Expertly Restored - American of Martinsville Night Stands with Brass Accents
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer, Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 23.5 in (59.69 cm)Width: 20.5 in (52.07 cm)Depth: 16 in (40.64 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 2
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Newly Refinished. by Danish Modern LA’s Restoration Studio.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU971126268052
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Expertly Restored - American of Martinsville Night Stands with Magazine ShelvesBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CAAmerican of Martinsville night stands with magazine shelves. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWood, Walnut
- Expertly Restored - Mid-Century Modern Nightstands by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CAMid-Century Modern nightstands by American of Martinsville. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history b...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsLaminate, Walnut
- 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
- Expertly Restored - Edward J. Wormley Night Stands with Bookshelves for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated 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
- Expertly Restored - Glenn of California Night Stand by Stanley YoungBy Glenn of California, Stanley YoungLocated 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
MaterialsSteel
- Expertly Restored - Paul McCobb “Irwin Collection” Travertine Night StandsBy Paul McCobb, Calvin FurnitureLocated in Los Angeles, CAPaul McCobb "Irwin Collection" Travertine & brass night stands for Calvin Furniture. ________________________________________ Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture i...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsTravertine, Brass
- 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
- 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
- Vintage American of Martinsville Walnut Nightstands with Leather & Brass AccentsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CAStep back into the stylish era of the 1960s with this exceptional pair of American of Martinsville nightstands, masterfully hand-crafted from walnut wood and brought back to life wit...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Mid-Century Modern Nightstands by American of Martinsville: Elegance RestoredBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Los Angeles, CAStep into the world of mid-century modern design with our beautifully restored pair of nightstands by American of Martinsville. Crafted from high-quality mahogany, these bedside tables have been meticulously brought back to life, showcasing an elegant ebonized color, complemented by a sleek lacquer finish. Each nightstand features two spacious drawers, accented with original chrome pull handle knobs...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsChrome
- American Mid-Century Restored Walnut Block Front Two Drawers Night StandsBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in San Diego, CAPair of mid-century American modern walnut block front nightstands end tables, freshly refinished beautiful lines, and good looking.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- American of Martinsville NightstandBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis beautiful walnut nightstand by American of Martinsville features the sturdy construction and fantastic wood grain the midcentury manufactu...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsWalnut
