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.
Edmond J. Spence Credenza Breakfront
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
Chic and elegant credenza designed by Edmond J. Spence. This example is in very good original condition, clean and ready to use. Top is movable and removable, however there is a shad...
Walnut
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...
Walnut
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 ...
Birch
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...
Wood
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...
Oak
$4,656
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...
Brass
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...
Steel
$2,334Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.8 in W 50.79 in D 24.02 in
Mid 19th Century Louis Philippe Antique Buffet in Solid Walnut
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this antique Italian sideboard, crafted from solid walnut and dating back to the mid-19th century. This sideboard features typical Louis Philippe period features, with und...
Walnut
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 ...
Teak
Dunbar Credenza
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This vintage modern Dunbar credenza features a lacquered hard wood base, spacious interior cabinets, and unique metal pulls. This beautiful Mid-Century piece is...
Wood
$9,000Sale Price|40% Off
H 33 in W 81 in D 20 in
Exquisite Credenza by Edmond J. Spence made by Industria Mueblera Mexico
By Industria Mueblera Mexico, Edmond J. Spence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is an extraordinary credenza cabinet or sideboard designed by Swedish designer Edmond J. Spence. This Beautiful piece showcases Spence's exceptional talent and reflects his uniq...
Iron
Bond Burled Wood Credenza
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Timelessly Chic. Pieced, burled mappa between Lucite legs with stainless steel accents. Pieced veneer cabinet faces showcase naturally occurring patterns in the wood, and an adjustab...
Acrylic, Burl, Wood
Danish Mid-Century Teak Credenza Sideboard
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stunning vintage teak sideboard makes a stylish storage piece in a variety of settings. Quality Teak veneer, unique carved pulls, interior rosewood drawers and plenty of cabinet...
Teak
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...
Wood
English Breakfront Server/Credenza
Located in Woodbury, CT
Made for us in England by a cabinetmaker with whom we have been working for over 30 years, this quality break front server/credenza features four drawers over four raised panel doors that conceal cupboards with a bisecting single shelf. Made in mahogany with rich flame mahogany used for...
Mahogany
Edmond Spence Mid Century Maple Lowboy Dresser
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edmond Spence Mid Century Maple 6 Drawer Lowboy Dresser Dresser measures: 80 wide x 20.5 deep x 23.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage...
Maple
Sold
H 31.5 in W 74.75 in D 20 in
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Walnut Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century Swedish Modern walnut sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Edmond J. Spence Sweden, 1950s Measures: 74.75" W x 20" D x 31.5" H. Newly refinis...
Walnut
Sold
H 31.63 in W 72 in D 20 in
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Black Lacquered Sideboard Credenza, Refinished
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century Swedish Modern black lacquered birch sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Measures: 72"W x 20"D x 31.63"H. Newly ...
Birch, Lacquer
Edmond Spence Mid Century Maple 6 Drawer Lowboy Dresser
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edmond Spence Mid Century Maple 6 Drawer Lowboy Dresser Dresser measures: 80 wide x 20.5 deep x 23.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintag...
Maple
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.
Seagrass, Mahogany
Sold
H 31.5 in W 75 in D 19.75 in
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Ebonized Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, Refinished
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional midcentury Swedish Modern ebonized birch sideboard credenza or bar cabinet By Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Measures: 75"W x 19.75"D x 31.5"H. Expertly refin...
Birch
Sold
H 31.63 in W 72 in D 20 in
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Ebonized Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional midcentury Swedish Modern ebonized birch sideboard credenza or bar cabinet By Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Measures: 72" W x 20" D x 31.63" H. Newly refinis...
Birch
Sold
H 31.5 in W 45.13 in D 20 in
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Maple Sideboard Credenza, Newly Refinished
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern maple sideboard or credenza designed by Edmond Spence. The credenza features gorgeous maple wood grain and sleek Scandinavian design. It offers ampl...
Maple
Edmond Spence Wave Front Long Dresser or Credenza
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
Offering a rare and exceptional Mid-Century Modern wave front long dresser designed by Edmond Spence. The dresser features a unique wave front design and stunning birch wood grain. I...
Birch
Vintage Maple Burl Credenza by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Amazing vintage maple burl credenza designed by Edmond J. Spence. Features a total of ten drawers.
Birdseye Maple, Burl
Sold
H 32 in W 75 in D 20.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Walnut Chest with Carved Detailing, Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
This rare and stunning chest was realized by the legendary designer Edmond Spence in Sweden, circa 1950. It features a rectangular body in hand rubbed walnut with three drawers on ea...
Walnut
Edmond J. Spence Sideboard in Maple and Brass
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This 1950s Swedish maple sideboard / chest by Edmond Spence is composed of eight drawers (four on each side) divided by a centre storage section with two shelves. Each cabinet pull i...
Brass