Pair of Black Leather Jay Spectre Tycoon Lounge Chairs
About the Item
- Creator:Jay Spectre (Designer),Century Furniture (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Depth: 36 in (91.44 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1991
- Condition:Reupholstered. Wear consistent with age and use. Perfect condition, newly upholstered in genuine leather.
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4528227770872
Jay Spectre
From arranging window displays as a teenager to securing a preeminent position in the decorating and design sphere, Jay Spectre had an extraordinary career. He drew on a range of influences for his lounge chairs, chests of drawers and coffee tables of the 1970s and ‘80s, and is best known for these furnishings as well as his interiors of the era.
For his eponymous Manhattan firm, Spectre created modern, delectable interiors for luxury homes, private aircraft, yachts and offices — his clientele included corporations and affluent figures all over the world — and for his sophisticated furnishings and decor, he found inspiration in Art Deco as well as in Asian and African art..
Spectre’s career in design began modestly — he worked as a window dresser in his Kentucky hometown. He had big plans, however, and moved to New York City, where he would establish the Jay Spectre Inc. design firm. During interviews in the years that followed, Spectre spoke highly of Hollywood glamour and its impact on his work. He was interested in the forces of modernism and technology, and was greatly inspired by the Art Deco era, which was brought to global attention at a large decorative arts exhibition held in Paris in 1925. The movement’s textile designers integrated floral motifs and vivid colors into their works, while Art Deco furniture makers were fond of dark woods, modern metals and decorative embellishments such as exotic animal hides.
In 1985, in order to grant large manufacturers the rights to produce Spectre’s furniture designs, he formed a licensing firm called J.S.P.S. Inc. with South African-born interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield. This was the era that brought Spectre recognition, awards, and numerous high-profile clients that the designer called “silent celebrities” (they deeply valued their privacy).
Spectre also created furniture that was aimed at younger consumers and intended to be affordable. He introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at North Carolina’s Century Furniture — a brand that is known to vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors — where he created oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.
Spectre was named one of the top eight designers in America by the Smithsonian Institution for their "Giants of Design 1979" exhibition. He earned a pair of awards from the Chicago Merchandise Mart in 1982 and 1983, and was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1986.
Find vintage Jay Spectre seating, tables and decorative objects on 1stDibs.
Century Furniture
Known for its durable vintage display cabinets, nightstands and dressers made of cherry, oak, walnut and more, Century Furniture of Hickory, North Carolina, began as an upholstered goods company in 1947 but added case goods and sophisticated mahogany dining-room furnishings shortly thereafter.
Launched by Harley Ferguson Shuford Sr., a Hickory native who was born to a family of textile mill owners, Century Furniture was intended to be “the best furniture company in the world.” With respect to speed and efficiency, the brand found its footing midway through production on a government contract that Shuford had secured in the early days to manufacture thousands of five-drawer chests. The effort was significant, but it was also a teachable moment as far as Shuford and his team’s learning the ropes of running a factory.
After hiring designer Raymond K. Sobota in 1950 and introducing the enormously popular Citation Collection in 1954, Century established its reputation as a leader in stylishly designed high-quality furniture. Sobota had furniture in his blood — after graduating from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he worked for his uncle Karl Schmidt, who was at the time a well-known furniture designer for Berkey and Gay and other makers in the Grand Rapids area, then known as America’s furniture capital. Sobota soon launched his own studio, designing furniture as a freelancer for various local manufacturers. Shuford found him by happenstance, journeying to Michigan’s second-largest city to offer a job to another designer who turned him down but recommended Sobota instead.
Century’s Citation line — a sizable collection for the brand that spanned furnishings for the bedroom, dining room and more — is revered in the world of vintage mid-century modern furniture collectors. The pieces sold very well during the 1950s, and the line is an oft-cited success story for Sobota, who would go on to win awards for his work and whose own catalogue of designs for the brand is massive.
In his 40-year career at Century, until he retired in 1995, he designed well over 100 furniture lines. Sobota’s nightstands, cabinets, side tables and more are characterized by his interest in Asian design, distinctly and brilliantly expressed in his Hollywood Regency–style Chin Hua line, which debuted during the 1970s. With its geometrically decorative brass drawer pulls and door handles as well as dining-chair seat-back carvings — all inspired by Asian motifs — this collection has rendered vintage pieces that saw Century’s craftsmen working with alluring ebonized walnut and more, some of the company’s most sought-after work today.
Also in the 1970s as well as in the 1980s, Manhattan interior designer Jay Spectre introduced an Art Deco–informed spirit at Century Furniture, creating oversize, inviting lounge chairs and bentwood benches that featured plush tufted leather cushions. Spectre’s Eclipse collection was at one point among the largest-selling lines for the brand.
Century licensed collections with celebrity interior designers such as Thomas O’Brien, Charlotte Moss and Bunny Williams among others. In 2013, when Alex Shuford III was named president of Century Furniture, the move marked the succession of the third generation to lead this company, which is today one of the world’s largest privately held manufacturers of high-end furniture.
Find Century Furniture lounge chairs and dining chairs as well as vintage mid-century modern credenzas, dressers and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Dallas, TX
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Pair Jay Spectre "Wallis Simpson" ArmchairsBy Jay SpectreLocated in Dallas, TXPair of rare "Wallis Simpson" chairs from the "Special Effects" line by Jay Spectre. With its clean lines and mid-century style, these armchairs complem...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of Black Milo Baughman for James Inc. Lounge ChairsBy James Inc., Milo BaughmanLocated in Dallas, TXAbsolutely stunning club lounge chairs designed by Milo Baughman for James Inc, an early imprint of Thayer Coggin. Defined by their Classic midcentury lines and simple walnut framed ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Walnut
- Pair of Lounge Chairs by Milo BaughmanBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Dallas, TXThis comfortable pair of midcentury lounge chairs designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Professionally upholstered with orange/yellow colored velvet fabric with solid wood feet.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery
- 1940s Pair Art Deco Black Lacquered & Zebra Print Lounge ChairsLocated in Dallas, TXBeautifully figured pair of Art Deco easy chairs in the style of Jindrich Halabala. The construction of the frame and the seemingly floating upholstered seats give the chairs a sculp...Category
Mid-20th Century Art Deco Armchairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Blue Leather Lounge Chairs by Metropolitan Furniture CorporationBy Metropolitan, Jules HeumannLocated in Dallas, TXLate 1970s art scene describes these vintage club/lounge chairs by Jules Heumann for Metropolitan Furniture Corporation (Metro) based in San Francisco. Heumann was an incredible American midcentury furniture designer and responsible for elevating Metropolitan Furniture and designing the most iconic pieces they made. With his architectural background training and a keen interest and knowledge of the intricacies of manufacturing, Jules brings to his furniture designs a sense of scale and proportion which results in beauty and comfort. This gorgeous pair of Post-Modern chairs is ultra-comfortable and of the highest quality craftsmanship. These are very similar in style & design to Mario Bellini chairs for...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsVelvet, Wood
- Pair of Chrome Lounge Chairs Designed by John Mascheroni for Swaim OriginalsBy John MascheroniLocated in Dallas, TXGeometric form lounge chairs designed by John Mascheroni for Swaim originals. Cantilevered chairs featuring flat banded chrome frames, newly ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Jay Spectre Tycoon Leather Lounge Chair in Burgundy For CenturyBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis Jay Spectre Tycoon Leather Lounge Chair in Burgundy is the perfect addition to any upscale living or office space. Crafted by renowned designer Jay Spectre, this chair offers a ...Category
Late 20th Century Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsLeather
- Pair Jay Spectre Lounge ChairsBy Jay SpectreLocated in New York, NYPair Jay Spectre lounge chairs. The chairs are upholstered in a faux curly lamb fur. Also has black lacquered feet.Category
Vintage 1970s Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood, Faux Fur
- Jay Spectre Eclipse Chair by CenturyBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in Highland, INDesigned by Jay Spectre for Century, the "Eclipse" lounge chair is a post-modern take on Deco design. Crafted of oak with a black lacquer finish, it features a terrific build quality...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Pair Jay Spectre Lounge Chairs and Ottomans, 1990By Jay SpectreLocated in Chicago, ILPair Jay Spectre Mohair lounge chairs and ottomans, 1990.Category
1990s American Post-Modern Ottomans and Poufs
MaterialsMohair
- off White Leather and Chrome Lounge Chair by Jay SpectreBy Jay SpectreLocated in Palm Springs, CA1980’s off white leather, chrome and whitewash oak ‘eclipse’ lounge chair by Jay Spectre. In original condition shows minor wear consistent with age. The leather has been professio...Category
Vintage 1980s American Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Modern Postmodern Channeled Sectional Loveseat Lounge Chairs Style Jay SpectreBy Jay SpectreLocated in Topeka, KSWonderful modern to postmodern channeled sectional loveseat or lounge chairs in the style of Jay Spectre. Comprised of foam seats, feather down back ...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Post-Modern Loveseats
MaterialsFabric, Foam, Feathers