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.
1950s Swedish Modern Vintage Edmond J. Spence Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Birch
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.
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.
Birch
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.
Birdseye Maple
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Brass
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!
Brass
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...
Birch
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...
Brass
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...
Wood
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.
Birch
Mid century Swedish elm chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid century Swedish elm chest of drawers circa 1940. We are pleased to offer this fully restored chest of drawers which echoes strongly with the art deco period. Veneered in a stri...
Elm
Mid century swedish elm chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid century Swedish elm chest of drawers circa 1960. Fine quality Swedish chest which offers the best of both worlds with drawers and cupboard space. Chest fitted with 3 central gr...
Steel
Edmond Spence Blonde Birch Swedish Cabinet Dresser Chest Drawers MINT!
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Edmond Spence Blonde Birch Swedish Cabinet Dresser Chest Drawers MINT! Hidden set of fitted drawers inside of inlayed front doors and brass hardware.
Birch
$5,170Sale Price|26% Off
H 35.04 in W 35.04 in D 18.12 in
Biedermeier Half Cabinet, Cherrywood, Neoclassical Design, Circa 1820
Located in Darmstadt, DE
This Biedermeier half cabinet dates from around 1820 and is made of solid cherrywood. The piece follows a restrained neoclassical design with clear lines, balanced proportions and an...
Spruce, Cherry
Mid century Swedish birch shaped chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid century Swedish birch baroque influenced chest of drawers circa 1950. Beautiful chest of drawers of smaller proportions and unusually made in birch. Shaped top surface with 4 s...
Brass
Mid-Century Tall Chest of Drawers, Swedish
Located in London, GB
A stylish Swedish chest of drawers from the 1950s with attractive birch veneers and a warm golden-brown finish. The piece has four drawers with brass ring handles, offering plenty of...
Birch
$5,625Sale Price|25% Off
H 31 in W 20 in D 72 in
Swedish Mid Century Modern Walnut Dresser by Edmond J. Spence, c1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Chino Hills, CA
Elevate your living space with a touch of timeless elegance courtesy of this exquisite Swedish Mid Century Modern Walnut Dresser by renowned designer Edmond J. Spence, dating back to...
Walnut
$1,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 47.75 in W 36.75 in D 20 in
Eastlake Aesthetic Walnut & Burl Gentleman’s Chest c1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
This antique gentleman's chest exemplifies the distinctive Eastlake Aesthetic Movement, dating to circa 1890. Crafted from rich walnut, the piece features striking burl wood veneer p...
Walnut
Edmond Spence Eight-Drawer Bedroom Dresser
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This stylish Scandinavian Modern dresser by Edmond J. Spence features spacious side-by-side storage including drawer and shelf space. Quality vintage construction and unique mid-cent...
Wood
Chest of drawers
By Zanaboni
Located in Milan, IT
Combining the dark elegance of ebony with the strikingly large grain of the ziricote wood, this oval chest of drawers is a stunning piece of functional decor that will enrich the look of any bedroom. The bold structure rests on a base in brass, which occurs also in the metal details and in the handles of the drawers. The base boasts inserts of Corteccia marble for a luxurious final effect. Matching night tables...
Marble, Brass
Federal Mahogany Tall Gentleman's Chest
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Federal style mahogany and figured mahogany Gentleman's chest of drawers, the bowfront reeded edge top with protruding corners above leaf carved capital and reeded column supports,...
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Gentleman's Chest
Located in St. Louis, MO
Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar bachelors chest with flip-top mirror, drawers in center, flanked by two cabinet doors, in bleached mahogany, currently being refinished (...
Mahogany
Edmond Spence 6-Drawer Dresser
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Mid-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...
Wood
Mid-Century Swedish Modern Edmond Spence Walnut High Chest
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Swedish Modern Edmond Spence Walnut High Chest. Featuring a straight line wave design, rolling tambour doors that open to storage space, four wave f...
Wood, Walnut
Edmond J. Spence, Chest of Drawers, Rosewood, Sweden, 1950s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in High Point, NC
A rosewood chest of drawers or commode designed and produced by American designer Edmond J. Spence and produced in Sweden, c. 1950s.
Rosewood
Edmond J. Spence Wave Eight-Drawer Dresser
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dresser by Edmond Spence, c.1950s, Sweden. The maple dresser features eight drawers with a unique sculpted wave front design. The dresser rests on 4 splayed legs. Dimensions 66.25" ...
Maple
Mid-Century Edmund Spence Walnut High Chest
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
This listing is for a Mid-Century Edmund Spence walnut high chest. Featuring two doors at the top that open up to storage space, four drawers at the bott...
Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 74.5 in D 20.5 in
High Style Six Drawers Dresser by Edmond Spence Made in Sweden Ca. 1950's
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
Voguish dresser designed by Edmond Spence, made in Sweden, ca. 1950/1960's. The dresser features six deep drawers, the middle drawers having deeply carved fronts with a dramatic sw...
Wood
Sold
H 49 in W 43.5 in D 20 in
Mid Century Chest on Chest Made in Sweden Designed by Edmond Spence, Ca. 1950’s
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in New York, NY
Very 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.
Wood
Sold
H 32.75 in W 73.5 in D 21.5 in
Edmond J. Spence Architectural 12-Drawer Curved Dresser, c 1960, Signed
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This impressive twelve-drawer dresser in walnut was designed by Edmond J. Spence and made in Sweden in the late 1950s to early 1960s. We just completed refinishing it with an expensive French Polish, the most laborious finish available due to its numerous hand-applied coats of lacquer. The results are a very thick and clear finish which protects the surface from regular use and makes the exotic wood grain underneath pop more than any other type of finish. Fabricated from walnut which displays vivid grain patterns, this piece is accented by a slight curve and offset drawers which give an architectural vibe. The dresser is raised on four hexagonal legs capped with brass sabots (feet). Twelve drawers in total, three on each of the four rows, and in an alternating pattern with two rows possessing one large drawer and two smaller ones and two rows with equal medium sized drawers. 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 dresser its is signed with the 'Made in Sweden' brand stamp. 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. This stunning Edmund Spence dresser...
Walnut
Edmond J. Spence Walnut Woodblock Gentleman’s Chest
By United Furniture Corporation, Edmond J. Spence
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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...
Walnut
Sold
H 46 in W 40 in D 20 in
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Black Lacquered Gentleman's Chest, Newly Refinished
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century Swedish Modern black lacquered birch highboy dresser or gentleman's chest By Edmond J. Spence Sweden, 1950s Measures:...
Birch, Lacquer
Sold
H 48.25 in W 42.25 in L 48.25 in
Edmond Spence Swedish Modern Walnut Gentleman's Chest with Travertine Inlay
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional mid-century Swedish Modern highboy dresser or gentleman's chest By Edmond Spence Sweden, 1950s Beautiful inlaid walnut, with starburst travertine inlay...
Travertine
Edmond Spence Coronation Mid Century Walnut Highboy Dresser
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edmund Spence coronation mid century walnut highboy dresser This dresser measures: 42 wide x 18 deep x 45 inches high ?All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restor...
Walnut