Midcentury Nine-Drawer Dresser by American of Martinsville
View Similar Items
Midcentury Nine-Drawer Dresser by American of Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 32 in (81.28 cm)Width: 76 in (193.04 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Hollywood Regency (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Jacksonville, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3349313544212
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.
- Art Deco Twelve Drawer Dresser by CenturyBy Century FurnitureLocated in Jacksonville, FLArt deco style dresser by Century Furniture features brass hardware and heavy, solid construction. Good vintage condition with marks to finish, see ...Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 1980s Lane Furniture Seven Drawer Brass Plinth DresserBy Milo Baughman, Lane FurnitureLocated in Jacksonville, FLVintage 1980s dresser by Lane features brass plinth and drawer detailing and sleek, modern lines. Not marked as such, but very likely a Milo Baughman design. Good vintage condition w...Category
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Dressers
MaterialsWood
- 1980s Lane Furniture Seven Drawer Brass Plinth DresserBy Lane FurnitureLocated in Jacksonville, FLVintage 1980s dresser by Lane features brass plinth and drawer detailing and sleek, modern lines. Not marked as such, but very likely a Milo Baughman design. Good vintage condition w...Category
Vintage 1980s American Hollywood Regency Dressers
MaterialsFormica, Wood
- Vintage Art Deco 12-Drawer Dresser by Century Furniture CoBy Century FurnitureLocated in Jacksonville, FLVintage 12-drawer dresser by Century Furniture Company features art deco style detailing and brass hardware. Heavy, solid construction. Good vintage condition with abrasions and scuf...Category
Vintage 1980s American Art Deco Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Wicker Basketweave and Faux Bamboo 4-Drawer DresserLocated in Jacksonville, FLFaux bamboo four drawer dresser with full basketweave cane veneer. Brass campaign style hardware. Good vintage condition with imperfections consistent with age, see photos for condit...Category
Mid-20th Century Organic Modern Dressers
MaterialsBerlin Iron, Brass
- Asian Chinoiserie Burl Dresser "Mandarin" Collection by Henry LinkBy Henry LinkLocated in Jacksonville, FLMid-century dresser by Henry Link from the Mandarin collection. Features burl drawer faces, brass hardware, and matching mirrors. Very good vintage...Category
Vintage 1970s North American Hollywood Regency Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Large Midcentury American of Martinsville DresserBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Pasadena, CAAn elegant blonde walnut dresser by American of Martinsville catches the eye with its twin blocks of drawers resting on a slightly darker base. T...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- Dramatic Restored Nine-Drawer Chest by American of Martinsville, circa 1950By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Atlanta, GAA beautiful example from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1950. Stout, expertly made mahogany case construction finished in cream lacquer. Fabulous wormhole detail on...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- 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
- 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
- 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
