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.
8 Black plastic & Aluminum 1970s MODUS stackable chairs by Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 8 Black Nylon/plastic and aluminum 1970s Stackable chairs by Tecno. This chair model was produced in different versions and colors. These...
Aluminum
black skai & aluminum 1970s DSC 106 chair by Anonima Castelli
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Black skai seat and back, aluminum frame with plastic coated legs.
Aluminum
Space Age Vintage Red Faux Leather Chrome Metal Office Chair Desk Chair 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage office chair or desk chair from red faux leather and chrome in tulip shape 1960s. A fabulous vintage office chair or desk chair with a red curved seat shell in icon...
Metal, Chrome
Black plastic & Aluminum 1970s MODUS stackable chair by Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Black Nylon/plastic and aluminum 1970s Stackable chair by Tecno. This chair model was produced in different versions and colors. This proposals ...
Aluminum
Osvaldo Borsani 'Modus' chairs for Tecno, 1970s - set of 2
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Modus plastic and fabric desk chair designed by Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno Italy. Timeless design from the seventies. Overall good condition with normal age related wear. 1970s - I...
Plastic
$14,724 / set
Sculpta “Star Trek” Set, by Chromcraft, 1966
By Chromcraft
Located in NICE, FR
“Star Trek” Sculpta Dining Set, Manufactured by Chromcraft, circa 1966 Mid-Century Modern / Space Age Design An exceptionally rare mid-century modern dining set made by Chromcraft i...
Aluminum
Molteni & C ‘Mix’ Office Chair by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, 1970s
By Molteni & C, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in CULEMBORG, GE
Designed by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Molteni in 1975, the quirky mix chair was originally designed for executive offices and conference rooms. This extremel...
Steel
Space Age Black Faux Leather Swan Desk Chair Office Chair 1960s
Located in Vienna, AT
Space Age vintage desk chair from faux leather and metal tulip - like 1960s. A wonderful office chair or desk chair, this model from the 1960s with a metal base with four wheels and a seat shell covered with black faux leather. This sleek office chair shows swiveling and smoothly rocking function and great seating comfort. The stylishly desk chair could work perfectly in your home office or office space and makes a wonderful statement. This space age desk chair...
Metal
$780Sale Price|35% Off
Chair red fabric chair Christian Ghion Y2K style design space age
By Christian Ghion, Idée Japan, Marc Newson
Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Swivel red fabric chair. Christian Ghion designed it in the late 90s for Idee Japan. It's the style in Y2K interior and design. Also really great example in that era.
Steel
10 Black plastic & Aluminum 1970s MODUS stackable chairs with desk by Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Set of 10 Black Nylon/plastic and aluminum 1970s Stackable chairs by Tecno. This chair model was produced in different versions and colors. Thes...
Aluminum
Italian blue fabric and Metal Wheeled Office Chair, 1960-70s
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Adjustable and wheeled desk chair in black, silver metal base with blu fabric seat. Very good condition: visible signs of wear on the legs. The sea...
Aluminum
Set of Eight Chromcraft Swivel Dining Chairs In Black Vinyl
By Chromcraft
Located in Berkeley, CA
Set of period perfect 1960s Chromcraft lounge chairs. This set wears its original black vinyl, with seats raised on cast aluminum swivel bases with walnut laminate inlays. These w...
Aluminum
$1,815Sale Price / set|44% Off
H 36.25 in W 48 in D 41 in
1970's Chromcraft Standing Bar & Four Stools
By Chromcraft
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage 1970's standing bar and four high chair bar stools by Chromcraft. Bar is chromed steel barrel-form frame and white laminate shell creating an cyli...
Chrome
Set of 4 Chromcraft Sculpta Swivel Chairs
By Chromcraft
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
An original set of 4 Chromcraft Sculpta self centering swivel chairs in Black leather and polished aluminium, as seen in the original series of Star-Trek in the episode 'The trouble ...
Aluminum
$1,200
H 31.5 in W 26 in D 28 in
1980s Charles Pollock for Knoll Office Desk Chair in Leather and Chrome
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Iconic desk or office chair designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll. Extremely comfortable with soft black leather. Chair sits above a four star base, with chrome and black plastic acc...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani P 40 For Tecno 1960's
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Brussels, BE
The versatile and comfortable P40 lounge chair was designed by Osvaldo Borsani in 1955 for Tecno. The chair can be adjusted into over 400 positions; the back can be reclined in diffe...
Metal, Brass
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno D70 Reclining Sofa
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Norwalk, CT
An iconic example of Italian mid-century design, continually reproduced for its highly renowned marriage of style and functionality, this fully adjustable reclining sofa...
Leather
$350
H 31 in W 16.5 in D 18 in
Vintage Mid Century Modern Red Adjustable Chrome Office Desk Chair by HON
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Mid Century Modern Red Adjustable Height and Back Rolling Chrome Office Desk ...
Chrome
Osvaldo Borsani Canada chair Tecno Italy 1965
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant
Iconic so called 'Canada' lounge chair model P110 designed by Osvaldo Borsani and manufactured by Tecno, Italy 1965. The Canada chair is constructed by 2 moulded plywood side panels, connected with 2 bent wooden cross bars, which holds the frame in balance and a part. The thick leather upholstered cushion structure hangs in the frame and is connected with black plastic caps. The Canada seating series was developed from some rough initial sketches by Valeria Borsani and Marco Fantoni while they were still young...
Leather, Plastic, Plywood
$5,182Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.11 in W 24.02 in D 22.05 in
Osvaldo Borsani P99 Desk Chair for Tecno, Italy 1957
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Milan, IT
All original Osvaldo Borsani P99 Desk Chair for Tecno, Italy 1957 Original applied Tecno label and brass labels Reference: Osvaldo Borsani – architect, designer, entrepreneur. Giampi...
Brass, Steel
Office chair and desk vintage MIM
By MIM Roma
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Beautiful vintage desk chair dating from the 1980s last century. Manufactured in Italy by the company MIM mim mobili spa, this chair has a chrome-plated metal frame with integrated s...
Metal
Osvaldo Borsani for Tecno "Modus" Office Chair, Italy 1970s
By Tecno, Osvaldo Borsani
Located in Naples, IT
Rare yellow Modus office chair with armrests and adjustable height, designed by Osvaldo Borsani and produced for Tecno 1970.
Aluminum, Steel
$765 / item
H 34.26 in W 18.51 in D 21.66 in
Kevi Office Chair by Jørgen Rasmussen, Black Leather, 1960s Denmark
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Kevi office chair designed by Jørgen Rasmussen. With height, tilt and other adjustments. New upholstered with black aniline leather.
Leather
Sold
H 28.35 in W 20.48 in D 17.72 in
Black plastic & Aluminum 1970s MODUS stackable chair by Borsani for Tecno
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Varese, Lombardia
Black Nylon/plastic and aluminum 1970s Stackable chair by Tecno. This chair model was produced in different versions and colors. This proposals ...
Aluminum
Sold
H 40.56 in W 27.96 in D 29.53 in
Stoll Giroflex 7112 Space Age leather office chair by Martin Stoll, 1970
By Martin Stoll, Stoll
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This exceptional office chair is a typical example of early 1970s Space Age design. The chair's solid plexiglass shell is a chocolate brown and is paired with olive-green leather cus...
Leather, Fiberglass
Haimi Space Age swivel chair by Yrjo Kukkapuro, 1960
By Haimi, Yrjö Kukkapuro
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This Haimi swivel chair is a classic example of Space Age style in both color and materials. The fiberglass shell of the seat shows slight signs of wear along the edges, but no damag...
Fiberglass
Sold
H 30.32 in W 20.87 in D 28.35 in
Vintage Italian Space Age Desk Chair by Renato Zevi, Green Velvet and Chromed
By Renato Zevi
Located in Ceglie Messapica, IT
Vintage Italian Space Age Desk Chair by Renato Zevi, Green Velvet Upholstery and Chrome Frame, 1970s Rare shaped office / desk chair embodies the bold aesthetic of Italian design fr...
Metal
Wilkhahn 232 Space Age office chair by Wilhelm Ritz, 1970
By Wilkhahn
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This Wilkhahn 232 office chair is a worthy representative of the Space Age. The white plastic shells are in perfect condition and without damage. The backrest can be continuously adj...
Fabric, Plastic
Sold
H 33 in W 22 in D 27 in
Charles Pollock for Knoll Swivel Tilt Desk Chairs c. 1980's 12 available.
By Charles Pollock, Knoll
Located in New York, NY
Sharp modern design classic, designed by Charles Pollock for Knoll, circa 1980's. Known as the Executive Chair, this iconic example features a tufted black leather seat and back rest...
Metal
Sold
H 34.65 in W 22.84 in D 21.26 in
Suite of 16 chairs model 451 designed by Randall Buck for Strafor France 1970s
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
An exceptional series of 16 chairs produced by the French manufacturer Strafor in the 1970s. The design is attribued to Randall Buck, model 451, chair -version. They are in the style...
Chrome, Iron
Chrome Swivel Desk Chair in Brown Leather, Italy 1960s - 2 Available
Located in Chicago, IL
A 1960s Italian desk chair featuring a sculptural chrome frame with a swivel X-base. This chair has an upholstered seat and back with button tuft detailing in original brown leather ...
Metal
Mauser Seat 150 leather office chair by Herbert Hirche
By Mauser Werke, Herbert Hirche
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
A Seat 150 office chair in a black/black color combination. The soft, black, quilted leather is in very good condition with a light patina. The black plastic shell of the backrest showed signs of wear, such as scratches. The plastic shells of the armrests show normal signs of wear. The height hydraulics work, although a little stiff, and allow a seat height of 47 to 56 cm. The star base of the frame is made of metal and works perfectly, the wheels run smoothly. Absolute classic of the 70s Space...
Leather
Chromcraft Set of 2 Space Age Office/Dining Room Chairs
By Chromcraft
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
Well-preserved set of 2 office/dining room chairs from the well-known manufacturer Chromcraft. The brown velor fabric of the chairs, as well as the brown plastic shells, are in good condition with slight signs of wear. The solid chrome-plated metal feet guarantee a secure stand and only show small signs of wear. The armchairs can be rotated and have an automatic return mechanism and suspension. These chairs are an earlier version of this model from 1977 in a space age style. The US manufacturer...
Fabric
Chromcraft Set of 5 Space Age Office/Dining Room Chairs
By Chromcraft
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
Very well preserved set of 5 office/dining room chairs from the well-known manufacturer Chromcraft. The brown mottled hopsack cover of the chairs, as well as the brown plastic shells, are in perfect condition. The solid chrome-plated metal feet guarantee a secure stand and only show small signs of wear. The armchairs can be rotated and have an automatic return mechanism and suspension. The chairs come from the 70s and are in the Space Age style. The US manufacturer...
Fabric
Drabert Concept Office Chair
By Drabert
Located in Ludwigslust, DE
This Drabert office chair from the 1980s, still influenced by the Space Age, is in very good condition. The brown fabric upholstery of the seat and back cushions is immaculate. The b...
Fabric, Fiberglass