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Merton Gershun

American, 1909-1989

In as early as the 1920s, American furniture designer Merton Gershun created popular bedroom suites and more for the likes of Shelbyville, Indiana’s Albert Distinctive Modern Furniture Company. Later, he partnered with Dillingham Manufacturing, which had offices in Wisconsin and Mississippi and collaborated with the likes of Arthur Umanoff and Pierre Cardin. The world’s growing population of mid-century modern furniture devotees, however, know Gershun as having been American of Martinsville’s most prolific designer. Vintage Merton Gershun dressers, side tables, bed frames and other pieces are widely collected today.

Founded in the early 1900s by former tobacco producers, American of Martinsville eventually became one of the best known furniture manufacturers in the United States. Besides quality manufacturing, American of Martinsville is additionally recognized for having incorporated the day's trends in its designs. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul Laszlo, the brand was also known for innovations with wood. 

Working with walnut and ebonized mahogany — and integrating decorative flourishes such as brass drawer pulls into his dressers and cane door fronts on his cabinets — Gershun designed numerous furniture lines for the company, including Dilettante, Fortissimo and others. The designer’s Dania collection, with its sleek walnut credenzas fitted with stylish brass accents and large drawers, has enjoyed popularity all over the world.

Gershun was passionate about bringing stylish pieces to American families but was also focused on affordability. His Harlequin line for American of Martinsville — the print ads for which read “SCULPTURED” and “BUDGET-PRICED” in bolded all-caps text — included bedroom and dining room furnishings in solid walnut. For Dillingham, Gershun designed the similarly well-received Esprit and Samara lines as well as other collections.

Gershun was particularly interested in creating furniture for small spaces and for postwar homeowners on a modest budget. He was a big proponent of incorporating international influences into his designs — he drew inspiration from Asia and created chinoiserie-style dressers in bleached walnut supported by ebonized wood bases. To Gershun, modern design was more than clean lines and sharp angles: it was about utility as well as beauty.

Find vintage Merton Gershun case pieces, tables, bedroom furniture and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Average Sold Price
$2,018
Styles
Mid-Century Modern
Modern
Materials
Wood
Walnut
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Newly Refinished - Mid Century Modern “Esprit” Walnut & Lacquered Credenza
Newly Refinished - Mid Century Modern “Esprit” Walnut & Lacquered Credenza

Newly Refinished - Mid Century Modern “Esprit” Walnut & Lacquered Credenza

$3,250

H 30.25 in W 65 in D 18 in

Newly Refinished - Mid Century Modern “Esprit” Walnut & Lacquered Credenza

By Merton Gershun

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Condition: Expertly Refinished With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun

Materials

Walnut, Lacquer

Pair Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut & Brass Louvered Chests
Pair Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut & Brass Louvered Chests

Pair Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut & Brass Louvered Chests

$3,500 / set

H 30 in W 36 in D 18.5 in

Pair Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut & Brass Louvered Chests

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Designed by Merton Gershun, this pair of chests was made in the 1960s by American of Martinsville. Each dresser features three drawers with the classic Gershun louvered look, almost ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun

Materials

Brass

Merton L. Gershun Pyramid Tier Side Table for American of Martinsville
Merton L. Gershun Pyramid Tier Side Table for American of Martinsville

Merton L. Gershun Pyramid Tier Side Table for American of Martinsville

$1,895

H 22.5 in W 25 in D 20 in

Merton L. Gershun Pyramid Tier Side Table for American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Los Angeles, CA

________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Merton Gershun, Dresser, Oak, USA, 1950s
Merton Gershun, Dresser, Oak, USA, 1950s

Merton Gershun, Dresser, Oak, USA, 1950s

$5,800

H 30.25 in W 52 in D 18.5 in

Merton Gershun, Dresser, Oak, USA, 1950s

By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company

Located in High Point, NC

An oak dresser designed by Merton Gershun and produced by Dillingham Manufacturing Company, USA, c. 1950s.  Overall Dimensions (inches): 30.25"H x 52.0"W x 18.5"D All items ship fr...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun

Materials

Oak

Low Nightstands by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, USA 1960's
Low Nightstands by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, USA 1960's

Low Nightstands by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, USA 1960's

$7,950 / set

H 24.25 in W 36 in D 19.25 in

Low Nightstands by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, USA 1960's

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Introducing a pair of exquisite Low Nightstands by renowned designer Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, crafted in the United States of America during the glamorous 1960s e...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun

Materials

Brass

Mid Century American Martinsville Dania Dresser by Merton Gershun circa 1950/60s
Mid Century American Martinsville Dania Dresser by Merton Gershun circa 1950/60s

Mid Century American Martinsville Dania Dresser by Merton Gershun circa 1950/60s

$2,500

H 30.5 in W 60 in D 18.5 in

Mid Century American Martinsville Dania Dresser by Merton Gershun circa 1950/60s

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in New York, NY

Iconic mid century dresser, designed by Merton Gershun, for American of Martinsville, as part of the classic Dania series, circa 1950/60's. The chest features a bank of three louvere...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch

$4,295 / set

H 68.25 in W 64 in D 18 in

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut and Cane Credenza and Hutch The credenza measures: 64 wide x 18 deep x 30.25 inches high The hutch measures: 64 wide x...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun

Materials

Cane, Glass, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Dresser American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane w/ X’s
Mid-Century Modern Dresser American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane w/ X’s

Mid-Century Modern Dresser American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane w/ X’s

$3,221Sale Price|25% Off

H 31 in W 62 in D 18.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Dresser American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane w/ X’s

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Topeka, KS

Marvelous vintage Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser w/ X’s & Asymmetric Handles, three drawers & cane doors designed by Merton Gershon. Beautif...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun

Materials

Metal

Browse all Furniture from Merton Gershun
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Merton Gershun Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMaterialCreation Year
2026$1,280BenchesWalnut1960s
2026$2,380Dressers, SideboardsMahogany1950s
2026$1,190DesksBrass, Walnutcirca 1960s
2026$1,440Night StandsWalnutUnknown
2026$2,750DressersWalnut c.1950’s
2026$2,495Dining Room TablesWalnutc.1970’s
2026$2,995BookcasesWalnutc.1960’s
2026$1,570Night StandsBrass, Laminate, Wood, WalnutMid-20th Century
2026$2,850Night StandsSteel, Chrome, Walnutcirca 1970s
2025$1,462Night StandsWalnut1960s
2025$2,600CredenzasWalnut1960
2025$1,800Dining Room ChairsUpholstery, Walnut1950/60's
2025$1,190Wall MirrorsMirror, Walnut1950s-1960s
$2,018
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$1,190-$2,995
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

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Merton Gershun furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Merton Gershun 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 Merton Gershun furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture by Merton Gershun 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 Kent-Coffey, Conant Ball, and Broyhill. Prices for Merton Gershun furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $400 and can go as high as $6,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $2,400.

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