Mid-Century Campaign Style Vitrine Display Cabinet American of Martinsville
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Campaign Style Vitrine Display Cabinet American of Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 78 in (198.12 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Depth: 15 in (38.1 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.
- Seller Location:West Hartford, CT
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3072323494572
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.
- Antique French Parquetry Bronze Ormolu Display China Cabinet BreakfrontLocated in West Hartford, CTMagnificent antique French two tiered display cabinet breakfront with marble top credenza and bronze ormolu mounts and supports. The piece consi...Category
Early 20th Century Baroque Vitrines
MaterialsMarble, Bronze
$2,656 Sale Price82% Off - Century Furniture Chinese Chippendale Mid Century Modern Large Dresser CabinetBy Century FurnitureLocated in West Hartford, CTElegant and coveted signed Century Furniture Chinese Chippendale large dresser/cabinet with all original brass pulls. Note we have the match...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Large Distressed Black Painted China Display Cabinet HutchLocated in West Hartford, CTLarge painted china cabinet in a distressed black finish and consisting of two parts, a top and a bottom for ease of movement. The top has two front doors that open to shelves. The...Category
Late 20th Century American Cabinets
MaterialsWood
- Mid Century Chinoiserie Faux Bamboo Dry Bar Liquor Entertainment Cabinet ArmoireLocated in West Hartford, CTSpectacular vintage midcentury faux bamboo dry bar/liquor cabinet/entertainment center in a cream distressed finish. Top section features two doors that open to glass shelving with ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsFaux Bamboo, Glass, Wood
$1,504 Sale Price68% Off - Mid-Century Modern Pair of Brass and Glass Maison Jansen Style Side End TablesLocated in West Hartford, CTElegant pair of matching Maison Jansen style brass and glass side table. Glass features scalloped edges and bevel throughout. Brass is in great condition and these set has great s...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsBrass
$1,420 Sale Price / set20% Off - Pair of Antique Patinated Brass and Glass Vitrine NightstandsLocated in West Hartford, CTAntique 19th century French patinated brass and glass cased vitrine nightstands raised on fluted legs. Top is black glass with gallery and one drawer. Glass on front door and sides. ...Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial 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
- Henredon British Colonial / Campaign Style Display / Vitrine Cabinets - PairBy HenredonLocated in Kennesaw, GAThis is a pair of Henredon display cabinets with campaign styling. The backs are mirrored with adjustable glass shelves. They have two lights ...Category
Late 20th Century American Campaign Vitrines
MaterialsBrass
- Henredon Display Cabinets Etageres Vitrines Scene One Campaign, Set of 4By HenredonLocated in Lake Worth, FLOffering One of our recent palm beach estate fine furniture acquisitions of a Set of 4 1980's Henredon scene One campaign style Curio Display Cabinets Etageres...Category
Vintage 1980s Campaign Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- Louis XVI Style Vitrine or Display CabinetLocated in Brighton, SussexA fine quality French 19th century Kingwood vitrine, having ormolu swags and drapes. parquetry inlaid panel to the door and adjustable glass shelves.Category
Antique 19th Century French Louis XVI Vitrines
MaterialsOrmolu
- Pair of French Louis XV Style Display Vitrine CabinetsLocated in Los Angeles, CAPair of French Late 19th Century Empire Louis XV style display vitrine cabinets with floral inlay and bronze mounts. *Available to add shelving Dimensions: 45"H x 34.5"W x 15"DCategory
Antique Late 19th Century French Cabinets
MaterialsBronze
- Pair Campaign Style Curio Display Cabinets by HenredonBy HenredonLocated in Dallas, TXWe are very pleased to offer a great pair of gorgeous, sleek and minimalist display cabinets made by the famous Henredon furniture makers, made in the USA. Part of Henredon’s early 1...Category
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass