Sculptural Modular Chaise Longue Contemporary 'Silver'
By Rankin Rugs
Located in Berkshire, England
Handcrafted-to-order in the UK by local craftsmen. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Available in a range of materials and customisable fabrics - a functional ...
Metal