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.
Mid-Century Tomlinson Sophisticate Walnut Torchiere Floor Lamp with Table
By Tomlinson
Located in Germantown, MD
A rare Mid-Century Tomlinson Sophisticate Walnut Torchiere Floor Lamp with Table and milk glass torcchire shade and brass feet. High quality craftmanship and in great vintage conditi...
Walnut
Mid-Century Torchiere Floor Lamp by Walter von Nessen
By Walter Von Nessen, Nessen Lighting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century torchiere floor lamps by Walter von Nessen, each finished in white enameled aluminum. The form is spare and deliberate — a slender cylindrical stem rises from a flat circ...
Metal, Enamel, Aluminum
Mid Century Modern Lucite Torchiere Floor Lamp w/ Opaque Ribbed Glass Shade
Located in Savannah, GA
This handsome Mid Century Modern Lucite torchiere dove grey color floor lamp features alternating small bands of chrome and sits on a clear Lucite base. The opaque glass shade is rib...
Chrome
Mid Century Tulip Shade Uplight Torchiere Floor Lamp c. 1950/60's
By Gerald Thurston, Laurel Lamp Company
Located in New York, NY
Classic late 50's - early 60's vintage floor lamp, having a frosted white glass egg shaped shade, on a brass, wood and aluminum base. The lamp is in very good, clean and ready to us...
Brass
1980's Italian Torchiere Brass Floor Lamps
Located in New York, NY
Amazing pair of 1980's Torchiere brass Italian floor lamps by LaRelco, in vintage original condition with some wear and patina due to age and use., there is some patina to the bases.
Brass, Cast Iron
Italian Brass Torchiere Floor Lamp, Mid-Century Modern, 1970s Design
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
A refined Italian brass torchiere floor lamp from the 1970s, defined by its elegant trumpet-shaped shade and slender vertical stem. Crafted in polished brass, this piece embodies the...
Brass
$1,695
H 57.5 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Gordon and Jane Martz Style Mid Century Walnut Floor Lamp Table
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Gordon and Jane Martz Style Mid Century Walnut Floor Lamp Table This lamp measures: 15.75 wide x 15.75 deep x 57.5 inches high Great Vintage Condition. We take our photos in a con...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Lucite Floor Lamp or Torchiere
Located in Houston, TX
Mid-Century Modern lucite floor lamp or torchiere. Neoclassical style acrylic floor torchère or floor lamp. This midcentury lucite floor lamp...
Metal
Decorative Torchiere Floor Lamp
Located in New York, NY
Off-white lacquer uplight torchiere with foliate form top. The paint finish shows cosmetic wear, as shown. Measures: Top 23" diameter, base 18" diameter.
Wood
Mid-Century Torchiere Floor Lamp With Capiz Shell Shade
Located in Dekalb, IL
A two-toned brass and nickel lamp originating from around the middle of the 20th century. This floor lamp features a delicate and intact capiz shell shade.
Brass
Mid Century Combination Floor Lamp Table
By Luther Conover
Located in New York, NY
Classic Mid Century combination flor lamp, side table, having two shelves, with a pole lamp center. The lamp is in very good, clean and ready to use condition, we have newly respray ...
Wrought Iron
$2,900
H 72 in W 14 in D 14 in
Mid-Century Post Modern Black with Red Torchiere Neon Floor Lamp by Rudi Stern
By Rudi Stern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A tall post modern neon floor lamp made by Rudi Stern circa 1970's. It features black enameled steel construction, red neon lamp, and top torchiere li...
Steel
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 68 in W 15 in D 15 in
Vintage Rare Mid Century Hollywood Regency Torchiere Floor Lamp
By Karl Springer, Stiffel
Located in San Diego, CA
Floor lamp in the style of Karl Springer for Stiffel. This pieces exudes mid century glamour and style. The chic simple lines have impact and weight. The conical metal laminated shad...
Brass