Edmond J. Spence Chairs
1911-1986
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.
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Creator: Edmond J. Spence
Vintage MCM Keller Furniture Oak Valkerie ii Dining Chairs by Edmond J Spence
By Edmond J. Spence, Keller
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage Mid-Century Modern Keller furniture Valkerie II Line dining or side chairs by Edmond J. Spence, a pair. Comprised of oak frames, blue fabric upholstered seats, and chrome sabots on the front feet. This piece has been attributed based upon archived research including online sources, vintage documentation and catalogs, designer literature, and other materials. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. The seats have been newly upholstered in a plain blue/black duck fabric. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, mid-20th century.
What a TERRIFIC TWOSOME!!! This is a gorgeous pair of vintage Valkerie II Line dining or side chairs designed by Edmond J. Spence for Keller Furniture. They are comprised of lovely oak frames with slightly angled backs featuring sculpted “boomerang” shaped backs with spindles, straight round tapered front legs with stretchers and chrome sabots on the feet. Their seats have been freshly upholstered in a plain blue/black duck fabric. (We are calling it blue / black as some see it as black and some see it as a deep navy blue.) Did you notice that the handsome chair back and flared back legs are all one piece? Just an awesome design… and super comfortable!! They are mid-century modern with a Danish or Scandinavian modern flair, and they are going to be magnificent seating in your dining or kitchen area, side chairs in your bedroom, or extra seating in your family room. Sometimes you just need a simple little pair of chairs. You know? Just good looking, sturdy, and serviceable chairs. This is just that pair!
Edmond J. Spence was an American designer who made a name for himself interpreting Danish Modernism in his own way and blending it with the atomic and organic influences of the mid to late 1950's. Mr. Spence grew up in a family business that manufactured high quality traditional furniture, including ornate, custom carved pieces. He was trained as a designer, and created industrial products, household items including clocks and radios. He began to focus on furniture, and he sensed the trend toward modern design. 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 tagged “Ageless Furniture-Edmond J. Spence Design.” Manufactured in 1953 by Industria Mueblera. His work has been described as “a little bit Deco, a little tiki, with a heavy atomic & Danish influence.” He won awards and in the early 50’s his work was displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art in New York. And a fun fact, his furniture was used on the set of the “I Love Lucy” show for many years. -Mid 2 Mod. Mr. Spence passed away in 1986.
Keller Manufacturing Company was founded in 1885 but Keller Furniture history dates back to 1866 when the “Keller Store” in Corydon Indiana was established. From that time, the operation entered into various businesses, including wagon productions from 1901-1912, running an electrical light plant, manufacturing spokes for farm wagons...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Oak
Edmond Spence Mid-Century Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Countryside, IL
Edmond Spence mid-century lounge chairs - pair.
Each chair measures: 27 wide x 33.5 deep x 28 high, with a seat height of 13 (without cushion) and arm height/chair clearance 23 in...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Chairs
Materials
Wood
Edmond Spence Mid Century Yucatan Chairs - Set of 6
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Countryside, IL
Edmond Spence Mid Century Yucatan Chairs - Set of 6
Each chair measures: 24.75 wide x 19 deep x 31.75 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17.5 inches
All pieces of f...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Chairs
Materials
Rattan, Wood
Set of Six Mid-Century Swedish Modern Dining Chairs by Edmund Spence
By Paul McCobb, Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Newly upholstered mint condition set of 6 rare chairs by Edmond Spence.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Chairs
Materials
Cane, Birch
Set of Six Swedish Dining Chairs New Upholstery
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
New upholstery Mid Century Swedish modern set of six dining room chairs by Edmund Spence.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Chairs
Edmond Spence "Yucatan" Chairs
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful set of 2 Mexican modernist 'Yucatan' dining chairs designed by Edmond J. Spence made of mahogany and woven seagrass, Mexico, the 1950s. The seagrass is in great condition and the chairs have been refinished.
"Edmond J Spence made a career out of translating international modern styles for the U.S. market–he designed a successful blonde wood line made in Sweden and imported by Walpole Furniture of Massachusetts. Spence’s Mexican venture dubbed the “Continental-American Collection,” was launched by Industria Meublera in 1953. A contemporary ad boasts “superb raw materials [and] fine Mexican handcraftsmanship,” and shows an Aztec stone...
Category
20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Chairs
Materials
Seagrass, Mahogany
Stellar Set of 4 Cane Back Chairs by Edmond Spence
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Atlanta, GA
A superb set of a very difficult to find series of chairs by Edmond Spence, circa 1950's. Birch with cane backs. Excellent Restored Condition, with wonderful patina. The price noted ...
Category
1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Edmund J Spence Cane Back Leather Dining or Side Chairs
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of rare Edmund J. Spence cane back chairs fully restored with eggplant leather cushioned seats.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Chairs
Materials
Leather, Cane, Wood
Edmond Spence Urban Aire Mid Century Walnut Lounge Chair with Black Upholstery
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Countryside, IL
Edmond Spence Urban Aire mid century walnut lounge chair with black upholstery
The chair measures: 27.5 wide x 33.5 deep x 35 high, with a seat height of 19 inches and arm height ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Chairs
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
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Edmond J. Spence chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Edmond J. Spence chairs 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 Edmond J. Spence chairs, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original chairs by Edmond J. Spence were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider chairs by George Nelson, Ward Bennett, and Warren McArthur. Prices for Edmond J. Spence chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,495 and can go as high as $12,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,000.