1960s Mid Century Dresser by American of Martinsville
View Similar Items
1960s Mid Century Dresser by American of Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Width: 80 in (203.2 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Vintage condition, minor wear and use as seen in the pictures.
- Seller Location:North Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7314236895412
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.
- 1960s Mid Century Dresser by Merton L. Gershun for American of MartinsvilleBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in North Hollywood, CAMid-century walnut dresser designed by Merton L. Gershun and manufactured by American of Martinville. This dresser features a walnut frame with three spacious dovetail drawers on the...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- 1960s Mid Century Walnut Dresser by ThomasvilleBy ThomasvilleLocated in North Hollywood, CAMid-century walnut sculpted walnut dresser designed by Thomasville in the United States circa 1960s. This stunning dresser features a walnut frame with a unique sculptured rosewood h...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid Century Walnut Louvered Dresser by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in North Hollywood, CAMid-century walnut dresser designed and manufactured by American of Martinsville in the United States circa 1960s. This beautiful dresser features a walnut finish with nine pull-out ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- 1960s Mid Century Walnut Dresser by Ace- HiLocated in North Hollywood, CAMid-century walnut dresser designed and manufactured by Ace-Hi in the United States circa 1960s. This stunning dresser has nine pull-out drawers with aluminum handles, making it easy...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- 1960s Mid Century Walnut Dresser by Kent CoffeyLocated in North Hollywood, CAMid century walnut dresser designed and manufactured by Kent Coffey in the United States circa 1960s.This elegant dresser boasts a sturdy walnut frame that exudes a timeless charm an...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Vintage Nightstands by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in North Hollywood, CAPair of beautiful nightstands designed and manufactured by American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1950s. Each nightstand features three dovetailed drawers with original...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
$1,650 / set
- American of Martinsville Vintage Mid Century Modern Lowboy Dresser c. 1960sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Denville, NJWe photograph and list inventory in the condition it arrives at our warehouse to streamline operations and focus on restoration for current orders. This also enables us to maintain a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- American of Martinsville Vintage Mid Century Modern Highboy Dresser c. 1960sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Denville, NJWe photograph and list inventory in the condition it arrives at our warehouse to streamline operations and focus on restoration for current orders. This also enables us to maintain a...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid Century American of Martinsville Highboy DresserBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Baltimore, MDThis exceedingly well-crafted American of Martinsville highboy dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsv...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut, Faux Leather
$1,880 Sale Price20% Off - American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser with Mirror 1960s, 'Signed'By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYBedroom storage galore! American of Martinsville walnut long dresser credenza with attached mirror. 6 drawers on the left side and double doors on the ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMetal
- Mid century American of Martinsville Dania Tall DresserBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Baltimore, MDThis exceedingly well-crafted American of Martinsville louvered slat front drawer highboy tall dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for his Dani...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
$1,960 Sale Price20% Off - Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 9-Drawer DresserBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Clarksboro, NJThis listing is for a Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Dresser. Featuring a straight line design, brutalist front, door on the left that opens up to three hidden drawers, ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWood, Walnut