Channeled Jay Spectre White Club Chairs for Century Furniture, circa 1970s, Pair
View Similar Items
Channeled Jay Spectre White Club Chairs for Century Furniture, circa 1970s, Pair
About the Item
- Creator:Jay Spectre (Designer),Century Furniture (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)Seat Height: 16.5 in (41.91 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Late 1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor spots to upholstery, should clean up.
- Seller Location:St. Louis, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8202855327
Jay Spectre
From arranging window displays as a teenager to securing a preeminent position in the decorating and design sphere, Jay Spectre had an extraordinary career. He drew on a range of influences for his lounge chairs, chests of drawers and coffee tables of the 1970s and ‘80s, and is best known for these furnishings as well as his interiors of the era.
For his eponymous Manhattan firm, Spectre created modern, delectable interiors for luxury homes, private aircraft, yachts and offices — his clientele included corporations and affluent figures all over the world — and for his sophisticated furnishings and decor, he found inspiration in Art Deco as well as in Asian and African art..
Spectre’s career in design began modestly — he worked as a window dresser in his Kentucky hometown. He had big plans, however, and moved to New York City, where he would establish the Jay Spectre Inc. design firm. During interviews in the years that followed, Spectre spoke highly of Hollywood glamour and its impact on his work. He was interested in the forces of modernism and technology, and was greatly inspired by the Art Deco era, which was brought to global attention at a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925. The movement’s textile designers integrated floral motifs and vivid colors into their works, while Art Deco furniture makers were fond of dark woods, modern metals and decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides.
In 1985, in order to grant large manufacturers the rights to produce Spectre’s furniture designs, he formed a licensing firm called J.S.P.S. Inc. with South African-born interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield. This was the era that brought Spectre recognition, awards, and numerous high-profile clients that the designer called “silent celebrities” (they deeply valued their privacy).
Spectre also created furniture that was aimed at younger consumers and intended to be affordable. He introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at North Carolina’s Century Furniture — a brand that is known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors — where he created oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.
Spectre was named one of the top eight designers in America by the Smithsonian Institution for their "Giants of Design 1979" exhibition. He earned a pair of awards from the Chicago Merchandise Mart in 1982 and 1983, and was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1986.
Find vintage Jay Spectre seating, tables and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Century Furniture
Known for its durable vintage display cabinets, nightstands and dressers made of cherry, oak, walnut and more, Century Furniture of Hickory, North Carolina, began as an upholstered goods company in 1947 but added case goods and sophisticated mahogany dining-room furnishings shortly thereafter.
Launched by Harley Ferguson Shuford Sr., a Hickory native who was born to a family of textile mill owners, Century Furniture was intended to be “the best furniture company in the world.” With respect to speed and efficiency, the brand found its footing midway through production on a government contract that Shuford had secured in the early days to manufacture thousands of five-drawer chests. The effort was significant, but it was also a teachable moment as far as Shuford and his team’s learning the ropes of running a factory.
After hiring designer Raymond K. Sobota in 1950 and introducing the enormously popular Citation Collection in 1954, Century established its reputation as a leader in stylishly designed high-quality furniture. Sobota had furniture in his blood — after graduating from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he worked for his uncle Karl Schmidt, who was at the time a well-known furniture designer for Berkey and Gay and other makers in the Grand Rapids area, then known as America’s furniture capital. Sobota soon launched his own studio, designing furniture as a freelancer for various local manufacturers. Shuford found him by happenstance, journeying to Michigan’s second-largest city to offer a job to another designer who turned him down but recommended Sobota instead.
Century’s Citation line — a sizable collection for the brand that spanned furnishings for the bedroom, dining room and more — is revered in the world of vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors. The pieces sold very well during the 1950s, and the line is an oft-cited success story for Sobota, who would go on to win awards for his work and whose own catalogue of designs for the brand is massive.
In his 40-year career at Century, until he retired in 1995, he designed well over 100 furniture lines. Sobota’s nightstands, cabinets, side tables and more are characterized by his interest in Asian design, distinctly and brilliantly expressed in his Hollywood Regency–style Chin Hua line, which debuted during the 1970s. With its geometrically decorative brass drawer pulls and door handles as well as dining-chair seat-back carvings — all inspired by Asian motifs — this collection has rendered vintage pieces that saw Century’s craftsmen working with alluring ebonized walnut and more, some of the company’s most sought-after work today.
Also in the 1970s as well as in the 1980s, Manhattan interior designer Jay Spectre introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at Century Furniture, creating oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.
Century licensed collections with celebrity interior designers such as Thomas O’Brien, Charlotte Moss and Bunny Williams among others. In 2013, when Alex Shuford III was named president of Century Furniture, the move marked the succession of the third generation to lead this company, which is today one of the world’s largest privately held manufacturers of high-end furniture.
Find Century Furniture lounge chairs and dining chairs as well as vintage mid-century modern credenzas, dressers and more on 1stDibs.
- Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar Club ChairBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in St. Louis, MOSingle Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar club chair with older re-upholstery on thick tapered legs. Unrestored, ready for new upholstery, legs show age, should be refinished. Email for up...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Mahogany
- Pair of Milo Baughman for Arch Gordon Mid-Century Club Chairs with Cane PanelsBy Milo Baughman, Arch GordonLocated in St. Louis, MORarely seen Milo Baughman for Arch Gordon, large scale club chairs, walnut frames with cane backs and side panels. Older Fabric, but newer foam. Fabric should be updated. Chairs show...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Cane, Walnut
- Jay Spectre for Century 1980s Steamer Chaise Lounge in the Art Deco StyleBy Jay SpectreLocated in St. Louis, MOJay Spectre (1929-1992) for Century Furniture, circa 1980s "Steamer" chaise lounge in original silver tone upholstery. Spectre's work was very influenced by Art Deco designs of the 1...Category
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Chaise Longues
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb High Back Club Chairs Ebonized BaseBy T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in St. Louis, MOPair of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb highback club chairs with dark walnut base, tapered conical, angled legs. Only one chair has been upholstered.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Edward J. Wormley Lounge Chair and Ottoman circa 1950s for DunbarBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in St. Louis, MOEdward J. Wormley lounge chair and ottoman for Dunbar circa 1950s on solid brass castors. The lounge chair has a trapezoid shape, wider in the front (27.5" W) and tapers to the back....Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair of Classic T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Lounge ChairsBy T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsLocated in St. Louis, MOPair of elegant T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb lounge chairs. Walnut frames with original upholstery, note that attached seat cushion is thicker and proper tufting and buttons ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Jay Spectre Steamer Chaise for Century Furniture in Ivory White Bouclé c. 1990sBy Century Furniture, Jay SpectreLocated in Saint Louis, MOArt Deco inspired glamour with a great silhouette from all angles, this Jay Spectre Steamer Chaise Lounge also delivers unparalleled First Class co...Category
1990s American Art Deco Chaise Longues
MaterialsBouclé, Upholstery
- Jay Spectre Studio Club Chair and OttomanBy Jay SpectreLocated in Chicago, ILLounge or club chair, with matching ottoman, from Jay Spectre's Studio collection. Modern deco design and clean lined minimal styling. Chair and ottoman are upholstered in a wool fab...Category
Late 20th Century American Club Chairs
MaterialsWood, Upholstery, Linen
$4,750 / set - 1980s Vintage Wallis Simpson Lounge Chair by Jay SpectreBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in Hartville, OHSpectacular Wallis Simpson" Lounge Chair by Jay Spectre For Century Furniture. Fresh from the upholstery artisans and wrapped in a decadent Kravet cut velvet this is a stunner in pe...Category
Vintage 1980s American Chinoiserie Club Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Lacquer
- Jay Spectre for Century "Eclipse" Side ChairBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in Palm Springs, CAA channel tufted side chair by Jay Spectre for century furniture. Newly upholstered in plum suede.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Ward Bennett Channel Club Leather Chairs, 1970sBy Ward BennettLocated in New York, NYA pair of highly desirable Ward Bennett 1970s channel lounge chairs in a luxurious taupe (gray brown) sumptuous leather. The chairs are on casto...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Club Chairs
MaterialsLeather
$9,975 / set - Jay Spectre Eclipse Chair by CenturyBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in Highland, INDesigned by Jay Spectre for Century, the "Eclipse" lounge chair is a post-modern take on Deco design. Crafted of oak with a black lacquer finish, it features a terrific build quality...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome