James Mont Furniture
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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Item Ships From: New York City
Creator: James Mont
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 Furniture
Materials
Oak
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 Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
James Mont Pair of Hand Carved Figural Table Lamps 1950s
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Pair of hand carved table lamps with Chinese figures decorated in gold leaf and white gold leaf by James Mont, American 1950's. New custom silk shades by Lobel Modern. These iconic ...
Category
1950s American Chinoiserie Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Brass, Gold Leaf
James Mont Americna Black Lacquer and Brass Octagonal Low Coffee Table Frame
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century American "Hollywood Regency" style octagonal low coffee table frame, finished in high sheen black lacquer with decorative brass mounts. (JAMES MONT) (glass top missing bu...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Furniture
Materials
Brass, Metal
20th Century James Mont "Natural Form" Table Lamp
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
A large James Mont (1904-1978) "Natural Form" Table Lamp having an intricate hand carved oak wood column with a stylized rockward base on a square plinth. Includes its original cerus...
Category
1960s Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Oak
Set of 6 James Mont American Modern Cerused and Silver Gilt Dining Side Chairs
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
SET of 6 midcentury (1950s) American Modern matte gray cerused oak dining chairs, 2 armchairs, 4 side chairs, the back and seat upholstered in a textured geometric pattern with gold ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Furniture
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Upholstery, Oak
Set of 4 James Mont American Black Lacquered Stripe Upholstered Dining Chairs
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
SET of 4 midcentury American dining / side chairs with a black lacquered wooden frames featuring geometric openwork backs and central splats carved as an organic shaped cut out, and ...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood, Fabric
James Mont American High Back, Button Tufted White Lacquered Lounge/Armchair
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Mid-Century American (1950) lounge / armchair with a high, tapered, button tufted back, curved frame, rolled arms, upholstered in faux white leather...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Furniture
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Glass, Lacquer
James Mont, Pair of Giltwood Table Lamps, United States, circa 1960
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Mont’s designs set him apart as a singular figure of the American midcentury. Straddling the overlapping worlds of Art Deco, Hollywood Regency, and Mid- century Modern, he conformed ...
Category
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
James Mont Large Coffee Table in White Gold Leaf, 1950s
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Large coffee table decorated in white gold leaf with smoke glass top and key design on all sides with column legs by James Mont, American, 1950s.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of 1950's James Mont "War of the Worlds" Lamps
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Rare pair of 1950's James Mont lamps.
The main lacquered lamp bodies are supported by eight tapered
brass legs, and they have been Newly rewired for the US with
adjus...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Brass
James Mont American High Style Green Lacquer and Glass Rectangular Cocktail
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century High Style (circa 1940) rectangular coffee table with a green lacquered wooden frame, a clear glass top, and a rectangular stretcher shelf. (JAMES MONT)
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Furniture
Materials
Wood, Glass, Paint
Midcentury James Mont Table Lamp
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This James Mont table lamp is comprised of a cast bronze body with wood base and top. It was made in the Mid-20th Century. Like Mont's other eccentric designs, the lamp brings togeth...
Category
Mid-20th Century James Mont Furniture
Materials
Bronze
James Mont Egyptian Canopic Jar Table Lamp
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
James Mont Mid-Century Modern ebonized and parcel gilt molded composition table lamp in shape of an Egyptian canopic jar, designed circa 1960.
Dimen...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of JAMES MONT Design Gilt Leafed Lamps
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Stunning pair of Wooden lamps with a beautiful gilt leafed finished.
The lamps have been Newly re gilded and rewired with adjustable polished
bras...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood, Oak
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 Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
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 Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Set of Four Signed James Mont Black Drink Glasses with Hand Drawn Caricatures
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This whimsical and sophisticated set of James Mont glasses were realized by James Mont, circa 1960. Realized in translucent glass, these water glasses feature four unique hand drawn ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Enamel
James Mont Cerused Oak Mirror
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
James Mont Cerused oak mirror.
The wood retains the original finish which is in excellent vintage condition.
The mirror can be hung horizontal...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Pair of James Mont Mid-Century Lounge Chairs
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite pair of rare lounge chairs by James Mont.
The wide framed chairs have been fully restored with satin black frames and Mohair upholstery which is tufted on the seats.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Ebonized Coffee Table with Mottled Antique Glass by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Ebonized coffee table with mottled antique glass and retractable top by James Mont, American, 1940s. Table is 68 inches wide when top is fully opened.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
James Mont Architectural Side Table
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Architectural side table by James Mont.
Square side table with Architectural column details and banded with a Greek Key trim.
The table ret...
Category
1950s American Neoclassical Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
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 Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Rare James Mont Bamboo Lamps
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful pair of James Mont bamboo lamps with a frog and snail detail.
The lamps have their original silver leafed finish with a red underglaze and...
Category
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Wood
James Mont Lattice Frame Upholstered Bench
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Black lattice frame bench by James Mont.
The bench has been newly refinished and reupholstered in an ivory
colored fabric with biscuit tufted detail.
Category
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Pair of James Mont Silver Leafed Lamps
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful pair of glazed silver leafed lamps by James Mont.
The lamps have been newly rewired with polished nickel double clusters.
The price is for the pair
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Oak
Rare "Rococo" Modern Mirror by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite rare Rococo modern mirror by James Mont.
This unusual mirror has an undulating frame retaining its original finish of silver leaf.
Wonderf...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
James Mont Dining Set, 7 pcs
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic 1960s Chinoiserie influenced dining set in silvered and gilded wood with polychromed details. Set includes four side chairs and two arm chairs with gilded fretwork backs an...
Category
1960s American Hollywood Regency Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Beautiful James Mont Mirror
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular James Mont mirror with a wonderful carved frame in the original silver celadon finish. The mirror itself has an antique patina.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Mirror
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of James Mont Dolphin Chairs
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite pair of high back dolphin chairs by James Mont.
The chairs have been beautifully reupholstered in a luxurious Romo velvet fabric and sit on de...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
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 Furniture
Materials
Oak
James Mont Cerused Oak, Silvered Bamboo Mirror, 2 of 2
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Custom finished bleached, white cerused oak framed mirror with a silver leaf bamboo frieze top. Mint restored condition. Currently a pair is available.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
Rare Pair of Lamps by James Mont with Chinese Warrior Figures
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Gorgeous pair of table lamps by James Mont.
They have silver leafed oriental style pedestals that support polychromed wooden figurines of equestrian Chinese...
Category
1950s American Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Metal
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
James Mont Cerused Oak, Silvered Bamboo Mirror, 1 of 2
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Custom finished bleached, white cerused oak framed mirror with a silver leaf bamboo frieze top. Mint restored condition. Currently a pair is available.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern James Mont Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
Pair of 1950s James Mont Lamps
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful pair of 1950s hand carved Chinese figurine lamps by
James Mont.
The cinnabar lamp bases and figurines are decorated with gold leaf.
...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Wood
James Mont Carved, Silvered Column Lamp
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite carved wood column lamp with a silver leaf finish by James Mont. Rewired for use in the USA. 60W max each socket.
Category
20th Century American Art Deco James Mont Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Pair of James Mont Lamps
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Pair of column lamps by James Mont.
The lamps have a beautiful decorative design with a glazed silver leaf finish.
They have been newly rewired for the US with polished nickel doub...
Category
1950s American Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
James Mont Gold Leaf Coffee Table, Signed
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
James Mont hand gilded circular coffee table with a smoked eglomise mirror top. The perfect finishing statement for any traditional, glam or modern room. Mint restored.
Category
20th Century American Hollywood Regency James Mont Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Pair of Brass and Nickel Lamps by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Pair of lamps by James Mont.
The faceted nickel lamp bodies are framed in brass with ornamental ring.
They sit up on wooden bases which have a pickled oak finish and are newly rewi...
Category
1950s American Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Brass, Nickel
Lovely Wooden Wine Cooler by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Lovely wooden wine cooler by James Mont.
The interior has a ceramic lining for use with ice.
The exterior has over scale brass fittings, with a nice patina.
Small decorative objec...
Category
1950s American Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Brass
Vintage Pair of Large Black Lacquer and Brass Table Lamps by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sizeable pair of handmade table lamps with black lacquered wood bases and shades & brass characters by James Mont, circa 1948. Pagoda or Asian temple motif informs this unique design...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Brass
Art Deco Influenced Dining Table by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco influenced dining table by James Mont.
The base is a dark cerused oak finis with ornate carving in the corners finish highlighted with a glazed silver leaf. The top is glas...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of 1940s Lamps
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Pair of lamps in the style of James Mont.
Category
1940s American Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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 Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
James Mont, Grey Cerused Fumed Oak King-Size Bed, USA
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
A large custom king-size low bed from James Mont. In traditional Mont style this large commanding bed is opulent with its dark fumed oak frame highlighted by a light gray ceruse. The tufted headboard has been newly reupholstered with Rose Cummings...
Category
1970s American Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Oak
James Mont furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
James Mont furniture 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 furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture 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 furniture by Gerald Thurston, The Marbro Lamp Company, and Robert Sonneman.