Pair of James Mont Style Mid-Century Lacquered Horseshoe Chairs by Century
About the Item
- Creator:James Mont (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 31 in (78.74 cm)Depth: 27 in (68.58 cm)Seat Height: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Chinoiserie (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1980s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The lacquer finish isn't terribly glossy. There are a few minor nicks to the legs (see close up images). The upholstery is in very good condition but does have a few crush marks.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU8831239265422
James Mont
James Mont’s life as an unmistakably talented furniture designer and interior decorator could fill the pages of a best-selling novel or be reimagined as a Hollywood feature film. From the 1930s through the 1960s, Tinseltown’s glitterati and Manhattan’s Mafia underworld coveted his sofas, coffee tables and table lamps.
Mont was born Demetrios Pecintoglu in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1904 to a family of artists. He reportedly studied architecture and art in Spain and France, and during the 1920s, Mont immigrated with his family to the United States.
Mont and his family settled in New York, where he found work in a Brooklyn electrical supply shop. There he sold hardware and designed his own lighting fixtures. The latter caught the eye of a gangster named Frankie Yale, who commissioned him to refurnish his house. Mont’s opulent designs drew on Art Deco, Hollywood Regency and were occasionally marked by chinoiserie, then a very popular trend in decorating. He created the kind of low-profile side tables and sofas that are frequently associated with mid-century modernism, and he is credited today with helping popularize the integration of Asian influences in modern American design.
Mont soon attracted New York City’s most infamous crime bosses, including Charles “Lucky” Luciano and Frank Costello. For a range of mobsters, he created fashionable, functional and sophisticated pieces such as collapsible home bars that would fold down and out of view — a particularly convenient feature during Prohibition — and tables and desks with secret drawers, which were also handy to Mont’s shady clientele.
“You bought a bar from him, and he would also deliver booze in a baby carriage,” antiques dealer and furniture retailer Todd Merrill told New York about Mont in 2008.
Mont designed a room for the World’s Fair in 1939 and later befriended Hollywood celebrities such as Bob Hope, who was best man at his wedding, Irving Berlin and Lana Turner. During the 1940s and ‘50s, Mont continued designing furniture, mastering finishing techniques such as lacquering and incorporating a distinctive “leafing” print effect with silver and gold into his pieces.
Mont’s designs enjoyed a resurgence in the 1990s, and his pieces continue to be sought after by collectors.
On 1stDibs, discover a range of vintage James Mont sideboards, tables and storage cabinets.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Chicago, IL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Ming Style Chairs with Upholstered Cushions and Ottoman by Century ChairBy Century FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILA pair of lovely "ming style" chairs in a very light stain by Century Chair Company of Hickory, NC. The oversized "ming" style chairs feature loose cushions in a shade of off-white....Category
Vintage 1980s American Chinoiserie Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Pair of Hollywood Regency Mid-Century High Back Upholstered Lounge ChairsBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Chicago, ILThis lovely pair of high back lounge chairs circa 1960 have a slightly Adrian Pearsall shape (although the skirting is not indicative of his work). They have a Hollywood Regency feel...Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSilk
- Pair of Slim Midcentury Chippendale Style Wingback ChairsBy Hickory Chair Furniture CompanyLocated in Chicago, ILRecently reupholstered Chippendale style midcentury slim wing back chairs made by Hickory Chair. The original label was lost during reupholstery. They have a lovely scallop detail at...Category
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Hardwood
- George Mulhauser Bent Plywood Mid Century Lounge Chair and OttomanBy George MulhauserLocated in Chicago, ILA 1960's molded plywood lounge chair and ottoman by George Mulhauser. The chair features stylish wing-like arms, tufted cream uber soft colored vinyl, and a swivel base. The chair wa...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Pair of 1940's Spoon Back Lounge Chairs with Walnut FramesLocated in Chicago, ILThese gorgeous chairs have lovely solid walnut frames and very light gray linen upholstery (on the front of the chair and the seat cushions). The seat cushions are down filled. The...Category
Vintage 1940s Unknown Regency Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Walnut, Down
- Stunning Pair of 1950's Lounge Chairs attributed to Edward Wormley for DunbarBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILAvailable immediately, this freshly reupholstered pair of 1950's lounge chairs attributed to Edward Wormley for Dunbar. They were taken back to the original frames to have everythin...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of James Mont Style Lacquered Horseshoe Chairs by CenturyBy James Mont, Century FurnitureLocated in Rio Vista, CAOpulent pair of large Chinese ming style horseshoe lounge chairs made by Century. Originally designed by James Mont these chairs epitomize his over the...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- James Mont Style Horseshoe Lounge Chairs, PairBy James MontLocated in Van Nuys, CAStunning pair of James Mont style Asian horseshoe armchairs. Both possess a dark stain wood frame with hand carved reliefs and decorations. The ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsWool, Wood
- Pair of Vintage Cream Lacquered James Mont Style Ming Horseshoe Lounge ChairsBy James MontLocated in Philadelphia, PAQuality pair of vintage decorator cream lacquered Asian inspired lounge chairs. The pair features solid wood frames, cream lacquered finish, horseshoe barrel backs, burgundy and gold...Category
Vintage 1970s American Ming Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Asian Modern Black Lacquered Horseshoe Back Lounge Chairs Style James MontBy Century Furniture, James MontLocated in Rochester, NYPair of Asian modern black lacquered horseshoe back lounge chairs with brass fittings by Century Furniture Company. All original beautiful glowing condition. Style of James Mont. Ci...Category
20th Century American Ming Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern James Mont Style Lounge ChairsBy Grosfeld House, James MontLocated in Houston, TXPair of Mid-Century Modern James Mont style lounge chairs. Glamorous and comfortable large pair of Mid-Century Modern upholstered lounge chairs, club chairs, side chairs or slipper ...Category
Vintage 1940s Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- James Mont Style Horseshoe Ming Style Lounge Club Chair by CenturyLocated in Philadelphia, PAJames Mont style Horseshoe Ming style Lounge club chair by Century. Item features solid wood frame, clean modernist lines, quality American craf...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Chinoiserie Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood