Dunbar Bookcases
American
Revered for its handcrafted and highly collectible mid-century modern sofas, coffee tables and other furnishings, Dunbar Furniture was founded in 1910 in Berne, Indiana, but it didn’t gain widespread recognition until the ’30s, following the introduction of its president to a designer who would leave an indelible mark on the company’s legacy: Edward Wormley.
After a stint at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Oswego, Illinois-born Wormley worked as an interior designer for Marshall Field’s before joining Dunbar in 1931. Initially focused on developing the company’s cheapest furniture line, which could be bought with soap coupons, he was soon leading Dunbar Furniture into a new era of residential furniture for modern American homes. He would serve as the company’s design director for over three decades, designing about 150 pieces each year.
During that time, he oversaw the production of designs in a wide range of materials, with influences ranging from Scandinavian modernism to Art Deco. There were modern upholstery pieces, like swiveling lounge chairs and low-slung sofas, and experiments with textural wood on bar carts and cabinets as well as minimal, sculptural tables and functional office furniture. A passionate collector of Tiffany Studios lamps, Wormley used their glass tiles in Dunbar tables in 1956. He also worked on the reproduction of pieces by designers such as Jean-Michel Frank and Richard Riemerschmid.
One standout Dunbar Furniture collection was Janus, introduced in the 1960s, with Austrian-born ceramicists Otto and Gertrud Natzler. These pieces see the Natzlers’ uniquely artful ceramic tiles set into several styles of wooden tables. They remain some of the most sought-after mid-century modern Dunbar pieces on the vintage market today. During the peak of his design career and, indeed, the height of Dunbar Furniture’s history, Wormley amassed a whopping 30 Good Design awards between 1950 and 1955 through the “Good Design” exhibition, hosted by the Chicago Merchandise Mart and the Museum of Modern Art. Dunbar today produces a limited selection of archival Wormley designs, but many sales of original Dunbar pieces are through the resale market.
Find a collection of authentic vintage Dunbar Furniture today on 1stDibs.
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Creator: Dunbar
Mahogany Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome mahogany dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Two shelves flank each side with 5 drawers running down the middle. 2 thick wave panels on the front of the dresser form slidi...
Category
1950s American Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley Dunbar Banded Mahogany Stepped Bookcase 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Forest Grove, PA
A well made and designed bookcase by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and sold by Pioneer Furniture Company, "Detroit's Finest Furniture Store".
The bookcase features a subtle stepped silh...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Cabinet 6026 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautiful and very elegant cabinet model # 6026 designed by Edward Wormely for Dunbar. This cabinet was purchased for the Neptune Gift Shop in New Jersey in 1963 and is constructed o...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Bookcase Wall Units by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of bookcases designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960. Fully restored. Espresso stained mahogany, glass shelves, and brass details. Glass shelves can be arranged as nee...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Rare Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley Dunbar Walnut Corner Bookcase Console 38"
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture corner bookcase record console. Made of walnut featuring modular cubist "L" shape form with five tapered metal legs.
Founded in 1910, Dunbar Furniture established a reputation for providing quality handcrafted products. The original Dunbar products were fine horse drawn buggies but with the invention of the automobile the company transformed into creating fine furnishings for the home. In 1931, Edward J. Wormley joined Dunbar as a young designer. Wormley's knowledge of furniture history and his global perspective became key in Dunbar's sucess over the next three decades. By the middle of the 20th century, Dunbar and Wormley had become true icons of American furniture design. The company participated in the 1950 Good Design exhibit with the Museum of Modern Art and dominated for the next three years. Dunbar and Wormley's legacy remain today as the company continues to produce for a growing international audicence. Vintage Dunbar Furniture...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Model 5264 Shelf Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid-century model 5264 shelf bookcase.
This bookcase measures: 48 wide x 14.25 deep x 74.25 inches high.
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Dunbar Cabinet
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome walnut cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Three shelves with bottom of cabinet wrapped in tan leather. Newly refinished in grey. Great color and per...
Category
1950s American Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
#6027 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Super Structure Display Cabinet
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Super Structure display cabinet
Stunning cabinet constructed of dark walnut with a brass plated plinth base.
Concave fron...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley Book Case Designed for Dunbar, circa 1953
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Camden, ME
Tapering three-shelved walnut bookcase / plate stand designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Green Dunbar Berne Indiana metal tag is on the reverse.
The bookcase is in excellent con...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley Midcentury Magazine Rack for Dunbar in Brass and Wood Brown, 1950
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Milano, IT
A timeless Classic. The Dunbar production relies on designer Edward Wormley to design this elegant magazine rack, which at the same time serves as a cabinet or coffee table.
The pec...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Brass
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Previously Available Items
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookcase model 686 in mahogany and leather
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A rare bookcase designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, model no. 686. This bookcase features a mahogany case with subtle fluted edge profile. The suspended drawers are finished in a ...
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This is a great little bookshelf by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, c1960.
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Mid-Century Bookcase Edward Wormley for Dunbar Etagere, 1970
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Located in Los Angeles, CA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mod Etagere circa 1970 found in good condition showing normal signs of previous use. Made in the style of Mid-Century Modern.
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Located in South Bend, IN
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Partners Desk with Bookshelf in Ebony with Red Leather
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Uncommon Edward Wormley for Dunbar, partners or library desk from an Arthur Elrod designed interior. Rear of desk flanked with bookcases on both sides of pedestals and two drawers with pullout writing surfaces. Main side contains center drawer, with four drawers per side, with file depth drawers on both left and right sides. Measurements per drawer are listed below after all text. Each drawer having a round brass pull and inlaid wood insert. Original red leather top, divided into three sections, same leather is used to wrap base. Retain brass Dunbar label. Original finish, with touch up, if perfection is sought, consider refinishing.
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H 30.13 in W 57.25 in D 30.25 in
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By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage low walnut bookcase by Dunbar.
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Edward Wormley 1940s end table/ bookcase designed for Dunbar Furniture. Retains original finish that shows some wear. Use as is or refinish in your color choice! Retains original label.
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By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A rare and exceptional mid-century modern mahogany double bookcase designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The bookcase features gorgeous maho...
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Dunbar bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.
Dunbar bookcases are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of wood and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dunbar bookcases, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original bookcases by Dunbar were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider bookcases by Edward Wormley, Maitland Smith, and Paul Evans. Prices for Dunbar bookcases can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,900 and can go as high as $19,495, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $4,475.
Creators Similar to Dunbar
Questions About Dunbar Bookcases
- Where is Dunbar Furniture made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022Dunbar furniture is made in High Point, North Carolina. The original location of the company was Berne, Indiana. Its relocation occurred after Currey & Co. bought Dunbar from founder James Wormley in 1970. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Dunbar furniture.