Pair of Edmond Spence Mexican 'Yucatan" Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Edmond J. Spence (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33 in (83.82 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. May benefit from being re-rushed.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU80025952273
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Pair of Edmond Spence Mahogany Mayan ChairsBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Brooklyn, NYGenerously proportioned occasional chairs, handmade in Mexico employing traditional woodworking techniques. Wonderful details including reverse tapered legs and intricately carved ...Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Armchairs
MaterialsMahogany
- Pair of Verner Panton Cone ChairsBy Verner Panton, Fritz HansenLocated in Brooklyn, NYNice early pair of Panton's pop Classic. Original upholstery, one in navy one in purple for Fritz Hansen.Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Swivel Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair Harvey Probber Model 915 ChairBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Brooklyn, NYElegant pair of lounge chairs in bleached mahogany with caned sides. The tapered and tailored design easily works in both traditional and ultra-modern interiors.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Chairs
MaterialsCane, Mahogany
- Nice Pair of Ole Wanscher Rosewood Armchairs for AJ IversenBy A. J. Iversen, Ole WanscherLocated in Brooklyn, NYWith original leather seats, circa 1961. This model was presented at The Copenhagen Cabinetmakers' Guild Exhibition at Designmuseum Danmark, 1961. They were described as “.. an extre...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsRosewood, Leather
- Set of Four Chairs by Ejvind A. Johansson for FDB MoblerBy Ejvind A. JohanssonLocated in Brooklyn, NYFour ebonized wood side chairs with bentwood cutout back. Stamped to underside.Category
Vintage 1950s Side Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Single Brass Occasional ChairLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeautifully sculptural solid brass side chair, with scroll detailing and original turquoise silk upholstery. Stamped "Made in Italy".Category
Vintage 1940s Italian Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Edmond Spence "Yucatan" ChairsBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Dallas, TXBeautiful 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 Chairs
MaterialsSeagrass, Mahogany
- Edmond Spence Mid Century Yucatan Chairs - Set of 6By Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Countryside, ILEdmond 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsRattan, Wood
- Yucatan Chair in Mahogany by Edmond Spence, ca. 1950By Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Costa Mesa, CAYucatan Chair in Mahogany by Edmond Spence, ca. 1950. Rare 'Yucatan' woven seat captains chair in mahogany by Edmond J. Spence. Chair has had new woven seat, frame is original. Fr...Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsRope
- Four Edmond Spence "Yucatan" Mahogany Side Chairs Woven Sea Grass SeatsBy Edmond J. Spence, Industria Mueblera MexicoLocated in Camden, MEFour vintage Yucatan side chairs by Edmund Spence for his Mexican manufacturer Industria Mueblera, circa 1958. The solid mahogany framed spindle back chairs with their original woven...Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsSeagrass, Hardwood, Mahogany
- Edmond Spence Mid-Century Lounge Chairs, PairBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Countryside, ILEdmond 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Stellar Set of 4 Cane Back Chairs by Edmond SpenceBy Edmond J. SpenceLocated in Atlanta, GAA 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
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood