American of Martinsville Cane Front Bookcase Credenza Hutch
View Similar Items
American of Martinsville Cane Front Bookcase Credenza Hutch
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 60.5 in (153.67 cm)Width: 40.5 in (102.87 cm)Depth: 15.75 in (40.01 cm)
- 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: 2021-78931stDibs: LU5408226584112
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.
- Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut and Cane Bookcase HutchBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILMerton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut and Cane Bookcase Hutch This bookcase hutch measures: 40.5 wide x 15.5 deep x 60.25 inches high All pieces of furnitu...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsChrome
- 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
- Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Ebonized CredenzaBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Countryside, ILMerton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century ebonized credenza The credenza measures: 50 wide x 19 deep x 32 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had in what w...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsChrome
- Merton Gershun American Martinsville MCM Walnut and Cane Front Highboy DresserBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILMerton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut and Cane Front Highboy dresser This dresser measures: 36 wide x 18.5 deep x 44.5 inches high All pieces of furnit...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsCane, Walnut
- Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Walnut Brass Buffet HutchBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated 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
- Ello Mid Century Mirrored Front CredenzaBy Ello FurnitureLocated in Countryside, ILEllo Mid Century Mirrored Front Credenza This credenza measures: 84 wide x 18 deep x 31 inches tall All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage condition. T...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMetal
- Walnut Credenza by American of Martinsville with a Louvered FrontBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis massive vintage modern sideboard features three louvered drawers in the middle and two large storage compartments on the sides. The rich walnut finish, sculpted brass handles, a...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
$1,820 Sale Price27% Off - American of Martinsville Credenza from the Dania CollectionBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Asbury Park, NJNice credenza designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville for the Dania collection. Nice walnut finish with great brass accent. Offers amp...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut CredenzaBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Sheffield, MAMid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 2 drawer, 3 door credenza in warm walnut wood cabinet. Original vintage condition. A great entry way ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsWalnut
- American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser & Bachelor’s Chest w/ X’sBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome pair of chests from American of Martinsville and Merton Gershun’s Accord line of furniture with the signature X’s and asymmetric handles. One is the long walnut dresser with three drawers and cane doors and the second is the three-drawer bachelor’s chest. Two separate pieces but butted together make one long marvelous piece. We are pricing them as a set. Both are in wonderful restored condition. However, they are not without signs of age and use having an overall beautiful age patina which includes small nicks, scratches, and imperfections but nothing major. Please see photos, circa mid-20th century. Oh my! If you could ever say X marks the spot for a piece of furniture…you can say it with this pair. Note the metal signature crosses in their tops and their fabulous asymmetric or staggered handles. These gorgeous chests are from the Accord collection produced in the mid-20th century by American of Martinsville and designed by Merton Gershun. One piece is the longer dresser which is comprised of a bank of three drawers next to three doors with cane inserts. One door opens to the left and the other two doors bi-fold open to the right revealing three interior drawers. This dresser alone is wonderful but paired with the matching bachelor’s chest, which has the same bank of three drawers as the dresser, and butted next to the doors, making it one extra long cabinet...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum
- Renzo Rutili Style Monumental Dresser/Credenza by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Dallas, TXA stunningly sophisticated design from the 1960's, this piece feels like Renzo Rutili but is from a rare series by American of Martinsville. A modern interpretation on refined neocla...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Credenza from Dania by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Freehold, NJThis Mid-Century Modern credenza from the Dania line by American of Martinsville features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, three large dovetailed drawers with louvered faces, black lacquered cabinet doors with three white painted dovetailed drawers inside, brass accented cabinet hardware...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
