Vintage Lacquered Dresser by American of Martinsville
View Similar Items
Vintage Lacquered Dresser by American of Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 32.25 in (81.92 cm)Width: 70 in (177.8 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950s
- Condition:Refinished. Professionally refinished and beautiful patina on brass.
- Seller Location:North Hollywood, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1270222414652
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.
- 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
- Exceptional Vintage Sculptural Lacquered and Brass DresserLocated in North Hollywood, CAAn absolutely jaw-dropping vintage sculptural lacquered and brass dresser / credenza manufactured in the United States, circa 1980s. This exceptional crafted piece features strips of...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Walnut Dresser by LaneBy Lane FurnitureLocated in North Hollywood, CABeautiful vintage walnut dresser designed and manufactured by Lane Furniture Company in United States, circa 1960s. This dresser has a minimalis...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- 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
- Vintage Lacquered Nightstands by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in North Hollywood, CAPair of beautiful lacquered nightstands designed and manufactured by American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1950s. These lovely nightstands are professionally restored ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Hollywood Regency Lacquered and Brass CredenzaLocated in North Hollywood, CAAmazing vintage Hollywood Regency lacquered and brass credenza designed and manufactured in the United States, circa 1950s. This credenza has been professionally restored and features a polished white lacquer which greatly signifies the elegance that embodied Hollywood Regency style and lucidity. On the left side, three dovetailed drawers have their original polished brass pulls, which have been structurally detailed and appear to be in the shape of bison horns...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
- Renzo Rutili Style Monumental Dresser/Credenza by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Dallas, TXA stunningly sophisticated design from the 1960's, this piece feels like Renzo Rutili but is from a rare series by American of Martinsville. A modern interpretation on refined neocla...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville Two Piece DresserBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Denton, TXRare two piece set with louvered drawers on each side and additional drawers inside the center doors, Satin finish on the walnut really brings out th...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
$4,800 Sale Price / set20% Off - American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser & Bachelor’s Chest w/ X’sBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated 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
- American of Martinsville Hollywood Regency Campaign Burled Walnut Dresser, 1960sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in South Bend, INAn exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style dresser or credenza By American of Martinsville USA, Circa 1960s Walnut, with burled walnut banding and dr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 5 Drawer Tall Dresser Blonde MapleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 5 drawer high tall dresser. A Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Urban Suburban dresser. All Original Vintage condition - Blonde ...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 6 Drawer Low Dresser Blonde MapleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in BROOKLYN, NYMid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 6 drawer low dresser or credenza. A Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Urban Suburban dresser. All Original Vintage condition - B...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
