Sculptural "Wave" Front Chest by Edmond Spence
View Similar Items
Sculptural "Wave" Front Chest by Edmond Spence
About the Item
- Creator:Edmond J. Spence (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 38.5 in (97.79 cm)Depth: 20.25 in (51.44 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Birch,Ebonized
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1955
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Restored Condition.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU92201794392
Edmond J. Spence
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.
- Richard Barr Sculptural Table Lamp for the STUDIO Collection by Laurel, c.1965By Richard Barr, Harry Balmer, Laurel Lamp CompanyLocated in Costa Mesa, CARichard Barr Sculptural Table Lamp for the STUDIO Collection by Laurel, United States, c.1965. Beautiful torch cut and welded brutalist form. Measures: - 13" Deep - 14" Wide -...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsBronze, Steel, Copper
- 'Disneyland Destruction' by Jeff GilleteBy Jeff GilleteLocated in Costa Mesa, CA'Disneyland Destruction' by Jeff Gillete circa 2015. Acrylic and collage on canvas.Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Acrylic, Wood
- Milo Baughman Walnut Tambour Door Credenza for Glenn of California, c.1960By Milo Baughman, Glenn of CaliforniaLocated in Costa Mesa, CAMilo Baughman Walnut Tambour Door Credenza for Glenn of California, c.1960. This piece has been professionally restored.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Lou Hodges Handcrafted Walnut Wall Unit for California Design Group, 1978By Lou HodgesLocated in Costa Mesa, CALou Hodges Handcrafted Walnut Wall Unit for California Design Group, 1978. This piece has been professionally restored. Stamped with the makers mark to the interior.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Shelves
MaterialsWalnut
- Edward Wormley 5499 Lounge Chairs for Dunbar, United States, c.1960By Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Costa Mesa, CAEdward Wormley 5499 Lounge Chairs for Dunbar, United States, c.1960. This pair has been expertly restored in New Old Stock Orinoka Mills Fabric originally specified by Dunbar. Each...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Erwine & Estelle Laverne Leather & Steel Bench, United States, c.1955By Laverne Originals, Erwine & Estelle LaverneLocated in Costa Mesa, CAErwine & Estelle Laverne Patinated Leather & Steel Bench, United States, c.1955. Beautiful Original Patina.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsSteel
- Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Tall Chest DresserBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Wilmington, DEOffered is a beautiful Mid-Century Modern tall chest with ample storage space which was designed by American designer Edmond J. Spence. Features four bottom drawers and two doors wit...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBirch
- Edmond Spence 6-Drawer DresserBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Saint Louis, MOMid-Century Modern 6-drawer dresser designed by Edmond Spence. Great Sculptural dresser designed by Edmund Spence and made in Sweden. 6 drawers provide ample storage. A handsome Mid...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- Edmond J. Spence Double DresserBy Industria Mueblera Mexico, Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Palm Springs, CAUnique eight drawer dresser by Edmond J. Spence for Industria Muebleras "Continental-American Collection". Sculptural metal legs support a mahogany structure with hand made...Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany
- Architectural walnut dresser by Edmond SpenceBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Atlanta, GAA long dresser in walnut designed by Edmond J. Spence and made in Sweden. It features a slightly curved front and three stacks of twelves drawers in total supported by brass-capped f...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$9,600 Sale Price20% Off - Mid Century Chest on Chest Made in Sweden Designed by Edmond Spence, Ca. 1950’sBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in New York, NYVery unusual and rare two part chest on chest, made in Sweden, c 1950’s, designed by Edmond Spence. Executed in exotic Macassar veneer, with dramatic carved front panel.Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood
- Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Sculpted Walnut Gentleman's Chest, Newly RefinishedBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century Swedish Modern sculpted walnut "checkerboard" highboy dresser or gentleman's chest By Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Measures: 41"W x 19.75"D x 48"H....Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
