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
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
Mid Century Modern End Table by Edmond J. Spence for Industria Mueblera, c1950s
By Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera Mexico
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
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
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
$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
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
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
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
Midcentury Walnut End Tables
Located in Denton, TX
California Modern solid walnut beveled top side tables in the style of John Keal.
Walnut
Alvar Aalto End Tables or Night Stands
By Alvar Aalto
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Alvar Aalto end tables, for Artek, Finland, circa 1980s. They retain their warm original patina. They are a versatile size and can be used as end or side tables, or as night ...
Wood, Birch
Brutalist Two Door Cabinet End Side Table by Heritage
By Heritage Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Well crafted two door cabinet, having a sculpted wood front with decorative metal pulls. The cabinet is in very good original condition, showing only light cosmetic wear, normal and ...
Metal
$1,595
H 20 in W 22 in D 27.5 in
1963 MCM Lane Rhythm Collection Walnut Single End Table with Drawer & Brass Plat
By Lane Furniture
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Lane Rhythm Collection MCM or mid-century modern walnut single end table with a drawer and brass plated pull. Lovely condition,...
Metal, Brass
$3,595 / set
H 19.13 in W 24 in D 28 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Black Lacquer and Brass End Tables or Nightstands
By Directional, Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern end tables, side tables, or nightstands By Paul McCobb for Directional and produced by Calvin Furniture, "Irwin Collection" USA, 1950s ...
Brass
Lane Vintage MCM Walnut and Burl Side End Table
By Lane Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering one of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of A Vintage Lane MCM...
Brass
Mid-Century Organic Modern End Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Trenton, NJ
This stunning mid-century organic modern side table embodies the sophisticated design ethos of Adrian Pearsall and Jens Risom. Featuring a natural travertine top with soft veining, i...
Stone
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
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
Pr. Night Tables Made in Sweden Designed by Edmond Spence Ca. 1950’s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sophisticated pair of nightstands, circa 1950’s made in Sweden, designed by Edmond Spence. Executed in stunning Macassar veneer, with a carved wood centerpiece...
Wood
Pair of Midcentury Edmund Spence Nightstands End Tables
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in San Diego, CA
Pair of two drawer nightstands or end tables by Edmond Spence. Beautiful figured maple. Solid wood construction. Finished backs.Original finish. Sweden, 1950s. Edmond J. Spence (1911-1986) was born in Montreal and followed several generations of his family that were also in the furniture business. Spence, an architectural designer and production engineer, was based in New York in the 1940s. His first company was Spence-Rigolo Inc. It was later changed to Edmond J Spence Co when his future wife, Jean Watt Spence (1918-2010), bought architect Arthur Rigolo’s stake in the company. Jean was Vice President as well as a designer and color consultant. The company designed for a wide range of major furniture makers. In the early 1950s, it was noted that Edmond was a champion on the ‘New Modern’ and hardly a store did not feature a Spence...
Maple
Sold
H 24 in W 22 in D 18 in
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Black Lacquered Birch Nightstands, Newly Refinished
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of mid-century Swedish Modern black lacquered birch nightstands Designed by Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Measures: 22"W x ...
Birch, Lacquer
Pair of Maple Side Tables Designed by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Stamford, CT
A pair of mid-century cabinets marked Sweden 14. Finished on all four sides, Circa 1955. Edmond Spence was an American designer who was heavily influenced by the Danish modern furnit...
Maple
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Birch Nightstands, Newly Restored
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of mid-century Swedish Modern birch nightstands Designed by Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Measures: 24.63"W x 18"D x 24.25"...
Birch
Edmund Spence Designed Walnut End tables or Nightstands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Asbury Park, NJ
Great pair of Edmund Spence walnut end tables. Table rest on the signature Spence leg design. Tables are in very nice vintage condition with just a few nicks on the legs. I will be l...
Walnut
Pair of Edmond Spence Nightstands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of nightstands by Edmond Spence. Made in Sweden. Other items from this set are available.
Walnut
Sold
H 24 in W 22.25 in D 18.25 in
Pair of Edmond Spence Mid-Century Modern Night Tables, Made in Sweden
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of night tables by Edmond Spence. Stamped on bottom, made in Sweden factory #14. Cases are made of walnut with birch pulls in excellent vintage condition. Have been wel...
Birch, Walnut
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Birch Nightstands, Newly Restored
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of midcentury Swedish Modern birch nightstands Designed by Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Measures: 24.38" W x 18" D x 23.75...
Birch
Edmond Spence Checkerboard Nightstands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
1960s Edmond J Spence checkerboard night stands. Newly refinished in black lacquer.
Lacquer