Fine 1960s Asian Inspired Mustard Lacquer Nine Drawer Dresser
View Similar Items
Fine 1960s Asian Inspired Mustard Lacquer Nine Drawer Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.5 in (82.55 cm)Width: 70 in (177.8 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Restored.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: 13122783011293
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.
- Vintage Pair of Brass Asian Modern Candlesticks 1960sLocated in Miami, FLProbably from the 1960s, Brass Candle Prickets inspired by the altar candleholders used on shrines throughout Asia. Workmanship is very good in the manufacturing of the items, thus p...Category
Vintage 1960s Unknown Chinese Export Candlesticks
MaterialsBrass
- Asian Modern Designed Cast Iron Incense Burner / Ashtray Japan 1960sLocated in Miami, FLWonderful large cast iron Japanese vessel to be used as an incense burner or a heavy ashtray, perfect for outside. The vessel's design consists of a ...Category
Vintage 1960s Japanese Chinoiserie Tobacco Accessories
MaterialsIron
- Large Modern Freeform Blown Murano Glass Vessel, Italy, 1960sBy SegusoLocated in Miami, FLREDUCED FROM $385....Large Mid Century Modern freeform blown murano glass vessel, Italy, 1960s. Probably Seguso, it is an explosive form of glass wings pulled from the center with th...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Garniture
MaterialsBlown Glass
$200 Sale Price48% Off - Scheurich Ceramic Mid-Century Modern Floor Vase, Germany, 1960sBy Ceramano, Scheurich & CarstensLocated in Miami, FLLarge and impressive 1960s Mid-Century Modern German lava glaze pottery floor vase from Scheurich pottery. Fat and appealing shape, at once masculine and strong. Designed with an ora...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- Mid Century Modern Klinker Pottery West German Vase 1960sBy Ceramano, Scheurich & CarstensLocated in Miami, FLLarge Klinker German Mid Century Modern Pottery Vase 1960s. The body of the vase is painted with a dark chocolate brown glaze and incised into the clay are bands that uncover the re...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- German Midcentury U Keramik Modern Ceramic Vase, Germany, circa 1960sBy Ü KeramikLocated in Miami, FLA number of colored rectangles on perpendicular incised white lines over a black glossy glaze background defines this Mid-Century Modern vase from Üebelacker-Keramik also known as ...Category
Vintage 1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vases
MaterialsCeramic, Pottery
- 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
- 1950s Red Lion Parquetry Front Mahogany Nine-Drawer DresserLocated in Chicago, ILExcellent build quality and design for this, circa 1950s modern nine-drawer long dresser. Beautifully wood grained mahogany parquetry front door that opens to reveal three sliding drawers. Six additional parquetry front drawers have patinated brass pulls and escutcheons. Pierced apron with sculpted legs. From Red Lion Furniture...Category
Vintage 1950s American Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$2,625 Sale Price30% Off - Richard Artschwager Studio Crafted Four Drawer Walnut Credenza Dresser, 1960sBy Richard ArtschwagerLocated in Camden, MERichard Artschwager black walnut credenza dresser designed in 1953 and produced thru 1970. This example was purchased in the 1960s. This cabinet ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Custom Walnut and Lacquered Linen Sliding Door Nine-Drawer CabinetLocated in Chicago, ILBeautifully restored to original condition, nine-drawer dresser or cabinet, with sliding linen wrapped doors. Three exposed drawers with nickel pulls and six more birch front drawers...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsLinen, Walnut
- Lacquer Brass Hardware Mid-Century Modern Long Credenza Dresser Nine DrawersBy Tommi Parzinger, James MontLocated in Rockaway, NJStunning white lacquer cabinet with polished brass pulls. Medium gloss finish.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 5 Drawer Tall Dresser Blonde MapleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 5 drawer high tall dresser. A Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Urban Suburban dresser. All Original Vintage condition - Blonde ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass