Vintage Lacquered Highboy by American of Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 48.25 in (122.56 cm)Width: 40 in (101.6 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Overall great condition, does have a missing handle but you can have it made.
- Seller Location:North Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7314230347092
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: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Vintage Nightstands by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in North Hollywood, CAPair of beautiful nightstands designed and manufactured by American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1950s. Each nightstand features three dovetailed drawers with original...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Walnut Louvered Dresser by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in North Hollywood, CAMid-century walnut dresser designed and manufactured by American of Martinsville in the United States circa 1960s. This beautiful dresser features a walnut finish with nine pull-out ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- 1960s Mid Century Dresser by Merton L. Gershun for American of MartinsvilleBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in North Hollywood, CAMid-century walnut dresser designed by Merton L. Gershun and manufactured by American of Martinville. This dresser features a walnut frame with three spacious dovetail drawers on the...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- 1960s Mid Century Hutch by Heywood WakefieldBy Heywood-Wakefield Co.Located in North Hollywood, CAMid-century cabinet designed and manufactured by Heywood Wakefieldcrica 1960s. This stunning cabinet features a maple frame that easily separates into two pieces, making it easy to t...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMaple
- Midcentury Walnut Cabinet by Kipp Stewart for DrexelBy Kipp Stewart, DrexelLocated in North Hollywood, CAMidcentury walnut cabinet designed by Kipp Stewart for Drexel in the United States circa 1950s. This vintage cabinet features a lower sectio...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
- Hollywood Regency Brass Dining Chairs by Design Institute of AmericaBy Design Institute AmericaLocated in North Hollywood, CAHollywood Regency brass dining chairs are manufactured by DIA (Design Institute of America). These beautiful dining chairs come in a set of four, and it features a brass plated frame...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
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
- Stunning Regency Chest or Buffet by American of Martinsville in Cream LacquerBy Tommi Parzinger, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Buffalo, NYAn absolutely stunning chest/dresser from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Beautiful, stout hardwood case construction, with brass and leather accents. Fabulous...Category
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- Tall midcentury American walnut & burl cabinet by American of Martinsville 1960sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Hastings, GBTall midcentury cabinet by 'American of Martinsville' USA 1960s. Walnut and burr elm, with gilt metal trim on legs A few little bits of wear (there's a small chip on back edge trim, ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsMetal
- Elegant Night Stands by American of Martinsville with Bowed FrontsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in St.Petersburg, FLClassic and elegant mid century night stands by American of Martinsville. Reminiscient of Gio Ponti style, they have tapered legs with sabots, travertine tops-made in Italy, bowed dr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsTravertine
- Mid-Century Modern China Cabinet Server by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Freehold, NJThis Mid-Century Modern china cabinet / server from the Dania line by American of Martinsville features hardwood construction, walnut veneer wit...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
