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Jay Spectre

American, 1929-1992

From arranging window displays as a teenager to securing a preeminent position in the decorating and design sphere, Jay Spectre had an extraordinary career. He drew on a range of influences for his lounge chairs, chests of drawers and coffee tables of the 1970s and ‘80s, and is best known for these furnishings as well as his interiors of the era.

For his eponymous Manhattan firm, Spectre created modern, delectable interiors for luxury homes, private aircraft, yachts and offices — his clientele included corporations and affluent figures all over the world — and for his sophisticated furnishings and decor, he found inspiration in Art Deco as well as in Asian and African art..

Spectre’s career in design began modestly — he worked as a window dresser in his Kentucky hometown. He had big plans, however, and moved to New York City, where he would establish the Jay Spectre Inc. design firm. During interviews in the years that followed, Spectre spoke highly of Hollywood glamour and its impact on his work. He was interested in the forces of modernism and technology, and was greatly inspired by the Art Deco era, which was brought to global attention at a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925. The movement’s textile designers integrated floral motifs and vivid colors into their works, while Art Deco furniture makers were fond of dark woods, modern metals and decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides.

In 1985, in order to grant large manufacturers the rights to produce Spectre’s furniture designs, he formed a licensing firm called J.S.P.S. Inc. with South African-born interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield. This was the era that brought Spectre recognition, awards, and numerous high-profile clients that the designer called “silent celebrities” (they deeply valued their privacy).

Spectre also created furniture that was aimed at younger consumers and intended to be affordable. He introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at North Carolina’s Century Furniture — a brand that is known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors — where he created oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.

Spectre was named one of the top eight designers in America by the Smithsonian Institution for their "Giants of Design 1979" exhibition. He earned a pair of awards from the Chicago Merchandise Mart in 1982 and 1983, and was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1986.

Find vintage Jay Spectre seating, tables and decorative objects on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$5,641
Styles
Materials
Related Creators
Pair of Rare Jay Spectre Black Abstract Quilted King Pillow Shams for Century
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This rare pair of quilted black, king-size pillow shams came from Bloomingdale’s New York in the 1980s as part of the all, upholsterd, mint, green leopard bed designed entirely by le...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Jay Spectre

Materials

Fabric

Pair of Rare Jay Spectre Quilted Pillow Shams in Mint & Black/White Leopard
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This rare pair of quilted mint color with black and white leopard pattern jacquard pillow shams came from Bloomingdale’s New York in the 1980s as part of the all upholsterd, mint gre...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Jay Spectre

Materials

Fabric

1980s Vintage Wallis Simpson Lounge Chair by Jay Spectre
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Hartville, OH
Spectacular Wallis Simpson" Lounge Chair by Jay Spectre For Century Furniture. Fresh from the upholstery artisans and wrapped in a decadent Kravet cut velvet this is a stunner in pe...
Category

1980s American Chinoiserie Vintage Jay Spectre

Materials

Upholstery, Lacquer

Post Modern Jay Spectre Eclipse Lounge Chair in White Leather for Century
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Jay Spectre "Eclipse" lounge chair for Century. Aluminum, wood, leather upholstery. circa 1980s This post modern lounge chair by Jay Spectre is ultra-comfortable and very well ...
Category

1980s Post-Modern Vintage Jay Spectre

Materials

Leather

Jay Spectre Midcentury American White Suede Upholstered Ottoman with Backrest
By Jay Spectre
Located in New York, NY
Midcentury American (1970s) barrel form ottoman with low backrest, upholstered in beige suede, featuring oval shaped, beveled legs extending up the sides. (Jay Spectre).
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jay Spectre

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Suede, Fabric, Wood

4 Jay Spectre for Century Eclipse Leather & Chrome Modern Dining Chairs MCM
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful set "Eclipse" dining chairs by Jay Spectre for century Chair Company of North Carolina, circa 1980s. Each chair is crafted from stainless steel in a sculptural form with ...
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jay Spectre

Materials

Stainless Steel

Jay Spectre Midcentury Joan Crawford Lips Coffee Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in Countryside, IL
Jay Spectre midcentury Joan Crawford lips coffee table This coffee table measures: 42 wide x 19 deep x 16 inches high All pieces of furniture ...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jay Spectre

Materials

Wood

Jay Spectre Gilt Wall Mirror
By Jay Spectre
Located in New York City, NY
1980's Jay Spectre designed Art-deco style gilt wall mirror, in vintage original condition with some wear and patina due to age and use.
Category

1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jay Spectre

Materials

Giltwood

  • Jay Spectre Gilt Wall Mirror
  • Jay Spectre Gilt Wall Mirror
  • Jay Spectre Gilt Wall Mirror
  • Jay Spectre Gilt Wall Mirror
H 46.25 in. W 36.25 in. D 2.25 in.
Browse all Furniture from Jay Spectre
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Jay Spectre furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Jay Spectre furniture 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 Jay Spectre furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Jay Spectre were created in the modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Steve Chase, Preview, and Richard Schultz. Prices for Jay Spectre furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at £601 and can go as high as £22,432, while a piece like these, on average, fetch £4,044.

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