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Vintage Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Gentleman s Chest

Name: Vintage Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Gentleman's Chest
Brand: American of Martinsville
Rating: 4.9 (178 reviews)

$1,950List Price

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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.

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

Light Medium Walnut Gentleman s High Chest Dresser Cabinet Mid-Century Modern

By American of Martinsville, Paul McCobb

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Light medium walnut gentleman's high chest dresser cabinet Mid-Century Modern Mint.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Light Medium Walnut Gentleman s High Chest Dresser Cabinet Mid-Century Modern

$4,400

H 53 in W 42 in D 19 in

Mid-Century Modern Gentleman s Chest with 3 Drawers

Located in Freehold, NJ

This Mid-Century Modern gentleman's chest features hardwood construction, walnut veneer with original finish, two dovetailed drawers with carved wood pulls...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Gentleman s Chest with 3 Drawers

$836 Sale Price

30% Off

H 54 in W 20 in D 40 in

Mid Century Modern Walnut Two-Piece Gentleman s Chest

Located in Elkton, MD

Detroit American Modern Walnut Bachelor's Chest, 2-Piece Tall Dresser with metal ring accents. Sleek, mid-century design with warm walnut tones and practical storage. Perfect for mod...

Category

Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Modern Walnut Two-Piece Gentleman s Chest

$1,600

H 43.5 in W 39 in D 19 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

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Dania Walnut Dresser

By American of Martinsville

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

This exceptional Mid-Century Modern walnut nine-drawer dresser by American of Martinsville exemplifies timeless craftsmanship and refined design. Featuring a beautifully grained waln...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Dania Walnut Dresser

$3,995

H 30.5 in W 84 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

Thomasville Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Walnut Gentleman s Chest

By Thomasville

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency gentleman's chest or highboy dresser By Thomasville USA, 1950s Carved walnut, with original brass hardware. Measures: 33"W x 18"D ...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Brass

Thomasville Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Walnut Gentleman s Chest

$2,595

H 48.75 in W 33 in D 18 in

Mid-Century Modern Six-Drawer Dresser Lowboy American of Martinsville

By Milo Baughman, American of Martinsville, Directional

Located in Chula Vista, CA

For your consideration, a mid-century modern six-drawer dresser, made of walnut, featuring simple lines and vintage metal hardware in patinated brass (verdigris patina). The style su...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Six-Drawer Dresser Lowboy American of Martinsville

$3,100

H 32 in W 58.25 in D 19.5 in

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Accord Walnut Triple Dresser

By American of Martinsville

Located in Clarksboro, NJ

This listing is for a Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Accord Walnut Triple Dresser. Featuring a straight line nine drawer d...

Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Accord Walnut Triple Dresser

$2,995

H 31 in W 84 in D 18.5 in

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Merton Gershun Gentleman s Chest for American of Martinsville

By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Iconic highchest from the Dania series by Merton Gershun, for American of Martinsville. Features include rich walnut grain, louvered drawers, signature brass accents, and articulated...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Merton Gershun Gentleman s Chest for American of Martinsville

$2,200

Tall Mid-Century Gentleman s Chest

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Large chest of drawers with side cabinet storage. This all in one unit features five deep drawers and left side cabinet space with top drawer and adjustable shelves. Please confirm l...

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

Tall Mid-Century Gentleman s Chest

$1,700

American of Martinsville Chest

By American of Martinsville

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Tall chest of drawers made by American of Martinsville. Mid-century modern style with a simple squared esthetic in warm walnut grain. Please confirm location NY or NJ

Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Walnut

American of Martinsville Chest

$1,500

Mid-Century Gentleman s Chest by Widdicomb

By Widdicomb Furniture Co.

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Handsome dresser by Widdicomb with walnut grain, six total drawers, brass spade handles. Back has a finished wood panel. (Please confirm item location-NY or NJ-with dealer).

Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Gentleman s Chest by Widdicomb

$2,310

Mid-Century Modern Gentleman s Chest Highboy by Young Mfg.

By Young Manufacturing Company

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A classic mid-century modern highboy dresser in the United Style series, crafted by Young Manufacturing. Features clean lines, rich wood grain, and multiple spacious drawers, combini...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Gentleman s Chest Highboy by Young Mfg.

$2,000

Mid-Century Lane "First Edition" Walnut Gentleman s Chest

By Lane Furniture

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Beautiful mid-century American walnut gentleman's chest from the legendary craftsmen of Virginia's Lane Furniture, circa 1965. Boasting five dovetailed drawers, this tall dresser fea...

Category