Jay Spectre Chest/Cabinet in Bleached Oak 1980s (Signed)
View Similar Items
Jay Spectre Chest/Cabinet in Bleached Oak 1980s (Signed)
About the Item
- Creator:Jay Spectre (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 64 in (162.56 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:1980-1989
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: chestofdrawers1091stDibs: LU783810380541
Jay Spectre
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 "Shinto End Table" 1970sBy Jay SpectreLocated 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Karl Springer Impressive Chest of Drawers in Lacquered Goatskin, circa 1980sBy Karl SpringerLocated in New York, NYRare and exceptional chest of drawers in lacquered goatskin, top drawers with artisan brass pulls, by Karl Springer, American 1980s. This is one of the only known Karl Springer chest...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- "Shinto Coffee Table" by Jay Spectre 1970sBy Jay SpectreLocated in New York, NYLarge "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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Harvey Probber Chest of Drawers in Mahogany and Brass 1950s 'Signed'By Harvey ProbberLocated in New York, NYBeautifully made tall chest of drawers model no 865 in mahogany with brass accents and sliding doors at top concealing pull out shelves by Harvey Probber, American 1950's (signed “Furniture...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Tommi Parzinger Long Cabinet with Bronze Flower Pulls 1950s (Signed)By Tommi Parzinger, Parzinger OriginalsLocated in New York, NYRare and exceptional long cabinet in white lacquer with bronze stylized flower pulls by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals, American 1950s (signed “Parzinger Originals” on insid...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBronze
- Tommi Parzinger Elegant Chest Of Drawers with Brass Pulls 1940s (Signed)By Tommi Parzinger, Charak Furniture CompanyLocated in New York, NYChest of drawers model TP104 in dark brown mahogany with brass pulls by Tommi Parzinger for Charak Modern, American 1940's (signed "Charak Modern" in drawer). The dark brown grain c...Category
Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Jay Spectre 2 Drawer Chest of Drawers, 1980s (Signed)By Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis is one absolutely beautiful Jay Spectre for Century Furniture bleached oak 2 door chest of drawers with brushed steel base 1980s (Signed). This piece...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Jay Spectre 7 Drawer Oak Dresser by CenturyBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in Highland, INDesigned by Jay Spectre for Century, this dramatic 7-drawer dresser from his "Eclipse" collection is a post-modern take on Deco / Moderne design. Crafted of oak with a black lacquer ...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Dressers
MaterialsChrome
- Jay Spectre American Modern White Oak and Chrome Ribbed Chest of DrawersBy Jay SpectreLocated in New York, NYAmerican Mid-Century Modern white oak chest of drawers with a "ribbed" design drawer pulls for three upper drawers and four lower drawers, resting on a...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Jay Spectre Cerused Oak 8 Drawers Dresser Completely RestoredBy Jay SpectreLocated in Rockaway, NJMid century modern Jay Spectre light grey cerused oak long dresser credeza.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsOak
- Jay Spectre Cerused White Oak, Two-Drawer CommodeBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILJay Spectre for Century Furniture, two-drawer commode in cerused white oak with brushed steel base and top banding. Could also be used as a flat scre...Category
Late 20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsSteel
- Modernist Commode Night Table by Jay Spectre for Century FurnitureBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in New York, NYVoguish dresser, commode, night stand designed by Jay Spectre for the Century Furniture Company. This chic chest features two deep drawers, a brushed steel plinth base, and cerused...Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsSteel