Merton Gershun Furniture

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.

Creator: Merton Gershun

Mid Century American of Martinsville Highboy Dresser

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Baltimore, MD

This exceedingly well-crafted American of Martinsville highboy dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsv...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Faux Leather

Mid Century American of Martinsville Highboy Dresser

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Merton L. Gershun walnut writing desk for American of Martinsville. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing h...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Brass

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Ebonized Credenza

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century ebonized credenza The credenza measures: 50 wide x 19 deep x 32 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what w...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Ebonized Credenza

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Square Coffee Table

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut square coffee table The table measures: 31 wide x 31 deep x 16 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in ...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Square Coffee Table

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Walnut King Size Headboard

By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern king size headboard By Merton Gershun for Dillingham USA, 1960s Book-matched walnut, with inset black vinyl panels. Measures: 77.25" W x 1.5...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Walnut King Size Headboard

American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Urban Suburban Bed

By Merton Gershun

Located in Pasadena, TX

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville twin bed, circa 1960s. Designed in the 1960s for the Urban Suburban line. Headboard and footboard in mapl...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Birch

American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Urban Suburban Bed

American Martinsville Walnut Mirror, circa 1955

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Camden, ME

Simple elegant mirror designed by Merton Gershun for his Dania line for American of Martinsville. Rosewood colored walnut. The use of...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

American Martinsville Walnut Mirror, circa 1955

American of Martinsville Walnut Bench by Merton Gershun

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Esperance, NY

American of Martinsville walnut bench by Merton Gershun.

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

American of Martinsville Walnut Bench by Merton Gershun

Mid-Century Modern Bubble Glass Cabinet Merton Gershun American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Buffalo, NY

Seldom seen modernist server with stunning Bubble glass top designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. Featuring three generous storage to bottom, three drawers, one being silverware drawer and two door top display locking...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Bubble Glass Cabinet Merton Gershun American of Martinsville

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Lacquered Nightstands, Refinished

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern black lacquered nightstands By Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville USA, 1950s Black ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Mahogany, Lacquer

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Lacquered Nightstands, Refinished

Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Table by Merton Gershun

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Port Jervis, NY

Merton Gershun cocktail table with replaced hairpin iron legs. Walnut has been refinished and waxed for protection. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Cocktail Table by Merton Gershun

Merton Gershun Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Walnut Triple Dresser, Refinished

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie triple dresser or credenza By Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, USA, 1960s Book-matched walnut wit...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie Walnut Triple Dresser, Refinished

American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser & Bachelor’s Chest w/ X’s

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Topeka, KS

Handsome pair of chests from American of Martinsville and Merton Gershun’s Accord line of furniture with the signature X’s and asymmetric handles. One is the long walnut dresser with three drawers and cane doors and the second is the three-drawer bachelor’s chest. Two separate pieces but butted together make one long marvelous piece. We are pricing them as a set. Both are in wonderful restored condition. However, they are not without signs of age and use having an overall beautiful age patina which includes small nicks, scratches, and imperfections but nothing major. Please see photos, circa mid-20th century. Oh my! If you could ever say X marks the spot for a piece of furniture…you can say it with this pair. Note the metal signature crosses in their tops and their fabulous asymmetric or staggered handles. These gorgeous chests are from the Accord collection produced in the mid-20th century by American of Martinsville and designed by Merton Gershun. One piece is the longer dresser which is comprised of a bank of three drawers next to three doors with cane inserts. One door opens to the left and the other two doors bi-fold open to the right revealing three interior drawers. This dresser alone is wonderful but paired with the matching bachelor’s chest, which has the same bank of three drawers as the dresser, and butted next to the doors, making it one extra long cabinet...

Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser & Bachelor’s Chest w/ X’s

American of Martinsville Credenza from the Dania Collection

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Asbury Park, NJ

Nice credenza designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville for the Dania collection. Nice walnut finish with great brass accent. Offers amp...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

American of Martinsville Credenza from the Dania Collection

Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut End Table

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Wilmington, DE

Offered is a walnut end table designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville. Features one drawer with a brass pull and the iconic x-shaped brushed aluminium inlaid detai...

Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut End Table

American Martinsville High Boy Walnut Dresser Chest Mid-century Modern

By Merton Gershun

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Handsome six drawer shingle front dresser designed by Merton Gershun. This particular line is exceedingly well crafted and heavy, a hidden treasure in American Mid-Century Modern in ...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Brass

American Martinsville High Boy Walnut Dresser Chest Mid-century Modern

Mid Century "Esprit" Nightstands by Merton Gershun for Dillingham, a Pair

By Merton Gershun, Milo Baughman

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of walnut nightstands by Merton Gershun for Dillingham, c.1960s, USA. The nightstands each feature a single door front with beveled sides. The hinged doors open to reveal a wide...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century "Esprit" Nightstands by Merton Gershun for Dillingham, a Pair

Pair of Merton L. Gershun "Esprit" Nightstands for Dillingham

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Pair of walnut nightstands by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham, c.1960s, USA. The nightstands each feature a single door front with beveled sides. The hinged doors open to reveal a w...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Laminate, Walnut

Pair of Merton L. Gershun "Esprit" Nightstands for Dillingham

Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Dania Collection MCM Lowboy c. 1960s

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Denville, NJ

"Please request a shipping quote from us directly by sending your zip code. We can ship most items between $300-$600. We photograph and list inventory in the condition it arrives a...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Dania Collection MCM Lowboy c. 1960s

Merton L. Gershun Free-Standing Taper Bookshelf for Dillingham

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Merton L. Gershun free-standing taper bookshelf for Dillingham. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing histo...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Merton L. Gershun Free-Standing Taper Bookshelf for Dillingham

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.