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.
Pair Swedish Walnut Birch Int Block Front Door End Side Tables Night Stands Mint
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair Swedish walnut birch int block front door end side tables night stands mint. Danish Scandinavian design.
Walnut, Birch
1950s Edmond J Spence Cedar Side Table from Mexico
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Edmond J Spence Cedar Nightstand from Mexico tall tapered legs Two pull out drawers, lovely pull handles. Cedar Wood. Maker stamped. 21.75 w x...
Cedar
Edmond J. Spence Large Square Two Drawer Cabinet End Table Nightstand Stand
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern end side table with two drawers and solid brass pulls.
Walnut
Pair of Honey Amber Lacquer Edmond Spence Two Drawer Nightstands End Tables
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Swedish Mid-Century Modern honey amber tone two drawers night stands end tables by Edmond Spence.
Birch
$1,136Sale Price|52% Off
Mid Century Modern End Table by Edmond J. Spence for Industria Mueblera, c1950s
By Industria Mueblera Mexico, Edmond J. Spence
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Embrace the timeless elegance of mid-century design with this exquisite vintage end table, doubling as a nightstand, crafted by the notable Edmond J. Spence for Industria Mueblera in...
Mahogany
$4,520Sale Price|20% Off
Wonderful Edmond J Spence Walnut Oval Dining Table Mid-Century Modern
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Edmond J Spence walnut bevelled edge racetrack dining table made in Sweden. This table is very well crafted and of high quality. We love the thick bevelled edge al...
Brass
Edmond J. Spence Single Drawer Walnut End Tables
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
Rare pair of 1960's Mid-Century Modern walnut single drawer end tables by Edmond J. Spence, newly restored with minor wear and patina due to age and use.
Brass
Edmond J. Spence, Coffee Table, Birch, Brass, Sweden, 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in High Point, NC
A birch and brass coffee or cocktail table designed by Edmond J. Spence and produced by Walpole, Sweden, c. 1950s.
Brass
Edmond J Spence Swedish Extension Dining Table
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Esperance, NY
Mid Century Edmond J Spence Swedish Extension Dining Table The table has two leaves and each leaf measure 14” in For sale is this absolutely gorgeous mid century table that’s all o...
Wood
Single Edmond J. Spence Wave Nightstand
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single nightstand by Edmond Spence, c.1950s, Sweden. The walnut nightstand features two drawers with a unique sculpted wave front design. The stand rests on four splayed legs. Dimen...
Walnut
Rare Edmond J. Spence Checker Pattern Dining Table
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Swedish modern dining table by Edmond Spence. Two 2 x 24" extension leaves.
Birch
Edmond Spence Dining Table with Two Leaves
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice Mid-Century Modern dining table with 2 x 18" leaves by Edmund Spence.
Swedish Blond Birch Dining Table w/ Two Extension Boards Leafs
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century modern blond birch dining table with two 14" long leaves.
Birch
$5,995
H 24.5 in W 22.25 in D 18 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Sculpted Walnut Nightstands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Wilmington, DE
Pair of Mid-Century Danish Modern Edmond J. Spence Nightstands Offered is a pair of mid-century nightstands with sleek lines designed by Edmond J. Spence. Made from Walnut, these ...
Birch
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Extending Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid Century Modern-style walnut extending dining table with tapered legs. The tabletop is finished in rich walnut with mitered edges in Dark Chocolate. It features self-storing lea...
Wood
Hans Wegner Large Scale Oak End Tables or Night Stands
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of large scale Danish Modern oak end tables, designed by Hans Wegner for Andreus Tuck, Denmark, circa 1950s. These tables are currently being...
Metal
Drexel, Side Tables, Walnut, USA, 1950s
By Drexel
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut side tables designed and produced by Drexel, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to wood consistent with age and use Overall Dimensions (inches): 19.0"H x 16.0"W x 16.0"D All ite...
Wood, Walnut
Pair of Baker Neoclassical End Tables or Nightstands
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant pair of Neoclassical end tables or night stands, by Baker, American, circa 1980s. Like all Baker furniture, they are extremely well made wi...
Wood
Lacquered Horn Nightstand or End Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
*The one seen on the right has been sold. Lacquered horn nightstand or end table, American, circa 1980s. It is constructed of lacquered horn with bea...
Wood, Horn
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Milo Baughman Style Burl Walnut Parson Side End Table
By Milo Baughman
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Mid-century modernist burl wood Parsons side/end table in the style of Milo Baughman. The table features a squared-off look with a beautiful deep walnut burl wood veneer. We love usi...
Burl
Danish Modern Mid Century Dining Table Large Oval
Located in Atlanta, GA
Danish Modern Mid Century Dining Table, Denmark, circa 1960s. It expands from 71" length to an impressive 107.25"W with both of its 18" leaves installed. Perfect for entertaining!
Wood, Teak
$595
H 24 in W 24 in D 18 in
Mid Century Side Table with Pull Out Side Table Drawers after Edmund Spence
By Paul McCobb, Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
Unusual Mid Century side table cabinet, having three " drawers" the top being an actual drawer, the lower two are small folding side tables. The case is in good, overall condition, f...
Wood
$7,079Sale Price / set|50% Off
H 22.84 in W 23.63 in D 15.75 in
Pair of Michel Pigneres Black Lacquered Brass Nightstands Tables 1970s
By Michel Pigneres
Located in Paris, IDF
This rare pair of French midcentury single drawer black lacquered nightstands or end tables would be stunning in any room. Designed by Michel Pignères in France in the late 1970s, th...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern End Table by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful vintage modern end table was designed by John Stuart. Sleek design has a round top with wood grain running in different directions. The unique ebonized frame features ...
Wood
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Lane Rhythm Mid Century Square Walnut Side End Table This side table measures: 23.5 wide x 23.5 deep x 20.25 inches high Restored - Mint Condit...
Walnut
Single Edmond J. Spence Wave Nightstand
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single nightstand by Edmond Spence, c.1950s, Sweden. The walnut nightstand features two drawers with a unique sculpted wave front design. The stand rests on four splayed legs. Dimen...
Walnut
Edmond Spence Walnut Dining Table
By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico
Located in Cambridge, US
Mexico, ca. 1950s. A scarce Model 57 C dining table by Edmond Spence for Industria Mueblera. Features walnut construction with nicely grained rectangular top supported by angular tap...
Brass
Sold
H 24.5 in W 21 in D 16 in
Edmond Spence Checkerboard Nightstands or End Tables, c 1950 Sweden, Refinished
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
American designer Edmond J. Spence created a series of Swedish-inspired furniture that was manufactured in Sweden and imported by Walpole Furniture of Massachusetts in the 1950s. Th...
Walnut
Modernist Woven Leather / Rosewood Table , Ottoman by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Buffalo, NY
Beautiful midcentury table / ottoman designed by Edmond Spence features a woven leather top with a rosewood base. Nice original condition,, age appropriate wear..(see photos) Hand de...
Leather, Rosewood
Pair of Edmond J. Spence Wave Nightstands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of nightstands by Edmond Spence, c.1950s, Sweden. The maple nightstands feature two drawers with a unique sculpted wave front design. The stands rest on four splayed legs. Dime...
Maple
Sold
H 29.75 in W 32 in D 42.5 in
Mid Century Swedish Extendable Oval Dining Table by Edmond J. Spence c 1950's
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Mid Century oval dining table with vibrant walnut veneer top, including a crotch burl veneer center panel. The table featu...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.5 in W 41.75 in D 62 in
Mid-Century Dining Table by Edmond J. Spence for Industria Mueblera of Mexico
By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Experience a glimpse of history while dining with this stunning mid-century mahogany dining table designed by the renowned designer Edmond J. Spence and manufactured by Industria Mue...
Mahogany
Sold
H 29.5 in W 60 in D 40 in
Mexican Modernist Edmond Spence Walnut Dining Table for Industria Mueblera
By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico
Located in San Antonio, TX
Mid-Century Modern Edmond Spence for Industria Mueblera walnut extension dining table, model 57, Mexico, circa 1950s. Fully restored. Features include enameled steel leg brackets, bras leg caps, and two leaves that fit neatly atop the drawers on either end of the dining table and extend from 60" to 90" L. 40" w x 29.50"h. This table is shown with Edmond Spence dining chairs, which are also available separately. "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...
Walnut
Pair of Edmond Spence "Checkerboard" Nightstands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish pair of "Checkerboard" nightstands features the iconic design of mid-century Swedish designer Edmond J. Spence. The unique vintage pair features an interior shelf space ...
Walnut
Edmond Spence Midcentury Burlwood Nightstands, Pair
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edmond Spence midcentury burlwood nightstands - pair. Each nightstand measures: 22 wide x 20.25 deep x 21.5 inches high. All pieces of furni...
Burl
Edmond Spence Midcentury Swedish Walnut Nightstands, Pair
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edmond Spence midcentury Swedish walnut Nightstands - pair Each nightstand measures: 21 wide x 15.75 deep x 24 inches high All pieces of furniture...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.5 in W 60 in D 40 in
Stunning Mahogany / Inlay Birch Dining Table, Designed by Edmond Spence, Sweden
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Mahogany / inlay birch dining table designed by Edmond Spence, made in Sweden. Nice original finish and patina, very minor blemishes, Table retains two original 15" leaves f...
Birch, Mahogany