Modernist Commode Night Table by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture
About the Item
- Creator:Jay Spectre (Designer),Century Furniture (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Style:Hollywood Regency (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent original clean and ready to use condition.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU978731064402
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: Cohoes, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- High Style Swivel Vanity Stool by Jay Spectre c 1970/1980'sBy Century Furniture, Jay SpectreLocated in New York, NYVoguish Art Deco Revival, Hollywood Regency style swivel boudoir chair, vanity stool designed by Jay Spectre circa 1970' 1980's. The stool features four solid oak legs in pale bleach...Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Stools
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Pr. Post Modern Lacquered Three Drawer Commode Night Stands ChestsBy Gene Jonson and Robert MarciusLocated in New York, NYExceptional pair of three drawer commodes, or large night stand tables, having a pale yellow finish, and bright chrome drawer pulls. These pieces ar...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsChrome
- Post Modern Eclipse Lounge Chair by Jay Specter for Century Furniture c 1970/80sBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in New York, NYVoguish Hollywood Regency, Art Deco Revival, Post Modern lounge chair designed by Jay Spectre for Century Furniture, circa 1970/1980's. The chair features a dramatic continuous arm ...Category
Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Burl Chrome Nightstand End Table Possibly Ello or PaceBy Pace Furniture Company, Ello FurnitureLocated in New York, NYChic burl and chrome stand having bright chrome sides with high gloss burl drawer fronts and top surface. The cabinet has three drawers, and is well co...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Dra...
MaterialsChrome
- Pr. Mid Century Nightstands by Renzo Rutili for Johnson Furniture Co. c 1960'sBy Johnson Furniture Company, Renzo RutiliLocated in New York, NYChic, architectural and sophisticated pair of two drawer night tables designed by Renzo Rutili for the Johnson Furniture Company, circa 1960's. The tables feature an overhanging top ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood, Cherry
- Pr. Night Stand End, Side Tables by Grosfeld House in Blue Leather and WoodBy Grosfeld HouseLocated in New York, NYPure 1940's voguish glam, pair of two tier night tables made by Grosfeld House circa 1940's. The tables have blue finished leather surfaces, on bl...Category
Vintage 1940s American Hollywood Regency Side Tables
MaterialsLeather, Mahogany
- Jay Spectre King Headboard with Integral Night StandsBy Jay Spectre, Century FurnitureLocated in Highland, INThis king size headboard with attached nighstands was designed by Jay Spectre for Century as part of his "Eclipse" collection. Oak with black lacquer finish, it features chrome steel...Category
Vintage 1980s American Post-Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsSteel
- Jay Spectre NightstandsBy Jay SpectreLocated in Denton, TXJay Spectre for Century Furniture oak and stainless steel nightstands.Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsSteel
- Century Furniture White Lacquered Bombe Form Bedside Chests, Newly RefinishedBy Century FurnitureLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional pair of Italian Provincial style bombe chests or nightstands By Century Furniture USA, Late 20th Century White lacquered ...Category
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Jay Spectre Nightstands in Black Lacquer and Brushed Chrome PlinthBy Jay SpectreLocated in Los Angeles, CABeautiful pair of nightstands designed by Jay Spectre in the late 1970s or early 1980s. The nightstands are freshly refinished in a high gloss black lacquered finish, the plinth base...Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Night Stands
MaterialsChrome
- Pair Mid-Century Modern Cabinets Commodes or Night Stands Harrison Van HornBy Karl Springer, Harrison Van HornLocated in Stamford, CTPair of Mid-Century Modern commodes, nightstands or cabinets. This fine pair of Karl Springer Style cabinets by Harrison Van-Horn in a cloth wrapped black lacquered finish are simply...Category
Vintage 1980s North American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBronze
- Pair of Dorothy Draper for Heritage Espana Chests / Commodes, Mid-Century ModernBy Dorothy Draper, Heritage-HenredonLocated in Stamford, CTPair of Heritage Espana Chests by Dorothy Draper, Stamped, Mid Century Modern A pair of stunning fully refinished chests or nightstand tables by Heritage for Dorothy Draper in a fine ebony lacquered finished with brass circular pulls. Each having the signature three recessed drawer on a bracket base. Fine fully refinished condition. The pair branded. Chests 31.5H 38W 20D The most iconic of Hollywood Regency glam - is Dorothy Draper's España bunching chest. Dorothy Draper (1889-1969), America's most famous decorator, produced her most sought after and iconic pieces - the España bunching chest and the España cabinet - after touring Spain for inspiration at the invitation of the Spanish government whom wished to spark interest in Spain's culture through furnishings emblematic of its rich history and traditions. The España chest is the most readily recognized and certainly the most well-known piece representative of midcentury Hollywood Regency style. Most recently, a pair was featured in the “Sex in the City...Category
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass