Mid Century Modern Tiered Side Table By Merton Gershun, American Of Martinsville
About the Item
- Creator:American of Martinsville (Manufacturer),Merton Gershun (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22 in (55.88 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:Refinished. Refinished.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1560239286002
Merton Gershun
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.
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: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- American of Martinsville Ebonized Ash Stepped Side TableBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, ebonized ash, stepped side table by American of Martinsville features a lower tier with steel inlay at 16.5 inches height.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsSteel
- Rustic Mid-Century Modern Tiered Oak Side TableBy George NakashimaLocated in Brooklyn, NYHandsome, mid-century modern, tiered oak side table features lovely rustic details like carved bracing and legs with a coaster patch branded on it's surface. Three images were taken ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsOak
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Side Table by GunlockeBy GunlockeLocated in Brooklyn, NYSleek, Mid-Century Modern, walnut side table by Gunlocke features sculpted sleigh legs.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Floating Top Walnut Side Table by Jens RisomBy Jens RisomLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-Century Modern, square walnut side table by Jens Risom features a floating top with sculptural base. At 21 inches height this table can work as a coffee table as well.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Ash Side Table by John Van Koert for DrexelBy Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in Brooklyn, NYVersatile, Mid-Century Modern, ash side table by John Van Koert for Drexel Counterpoint features a protruding lower level at 15.75 inches ht.Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsAsh
- Trio of Mid-Century Modern Stacking Tables by Mel SmilowBy Smilow-Thielle, Mel SmilowLocated in Brooklyn, NYTrio of petite, Mid-Century Modern, walnut block, tapered leg, stacking tables by Mel Smilow for Smilow-Thielle can be stacked together, used as occasional side tables or continuousl...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Mid-Century Modern Merton Gershun American of Martinsville Walnut End TableBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Wilmington, DEOffered is a walnut end table designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville. Features one drawer with a brass pull and the iconic x-shaped brushed aluminium inlaid detai...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlaid Walnut Side EndBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Countryside, ILMerton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century X inlaid walnut side end table End table measures: 20 wide x 27 deep x 19 inches high All pieces of furniture can be had i...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Mid Century Walnut End Tables by Merton Gershun for American of MartinsvilleBy Merton GershunLocated in New York, NYHandsome pair of architecturally designed two tiered end tables by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville part of the “Dania” collection . The tables feature louvered deep dovet...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville MCM Urban Suburban NightstandBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILMerton Gershun for American of Martinsville mid century urban suburban nightstand This nightstand measures: 22 wide x 17 deep x 22 inches high All...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Night Stands
MaterialsBrass
- Merton Gershun "Dania" End Tables by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis unique pair of louvered drawer end tables by Merton Gershun feature stylish walnut frames with painted black tops. Designed with a pair of drawers for added storage, this matchi...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables
MaterialsLaminate, Walnut
- Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X Inlaid Coffee Table orBy American of Martinsville, Merton GershunLocated in Countryside, ILMerton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century X inlaid coffee table or bench This table measures: 54 wide x 20.5 deep x 14.25 high All pieces of furniture can be had ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Center Tables
MaterialsWood