Dunbar Rosewood Executive Writing Desk
View Similar Items
Dunbar Rosewood Executive Writing Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Roger Sprunger (Designer),Dunbar Furniture (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29 in (73.66 cm)Width: 72 in (182.88 cm)Depth: 32 in (81.28 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960s
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:Seller: 9051stDibs: 1410279187985
Dunbar Furniture
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.
- Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Desk, 1960Located in Chicago, ILMid-Century Modern rosewood desk, circa 1960s. Newly refinished rosewood top with black ebonized base.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960By Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILEdward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960. Restored and reupholstered in gray mohair.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Benches
MaterialsMohair, Walnut
- Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa Plinth Base, 1970By Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILDunbar tuxedo sofa, 1970. Original 1970s sofa reupholstered in 1980s fabric with black plinth base.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsUpholstery
- Pair Dunbar Chairs Gray Boucle, 1960By Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILPair Dunbar chairs gray boucle, 1960. Newly reupholstered gray boucle leather welt and brushed stainless steel legs.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsSteel
$8,800 / set - Dunbar Bookcase Wall Units by Edward WormleyBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Chicago, ILPair 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
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases
MaterialsBrass
$9,500 / set - Dunbar Model 7350 Sofas by Edward WormleyBy Edward Wormley, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Chicago, ILDunbar Model 7350 sofas by Edward Wormley. Vintage 1970’s sofas with more recent grey & pink silk upholstery.Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Sofas
MaterialsSilk
$9,500 / set
- Edward Wormley Executive Tambour-Door Rosewood Desk for DunbarBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Los Angeles, CARosewood executive desk by Edward Wormley c.1950s, USA, for Dunbar. The desk has three shallow drawers that run the length of the desk. The top of the desk features two roll top tamb...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Stunning Rare Rosewood and Brass Platform Desk by Roger Sprunger for DunbarBy Roger Sprunger, Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Pemberton, NJA 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Edward Wormley for Dunbar MCM Model 452 Rosewood Tambour Door Executive DeskBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Countryside, ILEdward 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
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Dunbar Contract Division Mid Century Executive DeskBy Dunbar FurnitureLocated in Countryside, ILDunbar contract division Mid Century executive desk Desk measures: 72 wide x 36 deep x 28.5 inches high All pieces of furniture ca...Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsPlexiglass, Wood
- Dunbar Large Walnut Executive Desk with ReturnBy Dunbar Furniture, Edward WormleyLocated in Rockaway, NJSolid chrome legs walnut Dunbar desk with return.Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Executive rosewood writing desk by erik riisager hansenBy Erik Riisager Hansen 1, Haslev MobelsnedkeriLocated in Berkeley, CAThis rare Danish modern executive desk was designed by Erik Riisager Hansen for Haslev Møbelsnedkeri in the 1960s. The beautiful banding seamlessly joins to the exterior mounted legs...Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood