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.
$1,280Sale Price|20% Off
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.
Walnut
Merton Gershun for Dillingham "Esprit" Mid-Century Walnut Dining Chairs
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elevate your dining space with these exceptional set of (8) Merton Gershun for Dillingham “Esprit” Mid-Century Walnut Dining Chairs, a striking example of clean-lined modern design a...
Wood
Merton Gershun For Dillingham Set Of 6 Brown Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A stylish set of six dining chairs designed by Merton Gershun for Dillingham, featuring a warm and inviting brown upholstered finish. The set includes four side chairs and two armcha...
Fabric, Wood
Merton Gershun For Dillingham Set Of 6 Brown Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Merton Gershun
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A stylish set of six dining chairs designed by Merton Gershun for Dillingham, featuring a warm and inviting brown upholstered finish. The set includes four side chairs and two armcha...
Fabric
$99,000 / set
H 31.11 in W 22.25 in D 16.93 in
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" Dining Chairs for Maxalto, Reddish Brown, Set of 12
By Maxalto, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Afra & Tobia Scarpa "Africa" dining chairs for Maxalto, reddish brown leather, walnut, burl and brass, Italy, 1975, set of 12. Originally hand finished and assembled one-by-one, "A...
Brass
$48,000 / set
H 39.5 in W 28 in D 19.75 in
Set of Eight English Chippendale Mahogany Upholstered Dining Room Chairs, C 1760
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of Eight English Chippendale mahogany dining room chairs with a serpentine carved acanthus ribbon cresting rail, scrolled foliage ears, molded edge stiles, ornate ribbon medallio...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Pair of Modern Walnut Benches by Lara Mann
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Modern walnut benches by Lara Mann. Simplistic modern styling in rich walnut woods and upholstered seat cushion. Contrasting center panel adds texture and flare to the design...
Fabric, Walnut
$1,836 / item
H 27.17 in W 25.2 in D 21.26 in
Dining chair Balance for Contemporary Interiors, Upholstered Furniture for Home
By Dmitriy Kozinenko
Located in Kyiv, UA
Dining chair Balance invites you to experience the balance that we all seek in life. This designer chair draws inspiration from the art of rock balancing, where natural stones are ca...
Steel
$5,200 / set
H 31.7 in W 18.9 in D 18.51 in
Silvio Coppola for Bernini Set of Four Dining Chairs in Brown Leather
By Silvio Coppola, Bernini
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Silvio Coppola for Bernini, set of four dining chairs model 330, leather, walnut, Italy, 1960s. This magnificent set of dining chairs by the renowned Italian designer Silvio Coppola...
Leather, Beech
$9,650 / set
H 32 in W 20 in D 22 in
Set of 12 Contemporary Dining / Conference Chairs Fully Upholstered in Leather
Located in Kensington, MD
Set of 12 Contemporary Dining / Conference Chairs Fully Upholstered in Pearl Gray Leather Purchased from a leading advertising agency as used in one of their conference rooms Fully ...
Upholstery
A Walnut Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
This vintage walnut bench pairs refined craftsmanship with shaggy faux sheepskin upholstery. The solid walnut base features gently curved legs and a warm, natural finish that highlig...
Walnut
Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6
By Widdicomb Furniture Co.
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Widdicomb Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 18.75 wide x 23 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 18 inches Each captains chair measures: 22.2...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By Lane Furniture
Located in Clarksboro, NJ
Stylish and timeless, this set of four 1960’s Mid-Century Modern walnut dining chairs brings warm organic character to any dining space. Each chair features beautifully sculpted fram...
Upholstery, Wood, Walnut
Set of Four Louis XV-Style Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Minton-Spidell
Located in Chicago, IL
This set of four upholstered dining chairs wonderfully recreates the Louis XV style with sinuous fruitwood frames and nary a straight line in sight. Created by Minton-Spidell, this u...
Fabric, Fruitwood
$3,560 / set
H 40.56 in W 21.26 in D 19.3 in
Set of 6 Mid-Century Modern Italian Walnut Wood Upholstered Dining Chairs
By Ico & Luisa Parisi, Paolo Buffa, Gio Ponti
Located in Carimate, Como
Very elegant Italian Mid-Century Modern set of 6 dining chairs, with greatly shaped wooden structure and upholstered seat. The unique and typical design, with the clean geometric sha...
Fabric, Wood
Pair of Modern Walnut Leather Benches
Located in North York, ON
Pair of modern walnut leather benches. Simplistic modern styling in rich walnut woods and upholstered seat cushion. Contrasting center panel adds ...
Leather, Walnut
Merton Gershun Slipper Chairs in Faux Black Leather with Brass Pulls
By Merton Gershun
Located in Dallas, TX
Often attributed to Harvey Probber, these slipper chairs by Merton Gershun have loads of style. They are upholstered in a faux leather with mahogany legs. The pull on the back is sol...
Brass
Sold
H 31 in W 19.5 in D 19 in
Set of Six Mid Century Dania Dining Chairs American of Martinsville c 1950/60s
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
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...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 32 in W 21 in D 18 in
Midcentury American of Martinsville Dania Walnut Desk Chair by Merton Gershun
By Merton Gershun
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Dania Desk Chair by Merton Gershun A Sculpted Walnut Desk chair by American of Martinsville designed ...
Walnut
Sold
H 37 in W 18.5 in D 20.5 in
1970 MCM Dillingham Espirit Line Walnut Dining Chairs by Merton Gershun Set of 6
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous vintage Mid-Century Modern Dillingham Espirit Line walnut dining chairs with maroon & green plaid fabric by Merton Gershun set of 6. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind tha...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 28.75 in W 24 in D 26 in
Set of 4 Cocktail Slipper Chairs in Mohair with Brass Handles by Merton Gershun
By American of Martinsville, Harvey Probber, Merton Gershun
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A set of four cocktail slipper chairs designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. These have often been attributed to Harvey Probber, but we were able to locate an origi...
Mohair, Mahogany
Sold
H 43 in W 72 in L 43 in
Mid Century American of Martinsville Gershun Long Bench & Lighted Bar Cabinet
By Merton Gershun
Located in Las Vegas, NV
An amazing walnut bar and bench combo from the 1950's. Very modern design. Designed by Merton Gershun as part of the Dania Series for American of Martinsville. This set is modular yo...
Brass
Sold
H 37.5 in W 20.5 in D 20 in
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of 8
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for Dillingham mid century walnut dining chairs - set of 8 Each chair measures: 20.5 wide x 20 deep x 37.5 high, with a seat height of 18.5 inches and arm height of...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 13 in W 54.25 in D 18.75 in
Mid-Century Merton Gershun Low Coffee Table or Bench-American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Southampton, NJ
A striking walnut low table having brass accents and 3 drawer storage designed by Merton Gershun for American Of Martinsville circa 1960. Professionally refinished and ready for use!
Brass
Merton Gurshun Dillingham Esprit Mid Century Record Cabinet Bench
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gurshun Dillingham Esprit Mid Century record cabinet bench Cabinet measures: 48 wide x 13.25 deep x 20 inches high All pieces of furniture...
Wood
Sold
H 37.5 in W 19 in L 37.5 in
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Esprit Midcentury Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Esprit midcentury walnut dining chairs, set of 6 These chairs are 19 wide x 21 d...
Upholstery, Walnut
Sold
H 12.75 in W 72.25 in L 12.75 in
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Long 3-Drawer Walnut and Brass Bench
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century long 3-drawer walnut and brass bench Bench measures: 72.25 wide x 18.5 deep x 12.75 high All pieces of furniture can be had i...
Brass
Set of Four Merton L. Gershun Walnut Dining Chairs
By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in South Charleston, WV
Merton L. Gerhsun Dillingham, Esprit Series, USA, 1968 Walnut. Fully restored, new upholstery and cushioning. Measures: 37 tall x 19 wide and 22 inches deep. Seat height is 18 inches. Price is for the set of four. 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. Samples of swatches of the Knoll upholstery fabric...
Fabric, Walnut