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.
Vintage 1960s Sculptural Stools in Solid Teak & Saddle Leather by Edmond Spence
By Industria Mueblera Mexico, Edmond J. Spence
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
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
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
Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...
Velvet, Beech
Burgundy Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet burgundy upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characte...
Leopard Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...
Velvet
$1,250
H 17.72 in W 12.21 in D 14.18 in
Brutalist Sculptural Solid Elm Stool by Aranjou, France, circa 1960s
By Aranjou
Located in Almelo, NL
A highly sculptural Brutalist stool by Aranjou, France, dating from circa the 1960s. Crafted from solid elm wood with a rich dark-stained finish, the stool is characterized by its p...
Elm
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
Danish Oak Tripod Stool with Sculpted Saddle Seat, 1960s
Located in Rødding, DK
This tripod stool is Danish in origin and dates from the 1960s. The solid oak seat is carved with a saddle profile, dipping at the centre and rising toward each end, with a raised ri...
Oak
Pair Vintage Black Leather Saddle Stools
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of 1940s Egyptian saddle stools featuring brass hardware and newly upholstered seat cushions in black leather.
Brass
$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
Vintage Danish Teak and Bouclé Stool by Spøttrup, 1960s
By Spøttrup Stolefabrik, Hugo Frandsen
Located in Asaa, DK
Vintage Danish teak stool by Spøttrup 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern ottoman in solid teak and bouclé by Hugo Frandsen for Spøttrup Stolefabrik, Denmark. Round slightly tapered leg...
Bouclé, 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
$6,600 / set
H 24 in Dm 14 in
Set of Three Polished Steel and Leather Swivel Counter Stools, 2000s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three sculptural stainless steel stools with a beige leather swivel seat. Sleek and modern metal frame. The stools sit atop a circular base with two circular rungs. One ring f...
Stainless Steel
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