American of Martinsville Pair of Nightstands / Cabinets Hollywood Regency
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 24.5 in (62.23 cm)Width: 23 in (58.42 cm)Depth: 17.25 in (43.82 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Hollywood Regency (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:San Diego, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU936631622582
American of Martinsville
American of Martinsville is today revered as one of the finest manufacturers of mid-century modern furniture in the United States, but its beginnings were unexpectedly humble.
Well ahead of the Civil War, tobacco was a cash crop in places such as Virginia, and the plant was grown with frequency on farms in Martinsville and elsewhere. In the early 1900s, the business around tobacco was changing and the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was expanding nationally, buying any Virginia factories in reach. Former tobacco producers Ancil Witten and Charles Keesee turned away from the business in 1906 and, with merely $30,000 in capital (and the support of local business leaders), began to manufacture bedroom furniture under the name American Furniture Company.
In the 1920s, American Furniture Company expanded its offerings from bedroom furnishings. Alongside tallboy dressers and nightstands, Witten and Keesee’s outfit began to offer a range of dining-room sets to the discerning customer. By the 1950s, the name had been changed to American of Martinsville and the brand had gained a reputation for exquisite craftsmanship as well as its variety of furniture styles (Hollywood Regency, chinoiserie). Mass-marketed furniture meant big business in the postwar years and throughout the 20th century in Virginia, and factories owned by companies like Bassett Furniture and American of Martinsville remained busy as suburbanites bought furniture to fill the homes they were moving into.
It isn’t difficult to spot American of Martinsville’s sturdy, solid designs — the lacquered walnut nightstands, mahogany coffee tables and more have long earned the admiration of mid-century modernism enthusiasts. The company’s high profile also owes to prominent attributes that distinguish its well-made vintage furniture, such as the use of wooden slats — inspired by Scandinavian modernism — on hutches and cabinet doors, the famous brass x’s inlaid on the tops of tables and dressers and the stately stacked type of the American of Martinsville logo, which usually appears in drawer interiors. The stamp prominently features an eagle perched atop the lettering, its broad wings spread across the “American” portion.
Besides quality manufacturing, American of Martinsville is additionally recognized for having incorporated the trends of the day. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul Laszlo, the brand was also known for innovations with wood. Merton Gershun was one of the company’s most prolific designers, and he was responsible for some of its most successful modern furniture lines using the richer, darker woods that would become emblematic of mid-century furniture. Gershun’s most popular line was reportedly Dania, with its sleek walnut credenzas fitted with stylish brass accents and large drawers. Today, American of Martinsville specializes in furniture for the healthcare and hospitality industries.
Shop a wide selection of vintage American of Martinsville mid-century modern sideboards, side tables and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: San Diego, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- American Mid-Century Restored Walnut Block Front Two Drawers Night StandsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in San Diego, CAPair of mid-century American modern walnut block front nightstands end tables, freshly refinished beautiful lines, and good looking.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- American Modern Walnut Record Cabinet by Lane FurnitureBy Lane FurnitureLocated in San Diego, CAA very clean American modern walnut record cabinet with pull out door / drawer by Lane Furniture, circa 1970s. The cabinet is designed to hold over 125 1...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of Danish Modern Rosewood Cabinets by Brouer FurnitureBy Brouer MobelLocated in San Diego, CAGreat pair of versatile Danish modern rosewood cabinets circa 1980's, great size and very clean original condition, nice polished brass handles, the buyer has the option to buy 1 or 2.Category
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Cabinets
MaterialsRosewood
- Contemporary Elegant Nightstand End Table in Linen by Serena & LilyLocated in San Diego, CAHand wrapped in painted navy blue linen. A matte lacquer finish. A single drawer, a glint of brass. beautiful elegant nightstand excellent quality nice condition, linen. A matte lac...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Hollywood Regency Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Hollywood Regency Gold Gilt Lion BookendsBy BorgheseLocated in San Diego, CAStunning pair of majestic lion bookends in a gold gilt finish on a faux black marble base in the style of Borghese of Italy, circa 1970s. The pair is in great vintage condition and o...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Bookends
MaterialsPlaster
- Pair of Gilt Hollywood Regency Bookends by BorgheseBy BorgheseLocated in San Diego, CANice pair of Hollywood Regency bookends in a gold gilt finish in the shape of books with a floral cover jacket by Borghese of Italy, circa 1960s. The pair are in good vintage conditi...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency More Desk Accessories
MaterialsWood
- American of Martinsville NightstandBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis beautiful walnut nightstand by American of Martinsville features the sturdy construction and fantastic wood grain the midcentury manufactu...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of Merton Gershun American of Martinsville NightstandsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Pasadena, TXA pair of vintage nightstands by Merton Gershun manufactured by American of Martinsville. One drawer on each with brushed aluminum pulls and the top features an X-shaped ornamental i...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of 1960's Hollywood Regency Duquette Style Gold Leaf & Eglomise CabinetsBy Tony Duquette, Lane FurnitureLocated in Hanover, MAAmazing and rare pair of vintage early 1960's cabinets from from an outrageously over-the-top period Hollywood Regency decorated home outside of Boston; think Zsa Zsa on steroids. Ea...Category
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Cabinets
MaterialsGiltwood, Art Glass
- American of Martinsville Parquet Top White Nightstands, a PairBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Doylestown, PAPair of American of Martinsville Italian style nightstands. The stands are in original creamy white with a woodgrain parquet top. They fea...Category
Late 20th Century North American Neoclassical Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Nightstands by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in North Hollywood, CAPair of beautiful nightstands designed and manufactured by American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1950s. Each nightstand features three dovetailed drawers with original...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- American of Martinsville Mid-Century NightstandBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILAmerican of Martinsville mid-century nightstand. This nightstand measures: 23 wide x 16.25 deep x 22.25 inches high. All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood
