American of Martinsville Walnut Bench by Merton Gershun
About the Item
- Creator:Merton Gershun (Designer),American of Martinsville (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 12.75 in (32.39 cm)Width: 54.25 in (137.8 cm)Depth: 18.75 in (47.63 cm)Seat Height: 12.75 in (32.39 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The bench is overall in very nice shape. It shows wear consistent with age and use. Left side has one chip out of drawer and side has some minor blemishes. Also top has a couple small blemishes and normal wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Esperance, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5605224577772
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: Esperance, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vintage Savonarola Style Folding Oak Bench With ArmsLocated in Esperance, NYVintage Savonarola style folding oak bench with arms. The bench was custom made in the 1970s-1980s in farmingdale NY.Category
Vintage 1970s North American Renaissance Benches
MaterialsOak
- 1970s Design Institute of America Chrome Parsons Chairs - Set of 4By Design Institute AmericaLocated in Esperance, NYIntroducing a fantastic set of four vintage Parsons dining chairs that exude both style and quality. These chairs are not only highly fashionable but also impeccably craftedCategory
Vintage 1970s American Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Glass and Brass Nesting Tables by Design Institute AmericaBy Design Institute AmericaLocated in Esperance, NYMid-century glass and brass nesting tables by Design Institute America Measures: H 22.25 in. x W 20 in. x D 23.75 in. H 19 in. x W 20 in. x D 23.75 in. H 16 in. x W 20 in. x D 2...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Nesting Tables and Stacking Ta...
MaterialsBrass
- Midcentury American Seating Metal Folding Chair Curved Plywood SeatLocated in Esperance, NYFor sale is this nice vintage Folding midcentury industrial metal chair. We currently have 40 available at 95.00 each.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut HighBoy DresserLocated in Esperance, NYMid-Century Modern walnut highBoy dresser.Category
Vintage 1960s Unknown Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Vintage Walnut Kofod-Larsen Style Loveseat SofaBy Ib Kofod-LarsenLocated in Esperance, NYVintage Walnut Kofod-Larsen Style loveseat sofa. The sofa is very well made and is solid walnut. It has very similar features to Kofod-Larsen. The sofa is...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsWalnut
- Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlaid Coffee Table orBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILMerton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X inlaid coffee table or bench This table measures: 54 wide x 20.5 deep x 14.25 high All pieces of furniture can be had ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
MaterialsWood
- Midcentury American of Martinsville Dania Walnut Desk Chair by Merton GershunBy Merton GershunLocated in Las Vegas, NVMid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Dania Desk Chair by Merton Gershun A Sculpted Walnut Desk chair by American of Martinsville designed ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWalnut
- Low profile American of martinsville coffee table/ BenchLocated in Los Angeles, CAW72 D18.5 H12.5 Brass and walnut coffee table in overall great restored condition. Item is structurally sound and shows well with no maj...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsBrass
- American Designer, Bench, Walnut, Rattan, USA, 1950sLocated in High Point, NCA walnut and rattan bench designed and produced in the US, 1950s. seat height 14”.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsRattan, Walnut
- Mid-Century American Modern Three-Seat Walnut BenchLocated in Brooklyn, NYAmerican Modernist three-seat bench with walnut frame and vinyl upholstery (ca. 1950s, USA). Minimal design with clean lines and sharp profile. The original vinyl which appears arm...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsNaugahyde, Walnut
- Set of Six Mid Century Dania Dining Chairs American of Martinsville c 1950/60sBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in New York, NYChic architectural set of Mid Century Modern dining chairs designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville as part of their classic Dania series, circa 1950-1960s. This impre...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut