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.
Modernist 2-door cabinet designed by Edmond Spence /Sweden
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Birdseye maple cabinet with brass inset handles. Designed by Edmond J. Spence.Classic modernist design.. Great size..Left side interior ,3 drawers,, right side shelves. Hand...
Brass
Cabinet Designed by Edmond J. Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Dallas, TX
A maple cabinet with brass inset handles. Designed by Edmond J. Spence.
Birdseye Maple
Edmond J. Spence Mid-Century 4-Drawer Wooden Cabinet, Circa 1955
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American 4-drawer rectangular wooden cabinet's first drawer is divided into five compartments. Each drawer is neatly aligned with an inward bevel, standing on four tapere...
Wood
Edmond Spence Blonde Birch Swedish Cabinet Dresser Chest Drawers MINT!
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Edmond Spence Blonde Birch Swedish Cabinet Dresser Chest Drawers MINT! Hidden set of fitted drawers inside of inlayed front doors and brass hardware.
Birch
Swedish Mid Century Modern Walnut Dresser by Edmond J. Spence, c1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Elevate your living space with a touch of timeless elegance courtesy of this exquisite Swedish Mid Century Modern Walnut Dresser by renowned designer Edmond J. Spence, dating back to...
Walnut
Mid-Century Swedish Modern Edmond Spence Brutalust 8-Drawer Dresser
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Make a bold statement with this rare circa 1960s Mid-Century Modern Brutalist 8-drawer dresser, designed by Edmond J. Spence and made in Sweden. The dramatic sculpted drawer fronts c...
Wood, Walnut
$5,181Sale Price|26% Off
H 35.04 in W 35.04 in D 18.12 in
Biedermeier Half Cabinet, Cherrywood, Neoclassical Design, Circa 1820
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This Biedermeier half cabinet dates from around 1820 and is made of solid cherrywood. The piece follows a restrained neoclassical design with clear lines, balanced proportions and an...
Spruce, Cherry
Architectural walnut dresser by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Atlanta, GA
A long dresser in walnut designed by Edmond J. Spence and made in Sweden. It features a slightly curved front and three stacks of twelves drawers in total supported by brass-capped f...
Brass
$2,240Sale Price|67% Off
H 72 in W 72 in D 19.5 in
Mid Century Edmond J Spence Swedish Glass Hutch Credenza
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Esperance, NY
This exquisite piece of furniture is entirely original and was acquired directly from the original owner. The photographs truly do not capture its full beauty. The wood is remarkable...
Glass
Modernist Four Door Cabinet by Oswaldo Borsani
By Osvaldo Borsani
Located in New York, NY
Modernist four-door cabinet by Oswaldo Borsani with ceramic pulls by Frederico Quatrini. Mahogany with brass accents and ceramic pulls. Each ceramic pu...
Brass
$1,800
H 25 in W 43 in D 15 in
Edmond Spence Blonde Wood Swedish Modern Hanging Bookcase w/ Glass Sliding doors
By Edmond J. Spence, Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Swedish modern bookcase with glass sliding doors.
Birch
$1,935Sale Price|49% Off
H 31.5 in W 72 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Dresser Attributed to Edmond J. Spence in Birch Wood
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Trenton, NJ
Elegance, craftsmanship, and Scandinavian modernism come together in this striking Edmond Spence attributed bedroom dresser. Designed with both form and function in mind, this Swedis...
Wood, Birch
Edmond Spence Eight-Drawer Bedroom Dresser
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish Scandinavian Modern dresser by Edmond J. Spence features spacious side-by-side storage including drawer and shelf space. Quality vintage construction and unique mid-cent...
Wood
Edmond J Spence, Swedish Modern, Maple, Rare Wave Dresser, 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Stamford, CT
Edmund J Spence, Swedish Mid-Century Modern, Burled Maple, Rare "Wave" Dresser, 1950s Swedish modern double dresser or sideboard designed by Edmond J. Spence and produced in Sweden ...
Maple
Edmond J. Spence, Dresser, Birch, Sweden, 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in High Point, NC
A birch dresser designed and produced by American designer Edmond J. Spence and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 32.25"H x 71.75"W x 20.0"D All items ship...
Birch
Sold
H 33 in W 53 in D 20 in
Mid Century Cabinet Designed by Edmond J. Spence for Industria Mueblera, c1950s
By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Immerse yourself in the rich history and craftsmanship of the mid-century era with this stunning cabinet, designed by the iconic Edmond J. Spence and manufactured by Industria Mueble...
Iron
Edmund Spence Low Cabinet
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 1970s, this piece has heavy wear on it but still reads wonderfully
Wood
Sold
H 48.5 in W 48 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Highboy by Edmond J. Spence for Industria Mueblera of Mexico
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Next on the list is another piece designed by Edmond J. Spence for Industria Mueblera S.A. of Mexico c1950s. This exemplary highboy features bronze hardware with recessed details and...
Mahogany
Sold
H 33.5 in W 72 in D 17.75 in
Edmond Spence MId-Century Modern Classic Sideboard Cabinet Walnut Inlaid Details
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A stunning vintage sideboard, featuring a warm rubbed satin finish on book-matched walnut graining, slender aluminum handles and inlaid alum...
Brass
Walnut and Brass Credenza Designed by Edmund Spence, circa 1955
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Stamford, CT
A walnut cabinet having two compartments with applied patinated brass decoration. Stamped "Made in Mexico" along with "Industria Mueblera. S.A. of Mexico, Ageless Furniture, Edmond J...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Credenza
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a beautiful vintage midcentury credenza designed by American designer Edmond J. Spence. Has ample storage space with four dove...
Birch
Sold
H 50.5 in W 52.25 in D 15.25 in
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Ebonized Bookcase on Hairpin Legs, Newly Refinished
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional midcentury Swedish Modern ebonized glass front bookcase cabinet on hairpin legs By Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Newly ebonized birch case, with glass doors and...
Steel
Sold
H 24 in W 21 in D 18 in
Edmond Spence Wave Front Two-Drawer Nightstands or Side Tables, Sweden 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
Known for his innovative designs these wave front nightstands are no exception. The distinctive design is also very functional with two ample sized drawers.
Birch
Edmund Spence Cabinet
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Edmund Spence Cabinet. Sculpted mahogany and brass front detail. This piece has been professionally restored.
Brass
Edmund Spence Bird's Eye Maple Cabinets, Sweden, circa 1960
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Miami, FL
Offered for sale is a pair of bird's eye maple cabinets by Swedish cabinet maker Edmund Spence. Each cabinet has two doors with the distinctive S...
Birdseye Maple
Edmond J. Spence Walnut Fleur-de-Lis Credenza and Hutch, circa 1960
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American designer Edmond J. Spence created a series of Swedish-inspired furniture as part of his works which were manufactured in the Scandinavian country and then imported by Walpole Furniture of Massachusetts. This piece is an example of that collection and at the back of the hutch there is a red manufacturer's stamp stating 'Made in Sweden'. Spence acquired a wide range of impressive clients, plus, millions of Americans witnessed his work incorporated on the set of I Love Lucy for many years. Fabricated from solid walnut which displays a beautiful grain, the piece is accented by cutaway fleur-de-lis details and recessed circular drawer pulls. The sideboard is raised on a floating base with four doors that conceal three light birchwood pull outs either side. Above these doors are four slim drawers with the recessed pulls. The drawer second from the right contains four storage sections for silverware with a contrast teal felt lining. These partitions are also removable. The hutch has a middle shelving unit which is flanked by two doors that open to reveal additional shelving on both sides. All the doors have concealed hardware mechanisms that allow them to securely snap shut in to place and maintain the flush, sleek appearance of the piece. The hutch sits on top the credenza and has rubber pads underneath for easy maneuver allowing it to stand secure and stopping it from slipping. This stunning Edmund Spence credenza...
Walnut
Edmund Spence Rosewood Chest or Dresser
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A rare Edmund Spence rosewood six-drawer dresser or chest with great book matched graining and applique rosewood diamond details to the front. The chest floats on the lower stretcher...