American of Martinsville Furniture
American
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.
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Creator: American of Martinsville
Dealer: Mainly Art Vintage Modern Furniture
Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A rare Mid Century walnut dry bar with pull down front door with light up drink area and storage for glasses . When down the door has a white laminate backing making a bar surface fo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Furniture
Materials
Brass
American of Martinsville Brass / Tulip Styled Side Tables
By American of Martinsville
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A pair of star based side tables with white wood and laminate round tops having nice tailored octagon shaft and base with ball feet all in brass . A great look that would work with m...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Furniture
Materials
Brass
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American Of Martinsville furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
American of Martinsville furniture are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of American of Martinsville furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by American of Martinsville were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider furniture by John Widdicomb, Planner Group, and John Stuart. Prices for American of Martinsville furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $322 and can go as high as $39,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,348.
Creators Similar to American of Martinsville
Questions About American of Martinsville Furniture
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To identify American of Martinsville furniture, first look for the brand stamp, often found inside of a drawer, on the bottom of the piece or under a seat. The mark typically features the full brand name; some pieces also display an eagle logo. Another identifying characteristic of wood pieces made by the company are brass "X" inlays, often found on tabletops and the front of cabinet doors. Many mid-century American of Martinsville case goods also feature slatted or louvered doors. If you need help with the identification process, use the services of a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Shop a variety of American of Martinsville furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024The history of Martinsville furniture starts with the founding of the company in Martinsville, Virginia, in 1906 by Ancil Witten and Charles Keesee, a pair of former tobacco farmers. They launched their business with $30,000 in capital and began to manufacture bedroom furniture under the name American Furniture Company. In the 1920s, American Furniture Company expanded its offerings from bedroom furnishings with a range of dining room sets. By the 1950s, the company’s name had been changed to American of Martinsville, and it had gained a reputation for exquisite craftsmanship as well as a variety of furniture styles. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul László, the brand innovated 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 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. Find a variety of American of Martinsville furniture on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021American of Martinsville, which was founded in 1906, is still in business. The company now manufactures furniture for hotel and healthcare industries.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024What a tall dresser with drawers is called depends on its design. A one-piece tall dresser may be referred to as a vertical dresser or a vertical chest of drawers. On the other hand, a tall dresser that consists of two sections stacked one atop the other is a highboy or a tallboy. Shop a large selection of dressers from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024How much an American of Martinsville dresser weighs can vary greatly. The dimensions and materials of the piece will determine its weight. Generally, highboy dressers will be the heaviest pieces produced by the American furniture maker due to their size. Shop a diverse assortment of American of Martinsville dressers on 1stDibs.
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- 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 27, 2025There was actually more than one famous American clockmaker. Many people refer to Eli Terry as the “father of mass-produced clocks in the U.S.,” as he introduced the concept of interchangeable parts that made large-scale production possible. Another well-known name in the history of American clock-making is Seth Thomas, who founded the Seth Thomas Clock Company in 1813. Brothers Aaron and Simon Willard are also important figures in the field, having developed banjo clocks and tall case clocks, respectively. Shop a variety of antique and vintage clocks on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 22, 2024Yes, there is an American watch movement. In fact, there are multiple movements made in the USA. One is the Ameriquartz movement, a battery-driven quartz movement manufactured by Arizona-based maker Fine Timepiece Solutions for VAER watches. Another is the Caliber 1003 mechanical wind movement, created by Weis and produced in Nashville, Tennessee. Find a diverse assortment of watches on 1stDibs.
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