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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Glass Front Bookcase
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A sleek and stylish Mid-Century Modern glass front bookcase or display cabinet
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture
USA, 1950s
Bleached mahogany, with glass front doors and orig...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookcases With Floating Drawers- a Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Edward Wormley designed bookcase for Dunbar. Both shelves have a floating drawer that hangs from below. Beautiful walnut case with a base wrapped in the original leather which sho...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Walnut
Dunbar Bookcase Wall Units by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Edward Wormley Cerused Oak Cabinet for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous oak cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Made in the 1950s and still a beautiful and practical piece today. Newly refinished in a cerused Oak, making the wood maintain its ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Leather, Oak
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
#6027 Edward Wormley for Dunbar Super Structure Display Cabinet
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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
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
Mahogany Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handsome mahogany cabinet/dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Two shelves flank each side with 5 drawers running down the middle. 2 thick wave panels on...
Category
1950s American Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany, Leather
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
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
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cain Front Mahogany Sideboard on a Plinth Base
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Sideboard Credenza
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Eleven Drawer Dresser, Circa 1950s
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Located in Peabody, MA
Eleven drawer dresser, consisting of a row of three shallow drawers, over eight graduated drawers, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, ca. 1950s.
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Rare Mister Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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A superb example of a Mid-century modern design, the mahogany tamboured Mister cabinet has an undulating face, expressive hairpin legs, and a useful sixteen drawer configuration. New...
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Low Filer Drawer Cabinet #825 in Walnut
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Cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bi-Fold Cabinet
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bi-Fold Oak Cabinet. Great scale and size at only 36" wide and 30.25" tall. Perfect for tight spaces or in an entrance area. Oak veneer with chrome swag ...
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Midcentury Mahogany Encyclopedia Low Bookcase, 1960s
Located in Germantown, MD
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Previously Available Items
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookcase model 686 in mahogany and leather
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Located in Virginia Beach, VA
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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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rotating Bookcase Table '2/2'
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A rare revolving bookcase designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Model no. 5405.
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookshelf
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Mid-Century Bookcase Edward Wormley for Dunbar Etagere, 1970
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Walnut Glass Front Bookcase, 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
A stunning Mid-Century Modern display cabinet or bookcase
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture
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Walnut, with glass front doors and original brass hardware.
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Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Bookcases
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Partners Desk with Bookshelf in Ebony with Red Leather
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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.
Elrod placed this Edward Wormley for Dunbar Partners desk...
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
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H 30.13 in W 57.25 in D 30.25 in
Vintage Low Walnut Bookcase by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage low walnut bookcase by Dunbar.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar End Table with Book Shelf
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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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1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
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Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Superstructure Breakfront Cabinet or Bookcase
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A rare and exceptional custom "superstructure" breakfront wall unit display cabinet or bookcase
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USA, 1950s
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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
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H 96.38 in W 84 in D 15 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bookcase
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Edward Wormley designed bookcase for Dunbar. Both shelves have a floating drawer that hangs from below. Walnut case has been refinished, and interior shelves have been cleaned. In...
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1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
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Edward Wormley for Dunbar Revolving Bookcase Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A gorgeous rotating bookcase by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Model No. 5405
Dark ebonized finish has faint undertones which has worn beautifully.
Measures: 21.5” wide
21.5” deep
25.5...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Bookcases
Materials
Brass
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
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024To identify Dunbar furniture, search your piece for maker's markings. Some pieces feature a D-shaped metal tag, while others bear a metal plaque with the brand name etched on its surface, with or without the company's location: Berne, Indiana. Dunbar also branded its name onto the wood frames of certain furnishings. Upholstered pieces will most likely have the brand name on a label sewn onto a cushion. If you have difficulty locating a maker's mark, a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer will assist you. Shop a variety of Dunbar furniture on 1stDibs.
- 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.