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.
Midcentury "Quinn" Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Model 1170, Walnut + Wool
By Dunbar Furniture, Gunlocke, Jens Risom, Edward Wormley
Located in Decatur, GA
"Quinn" chair, Model no. 1170 by Edward Wormley for Dunbar circa 1965. Sculpted walnut arms transition seamlessly to the upholstered back creating a wonderful silhouette. Frame is so...
Wool, Upholstery, Walnut
$19,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four Edward Wormley for Dunbar Horned Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Iconic and rare set of four horned antler chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Known as 5580 model dining chairs crafted from mahogany with a caned seat. Arguably these are ...
Cane, Mahogany
Roger Lee Sprunger for Dunbar Pair of Cantilever Lounge Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Chicago, IL
Roger Lee Sprunger for Dunbar pair of cantilever lounge chairs, model 480, oakwood and Mahogany two-toned base structures, oil finish, reupholstered with spi...
Leather, Oak
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Chair in Jack Lenor Larsen
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Introducing a dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and Jack Lenor Larsen upholstery wi...
Mahogany, Upholstery
Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1961
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
With a nod to the immense popularity of Charles Eames's swivel lounge chair and ottoman, Wormley capitalized on the popularity of his own stationary, winged lounge chair and ottoman ...
Leather
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Alexandria Chair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Alexandria Chair. Newly refinished and re-upholstered. Elegant and Beautiful Design that makes any space!
Upholstery, Wood
$14,000 / set
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
Discover one of Edward Wormley's most famous and elegant chairs. A timeless masterpiece, The Captain Chair. We have fully restored this iconic piece to its original splendor, highlighting the beautiful polished brass, cane back, and curved wood frame. The seat has been meticulously reupholstered in Holland & Sherry performance fabric, ensuring both durability and sophistication. Elevate your space with a piece that embodies the essence of mid-century modern luxury. Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain...
Brass
Pair of "Alexandria" Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this 1960s pair of "Alexandria" armchairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. They feature elegantly sinuous frames sculpted from solid mahogany with black satin ...
Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar Pull-Up Lounge Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of Edward Wormley for Dunbar pull-up lounge chairs. Model 971 Jansus line collection. Wormley's Boutique line. Original chocolate brown leather with...
Leather
Pair of Roger Sprunger for Dunbar Cantilevered Chairs in Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Roger Sprunger
Located in Dallas, TX
Introducing the perfect blend of sophistication and comfort: the Roger Lee Sprunger for Dunbar pair of cantilever lounge chairs, model 480. These exquisite chairs, known for their di...
Brass
$2,750Sale Price|50% Off
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Slipper Chair circa 1950s with Original Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Comfortable armless lounge slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar in beautiful plaid upholstery. A true collectors piece with no modifications and in excellent vintage condition....
Walnut
A-Frame' Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A Mid-Century Modern Classic 'A-Frame' armchair with a woven caned backrest, upholstered black leather seat and brass capped feet. Designed by Edward Wormley, produced by Dunbar in t...
Brass
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge Chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century lounge chair with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric This chair measures: 24 wide x 30.5 deep x 30.75 high, with a seat height of 16 and arm height/cha...
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Janus High Back Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A pair of 'Janus' high back chairs with the original blue silk faille upholstery, on light walnut legs with cloud lift stretchers.
Walnut, Upholstery
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Chair in Mohair
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A dining height Janus armchair designed by Mid-Century Modern master Edward Wormley. The chair features a sculpted dark mahogany frame and mohair upholstery with button-tufted backs....
Mohair, Mahogany
$3,400Sale Price|22% Off
Slipper Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Slipper chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. USA, circa 1950. Signed with brass tag. Features tufted back with piping. Original f...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley Toadstool for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Amarillo, TX
Edward Wormley Toadstool ottoman Dunbar. Stained oak, enameled steel, wool. USA 38 D x 15 H inches. Edward Wormley for Dunbar toadstool ottoman upholstered in wool.
Wool, Wood
$14,000 / set
Set of Four Edward Wormley Dining Chairs for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of four dark walnut dining armchairs with tapered legs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushions have been reupholstered with blue and green velvet with a lin...
Upholstery, Walnut, Velvet
$2,310
Large Armchair by Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Square lounge chair with high arms and chrome feet. Large soft cushioning, beige upholstery. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dea...
Fabric
$3,960Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Edward Wormley Mahogany and Grey Wool Barrel Back Chairs
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Chicago, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar barrel back arm chairs in mahogany and blue/gray wool upholstery. Great understated design that reveals unique qualities, would...
Mahogany
$12,000 / set
Edward Wormley Antler Chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in San Francisco, CA
Edward Wormley design antler dining chairs for Dunbar, Model 5580. Rare and attractive design chair by Wormley in the height of his design career. Frames are bleached mahogany with...
Cane, Mahogany
$3,600 / item
Lounge Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
An armless button tufted lounge chair of generous proportion having exposed walnut base. Model: 5000.
Upholstery, Walnut
Dunbar Occasional Arm Chair by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1954
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A model 5517 occasional armchair with exposed mahogany frame supporting a fully upholstered seat, back rest and arms, covered in vintage upholstery. Designed in 1954 as a component o...
Mahogany
Pair of Janus Lounge Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
This pair of Janus chairs, designed by Edward Wormley, and manufactured by Dunbar furniture company, 1950s, have been expertly restored, refinished, and reupholstered in a beautiful...
Upholstery, Mahogany
$7,000
H 26 in W 95 in D 33 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Sofa M#261 with Original Jack Lenor Larsen Upholstery
By Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen, Dunbar Furniture
Located in St. Louis, MO
Classic mid-century modern sofa designed by Edward Wormley from his 1958 Dunbar - Conversation Pieces Collection, this sofa model #261 still has its original Jack Lenor Larsen colorf...
Brass
Dunbar Lounge Chair designed by Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Fraser, MI
Please feel free to reach out for efficient shipping quote to your location. Mid Century Modern Lounge Chair. Designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar.
Fabric, Mahogany
Storage Bench by Roger Sprunger for Dunbar
By Roger Sprunger
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A powder blue bench with hinged seat cushion in original stripped upholstery. Interior storage. Includes matching petite pillow.
Walnut, Upholstery
$4,595
H 30.5 in W 23.75 in D 22 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 4
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mahogany and Cane Dining Chairs - Set of 4 Each chair measures: 23.75 wide x 22 deep x 30.5 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height/chair clea...
Upholstery, Cane, Mahogany
$44,995 / set
H 39.5 in W 29 in D 33 in
Pair Janus Wing Chairs and Ottomans by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare set of "Janus" wing chairs and ottomans designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. One of his most iconic designs! In the Janus Collection Wormley modernized the lines of eighteen...
Velvet, Wood
$2,400 / set
H 32 in W 20.5 in D 21 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Oak and Cane Back Dining Chairs, Set of Four
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in New Windsor, NY
A set of four distinct oak and cane back dining chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Berne, Indiana. Each chair still retains the gold metal tag on the underside of each sea...
Upholstery, Oak, Cane
Ralph Rye Pair Chrome Cantilevered Sling Chairs for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Ralph Rye
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Ralph Rye Cantilevered Sling Chairs. Camel Slings hanging on Chrome Tubular Frame. Were sold through Dunbar Furniture and Krueger Furniture. Can be used as large Dining Chairs or ...
Chrome
$12,995 / set
H 42.5 in W 32 in D 48 in
Edward Wormley Dunbar MCM Lounge Chair and Ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric
By Edward Wormley, Jack Lenor Larsen, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Lounge chair and ottoman with Jack Lenor Larsen Fabric The chair measures: 32 wide x 48 deep x 42.5 high, with a seat height of 17 inches Th...
Metal
No. 4735 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Set of Four
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in Roanoke, VA
Rare set of four No. 4735 Dining Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. Chairs were acquired from estate with full Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining set. Rarely seen!
Textile
Slipper Chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Collection
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Stylish and elegant slipper chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. Upholstered in Fret custom Italian silk velvet, luxurious to the touch, (samples available). Chocolate bra...
Mahogany
$30,000 / set
H 30 in W 24 in D 23.25 in
Set of Six Edward Wormley for Dunbar Dining Chairs in Boucle'
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
A set of 6 dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, upholstered in a high-quality boucle' in spice and black, epitomizes the pinnacle of mid-century design. Dunbar was one of the ...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Set of Eight Edward Wormley Dining Chairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of eight dining chairs by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushions are upholstered in a tufted tan Naugahyde which is a beautiful contrast to the rich mahogany ...
Upholstery, Mahogany, Naugahyde
Sold
H 32.75 in W 24.5 in D 25.5 in
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Captain Chairs In Holly Hunt Great Plains
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dallas, TX
One of Edward Wormley's most famous and elegant chairs. A timeless masterpiece. The Captain Chair. We have fully restored to highlight the beautiful polished brass, cane back, curve...
Brass
Pair of Ralph Rye "RYE" Chairs by Dunbar
By Ralph Rye, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Nashville, TN
Pair of Ralph Rye "RYE" reverse-cantilevered chairs for Dunbar. The cantilevered design lends a nod to the Bauhaus style. Features thick saddle leather with minor signs of wear and a...
Stainless Steel
Edward Wormley Lounge Chair for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Edward Wormley Janus Collection Lounge chair and ottoman for Dunbar, model 5701 Walnut Frame with brass detail hardware, Reupholstered ...
Brass
Set of Six Edward Wormley for Dunbar Caned Dining Chairs
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Labeled set of six mid-century modern caned dining chairs featuring new modern boucle upholstery redux. Iconic chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar having walnut frames in an angular design with an ebonized finish. The rectangular back has a cane inset...
Bouclé, Cane, Wood
Pair of Dunbar Lounge Chairs Priced for Reupholstery, Signed
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Kansas City, MO
Pair of lounge chairs designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, 1950s. Priced for reupholstery as the original fabric shows a good deal of wear. Great pr...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus Mid-Century Lounge Chairs, Pair
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Janus mid-century lounge chairs - pair. This chair measures: 27 wide x 27 deep x 33 high, with a seat height of 15.5 and arm height/chair clearance 21 in...
Upholstery, Wood
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Dining Chairs, Set of 8
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century dining chairs - set of 8 Each armless chair measures: 21 wide x 23 deep x 34.5 high, with a seat height of 18.5 inches Each captains chair m...
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 32 in W 19 in D 21 in
4 Edward Wormley Dunbar Mid Century Modern Mahogany Dining Game Chairs Leather
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
"A rare set of 4 Edward Wormley for Dunbar dining or game chairs, circa 1950s.. Made from mahogany with cane back and burnt orange leather seats. Marked along underside. Provenanc...
Leather, Mahogany
Set of 6 Dunbar Dining Chairs Designed by Wormley, Circa 1950's
By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
Rare set of dining chairs, designed by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1940/1950's. The chairs feature mahogany frames, caned backs and three come with original leather seat pad. Al...
Leather, Cane, Mahogany
Edward Wormley for Dunbar Mid Century Cane Back Dining Chairs, Set of 6
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Edward Wormley for Dunbar mid century cane back dining chairs - set of 6 The armchairs measure: 25 wide x 21 deep x 34 high, wit...
Upholstery, Cane, Wood
Set of Four Edward Wormley A-Frame Armchairs for Dunbar
By Edward Wormley, Dunbar Furniture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The "A-Frame" armchairs with tapered legs and brass capped feet by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, USA, c.1960s. The seat cushions have previously been reupholstered with a striped wool f...
Brass