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American of Martinsville Hollywood Regency Campaign Burl Wood Gentleman s Chest

Price:$1,700

$1,995List Price

Shop All American of Martinsville

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.

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun Gentleman s Chest for American of Martinsville

$2,200

H 46.38 in W 42.13 in D 19 in

American Walnut Concave Front Gentleman s Chest Dresser Double Door Compartment

By American of Martinsville

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern American walnut high chest dresser with double doors compartment.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

American Walnut Concave Front Gentleman s Chest Dresser Double Door Compartment

$4,600

H 57 in W 42 in D 21 in

Mid Century American Walnut Gentleman s Chest Dresser w/ Two Doors Compartment

By American of Martinsville

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern American walnut two doors compartment five drawers high chest dresser cabinet.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century American Walnut Gentleman s Chest Dresser w/ Two Doors Compartment

$3,200

H 50 in W 40 in D 19 in

Burl Gentleman s Chest by Harold Schwartz for Romweber

By Harold Schwartz, Romweber Furniture Co.

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Exceptionally rare burled walnut gentleman's wardrobe from Harold Schwartz' iconic mid-century bedroom collection for Batesville, Indiana's RomWeber Furniture. The swirling natural w...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Metal, Brass

Burl Gentleman s Chest by Harold Schwartz for Romweber

$3,400

H 48 in W 48 in D 24 in

Rare Five-Drawer Chest by American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Atlanta, GA

A beautiful example from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1950. Stout, expertly made mahogany case construction. Fabulous "wormhole" detail on the drawer front adds a...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

Rare Five-Drawer Chest by American of Martinsville

$6,950

H 42 in W 38 in D 18 in

Rare Restored Modern Chest by American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Atlanta, GA

An absolutely jaw-dropping chest from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Stout hardwood case construction with brass and leather accents. Fabulous detail and craf...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Hardwood

Rare Restored Modern Chest by American of Martinsville

$6,950

H 53.5 in W 41.25 in D 20.5 in

Restored American of Martinsville 6 Drawer Chest- Pair Available

By American of Martinsville

Located in Atlanta, GA

An exquisite example from a rare series by American of Martinsville, circa 1960. Stout, expertly made mahogany case construction restored in cream lacquer. Fabulous, chunky solid bra...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Restored American of Martinsville 6 Drawer Chest- Pair Available

$12,500

H 30.5 in W 68 in D 19 in

White Pickle Finish Two Doors Compartment Gentleman s Chest Dresser

By American of Martinsville, Kent-Coffey

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid-Century Modern white pickle finish over mahogany dresser high chest. Super solid craftsmanship quality sculptural design cabinet. Super clean origina...

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

White Pickle Finish Two Doors Compartment Gentleman s Chest Dresser

$4,400

H 48 in W 46 in D 23 in

American Walnut Block Front Drawers High Chest Dresser American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Very clean American walnut Mid-Century Modern vintage block front drawers dresser high chest.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

American Walnut Block Front Drawers High Chest Dresser American of Martinsville

$3,800

H 45 in W 40 in D 20 in

Classic Modernist Chest of Drawers or Dresser, American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville

Located in Buffalo, NY

A Classic tall chest by Merton Gershun for his Dania collection manufactured by American of Martinsville. Features three drawers over three generous drawers with louver fronts. Brass...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Walnut

Classic Modernist Chest of Drawers or Dresser, American of Martinsville

$1,960

H 44 in W 38 in D 18.5 in

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Romweber Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Gentleman s Chest, Circa 1960s

By Romweber Furniture Co.

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency gentleman's chest By Romweber USA, Circa 1960s Cherry wood case, with burl wood banding and front, and unique Italian travertine an...

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Romweber Mid-Century Hollywood Regency Burl Wood Gentleman s Chest, Circa 1960s

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American of Martinsville Hollywood Regency Campaign Burled Walnut Dresser, 1960s

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An exceptional mid-century modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style dresser or credenza By American of Martinsville USA, Circa 1960s Walnut, with burled walnut banding and dr...

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John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Campaign Black Lacquered Gentleman s Chest

By John Widdicomb

Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency or Campaign style highboy dresser or gentleman's chest By John Widdicomb USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid cherry wood, with ori...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Hollywood Regency Dressers

Materials

Brass

John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Campaign Black Lacquered Gentleman s Chest

$3,295

John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Campaign Black Lacquered Gentleman s Chest

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Located in South Bend, IN

An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency or Campaign style highboy dresser or gentleman's chest By John Widdicomb USA, 1950s Black lacquered solid cherry wood, with ori...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Campaign Black Lacquered Gentleman s Chest

$3,295

Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Black Lacquered Campaign Chest of Drawers

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An exceptional Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style two-drawer lowboy dresser or chest of drawers By Baker Furniture, "Milling Road" Collection USA, 1960s Bla...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture Hollywood Regency Black Lacquered Campaign Chest of Drawers

$2,495

Henredon Hollywood Regency Campaign Blue Lacquered Chest of Drawers, Refinished

By Henredon

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Campaign style low dresser or chest of drawers By Henredon USA, Circa 1960s Blue lacquered walnut, with original brass hardwa...

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