Vintage American of Martinsville Desk
By Merton Gershun
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Vintage 3-drawer desk in bleached mahogany with a faux bamboo front. This design features an architectural-inspired linear silhouette with open-side shelving. From the sought-after a...
Mahogany
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Esprit Walnut 5-Drawer Highboy Dresser.
Located in Seattle, WA
Mid-Century Modern five-drawer tallboy dresser from the highly collectible Esprit line, designed by Merton Gershun for Dillingham Furniture circa 1960. Featuring the genuine stamped ...
Walnut
Pair of Dillingham’s “Esprit” Walnut Nightstands End Tables / Cabinets
By Merton Gershun
Located in Kensington, MD
+ Fantastic pair of versatile small cabinets that can be used as nightstands, end tables or on their own wherever you need to stow some items out of sight + Table surface provides pl...
Walnut, Wood
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
American Martinsville High Boy Walnut Dresser Chest Mid-century Modern
By Merton Gershun
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Handsome six drawer shingle front dresser designed by Merton Gershun. This particular line is exceedingly well crafted and heavy, a hidden treasure in American Mid-Century Modern in ...
Brass
Merton Gershun "Dania" End Tables by American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This 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...
Laminate, Walnut
Antique William Morris 'Squirrel' Merton Abbey Jacquard-Woven Wool Tapestry
Located in Milan, IT
William Morris (1834-1896) was the leading figure of the British Arts and Crafts movement. He was responsible for many innovations in the textile arts of the period, by reviving trad...
Wool
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Esprit Walnut Nightstand – Mid-Century Modern Side
Located in Seattle, WA
This authentic mid-century modern walnut nightstand was designed by Merton Gershun for the Dillingham "Esprit" collection circa 1960. It features the original stamped maker's mark in...
Walnut
Modernist Walnut Dining Table, Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist walnut dining table, Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville. Stunning dining table. Smart,versatile design. Perfect space saver. Totally closed measures 40" x 25", ope...
Walnut
Large Merton Beds 2, Original Abstract Landscape Painting, Naïve Floral Painting
By Elaine Kazimierczuk
Located in Deddington, GB
This large dramatic oil painting was made as part of a landscape panorama which measures 7m across in total. Although the four pieces were made as a complete work, they made be hung ...
Canvas, Oil
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Dresser Cabinet
By Dillingham Manufacturing Company
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Dresser This stunning Dillingham Esprit dresser designed by the renowned Merton Gershun, is a quintessential piece of...
Walnut
$1,080Sale Price|20% Off
MCM Mid Century Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Coffee Table
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Vintage mid century coffee table designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville.. The white accents are a very nice added touch and give this piece a unique and modern look...
Walnut
Pair of Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Nightstands
By American of Martinsville
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Pair of Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Mid Century Walnut Nightstands Beautiful pair of walnut nightstand, designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville's...
Brass
1950s Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville Bali Cabinet Dresser Mid centu
Located in Virginia Beach, VA
A tall cabinet designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville in the 1950s. This piece from the Bali Hi series features a pickled oak finish with fluted doors and drawers,...
Oak
$463
Merton College Chapel engraving by J Sutherland after Pugin for Ackermann
By Rudolph Ackermann
Located in London, GB
To see our other Oxford and Cambridge pictures, including an extensive collection of works by Ackermann, scroll down to "More from this Seller" and below it click on "See all from th...
Aquatint
Merton Gershun for Dillingham Mid-Century Modern Esprit Walnut Gentleman’s Chest
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A clean-lined and versatile mid-century modern walnut gentlemen’s chest, perfect for use as a bedroom storage piece or a stylish bar cabinet. The upper section features a pair of pan...
Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Walnut and Lacquer Credenza by American of Martinsville
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An exceptional mid-century modern credenza designed by Merton L. Gershun for American of Martinsville, United States, circa 1960s. Known for blending clean architectural lines with l...
Brass
American of Martinsville Dania Queen Size Bar Bed Headboard with Nightstands
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Mid-Century Modern queen size bed headboard with built-in nightstands. The 4004-14 “Bar Bed” is a part of American of Martinsville’s Dania Collection. Designed by Merton Gershun, thi...
Laminate, Walnut, Lacquer
Pair of American of Martinsville Walnut 2-Drawer Nightstands or End Tables 1960s
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Probably designed by Merton Gershun, this pair of nightstands features a minimalist, almost brutalist look, with a rectangular body, and squared off drawers. The look is softened by ...
Wood, Walnut
Mid-Century Modern Dresser American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane w/ X’s
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Topeka, KS
Marvelous vintage Mid-Century Modern American of Martinsville Accord Walnut & Cane Dresser w/ X’s & Asymmetric Handles, three drawers & cane doors designed by Merton Gershon. Beautif...
Metal
American of Martinsville “Bali Hai” Cork Top Bar Cabinet or Server, Mid-Century
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A refined and highly collectible “Bali Hai” cork top cabinet by American of Martinsville, embodying the relaxed sophistication of mid-century coastal modern design. Crafted in the Un...
Wood
$3,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
American of Martinsville Dania 3 Piece Louvered Walnut Desk Modular Unit
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Mid-Century Modern walnut low bench with modular desk and drawer cabinet designed by Merton Gerhsun for American of Martinsville's Dania line circa 60s. The low bench has three drawe...
Brass
1960s Vintage American of Martinsville Expandable Rolling Bar Cart
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Classic Mid-Century Modern walnut expandable rolling bar cart or server, Manufactured by American of Martinsville, designed by Merton L. Gershun. Expanding black laminate sliding top...
Formica, Wood
Mid century American of Martinsville Dania Tall Dresser
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Baltimore, MD
This exceedingly well-crafted American of Martinsville louvered slat front drawer highboy tall dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for his Dania collection. Features the mid-centu...
Brass
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
Mid Century American of Martinsville Highboy Dresser
By Merton Gershun, American of Martinsville
Located in Baltimore, MD
This exceedingly well-crafted American of Martinsville highboy dresser was designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, features the mid-century style and construction qu...
Faux Leather, Walnut
Pair of American of Martinsville Dressers Bleached Philippine Mahogany
By American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Pair of 3 drawer dressers made of mahogany. The drawers have a very interesting finish which gives a lot of character to the piece. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and hands-on cra...
Mahogany
Pair of Classic American Modern Nightstands for Restoration, 1960's
By Merton Gershun, Drexel, Kent-Coffey, Lane Acclaim
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Classic American Modern Nightstands, 1960's Basketweave Drawer Front & Travertine Tops * For Full Restoration * In good as found vintage condition for restoration - see ...
Travertine
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century "The Foreteller" Night Stands by Kent Coffey, 1950's
By Drexel, Broyhill, Lane Acclaim, Kent-Coffey, Merton Gershun
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century American Night Stands "The Foreteller" by Kent Coffey Tawny Walnut Finish "pair of vintage night stands in good as found condition / original finish wit...
Wood
Pair of Mid-Centry Modern Night Stands, American, 1950's
By Merton Gershun, Drexel, Kent-Coffey, Lane Acclaim
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Pair of Mid-Centry Modern Night Stands American, 1950's "nice size and form" "acquired as is. pair was recently refinished and stained by others. bottom of nightstands and bottom o...
Wood
Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.
ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN
MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW
ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS
VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS
The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.
Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively.
Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer.
Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.
The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by celebrated manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.
As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.
Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.
Generations turn over, and mid-century modern remains arguably the most popular style going. As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.