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.
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
'Yucatan' Dining Chairs by Edmond Spence for Industria Mueblera, 1960s Signed
By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico
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
Edmund J Spence Cane Back Leather Dining or Side Chairs
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of rare Edmund J. Spence cane back chairs fully restored with eggplant leather cushioned seats.
Leather, Cane, Wood
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
$2,900 / item
H 33 in W 18 in D 21 in
Hypatia Side Chair With Unglazed Leather Seat And Back On Walnut Frame
By Brett Paulin, Alex Stap
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Hypatia side chair is beautifully Minimalist in design. Subtle and thoughtful details highlight the implicit characteristics of the materials, ultimately working in harmony to cr...
Brass
$2,376Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 30 in W 21 in D 19 in
Set of four mid century Edmond Spence maple and cane dining chairs - Sweden
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Liberty, NY
Beautiful set of four mid century 1950's maple and cane dining chairs designed by Edmond Spence in Sweden. The set includes two arm chairs and two without. The wood frames have been ...
Wool, Maple
$720Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.75 in W 18.5 in D 23 in
Milo Baughman Curved Cane Back Dining Room Side Chair
By Milo Baughman
Located in Wayne, NJ
Milo Baughman curved cane back dining or side chair. If you are in the New Jersey, New York City Metro Area, please contact us with your delivery ...
Wood
Edmond Spence Mid Century Yucatan Chairs - Set of 6
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edmond Spence Mid Century Yucatan Chairs - Set of 6 Each chair measures: 24.75 wide x 19 deep x 31.75 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17.5 inches All pieces of f...
Rattan, Wood
$800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 35 in W 16 in D 19.5 in
Pair of J. and J. Kohn Austrian Bentwood and Cane Chairs
By Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rare pair of Austrian Viennese bentwood chairs produced by J. and J. John. handcrafted beechwood frames featuring a round handwoven cane seat. Supported by four round legs conjoined by a round stretcher. Each seat is stamped JJ Kohn Austria...
Cane, Beech, Bentwood
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
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
$6,250Sale Price / set|26% Off
H 44.5 in W 17.5 in D 18.5 in
Aldo Tura, Mid-Century Modern, Six Dining Chairs, Goatskin, Parchment, 1960s
By Aldo Tura
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of Six Italian Aldo Tura side dining chairs in Goatskin and Parchment. A fine newly recovered set of six dining or side chairs by Aldo Tura. Each strong and sturdy with ladder ba...
Wood
$12,000 / set
H 32 in W 23 in D 18 in
Set of Six Mid-Century Swedish Modern Dining Chairs by Edmond J. Spence
By Edmond J. Spence, Paul McCobb
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Newly upholstered mint condition set of 6 rare chairs by Edmond Spence.
Cane, Birch
Set of 6 Fine French 1950s-1960s Dining Chairs
Located in Long Island City, NY
A set of six fine French Mid-Century sculptural solid oak side chairs.
Oak
Karl Erik Ekselius for JOC Dining Desk Side Chair
By Karl-Erik Ekselius, JOC Mobler Vetlanda
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury Danish modern style side chair, made in Sweden for JOC, designed by Karl Erik Ekselius. The chair has a leather seat, and backrest, on a solid wood (probably dark stain te...
Leather, Teak
Traditional Victorian Balloon Back Side Chair, English, Circa 1850
Located in Incline Village, NV
Fine quality traditional form solid mahogany Victorian balloon back chair with "slip in" seat, upholstered in gold silk damask. Nicely carved do...
Damask, Mahogany
$2,500 / set
H 18.75 in W 16.25 in D 16.25 in
Vintage 1960s Sculptural Stools in Solid Teak & Saddle Leather by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
A newly refinished pair of mid-century modern teak and leather stools attributed to Edmond J. Spence, most likely produced in Mexico c. 1960s. The stools are built with a distinctly...
Leather, Teak
$4,700 / item
H 19 in W 18 in D 22 in
Side Dining Chair Modern Contemporary Hand Made in Blackened Steel & Leather
By J.M. Szymanski
Located in Bronx, NY
CHAIR NO. 1 J.M. Szymanski d. 2018 Inspired by a Spanish toreador, this sleek combination of blackened steel and thick bull leather. Can be modified to any seat height. Custom si...
Steel
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Sculpted Tiger Maple Side Chairs, Pair
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of midcentury Swedish modern side chairs designed by Edmond Spence. The chairs feature sleek Scandinavian design with stunning sculpted solid tiger maple frames. ...
Upholstery, Maple
Sold
H 32.5 in W 22 in D 19 in
Mid-Century Modern Edmund Spence Yucatan Side Chair 1950s McCobb Nakashima Era
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a fantastic "Yucatan" side or accent chair by Edmund Spence, circa the 1950s. In very good condition. The dimensions are 22" W x 19" D x 32.5" B.H. x 17.5" ...
Wood
Edmund Spence Set of Eight Dining Chairs
By Industria Mueblera Mexico, Edmond J. Spence
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Designed by Edmund Spence and produced by Industrial Mueblera Mexico. Chairs have been restored and are in excellent condition. All joints have been reinforced, new seagrass seat...
Mahogany, Seagrass
Rare Sculptural Edmund Spence Side Chairs
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare sculptural spindle-back Edmund Spence side chairs for Industria Muelblera S.A. Mexico. Mahogany frames and woven sea grass seats.