Military Officer's Campaign Style Bachelor Chest or Dresser
View Similar Items
Military Officer's Campaign Style Bachelor Chest or Dresser
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 35.75 in (90.81 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Campaign (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Dallas, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU4528217337752
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.
- Two Campaign Style Black Lacquered and Brass Tall Chest of DrawersLocated in Dallas, TXTwo matching professionally lacquered in black Campaign tower chests. Expertly crafted and well made. Each conforming case features seven equal sized dovetail joinery drawers; five d...Category
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Mahogany Military Campaign Chests on Stands or TablesLocated in Dallas, TXWe are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of modern military campaign chests mounted on custom stands, circa 1970s. Incredible style, craftsmanship and attention to detai...Category
Vintage 1970s Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Neoclassical Lacquered Chests or CommodesLocated in Dallas, TXStunning pair of neoclassical two-toned lacquered chest of drawers or commodes. With three drawers having a black with gold border, diamond shape incised escutcheon.Category
Vintage 1970s American Neoclassical Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
$8,900 / set - Pair of Paul McCobb Three-Drawer Planner Group Chest of Drawer DressersBy Paul McCobbLocated in Dallas, TXThese matching pair of solid maple three-drawer chests designed by Paul McCobb as part of his Planner Group. The handles are "T" bar metal pulls.Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal
- Lacquered in Royal Blue Campaign Style Seven-Drawer DresserLocated in Dallas, TXThis attractive piece is crafted from solid walnut. Dresser is professionally lacquered in blue and has decorative recessed hardware to the corners and recessed brass bail pulls. The...Category
Vintage 1970s American Campaign Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Black and Gold Dorothy Draper Style ChestLocated in Dallas, TXThis chest has three drawers with brass Campaign style hardware and incised design highlighted in gold. Professionally lacquered in black.Category
Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- British Military Officer's Campaign Chest or Dresser of Brass-Bound MahoganyLocated in Austin, TXA handsome British military officer’s Campaign Ware chest of drawers or dresser, from the 19th century, featuring a patinated mahogany exterior over four drawers with brass escutcheo...Category
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- British Military Officer's Campaign Chest or Dresser of Brass-Bound MahoganyLocated in Austin, TXA handsome British military officer’s Campaign Ware chest of drawers or dresser, from the 19th century, featuring a patinated mahogany exterior with two short drawers over three long...Category
Antique 19th Century English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMetal, Brass
- Anglo-Chinese Hardwood Naval Officer’s Campaign ChestLocated in Lymington, HampshireAn Anglo-Chinese hardwood naval officer’s campaign chest. This chest (probably padouk) is of typical rectangular form, in two brass-bound secti...Category
Antique 1820s Chinese Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsHardwood
- Light Olive Lacquer Oriental Base Legs 3 Drawer Accent Dresser Bachelor ChestBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern decorative olive lacquer brass drop pulls small three drawer dresser bachelor chest in fully restored condition.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Baker Milling Road Banded Front Campaign Style Tall Chest of Drawers - DresserBy Baker Furniture CompanyLocated in Philadelphia, PAVintage Mid Century Modern Milling Road Tall Dresser by Baker. The dresser features a very nice Hollywood Regency / campaign style design with striking, figured wood grain, 5 dovetai...Category
20th Century American Campaign Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- English Camphor Wood Military Campaign Chest with Recessed Brasses, C. 1820Located in Hollywood, SCEnglish camphor wood five-drawer military campaign chest with the original recessed brasses, key hole escutcheons, brass corner mounts, and terminating on the original bracket feet, ...Category
Antique 1820s English Campaign Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass