Sleek 1950s Modern Walnut Two-Drawer Bedside Tables
View Similar Items
Sleek 1950s Modern Walnut Two-Drawer Bedside Tables
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 24.25 in (61.6 cm)Width: 36 in (91.44 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Finely restored.
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU83012539432
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.
- Mid Century Modern F.A.I.P. Plaster Table Lamp Stylized Seating Lady 1950sBy F. A. I. P.Located in Miami, FLMid Century Modern small plaster or chalkware table lamp of stylized seated Lady in pink from the 1950s. The white partial body front and hair with pi...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Yasha Heifetz Mid Century Modern Sculptural Table Lamp Oak-Copper-String 1950sBy Yasha HeifetzLocated in Miami, FLMid Century Modern striking creation table lamp designed by Yasha Heifetz in the 1950s. Consisting of a cerused Oak body with a swirling copper band flowing around the wood and str...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsCopper
- Mid Century Modern Reglor of California Plaster Table Lamp Gaucho Girl 1950s.By Reglor Of CaliforniaLocated in Miami, FLThis beautiful Mid Century Reglor Plaster Lamp depicts an Argentinan Gaucho Girl with her bandana around her neck and her bolos (weapon) hanging from her side. Color palette black, c...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
- Italian Modern 3 Ernestine Ceramiche Serving Bowls Salerno, Italy, 1950sBy ErnestineLocated in Miami, FLREDUCED FROM $150....Ernestine ceramics bowls are a must for a garden lunch or brunch. The shape of the bowls is superb, with their double outer edge and wide flat shoulder rim terminating in a sharp edge bowl. The decorations are a work of art with fluidity and lovely color palette. The flowers depicted are Morning Glory pattern # 934, Violets #727 and Pansies on the rim with Wild Roses in the center #871. All three are signed Ernestine ITALY...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Platters and Serveware
MaterialsCeramic, Earthenware, Pottery
- Pair of 1950s Modern Neoclassical Style Gilt and Faux Marble Table LampsLocated in Miami, FLFeaturing a double socket cluster, this pair of very elegant table lamps have a stem of gilt tole leaves rising from a column footed neoclassical urn wi...Category
Vintage 1950s Neoclassical Table Lamps
MaterialsMetal
$1,800 Sale Price / set28% Off - 1950s Cubist Cityscape Mid Century Modern Painting Oil on BoardLocated in Miami, FLMid Century Modern exceptional oil on board Cubist Cityscape painting from the 1950s. Color palette of mostly shades of gray with brick red, yellow, white and black and dark brown ou...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Paintings
MaterialsWood
- Pair of Brutalist Mahogany Two Drawer Bedside TablesLocated in New York, NYPair of Brutalist mahogany bedside tables with two drawers and high back panels with a geometric relief design of squares (priced as pair).Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany, Wood
- Blond Walnut Four Drawer Commode, France, 1950sLocated in New York, NY1950s French blonde walnut four drawer commode. Drawers slightly overlap for simple pull access to open. Arriving April.Category
Vintage 1950s French Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Set of Modernist Lacquered Bedside Tables, C. 1950sLocated in Westport, CTA set of mahogany bedside tables or chests of drawers, circa 1950-1959. Completely restored and redone in "Seagull Wing Grey" lacquer by Benjamin Moore. Features four large drawers e...Category
Mid-20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
$12,000 / set - Mid-Century Modern Opposing Walnut Chests, 1950sLocated in Westport, CTA set of opposing chests of drawers executed in walnut with contrasting ebonized mahogany pulls. From afar they appear to be dressers, however, they can be split and used as bedside ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany, Walnut
$10,500 / set - Set Of 2 Mid-Century Italian Design 1950s Bedside TablesLocated in Palermo, ITSet of 2 Mid-Century Italian Design 1950s bedside tables Wooden structure with colored glass top. Compartment with door. Brass accessories. Intact and in good condition, small signs ...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsGlass, Wood
- Set of 2 Mid-Century Spinelli & Anzani 1950s Bedside TablesLocated in Palermo, ITSet of 2 Mid-Century Spinelli & Anzani 1950s bedside tables Intact and in good condition, glass top (one replaced). Small signs of aging that do not affect the beauty of these Italia...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsGlass, Wood
