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Jay Spectre Tables

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.

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Creator: Jay Spectre
Rare Jay Spectre "Perceptive" Drop Front Desk
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Primavera and brushed stainless steel drop front secretary has four drawers with brushed steel Art Deco inspired pulls, plus additional shelf storage. Origami angularity turns this e...
Category

Late 20th Century American Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Steel

Jay Spectre "DeLanay" Round Chrome and Glass Table
By Jay Spectre, Century Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jay Spectre "DeLanay" Glass and Chrome Side Table. In beautiful Condition. Couldn't an example of this table anywhere besides in an Ad! Updated Deco feel with a beautiful Etched G...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Chrome

Jay Spectre "Entrance Maker" Console Table with Mirror
By Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture "Entrance Maker" White Oak Console with Hanging Mirror. Console is ziggurat-shaped with a Mirrored Back-Splash. Inspired from Art Deco Step Back D...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Jay Spectre Vintage American Modern Cerused Oak Dressing / Vanity Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in New York, NY
Vintage American Modern cerused oak veneer dressing / vanity table in two parts: one demilune wood piece with central shelf, and a cylindrical cabinet piece with four drawers mounted...
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Metal

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 Tables

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Post Modern Large Wall Mirror or Console Table Shelf by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large, rare and impressive wall mirror designed by Jay Spectre in the 1980's. It consists of a faux marble finish on wood with a very large round mirror. Frame could easily be pain...
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Jay Spectre Nightstands
By Jay Spectre
Located in Denton, TX
Jay Spectre for Century Furniture oak and stainless steel nightstands.
Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Steel

Jay Spectre "Joan Crawford Lips" Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical lacquered-wood table This table is documented in the book, point of view, design by Jay Spectre.
Category

1980s American Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Wood

Jay Spectre Custom Coffee Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Jay Spectre custom coffee table, solid marble with bull-nose edge, custom inlaid stainless steel and stainless steel legs connected cradle for marb...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Marble, Stainless Steel

Jay Spectre Custom Console and Pair of Lamps
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Jay Spectre custom console and pair of lamps, these were designed in tandem for a private residential client in Toronto, Canada. Brushed stainless steel console...
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel, Nickel

Jay Spectre Console Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Deco inspired console with black lacquered base and 24-karat gold leafed top. For Century Furniture.
Category

Late 20th Century American Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

"Shinto Coffee Table" by Jay Spectre 1970s
By Jay Spectre
Located in New York, NY
Large "Shinto Coffee Table" in oak with glass top and steel feet by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, American 1970s. This coffee table is both elegant and beautifully made.
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Steel

Jay Spectre for Century Chrome and Glass Coffee Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th Century circular coffee table having a 1/2" thick glass top with acid etched border resting on a chrome base with ball feet and aluminum joinery. Designed by Jay Spectre for Ce...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Chrome

Joan Crawford Lips Lacquered Coffee Table by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Stamford, CT
Joan Crawford lips, lacquered wood coffee table designed by Jay Spectre for Jay Spectre Inc. unsigned.
Category

1980s American Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Lacquer

Mid-Century Modern Cerused Oak Desk and Side Chair by Jay Spectre for Century
By Jay Spectre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sleek American Modern Cerused Oak Desk and Matching Chair Designed by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Co. The desk features 3 dovetail constr...
Category

1970s American Art Deco Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Oak

Jay Spectre Round Reeded Wood Coffee Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Designed by Spectre for Century Furniture, with a limed finish base. Part of Spectre's collection designed for Bloomingdale's centennial. A total of two available. Measure: A ver...
Category

Late 20th Century American Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Glass

Jay Spectre "Shinto End Table" 1970s
By Jay Spectre
Located in New York, NY
"Shinto End Table" in oak with glass top and steel trim on base by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, American, 1970s. This table is beautifully made. Jay Spectre was a talented in...
Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Steel

Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Chrome and Glass Coffee Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in Pasadena, TX
A coffee table designed by Jay Spectre and made by Century Furniture. A circular chrome base with spherical feet and glass top with a wide acid etched border.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Chrome

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Previously Available Items
Jay Spectre Vintage 1980s Neo Deco Cerused Console Table with Mirror Back
By Jay Spectre
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Jay Spectre Custom Weathered Oak Dining Table
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Jay Spectre Console Table in Gold Leaf and Black Lacquer
By Jay Spectre
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Deco inspired console with black lacquered base and 24-karat gold leafed top. For Century Furniture. In 1987, designed the Neo-Deco line of furniture for the Century Furniture Indus...
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Gold Leaf

Jay Spectre Barrel Desk with Glass Top
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Jay Spectre for Century Furniture White Oak Desk with Glass Top. Desk Writing Surface is 29.75 high. Desk was also sold as a Vanity as well. Overall ...
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Glass, Oak

Jay Spectre Barrel Desk with Glass Top
Jay Spectre Barrel Desk with Glass Top
H 31.5 in W 56.5 in D 22.5 in
Jay Spectre for Century Deco Manner Oak Desk
By Jay Spectre
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Jay Spectre (American, XX-XXI) for Century Furniture, Art Deco manner oak desk inspired by Donald Deskey, rectangular with left waterfall sides above four short drawer. 1980s. Dim...
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Late 20th Century Art Deco Jay Spectre Tables

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Contemporary Modern Jay Spectre Chrome and Glass Coffee Table for Century
By Jay Spectre
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A Jay Spectre chrome and glass coffee table for century. This is a marvelous post-modern coffee table. This piece features a wonderful circular glass tabletop with a blue smoked glass border. The base of the table has a futuristic chrome construction with four large spherical feet. This piece is in very good condition, the glass top has ware common with used furniture...
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Late 20th Century Jay Spectre Tables

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"Joan Crawford Lips" Coffee Table by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
"Joan Crawford lips" cocktail table designed by Jay Spectre, circa 1987. Glossy red lacquered abstracted lip-shaped top with black lacquered legs. "...
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1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

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Wood, Lacquer

Postmodern Wall Mirror with Console Shelf by Jay Spectre
By Jay Spectre
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Unique Postmodern, hanging wall mirror with attached console shelf by Jay Spectre. Has very modern appeal that can mesh well with so many decors.
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20th Century Post-Modern Jay Spectre Tables

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Mirror

Jay Spectre Stainless Steel and Walnut Console Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in Chicago, IL
Stainless steel console table with walnut slab top. Designed by Jay Spectre, 1980.
Category

1980s American Post-Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Lacquered Linen Jay Spectre for Century Furniture Coffee Table, circa 1970s
By Karl Springer, Century Furniture, Jay Spectre
Located in Peabody, MA
Large coffee table by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture in lacquered linen with brass toned metal accents at the legs, in the manner ...
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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

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Brass

Jay Spectre Modernist Coffee Table with Triangular Frame
By Jay Spectre
Located in New York, NY
Jay Spectre coffee or cocktail table in the Modernist style. The table features a triangular shape, and clear glass top held by a silver-tone metal frame. The piece stands on three c...
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20th Century Jay Spectre Tables

Materials

Metal

Cerused Oak Desk by Jay Spectre, 1970s
By Jay Spectre
Located in Pasadena, CA
Blonde cerused oak desk by iconic designer Jay Spectre, 1970s desk has a single large drawer on each side and a center drawer. Polished chrome hardware ...
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1970s Modern Vintage Jay Spectre Tables

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Chrome

Cerused Oak Desk by Jay Spectre, 1970s
Cerused Oak Desk by Jay Spectre, 1970s
H 30 in W 54.25 in D 26 in

Jay Spectre tables for sale on 1stDibs.

Jay Spectre tables are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of metal and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Jay Spectre tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original tables by Jay Spectre were created in the modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider tables by J. Wade Beam, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and Mel Smilow. Prices for Jay Spectre tables can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,240 and can go as high as $15,120, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,900.

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