American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser or Credenza, ca. 1960
View Similar Items
American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser or Credenza, ca. 1960
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 58 in (147.32 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent original condition 9/10 No restoration needed.
- Seller Location:Costa Mesa, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1384238517422
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.
- Pair of Ico Parisi Italian Walnut and Marble Side Tables, ca. 1960By Ico ParisiLocated in Costa Mesa, CAPair of Ico Parisi Italian Walnut and Marble Side Tables, ca. 1960. Walnut star bases float on top of the tripod star base with sculpted legs and feet. Base has been professionall...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsCarrara Marble
$3,196 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall Walnut Nighstands, ca. 1960Located in Costa Mesa, CAPair of Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall Walnut Nighstands, ca. 1960. Beautiful matched pair of walnut nightstands or side tables by Kipp Stewart and Stewart McDougall for Drexel....Category
Vintage 1960s Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
$2,396 Sale Price20% Off - Pair of Vintage Brass Cathedral Mirrors, ca. 1960Located in Costa Mesa, CAPair of Vintage Brass Cathedral Mirrors, ca. 1960. Beautiful pair of brass framed cathedral mirrors in very good original condition. The beveled glass...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBrass
$2,800 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Neils Moller Model 77 Armchairs, ca. 1960By Neils O. MöllerLocated in Costa Mesa, CAPair of Neils Moller Model 77 Armchairs, ca. 1960. Beautiful original pair of Neils Moller armchairs in sculpted teak with paperboard woven seats. Ex...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsPapercord, Teak
$2,956 Sale Price / set20% Off - Abstract Figurative Acrylic on Masonite, ca. 1960Located in Costa Mesa, CAAbstract Figurative Acrylic on Masonite, ca. 1960. Original acrylic and graphite on masonite titled "Family Portrait II" Signed by the artist. Excellent scale and subject matter, ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic, Masonite
- Set of 6 Bentwood Teak Charger Plates 18", Made in Sweden, ca. 1960By Ary Sweden 1Located in Costa Mesa, CASet of 6 Bentwood Teak Charger Plates 18", Made in Sweden, ca. 1960 Rare larger 18" size serving trays could also be used as chargers for a layered look. All trays are in excellent...Category
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsTeak
- American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser with Mirror 1960s, 'Signed'By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYBedroom storage galore! American of Martinsville walnut long dresser credenza with attached mirror. 6 drawers on the left side and double doors on the ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Midcentury Walnut American of Martinsville Highboy DresserBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage-modern highboy dresser by American of Martinsvile featuring six drawers with beautiful walnut grain throughout. Please confirm item location NY or NJ with dealer.Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- American of Martinsville Hollywood Regency Campaign Burled Walnut Dresser, 1960sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style dresser or credenza By American of Martinsville USA, Circa 1960s Walnut, with burled walnut banding and dr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 1960s American of Martinsville 9 Drawer Walnut Dresser with Matching MirrorBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Monrovia, CAAmerican of Martinsville walnut dresser with matching walnut framed mirror 9 drawer dresser Mid Century 1960s Mid Century Modern AMERICAN OF MARTINSVILLE Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser S...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMirror, Walnut
- Expertly Restored - American of Martinsville 9-Drawers Walnut DresserBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CAAmerican of Martinsville 9-drawers walnut dresser. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern fur...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- American of Martinsville Long DresserBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYLong mid-century dresser with criss cross pattern. Made by American of Martinsville with warm walnut grain, nine drawers and tapered legs. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut