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.
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
American of Martinsville Two-Tier Bedside Table Pair
By American of Martinsville, George Nelson
Located in Van Nuys, CA
American of Martinsville two-tier Walnut end table pair, part of the "Accord Line" line of furniture by designer Merton Gershun. Each table features a top pull-out drawer, beautiful ...
Steel
$1,440
H 32.5 in W 39.25 in D 19 in
1960s Vintage American of Martinsville Expandable Rolling Bar Cart
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Classic Mid-Century Modern walnut expandable rolling bar cart or server, Manufactured by American of Martinsville, designed by Merton L. Gershun. Expanding black laminate sliding top...
Formica, Wood
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
$650 / set
H 21 in W 32 in D 20 in
Mid Century Modern Walnut & Brass American of Martinsville End Tables - a Pair
By American of Martinsville
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Mid Century Modern Walnut & Brass American of Martinsville End Tables. Item features brass capped feet, banded tops, stretcher base, solid wood frame, beautiful wood grain, c...
Brass
$1,600 / set
H 20.5 in W 21 in D 28 in
Pair of Mid-20th Century Modern American of Martinsville Side Tables
By American of Martinsville
Located in Charleston, SC
Mid 20th Century American of Martinsville midcentury Side Tables With Drawer Newly refinished Mid-Century Modern side tables manufac...
Brass
Merton Gershun "Dania" End Tables by American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique pair of louvered drawer end tables by Merton Gershun feature stylish walnut frames with painted black tops. Designed with a pair of drawers for added storage, this matchi...
Laminate, Walnut
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
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
1970s American Of Martinsville Burl Queen Anne Style Writing Table
By American of Martinsville
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a burl writing table with Queen Anne styling. It has heavy brass hardware and is marked on the inside. It opens two nice storage drawers. Manufactured by American of Martinsv...
Brass
American of Martinsville Midcentury Walnut Nightstand
By American of Martinsville
Located in Franklin Park, IL
American of Martinsville midcentury Walnut Nightstand This nightstand measures: 30 wide x 16.25 deep x 19 inches high All pi...
Walnut
$1,650 / set
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
$1,350
H 15 in W 60 in D 17 in
MCM Mid Century Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Coffee Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage mid century coffee table designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville.. The white accents are a very nice ad...
Walnut
Sold
H 19.25 in W 20 in D 27 in
Newly Refinished -American of Martinsville “Accord” Side Table by Merton Gershun
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
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...
Steel
Mid-Century Dillingham ‘Espirit’ Nightstands - a Pair
By Kipp Stewart, Drexel, Lane Furniture, Dillingham Manufacturing Company, Merton Gershun
Located in Raleigh, NC
A pair of mid-century ‘Espirit’ nightstands designed by Merton L. Gershun for Dillingham, circa 1960s. Crafted from rich, book-matched walnut, these nightstands showcase a sleek, m...
Wood, Walnut
Sold
H 24.5 in W 24 in D 28 in
Mid Century Walnut End Tables by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville
By Merton Gershun
Located in New York, NY
Handsome pair of architecturally designed two tiered end tables by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville part of the “Dania” collection . The tables feature louvered deep dovet...
Walnut
Sold
H 22 in W 25 in D 20 in
Mid Century Modern Tiered Side Table By Merton Gershun, American Of Martinsville
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sleek and sculptural, mid-century modern, walnut side table designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville features slanted, tapered legs that support three tiers perfect fo...
Aluminum
Sold
H 21 in W 27.5 in D 19 in
Pair Mid-Century End Tables by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Trenton, NJ
Enjoy the timeless allure of mid-century modern design with this exquisite pair of Mid-Century Modern Step Side Tables/Nightstands by American of Martinsville. These tables aren't ju...
Metal
Mid-Century Modern 3 Tier Walnut Magazine Table, Merton Gershun, X Inlay
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville, Jens Risom
Located in Decatur, GA
Mid-Century Modern three tiered magazine side table designed by Merton Gershun and manufactured by American of Martinsville, circa 1960s. Constructed from American black walnut with ...
Aluminum
American of Martinsville Accord Walnut Nightstands or End Table with X’s
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Buffalo, NY
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
Sold
H 24 in W 20 in L 24 in
Merton Gershun for American Martinsville MCM Walnut & Brass X-Inlaid Nightstand
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century walnut & brass x-inlaid nightstand Nightstand measures: 20 wide x 16 deep x 24 inches high All pieces of furniture can be ...
Brass
Sold
H 22.25 in W 25 in D 20 in
Vintage Walnut Tables by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning vintage three-tiered walnut tables designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1950s. These three-tiered tables have an avant-gard...
Aluminum
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
Sold
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
Mid-Century Modern 3-Tier Side Table by Merton Gershun
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century Modern 3-tier side table by Merton Gershun.
Wood, Walnut