Edmond J. Spence played an important role in promoting the tenets of Scandinavian modernism in the United States but his name remains conspicuously omitted from the history books. He was an American furniture designer who is known for having introduced the West to unfamiliar cultural tastes and translating their subtleties to appeal to mid-century-era consumers.
Spence honed his eye for good craftsmanship as a young man. His family owned a furniture manufacturing company based in Batavia, New York. While not much has been reported about his schooling, it was not long before he started designing his own nightstands, end tables, chairs and more — all of which exhibited the appealing traits associated with mid-century modern furniture. Spence experimented with form and ornament owing to inspiration he gathered from international influences.
During the 1950s, Spence drew on Asian and Swedish influences in developing ideas for his own style of modern furniture. He incorporated aspects of Mexican design to create the Continental-American collection. Manufactured in 1953 by Industria Mueblera, this collection of sculptural wooden furnishings with brass details epitomizes Spence’s ability to draw attention to the most integral parts of global design while adding his own modern spin. The designer’s Coronation Group — a series of dressers, cabinets and more in blonde woods that featured decorative birch veneers — was built by artisans in Sweden and imported for sale to postwar homeowners in the United States by Massachusetts furniture company Walpole.
Spence’s “Peineta” chair — a work of mahogany, plywood and woven palm that is demonstrative of Spanish Colonial influences and is part of the Continental-American line — has long been on display in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art while other works are held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art. And if Spence hadn’t captured the hearts of Americans by way of Industria Mueblera showrooms and alluring ads in Interiors magazine, some of his furniture was used as set decoration for the widely loved sitcom I Love Lucy.
Find vintage Edmond J. Spence seating, storage and case pieces, tables and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Mid-Century Diamond Walnut Framed Mirrors by Edmond Spence, 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century Diamond Shaped Walnut Framed Mirrors (EDMOND SPENCE)
Glass
Brass framed mirror, 1950s
Located in Bastia Umbra, IT
Mirror with brass frame, Made in Italy, 1950s. At the two ends (upper and lower) it has two wooden decorations. The price of shipping is for the Italian territory, for the islands ...
Brass
$662Sale Price|20% Off
H 29.14 in W 1.58 in D 21.26 in
Italian Mid-Century Mirror with Brass Frame and Decorations by Crystal Art 1950s
By Ultima Crystal Art
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian mid-century mirror with brass frame and decorations by Crystal Art 1950s Mirror on rectangular shaped polished brass frame and glass with golden decorations. Made by the hist...
Brass
$1,342Sale Price|25% Off
H 1.19 in Dm 23.04 in
Mid-Century Italian Wall Mirror with Brass Frame (circa 1950s)
Located in London, GB
Mid-century Italian wall mirror with brass frame (circa 1950s). The mirror is circular in shape, very smart with irresistible durability. The visual impression is elegant and very un...
Brass
$2,642Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.72 in W 42.33 in D 1.19 in
Mid-Century Italian Wall Mirror with Brass Frame (circa 1950s) - Large
Located in London, GB
Mid-century large Italian wall mirror with brass frame (circa 1950s). The mirror is distinctively-shaped in a Modern style. Imagine a car's windshield. It is in good overall conditio...
Brass
$3,854
H 47.25 in W 23.63 in D 0.79 in
Mid-Century Italian Wall Mirror with Brass Frame (circa 1950s) - Large
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Italian wall mirror with brass frame (circa 1950s). The large mirror is classically-shaped and distinctive in a Modern style. It is in good overall condition with the exc...
Brass
$3,856
H 47.25 in W 23.63 in D 0.79 in
Mid-Century Italian Wall Mirror with Brass Frame 'circa 1950s' - Large
Located in London, GB
Mid-Century Italian wall mirror with brass frame (circa 1950s). The large mirror is classically-shaped and distinctive in a Modern style. A beautiful aged patina will appear on the brass frame although this one has been recently polished. It is in very good overall condition. We currently have this mirror's identical twin...
Brass
Mid-century modern italian walnut solid mirror from 1950s
Located in Nicolosi, IT
Mid-century modern italian walnut solid mirror from 1950s Add a touch of vintage sophistication to your home with this mid-century modern Italian walnut mirror, a stunning example of...
Mirror, Walnut
Mid-Century Italian Brass Framed Wall Mirror, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Italian Brass Framed Mirror, 1950s A stunning mid-century brass framed 'shield' shaped mirror in the style of Gio Ponti. Wooden back. Ital...
Brass
Mid-Century Triptyque Mirror by Ignazio Gardella, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid-Century Triptyque Mirror by Ignazio Gardella, 1950s Ignazio Gardella (born March 30, 1905, Milan–died March 16, 1999, Oleggio, Italy) was an Italian architect, engineer, a...
Wood
$709
H 31.5 in W 20.08 in D 0.79 in
Mid Century Modern Italian Floral Brass Frame Wall Mirror, 1950s, Italy
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid Century Modern Italian Floral Brass Frame Wall Mirror, 1950s, Italy It is very ideal and suitable for all living areas. No damage, no crack. Wear consistent with age and use. ...
Brass
Italian Round Mirror, Rosewood Frame, Mid-Century Modern, 1950s, Italy
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirror This elegant Italian round wall mirror from the 1950s features a deep rosewood frame, showcasing the warmth and sophistication of mid-cen...
Rosewood
$1,123
H 37.8 in W 18.9 in D 0.79 in
Mid-century Gold And White Frame Luxurious Large Mirror, 1950s, Germany
Located in Hagenbach, DE
Mid-century Gold And White Frame Luxurious Large Mirror, 1950s, Germany It is very ideal and suitable for all living areas. No damage, no crack. Wear consistent with age and use. ...
Brass
Edmond J. Spence, Large Wall Mirror, Walnut, Sweden, 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Stamford, CT
Edmund Spence, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Large Rectangular Wall Mirror, Walnut, Sweden, 1950s A modernist wall mirror designed by Edmond Spence and produced in Sweden c. 1950s. Th...
Mirror, Walnut
Sold
H 60 in W 36 in D 1 in
Swedish 1950's Beveled Rectangle Rounded Corners Decorative Rosettes Wall Mirror
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Rare Swedish 1950's Beveled Rectangle Rounded Corners Decorative Rosettes Wall Mirror
Steel
Mexican Midcentury Mirror Frame by Edmund Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare Mexican midcentury mirror frame by Edmund Spence, circa 1950. Materials mahogany wood, natural palm cords and brass.
Mahogany