Edmond J. Spence Buffets

1911-1986

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.

Creator: Edmond J. Spence

Rare Mid-Century Modern Edmond J Spence Checkerboard Sideboard Chest of Drawers

$6,579Sale Price|20% Off

Rare Mid-Century Modern Edmond J Spence Checkerboard Sideboard Chest of Drawers

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are is delighted to offer for sale this very rare and highly collectable Edmond J Spence Checkerboard sideboard in light walnut circa 1960's Edmond J. Spence This very interes...

Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Cabinet/Dresser in Birch Wood

$6,880Sale Price|20% Off

Mid-Century Cabinet/Dresser in Birch Wood

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in North Miami, FL

American mid-century modern rarely seen eight drawers to left and right laterals cabinet. Central push door opening with drawer and open shelves. The ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Birch

Modern Burl Buffet Sideboard

$7,245 / item

H 36 in W 84 in D 19 in

Modern Burl Buffet Sideboard

Located in Westwood, NJ

Modern burl buffet sideboard with four doors framed by a beveled edge, with interior drawers and shelves and finished in a lightly distressed rustic warm h...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Wood

18th Century Welsh Dresser

$14,900

H 74.5 in W 62 in D 17.25 in

18th Century Welsh Dresser

Located in Greenwich, CT

Fine 18th century English or welsh oak dresser, having richly molded crest over scalloped fascia, the divided shelves with plate grooves and standing on molded top over three drawers...

Category

Early 18th Century Welsh Georgian Antique Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Oak

Mid-Century Macassar Sideboard, France, 1960s

$6,251

H 36.62 in W 87.01 in D 20.48 in

Mid-Century Macassar Sideboard, France, 1960s

By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann

Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

French Art Deco sideboard, credenza, with bar cabinet. The sideboard features stunning Macassar wood grain and rich pattern. It offers ample storage, with shelves and a column of dra...

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Macassar Sideboard, France, 1960s

$5,100

H 38.59 in W 78.75 in D 20.28 in

Mid-Century Macassar Sideboard, France, 1960s

By Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann

Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

French Art Deco sideboard, credenza, with bar cabinet. The sideboard features stunning Macassar wood grain and rich pattern. It offers ample storage, with shelves. The case rests ...

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Sideboard with Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani

$4,808

H 68.12 in W 109.06 in D 19.3 in

Mid-Century Modern Italian Mahogany Sideboard with Mirror by Osvaldo Borsani

By Fratelli Turri, Osvaldo Borsani

Located in Prato, IT

Mid-Century Modern Italian mahogany sideboard with onyx top and mirror by Osvaldo Borsani for "Mobilificio Fratelli Turri", 1950s The mirro...

Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Brass

French Mid-Century Modern "Croissilon" Sideboard / Credenza Attr. to Andre Arbus

$55,000

H 31.75 in W 63.5 in D 20 in

French Mid-Century Modern "Croissilon" Sideboard / Credenza Attr. to Andre Arbus

By André Arbus

Located in New York, NY

A Rare and Elegant French Mid-Century Modern Neoclassical sideboard, credenza or cabinet circa 1940-1950 attributed to Andre Arbus. The sideboard is a masterpiece of form and materials. It combines modern simplicity and purity with neoclassical cross...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Rattan, Cherry

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Buffet Cabinet in Cherrywood

$5,950

H 40.5 in W 57.25 in D 21 in

Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Buffet Cabinet in Cherrywood

Located in INTERLAKEN, NY

A beautiful 18th century French buffet/ sideboard in cherry wood with rounded bevel-edged, rectangular top resting on a base with two drawers over two cabinet doors. This graceful bu...

Category

Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Antique Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Steel

Edmond Spence Highboy "Checkerboard" Dresser

$3,000

H 48.25 in W 41 in D 20 in

Edmond Spence Highboy "Checkerboard" Dresser

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This Edmond Spence designed midcentury dresser features stunning marquetry combined with carefully sculpted "Checkerboard" front. Four lower drawers offer spacious storage while top ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Walnut & Slate Sideboard in the Style of Phillip Lloyd Powell

$7,000

H 32.25 in W 96 in D 18.5 in

Mid-Century Walnut & Slate Sideboard in the Style of Phillip Lloyd Powell

By Phillip Lloyd Powell, Paul Evans, George Nakashima

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This beautiful sideboard features a striking slate top, unique Brutalist style cabinet doors and a variety of storage space contained within. C...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Slate

Mid Century Modern Rosewood Sideboard Buffet, Large Credenza by Dakota Jackson

$6,580

H 35 in W 82 in D 25.63 in

Mid Century Modern Rosewood Sideboard Buffet, Large Credenza by Dakota Jackson

By Dakota Jackson

Located in Miami, FL

Stunning mid-century modern buffet, credenza, or sideboard is designed by Dakota Jackson. Excellent craftsmanship that exemplifies the best of American modern design with hints of ...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Modern Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Rosewood, Sycamore

Modern Geometric Sideboard

$5,212 / item

H 33 in W 74 in D 20 in

Modern Geometric Sideboard

Located in Westwood, NJ

A modern geometric sideboard. This front has a unique applique design with patterns of octagons running down the center. It has two doors an...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Modern Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Wood

Pair of Carved Cabinets in Solid Oak, Spain, 1950s

$5,600 / set

H 35.04 in W 31.5 in D 14.97 in

Pair of Carved Cabinets in Solid Oak, Spain, 1950s

Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

Pair of Carved Cabinets in Patinated Oak, Spain, 1950s Evoking the vernacular architecture of Northern Spain A fortified silhouette meets folkloric precision in this rare pair of mi...

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Oak

Previously Available Items

Mahogany Sideboard / Buffet Edmond Spence Industria Mueblera S. A., circa 1950s

Sold

H 31 in W 60 in D 20 in

Mahogany Sideboard / Buffet Edmond Spence Industria Mueblera S. A., circa 1950s

By Industria Mueblera Mexico, Edmond J. Spence

Located in Camden, ME

Edmund Spence sideboard / buffet manufactured by Industria Mueblera S. A. Mexico in the 1950s.

Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Seagrass, Mahogany

Edmond Spence Buffet

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H 72 in W 80 in D 20 in

Edmond Spence Buffet

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in San Francisco, CA

Impressive Edmond Spence design buffet incorporating machine age and Mexican motif. Solid mahogany with fitted interiors, completely refinished. Price reduced from $14,500.00 to net ...

Category

1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Mahogany

Edmond J. Spence "Continental-American Collection" Cabinet

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H 31 in W 60 in D 20 in

Edmond J. Spence "Continental-American Collection" Cabinet

By Industria Mueblera Mexico, Edmond J. Spence

Located in Palm Springs, CA

A truly rare cabinet / buffet by Edmond J. Spence for Industria Mueblera with a pair of bi-fold doors concealing four drawers on the left and a single shelf on the right. The cabinet...

Category

20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Buffets

Materials

Mahogany

Edmond J. Spence buffets for sale on 1stDibs.

Edmond J. Spence buffets are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Edmond J. Spence buffets, although orange editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original buffets by Edmond J. Spence were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the mid-20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider buffets by Dunbar, Lane Furniture, and American of Martinsville. Prices for Edmond J. Spence buffets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $6,800 and can go as high as $9,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $7,772.