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
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
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
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
$1,600
H 17.5 in Dm 12 in
Midcentury Postmodern Clear Glass Block End Table or Side Table after Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A very cool architectural design from the 1980s. It features heavy solid glass block construction with thick clear glass top.
Glass
$595
H 24 in W 24 in D 18 in
Mid Century Side Table with Pull Out Side Table Drawers after Edmund Spence
By Edmond J. Spence, Paul McCobb
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
$7,800 / set
H 24 in W 24 in D 18 in
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
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
$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
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
$1,420
H 23 in W 22.75 in D 30.25 in
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
Arne Vodder Rosewood Nightstands
By Arne Vodder
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of classic nightstands by Arne Vodder, manufactured by Sibast, Denmark ca' 1960's. Featuring raised edges, rosewood veneer/solid construction, pull out drawer in floating desi...
Rosewood
Archibald Nightstand (Single)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These are the nightstand version of our Archibald case series. Crafted from 100% solid hardwoods ranging from Black or Claro Walnut, White Oak, Cherry, or Maple. Finished in a high q...
Leather, Wood, Ash, Maple, Oak, Walnut
$1,195 / set
H 14.5 in W 19 in D 19 in
2 Pairs of Mid-Century Modern Stone Top Walnut Side End Tables, c1965
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Mid-Century Modern Stone top end side tables. Black walnut with a composite stone insert. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. 2 pairs available. Sold a...
Stone
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
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
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
Pair Edmond Spence Walnut Nightstands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Here is an exceptional pair of mid-century Swedish Modern sculpted walnut nightstands by Edmonds Spence circa 1950s. These nightstands are equipped with sculptured door to open to storage with one shelf...
Walnut
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
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
Midcentury Pair of Edmond Spence Checkerboard Side Cabinet Nightstands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Beautiful pair of Edmond Spence checkerboard nightstands. Great wood tones with very detailed brass hardware great patina. Made in Sweden - Eac...
Brass
Sold
H 23 in W 26.5 in D 17 in
1950s Edmond Spence Curved Walnut and Birch Nightstands for William Hinn, Pair
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
These two stunning nightstands are a rare find. They were designed by the American designer Edmond J. Spence and manufactured by William Hinn in the 1950s. The nightstands were impor...
Birch, Walnut
Edmond Spence Wave Front Nightstands, Stamped, circa 1950
By Edmond J. Spence, Walpole Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
As part of his works American designer, Edmond J. Spence, often misspelled Edmund, created a series of Swedish-inspired furniture that was manufactured in Sweden and imported by Walp...
Walnut
Pair of Edmund Spence Wavy Front Nightstands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Dallas, TX
Refinished beautiful pair of Edmund Spence nightstands in birch. Two drawers each.
Wood
Pair of William Hinn Walnut and Birch Night Stands
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Stamford, CT
An attractive pair of Swedish walnut and birch nightstands.
Walnut