Dunbar Desks
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
Important Edward Wormley For Dunbar Drop-Leaf Desk in Tawi Walnut & Steel 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Before this desk was built in the early 1950s, top-class American furniture design was typically unrecognizable compared to the mid century design that exploded in the late 1950s. Across the pond in Europe, the mid century revolution had already happened, yielding huge success in the form of designers and architects like Ettore Sottsass and many more. This inspired Dunbar to produce this desk: one of the most conservatively designed Dunbar models ever at the time. Then, it probably looked incredibly sleek and handsome. Now, it stands as a piece of history not only for Dunbar, but for American design as a whole.
In classic Dunbar fashion, the construction of the desk is absolutely in the top of its class. Known for overbuilt pieces, this desk takes it to another level. A frame of black enameled square tubular steel supports a mahogany cabinet with four drawers of the same material, attached with beautiful solid brass hardware. The top is of a rare form of walnut called tawi, which has an interesting grain structure that's visibly more smooth than figured walnut, and is secured to the base with no less than 12 high-quality brass screws. The hinges for the drop side are also uncessesarily intricate, and feature exceptional stability and smoothness. When the drop side is extended, it feels like a perfect natural extension of the main work surface. To top it all off, the drop side has sliding support panel on the underside made of solid rosewood, one of the most expensive and premium woods. Signed in the interior of the second drawer with a metal label. An extraordinary construction for an extraordinary piece of history.
In good condition. Top has been refinished and is ready for another generation of use. Structurally excellent. Drawers slide smoothly with almost no dip when extended. Drop side is sturdy and hinges feel great.
If desired, we can restore this desk even more. We can repaint the frame black, we can refinish the cabinet, polish brass, etc. As it stands, it has a nice original patina that adds to the character of the desk. Let us know what you'd likle to see! We have decades of experience restoring vintage furniture...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Brass, Steel
1950s Mid-Century Modern Walnut Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lafayette, IN
Grand style and grand scale combine in this wonderful executive desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Desk features walnut construction, brass and mahogany pulls, and the renowned Dunba...
Category
1950s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Brass
$2,975 Sale Price
50% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk and Return
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
1960s Edward Wormley desk and ensuite return, label, currently being refinished, desk.
Measures: 72 W x 36.5 D x 29 H.
Return
60 W x 30.5 D x 29 H.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Wood
$5,800 / set
Rare 1940s Elegant Edward Wormley for Dunbar Partners Desk Leather Top & Drawers
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Simply put, perhaps the most elegant desk designed by Edward J. Wormley. This very rare and early partner's desk, designed for Dunbar, c. 1940, model number 4600. Leather wrapped desk...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Brass
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Rosewood table desk on Bronze plinth bases
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Ferndale, MI
Purchased from the estate of the original owner .
Fine rosewood executive desk designed by Roger Lee Sprunger . Sprunger was head of Design at Dunbar following Edward Wormley . The ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Desks
Materials
Bronze
Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Rosewood and Mahogany Rolltop Desk
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful Dunbar roll top desk designed by Edward Wormley.. It features two roll top tambour sections and a center flat section. There are three...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Desk with Drop Leaves and File Cabinet in Dark Finish
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St. Louis, MO
Uncommon Mid-Century Modern Edward Wormley model no.301-A designed compact desk for Dunbar, with two drop leaf extensions and model no.302-A pedestal file cabinet on wheels. Desk has...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar MCM Model 452 Rosewood Tambour Door Executive Desk
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century Model 452 Rosewood Tambour door executive desk
This desk measures: 74.5 wide x 28 deep x 35 high, with a chair clearance of 24 inches
All ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Brass
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Chrome and Walnut Executive Desk
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Chrome and Walnut Executive Desk
This desk measures: 76 wide x 36 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 27 inches
All pieces of furnitur...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Chrome
Dunbar Contract Division Mid Century Executive Desk
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Dunbar contract division Mid Century executive desk
Desk measures: 72 wide x 36 deep x 28.5 inches high
All pieces of furniture ca...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Plexiglass, Wood
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Executive Oak Desk
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Mid Century Executive Oak Desk
This desk measures: 84.25 wide x 33 deep x 29.25 inches high, with a ch...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks
Materials
Oak
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Dunbar desks for sale on 1stDibs.
Dunbar desks 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 desks, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original desks by Dunbar were created in the mid-century modern style in north america during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks by Florence Knoll, Knoll, and Harvey Probber. Prices for Dunbar desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,499 and can go as high as $12,995, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,148.
Creators Similar to Dunbar
Questions About Dunbar Desks
- 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.
- 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.