Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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 Mid Century X Inlay Walnut 5 Drawer

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlay Walnut 5 Drawer Dresser This highboy measures: 36 wide x 17 deep x 44.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be h...

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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Chrome

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlay Walnut 5 Drawer

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Brass

Vintage "Dania" Dresser by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville

H 44 in W 38 in D 19 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 ...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Walnut

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

H 30 in W 52 in D 18 in

Albert Parvin for American of Martinsville Mid-Century Walnut Highboy Dresser

By American of Martinsville

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Embrace the elegance of mid-century modern design with the American of Martinsville Diamond Front Highboy Dresser, a true masterpiece ...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Wood

Albert Parvin for American of Martinsville Mid-Century Walnut Highboy Dresser

H 49 in W 40 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...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Walnut

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

H 25 in W 52 in D 16 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...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Mahogany

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

H 30.5 in W 54 in D 20.5 in

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Credenza by Merton Gershun

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

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 design...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Brass

Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Credenza by Merton Gershun

H 30.25 in W 60 in D 18.5 in

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A rare Mid Century walnut dry bar with pull down front door with light up drink area and storage for glasses . When down the door has a white laminate backing making a bar surface fo...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Brass

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville

H 40.63 in W 36.13 in D 15 in

Mid-Century Modern Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Chicago, IL

Excellent original condition Mid-century Modern American of Martinsville credenza or lowboy dresser designed by Merton Gershun. Made of genuine walnut with lacquered drawer fronts an...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Brass

Mid-Century Modern Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser

H 30 in W 60 in D 18.5 in

Merton Gershun Gentleman's Chest for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Iconic highchest from the Dania series by Merton Gershun, for American of Martinsville. Features include rich walnut grain, louvered drawers, signature brass accents, and articulated...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Walnut

Merton Gershun Gentleman's Chest for American of Martinsville

H 46.38 in W 42.13 in D 19 in

Chest of Drawers by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville- Mid Century MCM

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Vintage Chest of Drawers by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville in Black Lacquer with Melamine tops. This pair of chest of drawers is a stunning example of mid-century mode...

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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Lacquer

Chest of Drawers by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville- Mid Century MCM

H 30.5 in W 33.875 in D 19.62 in

Merton Gershun Designed Dresser for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Merton Gershun designed dresser for his 'Dania' line with American of Martinsville. Beautiful walnut wood grain throughout with inlaid flourishes around the sculpted handles. Louvere...

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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

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Brass

Merton Gershun Designed Dresser for American of Martinsville

H 30 in W 70 in D 19 in

Mid century American of Martinsville Dania Tall Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Baltimore, MD

This exceedingly well-crafted American of Martinsville louvered slat front drawer highboy tall dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for his Dani...

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1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Mid century American of Martinsville Dania Tall Dresser

H 44.25 in W 38.25 in D 17.75 in

Previously Available Items

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM X Inlay Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlay Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser Dresser measures: 36 wide x 17 deep x 44.5 inches high All pieces...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Nickel

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM X Inlay Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser

H 44.5 in W 36 in L 44.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun for Dillingham Gentlemen’s Wardrobe Chest

By Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun

Located in West Hartford, CT

Made in USA sleek mens wardrobe chest designed by Merton Gershun for Dillingham as part of the "Esprit" collection, circa 1960s. Handsome piece in walnut with original ebony trim and...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun for Dillingham Gentlemen’s Wardrobe Chest

H 69 in W 38 in L 69 in

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Louvered Highboy Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Countryside, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century louvered highboy dresser chest This highboy measures 38 wide x 18.75 deep x 44 inches high All pieces of furniture can be ha...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Louvered Highboy Dresser

H 44 in W 38 in L 44 in

Merton Gershun wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs.

Merton Gershun wardrobes and armoires are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original wardrobes and armoires 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 wardrobes and armoires by Lane Furniture, Milo Baughman, and Broyhill Brasilia. Prices for Merton Gershun wardrobes and armoires 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.