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.
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
$4,447 / set
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
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 French Provincial Louis XV Walnut Credenza China Cabinet
By Tomlinson
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Tomlinson French Provincial Louis XV Walnut Credenza China Cabinet This china cabinet measures: 75 wide x 19.5 deep x 75 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting stu...
Glass, Walnut
$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
$3,524
H 48.43 in W 43.31 in D 17.72 in
Black Brutalist Bar Cabinet, Two Doors, Three Drawers, Belgium, 1970s
By De Coene Frères
Located in Hilversum, NL
This striking black Brutalist bar cabinet, crafted in Belgium in the 1970s, is a stunning example of minimalist design. Made from black lacquered oak, the sideboard features two door...
Oak
$4,800
H 72 in W 82 in D 16.5 in
Mid Century Danish Modern Wall Unit with Shelves & Cabinets with Desk in Teak
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large Scandinavian wall unit circa 1960's. It features teak wood finish with a drop down center desk. The unit is totally modular and can arra...
Teak
$16,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 96 in W 114.25 in D 19 in
Display Cabinet-Glass, Brass & Mahogany by The Joslin Showcase Company of Boston
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large mahogany display cabinet made by the Joslin Showcase Company of Boston, Massachusetts. The company was founded in 1893. The cabinet is made it two pieces. The upper part has three glass shelves plus the bottom wooden shelf. The base has six working drawers and four sliding doors with fielded panels. The two end drawers are false and don't open. The original nickel shelf...
Brass, Nickel
$3,960Sale Price|43% Off
H 93 in W 95 in D 22 in
Auffray & Co French Provincial Antique Distressed Style Bookcase China Cabinet
By Auffray Furniture
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This elegant French Provincial bookcase and china cabinet by Auffray & Co is a remarkable piece that captures the timeless sophistication ...
Oak
Milo Baughman Style Burl Cabinet or Dry Bar
By Milo Baughman
Located in San Francisco, CA
Milo Baughman style two door cabinet or dry bar featuring burl olive wood doors supported by a cast aluminum floating base and a stained walnut case. Fitted interior consists of a si...
Aluminum
Chinese Two Door Side Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
This two-door side cabinet has a classic, square-corner design with clean lines and minimal decoration. The small cabinet is crafted of elm with traditional joinery methods, faced wi...
Elm
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
$9,600Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 84 in W 18 in D 18 in
Pair of Abstract Obelisk Bookcase Cabinets by Baker Furniture
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in North York, ON
Pair of abstract Obelisk bookshelves by Baker Furniture. Solid mahogany construction, featuring custom two-tone finish. Bookcases contain 6 shelves on both the front and rear of the ...
Brass
Antique French Louis XV Style Walnut Cabinet w/ Mirrored Doors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Condition: Original Vintage Condition Materials: Walnut, Original Mirror Glass This antique French Louis XV style cabinet, crafted in the 1920s, showcases exquisite walnut woodwor...
Mirror, Walnut
Pair of Black Wooden Vitrine Cabinets with Glass Doors
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of cabinets / vitrines made of black painted wood on the outside and natural color wood on the inside. Door and sides made of glass, wooden shelves. The cabinets are new, unused...
Glass, Wood
$8,950
H 84 in W 38 in D 18.5 in
Swedish 19th Century Painted Wood Vitrine Cabinet with Glass Door and Rosettes
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish Gustavian style painted wood vitrine from the 19th century, with carved rosettes. Created in Sweden during the 19th century, this vitrine cabinet features a beveled cornice...
Glass, Wood
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 74.5 in W 76 in D 19.5 in
Magnificent Tomlinson "Sophisticate" 2 Piece Credenza Buffet Hutch Mid-Century
By John Lubberts and Lambert Mulder, Tomlinson
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
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
Sold
H 93 in W 42.5 in D 16.75 in
Tomlinson Pagoda Greek Key Bells China Cabinet Chinese Chippendale Chinoiserie
By Tomlinson
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
The best of the best Vintage Tomlinson Furniture cabinet. Pagoda top with Greek key motiff, hanging wooden bells and a finial to top it all off. Solid wood with Chinese Chippendale details on the doors. Glass top doors open to reveal glass shelves and wood bottom shelf. The best top lights up with a brass trim light in the top of the cabinet (pictured). The bottom storage is hidden behind Chinese Chippendale door...
Glass, Wood
Pair of Chinoiserie Two-Door Cabinets
By Tomlinson
Located in New York, NY
Pair of lacquered chinoiserie cabinets. The cabinets have two antique mirror doors with fretwork opening to reveal mirrored interiors with one ...
Mirror, Wood