American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Captains Chairs - Pair
View Similar Items
American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Captains Chairs - Pair
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 38 in (96.52 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 22 in (55.88 cm)Seat Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Countryside, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: 2022-21011stDibs: LU5408229008762
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.
- Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs - Set of 6Located in Countryside, ILMid century walnut dining chairs - set of 6 These chairs are 24 wide x 22.25 deep x 33 inches high, with a seat height of 17.75...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
$2,395 / set - American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut CredenzaBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILAmerican of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Credenza This credenza measures: 52 wide x 18 deep x 30 inches high All pieces of fu...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Kent Coffey Perspecta Mid Century Walnut Dining Chairs, Set of 6By Kent-CoffeyLocated in Countryside, ILKent Coffey Perspecta mid century walnut dining chairs - Set of 6 These chairs measure: 20.5 wide x 17 deep x 37.5 inches high, with a seat height of 19.5 inches The captain ch...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- American of Martinsville Mid Century Harlequin Walnut MirrorBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILAmerican of Martinsville Mid Century Harlequin Walnut Mirror Mirror measures: 61 wide x 1 deep x 48 inches high All pieces...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Pier Mirrors and Console Mirrors
MaterialsMirror, Walnut
- American of Martinsville Mid-Century NightstandBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILAmerican of Martinsville mid-century nightstand. This nightstand measures: 23 wide x 16.25 deep x 22.25 inches high. All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- Lawrence Peabody Mid Century Captains ChairBy Lawrence PeabodyLocated in Countryside, ILLawrence Peabody Mid Century captains chair This chair measures: 21.5 wide x 19.5 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height of 17.5 and ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by American of Martinsville, Set of 6By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYUnusual set of midcentury dining chairs manufactured by the American Furniture Company of Martinsville, Virginia. This set includes four side chairs and two armchairs. Handsomely scu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Pair of Mid-Century Modern Captain's/Armchairs in Teak, 1960sLocated in Portland, ORPair of Mid-Century Modern captain's/armchairs in teak, 1960s. The chairs having three backsplats and shaped arms, having the original textured mohair fabric.Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
MaterialsMohair, Teak
- Set of Six Mid Century Dania Dining Chairs American of Martinsville c 1950/60sBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in New York, NYChic architectural set of Mid Century Modern dining chairs designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville as part of their classic Dania series, circa 1950-1960s. This impre...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- Mid Century Modern Walnut & Cane Dining Chair by American of Martinsville, 6 pcsLocated in Plainview, NYA set of six Mid Century Modern dining chairs, a testament to the refined craftsmanship of the American Furniture Co of Martinsville, VA. This collection comprises two graceful armch...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane, Walnut
- AMERICAN OF MARTINSVILLE French Provincial Louis XVI Dining Side Chairs - Pair BBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Charlotte, NCA pair of French Provincial Louis XVI style dining side chairs by American of Martinsville. Solid hardwood with a whitewashed & slightly antiqued finish, decoratively fluted oval bac...Category
Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- AMERICAN OF MARTINSVILLE French Provincial Louis XVI Dining Side Chairs - Pair ABy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Charlotte, NCA pair of French Provincial Louis XVI style dining side chairs by American of Martinsville. Solid hardwood with a whitewashed & slightly antiqued finish, decoratively fluted oval bac...Category
Late 20th Century American Louis XVI Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
