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.
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
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
$2,610
H 26.43 in W 28 in D 0.75 in
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Walnut, Brass, Mirror Glass, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and brass wall mirror designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s. Does not include mounting hardware. All items ship from High Point, North Carolina.
Brass
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
Fröseke, Wall Mirror, Teak, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Fröseke 2
Located in High Point, NC
A teak and brass wall mirror designed and produced by Fröseke, AB Nybrofabriken, Sweden, c. 1950s. Does not include mounting hardware.
Brass
$649Sale 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
$1,311Sale 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
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Teak, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A teak wall mirror designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s.
Mirror, Teak
Unavailable|$2,400
H 27.75 in W 19.625 in D 0.75 in
Eriksmålaglas, Wall Mirror, Wood, Metal, Sweden, 1950s
By Eriksmålaglas
Located in High Point, NC
An etched glass, wood and metal wall mirror produced by Eriksmålaglas, Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 27.75"H x 19.625"W x 0.75"D All items ship from High Point, No...
Metal
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Wood, Metal, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A foldable wood and metal wall mirror designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Wear to wood consistent with age and use Wear to mirror glass consistent with age and use Overall ...
Metal
$3,769
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
Swedish Designer, Wall Mirror, Metal, Fabric, Sweden, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable painted metal and yellow fabric wall mirror with wall lights designed and produced in Sweden, 1950s Overall Dimensions (inches): 50” H x 22.5” W x 3.5” D Stated dimensions...
Metal
Swedish Modern Mahogany Wall Mirror, Sweden, 1940s–1950s
Located in Hammarö, SE
A refined Swedish Modern wall mirror, crafted in Sweden during the 1940s. The frame is executed in a warm mahogany veneer, paired with a delicate inner moulding in birch — a subtle c...
Birch, Mahogany
1950s Mid-Century Mirror
Located in Brescia, IT
Wall mirror with brass frame. European production in the 1950s. European-made wall mirror from the 1950s, traceable to the Mid-Century Modern language. The elongated, symmetrical sh...
Brass
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