Dunbar Furniture
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
Dealer: Modern Drama
Dunbar Tuxedo Sofa Plinth Base, 1970
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar tuxedo sofa, 1970. Original 1970s sofa reupholstered in 1980s fabric with black plinth base.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Edward Wormley Long John Bench by Dunbar, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Long John Bench by Dunbar, 1960. Bench has been completely restored.
Measures 59.75" long, 18.75" deep 12" tall
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Tete a Tete Sofa by Edward Wormley, 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Tete a Tete Sofa by Edward Wormley, 1960. Newly reupholstered in a beautiful cut velvet. Tete a Tete is also on casters.
Measures 91" long, 2...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Velvet
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench, 1960. Restored and reupholstered in gray mohair.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Walnut
Pair Dunbar Lounge Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Dunbar Lounge Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960. Walnut legs restored and newly reupholstered in blue boucle.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Bouclé, Walnut
Dunbar Leather and Brass Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Leather and Brass Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley, 1960. Original leather.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Dunbar Model 7350 Sofas by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Model 7350 sofas by Edward Wormley. Vintage 1970’s sofas with more recent grey & pink silk upholstery.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Silk
Pair Dunbar Chairs Gray Boucle, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair Dunbar chairs gray boucle, 1960. Newly reupholstered gray boucle leather welt and brushed stainless steel legs.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Steel
Dunbar “Kips Bay Sofa” by John Saladino
By John Saladino, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar “Kips Bay Sofa” by John Saladino edited by Stanley Tigerman for an interior.
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Silk
Manhattan Lounge Chairs in Bauhaus Fabric, Dunbar 1980
By John Saladino, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Manhattan lounge chairs by John Saladino for Dunbar. circa 1980. Upholstered in Bauhaus fabric.
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Dunbar Sofa by Edward Wormley on Brass Legs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Fully restored in beautiful fog grey mohair over polished brass legs. Sofa designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1950s.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Related Items
Restored Edward Wormley Tuxedo Sofa for Dunbar in yellow beige fabric, USA 1960s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Berlin, DE
Edward wormley tuxedo sofa for Dunbar, USA 1960s. Three-seat sofa with respectively three seat and back cushions. All freshly reupholstered ...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
H 28.75 in W 110.24 in D 33.47 in
RAOUL SOFA - Modern Channeled Sofa on Brass Plinth Base in COM
By Susan Hornbeak-Ortiz
Located in Laguna Niguel, CA
RAOUL SOFA - Modern Channeled Sofa on Brass Plinth Base in COM
The Raoul sofa sounds like a luxurious and stylish piece of furniture that draws inspiration from Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture...
Category
2010s American Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Sheet Metal
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Style "Long John" Bench, Coffee Table, 1950s
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Long Edward Wormley for dunbar style walnut "long john" Bench. Coffee Table. Bed End. Featuring a longer rectangular slat-style Walnut surface, turned edge...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Classic Edward Wormley for Dunbar Bench
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An Edward Wormley for Dunbar upholstered (half) and open mahogany (the other half) bench. Brass spacers, original fabric, circa 1970s.
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Sofa by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dorchester, MA
This elegant sofa is a classic 1950s design by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. It features a tufted back and a long bench seat resting on tapered walnut fee...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Walnut
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Long John Bench
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Countryside, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Long John bench
This bench measures: 83.75 wide x 19 deep x 12 inches high, with a seat height of 12 inches
All pieces of furniture can be...
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Wood
"Long John" Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Westport, CT
Introducing the epitome of mid-century elegance: the "Long John" Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, meticulously restored to its original glory by Stamford Modern. Crafted wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Suelo Modern Wood Sofa with Plinth Base
By Bertu Furniture
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
This Suelo Modern wood sofa with plinth base is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The sofa's silhouette is simple, modern, a...
Category
2010s American Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Middlesex, NJ
Pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs are reupholstered in a Maharam Mohair.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Pair of Edward Wormley Slipper Chairs for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Culver City, CA
Available right now we have an absolutely stunning pair of slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. These chairs have been freshly reupholstered in a wonderful nubby white boucle...
Category
1950s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Bouclé
1940's Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany Regency Style X Form Bench or Stool
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Early design for Dunbar, mahogany bench or vanity stool model 1050. Curved or X form base with classical styling, with older upholstered seat. Mahogany frame will be restored prior t...
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Leather, Mahogany
H 20.63 in W 20.25 in D 14.24 in
Clean Lined Tuxedo Sofa in the manner of Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Atlanta, GA
Clean Lined Tuxedo Sofa, in the manner of Edward Wormley for Dunbar, unsigned, American, circa 1960s. This sofa is being completely restored and can be completed in your choice of wo...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Previously Available Items
Edward Wormley Tete-a-Tete Sofa for Dunbar White Boucle, 1950
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley Tete-a-Tete Sofa for Dunbar White Boucle, 1950. Restored and reupholstered in white boucle. Mahogany legs with brass feet.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Rolling Side/End Table, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar rolling side/end table, 1960.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Early Pair of Dunbar Curved Sofas, 1940
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Early Pair of Dunbar Sofas, 1940. Newer upholstery in good condition. Price is per sofa.
Category
1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Upholstery
Dunbar "Y-Back Captain Armchairs" by Edward Wormley, 1950
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair "Captain Armchairs" Dunbar by Edward Wormley, 1950.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Cane, Walnut
Dunbar Daybed/Sofa by Edward Wormley, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar Daybed sofa by Edward Wormley, 1960. Daybed has brass legs and new white boucle with leather strapping.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Brass
8 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Set of 8 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1960. 6 side chairs and 2 arm chairs. Caning is in excellent condition...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Cane, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Tripod Table, 1960
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Side/End Table, 1960. Tripod drink table. Fully restored/refinished.
Category
1960s Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Wood
Manhattan Lounge Chairs Bauhaus Fabric, 1980
By John Saladino, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Manhattan lounge chairs by John Saladino for Dunbar. circa 1980. Upholstered in Bauhaus fabric.
Category
1980s American Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric
Pair of Dunbar Swivel Chairs by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of early design swivel chairs by Edward Wormley. Fully restored. Refinished mahogany bases, covered n angora mohair.
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mohair, Mahogany
Dunbar Lounge Chairs with Ottoman by Edward Wormley
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Dunbar lounge chairs with ottoman by Edward Wormely. Down filled chairs are upholstered in beige boucle white leather piping. Chairs are extremely comf...
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Bouclé
Dunbar X-Base Janus Stools by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of “Thebes” stools by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Fully restored. Based refinished in Dunbar espresso tone over mahogany. New foam cushion reupholstered in blue velvet.
Category
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Mohair
Dunbar Rosewood Executive Writing Desk
By Edward Wormley, Roger Sprunger, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Rosewood executive desk by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar. Beautiful figural rosewood top floats on chrome plinth bases. Rosewood desktop has been expertly refinished.
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Dunbar Furniture
Materials
Chrome
Dunbar furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Dunbar furniture 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 furniture, although brown editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original furniture 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 furniture by Edward Wormley, Paul McCobb, and Milo Baughman. Prices for Dunbar furniture can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $225 and can go as high as $119,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $5,998.
Creators Similar to Dunbar
Questions About Dunbar Furniture
- 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.