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.
$1,746Sale Price|30% Off
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
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 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
$1,396Sale Price|30% Off
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
$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
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
Danish Mid Century Modern Sideboard or Buffet by Domino Mobler
By Domino Møbler
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Danish Modern Credenza or Buffet by Domino Mobler. 72.5w 19.25d 33h.
Wood
George I Style Burl Walnut bachelor's Chest
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
George I style burl walnut bachelor's chest, circa 1910. With a burl walnut top with herringbone inlay and molded front and side edges, a slide with brass knobs, 4 graduated burl wal...
Brass
Light Oak Buffet, France, 1950s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Introducing an alluring low sideboard, meticulously crafted from bleached oak and graced with plinth legs, embodying the distinct design essence of the 1950s. This sideboard harmonio...
Oak
French 18th Century Natural Oak Chest of Drawers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A refined French 18th century chest of drawers, beautifully crafted in natural oak and retaining a soft, sun-washed patina that highlights the elegance of its provincial craftsmanshi...
Oak
1970s Dillingham Walnut Lowboy Dresser
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this beautifully crafted vintage dresser made by Dillingham, featuring a striking walnut wood grain.
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
$555
H 53.5 in W 26 in D 14 in
Vernis Martin French Curio Cabinet Bronze Mounts and Hand Painted Panels
By Vernis Martin
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Distressed paint but structurally sound and tight, Vernis Martin vitrine with hand painted panels, bronze mounts and curved glass. Has working lockset & key. Three glass shelves all ...
Bronze
Antique Four Drawer Walnut Burl Wood Chest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine European Walnut burl four drawer chest with a shaped top with a darker carved edge. The frieze drawer has dark carved moldings and escutcheon and the supports also have darker...
Burl, Walnut
$8,500
H 35.5 in W 52.5 in D 17.75 in
1950s Eugenio Escudero Vitrine Display Cabinet Mexico City Mid Century
By Eugenio Escudero
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a 1950s Eugenio Escudero style Mahogany Gilt Glass Vitrine Cabinet Display Showcase. Unmarked. Solid mahogany black lacquer finish. Side glass and front glass...
Brass
$2,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.5 in W 34.5 in D 17.75 in
English Burl Walnut Serpentine Chest, 19th Century
Located in Houston, TX
This English chest is crafted in richly figured walnut burl veneer with an elegant serpentine front. with an elegant dating to the 19th century. burl walnut chest is a beautifully ...
Walnut, 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
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 Milo Baughman, Tomlinson
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