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.
Mid Century "Esprit" Nightstands by Merton Gershun for Dillingham, a Pair
By Milo Baughman, Merton Gershun
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...
Walnut
Bali-Hi Nightstand End Table By Merton Gershun For American Of Martinsville
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This charming Mid-Century Modern mahogany end table or nightstand is from a rare series, the Bali-Hi group designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville. Gershun designe...
Mahogany, Lacquer
H 22 in W 19 in D 27 in
Pair of Black Lacquer Asian Modern End Tables or Stands American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pair of black lacquer Asian Modern end tables or stands American of Martinsville. Asian inspired step end tables with drawer. Original black lacquer finish, gold detailing with brass...
Brass
H 24 in W 21 in D 16 in
Pair of Merton Gershun for Cavalier Mid-Century Modern Walnut Brass Nightstands
By Merton Gershun, Cavalier
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Designed by Merton Gershun in the late 1960s for Cavalier, these nightstands or end tables feature a super refined design and great construction quality. Well built, they are constru...
Brass
H 22.5 in W 25 in D 20 in
Merton L. Gershun Pyramid Tier Side Table for American of Martinsville
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Los Angeles, CA
________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precis...
Wood, Walnut
H 19.25 in W 39.75 in D 17.5 in
Vintage Walnut Nightstands by Milo Baughman by Glenn of California
By Glenn of California, Milo Baughman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Elevate your space with these iconic mid-century walnut nightstands by designer Milo Baughman for Glenn of California. Crafted in the 1960s during the golden age of American modernis...
Aluminum
H 22.75 in W 22 in D 16 in
Mid-Century Modern Nightstands by American of Martinsville, a Pair
By American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish pair of Mid-Century Modern nightstands manufactured by American of Martinsville. Well-built frame with walnut veneer exterior. A nice addition to any modern interior. Please ...
Walnut
H 24 in W 24 in D 18 in
American of Martinsville Fruitwood Bedside Table Nightstands
By American of Martinsville
Located in Germantown, MD
American of Martinsville Mid-Century Italian style bedside tables. Measures 24" in width X 18" in depth X 24" in height.
Fruitwood
H 24.25 in W 25 in D 16.5 in
Mid-Century Modern Nightstands
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Mid-Century Modern walnut nightstands with sculpted wood handles. Two drawers with brass trim handles. Please confirm location NY of NJ.
Brass
H 26 in W 19.25 in D 14 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Nightstands by John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish midcentury nightstands sold by John Stuart. Two dovetail jointed drawers on each, with open storage space beneath. Please confirm item location with dealer (NJ or NY).
Walnut
H 23.5 in W 24 in D 18 in
Mid Century Modern American of Martinsville Travertine Top Night Tables
By American of Martinsville
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic 2 drawer end tables or night stands by American of Martinsville with Travertine marble tops. Curved wave front design to drawers. Nickel s...
Travertine, Nickel
H 24 in W 20 in D 20 in
Restored Pair of Vintage End Tables or Nightstands by Baker
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning pair of vintage end tables or nightstands by Baker, circa 1960. Expert Walnut construction with beautiful detail. Pewter over sol...
Walnut
H 20.5 in W 26 in D 26 in
American of Martinsville End Table
By American of Martinsville
Located in Medina, OH
Beautiful refinished American of Martinsville end table with a gorgeous and unique top!
Wood
H 16 in W 31 in D 31 in
Midcentury Cocktail Table by Merton Gershun
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in New York, NY
This square walnut cocktail table was designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. It has been refinished. Brass X-inlays ador...
Brass
H 25 in W 24 in D 28 in
American of Martinsville Dania Walnut Step End Tables by Merton Gershun - a Pair
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Charleston, SC
From the 1950s "Dania" collection by Merton Gershum, who was a prolific designer of furniture lines for American of Martinsville in Virginia. Clean lines, accessible value and richer stain colors made this line one of the best selling in the world at the time, This pair of nightstands has the classic louvered doors of the line with black formica table...
Formica, Walnut
H 21 in W 27.5 in D 27.5 in
Dillingham Esprit End Table by Merton Gershun
By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for accurate shipping to your location. Two drawer end table designed by Merton Gershun for Dillingham Esprit line. Walnut with black lacquer.
Walnut, Lacquer
H 24 in W 20 in D 16 in
Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Accord Walnut Nightstands or End Table
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Handsome nightstands or end tables from American of Martinsville and Merton Gershun’s Accord line of furniture with their signature X’s and asymmetric handles, nice original conditio...
Aluminum
Merton Gershun Dillingham MCM Bookmatched Cabinet End Table Nightstands Pair
By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for Dillinghammid century bookmatched cabinet end table nightstand - a pair Nightstand measures: 27 wide x 15.5 deep x 22.5 inches ...
Wood
H 20.25 in W 22.25 in D 18 in
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Lacquered Nightstands, Refinished
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
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 ...
Mahogany, Lacquer
H 22.5 in W 20 in L 22.5 in
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Midcentury 2-Tier Side End Table
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville midcentury 2-tier side end table. End table measures: 20 wide x 28 deep x 22.5 high All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call...
Wood
H 21.25 in W 20 in D 29 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Mahogany End Tables by Merton Gershun
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of Mid-Century Modern end/side tables with a single drawer. Drawer dimensions are 15.75 x 9.25 x 2 H. Tables have been refinished and in great working order. Original d...
Aluminum
H 25.25 in W 22 in L 25.25 in
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Walnut Nightstands, Newly Restored
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous pair of Mid-Century Modern sculpted walnut nightstands By Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville USA,...
Walnut
H 22.25 in W 21 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut End Table
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a vintage Mid-Century Modern walnut end table designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville. Includes one drawer with a metal pull and features X-shaped brush...
Walnut
H 22.38 in W 22.13 in L 22.38 in
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Walnut Nightstands, Newly Restored
By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut nightstands By Merton Gershun for Dillingham "Esprit" Collection USA, 1960s Measures: 22.13" W x 15" D x 22.38" H. Newly ...
Walnut
H 24 in W 20 in D 16 in
American of Martinsville Accord Walnut Nightstand or End Table with X’s
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome nightstand or end table from American of Martinsville and Merton Gershun’s Accord line of furniture with their signature X’s and asymmetric handles. It is in wonderful resto...
Aluminum
H 21 in W 28 in D 19.75 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville End Tables
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Wilmington, DE
Offered is a pair of walnut end tables designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville. Each table has one dove-tailed drawer with a metal pull. Features the iconic X-shap...
Walnut