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Edmond J. Spence Cabinets

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
Cabinet Designed by Edmond J. Spence
Cabinet Designed by Edmond J. Spence

Cabinet Designed by Edmond J. Spence

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Dallas, TX

A maple cabinet with brass inset handles. Designed by Edmond J. Spence.

Category

1950s Vintage Edmond J. Spence Cabinets

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Edmond Spence Mid-Century American Wooden 4-Drawer Chest
Edmond Spence Mid-Century American Wooden 4-Drawer Chest

Edmond Spence Mid-Century American Wooden 4-Drawer Chest

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Queens, NY

Mid-Century American 4-drawer rectangular wooden cabinet's first drawer is divided into five compartments. Each drawer is neatly aligned with an inward bevel, standing on four tapere...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Cabinets

Materials

Wood

Modernist 2-door cabinet designed by Edmond Spence /Sweden
Modernist 2-door cabinet designed by Edmond Spence /Sweden

Modernist 2-door cabinet designed by Edmond Spence /Sweden

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Buffalo, NY

Stunning Birdseye maple cabinet with brass inset handles. Designed by Edmond J. Spence.Classic modernist design.. Great size..Left side interior ,3 drawers,, right side shelves. Hand...

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Cabinets

Materials

Brass

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Edmund Spence Bird's Eye Maple Cabinets, Sweden, circa 1960

Edmund Spence Bird's Eye Maple Cabinets, Sweden, circa 1960

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Located in Miami, FL

Offered for sale is a pair of bird's eye maple cabinets by Swedish cabinet maker Edmund Spence. Each cabinet has two doors with the distinctive S...

Category

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Materials

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Edmond J. Spence Walnut Fleur-de-Lis Credenza and Hutch, circa 1960
Edmond J. Spence Walnut Fleur-de-Lis Credenza and Hutch, circa 1960

Edmond J. Spence Walnut Fleur-de-Lis Credenza and Hutch, circa 1960

By Edmond J. Spence

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American designer Edmond J. Spence created a series of Swedish-inspired furniture as part of his works which were manufactured in the Scandinavian country and then imported by Walpole Furniture of Massachusetts. This piece is an example of that collection and at the back of the hutch there is a red manufacturer's stamp stating 'Made in Sweden'. Spence acquired a wide range of impressive clients, plus, millions of Americans witnessed his work incorporated on the set of I Love Lucy for many years. Fabricated from solid walnut which displays a beautiful grain, the piece is accented by cutaway fleur-de-lis details and recessed circular drawer pulls. The sideboard is raised on a floating base with four doors that conceal three light birchwood pull outs either side. Above these doors are four slim drawers with the recessed pulls. The drawer second from the right contains four storage sections for silverware with a contrast teal felt lining. These partitions are also removable. The hutch has a middle shelving unit which is flanked by two doors that open to reveal additional shelving on both sides. All the doors have concealed hardware mechanisms that allow them to securely snap shut in to place and maintain the flush, sleek appearance of the piece. The hutch sits on top the credenza and has rubber pads underneath for easy maneuver allowing it to stand secure and stopping it from slipping. This stunning Edmund Spence credenza...

Category

1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Cabinets

Materials

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Edmund Spence Rosewood Chest or Dresser

Edmund Spence Rosewood Chest or Dresser

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Edmund Spence Rosewood Chest or Dresser

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A rare Edmund Spence rosewood six-drawer dresser or chest with great book matched graining and applique rosewood diamond details to the front. The chest floats on the lower stretcher...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Cabinets

Edmond J. Spence cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.

Edmond J. Spence cabinets 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 cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original cabinets by Edmond J. Spence were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. Prices for Edmond J. Spence cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,000 and can go as high as $7,996, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,800.