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 Mid Century Modern Mahogany & Glass Top Art Deco Nesting Side Tables
By James Mont
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage James Mont Mid Century Modern Mahogany & Glass Top Art Deco Nesting Side Tables. Item features black glass tops, graduating size, very rare vintage set, clean modernist lines...
Glass, Mahogany
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
James Mont Gilt Hollywood Regency Dressing Table, USA, 1950s
By James Mont
Located in Glasgow, GB
A rare and important gilt dressing table designed by James Mont, produced in the United States in the 1950s. A key figure in American mid-century design, Mont is celebrated for his d...
Platinum, Gold Leaf
James Mont Signed Coffee Table Greek Key Style Ca' 1950
By James Mont
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A James Mont signed coffee table, with greek key design in black lacquer.
Mahogany
$7,520Sale Price / set|20% Off
James Mont 3-Piece Mirrored Coffee & Gold Leaf End Table Set, c 1960, Signed
By James Mont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Striking and theatrical three-piece James Mont Designs table set comprising one sculptural coffee table with original antiqued mirrored top and a pair of matching end tables, execute...
Gold Leaf
James Mont Rectangle Black Lacquer Glass Top Deco Mid Century Coffee Table
By James Mont
Located in Rockaway, NJ
James Mont rectangle black lacquer glass top Deco mid-century coffee table. Two tier glass top coffee table.
Glass, Hardwood
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Art Deco Coffee Table by James Mont in Original Estate Condition
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Classic Art Deco, Hollywood Regency style low slung coffee, cocktail table by enigmatic designer, James Mont. The table exhibits Art Deco, Asia Modern and traditional Chinese design ...
Wood
Pair of James Mont American Mid-Century Bedside Tables
By James Mont
Located in Queens, NY
PAIR of American Mid-Century beside tables with a rectangular molding design on the front resting on a pedestal base (PRICED AS PAIR) (JAMES MONT)
Wood
James Mont Architectural Side Table
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Architectural side table by James Mont. Square side table with Architectural column details and banded with a Greek Key trim. The table ret...
Gold Leaf
Art Deco Influenced Dining Table by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Art Deco influenced dining table by James Mont. The base is a dark cerused oak finis with ornate carving in the corners finish highlighted with a glazed silver leaf. The top is glas...
Glass, Oak
James Mont Dining Set, 7 Pieces, Hollywood Regency, Gilded Wood, 1960s
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic 1960s Chinoiserie influenced dining set in silvered and gilded wood with polychromed details. Set includes four side chairs and two arm chairs with gilded fretwork backs an...
Glass, Wood
James Mont Mid Century Mottled Glass Coffee Table
By James Mont
Located in Franklin Park, IL
James Mont Mid Century Mottled Glass Coffee Table This coffee table measures: 48 wide x 22 deep x 18.5 high, when extended the width is 66 inches All pieces of furniture can be had...
Glass, Wood
James Mont Occasional Pedestal Table Black Laquer
By James Mont
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An original James Mont, signed table in black lacquer, ca' 1950's. Very heavy, looks like a sculpture.
Wood
James Mont Ming Style Cocktail Table With Brass Insets
By James Mont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
James Mont cocktail table in the Ming style with brass insets on the top surface. Original painted finish with very unique brass Insets and a lowers shelf. This is an extremely rare ...
Wood
Silver Leaf Dining Table by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Stamford, CT
A silver leaf over wood dining table by James Mont. Includes two leaves measuring 12" each. Measures: 42" diameter when closed.
Silver Leaf
Mid-Century Vanity/Writing Desk w/ Carved Bamboo Motif Signed James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This Mid-Century Modernist fold-top vanity/writing desk, designed by legendary American furniture maker James Mont, epitomizes the fusion of elegant design and functional craftsmansh...
Wood, Lacquer
$14,800 / set
James Mont Cerused Oak Dining Table and 8 Chairs
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
James Mont carved oak dining table and eight chairs with "Chinese Modern" styling finished in charcoal ceruse with silver. The table itself is 30" high x 71" x 35" and has an open ov...
Oak
$11,000 / set
James Mont Cerused Oak Round Table and Four Chairs
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
Seldom seen James Mont cerused oak breakfast set or games table with four chairs. Round top table with three triangular legs embellished with graduating roundels. Table has James M...
Oak
James Mont American High Style Green Lacquer and Glass Rectangular Cocktail
By James Mont
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century High Style (circa 1940) rectangular coffee table with a green lacquered wooden frame, a clear glass top, and a rectangular stretcher shelf. (JAMES MONT) Some l...
Wood, Glass, Paint
Very Rare James Mont Burnished Leaf Coffee Table
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Extremely rare James Mont burnished silver leaf coffee table. The table has bold moldings around the top and is in Good original vintage condition with age related wear.
Wood
1950's Black Lacquered Medallion Coffee Table by James Mont.
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Black lacquered oriental Medallion coffee table by James Mont The cross form trapezoid base has a center Oriental medallion. Currently the table has a 42" Diameter 1/2". thick glass...
Glass, Wood
James Mont Designs Greek Key Dining Table & 10 Chairs Silver & Green
By James Mont
Located in Hanover, MA
James Mont Designs extending octagonal top dining table banded with a 2 inch apron of carved Chinoiserie fretwork atop four fluted pedestal columns standing on a cruciform Greek key ...
Velvet, Wood
James Mont Cocktail Table Ming Style With Brass Insets
By James Mont
Located in Los Angeles, CA
James Mont cocktail table in the Ming style with brass insets on the top surface. Original painted finish with very unique brass insets and a lowers shelf. This is an extremely rare ...
Wood
James Mont High Style Gilt Finished Plaster & Glass Planter Urn Coffee Table
By James Mont
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century High Style (circa 1940) planter coffee table comprised of a gilt finished plaster urn topped with a circular glass top with round central opening to accommodate ...
Glass
Art Deco Influenced Dining Table by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in Buffalo, NY
Art Deco influenced dining table by James Mont, stunning design. Retains original cerused green finish, produced in 1940s. Carved leaf details, pierced l...
Wood
James Mont Gold Leaf Coffee Table with Smoked Mirror Top, 1940s
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
James Mont hand gilded circular coffee table with a smoked eglomise mirror top. The perfect finishing statement for any traditional, glam or modern room. Mint restored.
Gold Leaf
Art Deco British Burr Walnut Dressing Chest, 1950s
Located in South Shields, GB
An Art Deco walnut dressing chest from Beithcraft - circa 1950's Featuring a tfull length adjustable mirror Height to the top of the mirror is 157cm The matching tallboy is listed ...
Wood, Walnut
$1,107
H 28.75 in W 46.86 in D 18.51 in
Mid Century Dressing Table in Walnut by Alfred COX for Heals, 1950s
By Alfred Cox
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid-century walnut dressing table from Alfred Cox, circa 1950s. These pieces were usually retailed through Heals . The dressing table includes six drawers and a mirror which tilt...
Walnut
Silvio Cavatorta Dressing Table 1950's
By Silvio Cavatorta
Located in Shibuya-ku, 13
This elegant dressing table was designed by Silvio Cavatorta, a renowned Italian designer celebrated for his dedication to traditional craftsmanship over industrial mass production. ...
Metal
Travertine Base Glass Top Mid-Century Modern Side Table
By Artedi
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern travertine base glass top rectangular side end occational table, stand.
Travertine
$1,139
H 29.53 in W 24.41 in D 20.08 in
Small Art Deco Table, Made in 1910s Austria, Non Restored, Original Condition
Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj
Art Deco table, Austria Non restored, completely original condition. Material: lacquered wood.
Wood, Palisander
$1,250
H 15.5 in W 35.375 in D 35.375 in
Mid-Century Brutalist Wenge Framed Stone Topped Coffee or Side Table with Shelf
By Martin Visser
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Brutalist stone topped coffee or side table with Wenge frame, lower shelf and asymmetrical legs. Earth toned slate tiles inset into frame w...
Stone
$3,321
H 71.26 in W 35.44 in D 13.39 in
Ico Parisi Vanity Dressing Table, Glass & Beech Wood, Italy, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Florence, Tuscany
An extraordinarily elegant dressing table or vanity by Italian designer Ico Parisi. This wonderful piece of furniture has a glass dressing / console table at a height of 90cm below w...
Brass
$5,756
H 30.32 in W 33.47 in D 17.72 in
Mid Century Modern 'Positano 1306' Dressing Table by Ico & Luisa Parisi, 1950s
By Ico Parisi
Located in Brussels, BE
Mid Century Modern 'Positano 1306' Dressing Table by Ico & Luisa Parisi, 1958.
Wood
Art Deco Coffee Table
Located in Barnstaple, GB
A gorgeous Art Deco Coffee Table dating to Circa 1930. The top is highly figured walnut and a lovely rich conker colour with ebonised surround. . Th...
Walnut
$1,559Sale Price|59% Off
H 19.69 in W 33.47 in D 18.9 in
Mid-Century Italian Coffee Table with Marble Top, 'circa 1950s'
By Ico Parisi
Located in London, GB
Mid-century Italian coffee table with marble top in the style of Ico Parisi (1950s). A tan with white highlights, rectangular (with curved ends) marble top sits upon a very stylish b...
Marble
Mahogany Art Deco Side Table
Located in New York, NY
A French circa 1950s Art Deco style side table. Measurements: Diameter 21.5" Height 24.5"
Mahogany
$2,530
H 14 in W 42 in D 42 in
Muller & Barringer for Kittinger Coffee Table with Lacquer Top, Circa 1950
By James Mont
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Asian inspired coffee table with black sculpted base and black lacquer top by Muller and Barringer for Kittinger in the 1950's. Dimensions: 42" D x 14" H SKU: SKU00006298
Hardwood
Sold
H 27 in W 24 in D 22 in
Mid-Century Black Lacquer Geometric Cutout Occasional Table by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This sleek and strikingly designed Mid-Century Modernist Geometric Cutout Support Occasional Table in Black Lacquer is by the esteemed furniture designer James Mont and originates fr...
Lacquer
Sold
H 15.5 in W 48 in D 22 in
James Mont Mid-Century Ebonized & Antique Mirror Retractable Top Cocktail Table
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modern cocktail table was realized by the legendary 20th century designer James Mont. Created in sumptuous antique mirror framed in black lacquer, the piece sits on stylized magnet form bifurcated feet composed of a u-form in right made of right angles. Inspired by traditional designs of East Asia, the piece features a rectractable. The top is composed of two antiqued mirror...
Mirror
Sold
H 41.25 in W 19.5 in D 21.5 in
James Mont Dining Set Painted Gilded Mid-Century Modern Eglomise Glass Top Table
By James Mont
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Glass top table. Wood frame. Gilt detail. Upholstered seat and back. Table measures 30" H x 78" W x 42" D. 2 arm chairs measure 41 1/2" H x 25" W x 24 1/2" D. Seat height 20 1/2". 6 ...
Art Glass, Walnut, Giltwood
Pr. Hollywood Regency End or Side Tables by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Chic pair of end, or side tables designed by James Mont. Quintessential Asia Modern, Chinese influenced voguish Hollywood Regency sophistication, the tables are structurally sound an...
Wood
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
James Mont Silver-Leaf Console, Bookcase
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Majestic mid century console by James Mont featuring a hand applied glazed silver leaf custom finish. Console has 3 longer shelves and center drawer and 2 hidden side shelves. Each o...
Silver Leaf
James Mont Silver Leaf Tiered Table
By James Mont
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chinoiserie silver leaf tiered table, designed by James Mont, circa 1950s. This table retains it's silver leaf finish which has overall wear, beautifully exposing the Chinese Red col...
Wood
Sold
H 17 in W 39.5 in D 39.5 in
Signed James Mont Midcentury 2-Tier Kelly Green Lacquer and Glass Cocktail Table
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
This stunning Mid-Century Modern two-tier cocktail table was designed by the illustrious American designer James Mont, circa 1950. Realized in wood painted in the original kelly gree...
Glass, Lacquer
James Mont 'Flame' Cinnabar Lacquered Chinoiserie Dining Table, 1952
By James Mont
Located in Brooklyn, NY
James Mont 'Flame' cinnabar lacquered chinoiserie dining table, 1952. James Mont cinnabar lacquered dining table with two leaves. Custom "Flame" finished. Mandarin red. Ming inspi...
Wood
James Mont Sculptural Round Accent Two-Tier Table Newly Lacquered Mahogany
By James Mont
Located in West Hartford, CT
Elegant, newly lacquered in a high gloss paint, James Mont two-tier accent table. It measures thirty inches in diameter at top.
Mahogany
Pair of Custom Side Tables / Nightstands by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Pair of custom Asian influenced side tables / nightstands by James Mont. The tables each have a pullout tray top and retain there original combed gilded finish which is in great con...
Wood
Rare Pair of Wave Front Cabinets / Nightstands by James Mont
By James Mont
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful pair of rare wave front cabinets / nightstands by James Mont. The cabinets have been totally restored in a beautiful Mocha ebonized finish. Price is for the pair
Wood