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.
5
to
5
5
5
5
4
5
2
3
1
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
5
2
2
1
5
5
441
80
76
62
41
Creator: Dunbar
Dunbar Magazine Tree #5336 Designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Denton, TX
Edward Wormley for Dunbar magazine tree in walnut with four cantilevered shelves that get deeper as the order descends from top to bottom. A rare model introduced in 1953 and was onl...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Walnut
1970's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Wall Shelving Unit Cabinet
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Etagere Shelf – Pair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Etagere Shelf – Pair
Each etagere measures: 20 wide x 20 deep x 79 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Glass, Wood
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 Shelves
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 perfect size.
Category
1950s American Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Related Items
Mid-Century Modern Bookcase by Ico Parisi for MIM Rome
By Ico Parisi, Mobili Italiani Moderni (MIM)
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Wall unit designed by Ico Parisi 1958 for MiM, Rome. All shelves are adjustable in height and also has moveable stands for books which are adjustable. The unit is designed to lean on...
Category
20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Aluminum
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 Shelves
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Chrome Smoked Glass Étagère Bookcase Shelf Baughman Style
By Milo Baughman
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Mid-Century Modern chrome and smoked glass étagère bookcase shelf. Item features sleek chrome metal frame, five smoked glass shelves, clean modernist lines, circa 1970s. Meas...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Chrome
H 74 in W 35.5 in D 16 in
1960's Pair of Vintage Chests by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in London, GB
A magnificent pair of vintage chests, these were made in the USA by Dunbar furniture, they were designed by Edward Wormley.
Edward Wormley was one of the leading pioneers of mid-cen...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Wood
Bookcase, partially closed cabinet, separator cabinet for environments, storage
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 Canaletto walnut finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a blue protective paint.
The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle.
The library is shipped semi assembled.
Libreria costituita da pali continui a sezione circolare in legno massello. Ripiani impiallacciati con bordatura in massello. Il tutto realizzato in noce canaletto finito con vernice trasparente.
La testa...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Wood, Walnut
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
Contemporary Crafted Bookcase, shelves, shelf sideboard wood Medulum Cabinet
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 Canaletto walnut finished with transparent paint. The head of the poles is coated with a blue protective paint.
The system is completed by two storage compartments that feature sliding doors with integrated handle.
The library is shipped semi assembled.
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 noce Canaletto finito con vernice trasparente.
La testa...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Wood, Walnut
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
String Shelf System, Bookcase with Bar Cabinet Teak by WHB Germany, 1950s
By WHB furniture
Located in Gaggenau, DE
a very unique and wonderful String shelving system unite made of Teak wood by WHB Deutschland, 1960s
Dimentions:
H: 190 cm
W: 217 cm
D: ...
Category
1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Teak
H 114.18 in W 85.44 in D 16.54 in
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
Restored Mid-Century Modern Walnut Bookcase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Indulge in the charm of vintage design with our expertly restored mid-century modern bookcase, skillfully crafted by our team of professional craftsmen...
Category
1980s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Metal
Angelo Mangiarotti Italian Wood Bookcases Shelves Cavalletto Model for Agapecasa
By AgapeCasa, Angelo Mangiarotti
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
A furnishing system made entirely of wood, designed by Angelo Mangiarotti in 1953.
Its distinctive feature is a trestle in the shape of an upturned “V”, which means it is superimposable by means of a siply gravity joint, and whose special perimeter section can accomodate bookshelves on which closed containers...
Category
2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Wood
H 46.46 in W 41.74 in D 15.75 in
Contemporary Handcrafted Bookcase, Shelf Sideboard, Cabinet Oak Wood Frommedulum
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
Oak, Wood
H 78.75 in W 78.75 in D 15.75 in
1950s Vintage Edward Wormley for Dunbar Cabinet
By Edward Wormley
Located in Boston, MA
Edward Wormely for Dunbar cabinet, circa 1950s. Presented in mahogany, showing lovely woodgrain details. Two doors open to three adjustable selves. Perfect size for various uses. Met...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Mahogany
Previously Available Items
1960s Étagère by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
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 perfect size. Matching ca...
Category
1950s American Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar "Long John" 72in Hanging Shelf
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Houston, 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 Costa Mesa, CA
Rare pair of bookcases model 5264 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley Dunbar Table
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Edward Wormley Dunbar Mahgonay Table. Early Dunbar Modern three platform top table in excellent condition. Dunbar branded Label model 4775 CA 1949.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Shelves
Materials
Mahogany
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
- 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.