Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
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
Dunbar Desk in Ebony & Ivory Oak with Wood Pulls 1960s Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in National City, CA
Dunbar desk
Made by Dunbar designer Edward Wormley modern two-tone desk ebony espresso & ivory honey oak wood 1960s USA
Exceptional design on drawer pulls. Maker metal tag is prese...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Oak
American Walnut Ed Wormley for Dunbar Double Pedestal Desk w/ Folding Return
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Rockaway, NJ
American walnut Ed Wormley for Dunbar double pedestal desk w/ folding return.
Uniquer folding return desk feature, nice architectural design back, beautiful amber honey tone finish.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Walnut Mid-Century Modern Executive Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Mid-Century Modern executive desk.
Design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture United States.
Striking American design from the 1950s.
Solid walnut ba...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Burled Olive Wood Parsons Console Table by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Stamford, CT
A Parsons console / writing table with faceted triangular legs and rectangular top. marked Dunbar with dated paper tag, 1976.
Category
1970s American Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Olive
Dunbar Vivid Rosewood Grain Low Profile Mid-Century Modern Desk Writing Table
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern rosewood top ebonies frame two drawers desk writing table by Dunbar. Could be used a dining table alternative.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Rosewood
Rosewood and Mahogany Roll Top Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rosewood and mahogany roll top desk, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, circa 1960s. This piece is being refinished and will look incredible when completed. The price n...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley Desk by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This striking midcentury writing desk features iconic Edward Wormley design including large metal ring drawer pulls, formica style top, and two tone construction. The striking mix of...
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Vintage Executive Rosewood Tambour Doors Desk Model #452 by Edward J. Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Burbank, CA
Elegant vintage executive desk designed by Edward J. Wormley for Dunbar in the United States in 1957. This iconic model #452 desk features a solid walnut frame and writing surface wi...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Mahogany Writing Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An octagonal mahogany writing desk designed by Edward Wormley with a single drawer. Made by Dunbar in the USA, circa 1957.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut, Mahogany
Rosewood and Mahogany Receptionist Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This spectacular fully restored and sought-after model #452 'Roll Top' desk was designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and features beautifully grained Rosewood and Ebonized Mahogany,...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Rosewood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid-Century Modern Walnut Writing Desk, Refinished
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Mid-Century Modern writing desk
By Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture
USA, 1950s
Patchwork bleached walnut top, with solid walnut legs and brass-capped feet....
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Mid Century Walnut Executive Desk
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Dunbar mid century walnut executive desk.
Desk measures: 84.25 wide x 40.25 deep x 29 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage condition. T...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
1950s Demilune Vanity or Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A solid wood double pedestal desk or vanity with demilune curve to accommodate seating and vertically stacked dowel drawer pulls.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Dunbar Large Walnut Executive Desk with Return
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Solid chrome legs walnut Dunbar desk with return.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
English Oak and Chrome Desk by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Dorchester, MA
Designed for Dunbar by Roger Sprunger, this modern, clean-lined desk places a top of now rare English oak on two slab supports in chrome. Three shallow drawers each have a well for p...
Category
1970s American Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Chrome
Stunning Rare Rosewood and Brass Platform Desk by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A stunning sleek rosewood desk with three minimal drawers that disappear into the apron. This wonderful desk has the very rare brass pedestal legs. Dunbar metal tag is inside the lef...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Clean Lined Console Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean lined console table, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, American, circa 1960s. This table is a versatile size and can be used as a console or sofa table, or as a desk, bar,...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Dunbar Contract Division Mid Century Executive Desk
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Countryside, IL
Dunbar contract division Mid Century executive desk
Desk measures: 72 wide x 36 deep x 28.5 inches high
All pieces of furniture can be had in what we call restored vintage condit...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Plexiglass, Wood
Partners Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A mahogany partners desk with original leather top and base and brass hardware. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
1950s Double Pedestal Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An elegant and finely proportioned bleached walnut double pedestal desk with ample storage floating on dowel-shaped brass legs.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
1970s Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Black Writing Desk
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a stunning yet sleek, desk by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar, circa the 1970s. Striking in its simplicity, this seven-feet long desk is where streamlined desi...
Category
1970s North American Art Deco Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Streamline Desk by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
An asymmetrical cantilevered mahogany desk designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Category
1950s Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 7 Drawer Desk
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar 7 drawers with laminated pulls Desk model 4681 two-toned finishes in mahogany wood, Back is recessed with glass display/storage shelf. [Dunbar label inside ...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Roll Top Writing Desk by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A stately and elegant rosewood and mahogany campaign desk having three drawers and two rosewood roll-top compartments flanking a central writing surface with a flip-down back splash,...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Writing Desk Designed by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Palm Desert, CA
This is a Dunbar writing desk designed by Edward Wormley. This desk has the original order ticket taped under the drawer and features the original finish. The drawer includes a built...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
MCM Edward Wormley for Dunbar Teak Table Console
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Lake Worth, FL
Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage MCM EDWARD WORMLEY for DUNBAR Teak Desk w Drawer Mid Century modern
Approximate Measurements...
Category
1960s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Teak
Floating Edward Wormley for Dunbar Executive Extending Desks, 1970s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Antwerp, BE
A rare and sleek Mid-Century Modern executive desks by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Furniture. The desks features stunning solid walnut grain and sleek midcentury design. The desk is fi...
Category
1970s British Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Nutwood
Vintage Modern Dunbar Leather Top Desk
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Leather top double pedestal ten drawer executive desk in mahogany by Dunbar. The unique faux-tortoise shell finish on the leather top of this mid-century executive desk makes an impr...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
Walnut Lectern by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A unique and elegant lectern in walnut with a roll top cover and a single drawer.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Petite Dining Table or Desk
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Unusual and versatile Edward Wormley table. Table could function as a dinette table for 2-4 people, a desk, or a game table. Refinished walnut top sits above mahogany legs capped wit...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Mahogany, Walnut
Dunbar desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs
1stDibs offers Dunbar desks and writing tables for sale. These distinctive objects are often made of wood and designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Dunbar desks and writing tables, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. There are 29 vintage versions of these items in stock, while there is 0 modern edition to choose from as well. Many of Dunbar's original desks and writing tables were created in the mid-century modern style in the United States during the 20th century. If you are looking for additional options, many customers also consider desks and writing tables by George Nelson, Florence Knoll and Edward Wormley. Prices for Dunbar writing tables and desks can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes. Price for these items starts at $2,500 and tops out at $15,000, while pieces like these can sell for $7,400 on average.