Mid-Century Dry Bar Cabinet by Martinsville
View Similar Items
Mid-Century Dry Bar Cabinet by Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 43 in (109.22 cm)Width: 54 in (137.16 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Rewiring is recommended for all vintage lighting, which may not meet current standards for electrical safety. Some scratches and fading.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:Seller: 7743-1434NMc1stDibs: LU921827885692
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.
- John Stuart Mid-Century Bar CabinetBy John StuartLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique Mid-Century bar cabinet features an expandable formica top with raised edges, spacious storage shelves, and a wide drawer for organizin...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsWood
$1,610 Sale Price28% Off - Aldo Tura Dry BarBy Aldo TuraLocated in Brooklyn, NYMidcentury liquor cabinet by Aldo Turo. Great Renaissance book motif with door that hides glass shelves and lighting. Bottom drawer for stor...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsLacquer
$3,500 Sale Price35% Off - Vintage Drop Front Dry BarLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique vintage bar cabinet features a beautiful Mid-Century array of storage options complete with drop front laminate bar with mirrored back and glass shelf. Sculpted tapered l...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsGlass, Walnut
$3,500 Sale Price27% Off - H.P. Hansen Designed Folding Danish Teak Dry BarBy H.P. HansenLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stunning Danish dry bar is sure to be the life of the party! The gorgeous teak wood grain guarantees that this piece will impress from all angles, while the drop-down laminate b...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
$1,820 Sale Price30% Off - Mid-Century Cart by MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYRolling bar cart with two drawers and bottom liquor shelf. Laminate top used for liquids. Location: Brooklyn NY.Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Carts and Bar Carts
MaterialsWalnut
$1,050 Sale Price30% Off - Scandinavian Modern Dry Bar with Low Back Stools in TeakLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis stunning mid-century modern dry bar features teak construction and comes paired with matched low back thirty inch bar stools. Natural teak finish with black laminate fronts, the stylish yet understated three piece set offers an elegant vintage modern bar for home...Category
Vintage 1970s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsTeak
$2,800 Sale Price30% Off
- Asian Camphor Dry Bar Cabinet Mid Century ChinoiserieLocated in Lake Worth, FLOffering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Mid-Century Asian Oriental Hand-Carved Camphor Wood Dry Bar Cabinet Flip Top Wonderfully detailed piece ...Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Dry Bars
MaterialsWood
- Brown Saltman American Mid-Century Walnut Dry Bar CabinetBy Brown SaltmanLocated in New York, NYAmerican mid-century walnut dry bar cabinet with a rectangular profile and two doors and a top that all slide outward to reveal an interior comp...Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Vintage Mid Century Modern/Art Deco Dry Bar CabinetLocated in Los Angeles, CASophisticated smaller Scale Bar Cabinet with 6 drawers on the lower half for storing plates, platters and other serve ware. Upper portion has sliding doors for decanters and barware...Category
Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsWood
$4,704 Sale Price20% Off - Mid-Century Modern Dry BarLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonFor your consideration, Mid-Century Modern bar made in Mexico in the 60s.Category
Vintage 1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsBrass
- Mid Century Dry Bar ParchmentLocated in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, ARMidcentury modern is a design style that arrived in the mid-20th century. Defined by simple, functional, and wooden furniture, midcentury modern still remains a popular interior desi...Category
Mid-20th Century Argentine Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsLeather, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern Dry BarLocated in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo LeonOne of the best pieces we have had in our gallery, this bar from the early sixties was originally made of walnut wood and with a polyester finish cover, sadly we had to replace the c...Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Dry Bars
MaterialsWalnut
