Pair rare MCM American of Martinsville Walnut Display Cabinets / Shelves
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 78 in (198.12 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 18.25 in (46.36 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Minor signs of use consistent with age. See pics for scratches.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:
American of Martinsville
American of Martinsville is today revered as one of the finest manufacturers of mid-century modern furniture in the United States, but its beginnings were unexpectedly humble.
Well ahead of the Civil War, tobacco was a cash crop in places such as Virginia, and the plant was grown with frequency on farms in Martinsville and elsewhere. In the early 1900s, the business around tobacco was changing and the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company was expanding nationally, buying any Virginia factories in reach. Former tobacco producers Ancil Witten and Charles Keesee turned away from the business in 1906 and, with merely $30,000 in capital (and the support of local business leaders), began to manufacture bedroom furniture under the name American Furniture Company.
In the 1920s, American Furniture Company expanded its offerings from bedroom furnishings. Alongside tallboy dressers and nightstands, Witten and Keesee’s outfit began to offer a range of dining-room sets to the discerning customer. By the 1950s, the name had been changed to American of Martinsville and the brand had gained a reputation for exquisite craftsmanship as well as its variety of furniture styles (Hollywood Regency, chinoiserie). Mass-marketed furniture meant big business in the postwar years and throughout the 20th century in Virginia, and factories owned by companies like Bassett Furniture and American of Martinsville remained busy as suburbanites bought furniture to fill the homes they were moving into.
It isn’t difficult to spot American of Martinsville’s sturdy, solid designs — the lacquered walnut nightstands, mahogany coffee tables and more have long earned the admiration of mid-century modernism enthusiasts. The company’s high profile also owes to prominent attributes that distinguish its well-made vintage furniture, such as the use of wooden slats — inspired by Scandinavian modernism — on hutches and cabinet doors, the famous brass x’s inlaid on the tops of tables and dressers and the stately stacked type of the American of Martinsville logo, which usually appears in drawer interiors. The stamp prominently features an eagle perched atop the lettering, its broad wings spread across the “American” portion.
Besides quality manufacturing, American of Martinsville is additionally recognized for having incorporated the trends of the day. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul Laszlo, the brand was also known for innovations with wood. Merton Gershun was one of the company’s most prolific designers, and he was responsible for some of its most successful modern furniture lines using the richer, darker woods that would become emblematic of mid-century furniture. Gershun’s most popular line was reportedly Dania, with its sleek walnut credenzas fitted with stylish brass accents and large drawers. Today, American of Martinsville specializes in furniture for the healthcare and hospitality industries.
Shop a wide selection of vintage American of Martinsville mid-century modern sideboards, side tables and more on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Winston Salem, NC
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Display Case / VitrineLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage 1930s Art Deco display case made in nickle plated with original matching adjustable four glass shelves, mirrored back and bottom shelf, f...Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Cabinets
MaterialsGlass
- Antique Pine False Front Cupboard/Secretary CabinetLocated in Los Angeles, CAAntique pine cabinet. Removable shelves inside make it great for linen storage or cupboard. Clean lines and warm waxed pine are the hallmarks of this lovely armoire. Known as a "fa...Category
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Cabinets
MaterialsPine
- Antique Cabinet /Armoire with Carved Detail on TopLocated in Los Angeles, CAAntique armoire/case piece with original shelving inside. Great as a cupboard or linen closet, as well. Two large drawers at the bottom. Carved detail a...Category
Antique 19th Century American Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- Pair of MCM Walnut and Smoked Glass Single Drawer End Tables/NightstandsBy John KealLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of sophisticated streamlined single end tables in the style of John Keal for Saltman Brown. Walnut with smoked glass tops. Drawers open and close...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsSmoked Glass, Walnut
- Poul Cadovius Cado Teak Wall Shelf Units, 'Three Pieces'By Poul CadoviusLocated in Los Angeles, CASet of three Poul Cado wall units. One is a three drawer cabinet measures - 30"W x 16"D x 18"H One drop down bar cabinet measures - 30"W x 14.5"Dx16H ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Shelves and Wall Cabinets
MaterialsTeak
- Antique White Oak Secretary with Carved DetailsLocated in Los Angeles, CAUnique antique secretary with a whitewash aged finish to the white oak. Two large glass doors at the top with adjustable shelves. Decorative carving in the doors. This piece ha...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Neoclassical Secretaires
MaterialsOak
- American of Martinsville, Cabinet, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in High Point, NCA brass and walnut cabinet designed and produced by American of Martinsville, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- American of Martinsville, Cabinet, Walnut, Brass, USA, 1950sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in High Point, NCA brass and walnut cabinet designed and produced by American of Martinsville, USA, 1950s.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Brass Buffet HutchBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Countryside, ILMerton 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets
MaterialsBrass
- Merton Gershun - American of Martinsville Long & Short Louvered Walnut CabinetsBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis stylish and cool set of Mid Century Modern dressers were designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. Featuring one large dresser and a small one, they each feature ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass, Enamel
- American of Martinsville Pair of Nightstands / Cabinets Hollywood RegencyBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful elegant Mid-Century Modern pair of nightstands by American of Martinsville, circa 1960s freshly refinished in a walnut finish with...Category
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Display Cases Vitrines by American of Martinsville, Set of 3By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Lake Worth, FLOffering one of our recent Palm Beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 3 vintage display cases vitrines by American of Martinsville ...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
