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.
Small Midcentury Burl Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
Small midcentury Burl Cabinet with a warm 'rustic' hand-rubbed mappa burl veneer, a beveled frame, two doors with a polished brass central round handle, t...
Brass
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
Art Deco Burl Wood Bar Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A masterpiece marrying classic inspiration and modern allure. The figured rustic mappa burl exterior, complemented by curved corners and brass-finished plate feet, exudes timeless lu...
Marble, Metal
Small Mid-Century Light Burl Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
With its hand-rubbed clear mappa burl veneer, this cabinet emanates a sense of timeless beauty. The beveled frame showcases the attention to detail that went into its creation, while...
Brass
1940's French Burl-wood Tall Bar Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Amazing 1940's exotic burl-wood with inlay detail tall French bar cabinet with key and single drawer, fully restored with some wear and patina due to age and use.
Brass
Mid Century Burl Wood Floating Display Cabinet
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Mid Century burl wood floating display cabinet. Measures: 24.5 wide x 13.75 deep x 48.25 high. Veneer Loss. All pieces of furniture can ...
Wood
Burl Wood Bar Cabinet
Located in Westwood, NJ
A classicly inspired modern bar cabinet with an inset marble top and a three-quarter gallery. With a figured burl walnut exterior, curved corners, a shaped apron, brass brass-finishe...
Marble, Metal
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 33 in W 33 in D 18 in
Burl and Walnut Edward Wormley for Dunbar Marble Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful green marble and burl cabinet, believed to be an Ed Wormly piece for Dunbar. Beautiful condition. Same era as: Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouve, Pierre Pauline, Serge Moui...
Marble
$4,595
H 32 in W 68 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Milo Baughman Style Burl Wood Sideboard Credenza Bar Cabinet
By Lane Furniture
Located in Baltimore, MD
Beautiful Mid-Century Modern Milo Baughman style Burlwood Sideboard Credenza bar cabinet media console by Lane Furniture circa 1970. Absolutely gorgeous mid-century modern Credenza m...
Burl
English Art Deco Burl Cabinet
Located in Cambridge, US
England, ca. 1920s. A stylish cabinet or gentleman’s chest with classic Art Deco design. Features sturdy wood construction with beautifully book-matched burled door fronts and top. T...
Brass, Chrome
Mid-Century Burl Cabinet
By Milo Baughman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern cabinet with brilliant burl wood doors. Brown lacquer frame with polished chrome accents. Please confirm location.
Burl, Lacquer
Mid-Century Modern Burl Sideboard
By Milo Baughman, Arthur Umanoff
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage mid-century modern burl wood sideboard in the style of Milo Baughman and Arthur Umanoff, featuring rich, bookmatched burl veneer, minimalist lines, and a sculptural metal bas...
Metal
Mid-Century Burl Wardrobe by Mt Airy
By Mount Airy Furniture Company
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tall mid-century modern cabinet by Mt Airy in burl walnut and brass. Two long doors hide a small wardrobe cabinet with removable shelf and two drawers. Bottom half has three wide dra...
Brass
Mid-Century Brutalist Two-Piece Oak and Burl Armoire by Tobago Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist armoire by Tobago Furniture of Canada. Crafted from richly grained oak with striking burl wood accents, this impressive two-piece cabinet showcases the s...
Brass
Burl Gentleman's Chest by Harold Schwartz for Romweber
By Harold Schwartz, Romweber Furniture Co.
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Exceptionally rare burled walnut gentleman's wardrobe from Harold Schwartz' iconic mid-century bedroom collection for Batesville, Indiana's RomWeber Furniture. The swirling natural w...
Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Modern Burl and Brass Credenza by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Burl and Brass Credenza by Thomasville featuring rich burl wood veneer, sleek mid-century lines, and elegant brass-tone accents. This timeless piece offers...
Wood
