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Edmond J. Spence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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
Edmond Spence Chest of Drawers
Edmond Spence Chest of Drawers

Edmond Spence Chest of Drawers

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in San Francisco, CA

A four drawer chest in birch, known as the "Wave" chest.

Category

1950s Swedish Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

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 Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birdseye Maple

Architectural walnut dresser by Edmond Spence
Architectural walnut dresser by Edmond Spence

Architectural walnut dresser by Edmond Spence

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Atlanta, GA

A 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

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Edmond Spence Walnut  Brass Two Part High Gentleman's Chest Dresser Cabinet MINT
Edmond Spence Walnut  Brass Two Part High Gentleman's Chest Dresser Cabinet MINT

Edmond Spence Walnut Brass Two Part High Gentleman's Chest Dresser Cabinet MINT

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid century modern 2 part chest on chest dresser by Edmund Spence MINT!

Category

1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Edmond Spence Wavy Front Nightstands in Birch
Edmond Spence Wavy Front Nightstands in Birch

Edmond Spence Wavy Front Nightstands in Birch

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Dallas, TX

Introduce timeless elegance to your bedroom with Edmond Spence's Wavy Front Nightstands in Birch, exclusively available at circa20c. These mid-century modern masterpieces beautifully...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

Edmond Spence Swedish Mid-Century Chest of Drawers
Edmond Spence Swedish Mid-Century Chest of Drawers

Edmond Spence Swedish Mid-Century Chest of Drawers

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Very sculptural chest of drawers in ebonized mahogany by Edmond Spence (often misspelled as "Edmund Spence"), circa 1955. Concave front with hexagonal legs with brass sabot. Exceptio...

Category

20th Century Swedish Edmond J. Spence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Edmond J. Spence Mid-Century High Chest, Blond Wood, Circa 1955
Edmond J. Spence Mid-Century High Chest, Blond Wood, Circa 1955

Edmond J. Spence Mid-Century High Chest, Blond Wood, Circa 1955

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Queens, NY

Mid-Century American two-piece rectangular blond wood high chest consisting of a three-drawer top cabinet and four-drawer bottom standing on four tapered, splayed legs. The top cabin...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Honey Amber Tone Finish Edmond Spence High Chest Gentlemen's Dresser Double Door
Honey Amber Tone Finish Edmond Spence High Chest Gentlemen's Dresser Double Door

Honey Amber Tone Finish Edmond Spence High Chest Gentlemen's Dresser Double Door

By Edmond J. Spence

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Honey amber tone finish edmond spence high chest gentlemen's dresser comode double door.

Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Edmond J. Spence Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Birch

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Edmond J. Spence Architectural 12-Drawer Curved Dresser, c 1960, Signed

Edmond J. Spence Architectural 12-Drawer Curved Dresser, c 1960, Signed

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An Exceptional mid-century Swedish Modern sculpted walnut highboy dresser by Edmond Spence circa 1950s. This dresser is equipped with four sculpted drawers below two doors with piano...

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Edmond J. Spence commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.

Edmond J. Spence commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original commodes and chests of drawers by Edmond J. Spence were created in the mid-century modern style in sweden during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider commodes and chests of drawers by Hans J. Wegner, Arne Vodder, and Ry Møbler. Prices for Edmond J. Spence commodes and chests of drawers can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,800 and can go as high as $16,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,220.