Set of Six Mid Century Dania Dining Chairs American of Martinsville c 1950/60s
About the Item
- Creator:Merton Gershun (Designer),American of Martinsville (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 31 in (78.74 cm)Width: 19.5 in (49.53 cm)Depth: 19 in (48.26 cm)Seat Height: 19 in (48.26 cm)
- Sold As:Set of 6
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1950/60's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. All pieces are structurally sound and sturdy, clean and ready to use, some show minor cosmetic wear to finish, normal and consistent with age.
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU978734748972
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: Cohoes, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Set of Six Mid Century Bamboo Dining Chairs by Herbert Ritts c 1950/1960’sBy Herb Ritts, Ritts TropitanLocated in New York, NYVoguish, chic, mid century set of dining chairs by Herbert Ritts, circa 1950/1960. The chairs feature bamboo frames, with chased brass trim, and thick upholstered seats ( need reuph...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsBrass
- Set of Six Mid Century Dining Chairs Drexel Precedent by WormleyBy Edward Wormley, DrexelLocated in New York, NYChic set of six dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley as part of the classic Precedent Line, for Drexel. The set includes two arm chairs, and four side chairs, they are in very go...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Set of Six Mid Century Dining Chairs Drexel Profile by John Van Koert circa 1950By Drexel, John Van KoertLocated in New York, NYExquisite set of mid century dining chairs, designed by John Van Koert for the classic Profile series, made by Drexel. Circa 1950's ( 1957 ) the chairs feature a sculpted frame of so...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Walnut
- American of Martinsville Merton Gershun Bali-Hi Dresser, ca. 1950’sBy Merton Gershun, American of MartinsvilleLocated in New York, NYChic, sophisticated and stylish Bali Hi dresser, designed by Merton Gurshun for American of Martinsville. The dresser has six deep drawers each having faux bam...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dressers
MaterialsMahogany
- Set of Six Danish Modern Dining ChairsBy Ib Kofod-LarsenLocated in New York, NYSet of six Teak Danish Modern armless dining chairs. - signed " Made in Denmark "Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Upholstery
- Set of Four Mid Century Dining Chairs by Foster - McDavid c 1950/1960'sBy Foster-McDavidLocated in New York, NYChic architectural set of Mid Century vintage dining chairs designed by Foster - McDavid. The chairs feature a modernist interpretation of the classic antique comb...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsWalnut, Upholstery
- Mid-century American of Martinsville Dining Set of 6By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Miami, FLMid-century American of Martinsville Dining Set of 6 Offered for sale is a s set of 6 dining chairs with 2 arms and 4 sides. The chairs retain the original tags that say American Fu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- Mid-Century Modern Dining Chairs by American of Martinsville, Set of 6By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYUnusual set of midcentury dining chairs manufactured by the American Furniture Company of Martinsville, Virginia. This set includes four side chairs and two armchairs. Handsomely scu...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Wood
- Set of 4 Reupholstered Cane Back Dining Chairs by American MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Medina, OHBeautiful set of boho chic cane back dining chairs by American Martinsville. This set includes 3 armless/side chairs and one arm chair. The chairs are in good condition, there are a ...Category
Late 20th Century Bohemian Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Velvet, Cane, Wood
- Set of 6 Postmodern Cane Back Dining Chairs by American of MartinsvilleBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Freehold, NJThis set of six postmodern dining chairs by American of Martinsville feature hardwood construction, original burl wood finish, vintage cream colored upholstery, caned seat backs with...Category
Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsCane, Burl
- American of Martinsville MCM Walnut and Cane Back Dining Chairs - Set of 6By American of MartinsvilleLocated in Countryside, ILAmerican of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut and Cane Back Dining Chairs - Set of 6 Each armless chair measures: 20.5 wide x 21 deep x 31.5 high, with a seat height of 19.5 inches Ea...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsUpholstery, Cane, Walnut
- Art Deco American of Martinsville Burlwood 8 Piece Dining SetBy American of MartinsvilleLocated in Chicago, ILArt Deco American of Martinsville burlwood 8 piece dining set. Stunning Art Deco American of Martinsville burlwood 8 piece dining set. This set includes: table with 1 leaf, and 6 chairs. Unique mirrored burlwood dining table with a leaf. Beautiful set of 6 art deco campaign style dining chairs...Category
Vintage 1970s Art Deco Dining Room Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Cane, Rattan, Mirror, Burl