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.
Italian Space Age Pair of Red Plastic Chairs by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s
By Kartell, Carlo Bartoli
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian Space Age pair of red plastic chairs by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell, 1970s Pair of chairs with rounded shapes, in red plastic with removable l...
Plastic
$395Sale Price|20% Off
Midcentury Chair By Kovona In Faux Leather And Chrome, Czechoslovakia 1970s
By Kovona
Located in Zohor, SK
This elegant mid-century modern chair was produced by Kovona in the 1970s and features a distinctive bent tubular chrome frame paired with its original beige leatherette seat and bac...
Chrome
Pierre Paulin, Little Tulip chair, Artifort, 1960
Located in Uppsala, SE
Little Tulip chair (originally known as the F163), designed in the 1960s by Pierre Paulin. The Artifort Tulip collection remains a true Mid-Century Modern icon. A perfect fusion of e...
Metal, Chrome
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...
Polyester
20th Century Fiberglass Space Age Chair, 1970's
Located in Paris, FR
20th century vintage white fiberglass chair of space age design with futuristic curves. In the style of the Orbit chair by Walter Grunder and M...
Fiberglass, Lacquer
Space Age Vintage Yellow Plastic Chair Kangaroo Chair Ernst Moeckl 1960s Germany
By Ernst Moeckl
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage chair or side chair model kangaroo chair or Z chair from yellow plastic by Ernst Moeckl for Baydur, W-Germany, 1960s. Very rare to find in the happy making sunshine...
Plastic
Space Age Red Plastic Vintage Chair Selene by Vico Magistretti, Italy
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age red vintage plastic chair model Selene designed by Vico Magistretti 1968 for Artemide Milano, Italy. The chair shows a very good vintag...
Plastic
$2,917Sale Price|20% Off
Iconic Red Embryo Chair by Marc Newson, Steel & Foam, Italy, 1988
By Marc Newson
Located in Brussels, BE
Embryo chair created in Sydney Australia in 1988. tubular steel, polyurethane and neoprene. Three legs and a chromed steel structure padded with moulded p...
Steel
Black Dorsal Chair by G. Piretti & E. Ambas, Italy, 1980s
By Giancarlo Piretti, Emilio Ambasz
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...
Textile, Plastic
Set of 4 American 70's Brushed Aluminum and Eggshell Chairs
By Burke, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 American 70's brushed aluminum and eggshell chairs by Burke, Inc. of Texas. Stamped BURKE, INC. DALLAS, TEXAS. Great for a small dining room or a ...
Aluminum
Set of 4 American 1970s Brushed Aluminum and Eggshell Chairs
By Burke, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 American 1970s brushed aluminum and eggshell chairs by Burke, Inc. of Texas. Stamped BURKE, INC. DALLAS, TEXAS. Great for a small dining room or a breakfast table.
Aluminum
Iconic 1970s Space Age Fiberglass Lounge Chairs by Carl Straub
Located in Antwerp, BE
Make a bold statement with this exceptionally rare pair of lounge chairs, designed and produced by Carl Straub GmbH in Germany during the 1960s. The chairs feature a striking, biomor...
Leather
Set Of 4 American 70's Brushed Aluminum And Eggshell Chairs
By Burke, Inc.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of 4 American 70's brushed aluminum and eggshell chairs by Burke, Inc. of Texas. Stamped BURKE, INC. DALLAS, TEXAS. Great for a small dining room or a ...
Aluminum
Space Age Aluminum Vintage Lounge Chair Side Karl-Erik Ekselius 1965 Sweden
By Karl-Erik Ekselius, JOC Mobler Vetlanda
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage lounge chair or club chair or side chair from aluminum and black faux leather by Karl- Erik Ekselius for JOC Vetlanda Sweden. Throughout its aluminum frame in sil...
Aluminum
Pair of Caprice Dining / Side Chairs by Philippe Starck for Cassina
Located in London, GB
A stunning pair of modernist chairs with a retro / space age feel. This model is called the Caprice chair, they were designed by Philippe Starck in 2007 ...
Chrome
Arthur Umanoff Wood and Rush Sculptural Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural Arthur Umanoff chairs with signature rush back, slatted wood seat, and iron legs. Floating backrest. Look great from all angles. Good vintage condition. Five available. Pr...
Iron
$1,200
H 31.11 in W 18.9 in D 20.08 in
Midcentury Side Chair in Rosewood and Patinated Leather by Gustav Bertelsen
By Gustav Bertelsen, Kai Kristiansen
Located in Lejre, DK
Side chair in rosewood and patinated leather, designed by Kai Kristiansen and made by Gustav Bertelsen cabinetmakers. Great original condition.
Rosewood, Leather
$1,668Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.32 in W 25.2 in D 22.84 in
Artifort Pierre Paulin Little Tulip Swivel Chair in STOCK
Located in New York, NY
upholstered in vidar 0554 - cat. FF base: p33 grey beige ral 1019 The Tulip midi was the missing member of the Tulip family for a long time. The armchair was designed by Pierre Pa...
Fabric
$2,115 / set
H 26.78 in W 16.93 in D 15.75 in
Set of 4 yellow chairs “4875” mod. by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell-70s
By Carlo Bartoli, Kartell
Located in Padova, IT
The almost comical appearance, soft curves and compact proportions of Carlo Bartoli's 4875 chair are very reminiscent of two famous previous Kartell models, the 1960 stackable childr...
Plastic
$3,753
H 36.23 in W 35.44 in D 31.5 in
Mid Century Big Tulip Chair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1960s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Very comfortable and original Big Tulip lounge chair, designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort in 1965. This model remains one of the best known of the Pierre Paulin's work. The chair ...
Steel
$1,939 / item
H 30.32 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in
Dark Red Wine Kangaroo Chair Designed by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1968
By Ernst Moeckl
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This model is called Z-chair. Designed in 1968 in the GDR by Ernst Moeckl and Siegfried Mehl, German Version of the Panton chair. Also called kangaroo chair or variopur chair. Produc...
Fiberglass
Carlo Bartoli Chair Model 4875 for Kartell, Italy, 1970s
By Kartell, Carlo Bertoli & Piero Menichetti
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early pair of Italian Modernist Polypropylene chairs designed by Carlo Bartoli for Kartell Italia in the 1970s model 4875, unusual color, art furniture, Nic...
Plastic
Little Tulip Armchair by Pierre Paulin for Artifort, 1980s
Located in Oud Beijerland, NL
Cute and very comfortable pivoting armchair, designed by the famous Pierre Paulin in the 60's. Fabricated by Artifort in the 80's. Solid round metal bas...
Steel
Sculptural Mango Wood Chair Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This wonderfully sculptural chair was crafted from a single block of mango wood. The chair sits on 4 slender legs. Its neutral pigment makes it perfect for any space. A uniquely scul...
Wood, Fruitwood
$1,411 / item
H 30.32 in W 17.72 in D 20.48 in
White Glossy Kangaroo Chair Designed by Ernst Moeckl, Germany, 1960s
By Ernst Moeckl
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
This model is called Z-chair. Designed in 1968 in the GDR by Ernst Moeckl and Siegfried Mehl, German Version of the Panton chair. Also called kangoroo chair or variopur chair. Produc...
Fiberglass
"Holè" Chair by Carlo Bartoli for YCAMI, Italy - 1990s
By Carlo Bartoli, Ycami Collection
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Modern - interior design - Decoration Measures : 44x50cm H:78cm SH:44cm Material : Aluminium This chair is part of a series designed by Carlo Bartoli for the Italian manufacturer Y...
Aluminum
$3,595
H 39 in W 41.5 in D 41.25 in
Space Age Mod White Fiberglass Ball Chair Style Girasole Chair Luciano Frigerio
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome Space Age Mod style ball chair in the style of the Girasole chair by Luciano Frigerio. Comprised of white fiberglass resin ball seat & base and ...
Fabric, Fiberglass, Foam
1969 Executive Armchairs Leather & Fiberglass Shell, Lübke
By Lübke, Eero Saarinen, Joe Colombo, Konrad Schäfer
Located in Grand Cayman, KY
Stunning 1969 leather and fiberglass shell executive armchairs by Konrad Schäfer. The now iconic Space Age style invokes design elements of contemporaries, including Joe Colombo's E...
Metal
Set of Four "Sail" Chairs by Giovanni Offredi for Saporiti
Located in Milano, IT
This stunning set of four 'Sail' chairs is a masterpiece of 1970s Italian design, created by the genius mind of Giovanni Offredi and produced by Saporiti in 1973. The 'Sail' chairs e...
Velvet, Bentwood
Sold
H 32.29 in W 19.3 in D 22.05 in
Rare 1st edition Panton chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller 1968.
By Herman Miller, Verner Panton
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Rare 1st edition Panton chair by Verner Panton for Herman Miller 1968. The design concept for a stackable chair in one molded piece started in the 50’s. With the help of Willi Fehlba...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 29.93 in W 25.2 in D 22.05 in
Pair of 'Scimitar' Chairs by Boris Tabacoff for Mobilier Modulaire Moderne, 1970
By Boris Tabacoff, Mobilier Modulair Moderne
Located in Antwerpen, VAN
Stunning pair of ‘Scimitar’ chairs in the style of Boris Tabacoff and made in Belgium during the 1970s. An exceptional design thanks to the half-moon shape of the chromed steel base....
Metal
Sold
H 29.93 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
8810 Flower Chair and Table Leg by Pierre Paulin for Boro Belgium, 1973
By Pierre Paulin, BORO Belgium
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Originally made as outdoor furniture in 1972 this 8810 model flower chair and table is now a very rare and sought after iconic piece of plastic design history. Designed by Pierre Pau...
Plastic
Rare 1970s Space Age Italian Swivel Accent Chair New Fabric
By Maurice Burke, Eero Saarinen
Located in San Diego, CA
Great and rare unique chair freshly recover in beautiful colorful fabric, the metal base shows a nice patina we polished and cleaned but left its original condition. nice solid and s...
Metal
Harry Bertoia side chairs in chrome 1980s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Iconic Harry Bertoia side chair . Chrome wire chairs .with there slabs ,in Black limitation leather. Very good condition .
Chrome
Sold
H 32.5 in W 19 in D 28 in
Willy Guhl Style Side / Lounge Fiberglass Chairs..Garden, Poolside , Spaceage
By Willy Guhl
Located in Buffalo, NY
Willy Guhl Style Side / Lounge Fiberglass Chairs..Garden, Poolside ,Space age,, Possibly Italian ? Incredible design!!.. Extremely comfortable..Will be great for interior or exterior...
Fiberglass
Universale Chair Joe Colombo for Kartell, Italy, 1967
By Joe Colombo
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Universale chair by legendary designer Joe Colombo. First adult-sized plastic chair to be produced using a single injection cast mold. ABS plastic wit...
Plastic
"Melaina" Fiberglass Chair by Rodolfo Bonetto for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Melaina" chair, designed by Rodolfo Bonetto(1929-1991) for Driade in 1970. Manufactured in Italy. Original gloss white finish. Benetto was a Milan native with a passion for ABS p...
Fiberglass
Italian Studio Made Experimental Plywood Folding Chair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Studio made plywood folding chair. Oiled finish. Graphic lines. Folds flat to one inch. Upper seating element folds down to rest on two legs that...
Plywood
Sold
H 33 in W 19.75 in D 24 in
Pair of Orange Verner Panton 1-2-3 System "Chair A" Space Age Swivel Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of orange 'system 1-2-3' Chair A dining chairs designed by Danish designer Verner Panton. These iconic chairs are upholstered in their original orange wool fabric. Boasting scul...
Metal