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.
Footstool / Ottoman in Solid Teak & Leather by Edmond J. Spence, USA, c. 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Deland, FL
This elegant Mid-Century Modern stool by Edmond J. Spence captures the organic sophistication of 1950s design. Constructed in rich teak, the stool features a warm, tastefully aged pa...
Leather, Teak
Sculptural Walnut Ottoman by Vladimir Kagan, C. 1950s
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Westport, CT
Sculptural ottoman designed by Vladimir Kagan, circa 1950–1959. Fully restored by Stamford Modern, this striking piece features a beautifully sculpted walnut base refinished in a ric...
Linen, Walnut
Taylor King MCM Ottoman Footstool
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A MCM Upholstered...
Cotton
Mid-Century Modern Upholstered Footstool, Czechoslovakia 1950s
By Jindřich Halabala
Located in Praha, CZ
This distinctive vintage footstool dates from the 1950s and originates from Czechoslovakia. Attributed to Jindřich Halabala, it showcases the sculptural proportions and decorative up...
Other
Low Round Ottoman / Footstool in Pure Alpaca
By Märta Blomstedt, Viggo Boesen, Flemming Lassen, Fritz Hansen, Mogens Lassen
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
An elegant, modern, low, round ottoman. Handmade in England. Newly upholstered in a premium, soft, pure alpaca wool fabric with solid oak feet. Custom...
Alpaca, Oak
1950s Vintage Danish Rosewood Ottoman
By Spøttrup Stolefabrik
Located in London, England
Spottrup Mobler - Round Ottoman, 1950s 3-leg rosewood frame with round seat pad covered in new Italian bouclé wool fabric. Produced c1950s.
Bouclé, Rosewood
$860
H 18 in W 25 in D 15 in
Mid Century Modern Ottoman Foot Stool by Westnofa - Vintage Teak Footstool
By Westnofa Furniture
Located in Decatur, GA
Vintage mid century Scandinavian modern ottoman or footstool by Westnofa Furniture circa 1960s. Solid teak with original purple wool upholstery. Excellent original condition, Wool is...
Fabric, Teak
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
$13,596Sale Price|20% Off
H 33.5 in W 25.6 in D 26.8 in
Ole Wanscher's Colonial Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood, 1950s
By Ole Wanscher
Located in Seattle, WA
This is a rare and in exceptional condition Ole Wanscher's Colonial Chair and Ottoman in Rosewood, with original black leather cushions as well as a new set of new Maharam Sorghum brown cushions. Poul Jeppesen in Denmark c1950s and distributed by Illums Bolighus with solid rosewood for the frame, cane seating under black leather cushion seating. Perhaps the most famous design by Ole Wanscher, the Colonial Chair PJ 149 is inspired by 17th century English furniture...
Leather, Cane, Rosewood
Edmond Spence "Yucatan" Chairs
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful set of 2 Mexican modernist 'Yucatan' dining chairs designed by Edmond J. Spence made of mahogany and woven seagrass, Mexico, the 1950s. The seagrass is in great condition and the chairs have been refinished. "Edmond J Spence made a career out of translating international modern styles for the U.S. market–he designed a successful blonde wood line made in Sweden and imported by Walpole Furniture of Massachusetts. Spence’s Mexican venture dubbed the “Continental-American Collection,” was launched by Industria Meublera in 1953. A contemporary ad boasts “superb raw materials [and] fine Mexican handcraftsmanship,” and shows an Aztec stone...
Seagrass, Mahogany
1950s Italian Ottoman in Brass and Patterned Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Stool or ottoman, lacquered brass, brass, fabric, Italy, 1950s This elegant Italian ottoman from the 1950s beautifully reflects the refined spirit of mid-century design. Its clean, ...
Brass
Pair of French 1950s Ottoman
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of French 1950s ottoman, original vintage condition. Black faux leather, brass feet.
Brass, Steel
$2,595 / item
H 16 in W 27.5 in D 18 in
Lawson-Fenning Headlands Ottoman, Solid Walnut Frame, Modern Footstool
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Headlands Ottoman features a sculptural solid wood frame and upholstered cushion. Available with the Headlands Lounge Chair. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handma...
Upholstery, Walnut
Pair of Edmund Spence Stools or Ottomans
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Seldom seen pair of Edmund Spence stools or ottomans, circa late 1950s. These examples are solid alder wood with tapered legs and sculptural tops....