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.
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.
Upholstery
Oak Parquetry Upholstered Bench, Dark Oak
Located in Westwood, NJ
A dark oak parquetry upholstered bench with tapered legs. Crafted with rustic oak with an upholstered seat, this bench is the perfect addition to the foot of any bed or entryway. S...
Wood
$4,785 / item
H 17.5 in W 48 in D 18 in
Minimalist Arched Upholstered Arcade Bench Lacquer on Oak by Martin and Brockett
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Martin & Brockett's Arcade Bench 48” in Lacquer is a nod to the ancient Roman architectural form- a succession of contiguous arches supported by columns. It...
Oak
$3,900 / set
H 21.5 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
Vintage Pair of Faux Bamboo Ottomans Benches Stools Birds New Upholstery
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Lovely pair of vintage faux bamboo ottomans, benches, stools. Newly upholstered in a bird fabric. Original wood finish. No damage or defects. Dimensions: 21.5 H x 27.5 W x 27.5 D.
Upholstery, Faux Bamboo
Long Upholstered Os de Mouton Bench, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This gorgeous cushioned bench from the late 18th century is crafted in the Louis XIV style with an upholstered top and beautifully carved legs and stre...
Wool, Walnut
Oak Parquetry Upholstered Bench, Light Oak
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Light oak parquetry upholstered bench with tapered legs. Crafted with rustic oak with an upholstered seat, this bench is the perfect addition to the foot of any bed or entryway. ...
Wood
$2,392Sale Price|20% Off
H 18 in W 56 in D 32 in
Custom Made Iron Base Upholstered Ottoman or Bench from Vintage Turkish Rug
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Custom Made Bench ottoman by Bloom Home Inc. Size: 56”W x 32”D x 18”H Custom made metal base, and powder coated in a dark iron bronze finish. The upholstered top is from an antique or vintage turkish rug. Color: cream / gray / taupe / faded red / pink / with floral patter / vintage rug Content: wool / metal Firm foam topper, can be used as an end of the bed bench...
Iron
$2,300 / set
H 17 in W 20.5 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Upholstered and Wood Bench Set by Milo Baughman Thayer Coggin
By Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A clean line modern bench set designed by Milo Baughman and produced by Thayer Coggin 1960s. It features a solid maple frame with original metallic ...
Naugahyde, Wood
$3,600 / set
H 18.5 in W 29 in D 18.5 in
Vintage Pair of Newly Upholstered Coral Parsons Benches Ottomans Stools
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage pair of 1970s parsons stools, benches, ottomans. Newly upholstered in a. fabulous coral fabric. Dimensions: 18.5 H x 29 W x 18.5 D.
Upholstery
$1,960Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 16 in W 19.75 in D 15.5 in
Elegant Pair of Traditional Parsons Style Mahogany & Upholstered Benches
By Kittinger
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An elegant pair of vintage mahogany & rasberry linen upholstered traditional rectangular benches with decorative trim.
Upholstery, Mahogany
Milo Baughman Parsons Style Upholstered Ottoman
By Billy Baldwin, Thayer Coggin, Milo Baughman
Located in Houston, TX
Stunning midcentury Milo Baughman Parsons style upholstered ottoman. This gorgeous Hollywood Regency Parsons ottoman or bench has been professionally ...
Bouclé
$6,200 / set
H 16 in W 19 in D 18 in
Pair of Waterfall Benches Newly Upholstered in Ivory White Bouclé, circa 1970s
By Directional
Located in Saint Louis, MO
Sculptural and modern 1970s waterfall benches attributed to Directional professionally reupholstered in soft ivory bouclé fabric and photographed with a pair of Vladimir Kagan Nautilus swivel chairs - also by Directional - and a Charles Hollis Jones faux bamboo Lucite and brass console also available in our shop. Sculptural. Timelessly sexy waterfall silhouette. Neutral color makes this pair of waterfall...
Bouclé, Upholstery
$1,250 / set
H 18.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Midcentury Postmodern Waterfall Upholstered Bench Set, Ottomans or Poufs in Pink
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A Classic looking upholstered bench set from the 1980s with a waterfall form. This well made set still retains its original upholstery which is in fantastic condition.
Fabric
Long Cerused Oak Bench by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Long Cerused oak bench by James Mont. James Mont (1904-1978), a notorious midcentury designer and interior decorator, counted gangsters and movie ...
Upholstery, Oak
James Mont Upholstered Bench with Patinated Brass Pull Midcentury
By James Mont
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Lovely and substantial two-seat bench with with an asian flair. Original patinated brass drawer pull upholstered seats made with incredible care and integrity.
Upholstery
James Mont Window or Long Bench with Clarence House Fabric
By James Mont
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful white lacquer wooden window or long bench by mid century probably by James Mont, with Clarence House fabric. Sleek modernist form and...