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.
Thomasville Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Credenza
By Thomasville
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Thomasville Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Credenza This credenza measures: 78 wide x 19.25 deep x 30 inches high Excellent Vintage Condition - Dresser Finish is in Excellent Shape...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern American Sideboard with Brass Trim, Circa 1960
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Modern (circa 1960) sideboard with a mottled brown lacquered case with brass trim resting on a solid wood bracket-shaped base with four cabinet doors with two br...
Metal
$5,875
H 36 in W 66 in D 19.5 in
Paul McCobb Irwin Collection Credenza with Brass Accents and Leather Doors
By Paul McCobb, Directional, Calvin Furniture
Located in Miami, FL
All original Paul McCobb mahogany cabinet or sideboard from The Calvin Group (earlier Irwin Collection) by Calvin Furniture, which is part of the work the designer created for Directional (model 1066). The mid-century modern credenza features: three drawers with brass knobs; two sliding leather doors with brass pulls and brass edges; interior fitted with two shelves, each adjustable to four different positions; brass X stretchers; label. 100% original finish and condition. The perfect vintage piece to use as a bar cabinet, a media console or a server buffet. Part of a one owner collection of McCobb furniture exclusively presented by Select Modern; a truly rare time capsule find! There are more pieces from this collection available in our storefront. A copy of the original 1956 purchase receipt for all the pieces from this collection is available. Works well in many different decors, from eclectic modern...
Brass
$6,900
H 30.5 in W 77.5 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern American Walnut Credenza Sideboard Probber Style Brass Pulls
Located in Miami, FL
Large Mid-Century Modern Harvey Probber Style American Credenza in Walnut with Brass Hardware made in the 1960. Features one door on the left with one shelf, the middle with 3 drawer...
Brass
Milo Baughman Style Century Mid Century Burlwood Credenza
By Century Furniture, Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman Style Century Mid Century Burlwood Credenza This credenza measures: 76 wide x 18 deep x 29 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Credenza has Minor Stain Wear and Mino...
Burl
$5,195
H 31.25 in W 80 in D 20 in
William Doezema for Mastercraft Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Credenza
By Mastercraft
Located in Franklin Park, IL
William Doezema for Mastercraft Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Credenza This credenza measures: 80 wide x 20 deep x 31.25 inches high Great Vintage Condition - Areas of Minor Stain...
Brass
Mid Century Burl Credenza Brass Hardware
By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful long and low Burl credenza in the styling of Michael Taylor for Baker's Far East Collection. Wonderful burl offset by solid brass hardware. This piece has ample storage wit...
Brass
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Credenza
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Paul McCobb for Calvin Mid Century Mahogany and Brass Credenza This credenza measures: 66 wide x 19.25 deep x 36.25 inches high Fair Vintage Condition - Credenza has Scratches and ...
Brass
Milo Baughman Style Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Credenza
By Milo Baughman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Milo Baughman Style Mid Century burlwood and brass credenza This credenza measures: 75 wide x 20 deep x 29 inches high We take our photos in a controlled lighting studio to show as...
Brass
$6,950
H 38 in W 75 in D 19 in
Walnut and Brass Credenza by Century Furniture, Made in the United States
By Century Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A sophisticated and architecturally refined credenza designed and manufactured by Century Furniture in the United States, dated August 2014. This substantial case piece embodies a ti...
Brass
Paul McCobb Credenza for Calvin, Mahogany, Brass Frame, 1950s Design
By Calvin Furniture, Paul McCobb
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul McCobb credenza for Calvin Furniture, c.1950s. Part of his Irwin Collection, this mahogany sideboard features a cabinet floating on a square-stock solid brass frame, with archit...
Brass
Paul Frankl Cork Credenza for Johnson Furniture Co
By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Paul Frankl’s cork furniture pieces are among his longest-lasting contributions to American modernism and are highly sought after to this day. This mahogany example, a cork top crede...
Brass
T.H. Robsjohn Gibbings Two Door Credenza for Widdicomb
By Widdicomb Furniture Co., T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Credenza by T.H Robsjohn Gibbings, manufactured by Widdicomb c.1950s USA. This beautiful walnut credenza features two cabinet doors revealing three drawers on one side and three shel...
Walnut
Walnut Thin Edge Credenza by George Nelson for Herman Miller
By George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Credenza from George Nelson’s Thin Edge collection for Herman Miller. This design features the slender walnut case for which the series was named. One side showcases a stack of four ...
Porcelain, Walnut
Walnut Dresser by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Jens Risom, c.1960s, USA. This eight drawer walnut dresser features two narrow top drawers and six larger drawers below. One of the narrow drawers has a fold down drawer ...
Walnut
Walnut Credenza by Jens Risom
By Jens Risom
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Designed by Jens Risom, c.1960s, USA. This four drawer walnut credenza features one side of drawers and two shelves concealed by a roll top tambour door. The walnut handles have a br...
Walnut
