Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Lighted Secretary Desk, American of Martinsville
View Similar Items
Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Lighted Secretary Desk, American of Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)Width: 32 in (81.28 cm)Length: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Hollywood Regency (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Age-appropriate wear. Including some breakage to pieces of the marquetry on the glass doors. Light scratching throughout. Wonderful vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Oklahoma City, OK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3382328241942
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.
- Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo and Rattan Wall Mirror American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Oklahoma City, OKAn octagonal faux bamboo and rattan wall mirror by American of Martinsville. A superb example of Hollywood Regency design, this mirror will be fabulous above a dresser, dressing tabl...Category
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Wall Mirrors
MaterialsBamboo, Faux Bamboo, Rattan, Mirror, Wood
- Vintage Hollywood Regency Split Reed China Cabinet and Dresser Set - 1970'sLocated in Oklahoma City, OKLong Hollywood Regency Split Reed Bamboo 6 Drawer Low Dresser Chest of Drawers A Hollywood Regency split reed bamboo dresser. This dresser is long and rectangular and created from wood. the top and sides are decorated with split reed bamboo in a geometric diamond pattern. The dresser features six pull-out drawers. The joints on the interior are beautiful. The piece stands on six peg legs and has a plain black back. A few pieces of the split reed wood are missing, as well as two of the faux bamboo metal pulls. The pulls can be replaced as they are a common 3" two-hole pull. Dimensions: 54.5" Wide 18.25" Deep 32.75" Tall A large Hollywood Regency or Chinoiserie tortoise or burnt bamboo china cabinet...Category
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Cupboards
MaterialsBamboo, Reed
- Hollywood Regency Round Faux Bamboo Round Solid Brass AshtrayLocated in Oklahoma City, OKA shiny solid brass round faux bamboo Hollywood Regency ashtray. Use this dish as a trinket dish, ashtray, or catchall. Created from solid brass, this piece is quite heavy. The edges...Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Hollywood Regency Ashtrays
MaterialsBrass
- Hollywood Regency Brass Oval Faux Bamboo Serving Tray, Made in IndiaLocated in Oklahoma City, OKLovely petite oval-shaped brass faux bamboo tray. With a metal oblong base, the sides of this tray feature metal faux bamboo edges and handles. Made in India. How We Would Style It:...Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Hollywood Regency Barware
MaterialsBrass
- Hollywood Regency Ballet Pink Faux Bamboo Pagoda Glass Bookcase Shelf or EtagereLocated in Oklahoma City, OKA Hollywood regency faux bamboo etagere or bookshelf. Created from metal and painted in pale ballet pink, this shelf will be a great addition to any grandmillennial's home. There are three glass shelves that are newly cut and in excellent condition. The top of the shelf is in the shape of a chinoiserie pagoda. Style this beauty in a bedroom, nursery, living room, or library for a pop of Palm Beach Regency decor. We'd love to see it in a room with a pair of wicker Ralph Lauren chairs...Category
20th Century American Hollywood Regency Shelves
MaterialsMetal
$1,600 Sale Price20% Off - Hollywood Regency Mid-Century Modern Faux Bamboo Ceramic Lamp in Green and WhiteLocated in Oklahoma City, OKMonumental tall Hollywood Regency ceramic table lamp. This beautiful piece is in white or cream, with hand painted green bamboo detail at the sides. A deep brown wood base is affixed...Category
Mid-20th Century American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
MaterialsBrass
- Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of MartinsvilleBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CAMerton L. Gershun walnut writing desk for American of Martinsville. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing h...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular UnitBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Pemberton, NJMid-Century Modern walnut low bench with modular desk and drawer cabinet designed by Merton Gerhsun for American of Martinsville's Dania line circa 60...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Hollywood Regency Era Italian Florentine Petite Gilded Secretary / Writing DeskLocated in Kennesaw, GAFor the Florentine collector, this is a rare find! It is a petite secretary with lovely fold out writing surface. It has quote a bit of stationary s...Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Desks
MaterialsPoplar, Giltwood
- Vintage MCM Art Deco Maple Colored Desk Black Accents American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Topeka, KSStunning vintage mid-century modern or Art Deco with an Asian flair maple colored exotic wood desk by American of Martinsville. Beautiful condition, k...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsWood, Paint
- 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
- Hollywood Regency Whitecraft Desk, Vanity & Armchair Green Finish American, 1970By WhitecraftLocated in Miami, FLHollywood Regency bamboo & reed desk, writing table or vanity with glass top and matching armchair in olive green finish. Features 2 drawers with hand carv...Category
Late 20th Century American Hollywood Regency Desks
MaterialsFabric, Glass, Bamboo, Cane, Reed