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.
Pair of Tomlinson “Sophisticate Collection” No.63 Dining Chairs
By Tomlinson
Located in Dallas, TX
These beautiful and rare Tomlinson Furniture highback model #63 side chairs from their “Sophisticate Collection” are a distinctive, graceful interpretation of their time. Made from s...
Velvet, Wood, Lacquer
$6,800Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 28.25 in W 29.5 in D 27 in
Gorgeous Pair Lubberts & Mulder Tomlinson Sophisticate Wide Seat Lounge Chairs
By Tomlinson
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Scrumptious pair of John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson's 'Sophisticate' Collection lounge chairs, circa 1950s. We just love the super wide low seats and gorgeous sabre wooden legs. They retain their original apricot crushed...
Upholstery, Fruitwood
$3,750
H 28.5 in W 28 in D 24 in
Tomlinson Sophisticates Slipper Chair by John Lubberts and Lambert Muller
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful and rare Tomlinson slipper chair from the Sophisticates line circa 1950's. The model 650 chair was designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder. This chair have a walnut ...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$3,800 / set
H 29.5 in W 28.25 in D 27 in
Pair of Lubberts & Mulder Tomlinson Sophisticate Oversized Lounge chairs
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of Lubberts & Mulder Tomlinson Sophisticate Oversized Lounge chairs
Upholstery, Wood
$2,995 / set
H 31.25 in W 20.25 in D 22.25 in
Tomlinson Sophisticate Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Cane Dining Armchairs
By Tomlinson
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous set of six Mid-Century Modern dining armchairs By Tomlinson, "Sophisticate" Collection USA, Circa 1960s Sculpted walnut, with caned backs and vinyl upholstery Measures...
Cane, Walnut, Faux Leather
Baker Furniture Ritz Dining Chair Thomas Pheasant Collection
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Baker Furniture Ritz dining chair with converging slope arms that meet the tight seat and tufted back, metal ring pull on outside back, resting on tapering front legs and saber form ...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Tomlinson "Sophisticate Collection" Fluted Dining Chair
By Tomlinson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful mid-century modern dining chair by Tomlinson for the "Sophisticate Collection". A unique blend of modern form and classical inspiration, combining refined craftsmanship wit...
Teak
Classic Set 6 Thonet No. 18 Bentwood Bistro Dining Chairs
By Thonet
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic set 6 Thonet Bentwood Dining /Bistro chairs, model # 18.Labeled Made in Czechoslovakia.Nuce clean matched set, Retains original warm honey blonde fini...
Bentwood
$5,347 / set
H 33.5 in W 23.75 in D 22.5 in
Tomlinson Sophisticate Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Tomlinson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Tomlinson Sophisticate Mid Century Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20.75 wide x 22.5 deep x 33.5 high, with a seat height of 19 inches Each captains chair meas...
Upholstery, Wood
Tomlinson Mid Century Slipper Chairs Pair
By Tomlinson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Tomlinson Mid Century Slipper Chairs Pair Each chair measures: 26.75 wide x 23.5 deep x 28.5 high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 15.25 inches Fair Vintage Condition - Small...
Cane, Wood
$12,450 / set
H 26 in W 28 in D 26 in
Pair of Tomlinson Sophisticate Ebonized Lounge Chairs by Erwin Lambeth
By Tomlinson, Erwin Lambeth
Located in Dallas, TX
Attractive pair of Tomlinson "Sophisticate" lounge chairs designed by Erwin Lambeth. Restored: the chairs feature solid ebonized wood frames with two straight front legs and two rais...
Upholstery, Wood
$4,850 / set
H 29.5 in W 27.5 in D 23.5 in
Pair of Curvaceous Caned Slipper Chairs by Lubberts & Mulder for Tomlinson
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of curvaceous caned slipper lounge chairs designed by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson, American, circa 1960s. They are currently being refinished and reupholstere...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Corset Side Dining Chairs
By Paul Frankl
Located in St. Louis, MO
Pair of Paul Frankl for Johnson Furniture Co. Corset side or dining chairs also know as plunging neckline or "V" back chairs. Chairs are in need of re-upholstery, price includes refi...
Sold
H 40.5 in W 19 in D 17.5 in
Pair of Modern Tomlinson High Back Sculptural Occasional Chairs in Orange Mohair
By Tomlinson, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of lovely sculptural two-tone high back occasional chairs freshly upholstered in a lovely orange mohair by Tomlinson.
Mohair