James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
American, Turkish, 1904-1978
James Mont’s life as an unmistakably talented furniture designer and interior decorator could fill the pages of a best-selling novel or be reimagined as a Hollywood feature film. From the 1930s through the 1960s, Tinseltown’s glitterati and Manhattan’s Mafia underworld coveted his sofas, coffee tables and table lamps.
Mont was born Demetrios Pecintoglu in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1904 to a family of artists. He reportedly studied architecture and art in Spain and France, and during the 1920s, Mont immigrated with his family to the United States.
Mont and his family settled in New York, where he found work in a Brooklyn electrical supply shop. There he sold hardware and designed his own lighting fixtures. The latter caught the eye of a gangster named Frankie Yale, who commissioned him to refurnish his house. Mont’s opulent designs drew on Art Deco, Hollywood Regency and were occasionally marked by chinoiserie, then a very popular trend in decorating. He created the kind of low-profile side tables and sofas that are frequently associated with mid-century modernism, and he is credited today with helping popularize the integration of Asian influences in modern American design.
Mont soon attracted New York City’s most infamous crime bosses, including Charles “Lucky” Luciano and Frank Costello. For a range of mobsters, he created fashionable, functional and sophisticated pieces such as collapsible home bars that would fold down and out of view — a particularly convenient feature during Prohibition — and tables and desks with secret drawers, which were also handy to Mont’s shady clientele.
“You bought a bar from him, and he would also deliver booze in a baby carriage,” antiques dealer and furniture retailer Todd Merrill told New York about Mont in 2008.
Mont designed a room for the World’s Fair in 1939 and later befriended Hollywood celebrities such as Bob Hope, who was best man at his wedding, Irving Berlin and Lana Turner. During the 1940s and ‘50s, Mont continued designing furniture, mastering finishing techniques such as lacquering and incorporating a distinctive “leafing” print effect with silver and gold into his pieces.
Mont’s designs enjoyed a resurgence in the 1990s, and his pieces continue to be sought after by collectors.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage James Mont sideboards, tables and storage cabinets.
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Creator: James Mont
Original James Mont Cabinet in Asian Style
By James Mont
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare cabinet by James Mont in chinoiserie style. Original black lacquer and red painted interior. Original gilded wood handles.
Category
1950s North American Chinoiserie Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
James Mont Combed Oak KOI Credenza, Signed
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Rare, made to order Koi cabinet featuring solid oak construction which has a custom white/sand cerused, wire brush finish. Cabinet features 4 large deep dr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
James Mont, Dresser, Wood, USA, 1940s
By James Mont
Located in High Point, NC
A wood dresser designed and produced by James Mont, USA, c. 1940s.
Originally from a James Mont interior.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Signed James Mont Sideboard in Black Lacquer W/ Gilded Wood Pulls
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This sideboard, signed by the illustrious 20th century designer James Mont, has an impact rarely seen. Bold and forward facing, this sideboard is beautifully restored in gleaming Bla...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Modern Console Table Credenza by James Mont, circa 1960, USA
By James Mont
Located in North York, ON
Modern Console Table Credenza by James Mont, circa 1960s, USA. Masterfully restored by the artisans at Carrocel in a semi-gloss white lacquered finish with hand painted gold accents....
Category
1960s American Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Mid-Century Sideboard in Black Lacquer with Greek Key Detail by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modern black lacquer sideboard was realized by the legendary designer James Mont in the United States circa 1950. The hind legs of the piece are straight, volumetric rectangular forms, while the front legs have two L-shaped embellishments shooting out from the central stem- offering additional support and obliquely recalling elements of historical antique Chinese design motifs. The center of the piece is recessed, while the two sides are fitted with doors that open to reveal recessed shelves on the left and drawers on the right. The front of the doors offer traditional Kantharos Greek urns with stylized handles culminating in Greek Key forms (a whimsical, tongue in cheek play on a classical motif). Additionally, there is a geometric border at the apex of the piece, suggesting a deconstructed Greek key motif. The piece is fitted with a smoked mirror top that offers a striking contrast to the black lacquer throughout the piece.
Mont was renowned for assimilating elements of classical, orientalist, and Art Deco design into a modern sensibility, using the most luxuriant materials available, a style he termed "Chinese Modern." Mont's pieces filled the interiors of the "who's who" in midcentury America, from East Coast Mafia tycoons to Hollywood's elite. This iconic and dramatic piece exemplifies the qualities that collectors treasure in Mont's practice. The high keyed contrast of the radiant black lacquer finish and gilt recalls the opulent interiors of an Oriental palace...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Lacquer
James Mont Design, Signed, Pencil Reed Trapezoidal Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
James Mont Design, signed, trapezoidal single door cabinet in pencil reed, suitable as nightstand or side cabinet. Circa 1948.
Measures 24" H x 24"...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Reed
Large James Mont Oak Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Stunning large Bleached Oak cabinet by James Mont.
The cabinet has been Newly refinished in a Natural bleached oak and is
accented with Antiqued gilt pulls.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Beautiful Red Lacquered Cabinet by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful red lacquered cabinet by James Mont.
The cabinet has been Newly refinished in a stunning high gloss red lacquer accented by gold leaf pulls.
The ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Art Deco Hollywood Regency Sideboard Credenza by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Chic Art Deco, Hollywood Regency sideboard, credenza, server by noted master of the genre, James Mont. This example features a faux tortoise lacquered exterior, with unexpected ( exc...
Category
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Signed James Mont Design Pagoda Cocktail Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
Signed "James Mont Design" 1950's 'Chinese Modern' pagoda-form black lacquer bar cabinet with red lacquer interior and 'speakeasy' discrete swivel c...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Pair of James Mont Oak Front Cabinets
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of cabinets by James Mont.
The newly refinished black satin cabinets are set off by wonderful oak patchwork door fronts.
One cabinet has four interior drawers and the...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood, Oak
Spectacular James Mont Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular James Mont cabinet Newly restored in a stunning high gloss lacquered finish.
The cabinet features two center doors with adjustable interior shelves and six side drawers....
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Softwood
James Mont Chinoiserie Bamboo Dressers
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Pair of mint restored bleached/cerused oak dressers with chinoiserie inspired carved bamboo trim with an aged silver leaf finish. Stamped James Mont Designs.
Each chest has 3 drawers. On display at 200 Lexington...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Silver Leaf
Spectacular Pair of Rare James Mont Scroll Cabinets
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Beautifully executed pair of James Mont cabinets with scroll handles.
The cabinets have been Newly restored in a glazed silver leaf finish
and are branded "JAMES MONT DESIGN".
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Pair of Elegant James Mont Cerused Custom Cabinet /Nightstand Chests
By James Mont
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of oak cerused James Mont petite three-drawer chest / nightstand cabinets with original bronze finish ring.
Category
Early 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Metal
Pair of Cerused Oak Cabinets with Greek Key Frieze by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
A pair of cabinets designed by James Mont, custom made for a private client in New York. Made of black, cerused oak with a blind-fret Greek key border on three sides. Cabinet door op...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Stunning Large Black Lacquered Cabinet by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular James Mont branded black lacquer chest of drawers with raised edges. Gold leafed raised draw pulls and four luxuriously deep draws of 8" each.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Gold Leaf
Rare Pair of Wave Front Cabinets / Nightstands by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful pair of rare wave front cabinets / nightstands by James Mont.
The cabinets have been totally restored in a beautiful ebonized finish.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Iconic Bamboo Style Dresser by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Large bamboo dresser designed by James Mont.
This is a beautiful example of his iconic bamboo style.
The casework is of Cerused oak and it has been newly refinished with the bamboo...
Category
1950s American Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Oak
James Mont Silver Leafed Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful brushed glazed silver leaf cabinet by James Mont.
The cabinet has been totally restored to the original finish.
The bell shaped metal handles open the doors to an interio...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Silver Leaf
Stunning Cabinet in Black Cerused Oak with Carved Bamboo Motif by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Stunning cabinet by James Mont. It is finished in a glamorous black cerused oak, and the small pedestals at each end have a gilded carved bamboo motif.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
James Mont Console Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
Grand scale console cabinet in hand rubbed black lacquer finish by James Mont (1904-1978), the "godfather of exotic modernism" who introduced "orientalism" into American 20th century...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Rare Pair of Decorator Mid-Century Modern 3-Drawer Dressers by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of Mid-Century Modern decorator signed dressers or bachelor chests by James Mont.
Silver drawer fronts with large ball shape pulls. Heavy solid birch waved shape block drawer f...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Birch
Exquisite Large Glazed silver Leaf Cabinet by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite Large cabinet by James Mont.
The cabinet which has a slight trapezoid edge has been beautifully restored in a stunning glazed silver leaf finish and is branded
"James Mont".
The round door...
Category
1950s American Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Silver Leaf
Large Bamboo Dresser by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Large bamboo detailed dresser by James Mont.
This large 2-piece cabinet has been restored in a natural driftwood finish and is in Excellent condition and is accented by the beautifu...
Category
1950s American Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
James Mont Cinnabar Lacquered Secretaire
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
Extremely rare, possibly one of a kind, secretary cabinet with bookcase by the godfather of exotic modernism, James Mont, circa 1950. Hand rubbed cinnabar lacquered...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
James Mont Mirrored Cabinet, 1950s
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional 1950s mirrored cabinet by James Mont.
This beautifully executed mirrored cabinet has a hand-carved deeply beveled silver leaf and burnish frame. The cabinet features fou...
Category
1950s American Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Minimalist Cabinet by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Minimalist cabinet by James Mont.
The cabinet has been newly refinished in a high gloss white lacquer.
The lacquered doors are accented by the silver leaf "X" door pulls.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Lacquer
James Mont Console Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
Blonde polished lacquer console cabinet by James Mont (1904-1978), the father of "exotic modernism" who introduced "orientalism" into America...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
James Mont Chin Hua Hollywood Regency Buffet Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Pasadena, TX
Chin Hua inspired buffet or cabinet designed by James Mont. Ebonized oak with silver leaf detailing. Four center drawers with carved pulls and two side doors with shelved storage.
Category
1940s American Hollywood Regency Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Silver Leaf
Large Rare Fish Cabinet by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite large cabinet is by James Mont. The cabinet is a beautiful cerused oak and has a slight trapezoidal shape.
In the centre of the cabinet there is a wonderful fish medallion which when pushed the rotating door...
Category
1940s American Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Wood
Glamorous Mirrored Cabinet with Caryatids by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Glamorous mirrored cabinet with hand-carved caryatids by James Mont.
The casework is finished in antiqued glazed silver leaf, with panels of antiqued mirror.
Category
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Glass, Wood
Rare James Mont Shelving, Custom Bookcase, Cabinet, Asian Modernist
By James Mont
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare James Mont shelving, cusstoms bookcase, cabinet, Asian Modernist design. Wonderful color, surface, patina. Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en route from Buffalo...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Case Pieces and Storage Cabinets
Materials
Brass
James Mont case pieces and storage cabinets for sale on 1stDibs.
James Mont case pieces and storage cabinets 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 James Mont case pieces and storage cabinets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original case pieces and storage cabinets by James Mont were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider case pieces and storage cabinets by Renzo Rutili, Johnson Furniture Co., and Brown Saltman. Prices for James Mont case pieces and storage cabinets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $10 and can go as high as $42,000, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $14,500.