Pair of American of Martinsville Lacquered Bachelors Chests, Mid-Century
View Similar Items
Pair of American of Martinsville Lacquered Bachelors Chests, Mid-Century
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30.5 in (77.47 cm)Width: 34 in (86.36 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. These chest are in very nice vintage condition. When the vanity piece is not installed there is minor wear to the finish where vanity meets cabinet. Minor nicks and dings to drawer fronts and sides-nothing serious or distracting.
- Seller Location:Pemberton, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU94326966203
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.
- Stunning Pair of American of Martinsville Walnut Brass Louvered Bachelors ChestsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Pemberton, NJStunning pair of American of Martinsville louvered walnut bachelor’s chests. We love the stylish louvered drawer fronts and handsome brass banding along the base. These wonderful che...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Handsome Pair of American of Martinsville Walnut Brass Louvered Bachelors ChestsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Pemberton, NJHandsome pair of American of Martinsville louvered walnut bachelor’s chests. We love the stylish louvered drawer fronts and handsome brass banding along the base.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of American of Martinsville Lacquered Nightstands, Mid-Century ModernBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Pemberton, NJHandsome pair of American of Martinsville black lacquered nightstands with round white ceramic pulls. We love the interesting shape of t...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood
- Amazing Pair of Milo Baughman Rosewood Brass Bachelors Chest Mid-Century ModBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Pemberton, NJGorgeous and rare pair of Milo Baughman rosewood and brass bachelors chests. Unusual lighter rosewood used with thick brass banding at the bottom. I absolutely love these cabinets from this particularly rare Milo Baughman collection. I also have a very unusual sofa table...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Kipp Stewart Drexel Declaration Bachelors Chest Mid-centuryBy Kipp StewartLocated in Pemberton, NJLovely and rare kipp stewart designed bachelors chest for drexel declaration. The original finish is gorgeous-seems to be glowing. The hardware is the original porcelain white balls...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Handsome Pair Asian Style John Widdicomb Bachelors Chests Mid-Century ModernBy John WiddicombLocated in Pemberton, NJHandsome pair of John Widdicomb Asain style bachelors chests. These are fine examples of the level of craftsmanship and the standards of the John Widdicomb Furniture Company. These p...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century American of Martinsville Louvered Bachelors ChestBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Baltimore, MDBeautifully detailed & proportioned walnut American of Martinsville bachelors chest/dresser. Designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville’s “Dania” line, one of the most e...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Restored American of Martinsville 6 Drawer Chest- Pair AvailableBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Atlanta, GAAn exquisite example from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Stout, expertly made mahogany case construction restored in cream lacquer. Fabulous, chunky solid bra...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Modern Low Commode Chest of Drawers by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in San Jose, CAVintage low chest of drawers manufactured by American of Martinsville, circa 1960's. This unique piece is lacquered in an ebony black fin...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
$960 Sale Price20% Off - Remarkable Chest or Buffet by American of Martinsville in Cream LacquerBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Atlanta, GAAn absolutely jaw-dropping chest/buffet from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Beautiful, stout hardwood case construction, with brass and leather accents. Fabul...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Buffets
MaterialsBrass
- American of Martinsville Mid-Century High Chest with Bras Inlay, circa 1960By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Philadelphia, PAAn American of Martinsville Mid-Century walnut high chest with bras inlay, circa 1960.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Black Lacquer Mahogany Mid-Century Modern Bachelor ChestsBy George Nelson, John StuartLocated in Rockaway, NJPair of Mid-Century Modern black lacquer mahogany bachelor chests dresser by John Stuart.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
