Tomlinson Furniture
Pay a visit to the town of High Point, North Carolina — long the capital of American-made furniture — and, from nearly any location in the city, you’ll see a tall smokestack bearing the name Tomlinson. It’s a name with deep roots there: In 1901, Sidney Halstead Tomlinson, Sr., and his brother founded the Tomlinson Chair Manufacturing Co., producing adaptations of 19th-century European antiques for an enthusiastic American audience. Later the Tomlinson Furniture Company grew rapidly over the ensuing decades, becoming a significant contributor to High Point’s thriving manufacturing economy.
Although Tomlinson began with a focus on antique-style furniture, by the middle of the century the company had adopted aesthetics from the modern style that was rapidly growing in popularity around the world.
Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Tomlinson Furniture produced coffee tables, storage cabinets and seating in the low-slung, sleek silhouettes that were typically characteristic of what we now know as mid-century modern designs.
Working with designers like John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, the company experimented with materials like woven cane and unique styles such as neoclassical lounge chairs in cherrywood that were seen as thoughtful modern interpretations of Biedermeier furniture.
During the mid-1950s, Tomlinson Furniture introduced its dramatic and decorative Sophisticate line, a collection of case pieces, seating, tables and more, available in a variety of woods. Today, designs that originated in the collection, such as its pecan-framed chairs with seats and backs of woven leather straps, are increasingly sought after by collectors.
Find vintage Tomlinson furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Late 20th Century American Chippendale Tomlinson Furniture
Brass
1970s American Post-Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Brass
1970s American Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Burl
1990s American Baroque Tomlinson Furniture
Textile, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tomlinson Furniture
Upholstery, Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Brass
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Walnut, Burl
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Walnut, Burl
1980s Chinoiserie Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Cotton
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Walnut, Upholstery, Cane
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut, Burl
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Glass, Wood, Burl
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Fabric, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Aluminum
Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Antique Tomlinson Furniture
Birch
1940s Swedish Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Fir
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Cherry, Burl
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tomlinson Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tomlinson Furniture
Iron
20th Century Mid-Century Modern Tomlinson Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Tomlinson Furniture
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tomlinson Furniture
Wood
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Burl
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tomlinson Furniture
Brass
1920s Swedish Chippendale Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Oak
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tomlinson Furniture
Burl, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Cane, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Leather, Walnut
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Chrome
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Olive
1970s Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Olive, Burl
1970s American Hollywood Regency Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Mirror
1970s American Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Walnut
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Tomlinson Furniture
Aluminum