Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy Dresser

Name: Newly Refinished - Mid-Century Modern Walnut Highboy Dresser
Brand: American of Martinsville
Rating: 4.9 (129 reviews)

About the Item

Condition: Expertly Refinished 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 incorporated with many interior decors. Enjoy! 😁 This mid-century modern highboy dresser by American of Martinsville features a beautifully refinished walnut exterior with clean architectural lines, warm wood movement, and a tall, functional storage profile. The upper cabinet doors open to reveal generous interior organization, while the lower drawers provide additional storage with a sleek, streamlined look. Brushed steel pulls add a crisp modern contrast against the rich walnut tone, giving the piece a refined balance of warmth and sophistication. Raised on tapered legs with a sculptural lower stretcher, the dresser has a lighter, elevated silhouette that works beautifully in bedrooms, dressing areas, or refined storage spaces. Expertly refinished, this piece presents in excellent condition while preserving the character and craftsmanship of its original 1960s American modern design. Fun Historical Fact American of Martinsville was one of the important American manufacturers that helped bring modern furniture design into everyday homes during the mid-20th century. Their work often blended practical storage with stylish architectural details, making their dressers and case pieces especially desirable today. Unlike heavier traditional furniture, pieces like this highboy used raised legs, clean lines, and warm walnut grain to create a lighter, more modern presence. The result is a distinctly American interpretation of mid-century design: functional, elegant, and built for daily use.

Creator:
American of Martinsville (Manufacturer, Designer)
Dimensions:
Height: 52.5 in (133.35 cm)Width: 42.25 in (107.32 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
Style:
Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Steel,Walnut
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1960-1969
Date of Manufacture:
c.1960’s
Condition:
Refinished.
Seller Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU3014350502722

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.