Dunbar Shelves
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
1960s Sculptural Pair Étagère Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a pair mid-century sculptural Étagères (Set of 2) by Roger Sprunger
for Dunbar Indian, USA circa the 1960s.
Dimensions: 79.25, 79 H x 20.25 W x 20.25 D.
On...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Display Shelf/ Room Divider Super-Structure Model 5223
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Versatile Room Divider/ Display Shelf, Super-Structure Model number 5223 Designed to be used on top of a cabinet, or on the floor. This simple elegant Pie...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Cerused Oak Cabinet for Dunbar, 1950s USA
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Absolutely stunning cerused Oak cabinet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Made in the 1950s USA. The bottom of cabinet is a plinth base wrapped in black leather.
Two wavy sliding plank...
Category
1950s American Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Leather, Oak
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 Shelves
Materials
Leather, Oak
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 Shelves
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 Shelves
Materials
Walnut
$3,200
Related Items
Dunbar Roger Sprunger Rosewood and Stainless Steel Desk
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Pasadena, TX
A Mid-Century Modern executive desk in the style of Roger Sprunger. Rosewood with stainless steel double pedestal base. Three drawers including one file and two regular with two pull...
Category
1970s American Vintage Dunbar Shelves
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$5,800 Sale Price
26% Off
H 29.5 in W 72.5 in D 36.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Chest of Drawers/Tall Dresser with Brass Pulls
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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Elegant tall dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Featuring 5 drawers each with a pair of solid brass drawer pulls.
Constructed out of solid wood and veneer. Dunbar is one of the ...
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Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Shelves
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H 42 in W 35 in D 18 in
Mogens Koch Four Bookcases for Rud Rasmussen
By Rud Rasmussen, Mogens Koch
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Mogens Koch four bookcases in pine. Executed by Rud Rasmussen.
Reverse with paper labels ‘RUD. RASMUSSENS/SNEDKERIER/KØBENHAVN/DANMARK.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Pine
Midcentury Blonde Oak Barrister's Bookcase Display Cabinet
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Well constructed blonde oak barrister in good condition with brass knobs and sound mechanism. Dismantles easily on raised base, nice size. Shows beautifu...
Category
1950s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Oak
$2,970 Sale Price
24% Off
H 61.5 in W 50.5 in D 10 in
Walnut and Mahogany Sideboard, Model 4579, by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in 1945, this exquisite sideboard, model 4579, appeared in the 1997 exhibition "The Other Face of Modernism." With its bold brass hinges and pul...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Brass
$6,900
H 37.75 in W 69 in D 18 in
Restored Edward Wormley Dunbar Walnut & Leather 8-Drawer Dresser or Cabinet
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This dresser was designed by decorated design icon Edward Wormly for equally revered manufacturer Dunbar Furniture. Known for hundreds of successful designs and exceptional quality, ...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Leather, Walnut
$6,800
H 36 in W 71 in D 18.5 in
Rare Mister Dresser by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Diego, CA
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Mahogany
Osvaldo Borsani E22 Double Sided Freestanding Wall Unit for Tecno, Italy, 1950s
By Osvaldo Borsani, Tecno
Located in Chiavari, Liguria
This double-sided freestanding E22 bookcase is a rare and peculiar example of Borsani's innovative design and the Tecno manufacturing expertise. Its construction of metal, wood, and ...
Category
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Metal
$5,674
H 118.12 in W 28.75 in D 30.71 in
1960s McCobb Modular Walnut Sculptural Bookcase Etagere Shelves Display Cabinet
By Paul McCobb
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, versatile, bookcase, etagere display shelves with drawers you could hope to find. O...
Category
1960s European Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Brass
$11,500 / set
H 74 in W 38 in D 13.5 in
Paul McCobb for Calvin Two Piece Etagere / Room Divider Circa 1960s
By Paul McCobb, Calvin Furniture
Located in Peabody, MA
A two-piece etagere by Paul McCobb for Calvin Furniture, circa 1960s, in walnut with brushed aluminum framework and hardware. Can also serve as a room divider if desired.
Base meas...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
$4,500 Sale Price
30% Off
H 75.5 in W 60 in D 18 in
Pontile bookcase and cabinet, in oak wood by AccardiBuccheri for Medulum
By Mauro Accardi & Silvia Buccheri
Located in Meolo, Venezia
Bookcase made of a series of solid wood poles with circular section, veneered shelves with solid wood edging, all made of Oak wood finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a brick red protective paint.
The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle.
The library is shipped semi assembled.
Cod. e DIM: — PON bookcase W200 x H200 x D40 cm
MATERIALS: oak wood
COLORS: colors head poles
Design by Accardi Buccheri for Medulum
Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in legno di rovere finito con vernice trasparente.
La testa...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Wood, Oak
$4,388 Sale Price / item
20% Off
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Mahogany Glass Front Bookcase
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
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 Shelves
Materials
Brass
$2,795
H 34.5 in W 48 in D 15 in
Previously Available Items
1970's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wall Shelving Unit Cabinet
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage Mid-century Modern shelf for sale. It was manufactured in the 1970's by Dunbar, and designed by Edward Wormley. It has a lower credenza with cabinets and a drawer and shelves...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Glass, Burl
1960s Étagère by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Dunbar étagère in original cream colored lacquer over a solidly constructed wood base (with splined corners) allowing decorative objects to be displayed...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Wood
1950s Burled Wall Console by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A burled Finnish birch demilune wall shelf with single drawer. Mirror sold separately.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Birch
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Double Bookcase
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...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley 'Magazine Tree' Shelves for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Utrecht, NL
Magazine tree, model 4765 by American designer Edward Wormley executed in birch and sap grain walnut, designed in 1947 for Dunbar Furniture USA.
A very special, functional and aesth...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Birch, Walnut
Serving Cart by Edward Wormley, Rosewood Frame, Black Slate Top, Cork Shelves
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Kansas City, MO
Edward Wormley for Dunbar serving cart or bar trolley with drawer on brass casters. Beautiful mix of materials: Sculpted Brazilian rosewood frame (see details in photos), shelves are...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Slate, Brass
H 30 in W 37 in D 18 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Geometric Étagère
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
Offering a very rare Mid-Century Modern étagère by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The étagère features white lacquered wood in a unique geometric design. There are four glass s...
Category
1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Edward J Wormley for Dunbar Op Art Etagere / Bookcase in Original Yellow Lacquer
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A shelving unit designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar comprising a hardwood frame in an optical art design with three glass shelves and a solid bottom shelf. It retains its original ...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
H 79 in W 20 in D 20 in
Walnut and Birch Magazine Tree by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
Edward Wormley designed this multi-tiered magazine tree, model number 4765, for Dunbar in the late 1940s. The trunk and limbs are constructed in birch, while the five shelves feature...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Birch, Walnut
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 Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Long John" 72in Hanging Shelf
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Amarillo, TX
Edward Wormley
Long John hanging shelf in original condition. Matching "Long John" coffee table available.
Dunbar
model 5234
USA , 1946
sap-grain walnut
72 w x 13 d x 11.5...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Rare Bookcases Model 5264 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Rare pair of bookcases model 5264 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Dunbar shelves for sale on 1stDibs.
Dunbar shelves 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 shelves, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original shelves 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 shelves by Edward Wormley, Herman Miller, and Frederic Weinberg. Prices for Dunbar shelves can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $2,425 and can go as high as $19,495, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $6,800.
Creators Similar to Dunbar
Questions About Dunbar Shelves
- 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.