Merton Gershun Buffets

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

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut and Brass China Cabinet

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut and Brass China Cabinet This china cabinet measures: 50 wide x 18 deep x 57.75 inches high All pieces of furniture ca...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut and Brass China Cabinet

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Brass Buffet Hutch

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut and brass buffet with hutch The buffet and hutch measure: 48 wide x 15.75 deep x 60.25 inches high All pieces of ...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Brass Buffet Hutch

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy Dresser by Merton Gershun

H 44 in W 38 in D 18.5 in

American of Martinsville, Cabinet, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s

By American of Martinsville

Located in High Point, NC

A brass and walnut cabinet designed and produced by American of Martinsville, USA, 1950s.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

American of Martinsville, Cabinet, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950s

H 43.25 in W 40 in D 20.25 in

Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville Two Piece Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Denton, TX

Rare two piece set with louvered drawers on each side and additional drawers inside the center doors, Satin finish on the walnut really brings out th...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville Two Piece Dresser

H 30.25 in W 96.25 in D 19 in

Mid-Century Walnut Credenza by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Amazing mid-century modern walnut credenza by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville and manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. This piece showcases the perfect blen...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Walnut Credenza by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville

H 25 in W 52 in D 16 in

1960’s Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century China Cabinet

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Designed by Merton Gershun for the “Dania” line featuring display on the upper left with glass sliding doors and open shelving on the top right. The bottom portion features a wide cabinet and column of four sculpted louvered slatted facade drawers. The first drawer in the column is felt lined and divided for storing silverware. Solid walnut Danish style legs lend support with detailed brass caps add subtle, sophistication. This piece doubles as a shelving / china hutch and server...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

1960’s Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century China Cabinet

H 57.75 in W 50 in D 18 in

Classic Mid Century Walnut Dresser by Merton Gershun / American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Buffalo, NY

Stunning walnut modernist dresser designed by Merton Gershun, manufactured by American Of Martinsville. Classic aluminum x's and asymetrical pulls, minor stain to (see photo). Hand d...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Aluminum

Classic Mid Century Walnut Dresser by Merton Gershun / American of Martinsville

H 31.5 in W 62 in D 18.5 in

Walnut Sideboard with Cane Doors by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Dorchester, MA

From the Accord collection by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, this mid-century modern sideboard features a walnut case on a plinth base with signature inset aluminum Xs ...

Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Aluminum

Walnut Sideboard with Cane Doors by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville

H 31 in W 62 in D 18.5 in

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

By American of Martinsville

Located in Sheffield, MA

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 2 drawer, 3 door credenza in warm walnut wood cabinet. Original vintage condition. A great entry way ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

H 30 in W 52 in D 18 in

Midcentury Walnut Dresser by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in North Hollywood, CA

Fabulous mid century walnut and lacquered dresser designed by Michael L. Gershun for American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1960s. This credenza has been constructed from the highest quality walnut wood. Features a white lacquered box...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Walnut Dresser by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville

H 30.25 in W 54 in D 18.5 in

American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Bali-Hi Dresser, ca. 1950’s

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in New York, NY

Chic, sophisticated and stylish Bali Hi dresser, designed by Merton Gurshun for American of Martinsville. The dresser has six deep drawers each having faux bam...

Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Bali-Hi Dresser, ca. 1950’s

H 30.5 in W 54 in D 20.5 in

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

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 Buffets

Materials

Brass

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

H 29.5 in W 47 in D 29.5 in

Merton Gershon for American of Martinsville Dania Display Cabinet China Hutch

By Merton Gershun

Located in Las Vegas, NV

This is a very rare piece from American of Martinsville's Danish-inspired 'Dania' Collection designed by Merton Gershon c. 1961. A warm walnut veneers tall hutch...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershon for American of Martinsville Dania Display Cabinet China Hutch

H 58 in W 50 in D 18 in

Previously Available Items

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut and Brass Buffet Hutch

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut and brass buffet with hutch The buffet and hutch measure: 48 wide x 15.75 deep x 60.25 inches high All pieces of ...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut and Brass Buffet Hutch

H 60.25 in W 48 in L 60.25 in

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid Century Walnut Buffet China Cabinet

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for Dillingham mid century walnut buffet China cabinet China cabinet measures: 57 wide x 16 deep x 76 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we cal...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid Century Walnut Buffet China Cabinet

H 76 in W 57 in D 16 in

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid Century Walnut Buffet China Cabinet

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid Century walnut buffet China cabinet China cabinet measures: 57 wide x 16 deep x 76 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call r...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid Century Walnut Buffet China Cabinet

H 76 in W 57 in D 16 in

1960s Sideboard by Merton L Gershun for American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun

Located in Los Angeles, CA

USA 1960's The sideboard is in excellent refinished condition, finished in the original brown color with a very nice original brass accents on the drawers and legs. There is tons...

Category

1960s American Vintage Merton Gershun Buffets

Materials

Brass

1960s Sideboard by Merton L Gershun for American of Martinsville

Merton Gershun buffets for sale on 1stDibs.

Merton Gershun buffets 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 buffets, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original buffets by Merton Gershun were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider buffets by Drexel, Kipp Stewart, and Henredon. Prices for Merton Gershun buffets can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,295 and can go as high as $3,295, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,295.