American Walnut Block Front 6 Drawers Long Dresser Credenza Restored Mint
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Cabinetmaker)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 58 in (147.32 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Walnut,Lacquered
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1970s
- Condition:Refinished. mint refinished.
- Seller Location:Rockaway, NJ
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU883724793112
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: Hardwick, NJ
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- American Walnut Block Front Drawers High Chest Dresser American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Rockaway, NJVery clean American walnut Mid-Century Modern vintage block front drawers dresser high chest.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Block Front American Walnut 6 Drawers Dresser RestoredBy American of Martinsville, Lane FurnitureLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern block front 6 drawers walnut dresser in restored condition.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- American Mid-Century Modern Light Walnut 5 Drawers High Chest Dresser Mint!By Sligh Furniture, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Rockaway, NJAmerican Mid-Century Modern light walnut 5 drawers high chest dresser MINT!.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Sculptural Walnut Mid-Century Modern Long Dresser CredenzaBy Kent-Coffey, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Rockaway, NJSuper nice walnut wood pattern Mid-Century Modern long dresser credenza. Beautiful refinished condition.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Walnut Tambour Doors Brass Hardware Serpentine Front 8 Drawers Dresser MINT!By Adrian PearsallLocated in Rockaway, NJWalnut Tambour Doors Brass Hardware Serpentine Front 8 Drawers Dresser High Chest on Dowel Legs MINT! Kagan decor match.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- American Walnut 9 Drawers Two Doors Compartment Long Dresser Credenza RestoredBy Jens Risom, KnollLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern American walnut long dresser credenza fully restored. Beautiful bookmached veneer pattern.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Expertly Restored - American of Martinsville 9-Drawers Walnut DresserBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CAAmerican of Martinsville 9-drawers walnut dresser. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern fur...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Classic Modernist Chest of Drawers or Dresser, American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Buffalo, NYA Classic tall chest by Merton Gershun for his Dania collection manufactured by American of Martinsville. Features three drawers over three generous drawers with louver fronts. Brass...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- John Widdicomb Chippendale Walnut Block Front Chest of Drawers, Newly RefinishedBy John WiddicombLocated in South Bend, INA gorgeous Chippendale style four-drawer block front dresser chest or commode By John Widdicomb USA, circa 1960s Solid walnut, with origin...Category
Mid-20th Century American Chippendale Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Rare Restored Modern Chest by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Atlanta, GAAn absolutely jaw-dropping chest from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Stout hardwood case construction with brass and leather accents. Fabulous detail and craf...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsHardwood
- Important Antique Mahogany Block Front Chest of DrawersLocated in Bridgeport, CTAn important and rare American Historical Block Front Chest. In mahogany with pine drawers. Provenance: Roy Thompson. Labeled Boston or Charleston, i...Category
Antique 19th Century American American Classical Commodes and Chests of ...
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