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.
Pair of James Mont Style Lacquered Horseshoe Chairs by Century
By Century Furniture, James Mont
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Opulent pair of large Chinese ming style horseshoe lounge chairs made by Century. Originally designed by James Mont these chairs epitomize his over the...
Brass
James Mont King Cole Mid-century Beech Bentwood Armchair
By James Mont
Located in San Francisco, CA
of sleek mid-century design with an elegant profile, James Mont's King Cole chair was deigned for one of his most notable commissions, the King Cole Pe...
Beech
James Mont Mid-Century Lounge Armchair, Faux White Leather, 1950
By James Mont
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American (1950) lounge / armchair with a high, tapered, button tufted back, curved frame, rolled arms, upholstered in faux white leather...
Upholstery, Wood, Textile
$1,765Sale Price / set|35% Off
H 31.5 in W 25.2 in D 30.32 in
Pair of Mid-Century Danish Lounge Chairs Armchairs Denmark, C.1950
Located in London, GB
A pair of mid-century Danish lounge chairs armchairs C.1960. Constructed in a beech frame and upholstered in a classic mid-century grey wool fabric. In excellent condition commensu...
Wool, Beech
Hollywood Regency James Mont Style Lacquer Lounge Armchair by Century
By James Mont, Century Furniture
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Hollywood Regency style lounge accent chair by Century Furniture. This James Mont style armchair features a gloss black lacquer wood frame with brass hardware accents. Cushion is new...
Brass
$1,650 / set
H 29 in W 20.5 in D 21 in
Mid Century Modern Cane James Mont King Cole Style Bentwood Arm Chairs - a Pair
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Please message us with your zip code to request a more reasonable domestic U.S. shipping quote. Vintage Mid Century Modern Cane "James Mont, King Cole" Style Bentwood Arm Chairs - a...
Cane, Wood
Mid Century Leather Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-Century Modern style leather upholstered armchair with a floating headrest, with vintage style aniline top grade brown leather with a tub back form, cushion seat and raised on sp...
Leather
$4,250 / set
H 24.5 in W 29.63 in D 28 in
James Mont Style - Pair of Greek Key Arm Chairs w/ Black Frames Asian Influence
By James Mont, Baker Far East Collection
Located in St. Louis, MO
Striking and rarely seen pair of James Mont style low lounge chairs with sculpted Geek Key arms and backs on splayed legs. Black lacquer frames to be refinished prior to shipping, cu...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$1,450 / set
H 30 in W 31 in D 27 in
Pair of James Mont Style Mid-Century Lacquered Horseshoe Chairs by Century
By James Mont
Located in Chicago, IL
A lovely pair of large Chinese ming style horseshoe lounge chairs made by Century Furniture. Originally designed by James Mont these chairs epitomize his over the top dramatic mid-ce...
Textile, Wood
$1,000
H 30.5 in W 29.5 in D 22 in
Asia Modern Chinese Horseshoe Style Lounge Chair by Century Furniture after Mont
By Century Furniture, James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Voguish, chic, and sophisticated horseshoe style, Chinese influence lounge chair, attributed to the Century Furniture Co. in the style of James Mont. The chair features a solid oak frame, in original dark brown finish, with exceptional original fabric upholstery. This example was made in the USA, circa 1950/1960’s it is in very fine condition showing only light cosmetic cosmetic...
Upholstery, Oak
Vintage Mid Century Thonet Bentwood Armchairs - a Pair
By Thonet
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Rare vintage set of mid century Thonet bentwood armchairs. Bright, striking orange. Can't find these chairs anywhere. The seat back actually reclines a little. The tag says blended c...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair James Mont King Cole Chairs, Circa 1960's
By James Mont
Located in Rochester, NY
A pair of King Cole Chairs. The name of these chairs comes from a James Mont commission for a lavish penthouse design in the King Cole building in Miam...
Upholstery, Faux Leather, Cane, Bentwood
$3,495
H 29.5 in W 31 in D 27 in
Vintage Chinoiserie Ming Style Yoke Back Chairs Black Lacquered Style James Mont
By James Mont, Century Furniture
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Asian Chinoiserie Ming style yoke back chairs with black lacquered frames & brass details in the style of James Mont. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that thes...
Brass
$1,440Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31 in W 31 in D 22.5 in
Pr. Chinese Modern Ox Bow Chairs in Faux Jade Finish by Century Furniture
By James Mont, Century Furniture
Located in New York, NY
Pure voguish style pair of chairs in the Chinese, or Asia Modern style - executed in an unusual Jade faux finish. Both are in very good, original clean and ready to use condition - b...
Brass
$2,995
H 30 in W 28.25 in D 27.25 in
Ming Style Black Lacquer & Brass Low Chair After James Mont Scalamandre Zebra
By Scalamandre, James Mont
Located in Topeka, KS
Stunning vintage Ming style yoke back black lacquered low chair with square brass sabots in the style of James Mont. Re-upholstered in El Morocco Espresso f...
Brass
Vintage James Mont Style Black Lacquer Asian Ming Chairs - Pair
By James Mont
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage James Mont Style Black Lacquer Asian Ming Chairs - Pair Featuring a pair of modern James Mont Style Black Lacquer Asian Chinoiserie Ming Chairs in green fabric. A touch of F...
Wrought Iron
Sold
H 28.5 in W 23 in D 24 in
Pr James Mont King Cole Style Arm Lounge Chairs Bentwood Frames and Caned Backs
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Chic, sleek, and sophisticated pair of caned back lounge chairs, known as the King Cole chair, design attributed to James mont. The chairs feature a d...
Cane, Wood
James Mont, Armchairs, Wood, Velvet, USA, 1940s
By James Mont
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of black-lacquer wood and brown velvet armchairs, designed and produced by James Mont, USA, c. 1940s. Seat Height (inches): 19.5" Arm Height (inches): 26" All items ship fr...
Velvet, Wood
Sold
H 28 in W 31 in D 28 in
Century Furniture Matching Pair of James Mont Horseshoe Chairs Black Lacquer
By James Mont, Century Furniture
Located in West Hartford, CT
Magnificent matching pair of James Mont style chairs by Century Furniture. Black lacquer throughout. Now, more than ever, home is where the heart is.
Brass
Pair of Midcentury Henredon James Mont Carved Lacquered Horseshoe Chairs
By James Mont, Henredon
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant pair of James Mont style horseshoe chairs by Henredon. These feature not only gorgeous cane seats but also custom leopard set cushions. All manufacturer hallmarks are at bott...
Fabric, Cane, Wood, Lacquer
Sold
H 36 in W 25 in D 24 in
Mid-Century Modern Signed Henredon James Mont Carved Lacquered Horseshoe Chair
By Henredon, James Mont
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant James Mont style horseshoe chair by Henredon. This one features not only gorgeous cane seat but also a custom leopard set cushion. All manufacturer...
Fabric, Cane, Wood, Lacquer
James Mont Style Horseshoe Lounge Chairs, Pair
By James Mont
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Stunning pair of James Mont style Asian horseshoe armchairs. Both possess a dark stain wood frame with hand carved reliefs and decorations. The ...
Wool, Wood
Set of Six James Mont Style Horseshoe Chairs by Bernhardt
By Bernhardt, James Mont
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fabulous set of six Mid-Century Modern horseshoe chairs by Bernhardt Furniture Company. Made in the manner and style of James Mont featuring a black lacquered finish. Shaped chow sty...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 31 in W 30 in D 27 in
Pair of James Mont for Century Asian Inspired Horseshoe Chairs in Emerald Green
By Century Furniture, James Mont
Located in Philadelphia, PA
These chairs have brass details and a lovely warm finish. Brand new seat cushions have been upholstered in an emerald green velvet.
Velvet
Rare James Mont Upholstered Lounge Chair
By James Mont
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare James Mont lounge chair with curved arms. Another one available to make a pair.
Pair of Sculptural Armchairs by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Westport, CT
Pair of Mid-Century Modern armchairs by James Mont. Sculptural walnut frames newly refinished in natural. Newly reupholstered in grey high grade wool.
Walnut, Upholstery
Sold
H 36.5 in W 22.5 in D 22.5 in
Handsome Pair James Mont Tuxedo Occasional Armchairs, Dining or Sitting Chairs
By James Mont
Located in Hudson, NY
A pair of rare James Mont dining or occasional chairs in original distressed gold leaf finish. The seat height is 19 inch. 16 wide and 16 3/4 deep.
Upholstery, Mahogany