Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 2 Pc Walnut Credenza & Hutch 1960s
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 2 Pc Walnut Credenza & Hutch 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 68 in (172.72 cm)Width: 64 in (162.56 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 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:
- Seller Location:Keego Harbor, MI
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2715323844352
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.
- Copenart by Morganton Mid Century Modern Walnut Wood 2 Piece Hutch CredenzaBy Morganton Furniture Co.Located in Keego Harbor, MIA Copenart by Morganton two piece hutch credenza. A lovely shelving cabinet featuring a beautiful walnut wood construction. This piece has an upper stack of 3 shelves leading down to...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Copenart by Morganton Mid Century Modern Walnut Wood CredenzaBy Morganton Furniture Co.Located in Keego Harbor, MIA Copenart by Morganton credenza. A stunning little mid century modern credenza. This piece features a variety of storage with 3 drawers, one drawer with dividers, and 2 cabinets wit...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern 3 Piece Walnut Chrome Tobocman Wall Hanging Floating CredenzaLocated in Keego Harbor, MIA gorgeous 3 piece walnut and chrome Tobocman hanging/floating credenza set. This stunning wall unit set features a walnut construction with a semi-glossy finish, and rectangular chrome drawer handles. This set of 3 comes unattached but can be hung together seamlessly. Each piece contains 6 large pull out drawers that pull out smoothly and sturdily. This shelving set also includes a glass top that is not pictured above. The glass is in very good condition, additional info and photos can be requested if interested. This whole set is in very good condition. Individually, this set measures...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid Century Modern Founders Walnut and Chrome Dresser Credenza and MirrorBy Founders Furniture CompanyLocated in Keego Harbor, MIA mid century modern Founders walnut and chrome dresser credenza and mirror. An absolutely jaw dropping piece of furniture from Founders fu...Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Coffee Table Walnut Mid Century ModBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Keego Harbor, MIThe Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Coffee Table in Walnut is a quintessential piece of mid-century modern design. Crafted with the finest walnut wood, this coffee table ...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Svend Aage Madsen for HP Hansen Mobelindustries Mid Century Modern Teak CredenzaBy Svend Åge Madsen, H.P. HansenLocated in Keego Harbor, MIA Danish teak wood credenza. This is an absolutely gorgeous piece designed by Svend Aage Madsen for H.P. Hansen Mobelindustries in the 1960s. This piece is a truly remarkable stateme...Category
Mid-20th Century Credenzas
MaterialsTeak
- 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
- Mid Century Modern Long DRESSER / CREDENZA American of Martinsville, c. 1960'sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Weehawken, NJMid Century Modern Long Dresser / Credenza by American of Martinsville, a solid American manufacturer known for their superb quality, c. 1960's. ...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsLaminate
- Simple + Classic Walnut Mid-Century Modern Credenza by American of MartinsvilleBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated 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
- Mid-Century Modern Credenza from Dania by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Freehold, NJThis Mid-Century Modern credenza from the Dania line by American of Martinsville features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, three large dovetailed drawers with louvered faces, black lacquered cabinet doors with three white painted dovetailed drawers inside, brass accented cabinet hardware...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
$1,240 Sale Price20% Off - Mid-Century Walnut Credenza by Merton L. Gershun for American of MartinsvilleBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated 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