Vintage Mid Century American of Martinsville Walnut Lingerie Chest
View Similar Items
Vintage Mid Century American of Martinsville Walnut Lingerie Chest
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 52 in (132.08 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)Depth: 18.5 in (46.99 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1060
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Very good vintage condition with some minor signs of use/age.. The top has a discolored dent in the front right corner, which is pictured.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7536238271272
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.
- Antique Rosewood Empire Chest of Drawers with Vanity MirrorBy BiedermeierLocated in Chicago, IL52” x 25” x 35”H (without wheels); mirror adds 35”H A captivating representation of early Biedermeier design, influenced by the Empire era. This remarkable Biedermeier dresser exhib...Category
Antique Early 1900s American Empire Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsRosewood
- Mid-century 3 bay lighted display cabinet / wall unit with deskLocated in Chicago, IL32” x 18.5” x 77”H ea Three-bay lighted wall unit in oak •smoked glass doors with brass hinges and pulls •9 total drawers •one open storage compartment with adjustable shelf • drop...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
- Pair of Series 7 "Butterfly" Dining Chairs by Arne Jacobson for Fritz HansenBy Fritz Hansen, Arne JacobsenLocated in Chicago, ILPair of Arne Jacobson's iconic butterfly chairs, designed for for Fritz Hansen in the 1950s. Constructed of bent plywood in European oak with chrome legs. The rift-sawn oak displays ...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsChrome
- Set of 4 Henredon Scene Two Olive Burl Dining ChairsBy HenredonLocated in Chicago, ILMeasures: 19” x 22” 42.5H, seat height 18. Indulge in luxury dining with this stunning set of four splat-back chairs from Henredon's Scene Two collection. A departure from their usu...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Hollywood Regency Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBurl
$1,108 Sale Price / set20% Off - Handmade Minimalist Contemporary Solid Wood Record Cabinet / Media StandLocated in Chicago, IL48" x 18" x 24"H; interior height 13.25" standard - custom dimensions available A gorgeous media cabinet in solid cherry wood, designed by us and handcrafted in our Chicago studio...Category
2010s American Minimalist Cabinets
MaterialsCherry
- Antique 1900's Rosewood Empire Secretary DeskLocated in Chicago, IL28” x 15.5” x 38.5”H; desk height 28” Gorgeous Empire-style rosewood secretary desk from the turn of the century with Biedermeier influences. • four-way matched rosewood veneer •...Category
Antique Early 1900s American American Empire Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Mid-Century American of Martinsville Louvered Bachelors ChestBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Baltimore, MDBeautifully detailed & proportioned walnut American of Martinsville bachelors chest/dresser. Designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville’s “Dania” line, one of the most e...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- Mid Century Modern highboy/gentlemen’s chest by American of Martinsville.By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Las Vegas, NVMid century modern highboy/gentlemen’s chest by American of Martinsville. Here is a beautiful mid-century highboy dresser which has loads of storage for all your goodies! The top por...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsWalnut
- 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
- Mid Century Modern Low Commode Chest of Drawers by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in San Jose, CAVintage low chest of drawers manufactured by American of Martinsville, circa 1960's. This unique piece is lacquered in an ebony black fin...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers
MaterialsWood
$960 Sale Price20% Off - 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
