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.
8FT Vintage Wood Credenza Breakfront Sideboard Buffet
Located in Pasadena, TX
Along the right hand side is a cabinet door that opens up to an open storage space with a mirror shelf (It can be replaceable for a wood shelf if desired) above that are two regular ...
Wood
$3,995
H 76 in W 60 in D 18 in
MCM 2-Piece China Hutch Cabinet Buffet by Heywood Wakefield Contessa Collection
By Heywood-Wakefield Co.
Located in Topeka, KS
Mid-Century Modern 2-piece china hutch, cabinet, or buffet by Heywood Wakefield for the Contessa Collection. Comprised of 2-pieces a top hutch & a bottom buffet in a dark cherrywood, woven wicker basket weave or caned door fronts, brass toned pulls, & slim steel legs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that these are vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. There are nicks on the left side of the buffet edge toward the front. Stiffener has been added underneath buffet as the cabinet had sagged in the middle making doors uneven. Stiffener corrected that issue. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1960’s. In 1959, the Heywood Wakefield “Contessa” slogan was "Wood for warmth and grace ... steel for strength and rigidity." "Furniture of Slender Elegance." And does this China cabinet ever fit that description. The Contessa line features a darker cherrywood, gold or brass toned accents, and slim steel legs. This cabinet has 2 pieces. A bottom buffet that features brass toned pulls that open two sets of double doors. There are three drawers on the right side with a silverware tray in the top drawer. The left side is open storage. The top hutch features two rolling side doors with woven wicker basket weave, or caned, door fronts and three shelves in the center. The whole cabinet stands on slim steel legs and exudes mid-century modern magnificence! This awesome, versatile china cabinet or buffet will look amazing whether you place it in the dining room, living room, study, or the kitchen. It is adaptable enough to blend right in whether your design style leans to Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian Modern, industrial, southwestern, or modern country. In 1897, two prominent furniture companies, Heywood Brothers and Wakefield Company merged and created Heywood Brothers & Wakefield Company; the name would be shortened to Heywood-Wakefield in 1921. The new company rose to popularity in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s with its solid wood, Art Deco-inspired, mid-century modern furniture. In 1992, South Beach Furniture Company acquired the rights to the Heywood-Wakefield name. After realizing how in demand vintage Heywood Wakefield pieces were, production began on new pieces that remained true to the style, quality, and values of the original company. Today's Heywood-Wakefield is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the name and its famous pieces while incorporating new and contemporary technology which allows new generations to appreciate the classic looks from a classic company. This is a fabulous piece by Heywood Wakefield’s Contessa...
Metal
Mid Century Brasilia Credenza Sideboard by Broyhill
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional Broyhill Brasilia credenza, sideboard, in good, clean, ready ton use condition. The sideboard features a lower cabinet which has top doors that open to reveal open stora...
Glass, Wood
Danish Two Piece Credenza w/ Hutch
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern credenza with floating topper. Simple and handsome design, made of teak veneer, sculpted handles, and sliding glass doors. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Teak
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
$6,800
H 34 in W 72 in D 20 in
Gibbings Widdicomb 3 Doors Compartment Long Credenza Dresser Tapered Legs Mint
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Gibbings Widdicomb 3 doors compartment long credenza dresser cabinet tapered legs mint.
Walnut
Thaden-Jordan Two Piece Sideboard or China Cabinet
By Thaden-Jordan Furniture Co., Herbert Von Thaden
Located in Kansas City, MO
Herbert Von Thaden designed sideboard or china cabinet. All original, late 40's to early 50's production. The original finish is in very good condition.
Plywood, Wood
$4,488
H 32 in W 60 in D 21 in
John Van Koert for Drexel "Profile" K37 Credenza/Buffet Mid-Century Modern 1950s
By John Van Koert
Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA
An elegant Mid-Century Modern Credenza, Buffet crafted in walnut wood veneer, featuring clean sculptural lines, subtly curved edges, integrated base legs, and original iconic metal h...
Metal
50s John Widdicomb Walnut Credenza with Hutch
By John Widdicomb
Located in North Canton, OH
Magnificent John Widdicomb Burled Walnut Credenza and Hutch, circa 1950s this piece is absolutely stunning in every way. Genuine Amethyst stones ...
Walnut
Thomasville Dresser
By Thomasville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-century modern long dresser by Thomasville. Nine total drawers with sculpted front and warm walnut grain. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Walnut
Marvelous John Widdicomb French Regency Louis XVI style Credenza Mid-Century
By John Widdicomb
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A gorgeous French Regency Louis XVI style credenza by John Widdicomb, circa 1960s. We love the ‘Mob Wife’ Aesthetic vibe this piece gives-so vintage chic...
Brass
Outstanding John Widdicomb Brutalist Credenza Mid-Century Modern
By John Widdicomb
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Outstanding John Widdicomb brutalist front walnut credenza. We just love the spectacular star shaped pulls along with unusually shaped legs. This special piece measures 31.5"t x 74...
Brass
Stylish 3 Piece Renzo Rutuli Chest Credenza Travertine Johnson Furniture Co
By Renzo Rutili
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Rare Mid-Century Modern 3-part chest or credenza designed by Renzo Rutili (Lorenzo R. Rutili American 1901-1966) for Johnson Furniture Co. Set of 2 walnut cases with 4 drawers each and 1 travertine...
Travertine, Brass
Fabulous Daniel Jones Inc. Spanish Revival Credenza Mid-Century Modern
By Daniel Jones
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Fabulous Daniel Jones Inc. Spanish Revival 9 Drawer walnut dresser credenza. This is one of those rare pieces that stops you in your tracks-so unique! I just love the quality and c...
Brass
Stylish Vintage Thomasville Burl Wood Drawers Walnut Credenza Mid-Century
By Thomasville
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Stylish vintage Thomasville burl wood and walnut credenza. We love the classic modern styling along with the unusual patinated brass hardware. ...
Walnut, Burl
Handsome Mid-century Modern Bowed Front Walnut Credenza
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome mid-century modern bowed front walnut credenza. Very stylish curved front with continuous horizontal pulls. The top has some lovely graining and is in wonderful vintage co...
Walnut
