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.
$13,500 / set
Pair of Original James Mont Club Chairs (Documented)
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of original upholstered lounge chairs by James Mont, 1957, newly reupholstered in JB Martin blue cotton velvet, on a burled elm base with Hollywood Regency stylized Queen Anne l...
Upholstery, Walnut
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
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
James Mont King Cole Armchair, Beechwood & Naugahyde, Mid-Century
By James Mont
Located in Lake Worth, FL
This iconic James Mont “King Cole” armchair, dated on the underside 1961, exemplifies mid-century modern elegance with its bent beechwood frame, hand-woven cane barrel back, sloping ...
Naugahyde, Beech
$7,800 / set
Pair of Club Chairs by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Dallas, TX
These glamorous and elegant chairs by James Mont, circa 1950. Each chair sits low and has a channeled barrel back that curves around, a thick cushioned seat and ebonized feet. Origin...
Velvet, Wood
Rare 1948 James Mont Designed Wide Tufted Seat Lounge Chair Oval Back Cushion
By James Mont
Located in St. Louis, MO
Circa 1948, documented, by famed NYC designer James Mont, this mid-century modern wide tufted seat lounge chair with ebonized sycamore frame, is ready for your customization. Send yo...
Upholstery, Foam, Sycamore
$12,500 / set
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.
Upholstery
Mid-Century Hand-Rubbed Walnut & Holly Hunt Geo Mohair Club Chairs by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modernist club chairs, designed by the renowned American designer James Mont circa 1950, epitomizes sophistication and luxurious craftsmanship. T...
Mohair, Walnut
$24,000 / set
H 35.5 in W 32.5 in D 26 in
Fabulous Pair of Caramel Rattan and Cane Club Chairs - 2 Pair Available
By McGuire
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent club chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. Expert c...
Cane, Rattan
Stunning Pair of Rattan Club Chairs in Parchment Leather
By Palecek Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
These magnificent club chairs are shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored and installation ready. Expert c...
Leather, Rattan, Hardwood
Pair of Yellow Cube Club Chairs By Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Yellow Cube Club Chairs By Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Signed Dunbar on upholstery as shown. Upholstrey shows some wear and fading, but I believe good to use as-is with may...
Upholstery
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
Pair of Art Deco Club Chairs Argentina, circa 1935
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Elegant pair of fabulous Art Deco Club chairs. Brought back from Argentina this pair is in fabulous condition. Corded fabric has mellowed to a charcoal grey. Some fading has occurred...
Cord, Oak
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Rolling Club Chairs by Henredon
By Henredon
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This striking pair of Mid-Century Modern club chairs feature rounded seat backs, eye-catching vintage fabric, and metal casters for easy rearrangement. This matching pair of Henredon...
$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 James Mont, Scalamandre
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
$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
$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 Century Furniture, James Mont
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
$400Sale Price|32% Off
H 29.25 in W 31 in D 26 in
Ming-Inspired Black Lacquer Armchair in the Style of James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Trenton, NJ
This armchair captures the harmony of Ming-style design infused with James Mont’s mid-century vision. The black lacquered frame highlights its sculptural beauty, creating a dramatic ...
Upholstery, Wood, Lacquer
$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 James Mont, Century Furniture
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
Stunning Pair of Italian Mahogany Club Chairs, 1955
Located in New York, NY
Club chairs with detailed mahogany frame and brass sabot. Upholstered by Venfield in dark moss Holly Hunt high performance fabric with button detail...
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 34 in D 36 in
Mid-Century Diamond Tufted Back Viridian Green Velvet Lounge Chair by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
A stunning Mid-Century Modernist chair designed by the legendary James Mont, originating from the United States, circa 1950. Known for his bold, glamorous designs that seamlessly mar...
Velvet, Walnut
Sold
H 29 in W 43 in D 29 in
Documented Mid-Century Wide Lounge Chairs in Ebonized Sycamore by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This incredible Pair of Documented Mid-Century Modernist Wide Lounge Chairs in Ebonized Sycamore W/ Holly Hunt Fabric by James Mont originates from the United States, Circa 1948. Fab...
Fabric, Sycamore
Sold
H 30 in W 30.25 in D 27 in
James Mont Lacquered Horse Shoe Chairs w/ New Silk Upholstery by Century, a Pair
By Century Furniture, James Mont
Located in Germantown, MD
Opulent pair of large James Mont Ming style horseshoe lounge chairs made by Century Furniture. Designed by James Mont ,these chairs epitomize his over ...
Brass
Sold
H 29.25 in W 29.5 in D 29.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquer & Platinum Silk Barrel Back Chair by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and quintessentially Mid-Century Modern barrel back lounge/club chair was designed by the illustrious American designer James Mont, circa 1950. Mont was renowned for as...
Silk, Walnut
James Mont Lounge Chairs on Brass Bases
By James Mont
Located in Chicago, IL
James Mont Lounge chairs on brass bases. Newly reupholstered in textured boucle velvet. Matching sofa listed separately.
Brass
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
Pair of Ming Style Lounge Chairs by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of Ming Style lounge chairs. These chairs retain the warm patina of the wood and cushions have been re-upholstered in deep green velvet. Dimensions: 31" W x 25" D x 26.5" T. ...
Velvet, Wood
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.
James Mont, Lounge Chair and Ottoman, USA, circa 1940s
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
A plush lounge chair and ottoman designed by the master of American glamour, James Mont, in the late 1940s. Fully restored with the original hardwoo...
James Mont Tufted Slipper Chairs
By James Mont
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of tufted slipper chairs by James Mont. Newly upholstered in silk velvet.
Oversized Asian Inspired Lounge Chair by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Astoria, NY
A vintage, Asian inspired wide lounge chair by James Mont, with tufted cushioned seat and back on tapered legs. Very good condition, consistent with age and use.
Textile, Wood
Pair of James Mont Lounge Chairs
By James Mont
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A pair of high gloss yellow lacquer with brass accents lounge chairs designed by James Mont Circa 1950s . The seats are covered in a gorgeous black and white fabric.
Brass