Merton Gershun Seating
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.
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Creator: Merton Gershun
Set of Six Mid Century Dania Dining Chairs American of Martinsville c 1950/60s
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in New York, NY
Chic architectural set of Mid Century Modern dining chairs designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville as part of their classic Dania series, circa 1950-1960s. This impre...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Seating
Materials
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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 Seating
Materials
Walnut
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Four sleek, elegant, modern walnut frame chairs with tall backs by Dillingham furniture, circa 1970. This line was designed by Merton L. Gershun.
These chairs have been refinished and reupholstered using a soft, vintage, off-white Knoll textile fabric.
During the refinishing process the chair were re-enforced making for a stronger frame and finished with lacquer ensuring they maintain the finished look for decades - no oiling of the walnut required. New cushioning was added to the backs to ensure comfort.
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Merton Gershun seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Merton Gershun seating 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 seating, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original seating by Merton Gershun were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider seating by Raymor, Peter Protzmann, and H.T. Cushman Manufacturing Company. Prices for Merton Gershun seating 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 $1,995.
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