American of Martinsville Custom Walnut X-Front Tall Chest
View Similar Items
American of Martinsville Custom Walnut X-Front Tall Chest
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 42.25 in (107.32 cm)Width: 39.75 in (100.97 cm)Depth: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1950s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Excellent restored condition.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU84193773392
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.
- Vignola Furniture Bleached Walnut and Brass Five-Drawer Tall ChestBy Vignola FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILTall five-drawer commode from Vignola Furniture, Chicago, Il. Bleached walnut case and drawer fronts, brass edging and black lacquered "eye" shaped r...Category
20th Century American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- Grosfeld House Figured and Carved Mahogany Tall ChestBy Grosfeld HouseLocated in Chicago, ILStriking Art Deco/moderne design tall chest with ziggurat top and canted front corners. The fluted base and acanthus leaf ornamentation are accented by large X-form bronze drawer pul...Category
Vintage 1930s American Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsMahogany
- Custom Walnut and Lacquered Linen Sliding Door Nine-Drawer CabinetLocated in Chicago, ILBeautifully restored to original condition, nine-drawer dresser or cabinet, with sliding linen wrapped doors. Three exposed drawers with nickel pulls and six more birch front drawers...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsLinen, Walnut
- Renzo Rutili Mahogany and White Micarta Chest-on-ChestBy Johnson Furniture Co., Renzo RutiliLocated in Chicago, ILRenzo Rutili for Johnson Furniture tall two-tiered gentleman's chest. Mahogany cases and drawer/door fronts with a white Micarta first tier top and four white Micarta sabots over lar...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsBrass
- White Lacquer Fluted Front Dresser by Kling FurnitureBy Kling Furniture Co.Located in Chicago, ILWhite lacquer ten-drawer dresser by Kling Furniture of Mayville, NY. Centre four drawers are recessed, adding emphasis to the six fluted front drawers to either side. Lightly toned b...Category
Vintage 1950s American Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Harvey Probber Bleached Mahogany & Ivory Leather Tall CabinetBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Chicago, ILHarvey Probber bleached mahogany tall dresser or gentleman's chest, with ivory leather-clad sliding doors that feature brass flat bar appointments. Behind the doors there are four dr...Category
Vintage 1950s American Cabinets
MaterialsBrass
- American Walnut Block Front Drawers High Chest Dresser American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Rockaway, NJVery clean American walnut Mid-Century Modern vintage block front drawers dresser high chest.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWalnut
- Handsome American of Martinsville Tall Walnut Rosewood Dresser Chest of DrawersBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Pemberton, NJHandsome Mid-Century Modern tall walnut and rosewood American of Martinsville chest of drawers dresser. We love the simple li...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- American of Martinsville ChestBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYTall chest of drawers made by American of Martinsville. Mid-century modern style with a simple squared esthetic in warm walnut grain. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser & Bachelor’s Chest w/ X’sBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Topeka, KSHandsome pair of chests from American of Martinsville and Merton Gershun’s Accord line of furniture with the signature X’s and asymmetric handles. One is the long walnut dresser with three drawers and cane doors and the second is the three-drawer bachelor’s chest. Two separate pieces but butted together make one long marvelous piece. We are pricing them as a set. Both are in wonderful restored condition. However, they are not without signs of age and use having an overall beautiful age patina which includes small nicks, scratches, and imperfections but nothing major. Please see photos, circa mid-20th century. Oh my! If you could ever say X marks the spot for a piece of furniture…you can say it with this pair. Note the metal signature crosses in their tops and their fabulous asymmetric or staggered handles. These gorgeous chests are from the Accord collection produced in the mid-20th century by American of Martinsville and designed by Merton Gershun. One piece is the longer dresser which is comprised of a bank of three drawers next to three doors with cane inserts. One door opens to the left and the other two doors bi-fold open to the right revealing three interior drawers. This dresser alone is wonderful but paired with the matching bachelor’s chest, which has the same bank of three drawers as the dresser, and butted next to the doors, making it one extra long cabinet...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsAluminum
- 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
- Midcentury Walnut American of Martinsville Highboy DresserBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage-modern highboy dresser by American of Martinsvile featuring six drawers with beautiful walnut grain throughout. Please confirm item location NY or NJ with dealer.Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut