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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Creator: James Mont
Dealer: Prime Gallery LLC
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Set of Eight Art Deco Influenced Dining Chairs by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Set of eight Art Deco influenced dining chairs by James Mont
The beautifully carved chairs have the original silver leafed finish which is in Great condition with minimal wear and t...
Category
1940s American Art Deco Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Silver Leaf
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
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 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
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
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
Pair of James Mont Sofa's
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful James Mont Sofa's.
The elegant Lattice framed Sofa's have been Newly reupholstered in an ivory colored fabric and each sofa has two separate ...
Category
1950s American Hollywood Regency Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
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
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
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
Large Cerused Oak Mirror by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful large cerused oak mirror in the original soft olive green stained finish.
The mirror is branded James Mont.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Very Rare James Mont Burnished Leaf Coffee Table
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Extremely rare James Mont burnished silver leaf coffee table.
The table has bold moldings around the top and is in Good original vintage condition.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage James Mont Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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 Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
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
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 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.