Merton Gershun Furniture

American, 1909-1989

In as early as the 1920s, American furniture designer Merton Gershun created popular bedroom suites and more for the likes of Shelbyville, Indiana’s Albert Distinctive Modern Furniture Company. Later, he partnered with Dillingham Manufacturing, which had offices in Wisconsin and Mississippi and collaborated with the likes of Arthur Umanoff and Pierre Cardin. The world’s growing population of mid-century modern furniture devotees, however, know Gershun as having been American of Martinsville’s most prolific designer. Vintage Merton Gershun dressers, side tables, bed frames and other pieces are widely collected today.

Founded in the early 1900s by former tobacco producers, American of Martinsville eventually became one of the best known furniture manufacturers in the United States. Besides quality manufacturing, American of Martinsville is additionally recognized for having incorporated the day's trends in its designs. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul Laszlo, the brand was also known for innovations with wood.

Working with walnut and ebonized mahogany — and integrating decorative flourishes such as brass drawer pulls into his dressers and cane door fronts on his cabinets — Gershun designed numerous furniture lines for the company, including Dilettante, Fortissimo and others. The designer’s Dania collection, with its sleek walnut credenzas fitted with stylish brass accents and large drawers, has enjoyed popularity all over the world.

Gershun was passionate about bringing stylish pieces to American families but was also focused on affordability. His Harlequin line for American of Martinsville — the print ads for which read “SCULPTURED” and “BUDGET-PRICED” in bolded all-caps text — included bedroom and dining room furnishings in solid walnut. For Dillingham, Gershun designed the similarly well-received Esprit and Samara lines as well as other collections.

Gershun was particularly interested in creating furniture for small spaces and for postwar homeowners on a modest budget. He was a big proponent of incorporating international influences into his designs — he drew inspiration from Asia and created chinoiserie-style dressers in bleached walnut supported by ebonized wood bases. To Gershun, modern design was more than clean lines and sharp angles: it was about utility as well as beauty.

Find vintage Merton Gershun case pieces, tables, bedroom furniture and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: Merton Gershun

Merton Gershun American of Martinsville MCM Urban Suburban 5-Drawer Highboy

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Urban Suburban 5-Drawer Highboy Dresser This dresser measures: 38 wide x 19 deep x 42 inches ...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Merton Gershun American of Martinsville MCM Urban Suburban 5-Drawer Highboy

Merton Gershun Bali Hi Dresser by American of Martinsville, ca. 1950’s

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in New York, NY

Chic and stylish 5 drawer dresser in bleached mahogany with decorative faux bamboo front. The chest features an architecturally inspired case, which surrounds the drawer fronts, creating a dimensional design element to the cabinet. From the sought after, and hard to find Bali Hi...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Merton Gershun Bali Hi Dresser by American of Martinsville, ca. 1950’s

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Urban Suburban Full Headboard

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Urban Suburban full headboard This headboard measures: 58 wide x 2 deep x 31 inches high A...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Wood

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Urban Suburban Full Headboard

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Ebonized Credenza

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century ebonized credenza The credenza measures: 50 wide x 19 deep x 32 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what w...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Ebonized Credenza

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Square Coffee Table

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut square coffee table The table measures: 31 wide x 31 deep x 16 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in ...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Square Coffee Table

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlaid Walnut Side End

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century X inlaid walnut side end table End table measures: 20 wide x 27 deep x 19 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had i...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlaid Walnut Side End

Mid Century American of Martinsville Highboy Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Baltimore, MD

This exceedingly well-crafted American of Martinsville highboy dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsv...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Faux Leather

Mid Century American of Martinsville Highboy Dresser

American of Martinsville Walnut Bench by Merton Gershun

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Esperance, NY

American of Martinsville walnut bench by Merton Gershun.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

American of Martinsville Walnut Bench by Merton Gershun

Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Table by Merton Gershun

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Merton Gershun cocktail table with replaced hairpin iron legs. Walnut has been refinished and waxed for protection. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Table by Merton Gershun

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Full Size Headboard

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century full size headboard This headboard measures 55 wide x 2 deep x 31.5 inches hig...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Wood

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Full Size Headboard

Merton Gershun Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Walnut Triple Dresser, Refinished

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie triple dresser or credenza By Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, USA, 1960s Book-matched walnut wit...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Walnut Triple Dresser, Refinished

American of Martinsville Credenza from the Dania Collection

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Asbury Park, NJ

Nice credenza designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville for the Dania collection. Nice walnut finish with great brass accent. Offers amp...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

American of Martinsville Credenza from the Dania Collection

Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut End Table

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Wilmington, DE

Offered is a walnut end table designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville. Features one drawer with a brass pull and the iconic x-shaped brushed aluminium inlaid detai...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut End Table

American Martinsville High Boy Walnut Dresser Chest Mid-century Modern

By Merton Gershun

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Handsome six drawer shingle front dresser designed by Merton Gershun. This particular line is exceedingly well crafted and heavy, a hidden treasure in American Mid-Century Modern in ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Brass

American Martinsville High Boy Walnut Dresser Chest Mid-century Modern

Mid Century "Esprit" Nightstands by Merton Gershun for Dillingham, a Pair

By Merton Gershun, Milo Baughman

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of walnut nightstands by Merton Gershun for Dillingham, c.1960s, USA. The nightstands each feature a single door front with beveled sides. The hinged doors open to reveal a wide...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century "Esprit" Nightstands by Merton Gershun for Dillingham, a Pair

Pair of Merton L. Gershun "Esprit" Nightstands for Dillingham

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of walnut nightstands by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham, c.1960s, USA. The nightstands each feature a single door front with beveled sides. The hinged doors open to reveal a w...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Pair of Merton L. Gershun "Esprit" Nightstands for Dillingham

Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Dania Collection MCM Lowboy c. 1960s

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Denville, NJ

"Please request a shipping quote from us directly by sending your zip code. We can ship most items between $300-$600. We photograph and list inventory in the condition it arrives a...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Dania Collection MCM Lowboy c. 1960s

Merton L. Gershun Free-Standing Taper Bookshelf for Dillingham

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Merton L. Gershun free-standing taper bookshelf for Dillingham. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing histo...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Merton L. Gershun Free-Standing Taper Bookshelf for Dillingham

Merton Gershun furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Merton Gershun furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Merton Gershun furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Merton Gershun were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by Kent-Coffey, Conant Ball, and Broyhill. Prices for Merton Gershun furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $400 and can go as high as $6,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,400.