American of Martinsville Night Stand
View Similar Items
American of Martinsville Night Stand
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 22 in (55.88 cm)Depth: 18 in (45.72 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:Mahogany,Ebonized
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Circa 1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Chula Vista, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU97152419862
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.
- 1980s Burlwood Chrome Nightstands Style of Milo BaughmanBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Chula Vista, CA1980s Mexican Modernism Burlwood and Chrome nightstand cabinets In the Style of Milo Baughman 20.75 h x 18.13 d x 21.63 w Preowned original unrestored vintage condition Review all im...Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsChrome
- 1980s Mexican Modernism Nightstands in Burlwood & Chrome Style of Milo BaughmanBy Milo BaughmanLocated in Chula Vista, CA1980s Modernism from Mexico Burlwood and Chrome nightstand cabinets In the Style of Milo Baughman 20.5 tall x 18 d x 21.5 wide We have additional pieces listed for this set. Preo...Category
Vintage 1980s Mexican Modern Night Stands
MaterialsChrome
- 1960s Exquisite Italian Queen Bed Sapele and Brass Vittorio Dassi ItalyBy Vittorio Dassi, Gio PontiLocated in Chula Vista, CA1960s Exquisite Italian queen bed Sapele and brass Vittorio Dassi Italy Italian Wood Custom Bed Frame geometric designed mahogany sapele wood with b...Category
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsBrass
- 1950s Frank Kyle Extravagant King Headboard & Nightstands Pepe Mendoza PullsBy Pepe Mendoza, Frank KyleLocated in Chula Vista, CAKing bed with nightstands Mexico 1950s Mexican Modernist Frank Kyle King Size Headboard with Nightstands features Pepe Mendoza Har...Category
Vintage 1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Bedroom Sets
MaterialsBronze
- Harvey Probber Sophisticated Modern Mahogany Nightstand 1950s Fall River, MassBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Chula Vista, CANightstand Harvey Probber clean modern mahogany nightstand 1950s fall river, Mass 23 H x 24 W x 18 D, Drawer 2.5 H x 21 W x 15.5 D Beautif...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsMahogany
- 1950s Modern Queen Bed Italian Sapele Exotic Wood + Bronze Osvaldo Borsani ItalyBy Osvaldo Borsani, Gio PontiLocated in Chula Vista, CA1950s Italian Queen Bed Sapele Exotic Wood Osvaldo Borsani from Italy Unmarked. Style attribution Osvaldo Borsani Sculptural wood frame with mahogan...Category
Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Beds and Bed Frames
MaterialsBronze
- Mid Century American of Martinsville Lacquered Night StandsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in W Allenhurst, NJBeautiful streamline nightstands. 2 drawers and cubby for ample storage. Great forward moving lines. Brass drawer pulls. Newly lacquered finish with popping white. Curbside to NYC/Ph...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Night Stand by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Toledo, OHWalnut mid-century modern American of Martinsville 2-drawer night stand with diamond pattern inlaid drawer fronts and sculpted legs. Great condition. Part of a 4-piece set. 20 1/2" t...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- Expertly Restored - American of Martinsville Night Stands with Brass AccentsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CAAmerican of Martinsville night stands with brass accents. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history bac...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Elegant Night Stands by American of Martinsville with Bowed FrontsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in St.Petersburg, FLClassic and elegant mid century night stands by American of Martinsville. Reminiscient of Gio Ponti style, they have tapered legs with sabots, travertine tops-made in Italy, bowed dr...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsTravertine
$1,950 Sale Price / set25% Off - Albert Parvin Diamond Door Night Stands for American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CATransforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
- A Pair Of Night Stands Or Small Chests By American Of Martinsville 1950'sBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in St.Petersburg, FLA fine pair of night stands or small chests of drawers by American of Martinsville. Ca' 1960's, with three drawers each. Reconditioned and redone in blue gray lacquer, handles polish...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsMahogany
