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 Bullhorn Slipper Chairs by John Lubberts and Lambert Muller
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful and rare set of Tomlinson slipper chairs from the Sophisticates line circa 1950's. The model 650 chair was designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder. These chairs have...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
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
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
Pair of Tomlinson Sophisticate Ebonized Lounge Chairs by Erwin Lambeth
By Erwin Lambeth, Tomlinson
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
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder, Slipper Chairs, Wood, Cane, Velvet, USA, 1950s
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of bleached wood, cane and beige velvet slipper chairs designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder and produced by Tomlinson, USA, 1950s. Corners of arms and frame present...
Velvet, Cane, Wood
John Lubberts - Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson Cane, Walnut Slipper Chairs - Pair
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson Mid Century Walnut and Cane Slipper Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 27 wide x 24 deep x 28.25 high, with a seat height of 13.5 inch...
Upholstery, Cane, Walnut
$11,000 / set
Set of 4 Tomlinson Sophisticate Slipper Chairs
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in Toledo, OH
Set of 4 Tomlinson Sophisticate slipper chairs. Elegant chestnut Tomlinson lounge chairs. Caned back with loose seat cushion. Scul...
Chestnut
Erwin-Lambeth Plum Velvet Neo-Chippendale Wing Chair
By Erwin Lambeth
Located in Chicago, IL
Plum velvet upholstered neo-Chippendale wing chair from Erwin-Lambeth. White satin lacquered frame with open arms. Carved front legs with quatrefoil and el...
$7,947Sale Price / set|25% Off
H 41.34 in W 16.15 in D 21.66 in
Pierre Lottier brown Spanish Slipper chairs by Almazan, 1950s
By Pierre Lottier, Valmazan
Located in Zevenaar, NL
Spanish neo-classical high-back auxiliary chair designed by Pierre Lottier for Almazan, 1950s. Oak wood structure with curved and harmonious lines where the reddish-brown leather ba...
Metal
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
Vintage Walnut Slipper Chairs by Kroehler
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century modern walnut slipper chairs designed by Kroehler in the United States, circa 1960s. These chairs are not just a pair of chairs, but a statement piece that exudes eleganc...
Fabric, Walnut
Pair of 1950s Upholstered Lounge Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 1950s lounge or slipper chairs in the manner of Gilbert Rohde. Off-white upholstery with black lacquered wood legs. Dunbar style.
Upholstery, Wood
$2,850 / set
H 32.75 in W 22.5 in D 31 in
Donghia Pair of Slipper Lounge Chairs designed by John Hutton Mid Century Style
By Donghia, John Hutton
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Low Slung Slipper Lounge Chairs, designed by John Hutton for Donghia, American, circa 2000s.
Upholstery, Wood
$3,900 / set
H 30.5 in W 23.75 in D 25 in
Pair of Vintage Modern Barcelona Style Slipper Lounge Chairs
By Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A stunning midcentury design with heavy flat bar chrome bases and tufted upholstery. The "X" shaped sides and angled seats ensure maximum comfort without sacrificing style. This eleg...
Chrome
$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
Dunbar Slipper Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dubar. Button tufted tight seat and back in ivory boucle. Wood base refinished in dark walnut
Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chairs, 1960s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Hamburg, PA
Iconic pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture, circa 1960s, embodying the pinnacle of mid-century elegance. Wormley, Dunbar's legendary design director, crafte...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Troika Slipper Chair by Pierre Guariche
By Pierre Guariche
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Troika chair designed by Pierre Guariche in the 1960's for Airborne Chair in original condition, red wool fabric upholstery.
Metal
$2,795 / set
H 35 in W 26 in D 26 in
Pair of Hollywood Regency Mid Century Button Tufted Slipper Chairs
By William Billy Haines
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Beautifully designed and just reupholstered with camel colored ultrasuede. Great style with simplicity and comfort. In excellent restored condition with minimal wear.
Ultrasuede
Sold
H 26.5 in W 30 in D 29 in
Pair of Tomlinson Sophisticate Slipper Chairs in Walnut and Ivory Woven Fabric
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Mid-Century Tomlinson Sophisticate Slipper Chairs in Walnut and Ivory Upholstery. Excellent vintage condition with age appropriate wear. Chairs have been refinished and reup...
Upholstery, Walnut
John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder Slipper Chair for Tomlinson 1950
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Hamburg, PA
An elegant Tomlinson model 650 slipper chair with custom purple leather cushion labeled "Furniture by Tomlinson, Tailor Made for Mr. Wm. Quentin Snook". This custom designer chair wa...
Leather, Cane, Ash
Sold
H 27.75 in W 27.25 in D 23.25 in
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder, Slipper Chairs, Walnut, Cane, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut, cane and white fabric slipper chair designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder and produced by Tomlinson, USA, 1950s. Seat Height:17.5 All upholstered furniture c...
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 28 in W 27 in D 26 in
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder, Slipper Chair, Walnut, Cane, Fabric, USA, 1950s
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut, cane and white fabric slipper chair designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder and produced by Tomlinson, USA, 1950s. Seat height 17”.
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 28 in W 27.5 in D 23 in
1950s Tomlinson Sophisticate Slipper Chairs Chestnut Cane Mid Century Modern
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
Pair of slipper chairs in chestnut and densely woven cane backs designed by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson Furniture Company. These are a part of the sophisticate li...
Cane, Chestnut
Pair of Tomlinson Lounge Chairs Refinished and Reupholstered
By Tomlinson, Erwin Lambeth
Located in Atlanta, GA
Pair of Elegant Lounge chairs, designed by Erwin Lambeth for Tomlinson, American, circa 1950s. These chairs are currently being refinished and reupholstered and can be completed in y...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 28.06 in W 27 in D 22.87 in
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder, Slipper Chair, Cane, Walnut, Tomlinson, US, 1950
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut, cane and white fabric slipper chair designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder and produced by Tomlinson, USA, circa 1950.
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Pair of Lounge Chairs by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in New York, NY
A pair of walnut lounge chairs designed by John Luberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson collection. These are at the moment being sold C.O.M.. These need to be refurbished but are ...
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Tomlinson Sophisticate Slipper Chairs, a Pair
By Tomlinson
Located in Raleigh, NC
An incredible pair of vintage slipper chairs in excellent restored condition. These have been rejuvenated with a satin black lacquer to contrast the original cane. New boucle upholst...
Upholstery, Cane, Hardwood
Sold
H 28.4 in W 27 in D 23 in
Pair of Lounge Chairs by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in New York, NY
A pair of walnut lounge chairs with original cane and fabric cushions. Designed by John Luberts and Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson collection. These chairs are currently being recovere...
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 28.4 in W 27 in L 28.4 in
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson, Slipper Chair, Cane, Walnut, 1950
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut lounge chair with original cane or rattan braided backs and fabric cushions. Designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson collection, America, circa 1950. Oth...
Fabric, Cane, Walnut
Sold
H 28.4 in W 27 in D 22.8 in
John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson, Slipper Chairs, Cane, Walnut, 1950
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of walnut lounge chairs with original cane or rattan braided backs and fabric cushions. Designed by John Lubberts & Lambert Mulder for Tomlinson collection, America, circa 195...
Fabric, Cane, Walnut