Name: Mid-Century American of Martinsville Desk / Vanity
Brand: American of Martinsville
Rating: 5 (4 reviews)

Mid-Century American of Martinsville Desk / Vanity

View Similar Items

Vintage 1960's American of Martinsville Desk

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit

Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Desk by American of Martinsville

Vintage American of Martinsville Desk

Vintage MCM Art Deco Maple Colored Desk Black Accents American of Martinsville

American Mid-Century 3-drawer Walnut Desk

Pair of American of Martinsville Mid-Century American Chests

Mid Century American of Martinsville Highboy Dresser

Mid century American of Martinsville Dania Tall Dresser

Mid Century American of Martinsville Fluted Buffet Server

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

Shop All American of Martinsville

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.

More From This Seller

View All

Mid-Century Secretary Desk by Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold

By Arne Hovmand-Olsen, Mogens Kold Møbelfabrik

Located in Raleigh, NC

Mid-century secretary desk designed by Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold. Crafted from rich teak, the desk showcases exceptional craftsmanship with its warm, beautifully grained wood and...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood, Teak

Mid-Century Secretary Desk by Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold

$2,895

Mid-Century Paul McCobb Model #1560 Writing Desk and Chair

By George Nelson, Paul McCobb, Planner Group

Located in Raleigh, NC

Mid-century writing desk model #1560 and chair both designed by Paul McCobb, circa 1950s. Part of McCobb's iconic Planner Group series, this desk embodies the clean lines and minima...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Metal, Nickel

Mid-Century Paul McCobb Model #1560 Writing Desk and Chair

$3,895 / set

Mid-Century Architectural Firm Executive Desk Designed by Svend Aage Madsen

By Svend Åge Madsen

Located in Raleigh, NC

This seldomly seen designed executive desk by Svend Aage Madsen for Sigurd Hansens Møbelfabrik is truly a relic of design history. To my knowledge we are the only ones in the United ...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Desks

Materials

Teak

Mid-Century Architectural Firm Executive Desk Designed by Svend Aage Madsen

$11,000

Mid-Century Six Drawer Dresser by Bassett

By American of Martinsville, Lane Furniture, Young Manufacturing Company, Bassett Furniture, Henredon

Located in Raleigh, NC

Mid century petite 6 drawer walnut dresser by Bassett. Very cool stretcher base with two brass finish top drawer pulls add nice detail to this dresser. All drawers function well. Ver...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Six Drawer Dresser by Bassett

$1,500

Mid-Century Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik

By H.P. Hansen, Arne Wahl Iversen, Friso Kramer, Vinde Møbelfabrik, Peter Løvig Nielsen

Located in Raleigh, NC

Mid-century desk designed by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik, Denmark. Made circa 1960s and crafted from rich, warm teak wood. The desk showcases the material’s natural grain...

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Wood, Teak

Mid-Century Desk by Arne Wahl Iversen for Vinde Møbelfabrik

$4,595

Mid-Century Pair of Nightstands by Lane Furniture

By Lane Furniture

Located in Raleigh, NC

Mid-century walnut nightstands - a pair. Manufactured by Lane Manufacturing, circa 1960s. This pair has a squared shape that sits on tapered walnut legs. Each nightstand has a large ...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Pair of Nightstands by Lane Furniture

$2,895 / set

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Wood

Vintage 1960's American of Martinsville Desk

$1,500

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Merton L. Gershun walnut writing desk for American of Martinsville. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing h...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Brass

Merton L. Gershun Walnut Writing Desk for American of Martinsville

$3,895

American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Pemberton, NJ

Mid-Century Modern walnut low bench with modular desk and drawer cabinet designed by Merton Gerhsun for American of Martinsville's Dania line circa 60...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Cabinets

Materials

Brass

American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit

$3,360 Sale Price / set

20% Off

Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Desk by American of Martinsville

Located in Los Angeles, CA

With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativity for vintage designs that can seamlessly be incorpo...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Steel

Mid-Century Modern Sculpted Walnut Desk by American of Martinsville

$2,495

Vintage American of Martinsville Desk

By Merton Gershun

Located in Pittsburgh, PA

Vintage 3-drawer desk in bleached mahogany with a faux bamboo front. This design features an architectural-inspired linear silhouette with open-side shelving. From the sought-after a...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage American of Martinsville Desk

$2,450

Vintage MCM Art Deco Maple Colored Desk Black Accents American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Topeka, KS

Stunning vintage mid-century modern or Art Deco with an Asian flair maple colored exotic wood desk by American of Martinsville. Beautiful condition, k...

Category