Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

American, 1909-1989

In as early as the 1920s, American furniture designer Merton Gershun created popular bedroom suites and more for the likes of Shelbyville, Indiana’s Albert Distinctive Modern Furniture Company. Later, he partnered with Dillingham Manufacturing, which had offices in Wisconsin and Mississippi and collaborated with the likes of Arthur Umanoff and Pierre Cardin. The world’s growing population of mid-century modern furniture devotees, however, know Gershun as having been American of Martinsville’s most prolific designer. Vintage Merton Gershun dressers, side tables, bed frames and other pieces are widely collected today.

Founded in the early 1900s by former tobacco producers, American of Martinsville eventually became one of the best known furniture manufacturers in the United States. Besides quality manufacturing, American of Martinsville is additionally recognized for having incorporated the day's trends in its designs. Inspired by designers like George Nakashima and Paul Laszlo, the brand was also known for innovations with wood.

Working with walnut and ebonized mahogany — and integrating decorative flourishes such as brass drawer pulls into his dressers and cane door fronts on his cabinets — Gershun designed numerous furniture lines for the company, including Dilettante, Fortissimo and others. The designer’s Dania collection, with its sleek walnut credenzas fitted with stylish brass accents and large drawers, has enjoyed popularity all over the world.

Gershun was passionate about bringing stylish pieces to American families but was also focused on affordability. His Harlequin line for American of Martinsville — the print ads for which read “SCULPTURED” and “BUDGET-PRICED” in bolded all-caps text — included bedroom and dining room furnishings in solid walnut. For Dillingham, Gershun designed the similarly well-received Esprit and Samara lines as well as other collections.

Gershun was particularly interested in creating furniture for small spaces and for postwar homeowners on a modest budget. He was a big proponent of incorporating international influences into his designs — he drew inspiration from Asia and created chinoiserie-style dressers in bleached walnut supported by ebonized wood bases. To Gershun, modern design was more than clean lines and sharp angles: it was about utility as well as beauty.

Find vintage Merton Gershun case pieces, tables, bedroom furniture and other furniture on 1stDibs.

Creator: Merton Gershun

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlay Walnut 5 Drawer

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlay Walnut 5 Drawer Dresser This highboy measures: 36 wide x 17 deep x 44.5 inches high All pieces of furniture can be h...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Chrome

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlay Walnut 5 Drawer

$3,295

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Mid Century American Martinsville Dania Dresser by Merton Gershun circa 1950/60s

$2,500

H 30.5 in W 60 in D 18.5 in

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

By American of Martinsville

Located in Sheffield, MA

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville 2 drawer, 3 door credenza in warm walnut wood cabinet. Original vintage condition. A great entry way ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Mid-Century American of Martinsville walnut Credenza

$1,900

H 30 in W 52 in D 18 in

Mid-Century Modern Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Chicago, IL

Excellent original condition Mid-century Modern American of Martinsville credenza or lowboy dresser designed by Merton Gershun. Made of genuine walnut with lacquered drawer fronts an...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut Dresser

$1,728 Sale Price

20% Off

H 30 in W 60 in D 18.5 in

Newly Refinished - American of Martinsville 9-Drawer Walnut Dresser

By American of Martinsville

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Condition: Expertly Refinished Expertly Refinished: With over 15 years of experience, our workshop has followed a careful process of restoration, showcasing our passion and creativi...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Newly Refinished - American of Martinsville 9-Drawer Walnut Dresser

$3,195

H 31.25 in W 76 in D 19.25 in

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville w/ Barware

By American of Martinsville

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A rare Mid Century walnut dry bar with pull down front door with light up drink area and storage for glasses . When down the door has a white laminate backing making a bar surface fo...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun Mid Century Walnut Bar for American of Martinsville w/ Barware

$2,200

H 40.63 in W 36.13 in D 15 in

Vintage Walnut Dresser by Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in North Hollywood, CA

A beautiful mid-century modern walnut dresser, expertly crafted by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville in the 1960s. This piece showcases a beautifully designed walnut cas...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Vintage Walnut Dresser by Merton L. Gershun American of Martinsville

$3,875

H 33 in W 65 in D 19 in

Merton Gershun - American of Martinsville Long Short Louvered Walnut Cabinets

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This stylish and cool set of Mid Century Modern dressers were designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. Featuring one large dresser and a small one, they each feature ...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass, Enamel

Merton Gershun - American of Martinsville Long Short Louvered Walnut Cabinets

$4,000 / set

H 30 in W 96 in D 18.5 in

Merton Gershun Bali Hi Dresser by American of Martinsville, ca. 1950’s

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in New York, NY

Chic and stylish 5 drawer dresser in bleached mahogany with decorative faux bamboo front. The chest features an architecturally inspired case, which surrounds the drawer fronts, creating a dimensional design element to the cabinet. From the sought after, and hard to find Bali Hi...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Mahogany

Merton Gershun Bali Hi Dresser by American of Martinsville, ca. 1950’s

$2,800

H 42 in W 37.5 in D 20.5 in

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid-Century Lowboy Credenza

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Southampton, NJ

An attractive multi-functional lowboy credenza having high-gloss black lacquer doors with solid brass pulls covering center single shelf storage and 3 cream colored deep drawers. To ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid-Century Lowboy Credenza

$2,495

H 30 in W 60 in D 19 in

Mid century American of Martinsville Dania Tall Dresser

By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville

Located in Baltimore, MD

This exceedingly well-crafted American of Martinsville louvered slat front drawer highboy tall dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for his Dani...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Mid century American of Martinsville Dania Tall Dresser

$2,450

H 44.25 in W 38.25 in D 17.75 in

Classic Mid-Century Walnut Dresser by Merton Gershun / American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Buffalo, NY

Stunning walnut Modernist dresser designed by Merton Gershun ,,manufactured by American Of Martinsville. Classic aluminum x's and asymetrical pulls. Beautiful original condition. Han...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Aluminum

Classic Mid-Century Walnut Dresser by Merton Gershun / American of Martinsville

$2,400

H 31 in W 54 in D 18.5 in

Mid Century 6 Drawer Dresser in the style of American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Cincinnati, OH

A very well crafted dresser chest with six drawers having nicely curved and tapered metal pulls and offering plenty of storage . The extra attention to detail is noted in the bull no...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood

Mid Century 6 Drawer Dresser in the style of American of Martinsville

$1,800

H 31.5 in W 52 in D 19 in

Previously Available Items

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM X Inlay Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlay Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser Dresser measures: 36 wide x 17 deep x 44.5 inches high All pieces...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Nickel

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM X Inlay Walnut 9 Drawer Dresser

H 44.5 in W 36 in L 44.5 in

Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun for Dillingham Gentlemen’s Wardrobe Chest

By Merton Gershun, Dillingham Manufacturing Company

Located in West Hartford, CT

Made in USA sleek mens wardrobe chest designed by Merton Gershun for Dillingham as part of the "Esprit" collection, circa 1960s. Handsome piece in walnut with original ebony trim and...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun for Dillingham Gentlemen’s Wardrobe Chest

H 69 in W 38 in L 69 in

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Louvered Highboy Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century louvered highboy dresser chest This highboy measures 38 wide x 18.75 deep x 44 inches high All pieces of furniture can be ha...

Category

1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Merton Gershun Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Louvered Highboy Dresser

H 44 in W 38 in L 44 in

Merton Gershun wardrobes and armoires for sale on 1stDibs.

Merton Gershun wardrobes and armoires are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original wardrobes and armoires by Merton Gershun were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 1970s. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider wardrobes and armoires by Lane Furniture, Milo Baughman, and Broyhill Brasilia. Prices for Merton Gershun wardrobes and armoires can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $3,295 and can go as high as $3,295, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,295.