Modern Ebonized Desk with Brass Hardware by American of Martinsville
View Similar Items
Modern Ebonized Desk with Brass Hardware by American of Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Maker)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 46.5 in (118.11 cm)Depth: 23.25 in (59.06 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.
- Seller Location:Houston, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU106063690922
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.
- Stunning Custom Contemporary Modern Sideboard with Frank Trocino PaintingBy Reeves Design + ArtLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom contemporary modern sideboard with light green toned abstract figurative painting. This handmade sideboard was custom mad...Category
2010s American Post-Modern Sideboards
MaterialsOak
$5,625 Sale Price25% Off - Stunning Custom Contemporary Modern Sideboard with Gustav Klimt Style PaintingBy Gustav Klimt, Reeves Design + ArtLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom contemporary modern sideboard with Gustav Klimt Style Painting. This handmade sideboard was custom made in Houston, Texas in collaboration ...Category
2010s American Modern Sideboards
MaterialsBirch
$5,437 Sale Price20% Off - Stunning Custom Scandinavian Modern Small Chest by Norm StoekerBy Norm StoekerLocated in Houston, TXStunning custom Scandinavian modern small chest by norm stoeker. The three exposed Egyptian blue drawers are made with master craftsmanship surrounded by ...Category
2010s American Night Stands
MaterialsMaple
$1,650 Sale Price25% Off - Modern Custom Round White Top Dining Table with Neon Yellow BaseBy Knoll, Ettore Sottsass, Reeves Design + ArtLocated in Houston, TXUnique custom round dining table with a neon yellow steel base. The top is made from light solid oak and is in the Mid-Century Modern style....Category
2010s American Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Modern Bronze Sculptural Walnut Dining Table with Bronze Leg Signed Oskar KogojBy Oskar KogojLocated in Houston, TXStunning modern bronze sculptural dining table in walnut. It is made by Oskar Kogoj, and the table has aesthetic sculptural detailing on one end. The table leg is made of bronze and ...Category
Vintage 1970s Slovenian Modern Dining Room Tables
MaterialsBronze
- Pair of French Verde Green Marble Column Pedestals with Bronze Capital DetailBy Napoléon IIILocated in Houston, TXStunning pair of verde green marble columns. These sturdy French pedestals have bronze on the capitals and bases with floral details.Category
20th Century French Neoclassical Pedestals
- Modern Desk with Brass SupportsLocated in Westwood, NJModern desk with rectangular starburst veneered walnut grain top with a Macadamia finish, four shagreen inlaid drawers with brushed brass handles and side supports. Dimensions: 63...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Mid-Century Modern Desks and Wr...
MaterialsMetal
$4,785 / item - American of Martinsville Ebonized Ash Stepped Side TableBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, ebonized ash, stepped side table by American of Martinsville features a lower tier with steel inlay at 16.5 inches height.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Asian Cherry Wood Five Drawer Desk with Brass HardwareLocated in Locust Valley, NYAsian style cherry five drawer desk with Asian style brass hardware.Category
20th Century Ming Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsCherry
- Macassar Ebony Desk With Gold Leaf And Brass HardwareBy Troy Smith StudioLocated in Toronto, OntarioThe Shape Shifter Desk is beautifully handcrafted in an Art Deco contemporary style. Brass knobs were individually crafted and polished to a mirror...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Art Deco Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass, Gold Leaf
- Modern Lacquered Writing Desk with Brass Accents by John StuartBy John StuartLocated in Dallas, TXA timeless vintage piece, this midcentury writing desk feels glamourous, manufactured for John Stuart Inc. Adorning its exterior of glossy black lacquer, paired with bright brass acc...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Brass / Tulip Styled Side Tables by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Cincinnati, OHA pair of star based side tables with white wood and laminate round tops having nice tailored octagon shaft and base with ball feet all in brass . A great look that would work with m...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsBrass