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 Modern Curved Walnut Sofa by Erwin Lambeth and Tomlinson, 1950s
By Erwin Lambeth, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A rare example of 1950s American mid-century modern design, this walnut sofa was designed by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder for Erwin-Lambeth and Tomlinson as part of the Sophistic...
Fabric, Walnut
Vintage Boho Tomlinson for Judith Norman Sofa
By Tomlinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Presenting a luxurious vintage sofa by Tomlinson for Judith Norman, a piece that perfectly marries bohemian comfort with sophisticated design. This generously sized sofa features a p...
Upholstery, Wood
$1,543Sale Price|50% Off
H 34.65 in W 57.88 in D 31.5 in
Mid-century Modern Italian Curved Small Sofa 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Curved sofa from the 1950s, Italian production. Original upholstery of the time, we recommend replacing the fabric.
Velvet, Beech
Mid Century Italian Curved Sofa in Cotton Velvet, 1950s
Located in London, London
Italian Curved Sofa in Cotton Velvet, 1950s A beautifully proportioned Italian sofa dating from the 1950s, distinguished by its elegant sculptural form and refined organic lines. Th...
Velvet
Tomlinson Erwin Lambeth Sofa
By Tomlinson/Erwin-Lambeth Furniture Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Chenille
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 27 in W 148 in D 104 in
Stunning 4-Piece Erwin Lambeth Circular Curved Sofa Sectional Mid-Century Modern
By Erwin Lambeth
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stunning 4-piece circular Erwin Lambeth sectional sofa. This vintage sectional sofa is quality through and through from the down-filled seat cu...
Upholstery, Wood
$11,431Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.78 in W 84.26 in D 31.5 in
Vintage Fuchsia Sofa by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for Azucena
By Azucena, Luigi Caccia Dominioni
Located in Milano, IT
Gorgeous fabric sofa designed by Luigi Caccia Dominioni for the fine manufacturer Azucena Italia. The vintage sofa is made of brown, fuchsia and purple striped fabric, which creates a very colorful geometric effect. The lines are very hard and geometric, wonderfully eccentric. The frame is made of anodized aluminum, shiny silver, which connects to the spectacularly beautiful square, hollowed out feet. The cushions also act as square armrests, very colorful. The sofa comes from the Rome home of Luigi Caccia Dominioni. The colored sofa are ideal for furnishing eccentric and colorful living rooms.
Metal
Italian Mid-Century Modern Curved Sofa
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, wood, fabric, Italy, 1950s This elegant Italian sofa from the early 1950s is a refined example of postwar design, defined by its streamlined silhouette and gently curved form....
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Offered here is a rare and highly collectible “Model 0693” Sofa, designed by George Nelson as part of his visionary Modular Seating System for Herman Miller, produced between 1956 an...
Metal
$1,087Sale Price|78% Off
H 34.26 in W 74.81 in D 35.44 in
Mid-Century Red Curved Sofa 1950s Italian Design Wood Feet
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Mid-century red curved sofa 1950s Italian design wood feet, restored.
Wool, Wood
Alanda vintage sofa by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia, 1980s
By B&B Italia, Paolo Piva
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Alanda sofa by Paolo Piva for B&B Italia. A true design product, typical of the 1990s. Made of Steel and upholstered in Grey color Alcantara, fully removable cover. Armrests and head...
Fabric
$16,413Sale Price|20% Off
H 25.99 in W 143.71 in D 34.65 in
Heide Rolf Elegant Vintage Wood and Bouclé Sofa for ICF
By ICF Milano 1
Located in Milano, IT
Rare and beautiful 7-seater sofa designed in the 1960s by Heide Rolf for the fine ICF production. The sofa consists of 7 seats in total and a coffee table. The frame is entirely ma...
Bouclé, Wood
$1,829Sale Price|50% Off
H 33.86 in W 99.22 in D 42.13 in
Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet four Seater Curved Sofa, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Curved four-seater sofa, Italian design, solid wood structure and legs, original vintage chenille velvet upholstery, 1950s production. Conditions as s...
Chenille, Velvet, Beech
$12,450 / set
H 26 in W 28 in D 26 in
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
Vintage 1960s Wood Wrapped Sofa by Tomlinson
By Tomlinson
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage 1960s wood wrapped sofa by Tomlinson. Sofa is in wonderful vintage condition and needs upholstery and refinishing. Dimensions: 107" W x ...
Hollywood Regency Velvet Sofa
By Tomlinson
Located in Hanover, MA
Very stylish vintage sofa by Tomlinson very much in the style of Dorothy Draper with split seat cushions, curved back, sculpted arms, diamond tufts and box-...
Elegant Barrel Back Sofa by Tomlinson Sophisticates
By Tomlinson
Located in Atlanta, GA
Elegant Barrel Back Sofa by Tomlinson Sophisticates, circa 1950's. This classic form could be used in a wide range of interiors, from traditional to ultra modern. This sofa is currently being restored. It can be finished in your choice of finish colors and upholstery. The price noted below includes reupholstery in your fabric and refinishing. To give you an idea of how it would look restored, please take a look at the Tomlinson Sophisticates chair...
Upholstery