Merton Gershun Mid Century Side or Coffee Table
Merton Gershun for American of
Martinsville Mid Century Modern square side, end or coffee Table.
Quality craftsmanship and materials. Structurally very solid. Very good vintage condition with minor wear.
Measures 31ʺW × 31ʺD × 16ʺH. Shipping Continental US $350.
MERTON L. GERSHUN:
Gershun,
designed some of the earliest modern furniture lines available in the
states and helped transition from traditional lighter woods to the
richer dark woods that were popular throughout the mid-century. While
designing with American of Martinsville, Merton Gershun designed over 12
different lines including but not limited to: Uptown, Legacy,
Dilettante, Mokatone Modern, Urban-Suburban, Silhouette, Dania,
Pristine, Fortissimo, Harlequin, and Kashmir. He also designed the
Samara, Orbit, Espirit, and Budgetrend lines for Dillingham.
During
his career he strove to bring affordable modern design to the average
American consumer. His designs sought many influences, from designing
furniture to make small spaces seem large, to influences in French and
Asian culture, and his use of many types of materials, elm, walnut,
birch, plastic, and porcelain. Notably his most recognized line, Dania
by American of Martinsville, was once the best-selling furniture line in
the world.
Later in his life, Gershun moved to Miami where he was
often found either on the road traveling to the American of Martinsville
plant in Martinsville, VA or as an avid golfer teeing off on the course
(low 80s). Gershun often would provide interviews for newspapers to
help young couples navigate the colors and layouts of their new homes.
“Many
people, he says, look upon modern furniture as a series of boxes of
various sizes and shapes, in varying heights off the floor. Modern is
more than that these days, combining beauty and usefulness, he says. The
advantage of American design is that the flavor of other worlds is
incorporated to assist the trend to the romantic look. Take your choice
of African figurines, Chinese lanterns, Italian marble, French faience
as well as America’s contributions- plastics, tile, fabrics-of unusual
durability, contrivance, and glamor.”
- Merton Gershun for the Greeley Daily Tribune, Greeley, Colorado 1956.
Merton Gershun died January 3rd, 1989.
Sweet Modern
