Walnut Long Chest with Brass Legs
View Similar Items
Walnut Long Chest with Brass Legs
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 30 in (76.2 cm)Width: 72 in (182.88 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:1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. minor scratches mostly on top surface.
- Seller Location:North Egremont, MA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU91741254124
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.
- Light American Walnut Multi Drawer Sliding Cane Doors Dowel Leg Long CredenzaBy American of Martinsville, Hooker FurnitureLocated in Rockaway, NJLight American walnut multi drawer sliding cane doors dowel leg long credenza dresser. Amazing vintage cosmetic condition with wonderful original amber t...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsCane, Walnut
- Sculptural Legs Long 9 Drawers Walnut Credenza Dresser with DoorsBy Adrian PearsallLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern long nine drawers dresser walnut credenza with doors compartments on sculptural legs. Refinished in oiled walnut finish.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsWalnut
- Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb Walnut Dresser with Brass Legs, Newly RefinishedBy T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Widdicomb Furniture Co.Located in South Bend, INAn exceptional Mid-Century Modern six-drawer long dresser or credenza By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb USA, 1950s Book-matched walnut, with sculpted walnut drawer pul...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsBrass
- 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
- 5 Drawers Two Door Compartments Long Walnut Credenza Dresser Dowel Legs Mint!By Paul McCobb, John StuartLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern 5 drawers two door compartments long walnut credenza dresser dowel legs mint!Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsMaple
- Mid-Century Modern Long Low Profile Credenza with Round Ring Drop PullsBy Tommi Parzinger, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Rockaway, NJMid-Century Modern drop ring pulls cabinet credenza dresser with marquetry style top.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Credenzas
MaterialsBrass
