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.
Set of Three Leather and Solid Stained Teak Stools by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sculptural teak wood stools with laced leather seats by Edmond Spence. Solid teak frames retain their original dark stain, and the leather is original. There is soiling and general...
Leather, Teak
Daphne Solid Teak Side Stool
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Daphne stool is crafted of solid teak. This stool can be used in wet conditions such as showers, poolside, etc. The sleek lines of the top are com...
Teak
$1,170Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 15.5 in Dm 15.5 in
Set of Three Bamboo & Leather Bar Stools by McGuire Furniture Co.
By McGuire
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of three bamboo and leather bar stools by McGuire Furniture Co. of San Francisco, circa 1990s. These stools are difficult to find and are in good vintage condition. Each one meas...
Bamboo, Leather
Set of Three 20th Century Maple and Leather Seat Bar Stools
Located in Germantown, MD
Set of 3 Mid-Century Maple and PU leather seat bar stools measuring 14 inches in diameter seats, 16.5 inches wide and 16.5 inches at the base and stand 30" Tall. Seat height 30".
Faux Leather, Maple
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
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
$1,995
H 18.75 in W 16 in D 16 in
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
Set of Three Italian Nesting Stools
By Gio Ponti
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Lovely set of nesting stools with tapered ash legs and woven rush seats in the manner of Gio Ponti. Measures: Large: 20" wide, 16.5" deep, 18" high. Medium: 17"...
Rush, Ash
$2,676 / set
H 17.72 in W 14.57 in D 12.21 in
Set of Three Country Stools in Stained Pine, Minimalist Design, 1960s
Located in Hellouw, NL
These stained pine stools are a perfect example of functional design. With their straightforward construction and minimalist appeal, they fit seamlessly into various settings. Their ...
Pine
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
$2,400 / set
H 33.47 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Brutalist Black Stained Solid Oak and Brown Leather Bar Stools, 1970s
By Pierre Chapo
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Pair of Brutalist design 1970s barstools with new top quality chocolate brown leather seats and foam. The base is made of solid black stained oak wi...
Metal
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32.25 in W 23 in D 20.5 in
Set Six Edmond Spence Swedish Dining Chairs
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of six birch dining chairs by Edmond J. Spence, made in Sweden for Walpole Furniture. Rare set of two armchairs and four side chairs. Seats covered in neutral taupe cross hatch w...
Birch, Cane, Wool, Upholstery
$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 Paul McCobb, Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Newly upholstered mint condition set of 6 rare chairs by Edmond Spence.
Cane, Birch
Pair of Mid Century Modern Sculptural Stools by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Mid Century Modern Sculptural leather with rosewood frames. Wide black leather straps woven tightly to the sculptural frames. In excellent vintage condition with min...
Leather, Rosewood
Sold
H 18 in W 16 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Modern Edmund Spence Woven Black Leather Benches Stools 1960s, Pair
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
For your consideration is a rare pair of ebonized wood bench stools, with woven black leather seats, by Edmund Spence, circa 1960s. In excellent vintage condition. The dimensions of ...
Leather, Wood
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....
Very Rare Edmund Spence Stool
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very Rare Edmund Spence Stool