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.
$11,200Sale Price|30% Off
James Mont Console Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Blonde polished lacquer console cabinet by James Mont (1904-1978), the father of "exotic modernism" who introduced "orientalis...
Wood
$22,000 / set
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...
Wood, Oak
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.
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....
Softwood
James Mont Carved Bamboo Wall Cabinet. ( 2 Available )
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Stunning 1950's carved Bamboo wall cabinet by James Mont in Excellent original condition. The open grain cerused finished oak cabinet displays the beautifully carved bamboo silver le...
Silver Leaf
Original James Mont Cabinet in Asian Style
By James Mont
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare cabinet by James Mont in chinoiserie style. Original black lacquer and red painted interior. Original gilded wood handles.
Mahogany
$2,560Sale Price|34% Off
James Mont Chin Hua Hollywood Regency Buffet Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Pasadena, TX
Chin Hua inspired buffet or cabinet designed by James Mont. Ebonized oak with silver leaf detailing. Four center drawers with carved pulls and two side doors with shelved storage.
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...
Wood
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...
Oak
Exceptional 1950's James Mont Mirrored Cabinet
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...
Mirror
Blue / Black Cerused Oak Cabinet 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 blue black cerused oak, and the small pedestals at each end have a gilded carved bamboo motif.
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...
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...
Wood
Minimalist Cabinet by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Stunning Minimalist cabinet by James Mont. The cabinet has been refinished in a high gloss white lacquer. The lacquered doors are accented by the silver leaf "X" door pulls.
Lacquer
$10,325Sale Price|30% Off
James Mont Console Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE Grand scale console cabinet in hand rubbed black lacquer finish by James Mont (1904-1978), the "godfather of exotic modernism" who introduced "orientalism" into Americ...
Hardwood
James Mont Design, Signed, Pencil Reed Trapezoidal Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
James Mont Design, signed, trapezoidal single door cabinet in pencil reed, suitable as nightstand or side cabinet. Circa 1948. Measures 24" H x 24"...
Reed
$1,417
H 20.08 in W 15.75 in D 8.47 in
Antique 19th Century Neoclassical Wall Cabinet / Small Cabinet Carved Oak
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Lovely antique 19th century Neoclassical wall cabinet / small cabinet Germany 1880. This German Grunderzeit cabinet is made from hand carved oak & is richly decorated. A true display of craftsmanship & quality. This cabinet has 2 doors and comes with a working lock & key. Its interior has 2 oak shelves. The cabinet has a very nice old restoration to the right side dating from the 1940s. A piece of furniture history with the right antique charm...
Brass
$18,422 / set
H 37.41 in W 48.43 in D 17.33 in
Pair of Consoles China Cabinet, Model, 232 by Borge Mogensen Prod, FDB Mobler
By FDB Møbler
Located in Roma, RM
Pair of consoles China cabinet - Model, 232 by Borge Mogensen Prod. FDB Mobler. Made of oak wood with 1960s brass details. Container unit with customizable internal shelves and drawers.
Brass
Matching Teak Cabinets
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of mid-century office cabinets in teak wood. Great for modern home or office storage. Please confirm location NY or NJ.
Teak
$8,098 / item
H 35.44 in W 31.5 in D 21.66 in
Magnificent Murano Italian Pink Cabinet Ninety Jewelry Available
Located in Guazzora, IT
Discover the epitome of Italian craftsmanship with this exquisite pink Murano glass cabinet, a limited-edition masterpiece. Handcrafted by skilled Venetian artisans, this cabinet s...
Brass
James Mont Style Cabinet, circa 1960s
By James Mont
Located in St. Louis, MO
1960s James Mont style small sideboard, cabinet or credenza shown in original grey / charcoal finish with gilt exuberant Hollywood Regency medallions ...
$11,500
H 31 in W 72 in D 17 in
Billy Haines Style Dark Walnut White Lacquered /Leather Cabinet/Chest Metal Leg
By Paul Laszlo
Located in Westport, CT
William "Billy" Haines style, dark walnut hand rubbed, and off white lacquered bureau, cabinet angled design middle is shorter depth than ends and center door is lacquered leather, w...
Brass
$2,500
H 35.75 in W 23 in D 16.5 in
Antique English Corner Cabinet Carved Oak Hanging Wall Cabinet Storage 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
Beautiful Antique Highly Carved English Oak Hanging Wall or Freestanding Corner Cabinet, Medicine or Spice Cabinet with Interior Shelves Carved double doors with 3 open she...
Oak
Mid-century James Mont Style Carved Media Credenza Stereo Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautifully restored Mid-century Credenza Media Console with hand-carved asian scenics along the front doors in the style of James Mont. The cabinet features a working AM Radio ...
Wood
William Hinn Dresser Cabinet
Located in Riverdale, NY
Cool, sculptural Swedish walnut four-drawer dresser with wall mount cabinet (three compartments) by William Hinn. Amazing design with the curved dresser ...
Wood
Campaign Style Lacquered Tall Fitted Cabinets by Henredon, Pair
By Henredon
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Campaign style chifforobes or cabinets, made by esteemed American manufacturer, Henredon. Part of Henredon’s early Scene One collection. Each cabinet professionally lacquered...
Brass
$3,475
H 34 in W 67 in D 20 in
Mid-Century Modern Gilt Lacquered Credenza / Chest Attributed to James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a great looking piece! It is a gilt lacquered handapplied finish with red undertones and Asian inspired hardware. It is mahogany and in very good condition. The credenza is a...
Mahogany
$6,221
H 101.58 in W 51.19 in D 20.48 in
Breton Cabinet, Carved French Sideboard, Oak, Late 19th Century, circa 1880
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique carved Breton cabinet. A carved French sideboard crafted in oak in the late 19th century, circa 1880. An ornate example of French,...
Oak
Sold
H 33 in W 52.5 in D 19 in
SpectacularJames Mont Cabinet In The Original Distressed silver Leafed Finish.
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Spectacular Cabinet in the original distressed silver leaf finish by James Mont at his Finest. The beautifully executed cabinet with scrolled detailing and picture moldings is in the...
Wood
Rare James Mont Cabinet in Black Lacquer W/ Gilt Carved Handles
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This impressive and rare Mid-Century Modernist Cabinet by James Mont in Black Lacquered Walnut W/Gilt Carved Handles originates from the United States, Circa 1950. A truly outstandin...
Walnut, Giltwood
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.
Wood
Sold
H 12.5 in W 16.5 in L 12.5 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Greek Key Custom Pedestal Cabinets by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This stunning pair of custom pedestal cabinets were realized by the legendary 20th century designer James Mont in the United States circa 1950. They feature volumetric rectangular bo...
Lacquer
James Mont Cerused Oak Cabinet
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
The cabinet has been completely restored in a weathered cerused oak finish. The wonderful Trapezoid doors open to a single adjustable shelf with the branded JAMES MONT Signature.
Wood
Sold
H 33.47 in W 47.25 in D 14.97 in
20th Century James Mont Hollywood Regency Black Pagoda Cabinets Pair
By James Mont
Located in Glasgow, GB
James Mont Hollywood Regency Cabinets A pair of classic James Mont pagoda style cabinets circa 1950s Created with finest Mahogany, and adorned w...
Hardwood
Caryatid Cabinet by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Stunning caryatid cabinet by James Mont The cabinet has been Newly restored in a gilt leaf finish with a Red under glazed rub and is flanked by Caryatid figures on either side of th...
Gold Leaf
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".
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 ...
Gold Leaf
Sold
H 26 in W 82.25 in L 26 in
Mid-Century Modern Black Lacquer and Gold Leaf Sideboard Signed by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
His stunning and quintessentially Mid-Century Modern piece was designed by the illustrious American designer James Mont circa 1950. Mont was renowned for assimilating elements of cla...
Giltwood, Lacquer
Sold
H 34.75 in W 55.75 in D 15.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Kelly Green Dry Bar/Sideboard W/ Gilt Pulls Signed James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and quintessentially Mid-Century Modern sideboard/ dry bar was designed by the illustrious American designer James Mont, circa 1950. Mont was renowned for assimilating ...
Hardwood, Giltwood, Lacquer
Sold
H 77.25 in W 81.75 in L 77.25 in
Mid Century Modern Custom Cabinet in Black Lacquer and Gilt Signed by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This stunning and quintessentially Mid-Century Modern piece was designed by the illustrious American designer James Mont circa 1950. Mont was renowned for assimilating elements of cl...
Giltwood, Lacquer