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.
An Impressive James Mont Lamp
By James Mont
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A large, rare lamp by James Mont. Etched glass with stylized bamboo motif, laquered base. Original base and shade (recovered in green silk). Overall height including shade 39". Glass...
Brass
$28,000 / set
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...
Brass
$1,619 / set
Pair of James Mont Style Brass Chinoiserie Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Redding, CT
Pair of James Mont Style Brass Chinoiserie Lamps. Intricate Asian motifs and detail to the brass design. Elegant large designer lamps that will make a statement in any room. Measure...
Brass
$5,800 / item
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...
Silver Leaf
$3,850 / set
Large Pair of Brass Lamps by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Houston, TX
Large pair of brass lamps by James Mont. This stunning pair of Hollywood Regency Asian Modern brass lamps are statement pieces and have been n...
Brass
$9,800 / item
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 Lamp shades NOT included
Wood
$2,850 / set
Pair of James Mont Asian Modern Brass Lamps
By Chapman Manufacturing Company, James Mont, The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of James Mont Asian Modern brass lamps. These stunning heavyweight Hollywood Regency brass lamps feature Chinese characters, Greek keys a...
Brass
$9,800 / set
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...
Wood
$14,500 / set
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...
Wood
$6,500 / set
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. ...
Wood
Substantial James Mont Pierced Column Ebonized Wood Table Lamp, C. 1950
By James Mont
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Monumental James Mont hand carved Black Pierced Column Table Lamp. Featuring a large, slight hourglass form in blackened carved wood with silvered details. Small footprint. Shade sh...
Wood
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...
Metal
$2,850 / set
Pair of Asian Modern Brass Lamps by James Mont
By The Marbro Lamp Company, Wildwood Lamp Company, Chapman Manufacturing Company, Frederick Cooper, James Mont
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Asian Modern brass lamps by James Mont. These stunning heavyweight Hollywood Regency brass lamps feature Chinese characters, Greek key...
Brass
Pair of Gold Leaf Gilded Wood Gesso Lamps by James Mont, USA, 1950s
By James Mont
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pair of Gold Leaf Gilded Wood Gesso Lamps by James Mont, USA, 1950s A pair of bulbous form Asian-inspired, heavy striated gesso design, red painted and gold gilt over wood table lam...
Wood
James Mont Gilt Wood Spiral Lamp
By Frederick Cooper, James Mont
Located in Miami, FL
Spectacular Parcel Gilt and Carved Wood open spiral form table lamp. New custom champagne / golden beige silk shade. The helix shaped lamp is in great original condition with gold l...
Glass, Wood, Silk
Beautiful Pair of Table Lamps by James Mont with Original Shade
By James Mont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We have over 3000 antique sconces and over 1000 antique lights, if you need a specific pair of sconces or lights; use the "Contact Dealer" button to ask us, we might have it in our s...
Brass
$1,520Sale Price|68% Off
James Mont Hand-Carved Hollywood Regency Buddha Lamp
By James Mont
Located in Pasadena, TX
Hand carved Buddha with plaster details. The lamp features lovely details in gold patina. Lampshade is not original. Example of a seated Buddha figure lamp by James Mont.
Gold
James Mont Ceramic Tara Buddha Head Lamp, circa 1950
By James Mont
Located in San Francisco, CA
James Mont ceramic Tara Buddha head lamp, circa 1950 Dimensions: 6" wide x 7" deep at the base x 29.5" high to the socket x 42" high to the finial ...
Ceramic
Large Pair of Hollywood Regency Asian Style Brass Table Lamps by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Incredible pair of Asian inspired brass table lamps, by James Mont. The lamps are in very fine, original, clean, working and ready to use condition, showing only light cosmetic wear,...
Brass
James Mont Plaster Tara Buddha Head Lamp, circa 1950
By James Mont
Located in New Orleans, LA
Designed in the 1950s by James Mont, this mid century Tara Buddha bust vintage table lamp is a true statement piece for your eclectic or mid century home's decor. It is a ceramic pla...
Plaster
$3,500
James Mont Lamp
By James Mont
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large scale table lamp. Carved and gilt surface. Period shade.
Wood
$3,200 / set
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 rewire...
Brass, Nickel
$2,880Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of James Mont Gilt Foo Dog Lamps on Cerused Oak Bases
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Great pair of Mont lamps, gilt foo dogs, mounted on cerused oak bases. These lamps include the original shades, shades show minor wear. Both lamps are i...
Giltwood, Oak
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.
Silver Leaf
American Mid-Century James Mont Tall Silver Lamp
By James Mont
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century tall tapered square chrome plated filigree scroll design table lamp (JAMES MONT)
Chrome
$1,675 / set
Pair of James Mont Carved Wood Table Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Norwood, NJ
Pair of James Mont calligraphy decorated carved wood table lamps. All original James Mont table lamps with carved Chinese calligraphy characters on all sides of tall column forms. Or...
Wood
$1,565Sale Price / set|56% Off
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...
Brass
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 ...
Wood
Pair of James Mont Style Brass Chinoiserie Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of impressive 20th century chinoiserie brass table lamps in the style of James Mont. Solid brass with a wooden base and cap. Ornate brass ...
Brass
Pair of Bronze Table Lamps in the Manner of James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Palm Springs, CA
1960s cast bronze with brass hardware on a wood base table lamps in the manner of James Mont. Newly rewired and new vanilla linen shades. Lamps can be purchased without shades. D...
$3,950 / set
H 33 in W 8.75 in D 6.5 in
James Mont Style Modernist Vintage Restored Nickel Silver Lamps Pair of
By James Mont
Located in North Miami, FL
These nickel silvered heavy James Mont style vintage lamps have the hint of Asian influence with the middle medallion extended down on each lamp. They are modernist in feel and they ...
Brass, Nickel
Pair of James Mont Asian Modern Brass Lamps
By Chapman Manufacturing Company, James Mont, The Marbro Lamp Company
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of James Mont Asian Modern brass lamps. These stunning heavyweight Hollywood Regency brass lamps feature Chinese characters, Greek keys a...
Brass
Pair of Asian Modern Brass Lamps by James Mont
By The Marbro Lamp Company, Wildwood Lamp Company, Chapman Manufacturing Company, Frederick Cooper, James Mont
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Asian Modern brass lamps by James Mont. These stunning heavyweight Hollywood Regency brass lamps feature Chinese characters, Greek key...
Brass
Pair of James Mont Asian Inspired Brass Table Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of large Asian inspired brass or bronze table lamps in manner of James Mont. Newly wired for US with new three-way brass sockets and cords. Shades are not included and are shown...
Brass
Chinoiserie Lamps After James Mont from the Waldorf Astoria
By James Mont
Located in Richmond, VA
Very handsome decorative chinoiserie lamps after famed designer James Mont. Acquired after a redecoration of the Waldorf Astoria. Dragon motif, bla...
Metal
Pair of Heavy Cast Bronze Buddha Lamps in The Style of James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Torquay, GB
Pair of heavy cast bronze buddha lamps in the style of James Mont, made in Belgium circa 1960s. The buddhas are identical and rest on lacquered black wooden bases. The extendable ste...
Brass, Bronze
James Mont Cerused Redwood and Brass Lamps
By James Mont
Located in North Hollywood, CA
James Mont cerused redwood and polished brass lamps.
Brass
Pair of Restored James Mont Style Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Classic pair of blonde wood and brass lamps with interlocking 'Greek key' design in the style of legendary designer, James Mont. The pair have had the center rod re-brass plated a...
Brass
Beautiful Pair of Table Lamps by James Mont with Original Shade
By James Mont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
We have over 3000 antique sconces and over 1000 antique lights, if you need a specific pair of sconces or lights; use the "Contact Dealer" button to ask us, we might have it in our s...
Brass
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...
Wood
Exceptional Pair of Carved Gnarly Tree Form Lamps by James Mont.
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular pair of 1950's lamps by James Mont. The wooden carved gnarly tree form lamps have a silvery / grey distressed finish have they been Newly rewired with adjustable Antiqued...
Brass
Pair of Frederick Cooper “Helix” Table Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Frederick Cooper Helix lamps designed by James Mont. Hand-carved fruitwood with a double barley twist. Art Deco/ Hollywood Regency ...
Wood, Fruitwood, Giltwood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern James Mont Wood Spiral Helix Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
Dimensions: 6.75"W X 6.75"D X 38.5"H.
Wood
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...
Bronze
Pair of Frederick Cooper “Helix” Table Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Frederick Cooper Helix lamps designed by James Mont. Hand-carved fruitwood with a double barley twist. Art Deco/ Hollywood Regency ...
Wood, Fruitwood, Giltwood
James Mont Egyptian Canopic Jar Table Lamp
By James Mont
Located in Astoria, 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...
Metal
James Mont Asian Modern Parcel Gilt Table Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Astoria, NY
James Mont Asian Mid-Century Modern pair of molded composition table lamps, parcel gilt and parcel silvered, in Chinese Modern taste, designed circa 1960, with original silk peplum s...
Metal
Pair of James Mont Carved Giltwood Table Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Astoria, NY
James Mont Mid-Century Modern carved giltwood table lamps, designed circa 1960, composed of older elements.
Giltwood
Pair of Rare James Mont Large Stable Lamps 1950 American Important
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
An iconic pair of American designer, James Mont’s War of the World Table lamps. They are composed of black enameled plaster bodies with polished bronze legs. The have a downward light under the body which illuminates the legs. Very good original condition. Rewired. Rare Documentation: Catalog for the James Mont Exposition by Gallerie Eric Phillipe...
Bronze, Enamel
Asian Style Mixed Metal Pair of Table Lamps, circa 1950s
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
All original James Mont Asian style mixed metal lamps with original harps and finials. As found condition with lots of patina, some wear. Very good quality, heavy for size.
Metal, Brass
James Mont Bamboo Lamp, Signed
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Rare James Mont bamboo motif lamp adorned with small a snail and frog. Original finish, wired with brown silk cord. Stamped on bottom.
Wood
Pair of James Mont Gilt Lamps
By James Mont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of James Mont 24-karat gold leaf over metal filagree lamps - the stunning filagree rests on a lacquered wooden base. Two sockets and an adjustable shade bring the lamps from 42"...
Metal