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.
Walnut Lounge Chairs by Edmond J. Spence, C. 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Westport, CT
A stunning pair of lounge chairs by Edmond J. Spence for Urban-Aire Group, c. 1950s, meticulously restored by Stamford Modern. Showcasing clean lines, gentle curves, and a sophistica...
Brass
Original Edmond Spence "Yucatan" Chair
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Iconic “Yucatán” chair designed by Edmund Spence and produced in Mexico by Industria Mueblera S.A. as part of the celebrated Continental-American Collection. This piece represents an...
Cedar
Low Rope Lounge Chair by Audoux-Minet, France, 1950s
By Adrien Audoux and Frida Minnet
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Charming low lounge chair by the French designer duo Adrien Audoux and Frida Minet, crafted in France in the 1950s. The patinated solid wood frame supports a hand-braided rope seat a...
Wood, Rope
$2,000 / set
H 29 in W 27 in D 28.5 in
Pair of Danish Modern Viko Baumritter Style Walnut Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Baumritter, Viko Baumritter
Located in Bainbridge, NY
American Mid Century Viko Baumritter attributed Wide Walnut Lounge Chairs. Featuring sturdy framework, angled spindle backs, sculpted solid Oak armrests and dowel legs. With upholste...
Fabric, Walnut, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chair with Spindle Back, 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This striking mid-century modern lounge chair showcases the timeless balance of sculptural form and functional comfort that defines the best of 1950s–1960s design. Crafted with a sol...
Fabric, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Spindle Back Lounge Chair, 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This striking mid-century modern walnut lounge chair, crafted in the United States during the 1950s, captures the effortless balance between sculptural design and everyday comfort th...
Fabric, Walnut
Edmond Spence Mid-Century Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edmond Spence mid-century lounge chairs - pair. Each chair measures: 27 wide x 33.5 deep x 28 high, with a seat height of 13 (without cushion) and arm height/chair clearance 23 in...
Wood
$3,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 27.5 in W 29.5 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Lounge Chairs, USA, 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elevate your living space with this exquisite pair of mid-century modern lounge chairs, handcrafted in the USA. Built upon sturdy oak frames with a refined walnut stain, these chairs...
Fabric, Walnut
Wicker and Iron Lounge Chair, France, 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual and funky lounge chair with a tripod solid iron base and sturdy conical, egg-shaped wicker seat.
Rattan
Stellar Set of 4 Cane Back Chairs by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb set of a very difficult to find series of chairs by Edmond Spence, circa 1950's. Birch with cane backs. Excellent Restored Condition, with wonderful patina. The price noted ...
Fabric, Wood
$8,900Sale Price / set|36% Off
H 32 in W 21.25 in D 18.5 in
'Yucatan' Dining Chairs by Edmond Spence for Industria Mueblera, 1960s Signed
By Industria Mueblera Mexico, Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This set of six classic mid-century modern Mahogany and cane 'Yucatan' dining chairs was designed by Swedish designer Edmond J. Spence in the 1950s and produced by Industria Mueblera...
Fabric, Cane, Mahogany
Yucatan Chair, Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los angeles, CA
Yucatan chair designed by Edmond J. Spence. Sculptural dark-stained wood frame with angular, splayed legs and an open slat back, paired with a handwoven rush seat and back panel. A s...
Rush, Wood
$4,000Sale Price|25% Off
H 31 in W 20 in D 22 in
Pair of Edmond Spence "Yucatan" Chairs, Industria Meublera S.A. Mexico 1950s/60s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Camden, ME
This elegant pair of “Yucatan” side chairs was designed by Edmond J. Spence and produced by Industria Mueblera S.A. in Mexico during the 1950s–60s. Crafted in solid mahogany with new...
Raffia, Seagrass, Mahogany
Walnut Lounge Chairs by Edmond J. Spence, 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Westport, CT
Rare pair of sculptural walnut lounge chairs by Swedish-born designer Edmond J. Spence for "Urban-Aire" Group, circa 1950s. Completely restored exposing the beautiful walnut grain. ...
Brass
Rare Edmond Spence Strapped Lounge Chairs, 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Westport, CT
Rare pair of lounge chairs by Swedish born designer Edmond J. Spence for "Urban-Aire" Group, circa 1950s. Walnut frames completely restored. Updated straps. Newly upholstered in G...
Chrome
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Sculpted Tiger Maple Armchairs, Pair
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of midcentury Swedish modern armchairs designed by Edmond Spence. The chairs feature sleek Scandinavian design with stunning sculpted solid tiger maple frames. Up...
Upholstery, Maple
Rare Edmond Spence Strapped Lounge Chairs
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Westport, CT
Rare pair of lounge chairs by Swedish born designer Edmond J. Spence for "Urban-Aire" Group, circa 1950s. Walnut frames completely restored. Straps have been replaced. Newly upholst...
Chrome
Rare Lounge Chair by Edmund J. Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare "Urban-Aire" group lounge chair, designed by Edmund J. Spence, circa 1950s. This design has long been attributed to Paul McCobb for his Predictor Group, it has been verified as ...
Upholstery, Walnut
Rare Edmond Spence Strapped Lounge Chairs
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Westport, CT
Rare pair of lounge chairs by Swedish born designer Edmond J. Spence for "Urban-Aire" Group, circa 1950s. Walnut frames completely restored. Straps have been replaced. Brass hand ...
Brass
Set of Six Mid-Century Modernist Dining Chairs by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
Set of six Mid-Century Modernist dining chairs, two armchairs and four arm less chairs, by Edmond Spence in an ebonized hand-rubbed Baltic birchwood and newly upholstered in smoked p...
Pair of Sculptural Armchairs by Edmund Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Danville, CA
Pair of Mahogany Armchairs with a deep curved back and faceted dual tapered stretchers by Edmund Spence. The front legs feature a "barbed" foot and the closely placed rear legs spla...
Mahogany
Pair of Modernage Lounge Arm Chairs by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence, Modernage Furniture Company
Located in Peabody, MA
Rare pair of low slung Urban-Aire mid-century lounge chairs by Edmond Spence for Modernage, ca. 1953. Popularly misattributed for years to O'Hearn Furniture as a design by Paul McCo...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Rare Lounge Chairs by Edmund J. Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Rare "Urban-Aire" Group Lounge Chairs, designed by Edmund J. Spence, circa 1950's. This design has long been attributed to Paul McCobb for his Predictor Group, but thanks to ...
Walnut, Upholstery