Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

1911-1986

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.

Creator: Edmond J. Spence

Edmond Spence Blonde Wood Swedish Modern Hanging Bookcase w/ Glass Sliding doors

$1,800

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.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Birch

Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage

$647Sale Price|20% Off

H 40.16 in W 60.24 in D 10.63 in

Mid-Century Modern Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Cabinet Robert Heritage

By Robert Heritage

Located in Leicester, GB

We can ship directly to you - please contact us with your country & postcode for an accurate delivery price. Shipping to the US £450 in a custom made crate A beautiful long slim gla...

Category

1960s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Hardwood

Grand Scale Mahogany Custom Bookcase with Leaded Glass Sliding Doors

$3,450

H 96.5 in W 80 in D 17 in

Grand Scale Mahogany Custom Bookcase with Leaded Glass Sliding Doors

Located in Milford, NH

A fine large two-door bookcase with sliding leaded glass doors and adjustable shelves, originally a built-in floor to ceiling piece, with a cut-in on the left side, built around heat...

Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

Mid-Century Modern Freestanding Bookshelf with Cabinet

$1,500

H 72 in W 28.5 in D 17 in

Mid-Century Modern Freestanding Bookshelf with Cabinet

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This vintage freestanding unit makes a wonderful addition to any home or office. Dual cabinets, including a lower record cabinet, make this ideal for...

Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Walnut

1970s Sculptural Rattan & Glass Etagere

$1,560Sale Price|20% Off

H 75 in W 32 in D 18 in

1970s Sculptural Rattan & Glass Etagere

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

1970s sculptural rattan & glass etagere The case with continuous book-matched rattan The upper section measures 24.5" W x 43" H, fitted with two 2...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Rattan, Glass

19th Century Regency Mahogany Lawyers Bookcase Wall Cabinet Biotech, 1811-1819

$33,600Sale Price|30% Off

H 81 in W 69.5 in D 17 in

19th Century Regency Mahogany Lawyers Bookcase Wall Cabinet Biotech, 1811-1819

Located in West Hollywood, CA

19th Century Regency Mahogany Lawyers Bookcase Wall Cabinet Biotech, 1811-1819 . Rare early 19th century Regency graduated lawyer’s bookcase cabinet . Tapered scale 13" depth to 17" at the base, which gives it a lot of charm and takes away the heavy look of some other bookcases. All the original hardware still intact in lions head knobs with a ring This antique library bookcase has the original glass with one cracked that we never replace . Each shelf opens upward. 4 Regular size and the shelf on top of the Two lower drawers is for larger items to be exhibited and stored away. Perfect for a library, lawyers office...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Mahogany, Wood

André Sornay Rare Bookcase with Sliding-Doors

$19,700

H 79.53 in W 93.12 in D 13.78 in

André Sornay Rare Bookcase with Sliding-Doors

By Andre Sornay

Located in Waalwijk, NL

André Sornay, library bookcase, mahogany, lacquered wood, France, 1950s/1960s This rare bookcase is exemplary of his later work and showcases his innovative use of the patented tige...

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Mahogany

Edmond J. Spence, Dresser, Birch, Sweden, 1950s

$11,750

H 32.25 in W 71.75 in D 20 in

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...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Birch

Italian Modern Glass and Aluminum Wall Mounted Shelf

$1,600 / item

H 2.96 in W 78.75 in D 11.23 in

Italian Modern Glass and Aluminum Wall Mounted Shelf

By Rimadesio, Giuseppe Bavuso

Located in Boston, MA

The Eos Shelf, designed by Giuseppe Bavuso, is an innovative wall shelving system. With a thickness of only 8 mm, the Eos design combines a lacquered glass top with a lacquered alumi...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Aluminum

Edmond J Spence, Swedish Modern, Maple, Rare Wave Dresser, 1950s

$13,000

H 31.5 in W 66 in D 20.25 in

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 ...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Maple

Globe Wernicke Steel Metal Glass Sliding Door 3 Section Stacking Bookcase

$650

H 50.5 in W 33 in D 13 in

Globe Wernicke Steel Metal Glass Sliding Door 3 Section Stacking Bookcase

By Globe Wernicke

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Globe Wernicke Steel Metal Glass Sliding Door 3 Section Stacking Bookcase. Ci...

Category

Late 20th Century Other Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Steel

T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Widdicomb Walnut Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Mid Century

$2,950

H 31 in W 48.75 in D 14 in

T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Widdicomb Walnut Sliding Glass Door Bookcase Mid Century

By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings

Located in Forest Grove, PA

A Mid Century walnut bookcase with sliding glass doors designed by T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings for Widdicomb. Fully marked on the bottom and produced in September of 1951.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Vintage Teakwood Low Bookcase / Display Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors

$1,950

H 40 in W 85 in D 19 in

Vintage Teakwood Low Bookcase / Display Cabinet with Sliding Glass Doors

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage teakwood low bookcase / display cabinet with sliding glass doors This vintage teak bookcase or display cabinet was handmade i...

Category

Late 20th Century American British Colonial Edmond J. Spence Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Teak

Edmond J. Spence wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Edmond J. Spence wall decorations are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Edmond J. Spence wall decorations, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original wall decorations by Edmond J. Spence were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider wall decorations by Paul Evans, George Nelson, and Charles Hollis Jones. Prices for Edmond J. Spence wall decorations can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,800 and can go as high as $1,800, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,800.