Carved Wood Nightstand by American of Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Chinoiserie (In the Style Of)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s-1970s
- Condition:Additions or alterations made to the original: This item has been modified from its original vintage condition and design: A marble top and glass shelf have been added; the resting on four clear rubber bumpers now affixed to the original wood top of the nightstand. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading. The item is priced considering these changes that alter the original vintage condition.
- Seller Location:Denver, CO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU7008234834292
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.
You May Also Like
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Walnut
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Chrome
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Walnut
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Laminate, Walnut
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Brass
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
Walnut
More From This Seller
View AllLate 20th Century American Space Age Rocking Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Foam, Laminate, Wood, Bentwood
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Bamboo, Wicker, Cane
Mid-20th Century Unknown Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Wood, Teak
Vintage 1950s Swedish Mid-Century Modern End Tables
Bentwood, Plywood
21st Century and Contemporary American Pedestals
Stone, Marble
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Card Tables and Tea Tables
Steel
