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.
Tomlinson Sophisticate Mid Century Walnut Lowboy Dresser
By Tomlinson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Tomlinson Sophisticate Mid Century Walnut Lowboy Dresser This dresser measures: 78 wide x 19.75 deep x 32.5 inches tall We take our photos in a...
Brass
Pair of Burl Wood, Brass and Glass Showcase Curio Cabinets
By Tomlinson
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of china vitrine cabinets by Tomlinson are an excellent example of their timeless quality and design. This rectangular top cabinet features two doors with glass panels and brass...
Brass
Tomlinson Neoclassical Mahogany and Burl Wood Sideboard Buffet, Circa 1960s
By Tomlinson
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Neoclassical or Louis XVI style sideboard buffet, bar cabinet, or credenza By Tomlinson USA, Circa 1960s Carved mahogany and burl wood, with fluted door panels, and ori...
Brass
Tomlinson Furniture Mid-Century Provincial Oak Secretary Chest of Drawers
By Tomlinson
Located in Germantown, MD
A Tomlinson Furniture Mid-Century French Provincial Style Stained Oak Secretary Chest of Drawer featuring three dovetailed, flawlessly working drawers, pull out secretary tray extend...
Oak
Tomlinson Mid-Century Modern Walnut Buffet Server or Bar Cabinet, 1950s
By Tomlinson
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet By Tomlinson, "Sophisticate" Collection USA, 1950s Walnut, with gorgeous inlaid chevron-patterned d...
Brass
Tomlinson Sophisticate Cross-Banded Walnut And Burl Low Storage Chest
By Tomlinson
Located in Germantown, MD
Tomlinson Furniture Co. Sophisticate Collection Cross-Banded Walnut And Burl Low Storage Chest in great vintage condition. Measures 33.75" in width, ...
Walnut, Burl
$2,963Sale Price|24% Off
H 80 in W 42 in D 15 in
American Arch Shape Lucite, Mirror & Oak Wood Vitrine, Showcase, Display Cabinet
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern two piece arched Lucite top Vitrine, showcase, bookshelf made in America 1980 with a blonde Oak Wood Cabinet Base. Features a mirrored Back and 2 tier clear Lucit...
Chrome
$2,570Sale Price|50% Off
H 65.75 in W 98.43 in D 19.69 in
Umberto Mascagni for Harrods London Mid-Century Italian Sideboard Bar, 1950s
By Umberto Mascagni
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Rare and highly collectable sideboard designed in Italy by Umberto Mascagni of Bologna. Cabinet sideboard with four doors and four drawers from the 1950s was realized with back-stain...
Aluminum
Modern Burl Buffet Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern burl buffet sideboard with four doors framed by a beveled edge, with interior drawers and shelves and finished in a lightly distressed rustic warm h...
Wood
Vintage Modern Walnut Server
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A solid Mid-Century Modern server made of Walnut. It boasts 6 drawers with 3 of them hidden behind detailed doors. Tapered legs perfectly accent the piece and allow it to fit into an...
Walnut
Tall Mid Century Modern Brass and Glass Mastercraft Vitrine Cabinet
By Mastercraft
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous brass and glass tall showcase with 4 thick glass shelves etched for showing plates. Shelves are adjustable. Two glass doors each hung on 4 hinge...
Brass
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 72 in D 19 in
Mount Airy Janus Mid Century Walnut 14 Drawer Lowboy Dresser Credenza Beautiful
By Janus Collection, Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid Century Walnut 14 Drawer Dresser Credenza by Mount Airy part of the Janus collection. Beautiful walnut woodgrain. Made in USA circa 1960. Located...
Walnut
$5,950
H 35.25 in W 50 in D 21.75 in
Italian Neoclassical Period 1790s Walnut and Mahogany Commode with Cross Banding
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian Neoclassical period walnut and mahogany four-drawer commode from circa 1790 with cross banding, classical hardware and tapered legs. This exquisite Italian Neoclassical pe...
Mahogany, Walnut
$1,279Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.3 in W 37.6 in D 17.92 in
Bar Cocktail Cabinet, Walnut & Marble France, 20th Mid-Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Buffet cocktail bar made from a sewing machine cabinet Walnut lacquered Marble has been inlaid at the sewing-machine level, giving it a quality design that's practical for placing gl...
Wrought Iron
19th Century Bleached Wood Provincial Chest Of Drawers
Located in High Point, NC
Here is a chest of drawers, its natural bleached oak, 2 drawers the first thing to catch the eye. Originating in France during 19th Century, it shows the construction techniques typi...
Oak
1950s Mid Century Walnut Credenza by Florence Knoll
By Florence Knoll, Knoll
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Mid-century walnut credenza designed by Florence Knoll and manufactured by Knoll Associates Inc. circa 1950s. This exceptional piece showcases a gorgeous walnut frame supported by fo...
Chrome
$45,000
H 29.14 in W 62.21 in D 17.72 in
Mahogany Cansado sideboard by Charlotte Perriand, France, 1960s
By Charlotte Perriand
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
This iconic Sideboard was designed between the late 1950s and 1960s (circa 1958–1960) by the legendary French modernist Charlotte Perriand and retailed through the prestigious Galeri...
Wood
Antique French Provincial Chest of Drawers, Honey Oak, 1900s
Located in High Point, NC
This cabinet carries genuine presence, its natural honey oak, paneled immediately setting the tone for the piece. Dating to 1900s and originating from France, it reflects the design ...
Pine
$3,850
H 32 in W 72 in D 20 in
Restored Barney Flagg for Drexel “Parallel” Mid Century Walnut Lowboy Dresser
By Barney Flagg, Drexel
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
A newly refinished nine-drawer walnut lowboy chest of drawers designed by Barney Flagg for Drexel’s “Parallel” collection, produced in North Carolina in 1962. The design is defined ...
Walnut
Heywood-Wakefield Mid-Century Eight-Drawer Lowboy Dresser
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
A classic mid-century modern lowboy dresser by Heywood-Wakefield, designed with eight generously scaled drawers and a softly contoured silhouette. The solid-wood case has a warm hone...
Wood
$2,495
H 30 in W 73.5 in D 17.25 in
Mid Century Modern Danish Style Teak Credenza Sideboard Buffet Bar Cabinet 1960s
Located in Portland, OR
A good original Mid Century Modern Danish style teak credenza sideboard, circa 1968. This elegant mid century credenza is made from teak, the credenza having twin three paneled door...
Teak
Tomlinson Sophisticate Credenza, 1957
By Tomlinson
Located in Littleton, CO
An elegant Mid-Century Modern credenza from Tomlinson’s "Sophisticate" line, made in High Point, North Carolina in 1957. The solidly crafted pecan wood cabinet features distinctive f...
Walnut, Burl
Sold
H 31 in W 68 in D 18 in
Tomlinson Burl Walnut Credenza or Sideboard, Brass Trim, North Carolina, 1960s
By Tomlinson, Milo Baughman
Located in Chicago, IL
Tomlinson Burl Walnut Credenza or Sideboard, Brass Trim, North Carolina, 1960s Mid-century modern burl wood credenza by Tomlinson Furniture, produced in North Carolina, circa 1965. F...
Brass
Two-Door Burl Bar Cabinet by Tomlinson
By Tomlinson
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A striking vintage bar cabinet by Tomlinson — warm burl-wood veneer all around, dignified brass hardware, and versatile interior built for entertaining or sophisticated storage. Behi...
Brass
Sold
H 89.5 in W 42.5 in D 16.75 in
Vintage Tomlinson Pagoda Bells Chinoiserie Hutch Cabinet Chinese Chippendale
By Tomlinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Beautiful vintage Tomlinson cabinet. Tagged Tomlinson inside. Light inside on top underneath, pictured. Fabulous Greek Key, pagoda top with wood bells! 2 glass shelves removable, 1 w...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 31.25 in W 68.25 in D 19.75 in
Mid-Century Walnut Sideboard by Tomlinson Furniture, MCM Buffet or Credenza
By Tomlinson
Located in Miami, FL
Fine quality mid-century modern sideboard, walnut buffet or credenza. This beautiful sideboard was designed and developed in the mid-20th Century by Tomlinson Furniture. This two-toned handsome sideboard was created by Tomlinson Furniture. Beautiful walnut case. This four panel door sideboard opens to reveal ample storage with a set of three drawers, a slot for serving trays, and adjustable shelving. The doors are accentuated with very stylish brass handles that adds a modern touch. Install dividers in the drawers and they would be perfect for flatware. In exceptionally clean, newly restored condition. Mid-Century Walnut Sideboard by Tomlinson Furniture, MCM Buffet...
Brass
Sold
H 78 in W 34 in D 16 in
Postmodern Olive Burlwood and Glass Lighted Vitrine Display Cabinets - A Pair
By Tomlinson
Located in Lutz, FL
Mid Century/Post Modern 1970’s Tomlinson Olive Burlwood Display Cabinet Pair. A striking set with brass trim/hardware, glass front doors and side panels, and interior lighting. The...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 32 in W 73.75 in D 20.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Burl Walnut Credenza / Sideboard By Tomlinson Furniture
By Tomlinson
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a handsome mid-century modern walnut and burl walnut credenza or sideboard. It was manufactured by Tomlinson. It features two long drawers, two smaller ones, and two bifold d...
Walnut
Vintage Boho Tomlinson Burl Wood Credenza
By Tomlinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Boho Tomlinson Burl Wood Credenza" is a stunning piece that seamlessly fuses the rustic charm of bohemian design with the sophisticated craftsma...
Burl
Sold
H 31.5 in W 67.75 in D 17.75 in
Stunning Tomlinson Postmodern / Mid Century Olive Burl Wood & Brass Credenza
By Tomlinson
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Exquisite 1970’s Tomlinson Furniture Olive burl wood and brass Credenza is exceptional quality, it feature Brass and Olive Burl Wood. Brass has a nice patina. 67.75 long 17....
Burl
Sold
H 74.5 in W 76 in D 19.5 in
Magnificent Tomlinson "Sophisticate" 2 Piece Credenza Buffet Hutch Mid-Century
By Tomlinson, John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous "Sophisticate" credenza hutch designed for the Tomlinson "Sophisticate" Collection, by John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder. This wonderful storage piece comes in two parts, t...
Brass
Sold
H 78 in W 34 in D 16 in
Mid Century Modern Pair of Burl Wood & Brass Vitrine cabinets By Tomlinson
By Tomlinson
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Pair of Tomlinson Burl Wood & Brass Vitrine cabinets Exquisite 1970’s burl wood and brass vitrine cabinets, exceptional quality, feature glass doors ...
Burl
Tomlinson Mid Century Display Cabinet - Pair
By Tomlinson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Tomlinson mid century Display cabinet - pair Each cabinet measures: 34 wide x 16 deep x 78 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition - ...
Glass, Wood, Burl
Sold
H 31.75 in W 80 in D 18 in
Tomlinson Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Sideboard Credenza, 1960s
By Tomlinson
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency sideboard, credenza, or bar cabinet By Tomlinson Furniture USA, Circa 1960s Walnut and burl wood, with original brass har...
Brass
Pr Tomlinson Chinoiserie Chinese Chippendale Pagoda Vitrine Cabinets
By Tomlinson
Located in New York, NY
Incredible pair of Tomlinson Pagoda vitrines, in the Chinese Chippendale, Hollywood Regency style. Each cabinet has two swing out door which open to rev...
Glass, Wood
Tomlinson Mid Century Walnut Cane Front Sideboard Credenza
By Tomlinson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Tomlinson mid century walnut cane front sideboard credenza This credenza measures 61 wide x 20 deep x 32 inches high ?All pieces of furnitur...
Cane, Walnut