Cerused Walnut American of Martinsville Credenza
View Similar Items
Cerused Walnut American of Martinsville Credenza
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 61.63 in (156.55 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Walnut,Cerused
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Newly refinished.
- Seller Location:Pasadena, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU82586999683
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 American Brutalist Oak CredenzaBy Lane FurnitureLocated in Pasadena, CAThis American Brutalist Credenza epitomizes the meticulous craftsmanship and understated elegance that defined the 1970s. The Oak parquet top and subtle square cork inserts infuse s...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsOak, Cork
- Large Midcentury American of Martinsville DresserBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Pasadena, CAAn elegant blonde walnut dresser by American of Martinsville catches the eye with its twin blocks of drawers resting on a slightly darker base. T...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid=Century Walnut Credenza by Brown SaltmanBy Brown SaltmanLocated in Pasadena, CADating back to the 1960s, this Midcentury Walnut Storage Cabinet by Brown Saltman encapsulates the essence of classic mid-century aesthetics. Crafted from walnut, this piece boasts ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Multi Function Orange and Dark Blue Credenza by CastelijnBy CastelijnLocated in Pasadena, CAA two-toned buffet in terracotta orange and dark blue stained wood, with brushed steel accented pulls. It features six center drawers. The left side the door opens on 1 adjustable shelf and the right side features a little bookcase...Category
Vintage 1980s Dutch Post-Modern Credenzas
MaterialsSteel
$1,500 Sale Price49% Off - French Chest of Drawers in ShagreenLocated in Pasadena, CAOutstanding 1980s dresser finished in a delicate opalescent cream "galuchat" leather with outstanding silvered bronze handles. It was probably a custom order. Shagreen is a type of...Category
Late 20th Century French Dressers
MaterialsBronze
- Contemporary Reform Black and Gold Chest of Drawers by Jonathan AdlerBy Jonathan AdlerLocated in Pasadena, CAThis Contemporary Reform Black and Gold Chest of Drawers by Jonathan Adler pictorials the designer's commitment to creating distincti...Category
1990s American Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
- Midcentury Walnut Dresser by Merton L. Gershun for American of MartinsvilleBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in North Hollywood, CAFabulous mid century walnut and lacquered dresser designed by Michael L. Gershun for American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1960s. This credenza has been constructed from the highest quality walnut wood. Features a white lacquered box...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut CredenzaBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILAmerican of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Credenza This credenza measures: 52 wide x 18 deep x 30 inches high All pieces of fu...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- 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
- Walnut Credenza by American of Martinsville with a Louvered FrontBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis massive vintage modern sideboard features three louvered drawers in the middle and two large storage compartments on the sides. The rich walnut finish, sculpted brass handles, a...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
$1,820 Sale Price27% Off - Mid-Century Walnut Credenza by Merton L. Gershun for American of MartinsvilleBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in North Hollywood, CAAmazing mid-century modern walnut credenza by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville and manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. This piece showcases the perfect blen...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Simple + Classic Walnut Mid-Century Modern Credenza by American of MartinsvilleBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Weehawken, NJSimple + perfect Mid-Century Modern walnut Credenza / Media stand designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. This classic credenza features a simple front panel design ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWood, Walnut