American of Martinsville Mid Century Modern Dresser
View Similar Items
American of Martinsville Mid Century Modern Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Width: 76 in (193.04 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 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.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 9291-3199RJ1stDibs: LU92181150130
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.
- American Mid-Century Modern Dresser by R-WayBy R-Way Furniture CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYStylish Mid-Century Modern dresser made by the American manufacturer R-Way. Sturdily constructed piece with a handsome walnut veneer exterior. Ample storage space provided by six dra...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Mahogany DresserLocated in Brooklyn, NYA sturdy vintage modern mahogany dresser. Simple and stylistic with fold out doors hiding a multitude of storage options. Perfect for any home/...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMahogany
$2,310 Sale Price30% Off - Mid-Century Modern Walnut DresserLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stunning vintage modern credenza features six hidden drawers behind two cabinet doors and three large drawers in the centre. Unusual sculpted metal drawer pulls, tapered legs, a...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Vintage Lane Furniture "Tower Suite" Oak & Rosewood DresserBy Lane FurnitureLocated in Brooklyn, NYFantastic 9 drawer dresser from the master builders of Altavista, Virginia's Lane Furniture. Part of their iconic mid-century "Tower Suite" collection, it features a ridged rosewood ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal
- Mid-Century Modern Louvered Front Dresser by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis vintage walnut dresser features two stacking cabinets with a mix of shelf and drawer storage. Mid-Century manufacturer American of Martinsville crafted this stylish highboy dres...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Eight-Drawer Dresser by R-WayBy R-Way Furniture CompanyLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stunning vintage modern dresser features eight large drawers with sculpted brass pulls on each. A unique design with brass trim running along the edges of the front and brass fe...Category
Vintage 1970s 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
- Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 6 Drawer Low Dresser Blonde MapleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 6 drawer low dresser or credenza. A Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Urban Suburban dresser. All Original Vintage condition - B...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- SOLD 01/30/23 Merton Gershun American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Lowboy DresserBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILMerton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut lowboy dresser This credenza measures: 60 wide x 19.5 deep x 30.25 inches high All pieces of furniture can be ha...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville Two Piece DresserBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Denton, TXRare two piece set with louvered drawers on each side and additional drawers inside the center doors, Satin finish on the walnut really brings out th...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
$4,800 Sale Price / set20% Off - Renzo Rutili Style Monumental Dresser/Credenza by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Dallas, TXA stunningly sophisticated design from the 1960's, this piece feels like Renzo Rutili but is from a rare series by American of Martinsville. A modern interpretation on refined neocla...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 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