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.
Jay Spectre Steamer Chaise for Century Furniture in Ivory White Bouclé c. 1990s
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Art Deco inspired glamour with a great silhouette from all angles, this Jay Spectre Steamer Chaise Lounge also delivers unparalleled First Class co...
Bouclé, Upholstery
Jay Spectre Postmodern Channeled Sofa
By Jay Spectre
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jay Spectre Postmodern Channeled Sofa This sofa measures: 77 wide x 39 deep x 27 inches high, with a seat height of 16 inches We take our photos in a...
Upholstery, Wood
High Style Swivel Vanity Stool by Jay Spectre c 1970/1980's
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Voguish Art Deco Revival, Hollywood Regency style swivel boudoir chair, vanity stool designed by Jay Spectre circa 1970' 1980's. The stool features four solid oak legs in pale bleach...
Fabric, Oak
Pair of "Wallis Simpson" Lounge Chairs by Jay Spectre
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of rare "Wallis Simpson" chairs from the Special Effects line by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, circa 1980's. With its clean lines and mid-century style, these armchairs com...
Upholstery, Wood
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Mid Century Eclipse Lounge Chair - Pair
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Mid Century Eclipse Lounge Chair - Pair Each lounge chair measures: 26 wide x 34 deep x 33.5 high, with a seat height of 24.25 and arm height/chair...
Chrome
Set of Six Stainless Steel and Green Fabric Dining Chairs by Jay Spectre
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A spectacular set of six ‘Eclipse’ dining chairs designed by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture in the 1980s. The set consists of two armchairs and four armless chairs. The chairs are...
Stainless Steel
$14,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
Eight Rare Jay Spectre Black Lacquer Dining Chairs
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
These dining chairs represent the Jay Spectre interpretation of a Classic Louis XVI form. More often found with limed white oak frames, the black lacqu...
Wood, Upholstery
Jay Spectre Steamer Chaise Lounge, Silver Upholstery, 1980s Art Deco
By Jay Spectre
Located in St. Louis, MO
Jay Spectre (1929-1992) for Century Furniture, circa 1980s "Steamer" chaise lounge in original silver tone upholstery. Spectre's work was very influenced by Art Deco designs of the 1...
Upholstery
$16,750 / set
Pair Jay Spectre "Wallis Simpson" Armchairs
By Jay Spectre
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of rare "Wallis Simpson" chairs from the "Special Effects" line by Jay Spectre. With its clean lines and mid-century style, these armchairs complem...
Upholstery, Wood
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture "Art Deco" Influenced Eclipse Lounge Chairs
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in St. Louis, MO
A beautiful pair of 1980s "Eclipse" club or lounge chairs by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Co. of North Carolina. These chairs have sculptural Cerused Oak frames with tubular chr...
Chrome
Pair of Black Leather Jay Spectre Tycoon Lounge Chairs
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Influenced by the classic Art Deco style, rarely seen or offered are the Tycoon chairs designed by one of the world's premier interior designer Jay Spectre. The Jay Spectre Collectio...
Leather
Post Modern Eclipse Lounge Chair by Jay Specter for Century Furniture c 1970/80s
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Voguish Hollywood Regency, Art Deco Revival, Post Modern lounge chair designed by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, circa 1970/1980's. The chair features a dramatic continuous arm ...
Chrome
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Brown Leather White Bentwood "Eclipse" Bench
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Dayton, OH
This striking piece is an iconic "Eclipse" bench, designed by the acclaimed American interior designer Jay Spectre for Century Furniture in the 1980s. The design beautifully blends ...
Leather, Hardwood
$1,470Sale Price|30% Off
4 Mid Century Modern Jay Spectre Century Leather Game Lounge Arm Dining Chairs
By Jay Spectre
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of four mid century modern Jay Spectre for Century Furniture game or office chairs featuring sloped arm and beige / tan leather. Provenance : Jerome Schottenstein Estate, Colum...
Leather
$7,000Sale Price / set|30% Off
Jay Spectre Century Eclipse Salmon Pink Post Modern Chrome Club Lounge Arm Chair
By Jay Spectre
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful pair of two "Eclipse" club / library / lounge chairs by Jay Spectre for Century Chair Company of North Carolina, circa 1980s. The chairs feature sculptural form, made fro...
Chrome
off White Leather and Chrome Lounge Chair by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1980’s off white leather, chrome and whitewash oak ‘eclipse’ lounge chair by Jay Spectre. In original condition shows minor wear consistent with age. The leather has been professio...
Chrome
Jay Spectre Midcentury American White Suede Upholstered Ottoman with Backrest
By Jay Spectre
Located in Queens, 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).
Leather, Upholstery, Suede, Fabric, Wood
$24,000 / set
Pair Jay Spectre Lounge Chairs
By Jay Spectre
Located in New York, NY
Pair Jay Spectre lounge chairs. The chairs are upholstered in a faux curly lamb fur. Also has black lacquered feet.
Faux Fur, Wood
Jay Spectre Eclipse Chair by Century
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Highland, IN
Designed by Jay Spectre for Century, the "Eclipse" lounge chair is a post-modern take on Deco design. Crafted of oak with a black lacquer finish, it features a terrific build quality...
Chrome
$12,500
Jay Spectre "Eclipse" Bench
By Jay Spectre
Located in Dallas, TX
Classic design by Jay Spectre (American 1929-1992). The curved bench is well proportioned and beautifully built with lobed buff cushion on lacquered wood frame.
Upholstery, Wood
$2,564 / set
H 36.62 in W 18.12 in D 16.93 in
Set of Six Vintage Beech and Brass Dining Chairs with Goldenrod Fabric, Italy
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1940s - 1950s. These chairs feature a beech frame with brass and bronze details. Their frame is in very good original condition, but the upholstery is original and in...
Brass, Bronze
$3,200
H 25 in W 19.25 in D 20 in
Chrome and Olive Green Leather Swivel Vanity Stool by Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Glamorous 1970’s swivel polish chrome vanity stool, part of the “Ball Line” by American renowned designer Charles Hollis Jones. Out of an Arthur Elrod Desi...
Chrome
$3,500
H 26 in W 19.75 in D 17 in
Charles Hollis Jones Lucite and Chromed Steel Vanity Swivel Stool, c 1970s
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking 1970s Lucite vanity stool by Charles Hollis Jones, the celebrated “Mister Lucite” whose innovative designs helped define the Hollywood Regency aesthetic. This sculptural p...
Chrome
Queen Anne Style Swivel Vanity Stool By Cox Manufacturing (2 available)
By Cox Manufacturing
Located in Pasadena, TX
This ad is for a single Cox Manufacturing vanity stool. The stool swivels and has a half back. The cabriolet legs terminate into bun feet. Price is per item. 2 stools available. Re...
Mahogany
Set of Six W2 Dining Chairs by Hans Wegner
By Hans J. Wegner
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of six W2 chairs designed in 1953 by Hans Wegner for C. M. Madsen, Denmark. Solid teak wood and new upholstery with tan leather.
Leather, Teak
$1,400Sale Price|30% Off
H 36 in W 32.5 in D 78 in
Century Furniture Tufted Walnut Chaise Lounge Chair Daybed Fainting Couch 78"
By Century Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
Century Furniture chaise lounge / day bed / fainting couch / settee. Features a tufted diamond upholstery with rolled arms, supported by turned walnut legs with brass castors. Dime...
Fabric, Hardwood
$3,610Sale Price / set|19% Off
H 35.4 in W 22.4 in D 18.1 in
Set of 6 Armless Grey Fabric Dining Chairs Grey Steel Rod Structure by Driade
By Driade
Located in Chicago, IL
This Sof Sof chair has harmonious lines that convey the essential elegance of the design by Enzo Mari. Made by Driade in 1972 and redone in 2015, Sof Sof is a ...
Steel
Postmodern Sculptural Curved Serpentine Sectional Snake Sofa
By Milo Baughman
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Monumental serpentine snake sectional sofa in the style of Vladimir Kagan and Milo Baughman. This unique modular curved sofa consists of three interlocking sections reupholstered in ...
Upholstery, Ultrasuede, Wood
$6,878 / set
H 32.29 in W 21.66 in D 19.69 in
Set of Six Shell Dining Chairs, Brown FR Fabric, by Vintola Studio, Europe
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Springy, very comfortable and stabile club seats. They are contemporary chairs inspired of 1960s style. They can be used as armchairs and dining chairs. Chair was designed by Vint...
Velvet, Beech
Pair of Lounge Chairs by Sabena of Mexico
Located in Dallas, TX
A pair of hefty solid wood lounge chairs with iron frames by Sabena of Mexico.
Wood
$14,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 38 in W 22 in D 22 in
Eight Rare Jay Spectre Black Lacquer Dining Chairs
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
These dining chairs represent the Jay Spectre interpretation of a Classic Louis XVI form. More often found with limed white oak frames, the black lacqu...
Wood, Upholstery
Heywood-Wakefield Swivel Vanity Stool, White Bouclé, 1950s USA
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vanity stool by Heywood-Wakefield with a round, segmented seat reupholstered in white bouclé. The seat swivels on four bowed legs joined by a circular bentwood stretcher. Marked on t...
Upholstery, Bentwood
Jay Spectre Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1990
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Jay Spectre Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1990. Reupholstered in yellow mohair. We have the pairs in a separate listing. Measure 26" tall, 44.5" wide 40" deep
Mohair
Jay Spectre, Lounge Chair, Rattan, Fabric, USA, 1970s
By Jay Spectre
Located in High Point, NC
A rattan and white fabric lounge chair designed by Jay Spectre, USA, c. 1970s. Seat Height (inches): 16.75”
Fabric, Rattan
Jay Spectre Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1990
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Jay Spectre Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 1990. Reupholstered in yellow mohair. We have the pairs in a separate listing. Measure 26" tall, 44.5" wide 40" deep
Mohair
Sold
H 29 in W 37.5 in D 37 in
Jay Spectre Wicker Postmodern Chair, New Upholstery, Performance Fabric
By Jay Spectre
Located in Mckinney, TX
Introducing the epitome of sophistication: the Postmodern Jay Spectre Wicker Chair. With its timeless curved arms and avant-garde design, this chair seamlessly blends modern flair wi...
Fabric, Wicker, Cane, Rattan
Jay Spectre Tycoon Leather Lounge Chair in Burgundy For Century
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This Jay Spectre Tycoon Leather Lounge Chair in Burgundy is the perfect addition to any upscale living or office space. Crafted by renowned designer Jay Spectre, this chair offers a ...
Leather
1980s Vintage Wallis Simpson Lounge Chair by Jay Spectre
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in North Canton, 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...
Upholstery, Lacquer
Sold
H 34 in W 26 in D 34 in
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 ...
Leather
Sold
H 38 in W 20 in D 27 in
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 ...
Stainless Steel
Milo Baughman Style Swivel Club Chairs by Jay Spectre
By Milo Baughman, Jay Spectre
Located in Southampton, NJ
Pair of swiveling club chairs designed by Jay Spectre. Ready for your customization. Frames are solid and mechanisms are silent and smooth. Very comfortable design.
Steel
Jay Spectre Sofa Navy Blue Mohair, 1990
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Jay Spectre sofa navy blue Mohair, 1990. Newly reupholstered.
Mohair
Pair Jay Spectre Lounge Chairs and Ottomans, 1990
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Jay Spectre Mohair lounge chairs and ottomans, 1990.
Mohair
Jay Spectre Eclipse Bench
By Jay Spectre
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Jay Spectre Eclipse bench. The Gracious curved bench has been Newly restored and reupholstered in a luxurious Holly Hunt Ivory le...
Leather, Wood